I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in October,
but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in January and they
said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next month. I called in
February and they said next month. I called in March and they said next
month. So I called the store manager where I bought the Planer and they said
it was not their problem, once it went to the rebate centre, it was out of
their hands. I indicated that it was a shame they were having trouble paying
their bills. Click.
So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but ended
up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate centre for
me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out the rebate card
in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I never received their
frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll hear back from us in
7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
On Fri, 18 May 2007 23:40:32 -0400, [email protected] (J T)
wrote:
> Hehehe I'll shop at Lowes, but not at Home Desperate.
Lowes isn't any better. There are just as many complaints about
people not getting rebates from Lowes as from HD. I'm lucky, the last
time I did one of those gift card things from each one, I got it, but
it certainly isn't anything I'd ever count on.
Mon, May 21, 2007, 1:17am (EDT+4) [email protected]
(Brian=A0Henderson) doth claimeth:
Lowes isn't any better. <snip>
Damn all sure is. Every few yars my well contrler goes. First
time went to a plumbing supply company, expensie.was many moons back.
Second time, went to HD, closer. About 2 well contrllers, period,
neither even close ti what needed. Check Lowes, about 8 varites, several
of each, ad exactly what needed. Tried HD first next ime too, same
results. So yeah,Lwes IS Beter. Oh yeah, when I asked ere tey were at
HD I was pointed to the wrong section. At Lowes the guy I asked walked
me right to them, then looked for, and found, the esact model I needed.
Oh yeah, the local Ace doesn't carry well controllers.
JOAT
What is life without challenge and a constant stream of new
humiliations?
- Peter Egan
On May 18, 10:01 pm, "Bill Stock" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in October,
> but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in January and they
> said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next month. I called in
> February and they said next month. I called in March and they said next
> month. So I called the store manager where I bought the Planer and they said
> it was not their problem, once it went to the rebate centre, it was out of
> their hands. I indicated that it was a shame they were having trouble paying
> their bills. Click.
>
> So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but ended
> up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate centre for
> me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out the rebate card
> in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I never received their
> frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll hear back from us in
> 7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
The whole rebate scam is a, well, scam. Microcenter, CompUSA, Home
Depot - they all do it. The "good" ones probably only throw out half
of the rebate forms sent in.
Now, I either ignore the rebate in determining the actual purchase
price, or, if the rebate is substantial, I'll send in the forms by
certified mail. Seems to work.
R
On May 18, 10:01 pm, "Bill Stock" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in October,
> but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in January and they
> said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next month. I called in
> February and they said next month. I called in March and they said next
> month. So I called the store manager where I bought the Planer and they said
> it was not their problem, once it went to the rebate centre, it was out of
> their hands. I indicated that it was a shame they were having trouble paying
> their bills. Click.
>
> So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but ended
> up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate centre for
> me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out the rebate card
> in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I never received their
> frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll hear back from us in
> 7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
I would return the item to the store and when asked what the problem
is, tell them they defaulted on the rebate.
Chuck
###########################
Try =
800-793-3768 Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages.
Smitty
##################################################
On May 18, 4:01 pm, "Bill Stock" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in October,
> but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in January and they
> said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next month. I called in
> February and they said next month. I called in March and they said next
> month. So I called the store manager where I bought the Planer and they said
> it was not their problem, once it went to the rebate centre, it was out of
> their hands. I indicated that it was a shame they were having trouble paying
> their bills. Click.
>
> So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but ended
> up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate centre for
> me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out the rebate card
> in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I never received their
> frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll hear back from us in
> 7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
Bill Stock wrote:
> I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in
> October, but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in
> January and they said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next
> month. I called in February and they said next month. I called in
> March and they said next month. So I called the store manager where I
> bought the Planer and they said it was not their problem, once it
> went to the rebate centre, it was out of their hands. I indicated
> that it was a shame they were having trouble paying their bills.
> Click.
In all fairness, they probably sent the rebate check.
In an envelope with a return address like:
Sweepstakes Center
11 Cock Walk Way
Erehwon, MA
With a "Standard Rate" (Bulk mail) postage marking.
Thereby encouraging you to toss the sucker unopened.
Fri, May 18, 2007, 10:01pm [email protected] (Bill=A0Stock) doth mention:
I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in
October, but never received it. <snip>
Hehehe I'll shop at Lowes, but not at Home Desperate.
JOAT
What is life without challenge and a constant stream of new
humiliations?
- Peter Egan
On Fri, 18 May 2007 22:01:52 -0400, "Bill Stock" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in October,
>but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in January and they
>said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next month. I called in
>February and they said next month. I called in March and they said next
>month. So I called the store manager where I bought the Planer and they said
>it was not their problem, once it went to the rebate centre, it was out of
>their hands. I indicated that it was a shame they were having trouble paying
>their bills. Click.
>
>So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but ended
>up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate centre for
>me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out the rebate card
>in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I never received their
>frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll hear back from us in
>7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
Pretty typical, I firmly believe that they don't intend to pay out
many of these. many customers forget or don't follow it up, I suspect
they only finally pay out some 10-20%.
I have sent off about $400 worth of rebate coupons and got back about
$370, but you have to get pretty aggressive with some of these scumbag
places.
Keep records and photocopies, (cert mail if it's a large rebate) and
follow up at the 11th day if they say "7-10 days"
Establish a track record of becoming a PITA. Complain to the Better
Business or write a stinging letter to a magazine that they advertise
in.
When you buy, hassle the store manager about how you get ripped off
with rebates, and how do I know this one will work out. Tell him you
will initiate a class action suite against his chain if you don't get
it. (There was a lawyer in CA a few years ago that did this with some
chain, CompUSA? IIRC)
"Bill Stock" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
*snip*
>
> So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but
> ended up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate
> centre for me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed
> out the rebate card in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell
> them I never received their frickin card. We'll put a trace on that
> sir, you'll hear back from us in 7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
>
Sometimes magazines will act as mediators in problems like this. If you
subscribe to related magazines, you might try writing a letter to the
editor explaining your situation (especially if HD's an advertiser) and
asking them to intercede.
If that doesn't work, perhaps a call from a lawyer threatening legal
action will. If your rebate's only $50 or so, it's probably not worth
the lawsuit, but it's possible it could be a start of a class action
suit. [Never take legal advice from someone on Usenet... except perhaps
to contact a lawyer.]
The final thing to do is simply to quit buying things because of the
rebate. I did that a long time ago because I got cheated out of my
rebate. I'll send in rebates on things I do buy with a rebate, but I
won't look at the price after rebate as the actual price.
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
"HeyBub" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bill Stock wrote:
>> I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in
>> October, but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in
>> January and they said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next
>> month. I called in February and they said next month. I called in
>> March and they said next month. So I called the store manager where I
>> bought the Planer and they said it was not their problem, once it
>> went to the rebate centre, it was out of their hands. I indicated
>> that it was a shame they were having trouble paying their bills.
>> Click.
>
> In all fairness, they probably sent the rebate check.
>
> In an envelope with a return address like:
>
> Sweepstakes Center
> 11 Cock Walk Way
> Erehwon, MA
>
> With a "Standard Rate" (Bulk mail) postage marking.
>
> Thereby encouraging you to toss the sucker unopened.
I believe they send gift cards, so more likely stolen in the mail.
"Chuck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On May 18, 10:01 pm, "Bill Stock" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in
>> October,
>> but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in January and they
>> said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next month. I called in
>> February and they said next month. I called in March and they said next
>> month. So I called the store manager where I bought the Planer and they
>> said
>> it was not their problem, once it went to the rebate centre, it was out
>> of
>> their hands. I indicated that it was a shame they were having trouble
>> paying
>> their bills. Click.
>>
>> So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but
>> ended
>> up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate centre
>> for
>> me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out the rebate
>> card
>> in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I never received
>> their
>> frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll hear back from us in
>> 7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
>
> I would return the item to the store and when asked what the problem
> is, tell them they defaulted on the rebate.
>
> Chuck
LOL, I like this idea best of all. But you'd probably get some clerk who
would not bat an eye and I'd be out a planer.
All things being equal, I'd buy the same planer gain. There actually was no
rebate when I bought, it came two days after I purchased. So I had them
re-issue the sales receipt so I could claim the rebate. (The manager okayed
the change).
On Tue, 22 May 2007 10:32:25 -0600, Chris Friesen
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Pop` wrote:
>> CW wrote:
>>
>>>Bottom line: They don't give rebates.
>>
>>
>> Or only a small percentage, anyway. Rebates are strictly marketing hype.
>
>I've never had a problem getting any of the rebates that I remembered to
>send in.
>
>Chris
You're fortunate. It was like pulling hen's teeth to get my $80
rebate from Samsung. At first they denied it saying that I did not
make the purchase in the date range allowed for the rebate, but I had
proof (the invoice) that I had made the purchase 3 days before the
last allowed day. I had to fax in my receipt, resubmit the rebate,
and wait another 2 months. In effect, they "used" my $80 for 5
months interest free, plus they sold an LCD to me.
RicodJour <[email protected]> writes:
> The whole rebate scam is a, well, scam. Microcenter, CompUSA, Home
> Depot - they all do it. The "good" ones probably only throw out half
> of the rebate forms sent in.
I remember once I got a can of compressed air from CompUSA, which was
free after the rebate. All I had to do was send in the UPC ......
(wait for it)
... printed on the can.
I agree with JTs post, I simply won't buy from HD anymore. Lowes or Ace
Hardware is all for the big box home centers.
My last experience with a rebate though was mixed: I biought the Powermatic
14" Bandsaw in February, came with a free riser and a $100 rebate. I got the
rebate 2 weeks ago, though I didnt send it in for over a month so that is
pretty good. I still haven't received the riser, I'm being told by the
dealer they have no idea where it is and by Powermatic that they are back
ordered.
"Bill Stock" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in October,
>but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in January and they
>said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next month. I called in
>February and they said next month. I called in March and they said next
>month. So I called the store manager where I bought the Planer and they
>said it was not their problem, once it went to the rebate centre, it was
>out of their hands. I indicated that it was a shame they were having
>trouble paying their bills. Click.
>
> So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but
> ended up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate
> centre for me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out
> the rebate card in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I
> never received their frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll
> hear back from us in 7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
>
>
>
On Mon, 21 May 2007 14:28:19 GMT, "Leon" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
>"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Brian Henderson wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > Even the really local home improvement place succumbed
>> > last year because they were only open 10am-7pm Monday-Saturday.
>>
>> There was a time, at least well into the 70s, when the supermarkets in
>> metro Cleveland were open from 8am-6pm, Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday.
>>
>> It was in the union contract.
>>
>> Don't remember how the contract got changed, but last time I was there,
>> they were open 24/7.
>>
>> When I worked as a kid in a hardware store, we were open 8am-6pm,
>> M,T,TH,F, 8am-9pm Saturday, 8am-12noon, Wed, closed Sunday, and we had
>> longer hours than the department stores.
>>
>> Somehow, we survived.
>>
>> Lew
>>
>Several years most all stores except grocery stores were closed on Sunday
>because of the "Blue Law" in Texas.
>
Man, I remember that. And you couldn't necessarily buy just *anything*
from the grocery store either, some merchandise was "not available on
Sunday".
When I first moved to Dallas from Colorado, I needed to do some shopping,
so one weekend, after church I headed down to one of the malls, expecting
it to open at noon. At about 12:20, I slunk away hoping noone had seen me
:-(
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Sat, May 19, 2007, 12:16pm (EDT+4) [email protected]
(Neil=A0Larson) doth posteth:
I agree with JTs post, I simply won't buy from HD anymore. Lowes or Ace
Hardware is all for the big box home centers. <snip>
That's interesting. I've never considered Ace as one of the big
box genre, although I suppose as a franchise operation, I suppose you
could. The one in the small town here is not very large at all, and the
people, mostly teen-agers (including at least one or two girls), are all
very knowledgeable and helpful. Probably becase the store is small, a
lot of stuff is not displayed, cement, straw, fence posts, fencing, et
al - there is a large list behince the checkout counter, but it always
pay to ask if tey have somthing you want, just in case. Most people
don't realize it, but they can also special order any number of things
they don't normally stock. So, not just because they are handy, the
local Ace is normally my first stop for anything I need. If they don't
have it, if I don't know where to look next, I'll usually ask them if
they know where I could get it, and if they dn't know (usualy the
teen-agers), they will ask sometone else in the store that will likely
know. Sometimes they know, sometimes not, but they're aways pleasant to
deal with, always ask if you need help, and if you don't need help don't
keep botheing you asking. Nce place to shop.
Dependng on what I'm after, if Ace can't help, I'm willing to visit
one of the local Lowes. There's three that I'm aware of, from 8-10
miles from me. Lowes has a much better selection of stock than HD, Lowes
people are much more helpful, and Lowes people are so MUCH more
knowledgeable than those at HD. It may be different other places, but
that's been my experience with Lowes and HD around here.
JOAT
What is life without challenge and a constant stream of new
humiliations?
- Peter Egan
On Mon, 21 May 2007 13:58:49 GMT, Phisherman <[email protected]> wrote:
>Many of the stores, like Northern Tools, 84 Lumber, Harbor Freight,
>Ace Hardware are closed at 7pm Friday, the time I have a load of cash
>in my pocket to spend.
You have to remember that 84 Lumber is really a contractor supplier
that is open to the public, their primary customer are contractors who
buy *TONS* of lumber for building houses. They only sell to the
general public to make extra money.
I had a friend who managed an 84 Lumber, he was nice enough to give me
one of their really nice, warm jackets with my name embroidered on it
when an employee of the same name quit. :)
On Mon, 21 May 2007 14:28:19 GMT, "Leon"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Brian Henderson wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > Even the really local home improvement place succumbed
>> > last year because they were only open 10am-7pm Monday-Saturday.
>>
>> There was a time, at least well into the 70s, when the supermarkets in
>> metro Cleveland were open from 8am-6pm, Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday.
>>
>> It was in the union contract.
>
>Several years most all stores except grocery stores were closed on Sunday
>because of the "Blue Law" in Texas.
When we first moved to Chicagoland in the early '70s, the grocery
stores were open reasonable hours (9-9, or something like that) but
you couldn't buy fresh meat after 6 P.M. even if it was already cut
and wrapped (they'd pull the packages in from the shelves at 6). I
don't know how long it had been that way, but it did get changed a few
years after we got there.
On the other hand, by the time we left Chicagoland in the late '90s,
we had lobby hours at the bank seven days a week. It was only 10-4 on
Saturdays and noon to 2 or something like that on Sundays, but we
could get inside service until 6 or 7 every day of the week.
Similarly, drive through hours were seven days, and during the week
they were open until 7 or 8 P.M. I don't remember the weekend hours,
but they were commensurately long.
When we got down to Florida in '99, we found that if we didn't get to
the bank M-F we didn't get inside. And forget drive-through on the
weekends, too. It's starting to improve with limited lobby (and
drive-in) hours on Saturday, but the lobby still closes at 4 P.M
during the week--still nowhere near Illinois.
Of course back in the day ('50s and '60s) banks were closed altogether
on Wednesdays as well as the weekend. I think that may have been all
over. It was certainly true in NY and FL. Not for nothing did they
used to call it "bankers hours."
--
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
http://www.woodbutcher.net
Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997
email addy de-spam-ified due to 1,000 spams per month.
If you can't figure out how to use it, I probably wouldn't
care to correspond with you anyway.
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Brian Henderson wrote:
>
> >
> > Even the really local home improvement place succumbed
> > last year because they were only open 10am-7pm Monday-Saturday.
>
> There was a time, at least well into the 70s, when the supermarkets in
> metro Cleveland were open from 8am-6pm, Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday.
>
> It was in the union contract.
>
> Don't remember how the contract got changed, but last time I was there,
> they were open 24/7.
>
> When I worked as a kid in a hardware store, we were open 8am-6pm,
> M,T,TH,F, 8am-9pm Saturday, 8am-12noon, Wed, closed Sunday, and we had
> longer hours than the department stores.
>
> Somehow, we survived.
>
> Lew
>
Several years most all stores except grocery stores were closed on Sunday
because of the "Blue Law" in Texas.
Looks like Home Depot is trying to "Stonewall" their subcontractor issues.
Since the NBC-TV station is ultimately owned by General Electric,
things could get very interesting, since VERY deep pockets are involved.
Don't be surprised if investigative reports about Home Depot don't
start showing up in your market, if NBC is there.
Should be fun.
Stay tuned.
Lew
"Brian Henderson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Our only local Ace closed about 3 years ago because of their
> restrictive hours, they just couldn't keep their doors open like Lowes
> and HD can. Even the really local home improvement place succumbed
> last year because they were only open 10am-7pm Monday-Saturday.
Its all dependent on smart management. We have a hardware store near by
that has been around for a very long time. Within 7 or 8 miles are 5 or 6
Home Depots and Lowe's. The hardware store has a staff of 7 to 8 employees
at any given time that on you like a duck on a June bug when you step inside
the store and all know exactly where every thing is. If your item will not
fit inside a bag they carry the purchase out to your car or truck. Prices
are cheaper than the Borg's for the exact same items. They are growing and
have been growing for years. It's all about service.
Lobby Dosser wrote:
> If you ask for something out of the
> ordinary, they'll ask what you want it for and often steer you to
> something better. If they don't have it and can't tell you where to
find
> it, you didn't need it.
Shades of Ralph's Pretty good grocery in Lake Wobegon.
Just ask Garrison.
Lew
On Sat, 19 May 2007 23:00:46 GMT, Phisherman <[email protected]> wrote:
>We have a local Ace hardware store. During the past 16 years I've
>only entered their store twice. The store hours are so restrictive it
>would not make a difference to me if there was no store at all. At
>least Home Depot is open on Sunday, the only day I can shop.
Our only local Ace closed about 3 years ago because of their
restrictive hours, they just couldn't keep their doors open like Lowes
and HD can. Even the really local home improvement place succumbed
last year because they were only open 10am-7pm Monday-Saturday.
On Mon, 21 May 2007 03:28:12 GMT, Lew Hodgett
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Brian Henderson wrote:
>
> >
> > Even the really local home improvement place succumbed
> > last year because they were only open 10am-7pm Monday-Saturday.
>
>There was a time, at least well into the 70s, when the supermarkets in
>metro Cleveland were open from 8am-6pm, Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday.
>
>It was in the union contract.
>
>Don't remember how the contract got changed, but last time I was
>there, they were open 24/7.
>
>When I worked as a kid in a hardware store, we were open 8am-6pm,
>M,T,TH,F, 8am-9pm Saturday, 8am-12noon, Wed, closed Sunday, and we had
>longer hours than the department stores.
>
>Somehow, we survived.
>
>Lew
Many of the stores, like Northern Tools, 84 Lumber, Harbor Freight,
Ace Hardware are closed at 7pm Friday, the time I have a load of cash
in my pocket to spend. I guess it is unfortunate for the stores that
I can easily shop online and forget about store hours and filling up
with a tank of gas. Having some open hours past 7pm for at least one
day a week helps. Our local mall does not have extended Christmas
shopping hours, making Internet shopping more easy. Union or not, I
like 24/7 stores.
Brian Henderson wrote:
>
> Even the really local home improvement place succumbed
> last year because they were only open 10am-7pm Monday-Saturday.
There was a time, at least well into the 70s, when the supermarkets in
metro Cleveland were open from 8am-6pm, Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday.
It was in the union contract.
Don't remember how the contract got changed, but last time I was
there, they were open 24/7.
When I worked as a kid in a hardware store, we were open 8am-6pm,
M,T,TH,F, 8am-9pm Saturday, 8am-12noon, Wed, closed Sunday, and we had
longer hours than the department stores.
Somehow, we survived.
Lew
Lew
On Sat, 19 May 2007 18:24:12 -0400, [email protected] (J T)
wrote:
>Sat, May 19, 2007, 12:16pm (EDT+4) [email protected]
>(Neil Larson) doth posteth:
>I agree with JTs post, I simply won't buy from HD anymore. Lowes or Ace
>Hardware is all for the big box home centers. <snip>
>
> That's interesting. I've never considered Ace as one of the big
>box genre, although I suppose as a franchise operation, I suppose you
>could. The one in the small town here is not very large at all, and the
>people, mostly teen-agers (including at least one or two girls), are all
>very knowledgeable and helpful. Probably becase the store is small, a
>lot of stuff is not displayed, cement, straw, fence posts, fencing, et
>al - there is a large list behince the checkout counter, but it always
>pay to ask if tey have somthing you want, just in case. Most people
>don't realize it, but they can also special order any number of things
>they don't normally stock. So, not just because they are handy, the
>local Ace is normally my first stop for anything I need. If they don't
>have it, if I don't know where to look next, I'll usually ask them if
>they know where I could get it, and if they dn't know (usualy the
>teen-agers), they will ask sometone else in the store that will likely
>know. Sometimes they know, sometimes not, but they're aways pleasant to
>deal with, always ask if you need help, and if you don't need help don't
>keep botheing you asking. Nce place to shop.
>
> Dependng on what I'm after, if Ace can't help, I'm willing to visit
>one of the local Lowes. There's three that I'm aware of, from 8-10
>miles from me. Lowes has a much better selection of stock than HD, Lowes
>people are much more helpful, and Lowes people are so MUCH more
>knowledgeable than those at HD. It may be different other places, but
>that's been my experience with Lowes and HD around here.
>
>
>
>JOAT
>What is life without challenge and a constant stream of new
>humiliations?
>- Peter Egan
We have a local Ace hardware store. During the past 16 years I've
only entered their store twice. The store hours are so restrictive it
would not make a difference to me if there was no store at all. At
least Home Depot is open on Sunday, the only day I can shop.
[email protected] (J T) wrote:
> That's interesting. I've never considered Ace as one of the big
> box genre, although I suppose as a franchise operation, I suppose you
> could. The one in the small town here is not very large at all, and
the
> people, mostly teen-agers (including at least one or two girls), are
all
> very knowledgeable and helpful. Probably becase the store is small, a
> lot of stuff is not displayed, cement, straw, fence posts, fencing, et
> al - there is a large list behince the checkout counter, but it always
> pay to ask if tey have somthing you want, just in case.
I'll second that! We have a small one not too far from me and I've been
shopping there for 20 years. What has always astounded me is the
knowledge of all of the staff, including the teenage girls who appear and
disappear over the years. Best place to get some obscure piece of
hardware and some advice. If you ask for something common, they generally
figure you know what you're doing. If you ask for something out of the
ordinary, they'll ask what you want it for and often steer you to
something better. If they don't have it and can't tell you where to find
it, you didn't need it.
On Mon, 21 May 2007 03:28:12 GMT, Lew Hodgett
<[email protected]> wrote:
>When I worked as a kid in a hardware store, we were open 8am-6pm,
>M,T,TH,F, 8am-9pm Saturday, 8am-12noon, Wed, closed Sunday, and we had
>longer hours than the department stores.
>
>Somehow, we survived.
You'd never do it today though. When the competition is open 24/7,
you need to be as well, especially since they can almost certainly
beat your prices.
Personally, I'd love to find good lumber places open 24/7, you
wouldn't believe how many times I run out of something at 11pm or so
and have to stop for the night.
"Bill Stock" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in October,
>but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in January and they
>said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next month. I called in
>February and they said next month. I called in March and they said next
>month. So I called the store manager where I bought the Planer and they
>said it was not their problem, once it went to the rebate centre, it was
>out of their hands. I indicated that it was a shame they were having
>trouble paying their bills. Click.
>
> So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but
> ended up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate
> centre for me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out
> the rebate card in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I
> never received their frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll
> hear back from us in 7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
>
15 years ago I asked a HD buyer just what they were doing that caused their
competitors to go out of business in every market they entered. He said
they weren't doing anything special; it was just that their competitors
didn't care about the customer. Sadly, they have decided to cash in on
their past efforts.
Good luck with your rebate, but my experience is that they no longer care
what we think.
RE: Subject
Call Atlanta and ask for CEO's office.
When you get the secretary, explain you are having a difficult time
getting a rebate which while small, (plug in amount), it is important
to you and you wonder if you can get some help.
My guess is that if the amount is less than $50-$75, somebody will cut
you a check on the spot.
SFWIW, it has worked for me after trying for a year with no results.
Lew
On Fri, 18 May 2007 22:01:52 -0400, "Bill Stock" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in October,
>but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in January and they
>said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next month. I called in
>February and they said next month. I called in March and they said next
>month. So I called the store manager where I bought the Planer and they said
>it was not their problem, once it went to the rebate centre, it was out of
>their hands. I indicated that it was a shame they were having trouble paying
>their bills. Click.
>
>So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but ended
>up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate centre for
>me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out the rebate card
>in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I never received their
>frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll hear back from us in
>7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
>
>
When I had problems at the local HD store, I went to the top. They
didn't fix the process, but they sent me a gift card that covered the
extra costs involved.
Try this contact in the CEO's get-them-off-my-back office ;-)
Michael Tyus
800-654-0688 x86751
John
On Sat, 19 May 2007 02:15:36 GMT, "CW" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Bottom line: They don't give rebates.
>
Probably not quite that drastic. More along the lines of "they don't
give *all* rebates" The fulfilment house most likely has a certain
percentage of rebates that they flat don't plan to pay out, it ups their
profit that way. The OP was one of the unlucky ones whose number came up.
The rebate houses know that of the x% of rebates they fail to send, a very
large percentage of people will have either forgotten that they filed for
the rebate or will not pursue the fulfillment house past two or three
layers of obfuscation. Check out www.gripe2ed.com and search his site for
"rebate" -- It's IT stuff, but the same principles apply to others as well.
I believe one other tactic used by these places is that the business and
fulfillment house enter into a contract in which a certain percentage of
rebate requests is assumed and that is what the business pays to the
fulfillment house. Now, an honest fulfillment house will pay out all
legitimate claims, even if they guessed wrong and have to pay out more than
they initially estimated -- other fulfillment houses simply refuse to pay
any more rebates after the contracted amount are paid, even if the rebate
requests meet all criteria.
>"Bill Stock" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in
>October,
>> but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in January and they
>> said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next month. I called in
>> February and they said next month. I called in March and they said next
>> month. So I called the store manager where I bought the Planer and they
>said
>> it was not their problem, once it went to the rebate centre, it was out of
>> their hands. I indicated that it was a shame they were having trouble
>paying
>> their bills. Click.
>>
>> So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but
>ended
>> up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate centre
>for
>> me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out the rebate
>card
>> in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I never received
>their
>> frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll hear back from us in
>> 7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
>>
>>
>>
>
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Bottom line: They don't give rebates.
"Bill Stock" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in
October,
> but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in January and they
> said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next month. I called in
> February and they said next month. I called in March and they said next
> month. So I called the store manager where I bought the Planer and they
said
> it was not their problem, once it went to the rebate centre, it was out of
> their hands. I indicated that it was a shame they were having trouble
paying
> their bills. Click.
>
> So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but
ended
> up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate centre
for
> me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out the rebate
card
> in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I never received
their
> frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll hear back from us in
> 7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
>
>
>
On Fri, 18 May 2007 22:01:52 -0400, "Bill Stock" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in October,
>but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in January and they
>said I was in the queue and would be mailed out next month. I called in
>February and they said next month. I called in March and they said next
>month. So I called the store manager where I bought the Planer and they said
>it was not their problem, once it went to the rebate centre, it was out of
>their hands. I indicated that it was a shame they were having trouble paying
>their bills. Click.
>
>So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but ended
>up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate centre for
>me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out the rebate card
>in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I never received their
>frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll hear back from us in
>7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
>
>
Rebates are a gimmick to trick the consumer. Most people who submit
rebate offers forget about them, which puts the store ahead of the
game. I don't use them.
CW wrote:
> Bottom line: They don't give rebates.
Or only a small percentage, anyway. Rebates are strictly marketing hype.
Never depend on one; make getting it a hobby, not a frustration. Personally
I avoid rebates all together unless the rebate is on an item where the full
price already beats the competition for the same exact product; then I don't
care so much. But if it takes a rebate to beat it; they can go rub rock
salt; I'll buy the other one every time. Better to NEVER buy a rebated item
but I'm not rich enough to do it 100%.
>
> "Bill Stock" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I mentioned a while back that I had sent in a Home Depot rebate in
>> October, but never received it. So I called the rebate centre in
>> January and they said I was in the queue and would be mailed out
>> next month. I called in February and they said next month. I called
>> in March and they said next month. So I called the store manager
>> where I bought the Planer and they said it was not their problem,
>> once it went to the rebate centre, it was out of their hands. I
>> indicated that it was a shame they were having trouble paying their
>> bills. Click.
>>
>> So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number,
>> but ended up with an internet sales person. At least she called the
>> rebate centre for me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they
>> mailed out the rebate card in January. So I relate the earlier BS
>> and tell them I never received their frickin card. We'll put a trace
>> on that sir, you'll hear back from us in 7-10 days. That was three
>> weeks ago.
On Fri, 18 May 2007 22:01:52 -0400, "Bill Stock" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>So I tried thumbing through the phone book for a corporate number, but ended
>up with an internet sales person. At least she called the rebate centre for
>me and spoke to them. The story NOW, is that they mailed out the rebate card
>in January. So I relate the earlier BS and tell them I never received their
>frickin card. We'll put a trace on that sir, you'll hear back from us in
>7-10 days. That was three weeks ago.
If you want to get legal on them without being out anything
personally, call your local Attorney General office and ask for the
consumer protection division. Usually one call from these guys and
you're rebate will show up.
Mike O.