Yuk! HOME DEPOT is awful these days

Tell him to screw himself and walk away. He has three choices. He can try to
physically detain you which equals assault. He can call a cop which, if
anything comes of it will amount to false arrest. He can shut up and crawl
back under his rock. They can hang a sign saying that they have the right to
rape customers too but how far do you think they'd get with that? Tactics
like that work by intimidation. Don't be intimidated.

"Han" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >
> I tried that with no luck at the Best Buy on 23rd and 6th Ave in
Manhattan.
> They got a bit nasty and referred to a notice on the door that warned
about
> the right to inspect bags upon leaving. What do you do in that case?
>

As I get more involved in my woodworking I am less and less likely to
go to a big box store. There are some advantages to them however.
This is my current "store" rundown.

Softwood Lumber : 84 Lumber or 88-BC (a family yard near Binghamton),
both reasonable quality for 1-by and 2-by pine lumber.

Hardwood Lumber: Southern Tier Hardwoods, excellent prices per BF and
they have a section where you can just buy one board if you like S4S,
or get a truckload of rough or s2s, whatever.

Plywood and sheet goods: Lowes, period. There is no local source for
Baltic Birch (that I know of) and Lowes has much better stock of MDF
and plywoods than HD or the yards. Honestly there may be a better
source for "cabinet grade" stuff but i have not really needed much of
that.

"Pony Clamps", router bits that I need right now, pipe, Jorgensen etc,
melamine : Home Depot: They stock more and better router bits than
both Lowes in the area and the hardware stores are not even in the
game.

Handheld Power tools: Lowes or HD, toss-up, depends on who has which.
The local hardware stores usually just don't have anything.

Hand tools: herein lies the rub: NOBODY has anything good that I can
just go and handle. It's ALL mail order. Rockler, Lee Valley, ebay
whatever. I have to buy every bloody hand tool without ever touching
it. Unless I want some crummy lookalike tool made by a company that
"used" to make good tools. That said, both Rockler and Lee Valley have
been a pleasure to order from, especially Lee Valley.

Large Power tools: hrm... probably order them from a real commercial
equipment dealer who can have them shipped to their location and then
load them into my trailer for me. I don't expect to ever buy another
large power tool from a big-box store (although I like my Hitachi SCMS
and Delta teeny DP)

There is also a decent hardware store nearby, but to be honest, their
selection of tools is no better than the overlap between Lowes and HD.
Knowledge base of the staff there is probably a bit better though. I
would go there for pipe fittings, or vent tubes etc, stuff that I don't
know about and need to ask questions.

Paint: paint store of course, Sherwin Williams.

Knowledge: I learn more in this NG than I would learn asking questions
at any of these places!

In article <[email protected]>, CW
<[email protected]> wrote:

> I don't know where you get that from. Simply buy the thing and leave. Skip
> the twit at the door. He is no more than an annoyance.

Exactly so. If he wants to follow me out to my car he's welcome to, but
I'm under no obligation to stop for him, show him my receipt, or queue
to leave the store.

In article <[email protected]>, Han
<[email protected]> wrote:

> Dave Balderstone <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote in
> news:040820061610387086%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca:
>
> > In article <[email protected]>, CW
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> I don't know where you get that from. Simply buy the thing and leave.
> >> Skip the twit at the door. He is no more than an annoyance.
> >
> > Exactly so. If he wants to follow me out to my car he's welcome to,
> > but I'm under no obligation to stop for him, show him my receipt, or
> > queue to leave the store.
> >
> I tried that with no luck at the Best Buy on 23rd and 6th Ave in Manhattan.
> They got a bit nasty and referred to a notice on the door that warned about
> the right to inspect bags upon leaving. What do you do in that case?

I keep walking and inform the person that if they touch me I will be
the one calling the police.

A sign on the door is nice, but it means nothing in terms of law.

In article <[email protected]>, J. Clarke
<[email protected]> wrote:

> Why on earth do you do business with a company with whose policies you
> disagree, and having done so why do you go out of your way to be annoying
> about it?

I'm not annoying about it. I simply walk out of the store. In fact,
I've never been challenged.

In article <[email protected]>, J. Clarke
<[email protected]> wrote:

> Dave Balderstone wrote:
>
> > In article <[email protected]>, J. Clarke
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> Why on earth do you do business with a company with whose policies you
> >> disagree, and having done so why do you go out of your way to be annoying
> >> about it?
> >
> > I'm not annoying about it. I simply walk out of the store. In fact,
> > I've never been challenged.
>
> Then what in the H-E-double-toothpicks are you on about? Or are you just
> one of those people who isn't happy unless he's complaining about
> something?

Where do you see me complaining about anything? I've added my comments
and opinions in this thread, but I have not complained.

Who pissed in your cornflakes?

On that note, did anyone happen to see the 20/20 special last night on "the
new rich"?

Very interesting piece on Jim Senegal, hope that's spelled right, CEO of
Costco.

Living proof that CEO's don't have to be profit driven, environment
spoiling, anti-worker assholes.

If I wanted to go back and work in a retail environment, they'd be the first
place I'd go to.

They put other big box type stores to shame.

John E.

"Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 02:49:00 GMT, "Hedley" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >Don't knock Menards. Typically lower prices than the BORG, they hire
cute
> >girls, and there is ALWAYS someone on the floor. Clueless or not, they
try
> >to be helpful.
> >
> >Menards is privately held, by the way. They may have bean counters, but
> >those bean counters answer to the owners, not friggin neurotic share
> >holders. That means a lot. Share holders (the big insuance or pension
> >managers) can force an ass-rape on a company and then sell when the price
> >start to go down. Owners are in for the long haul.
> >
> >That said, I do try to go to the BORG when I can to support the local tax
> >base. Menards is "just a bit outside" my village's boundaries, but they
> >still get a substantial percentage of my money.
>
> Here's the problem with Menards, though- they'd be all right if John
> Menard had the slightest concern about his business practices, but
> he's a rotten neighbor. The distribution and manufacturing centers
> are local to my area, and he's constantly in trouble for dumping toxic
> waste into the local ecology, from burning huge piles of PT lumber to
> pouring tens of thousands of gallons of paint where they ended up in
> the river. The employes in that manufacturing compound are (on
> average) paid less than the average late-night stocker at WalMart and
> work in unheated/uncooled buildings with uncountable OSHA violations.
> The guy just finds it cheaper to keep paying the fines than to fix the
> problems, and does whatever he can to make sure he can keep raping the
> area.
>
> Now I'll grant you that all that is pretty much SOP for any large
> company I'm familiar with, and I'm sure HD and Lowes are guilty of
> many of the same things, though they may be doing them in other
> countries- but it's still really tough to support that kind of
> behavior, especially when the guy keeps doing it in his own home town.
>
> That, and they're forgetting who they are- I went there today to get a
> couple of things and walked into a coffee shop, and then passed a huge
> section that looked like a Pier One store before I even found any
> tools or building materials. Not what I like in a hardware store-
> especially one that fights like the devil to keep any and all
> competition out of 100 mile radius of headquarters.

jj wrote:
> I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
> the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
> except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
> in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
> lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
> couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
> the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
> getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
> How's HD in your area?

In the Dayton area the HD here was excellent when it first opened.
They were far better than the Lowes across the street. A lot of people
on the floor, people at registers, etc. As with your store, this
changed and it almost seemed like over night there were less people on
the floor and they went to the self check out with one register open at
the contractor check out. Long lines like you have. I think they got
some serious complaints because the last few trips I have made there
they now have at least two other registers open with people checking
out customers, in addition to the self check out. I actually like the
self check but there are times when you need a real person to do the
work.

Kinda funny. HD started moving aggressively into our area (Eastern WA)
at about the same time Lowe's took over Eagle. I had preferred Eagle,
because the service was better, selection OK, though not as wide as HD,
and the merchandise seemed better. Then Lowe's took over Eagle, and it
went down the tubes. Now I prefer Lowe's over HD for all the reasons
mentioned.

The last time I was in HD, an employee suggested I use the
auto-checkout since there was no line. She smiled when I said I'd wait
for a human to do my checkout, on GP.

<<automated checkouts>>

I love those things.

[email protected] wrote:
> <<automated checkouts>>
>
> I love those things.

When I become an employee, _then_ (and only then) I'll do the
checkout...meanwhile, it's there job.

In general, however, I only patronize locations where I have open
accounts...

I believe what you said is true.

I just visit HD this morning. I asked the man in electrical area on
something that I previous bought from HD but I don't know where it is
located at. The man told me "I don't know" then turned his back and
walked away.

The same and similar scenarios, I shopped at Lowes, I have never leave
any Lowes store without any answer.

Since I have been experience many times like this so I am shopping at
Lowes much more than HD even though Lowes it a little farther while
there are many HD stores around me.

This might be a reason why now HD Supply store at Landess in Milpitas
is changing their store name into Contractor Warehouse. I spoke to a
store manager about the bad and really bad services at HD. I told
them, I hope after they changed into a new name, they will not step on
the previous footprint of HD before.

I don't think the bad service because the CEO; but the business vision
of the whole HD management system.

San Jose, California.


Tim Taylor wrote:
> > "jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >> I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
> >> the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
> >> except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
> >> in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
> >> lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
> >> couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
> >>
> >> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
> >>
> >> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> >> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
> >> the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> >> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
> >> getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
> >>
> >> How's HD in your area?
> >
> >
> I just got back from doing a week and four days worth of work at an Eagle
> (Lowe's) on Oahu. Had to island hop to Maui and the Big Island. Just from
> driving around and general sight seeing, HD out numbers Lowe's on the island
> something like 3 to 1. Obviously they must be doing something right over
> there. Ah, Hawaii.

I believe what you said is true.

I just visit HD this morning. I asked the man in electrical area on
something that I previous bought from HD but I don't know where it is
located at. The man told me "I don't know" then turned his back and
walked away.

The same and similar scenarios, I shopped at Lowes, I have never leave
any Lowes store without any answer.

Since I have been experience many times like this so I am shopping at
Lowes much more than HD even though Lowes it a little farther while
there are many HD stores around me.

This might be a reason why now HD Supply store at Landess in Milpitas
is changing their store name into Contractor Warehouse. I spoke to a
store manager about the bad and really bad services at HD. I told
them, I hope after they changed into a new name, they will not step on
the previous footprint of HD before.

I don't think the bad service because the CEO; but the business vision
of the whole HD management system.

San Jose, California.


Tim Taylor wrote:
> > "jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >> I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
> >> the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
> >> except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
> >> in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
> >> lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
> >> couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
> >>
> >> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
> >>
> >> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> >> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
> >> the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> >> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
> >> getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
> >>
> >> How's HD in your area?
> >
> >
> I just got back from doing a week and four days worth of work at an Eagle
> (Lowe's) on Oahu. Had to island hop to Maui and the Big Island. Just from
> driving around and general sight seeing, HD out numbers Lowe's on the island
> something like 3 to 1. Obviously they must be doing something right over
> there. Ah, Hawaii.

I believe what you said is true.

I just visit HD this morning. I asked the man in electrical area on
something that I previous bought from HD but I don't know where it is
located at. The man told me "I don't know" then turned his back and
walked away.

The same and similar scenarios, I shopped at Lowes, I have never leave
any Lowes store without any answer.

Since I have been experience many times like this so I am shopping at
Lowes much more than HD even though Lowes it a little farther while
there are many HD stores around me.

This might be a reason why now HD Supply store at Landess in Milpitas
is changing their store name into Contractor Warehouse. I spoke to a
store manager about the bad and really bad services at HD. I told
them, I hope after they changed into a new name, they will not step on
the previous footprint of HD before.

I don't think the bad service because the CEO; but the business vision
of the whole HD management system.

San Jose, California.


Tim Taylor wrote:
> > "jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >> I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
> >> the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
> >> except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
> >> in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
> >> lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
> >> couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
> >>
> >> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
> >>
> >> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> >> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
> >> the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> >> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
> >> getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
> >>
> >> How's HD in your area?
> >
> >
> I just got back from doing a week and four days worth of work at an Eagle
> (Lowe's) on Oahu. Had to island hop to Maui and the Big Island. Just from
> driving around and general sight seeing, HD out numbers Lowe's on the island
> something like 3 to 1. Obviously they must be doing something right over
> there. Ah, Hawaii.

Ed Walsh wrote:
> BTW - I have sent at least 4 complaints about poor service to HD corporate.
> I got back a form letter about how sorry they were and 4 gift cards in
> varying amounts up to $20. Don't know what pissed me off more, the measly
> attempt of appeasement with the gift cards or the form letters.
>
> The solution, as someone already said, if for lots of people to send them
> complaint letters (emails)

No - the solution is to find alternative sources and deprive HD (and
others like them) of your money. When profits and market share look
like twin kamikaze planes on the way down, THAT'S when you have their
attention. And there's another thing that's effective: bad publicity.
Get a group together to picket the store pointing out the bad service,
etc. Local paper/TV comes around to see the "consumer rebellion" and
HD corporate may start to get serious.

FoggyTown

todd wrote:
> "dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > [email protected] wrote:
> >> <<automated checkouts>>
> >>
> >> I love those things.
> >
> > When I become an employee, _then_ (and only then) I'll do the
> > checkout...meanwhile, it's their job.
>
> And you go to full-service gas stations too, right?

If, as another posted noted, there were no or minimal difference (as
there isn't in the BORG), certainly. I find a big difference between
swiping a card at a dispensing machine like a gas pump and having to
scan individual items at a checkout, however. The former makes some
sense, the latter is simply an imposition on a customer (imo, ymmv,
$0.02, etc., ...).

Altho in actuality unless traveling the Co-op has user/member keyed
pumps so I use them for the car/pickup and everything else is delivered
to the on-farm storage so no hassle (other than paying the bill at the
end of the month which is getting astronomical, but that's a whole
different story :( ).

Same story in south central PA. I usually only go to HD, or Lowes for
that matter, as a last resort. Though I gotta say, the Lowe's in our
area aren't exactly spiffy on the service end either.

It used to be the borgs hired folks who had a clue about the stuff they
were selling (both stores), now when/if you ask a question....You first
of all pray that the individual in the vest speaks english (no offense
to any non-english speaking folks, but if you're going to work with the
public --- please speak the language of the public you're dealing with)
and also that they have at least a clue of what they're selling.

I had a rather interesting discusion with a fellow in the lighting
department about putting lights in a drop ceiling. He insited that the
can style lights I was buying didn't need support, "just cut a hole in
the ceiling tile and put the light in" he said....Now I know that they
probably do make lights that you can do that with. The ones I was
looking to buy weren't one of them. I finally picked up the package
and pointed to where it said "MUST BE MOUNTED ON BRACKETS"..... The
young fellow said "oh"....

Wanted to take a look at dado sets last night at a Lowes.....couldn't
find them, couldn't find a vest to ask either....asked the guy across
the aisle in paints....he didn't even know if they carried them....He
also couldn't find anyone to ask since the store was pretty much empty
of employees.

Which brings me to the next item of complaint...selection..Used to be
you had three maybe even four brands to choose from on the shelf (and
this goes for most stores now a days) now you get the priviledge of
choosing from ONE brand.... There's a choice for ya...

I go to my local hardware stores most of the time now. The fellas and
ladies there are always friendly, usually always know what they're
talking about or can ask someone who does, and most of them know my
name. I'm extremely fortunate to have two local stores that carry just
about everything I need....

Thus ends my portion of this rant...... :-)

whome wrote:
> I pretty much have experienced the same. I did a trip all over the West
> last year. Stopped at few HDs to see if they had the same pathetic
> operations as the one at home. Yah, there are all bad. When HD first
> opened I liked them a lot better than Eagle or Lowes. But now it is
> completely turned around. I almost always shop any where but HD.
>

Wow, you must be fun to go on vacation with, if you take the time to
stop at all the home depots just so you can complain about how bad they
are LOL.

<<When I become an employee, _then_ (and only then) I'll do the
checkout...meanwhile, it's there job. >>

I don't care whose job it is, I just want in and out expeditiously, and
that occurs when I do stuff for myself. I much prefer pumping my own
gas and serving myself at restaurants so that I don't have to wait on
someone else.

But, I'm pleased that others feel the way you do. That keeps the
self-serve lines short. :-)

What do you expect from a company that would sponsor a jerk like Tony
Stewart ! ! !




R. Pierce Butler wrote:
> Puckdropper <[email protected]> wrote in news:44d01763$0$17958$892e7fe2
> @authen.yellow.readfreenews.net:
>
> > "Geo" <[email protected]> wrote in news:1154465237.380188.110050
> > @h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:
> >
> > *snip*
> >
> >> I actually like the
> >> self check but there are times when you need a real person to do the
> >> work.
> >>
> >
> > They're great for prepackaged items with UPCs, but for anything that's no
> > prepackaged or for big items like 2x4s it's much easier to have a real
> > person use their portable scanner to check you out.
> >
> > If I had to guess I would say that HD and Lowes have fewer "Just two
> > light prepackaged items" customers than department stores like Kmart and
> > Walmart.
> >
> > Puckdropper
>
> I was buying some siding that was available at both Lowes and HD. It
> seemed that the siding from Lowes was better quality. Same with PT 2x4s.
> Lowes tool section is better. Some of th sales droids at HD are real goofs
> but you can get that anywhere. The CEO of HD is a real asshole from what I
> hear from employess. There is no dedication to the company or the job
> either.
>
> Isn't HD what "Handy Andy" and "Handy Dan" evolved into? I expect that HD
> is headed to the same demise.

[email protected] wrote:
> <<When I become an employee, _then_ (and only then) I'll do the
> checkout...meanwhile, it's there job. >>
>
> I don't care whose job it is, I just want in and out expeditiously, and
> that occurs when I do stuff for myself. I much prefer pumping my own
> gas and serving myself at restaurants so that I don't have to wait on
> someone else.
>
> But, I'm pleased that others feel the way you do. That keeps the
> self-serve lines short. :-)

You can be assured I won't be in either the self-serve or the manned
checkout line at a BORG often enough to be an issue in their traffic
count! :)

Of course, it's easier since there isn't one within 60 miles but I
wouldn't go if it were as long as the _real_ lumberyard that we've
dealt with for 60+ years is still here--and hopefully it can make it
another 10 or so and I'll no longer care much in all likelihood.
There, there are no such things as "check out lines" and such so there
are no moronic checkers. A good ol' order form is written out that has
whatcha' took on it, and the end of the month a copy of them shows up
in the mail--a check goes back next time go to town.

Patriarch wrote:
> "Ed Walsh" <edwalsh@dev_null> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> > BTW - I have sent at least 4 complaints about poor service to HD
> > corporate. I got back a form letter about how sorry they were and 4
> > gift cards in varying amounts up to $20. Don't know what pissed me
> > off more, the measly attempt of appeasement with the gift cards or the
> > form letters.
> >
> > The solution, as someone already said, if for lots of people to send
> > them complaint letters (emails)
>
> The solution is to buy from somebody else. Anybody else, but preferably
> someone local, who knows your name when you come in. Even if you're 'just
> a homeowner'.
>
> Patriarch

Agreed. Recently moved about 25 miles and am re-skinning an old 63x48
pole building of which about a third will become woodshop. Wasn't
happy with the old (pre-move) local lumber yard -- pricy and marginal
service. Soon after the move one of the yards from a third community
moved out of that town to a location with better interstate access.
Their new location, by geographic accident, made them my closest source
for lumber. Having previously been to the various BORG's looking for a
12x12 overhead door as part of the re-skinning project I wondered into
the new yard. Turns out they actually have pole building crews -- so
spec-ing the door was easy. Me: "I'm looking for an overhead door to
replace a slider on a pole building." Guy behind counter: "You'll
probably need to build a header. Here's how we generally frame the
headers ... " Price was competitive, standards and practices knowledge
save me atleast an hour or two of figuring out. No way I would have
gotten that from a BORG where the kid who sells doors wouldn't
recognize a framing hammer if it left a waffle pattern between his
eyes.

An additional bonus, my move upgraded the quality of the nearest
hardware store -- nails in bins!

hex
-30-

J. Clarke wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
>
> > On Wed, 02 Aug 2006 08:24:42 -0400, "J. Clarke"
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >>[email protected] wrote:
> >>
> >>> On Tue, 1 Aug 2006 20:12:50 -0500, "todd" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>>"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >>>>news:[email protected]...
> >>>>>
> >>>>> [email protected] wrote:
> >>>>>> <<automated checkouts>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> I love those things.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> When I become an employee, _then_ (and only then) I'll do the
> >>>>> checkout...meanwhile, it's there job.
> >>>>
> >>>>And you go to full-service gas stations too, right?
> >>>>
> >>> I certainly do. They create more jobs and cost the same.
> >>
> >>You mean you can _find_ one?
> >
> > We actually have quite a few, even big name one's like ESSO.
> > There are 4 in a one mile stretch alone.
>
> Where would that be? Didn't realize that ESSO was still being used as a
> brand name.
>

Exxon is Esso in Canada and England. They are one of the older Oil
Companies around
> --
> --John
> to email, dial "usenet" and validate
> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

>>The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
>>thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
>>the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
>>another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
>>getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.


Yep, numbers driven short term profit fixation, at the expense of long term
health of HD and long term profits. After this CEO gets short term profits
way up, he will make 20 million or so for himself after many employees are
laid off, then sales will start falling off after customers grow tired of
HD's crappy customer service, then the CEO will leave with his golden
parachute, stores will close. Then Home Depot will have an epithany: "hey
let's hire more employees to better serve our customers! Let's be customer
service focused!" (gee, like you USED to be) So then they'll start hiring
more people again, customer service will get better, customers will come
back. Then after everyone is happy, another CEO will come along to slash
the number of employees, to raise short term profits, etc........so on and
so forth..............corporate bullshit 101.........pencil necked geeks
with their excel spreadsheets.

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>> Both of those are criminal offenses in all localities in the US of
>> which I am aware. In what localities is requiring that one show a
>> store employee the contents of one's shopping bag before leaving the
>> store a criminal offense?


What irritates me is when I go to a store and buy ONE item, and the clerk
shoves it into a bag, no matter how small it is. Then I say "I don't need
a bag." "All merchandise must be bagged to prove you bought it", they say,
in a rude voice. So I usually take the item out and throw the bag on the
counter and give them a nasty look after I get my change. Gone are the
days of the customer being right.

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[email protected] wrote:

> Kinda funny. HD started moving aggressively into our area (Eastern WA)
> at about the same time Lowe's took over Eagle. I had preferred Eagle,
> because the service was better, selection OK, though not as wide as HD,
> and the merchandise seemed better. Then Lowe's took over Eagle, and it
> went down the tubes. Now I prefer Lowe's over HD for all the reasons
> mentioned.

I'm also in eastern WA and yes, I miss Eagle. I'm sure you've heard that
"LOWES" stands for "Less Of What Eagle Stocked" :-).

That said, they're a LOT better than HD.

--
It's turtles, all the way down

jj <jj@no_spam.net> writes:

>Well, from the responses. It is not just my imagination or the local
>area stores but every where Home Depot has gone down hill. I too, to the
>tune of several thousand dollars a year (remodeling projects) was spent
>at Home Depot but have since been purchasing mostly from Lowes. Lowes
>here in the PNW have 4 times as many clerks about twice as many people
>on the floor as Home Depot. BTW, I did send corporate a letter. Usually,

Lowes may have more floor employees, but they charge a LOT more to pay for
them. A 2x4 8 foot usually costs around $2.69 at Home Depot, but will
cost genrally around $3.69 at Lowes. I've found just about everything to
be more at Lowes. I only go to Lowes if nobody else has an item. Also,
the nearest Lowes is a 15 mile trip each way.

I've been doing most of my shopping at Menards recently even though HD is
only about a mile or two further. Menards prices are always the same or
less than HD these days. Home Depot was the cheapest three or four years
ago, but HD prices have gone way up.

Brian Elfert

"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> writes:

>I'm sorry, but I have no idea what "Menards" might be.

Menards is the third largest "Home Improvement" chain based in Eau Claire,
Wisconsin. Stores are located mainly in the midwest in Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan, Nebraska, North/South
Dakota.

Some of their old stores are poorly laid out, but the new stores are
really nice. They are much closer to a lumberyard than HD or Lowes. They
actually have a outdoor lumberyard at the stores so stuff can be put
directly into a vehicle instead of loaded in a cart and hauled outside.

The Menard family is also big into racing. Various Menard family members
have been on the Indy and Nascar racing circuits.

Brian Elfert

John Emmons wrote:

> It's resulted in better service each time I've done it, also got the guy who
> was demanding to see every shoppers reciept before allowing them to leave
> the building assigned to a different job as he was actively pissing off
> customers with his in your face attitude.

AFAIK, there's no regulation requiring you to show them your purchases. My
response has always been if they think I'm shoplifting, call the cops. Then
I mention false arrest. Always worked so far. I've noted that most of the
stores in my area (WA state) don't even do this anymore.

--
It's turtles, all the way down

In article <[email protected]>,
n7ws*@*yahoo.com says...
> On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 06:46:47 GMT, Lobby Dosser
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >"Ed Walsh" <edwalsh@dev_null> wrote:
> >
> >> BTW - I have sent at least 4 complaints about poor service to HD
> >> corporate. I got back a form letter about how sorry they were and 4
> >> gift cards in varying amounts up to $20. Don't know what pissed me
> >> off more, the measly attempt of appeasement with the gift cards or the
> >> form letters.
> >
> >So you got at least $24 from them and maybe more like $35. I'm thinking you
> >need to keep the cards and letters coming until you save up enough cards
> >for something you want but don't need. :-)
>
> Hmmm. They sent me a no-limit 10% off coupon.
>
>
I've followed this thread pretty closely and I'm puzzled. Aren't there
ANY Home Depot employees and or members of their management reading this
that can refute even SOME of the negative comments that have been
posted? Or, do they all agree with the general conclusions espressed
that HD's product selection, overall performance, etc. has really
degraded. Hmmm?

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 03:29:38 GMT, Lew Hodgett
<[email protected]> wrote:

>George Max wrote:
>
> > I once had to tell a cashier at a McDonald's how much change to give
> > me. She couldn't figure it out so asked me how much she had to give
> > me. I told her (honestly), but also feel sad at having to do that.
>
>My guess is that anybody under the age of 40, never learned how to
>"make change" when they were in grade school.
>
>Ain't calculators grand?
>
>Lew

Calculators are nice, but they are the death of actual math skills.
My own math skills are not what they once were thanks to the crutch
that they are.

"Mark & Juanita" wrote in message

> My Lowe's story for the day:
<snip>
> Now, in their defense, a month ago, they did replace some mini-blinds we
> bought from them over 1 1/2 years ago that had broken their retraction
> cords and went out of their way to interface between us and the supplier,
> so sometimes they do get it right.

Last week Lowe's "lost" a dishwasher for one of our houses purchased six
months ago and "stored" for future delivery (we generally buy a couple
appliance's at a time whenever a good sale item pops up).

Upshot is that, after exercising my nuclear option (SWMBO) to resolve the
issue (I would just end up in jail), Lowe's replaced the $700 "lost" one for
a $1000 item, plus free delivery.

Then, "Lowe's and behold", they're "no show" at the appointed delivery time
that afternoon.

When confronted, they admitted that they didn't have the replacement in
stock. Enter SWMBO again, who negotiates immediate free delivery of the
$1200 model that _is_in stock, supervised the loading of same, and had their
truck follow her to the job site.

With your story as a benchmark, you can imagine how many "managers" it took
to resolve that.

The thing I like about Lowe's is that one can profit from their corporate
ineptness while HD would still be trying to find a manager.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 7/30/06

On Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:29:36 -0700, jj <jj@no_spam.net> wrote:

>I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
>the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
>except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
>in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
>lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
>couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
>Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
>The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
>thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
>the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
>another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
>getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
>How's HD in your area?

It isn't at all... We've got Menard's, and he leans on the local
government to keep everyone else out. But, they're the same story as
the rest of them.

But I keep wondering when I see these threads about the HD and Lowes-
Where I'm at, there are Farm and Fleet stores peppered around, and in
other areas, there is Fleet Farm, which I'm led to understand is
almost the same store. Now, they don't stock lumber, so I can't get
that there, but for general hardware and tools, they've got people who
stay right in their areas and know where things are at, and will order
anything they don't have on hand for you. They carry Delta,
Porter-Cable, DeWalt, Milwalkee, etc.- and tend to have a better
selection than the smaller tool stores, even up to some fairly big
iron. They still sell fasteners out of bins so you don't need to buy
400 screws when you only need two, and there are always at least 8
checkout lanes open. Prices usually match or beat Amazon, and they do
warranty work in the store's shop if they can, and exchange things
without much hassle if they can't.

Now, I don't know if that's just a local chain- but I wonder if a lot
of people are just missing it because it has "Farm" in the name.
Really a good place to get your woodworking stuff, and decent service-
as well as an excellent paint department. Might be worth a look if
they're around and you're just choosing between Home Depot and Lowes.

I try to support the local guys as much as possible, but the Do It
Best in town is never open, and the local lumberyard kind of went to
hell when they moved to a new bigger location and started selling
everything they could think of, so the Farm and Fleet is where it's
at. At least it's supporting people who seem to care about what
they're doing- unlike the big box stores (which I have frequented in
the past, and now know they aren't worth a two-hour drive)

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 19:48:13 -0400, "J. Clarke"
<[email protected]> wrote:

... snip

>
>I know who ESSO is, they were ESSO when I was a kid, but haven't seen that
>named used in decades.
>

Where I grew up they were ENCO stations --- likewise haven't seen that
name in decades either.


>>> --
>>> --John
>>> to email, dial "usenet" and validate
>>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)


+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

"jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was the
>closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers except
>for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain in the
>@#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The lines are
>often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A couple of miles
>farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know the
> half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time getting
> rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
> How's HD in your area?

This rant will be a waste unless you send a copy to Home Deopt also.

On Wed, 02 Aug 2006 17:34:37 -0700, Dan <[email protected]> wrote:

>[email protected] wrote:
>> <<automated checkouts>>
>>
>> I love those things.
>>
>
>Me too.

>Recently bought a bunch of lumber, including 5 2x6's, at the
>local Home Depot. Idiot who rang me up charged me for 6.
>How hard is it to count to 5, for christ sake?
>Dan

I once had to tell a cashier at a McDonald's how much change to give
me. She couldn't figure it out so asked me how much she had to give
me. I told her (honestly), but also feel sad at having to do that.

On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 02:49:00 GMT, "Hedley" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Don't knock Menards. Typically lower prices than the BORG, they hire cute
>girls, and there is ALWAYS someone on the floor. Clueless or not, they try
>to be helpful.
>
>Menards is privately held, by the way. They may have bean counters, but
>those bean counters answer to the owners, not friggin neurotic share
>holders. That means a lot. Share holders (the big insuance or pension
>managers) can force an ass-rape on a company and then sell when the price
>start to go down. Owners are in for the long haul.
>
>That said, I do try to go to the BORG when I can to support the local tax
>base. Menards is "just a bit outside" my village's boundaries, but they
>still get a substantial percentage of my money.

Here's the problem with Menards, though- they'd be all right if John
Menard had the slightest concern about his business practices, but
he's a rotten neighbor. The distribution and manufacturing centers
are local to my area, and he's constantly in trouble for dumping toxic
waste into the local ecology, from burning huge piles of PT lumber to
pouring tens of thousands of gallons of paint where they ended up in
the river. The employes in that manufacturing compound are (on
average) paid less than the average late-night stocker at WalMart and
work in unheated/uncooled buildings with uncountable OSHA violations.
The guy just finds it cheaper to keep paying the fines than to fix the
problems, and does whatever he can to make sure he can keep raping the
area.

Now I'll grant you that all that is pretty much SOP for any large
company I'm familiar with, and I'm sure HD and Lowes are guilty of
many of the same things, though they may be doing them in other
countries- but it's still really tough to support that kind of
behavior, especially when the guy keeps doing it in his own home town.

That, and they're forgetting who they are- I went there today to get a
couple of things and walked into a coffee shop, and then passed a huge
section that looked like a Pier One store before I even found any
tools or building materials. Not what I like in a hardware store-
especially one that fights like the devil to keep any and all
competition out of 100 mile radius of headquarters.

"Geo" <[email protected]> wrote in news:1154465237.380188.110050
@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

*snip*

> I actually like the
> self check but there are times when you need a real person to do the
> work.
>

They're great for prepackaged items with UPCs, but for anything that's no
prepackaged or for big items like 2x4s it's much easier to have a real
person use their portable scanner to check you out.

If I had to guess I would say that HD and Lowes have fewer "Just two
light prepackaged items" customers than department stores like Kmart and
Walmart.

Puckdropper
--
Wise is the man who attempts to answer his question before asking it.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

Here in Canada, Home Depot is not too bad yet but getting worse. There used
to be 15 cashouts in the local store, they are down to two regular and one
for lumber. They used to stock an suppliers entire line down to the last
little item, now it is only the big sellers. They squeezed in appliances and
dropped hardwood veneer plywoods and only carry some thicknesses of plywood,
mdf and other sheet goods. If you want other thicknesses, go elsewhere.

When I can, I go to the local Revy Store, unfortunately it is very small but
they can pack in almost as much merchandise as Home Depot, except building
materials which are outside and sheet goods which they don't have much room
for. They have cashiers and floor help and a bigger variety of many items.

We used to have 5 lumberyards and 3 hardware stores, now we are down to
Revy, and Home Depot with some Canadian Tires which don't carry lumber and
building supplies. The one good lumberyard closed its local store and moved
to its rural store where it still is if you want a 30 mile round trip.


"Ed Walsh" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I long since stopped using the Home Depots in my part of Georgia. Same
>reasons - less people, prices suck, inventory is really bad, and
>salespeople are more often than not clueless about their aisle.
>
> What's behind their downfall is the original founders are long gone and
> the bean counters are in control and are setting the rules. We all know
> how companies do when the bean counters run them. Interestingly enough I
> scanned a report the other day off the net where a study was done on
> customer satisfaction for a couple of hundred stores. Surprise - Home
> Depot was next to last. Sorry, I don't remember who was last.
>
> As someone has already said, the market place will take care of Home
> Depot. Their stock is dropping, their employees are quitting left and
> right. Eventually the stockholders will scream and boot the current
> management team out when they will figure out what Lowes figured out a
> couple years back - people will pay more for good service. Lowes is
> eating their lunch is pretty much every area they compete.
>
> "jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was the
>>closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers except
>>for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain in the
>>@#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The lines
>>are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A couple of
>>miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>>
>> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>>
>> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
>> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know the
>> half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
>> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time getting
>> rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>>
>> How's HD in your area?
>
>

"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:


> I'm sorry, but I have no idea what "Menards" might be.

You might want to do a quick search for their website and have a look.
(I think it's www.menards.com but don't quote me on that.) Most stores
have about everything you'll need to build and maintain a house and then
some.

Given the choice between Menards and Home Depot/Lowes, I usually go
Menards. (We live about halfway between Menards and HD.)

Puckdropper
--
Wise is the man who attempts to answer his question before asking it.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

Lew Hodgett <[email protected]> wrote in news:CazAg.4372$0e5.2886
@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net:


> My guess is that anybody under the age of 40, never learned how to
> "make change" when they were in grade school.
>
> Ain't calculators grand?
>
> Lew

I have a computer program that will do it for me. It gives you the
fewest number of coins possible, too. (It was one of the first things I
wrote in my CS classes, but that's beside the point.)

Puckdropper
--
Wise is the man who attempts to answer his question before asking it.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

"CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> Then do as I do. Walk around the line and out the door. Easy eh?

Only works up to a point. If you need something, then you need it. Leaving,
and driving somewhere else will inconvenience you a great deal longer than
being given the once-over by an attendant.

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> jj wrote:
> > I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
> > the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
> > except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
> > in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
> > lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
> > couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
> >
> > Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
> >
> > The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> > thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
> > the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> > another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
> > getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
> >
> > How's HD in your area?
>
> I pretty much have experienced the same. I did a trip all over the West
> last year. Stopped at few HDs to see if they had the same pathetic
> operations as the one at home. Yah, there are all bad. When HD first
> opened I liked them a lot better than Eagle or Lowes. But now it is
> completely turned around. I almost always shop any where but HD.
>
> I would like to package up this thread and send it to Home Depot corp
> office and send along copies to some analysts on Wall Street. If anyone
> would like for me to leave off their post, just say so.
>

Be my guest. Send mine to corporate -- I've already written them -- no
response, told CS in store of problems -- Sorry, etc., emailed store mgr
- nothing's changed. I no longer go in a HD - will pay more at small
hardware store down the road where people are friendly, know what they
have or will get it for me and seem to appreciate my business.

I wish I could short stocks in my IRA -- about $6-8 would look like a
good cover price.

Those who feel that Home Depot needs to improve their customer service
should do something I've done a few times at one of their local outlets.

Call the store while waiting in line, ask to speak to the manager on duty,
when they come on the line ask them why they aren't monitoring the cashiers
and helping to move the lines along.

Embarass them into better service.

It's resulted in better service each time I've done it, also got the guy who
was demanding to see every shoppers reciept before allowing them to leave
the building assigned to a different job as he was actively pissing off
customers with his in your face attitude.

It may not solve the corporate problems that exist at a higher level but it
helps pass the time while waiting in line and it reminds the manager that
there are actual people in their store.

John E.

"Tex" <tex@my_isp.net> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> n7ws*@*yahoo.com says...
> > On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 06:46:47 GMT, Lobby Dosser
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > >"Ed Walsh" <edwalsh@dev_null> wrote:
> > >
> > >> BTW - I have sent at least 4 complaints about poor service to HD
> > >> corporate. I got back a form letter about how sorry they were and 4
> > >> gift cards in varying amounts up to $20. Don't know what pissed me
> > >> off more, the measly attempt of appeasement with the gift cards or
the
> > >> form letters.
> > >
> > >So you got at least $24 from them and maybe more like $35. I'm thinking
you
> > >need to keep the cards and letters coming until you save up enough
cards
> > >for something you want but don't need. :-)
> >
> > Hmmm. They sent me a no-limit 10% off coupon.
> >
> >
> I've followed this thread pretty closely and I'm puzzled. Aren't there
> ANY Home Depot employees and or members of their management reading this
> that can refute even SOME of the negative comments that have been
> posted? Or, do they all agree with the general conclusions espressed
> that HD's product selection, overall performance, etc. has really
> degraded. Hmmm?

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
>
> jj wrote:
> > I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
> > the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
> > except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
> > in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
> > lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
> > couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
> >
> > Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
> >
> > The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> > thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
> > the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> > another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
> > getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
> >
> > How's HD in your area?
>
... snipped
>
>
Home Depot (new a few months ago) North of Houston, TX (Hwy 2978 @ Hwy
1488)

... very poor selection/stocking of items -- in last 5 times, had to go
to Lowe's 4 times -- don't go to that HD now -- seldom go to any HD

... higher prices than Lowe's on items that were once significantly less
expensive

... seems to be decrease in personnel (registers inadequately manned)

... now buying ALL medium/large ticket items via Internet - neither HD
nor Lowe's competitive, even after paying shipping

... sold HD stock 3/06 -- don't own Lowe's, and NOT buying, either!

... things will level out eventually - free market enterprise in
operation.

Tex

The local HD here(central Texas) went to the single checkout and
computer self check and my experiences were all negative. Each time I
got a receipt there was a suggestion to take a survey about my
experience that trip so I went home and chimed in with my 2 cents worth.
But a year later nothing has changed much.

For all lumber and other long or heavy items I go to a lumber yard here
just to keep from handling the stock so much and also to avoid the HD
checkouts. Luckly we have two lumberyards that do a pretty good job on
most items.

Ron T

BTW - I have sent at least 4 complaints about poor service to HD corporate.
I got back a form letter about how sorry they were and 4 gift cards in
varying amounts up to $20. Don't know what pissed me off more, the measly
attempt of appeasement with the gift cards or the form letters.

The solution, as someone already said, if for lots of people to send them
complaint letters (emails)
"jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Well, from the responses. It is not just my imagination or the local area
> stores but every where Home Depot has gone down hill. I too, to the tune
> of several thousand dollars a year (remodeling projects) was spent at Home
> Depot but have since been purchasing mostly from Lowes. Lowes here in the
> PNW have 4 times as many clerks about twice as many people on the floor as
> Home Depot. BTW, I did send corporate a letter. Usually, you get a letter
> back with some kind of response. Nada, from Home Depot.
> Maybe they are making money from contractors and do not care about the few
> measely thousands of dollars from John Q Public doing remodel jobs.

"jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was the
>closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers except
>for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain in the
>@#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The snip
Here in toledo, same thing. One checkout (no automated checkout) , IF you
find a employee they just have a vague idea where anything is and walk away.
Bought a small piece of red oak to make a feather board with. Cut it in
half, turned out the damn thing was glued! Cut right thru the biscuits. They
suck.

On Wed, 02 Aug 2006 08:24:42 -0400, "J. Clarke"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>[email protected] wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 1 Aug 2006 20:12:50 -0500, "todd" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>>
>>>> [email protected] wrote:
>>>>> <<automated checkouts>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I love those things.
>>>>
>>>> When I become an employee, _then_ (and only then) I'll do the
>>>> checkout...meanwhile, it's there job.
>>>
>>>And you go to full-service gas stations too, right?
>>>
>> I certainly do. They create more jobs and cost the same.
>
>You mean you can _find_ one?

We actually have quite a few, even big name one's like ESSO.
There are 4 in a one mile stretch alone.

On Wed, 02 Aug 2006 09:17:22 -0400, Andrew Williams
<[email protected]> wrote:

>As I get more involved in my woodworking I am less and less likely to
>go to a big box store. There are some advantages to them however.

... yep. A while back my son and I were walking into HD for something
that had broken that weekend (I think it was manifold for the drip system)
when we met a person I have worked with in the past. He was coming out of
the store happy as a lark, say me and said, "going into the fun store, eh?"
Funny thing is, I haven't looked at HD that way for probably the last 12
years.





+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Ron Magen wrote:

> Which may be just a 'ploy' {or an inadvertent serendipity} . . .
with the
> assumption {purpose?} that you {'The Customer' . . . sometimes
notated as
> 'The Sucker'} will become so frustrated with the entire process
that they
> will just go away . . .


It is easier to get rid of stink on crap than it is to make me go away.

Getting refunds, exchanges, credits, etc are all my game.

I win my games, it is a matter of principle.

As an example, bought a printer which carried a mail in rebate.

I hate rebates, but what the heck, I'll play their silly game.

After a year, still didn't have my refund.

Got tired of all the excuses.

Called the CEO's office and explained the problem.

Within the week, had the check for the rebate + $10 for the
aggravation factor.

Lew

[email protected] wrote:
> <<automated checkouts>>
>
> I love those things.
>

Me too. I use them whenever they are available. Almost always quicker.
Plus I'd much rather do it myself & use a machine than deal with a
moron ;-) Recently bought a bunch of lumber, including 5 2x6's, at the
local Home Depot. Idiot who rang me up charged me for 6. I noticed
this on the receipt out in the parking lot & dragged the whole load back
into the store, where the same cashier was standing by the door.
Naturally he couldn't correct his mistake, I had to go stand in ANOTHER
line at the "service" desk. How hard is it to count to 5, for christ
sake? I recently moved to Seattle from central Ohio (Columbus area). I
also visit family in the Los Angeles area frequently. In central Ohio,
virtually every grocery store has self checkouts, in LA about the ONLY
place I've seen them with any regularity is Home Depot. They're a BIT
more prevalent in WA, but not much, though again the HD's do have them.

Dan

George Max wrote:

> I once had to tell a cashier at a McDonald's how much change to give
> me. She couldn't figure it out so asked me how much she had to give
> me. I told her (honestly), but also feel sad at having to do that.

My guess is that anybody under the age of 40, never learned how to
"make change" when they were in grade school.

Ain't calculators grand?

Lew

> "jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
>> the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
>> except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
>> in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
>> lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
>> couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>>
>> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>>
>> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
>> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
>> the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
>> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
>> getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>>
>> How's HD in your area?
>
>
I just got back from doing a week and four days worth of work at an Eagle
(Lowe's) on Oahu. Had to island hop to Maui and the Big Island. Just from
driving around and general sight seeing, HD out numbers Lowe's on the island
something like 3 to 1. Obviously they must be doing something right over
there. Ah, Hawaii.

$10.00 a year. You drive a hard bargain.

"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Within the week, had the check for the rebate + $10 for the
> aggravation factor.
>
> Lew

Brought you you by the same kind of dipshit that asks "if you don't like the
US president, why don't you move to France.

"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Dave Balderstone wrote:
> Why on earth do you do business with a company with whose policies you
> disagree, and having done so why do you go out of your way to be annoying
> about it?

RE: Subject

All decisions are made in Atlanta these days.

Store employees who have employed there more than a couple of years
are in general, not happy, but there is nothing they can do to change
things, or so I'm told by someone I believe.

Lew

Then do as I do. Walk around the line and out the door. Easy eh?

"Tom Veatch" <.> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> They don't do "exit interviews" at the HD's here, but at the local
> SAM's Club, the line for the "door attendant" can get longer than
> those at the registers.

George Max wrote:
>
> I once had to tell a cashier at a McDonald's how much change to give
> me. She couldn't figure it out so asked me how much she had to give
> me. I told her (honestly), but also feel sad at having to do that.

Recently bought some wine at a local QFC grocery. If you buy more than
6, they give you 10% off. For some goofy reason, if they don't ring the
wine up 1st, the register can't just figure the 10% off the wine only,
so they had to enter the discount separately. Wine total was something
like $79.85, the cashier actually had to go get a calculator to figure
the 10% discount. I know what you mean, I felt sorry for her.

Dan

Pass one on the way home from work daily.

"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> >>And you go to full-service gas stations too, right?
> >>
> You mean you can _find_ one?
>
> --
> --John
> to email, dial "usenet" and validate
> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> wide glide wrote:
>

>> so if they put up a sign that says murder or rape is legal in their
>> stores that makes it so??????????
>
> Both of those are criminal offenses in all localities in the US of which I
> am aware. In what localities is requiring that one show a store employee
> the contents of one's shopping bag before leaving the store a criminal
> offense?

In one of my former lives I conducted academic research on the guard
(unarmed and armed) industry. While observing class room training I heard a
lawyer advise the students that if a store employee or a guard physically
prevents someone from leaving the store the employee/guard could be charged
with unlawful imprisonment. This would be particularly true if handcuffs
were used. While the charges would probably be dropped somewhere in the
process the legal possibility exists. The lawyer advised that restraining
people and/or taking them into custody and/or handcuffing people is for the
police... the guards role is deterrence, recording information that will
help the police, and calling the police if someone flees. It was kind of an
interesting class that also covered the use of force and deadly physical
force... left me with a more refined view of what my obligations are while
going armed.

Not being a lawyer myself I cannot say that this is true in all states but
it is apparently true in NY.

John

J. Clarke wrote:
> Han wrote:
>
>> Dave Balderstone <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote in
>> news:040820061610387086%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca:
>>
>>> In article <[email protected]>, CW
>>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I don't know where you get that from. Simply buy the thing and leave.
>>>> Skip the twit at the door. He is no more than an annoyance.
>>> Exactly so. If he wants to follow me out to my car he's welcome to,
>>> but I'm under no obligation to stop for him, show him my receipt, or
>>> queue to leave the store.
>>>
>> I tried that with no luck at the Best Buy on 23rd and 6th Ave in
>> Manhattan. They got a bit nasty and referred to a notice on the door that
>> warned about
>> the right to inspect bags upon leaving. What do you do in that case?
>
> Far as I'm concerned, their house, their rules. If you don't want to abide
> by their rules then don't shop in their store.
>
so if they put up a sign that says murder or rape is legal in their
stores that makes it so??????????

"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> [email protected] wrote:
>> <<automated checkouts>>
>>
>> I love those things.
>
> When I become an employee, _then_ (and only then) I'll do the
> checkout...meanwhile, it's there job.

And you go to full-service gas stations too, right?

todd

"grappletech" <[email protected]> wrote

> What irritates me is when I go to a store and buy ONE item, and the clerk
> shoves it into a bag, no matter how small it is.

What pisses me off is how, at HD or Walmart, how they inspect your bag when
they have you in full sight from the time you pay until you reach them. I
ask them, "Is there something I can steal between the cashier and you?"

Steve

I tend to go to Lowe's over HD also. As for the self checkouts.... First
time I used one at HD #469 in Mesa, Arizona I tried to insert my $10.00 bill
and the machine would not take it. The gal in charge of the self checkouts
came over to see what the problem was and then said she couldn't help me! I
didn't have anymore bills so I just left my cart of merchandise there and
left the store.

I was a vendor for Home Depot and Lowe's for years and was treated so badly
by HD management on a regular basis that I would almost rather shop anywhere
than there. Lowe's was always strict about their requirements but were
never ever pricks.

AZCRAIG


"jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was the
>closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers except
>for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain in the
>@#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The lines are
>often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A couple of miles
>farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know the
> half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time getting
> rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
> How's HD in your area?

jj wrote:
> I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
> the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
> except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
> in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
> lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
> couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
> the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
> getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
> How's HD in your area?

I pretty much have experienced the same. I did a trip all over the West
last year. Stopped at few HDs to see if they had the same pathetic
operations as the one at home. Yah, there are all bad. When HD first
opened I liked them a lot better than Eagle or Lowes. But now it is
completely turned around. I almost always shop any where but HD.

I would like to package up this thread and send it to Home Depot corp
office and send along copies to some analysts on Wall Street. If anyone
would like for me to leave off their post, just say so.

"Ed Walsh" <edwalsh@dev_null> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> BTW - I have sent at least 4 complaints about poor service to HD
> corporate. I got back a form letter about how sorry they were and 4
> gift cards in varying amounts up to $20. Don't know what pissed me
> off more, the measly attempt of appeasement with the gift cards or the
> form letters.
>
> The solution, as someone already said, if for lots of people to send
> them complaint letters (emails)

The solution is to buy from somebody else. Anybody else, but preferably
someone local, who knows your name when you come in. Even if you're 'just
a homeowner'.

Patriarch

Puckdropper <[email protected]> wrote in news:44d01763$0$17958$892e7fe2
@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net:

> "Geo" <[email protected]> wrote in news:1154465237.380188.110050
> @h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:
>
> *snip*
>
>> I actually like the
>> self check but there are times when you need a real person to do the
>> work.
>>
>
> They're great for prepackaged items with UPCs, but for anything that's no
> prepackaged or for big items like 2x4s it's much easier to have a real
> person use their portable scanner to check you out.
>
> If I had to guess I would say that HD and Lowes have fewer "Just two
> light prepackaged items" customers than department stores like Kmart and
> Walmart.
>
> Puckdropper

I was buying some siding that was available at both Lowes and HD. It
seemed that the siding from Lowes was better quality. Same with PT 2x4s.
Lowes tool section is better. Some of th sales droids at HD are real goofs
but you can get that anywhere. The CEO of HD is a real asshole from what I
hear from employess. There is no dedication to the company or the job
either.

Isn't HD what "Handy Andy" and "Handy Dan" evolved into? I expect that HD
is headed to the same demise.

Dave Balderstone <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote in
news:040820061610387086%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca:

> In article <[email protected]>, CW
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> I don't know where you get that from. Simply buy the thing and leave.
>> Skip the twit at the door. He is no more than an annoyance.
>
> Exactly so. If he wants to follow me out to my car he's welcome to,
> but I'm under no obligation to stop for him, show him my receipt, or
> queue to leave the store.
>
I tried that with no luck at the Best Buy on 23rd and 6th Ave in Manhattan.
They got a bit nasty and referred to a notice on the door that warned about
the right to inspect bags upon leaving. What do you do in that case?


--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid

"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Mark & Juanita" wrote in message
>
> > My Lowe's story for the day:
> <snip>

> The thing I like about Lowe's is that one can profit from their corporate
> ineptness while HD would still be trying to find a manager.

Which may be just a 'ploy' {or an inadvertent serendipity} . . . with the
assumption {purpose?} that you {'The Customer' . . . sometimes notated as
'The Sucker'} will become so frustrated with the entire process that they
will just go away . . .

Regards,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop
{with infinite patience and who regards 'high dungeon' as an Art Form}

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 23:39:44 -0500, Prometheus <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:29:36 -0700, jj <jj@no_spam.net> wrote:
>
...snip
>>How's HD in your area?
>
>It isn't at all... We've got Menard's, and he leans on the local
>government to keep everyone else out. But, they're the same story as
>the rest of them.
>
>But I keep wondering when I see these threads about the HD and Lowes-
>Where I'm at, there are Farm and Fleet stores peppered around, and in
>other areas, there is Fleet Farm, which I'm led to understand is
>almost the same store. Now, they don't stock lumber, so I can't get
>that there, but for general hardware and tools, they've got people who
>stay right in their areas and know where things are at, and will order
>anything they don't have on hand for you. They carry Delta,
>Porter-Cable, DeWalt, Milwalkee, etc.- and tend to have a better
>selection than the smaller tool stores, even up to some fairly big
>iron. They still sell fasteners out of bins so you don't need to buy
>400 screws when you only need two, and there are always at least 8
>checkout lanes open. Prices usually match or beat Amazon, and they do
>warranty work in the store's shop if they can, and exchange things
>without much hassle if they can't.
>
>Now, I don't know if that's just a local chain- but I wonder if a lot
>of people are just missing it because it has "Farm" in the name.
>Really a good place to get your woodworking stuff, and decent service-
>as well as an excellent paint department. Might be worth a look if
>they're around and you're just choosing between Home Depot and Lowes.
>

Not a whole lot of places with the name "Farm" in them here in Tucson (at
least that I know of, would love to be told differently.

Where I grew up in Colorado we had something called Ranch Wholesale that
was an excellent source for tools and hardware at reasonable prices. The
local COOP was always pretty expensive but well-stocked. The local small
lumber yard is still in business (I went to school with the owner's son,
who, with his brother, now runs the place). Good service, good
conversation, as Dad says, "their prices are a little higher, but they know
what they are selling, will listen to what I need it for and make sure I
get the right thing" Beats the heck out of the Borgs' business models.

My Lowe's story for the day: went to get some stuff I needed for the yard
today; took along a $10 off for purchases over $50. When I got to the
register, I had 4 things in my hand: the $10 off card and 3 gift
certificates (they are sold by our school through a fund-raising program in
which the merchants who participate donate a percentage of the purchase
price to the selling organization). Cashier rang up the purchase and
applied the three gift cards, *then* saw the coupon (I did mention it was
on top of my stack of cards, didn't I?). At this time, there was $19.95
left: "sorry, I can't ring up the discount now because the amount has to be
over $50 for the system to accept the discount and I've already applied
gift cards, so I can't take them off. Let me find a supervisor" Turns out
I had to go to the service desk, have one of the items be "returned", then
have the card applied to that amount. Now, it seems to me that an
intelligently written POS (that's Point of Sale) system would look at the
*purchase* total when applying discounts for which conditions apply, not at
the current remaining amount. But then, that's just me. As I expected, I
spent about 15 minutes in the return line (I was first in line) waiting for
the right manager with the right override card to be able to apply the
right amounts. Once that nonsense was sorted out, the girl with the shiny
stone stuck in the side of her nose pulled the cash for the whole refund,
then applied the amount to the new purchase with the $10 discount applied
and handed me $10.78 in change. I tried to tell her that I should only
receive $10 if this was properly applied, but she insisted that the change
was correct, "it must be due to the tax". At that point, I gave up and
left.

Now, in their defense, a month ago, they did replace some mini-blinds we
bought from them over 1 1/2 years ago that had broken their retraction
cords and went out of their way to interface between us and the supplier,
so sometimes they do get it right.



+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

On Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:29:36 -0700, jj <jj@no_spam.net> wrote:

>I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
>the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
>except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
>in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
>lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
>couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
>Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
>The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
>thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
>the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
>another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
>getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
>How's HD in your area?


Definitely depends on area. Here in Northwest Tucson, service is hard
to find and the registers aren't heavily manned.

OTOH, at my folks place in Colorado, HD is fairly new; we had bought Dad
a lawn mower for Fathers' day at one HD in a different town (based on a
trip made for other reasons) but it didn't work. We didn't see an employee
until after my wife and I had moved the lawn mower from the second shelf,
onto another model's box on the floor and from the box onto our cart.
*Then* the help showed up. Decided to try returning it to the closer HD, a
fairly recently (maybe a little over one year old). Absolutely no problem
with returning to their store, rapid response from both return cashier and
person in garden dept who actually brought the new one up to the register.
If all HD's were like that, they'd have a lock on the market.

As an HD stockholder, I've been significantly underwhelmed by their
performance. While Lowe's has continued to increase in value (except for
the last couple of weeks) and has split at least once in the past several
years; HD hasn't moved much anyplace after I bought the stock and it headed
downward about $20 a share.



+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Depends on how much time you want to spend.

Frankly, I don't normally pay any attention to them and just keep on
walking. Regardless of any sign that they post they don't have the right to
stop anyone. Unless it's a club store,like Costco or Sam's, and you agreed
to abide by club policies when you signed up.

There's a ton of false and misleading information out there about the rights
of businesses to do as they please, much of it is incorrect.

The bottom line is that they don't have the right to do anything unless
they're willing to physically arrest you and take you into custody. I'm sure
somebody will disagree.

As it was explained to me by an attorney, when you open your doors to the
public you give up some of your "private property" rights as a business.

John E.
"Han" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Dave Balderstone <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote in
> news:040820061610387086%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca:
>
> > In article <[email protected]>, CW
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> I don't know where you get that from. Simply buy the thing and leave.
> >> Skip the twit at the door. He is no more than an annoyance.
> >
> > Exactly so. If he wants to follow me out to my car he's welcome to,
> > but I'm under no obligation to stop for him, show him my receipt, or
> > queue to leave the store.
> >
> I tried that with no luck at the Best Buy on 23rd and 6th Ave in
Manhattan.
> They got a bit nasty and referred to a notice on the door that warned
about
> the right to inspect bags upon leaving. What do you do in that case?
>
>
> --
> Best regards
> Han
> email address is invalid

Well, from the responses. It is not just my imagination or the local
area stores but every where Home Depot has gone down hill. I too, to the
tune of several thousand dollars a year (remodeling projects) was spent
at Home Depot but have since been purchasing mostly from Lowes. Lowes
here in the PNW have 4 times as many clerks about twice as many people
on the floor as Home Depot. BTW, I did send corporate a letter. Usually,
you get a letter back with some kind of response. Nada, from Home Depot.
Maybe they are making money from contractors and do not care about the
few measely thousands of dollars from John Q Public doing remodel jobs.

[email protected] wrote:

> On Tue, 1 Aug 2006 20:12:50 -0500, "todd" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> [email protected] wrote:
>>>> <<automated checkouts>>
>>>>
>>>> I love those things.
>>>
>>> When I become an employee, _then_ (and only then) I'll do the
>>> checkout...meanwhile, it's there job.
>>
>>And you go to full-service gas stations too, right?
>>
> I certainly do. They create more jobs and cost the same.

You mean you can _find_ one?

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

J. Clarke wrote:

>>> And you go to full-service gas stations too, right?
>>>
>> I certainly do. They create more jobs and cost the same.
>
> You mean you can _find_ one?
>
Easy, go to Oregon or New Jersey. There you cannot fill up yourself.

Brian Elfert wrote:

> jj <jj@no_spam.net> writes:
>
>>Well, from the responses. It is not just my imagination or the local
>>area stores but every where Home Depot has gone down hill. I too, to the
>>tune of several thousand dollars a year (remodeling projects) was spent
>>at Home Depot but have since been purchasing mostly from Lowes. Lowes
>>here in the PNW have 4 times as many clerks about twice as many people
>>on the floor as Home Depot. BTW, I did send corporate a letter. Usually,
>
> Lowes may have more floor employees, but they charge a LOT more to pay for
> them. A 2x4 8 foot usually costs around $2.69 at Home Depot, but will
> cost genrally around $3.69 at Lowes. I've found just about everything to
> be more at Lowes. I only go to Lowes if nobody else has an item. Also,
> the nearest Lowes is a 15 mile trip each way.

Is that a wet fir 2x4 with mold on it or a dry pine 2x4 sans mold?

> I've been doing most of my shopping at Menards recently even though HD is
> only about a mile or two further. Menards prices are always the same or
> less than HD these days. Home Depot was the cheapest three or four years
> ago, but HD prices have gone way up.
>
> Brian Elfert

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

[email protected] wrote:

> On Wed, 02 Aug 2006 08:24:42 -0400, "J. Clarke"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>[email protected] wrote:
>>
>>> On Tue, 1 Aug 2006 20:12:50 -0500, "todd" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>>"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>>>
>>>>> [email protected] wrote:
>>>>>> <<automated checkouts>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I love those things.
>>>>>
>>>>> When I become an employee, _then_ (and only then) I'll do the
>>>>> checkout...meanwhile, it's there job.
>>>>
>>>>And you go to full-service gas stations too, right?
>>>>
>>> I certainly do. They create more jobs and cost the same.
>>
>>You mean you can _find_ one?
>
> We actually have quite a few, even big name one's like ESSO.
> There are 4 in a one mile stretch alone.

Where would that be? Didn't realize that ESSO was still being used as a
brand name.

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Hedley wrote:

> Don't knock Menards. Typically lower prices than the BORG, they hire cute
> girls, and there is ALWAYS someone on the floor. Clueless or not, they
> try to be helpful.
>
> Menards is privately held, by the way. They may have bean counters, but
> those bean counters answer to the owners, not friggin neurotic share
> holders. That means a lot. Share holders (the big insuance or pension
> managers) can force an ass-rape on a company and then sell when the price
> start to go down. Owners are in for the long haul.
>
> That said, I do try to go to the BORG when I can to support the local tax
> base. Menards is "just a bit outside" my village's boundaries, but they
> still get a substantial percentage of my money.

I'm sorry, but I have no idea what "Menards" might be.
>
>
>
>
> "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Brian Elfert wrote:
>>
>>> jj <jj@no_spam.net> writes:
>>>
>>>>Well, from the responses. It is not just my imagination or the local
>>>>area stores but every where Home Depot has gone down hill. I too, to the
>>>>tune of several thousand dollars a year (remodeling projects) was spent
>>>>at Home Depot but have since been purchasing mostly from Lowes. Lowes
>>>>here in the PNW have 4 times as many clerks about twice as many people
>>>>on the floor as Home Depot. BTW, I did send corporate a letter. Usually,
>>>
>>> Lowes may have more floor employees, but they charge a LOT more to pay
>>> for
>>> them. A 2x4 8 foot usually costs around $2.69 at Home Depot, but will
>>> cost genrally around $3.69 at Lowes. I've found just about everything
>>> to
>>> be more at Lowes. I only go to Lowes if nobody else has an item. Also,
>>> the nearest Lowes is a 15 mile trip each way.
>>
>> Is that a wet fir 2x4 with mold on it or a dry pine 2x4 sans mold?
>>
>>> I've been doing most of my shopping at Menards recently even though HD
>>> is
>>> only about a mile or two further. Menards prices are always the same or
>>> less than HD these days. Home Depot was the cheapest three or four
>>> years ago, but HD prices have gone way up.
>>>
>>> Brian Elfert
>>
>> --
>> --John
>> to email, dial "usenet" and validate
>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Puckdropper wrote:

> "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>
>> I'm sorry, but I have no idea what "Menards" might be.
>
> You might want to do a quick search for their website and have a look.
> (I think it's www.menards.com but don't quote me on that.) Most stores
> have about everything you'll need to build and maintain a house and then
> some.
>
> Given the choice between Menards and Home Depot/Lowes, I usually go
> Menards. (We live about halfway between Menards and HD.)

I was being facetious. The closest Menards to me is several hundred miles
away and across a national border.

> Puckdropper

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

bdeditch wrote:

>
> J. Clarke wrote:
>> [email protected] wrote:
>>
>> > On Wed, 02 Aug 2006 08:24:42 -0400, "J. Clarke"
>> > <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >
>> >>[email protected] wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> On Tue, 1 Aug 2006 20:12:50 -0500, "todd" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>>>"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> >>>>news:[email protected]...
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> [email protected] wrote:
>> >>>>>> <<automated checkouts>>
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> I love those things.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> When I become an employee, _then_ (and only then) I'll do the
>> >>>>> checkout...meanwhile, it's there job.
>> >>>>
>> >>>>And you go to full-service gas stations too, right?
>> >>>>
>> >>> I certainly do. They create more jobs and cost the same.
>> >>
>> >>You mean you can _find_ one?
>> >
>> > We actually have quite a few, even big name one's like ESSO.
>> > There are 4 in a one mile stretch alone.
>>
>> Where would that be? Didn't realize that ESSO was still being used as a
>> brand name.
>>
>
> Exxon is Esso in Canada and England. They are one of the older Oil
> Companies around

I know who ESSO is, they were ESSO when I was a kid, but haven't seen that
named used in decades.

>> --
>> --John
>> to email, dial "usenet" and validate
>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Han wrote:

> Dave Balderstone <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote in
> news:040820061610387086%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca:
>
>> In article <[email protected]>, CW
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> I don't know where you get that from. Simply buy the thing and leave.
>>> Skip the twit at the door. He is no more than an annoyance.
>>
>> Exactly so. If he wants to follow me out to my car he's welcome to,
>> but I'm under no obligation to stop for him, show him my receipt, or
>> queue to leave the store.
>>
> I tried that with no luck at the Best Buy on 23rd and 6th Ave in
> Manhattan. They got a bit nasty and referred to a notice on the door that
> warned about
> the right to inspect bags upon leaving. What do you do in that case?

Far as I'm concerned, their house, their rules. If you don't want to abide
by their rules then don't shop in their store.

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

wide glide wrote:

> J. Clarke wrote:
>> Han wrote:
>>
>>> Dave Balderstone <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote in
>>> news:040820061610387086%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca:
>>>
>>>> In article <[email protected]>, CW
>>>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I don't know where you get that from. Simply buy the thing and leave.
>>>>> Skip the twit at the door. He is no more than an annoyance.
>>>> Exactly so. If he wants to follow me out to my car he's welcome to,
>>>> but I'm under no obligation to stop for him, show him my receipt, or
>>>> queue to leave the store.
>>>>
>>> I tried that with no luck at the Best Buy on 23rd and 6th Ave in
>>> Manhattan. They got a bit nasty and referred to a notice on the door
>>> that warned about
>>> the right to inspect bags upon leaving. What do you do in that case?
>>
>> Far as I'm concerned, their house, their rules. If you don't want to
>> abide by their rules then don't shop in their store.
>>
> so if they put up a sign that says murder or rape is legal in their
> stores that makes it so??????????

Both of those are criminal offenses in all localities in the US of which I
am aware. In what localities is requiring that one show a store employee
the contents of one's shopping bag before leaving the store a criminal
offense?

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Dave Balderstone wrote:

> In article <[email protected]>, Han
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Dave Balderstone <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote in
>> news:040820061610387086%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca:
>>
>> > In article <[email protected]>, CW
>> > <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >
>> >> I don't know where you get that from. Simply buy the thing and leave.
>> >> Skip the twit at the door. He is no more than an annoyance.
>> >
>> > Exactly so. If he wants to follow me out to my car he's welcome to,
>> > but I'm under no obligation to stop for him, show him my receipt, or
>> > queue to leave the store.
>> >
>> I tried that with no luck at the Best Buy on 23rd and 6th Ave in
>> Manhattan. They got a bit nasty and referred to a notice on the door that
>> warned about
>> the right to inspect bags upon leaving. What do you do in that case?
>
> I keep walking and inform the person that if they touch me I will be
> the one calling the police.
>
> A sign on the door is nice, but it means nothing in terms of law.

Why on earth do you do business with a company with whose policies you
disagree, and having done so why do you go out of your way to be annoying
about it?

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Dave Balderstone wrote:

> In article <[email protected]>, J. Clarke
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Why on earth do you do business with a company with whose policies you
>> disagree, and having done so why do you go out of your way to be annoying
>> about it?
>
> I'm not annoying about it. I simply walk out of the store. In fact,
> I've never been challenged.

Then what in the H-E-double-toothpicks are you on about? Or are you just
one of those people who isn't happy unless he's complaining about
something?

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

jj wrote:
> I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
> the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
> except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
> in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
> lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
> couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
> the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
> getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
> How's HD in your area?
Well, here in the midlands of SC we call them Hopeless Depot. They are
pretty much my last resort if all else fails. Sort of the
Wall-Mart-ization of the home center. A race to the bottom with
understaffed clueless minimum wagers trying to kill time till the end of
their shift.........sigh.........
Scott.

On Wed, 2 Aug 2006 20:42:49 -0400, "Tim Taylor" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>"Charlie" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> What do you expect from a company that would sponsor a jerk like Tony
>> Stewart ! ! !
>
>
>EASY NOW!!!!! He's better than Jeff Gordon. And Robby Gordon for that matter
>of fact.

And everybody else too.

I long since stopped using the Home Depots in my part of Georgia. Same
reasons - less people, prices suck, inventory is really bad, and salespeople
are more often than not clueless about their aisle.

What's behind their downfall is the original founders are long gone and the
bean counters are in control and are setting the rules. We all know how
companies do when the bean counters run them. Interestingly enough I
scanned a report the other day off the net where a study was done on
customer satisfaction for a couple of hundred stores. Surprise - Home Depot
was next to last. Sorry, I don't remember who was last.

As someone has already said, the market place will take care of Home Depot.
Their stock is dropping, their employees are quitting left and right.
Eventually the stockholders will scream and boot the current management team
out when they will figure out what Lowes figured out a couple years back -
people will pay more for good service. Lowes is eating their lunch is
pretty much every area they compete.

"jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was the
>closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers except
>for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain in the
>@#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The lines are
>often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A couple of miles
>farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know the
> half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time getting
> rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
> How's HD in your area?

Well, I guess it may be a little relative to where you live. The small town
I live in doesn't have one. It has one local hardware store that does a
booming business; however, they don't sell Behr paint and have anywhere
close the inventory of Home Depot. For example, not too long ago I needed
a 220 volt 20/50 amp combo circuit breaker. Local store said they would
have to order it, take a few days and it would cost $23.95. As it happened,
I was traveling a couple hundred miles that week and stopped in a Home Depot
and they had it in stock for ( I think it was around) $15. Now see the
store is a good thing to me.. regardless of its self checkout routine.

"jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
> the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
> except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
> in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
> lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
> couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
> the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
> getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
> How's HD in your area?

jj wrote:

> I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
> the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
> except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
> in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
> lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
> couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
> the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
> getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
> How's HD in your area?
I for one like the automated deal since those can be easily told to speak
english :)

On Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:29:36 -0700, jj <jj@no_spam.net> wrote:

>I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
>the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
>except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
>in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
>lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
>couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
>Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
>The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
>thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
>the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
>another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
>getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
>How's HD in your area?

1, Far west Houston, Hwy 6 & Westheimer. This must be the Hopeless Depot flagship store. Dark,
rude, long lines, lumber is crap, generally clueless floor help, but not always. 2 minutes from
work, but I'd rather have my stomach pumped than go there. To hell with self checkout. I deal with
machines enough. Prefer human beings.

2. Richmond TX -20 miles as the crow flies from #1. Richmond/Rosenburg is still a small town, and
has not lost small town values, but Houston is getting closer. Friendly folks, pretty well stocked.
Worth the drive.

3. Lowes - Richmond. Well worth the drive. Mostly knowledgeable folks, good stock selection. My
first choice of the Big Box stores.

Where I spent most of my money on home projects and hobby the last couple of years (of specific
interest only to those in the Houston area) other than 2&3 above: Interesting that the list is
comprised of essentially family businesses until you get to mail order. Wonder why that is.

1. The Cutting Edge - Houston - Mom&Pop shop. Tools, supplies, some wood.
2. Plantation Hardware - Richmond - Mom&Pop shop. Hardware, supplies
3. Home Lumber - Rosenburg - Was Mom&Pop shop, but being sold. Lumber, molding, you-name-it.
4. Ebay, Craigslist, houston.forsale - hand tools, used major tools
5. Antique, junk, yard sales - more hand tools (it's a slippery slope)
6. Lee Valley (need I say more) (another slippery slope)
7. Woodcraft mail order, mostly sale items. I like the local store, but it has a lot of stocking
problems, and is about 80 miles round trip from the house. Too far to go to find out it is not
there. Yep, tried calling first. I only allow a dog one bite. I still stop by if I happen to be
in the area, but won't make a special trip.

Special Mention - Circle Saw - Houston - Mom&Pop shop - I think they stock spare parts for
everything ever made, even pointy sticks.

Regards,
Roy

On Tue, 01 Aug 2006 22:25:14 GMT, Scott McAuley
<[email protected]> wrote:

>jj wrote:
>> I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
>> the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
>> except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
>> in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
>> lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
>> couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>>
>> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>>
>> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
>> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
>> the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
>> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
>> getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>>
>> How's HD in your area?
>Well, here in the midlands of SC we call them Hopeless Depot. They are
>pretty much my last resort if all else fails. Sort of the
>Wall-Mart-ization of the home center. A race to the bottom with
>understaffed clueless minimum wagers trying to kill time till the end of
>their shift.........sigh.........

The local Walmart usually has lower prices for paint, caulk etc. HD
and their "We must be out of that" and the annoying "self-checkout"
that wants you to bag a 10 ft stick of pipe have run me off- I
usually drive 5 miles further to Lowes.
--
Mr.E

Where is it a crime to tell the twit to stick it?

"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> wide glide wrote:
> Both of those are criminal offenses in all localities in the US of which I
> am aware. In what localities is requiring that one show a store employee
> the contents of one's shopping bag before leaving the store a criminal
> offense?

I still go to HD because they are so close but almost always the checkout
process is slow. Now the Lowes I go to has plenty of help and they really
pay attention to the lines and employees are always asking if you need help.
Lowes seems to be very customer driven. HD must have changed management and
the quickest way to increase profits is to cut training and payroll and
raise prices. That is a poor long term strategy as customers [particualry
the ones that live close to a better competitor] will eventually leave when
they notice consistently poor service and higher prices but it does
initially work. I also don't like the HD brand Behr paint. I recently tried
Lowes brand interior latex and it was much better in my opinion.

Steve


"jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was the
>closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers except
>for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain in the
>@#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The lines are
>often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A couple of miles
>farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know the
> half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time getting
> rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
> How's HD in your area?

I like the hopeless depot remark.
Here in central Calif. same story.
About a year and a half ago I purchased some paint from HD, I took the mix
stickers to them and for 1 gallon of each color. They said they could not
do it??? changed brand for their base paint. I told them it did not have
to match exact and that it was going on a fence. Still would not do it. So
I took the stickers to Lowes and they were more than happy mix the paint,
they did and it matched
The original mix that HD did was from a stick from True Value (had a good
one near where I work but it closed when the owner retired). And life goes
on.
"jj" <jj@no_spam.net> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I used to shop a lot at HOME DEPOT around these parts, because it was
> the closet to me. But a while back they eliminated all of the checkers
> except for one and have those stupid automated checkouts that are a pain
> in the @#$!$. There is no such thing as a quick trip to HD any more. The
> lines are often 10 or 12 deep. Now I just avoid HD and go to Lowes. A
> couple of miles farther away but a damn site faster than going to HD.
>
> Also, I have noticed a lot less employees on the floor in HD than Lowes.
>
> The last time I was in HD (months ago) I mentioned to an employee how I
> thought the store was going down the tubes. They replied I don't know
> the half of it. They mentioned something about a new CEO. Sigh, probably
> another example of a CEO ruining a company while at the same time
> getting rewarded with hugh bonuses.
>
> How's HD in your area?

On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 14:24:45 -0700, Dan <[email protected]> wrote:

>George Max wrote:
>>
>> I once had to tell a cashier at a McDonald's how much change to give
>> me. She couldn't figure it out so asked me how much she had to give
>> me. I told her (honestly), but also feel sad at having to do that.
>
>Recently bought some wine at a local QFC grocery. If you buy more than
>6, they give you 10% off. For some goofy reason, if they don't ring the
>wine up 1st, the register can't just figure the 10% off the wine only,
>so they had to enter the discount separately. Wine total was something
>like $79.85, the cashier actually had to go get a calculator to figure
>the 10% discount. I know what you mean, I felt sorry for her.
>
>Dan

Some folks just don't have any math ability. I've been truly blessed,
perhaps gifted. I can do 3 figure multiply problems, calculate 9.75%
sales tax and add that to the total in my head. In college I aced
every math course I took and sometimes never bought the textbook. I
took accelerated math courses too--an entire course squeezed into 5
days. My grandfather was the same way. The math ability comes in
handy with woodworking. BTW, my history and reading skills suck.

> What pisses me off is how, at HD or Walmart, how they inspect your bag
> when they have you in full sight from the time you pay until you reach
> them.

What HI-CRIME zone are you living in ?

I've NEVER had my bag inspected (or seen anyone elses done) at any Walmart
or Home Depot.

On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 06:46:47 GMT, Lobby Dosser
<[email protected]> wrote:

>"Ed Walsh" <edwalsh@dev_null> wrote:
>
>> BTW - I have sent at least 4 complaints about poor service to HD
>> corporate. I got back a form letter about how sorry they were and 4
>> gift cards in varying amounts up to $20. Don't know what pissed me
>> off more, the measly attempt of appeasement with the gift cards or the
>> form letters.
>
>So you got at least $24 from them and maybe more like $35. I'm thinking you
>need to keep the cards and letters coming until you save up enough cards
>for something you want but don't need. :-)

Hmmm. They sent me a no-limit 10% off coupon.

On Tue, 1 Aug 2006 20:12:50 -0500, "todd" <[email protected]> wrote:

>"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> [email protected] wrote:
>>> <<automated checkouts>>
>>>
>>> I love those things.
>>
>> When I become an employee, _then_ (and only then) I'll do the
>> checkout...meanwhile, it's there job.
>
>And you go to full-service gas stations too, right?
>
I certainly do. They create more jobs and cost the same.