It was a hot day here in the Mountains and, for once, I didn't feel rushed.
I decided to pick up 12 feet of inexpensive pine corner bead and work my way
to the front of the store.
As expected - 11 of the 12 checkouts were unmanned, err - un-personed. But
our HD is replete with four brand-spanking-new high-tech Self Service
Checkouts all designed to speed the process and make your shopping an
enjoyable experience!
Well - molding (moulding) is sold by the foot and the machines will not
trust you to key in the length. So, you'll be forced to queue on the
attendant.
I read an recent article in a financial magazine, that the new CEO of Home
Depot tried to cut costs to bring up the stock price. He eliminated many of
the Full Time professional contractor types, which were making decent money,
and hired a bunch of part time young people (cheap). Also, he cut down on
the number of items stocked as well as a reduction of the inventory on hand.
Needless to say, the idea has backfired. They started to quickly loose
market share to Lowes because people where getting tired of not finding the
product or the help they were once used to.
They said they are moving more towards their original business model to
improve customer satisfaction. Time will tell.
In article <[email protected]>,
Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote:
>I gotta agree with you about HD's customer service (or lack thereof)
>attitude. I've been going to HD since it opened in San Jose. One of
>them is 4 blocks from my house, so I'm in there all the time. But
>when I can't find anyone to help me, driving about 35 -40 miles to
>Lowe's (brand new) in Gilroy is VERY tempting. I've been to it once,
>and was very impressed with how much more stuff they had. Whether or
>not their customer service is any better remains to be seen. I doubt
>it could be any worse than the local HD. When I asked for someone to
>cut a piece of molding, the nearest employee lamented that they are
>short staffed. No wonder I feel like I've hit the lottery if I get
>someone to help me when I'm having trouble locating an item, or when
>I need something cut.
Same location: Southern San Jose. I typically head to HD every week
or two. Typically with a list of 10 to 20 items, usually a weird mix.
At the various area HDs, I typically find 2/3 of the stuff I want; the
rest is just out of stock. This means that I typically have to visit
3 or 4 stores to get everything I need.
So I've completely given up on Home Depot, and I take the 1/2 hour
drive down to Gilroy, and go to Lowe's. Nearly everything is in stock
there. The selection is not significantly better or worse than HD,
but they simply stock much better. Also, they are much more friendly
and helpful. And everything is extremely well organized, and neat and
clean.
Here's the huge difference: HD has been pretty much a monopoly for
serious home improvement shopping in the Bay Area, in particular since
OSH (Orchard Supply Hardware) has been going rapidly downhill since
they were taken over by Sears. HD has gotten incredibly lazy:
Stocking, customer service, cutting, special orders, cleanup,
neatness, speed of the lines (including the self-checkout, which
works, but with all the teething problems is just as slow as waiting
for a human checker) all of that is just a complete desaster at HD.
Since Lowe's is brand-new, and trying to break into the market, they
are really giving it the extra effort. This makes all the difference
in the world. I'll probably spend a few hundred $ there this evening.
By the way, I can't wait until Lowe's opens the new store that is
planned to be built at the corner of Hwy 85 and Cottle road (near the
IBM/Hitachi site). Then it will be right next to where I work.
--
The address in the header is invalid for obvious reasons. Please
reconstruct the address from the information below (look for _).
Ralph Becker-Szendy _firstname_@lr _dot_ los-gatos _dot_ ca.us
timonjkl <[email protected]> writes:
>I haven't noticed the prices go down since they went to part time help and
>self service checkouts.
ah, but have the prices gone up as fast as they would have?
also, if there are more places to check out, then you check out
faster. how much is your time worth?
--
be safe.
flip
Verso l'esterno! Verso l'esterno! Deamons di ignoranza.
if you are referring to the Walmart in South SJ, I agree: it's the worse one
I've been in. But I still go there with SWMBO. Sometimes they even have
Hostess Raspberry Filled Donuts in stock! (But not often...)
dave
Tim Douglass wrote:
> On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 21:24:50 GMT, Bay Area Dave <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >It sure would be nice if some of the staff that are on the clock at HD
> >would actually be available to help us customers! <g> 'Course I see the
> >mgr's point that those guys could clean up something, or re-arrange the
> >ever-messy shelves, while they wait for a customer to ask for help. They
> >could still be in the aisles. Maybe HD should hire greeters like WalMart?
>
> A lot of retail places could learn from Wal-Mart -- but not from the
> local one here.
>
> Tim Douglass
>
> http://www.DouglassClan.com
maybe the bag was underweight. See, Tim, a new consumer tool at your disposal:
maybe Weights and Measures should come out to calibrate the HD self service check
out scales. <g>
dave
Tim Douglass wrote:
> On Mon, 28 Jul 2003 17:07:41 -0600, "tnfkajs" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >It was a hot day here in the Mountains and, for once, I didn't feel rushed.
> >I decided to pick up 12 feet of inexpensive pine corner bead and work my way
> >to the front of the store.
> >
> >As expected - 11 of the 12 checkouts were unmanned, err - un-personed. But
> >our HD is replete with four brand-spanking-new high-tech Self Service
> >Checkouts all designed to speed the process and make your shopping an
> >enjoyable experience!
> >
> >Well - molding (moulding) is sold by the foot and the machines will not
> >trust you to key in the length. So, you'll be forced to queue on the
> >attendant.
>
> Actually, that makes sense when you consider that most people have a
> hard time counting stuff without having to measure it. Our H-D has a
> sign "small items only" over the self-checkout lines.
>
> I did learn something the other day when I tried to use one (for the
> first time). I only had a bag of grass seed and a can of wasp spray,
> so I thought it would be pretty fast, since there were only a couple
> people waiting at self-checkout and about 500 in line at the 3 open
> check stands.
>
> I went through and it kept telling me that there was an "unexpected
> item in the bagging area". The attendant came over and cleared it then
> explained that the bagging area is a scale and the sale weight of each
> item is in the computer. If the weight on the scale doesn't match the
> total of the items you get that warning and the clerk has to check it.
> What puzzles me is that it was the bag of grass seed that triggered
> it. Let's see, a 5 pound bag of grass seed and the weight in the
> computer is wrong? Maybe something around 5 pounds would work, ya'
> think?
>
> Tim Douglass
>
> http://www.DouglassClan.com
$5 - exterior type. I can't count on finding it anywhere else close to where I
live, so HD on Capitol Expressway is a good bet anyway.
dave
MSH wrote:
> Why would you drive around town and suffer TWO HDs for a $3 can of spackle?
> No hardware stores in your area?
>
> MH
>
> "bay area dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Ralph,
> >
> > I feel your pain. Today I went to the closest HD for a qt of exterior
> > spackling. Did they have any? OF COURSE NOT!! So I had to go to the
> > Capitol Expressway store, which as usual, had what I needed. The
> > Hillsdale store isn't too bad either, but as a rule, HD's stocking habits
> > are pathetic aren't they?
> >
> > On an unrelated note, we went to the new Rib Crib (a BBQ chain, new to
> > California) on Stevens Creek, just a bit west of Vallco. They have great
> > smoked meats. Almost as good as Tony Roma's. The San Jose Tony Roma's
> > is the worse one of all those I've eaten in. They don't even have my
> > favorite item on the menu and the restaurant is noisy and crowded. Other
> > Tony Roma's are a pleasure to eat in. Why is it that San Jose has the
> > crummiest stuff? But we've got an In & Out, and Outback thank God. The
> > latter's Alaskan King Crab legs are to die for.
> >
> > Yeah, I can't wait for Lowe's to come to town either!
> >
> > dave
> >
> > _firstname_@lr_dot_los-gatos_dot_ca.us wrote:
> >
> > > In article <[email protected]>,
> > > Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > >I gotta agree with you about HD's customer service (or lack thereof)
> > > >attitude. I've been going to HD since it opened in San Jose. One of
> > > >them is 4 blocks from my house, so I'm in there all the time. But
> > > >when I can't find anyone to help me, driving about 35 -40 miles to
> > > >Lowe's (brand new) in Gilroy is VERY tempting. I've been to it once,
> > > >and was very impressed with how much more stuff they had. Whether or
> > > >not their customer service is any better remains to be seen. I doubt
> > > >it could be any worse than the local HD. When I asked for someone to
> > > >cut a piece of molding, the nearest employee lamented that they are
> > > >short staffed. No wonder I feel like I've hit the lottery if I get
> > > >someone to help me when I'm having trouble locating an item, or when
> > > >I need something cut.
> > >
> > > Same location: Southern San Jose. I typically head to HD every week
> > > or two. Typically with a list of 10 to 20 items, usually a weird mix.
> > > At the various area HDs, I typically find 2/3 of the stuff I want; the
> > > rest is just out of stock. This means that I typically have to visit
> > > 3 or 4 stores to get everything I need.
> > >
> > > So I've completely given up on Home Depot, and I take the 1/2 hour
> > > drive down to Gilroy, and go to Lowe's. Nearly everything is in stock
> > > there. The selection is not significantly better or worse than HD,
> > > but they simply stock much better. Also, they are much more friendly
> > > and helpful. And everything is extremely well organized, and neat and
> > > clean.
> > >
> > > Here's the huge difference: HD has been pretty much a monopoly for
> > > serious home improvement shopping in the Bay Area, in particular since
> > > OSH (Orchard Supply Hardware) has been going rapidly downhill since
> > > they were taken over by Sears. HD has gotten incredibly lazy:
> > > Stocking, customer service, cutting, special orders, cleanup,
> > > neatness, speed of the lines (including the self-checkout, which
> > > works, but with all the teething problems is just as slow as waiting
> > > for a human checker) all of that is just a complete desaster at HD.
> > > Since Lowe's is brand-new, and trying to break into the market, they
> > > are really giving it the extra effort. This makes all the difference
> > > in the world. I'll probably spend a few hundred $ there this evening.
> > >
> > > By the way, I can't wait until Lowe's opens the new store that is
> > > planned to be built at the corner of Hwy 85 and Cottle road (near the
> > > IBM/Hitachi site). Then it will be right next to where I work.
> > >
> > > --
> > > The address in the header is invalid for obvious reasons. Please
> > > reconstruct the address from the information below (look for _).
> > > Ralph Becker-Szendy _firstname_@lr _dot_ los-gatos _dot_ ca.us
> >
I gotta agree with you about HD's customer service (or lack thereof) attitude.
I've been going to HD since it opened in San Jose. One of them is 4 blocks from
my house, so I'm in there all the time. But when I can't find anyone to help
me, driving about 35 -40 miles to Lowe's (brand new) in Gilroy is VERY
tempting. I've been to it once, and was very impressed with how much more stuff
they had. Whether or not their customer service is any better remains to be
seen. I doubt it could be any worse than the local HD. When I asked for
someone to cut a piece of molding, the nearest employee lamented that they are
short staffed. No wonder I feel like I've hit the lottery if I get someone to
help me when I'm having trouble locating an item, or when I need something cut.
dave
MSH wrote:
> Self serve is a way for them to reduce complaints about the abysmal quality
> of their clerks.
> Last night GF and I bought 2 sheets 1/2" green board, 2 sheets 5/8
> greenboard, 4 sheets Durarock, 1 sheet 3/8" plywood and some screws. I told
> her to beware of him charging us for 4 sheets of 5/8 greenboard while I went
> to the tool corral and drool. Sure enough, he charged for 4 sheets of 5/8".
> She didn't notice till it was charged. She was told to walk all the way to
> the other end of the store to get her credit back. I come back and while
> she's gone, the clerk decides to call more customers over. There had been no
> words up to that poiint. I wheel the heavy cart towwards the dooor to get
> the cart out of the way of the other paying customers and the clerk tells me
> in no uncertain terms that I shouldn't dare go through that door because she
> hasn't yet paid for 2 sheets of 1/2 inch. Sorely tempted to tell him to go
> do something to himself, I instead remind him that he made the mistake here
> and she had indeed paid too much money already for what we had on that cart,
> but fine, I leave the cart in everybodies way because there is no other
> place without crossing the magical outside line. As GF finally comes back,
> he walks off, right by her, down an isle and disapears without a word. Went
> on break, the clerk next to him says. So, GF goes to that clerk and trys to
> get help in now paying for the 2 sheets of 1/2. By this time I say screw em
> and take the sheets outside to load. The second clerk is not interested and
> tells GF to go stand in line. Christ. Little wonder HD has inventory
> problems because they now have 2 sheets of 1/2" greenboard unaccounted for.
> GF is now firmly convinced her time is better spent dring 30 miles further
> to the new Lowes. To hell with HD.
>
> MH
> "Charlie Spitzer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "timonjkl" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > "Charlie Spitzer" <[email protected]> wrote in
> > news:bg97gt
> > > [email protected]:
> > >
> > > > they do. it's called cheaper prices.
> > > >
> > > > "Jack Forbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > > news:[email protected]...
> > > >> I won't use them. I look at it this way. The cashier gets paid to
> > > >> wait on me. If they want me to wait on myself, they should give me a
> > > >> discount for the money they save on the cashier not doing it.
> > > >>
> > > >> Jack
> > > I haven't noticed the prices go down since they went to part time help
> and
> > > self service checkouts.
Hi,
I have not seen self serve checkout at a Home
Depot, but our grocery store has it, and I use it
most of the time. Only time I do not use it is if
I have an odd item or by chance there is a longer
wait at the self-checkers. I have been doing this
for about a year and never had any real problems.
Not only are the line almost always shorter on the
self-checkout but the type of customers that
usually stalls a grocery store line, are not the
type willing to use the self-checkout.
The technology is interesting. You scan the item
and put it onto a bag. The bag holder is a scale
and the weight of every item is known, probably
from the supplier. There is one person for the
four self checkouts so problems usually are
resolved quickly, I know they take credit cards,
debt cards, change, cash, and I think checks. The
employee does check my signature against my credit
card. ( I pay off my cards every month.)
If the local Home Depot had one, I would use it.
But I am type that as I pick it up, I checks to
see each item has a bar code. Or if necessary, I
will write down the UPS code. I try to organize
big items so that the clerk can get to the bar
codes easily. Next time you are standing in line,
listen, and you will hear lots of problems caused
by stupid, lazy, or arrogant customers. The
clerks take a lot of grief, and if I can do a bit
to help them ( and my fellow customers, who are
behind me, I do. I will admit to not usually
needing or wanting much help, but when I do need
help I have always gotten it, quickly and
graciously.)
Thanks
Roger Haar
MSH wrote:
> Self serve is a way for them to reduce complaints about the abysmal quality
> of their clerks.
> Last night GF and I bought 2 sheets 1/2" green board, 2 sheets 5/8
> greenboard, 4 sheets Durarock, 1 sheet 3/8" plywood and some screws. I told
> her to beware of him charging us for 4 sheets of 5/8 greenboard while I went
> to the tool corral and drool. Sure enough, he charged for 4 sheets of 5/8".
> She didn't notice till it was charged. She was told to walk all the way to
> the other end of the store to get her credit back. I come back and while
> she's gone, the clerk decides to call more customers over. There had been no
> words up to that poiint. I wheel the heavy cart towwards the dooor to get
> the cart out of the way of the other paying customers and the clerk tells me
> in no uncertain terms that I shouldn't dare go through that door because she
> hasn't yet paid for 2 sheets of 1/2 inch. Sorely tempted to tell him to go
> do something to himself, I instead remind him that he made the mistake here
> and she had indeed paid too much money already for what we had on that cart,
> but fine, I leave the cart in everybodies way because there is no other
> place without crossing the magical outside line. As GF finally comes back,
> he walks off, right by her, down an isle and disapears without a word. Went
> on break, the clerk next to him says. So, GF goes to that clerk and trys to
> get help in now paying for the 2 sheets of 1/2. By this time I say screw em
> and take the sheets outside to load. The second clerk is not interested and
> tells GF to go stand in line. Christ. Little wonder HD has inventory
> problems because they now have 2 sheets of 1/2" greenboard unaccounted for.
> GF is now firmly convinced her time is better spent dring 30 miles further
> to the new Lowes. To hell with HD.
>
> MH
> "Charlie Spitzer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>"timonjkl" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>
>>>"Charlie Spitzer" <[email protected]> wrote in
>>
>>news:bg97gt
>>
>>>[email protected]:
>>>
>>>
>>>>they do. it's called cheaper prices.
>>>>
>>>>"Jack Forbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>>
>>>>>I won't use them. I look at it this way. The cashier gets paid to
>>>>>wait on me. If they want me to wait on myself, they should give me a
>>>>>discount for the money they save on the cashier not doing it.
>>>>>
>>>>>Jack
Excellent point.
I have two things to add.
First, MSH obviously hasn't used the self service checkout yet.
Second, This concept is not ready for prime time.
They are popping up all over.
I was in BJ's and every other item, an attendant had to come over and
the clear the equipment so one could proceed.
What a royal PIA.
This seems to the rule rather than the exception in talking with others.
I'll stick to a human thank you.
oops - thought of a third item.
Three, MSH - this should teach you not to dissapear when you're
attention is required. I always watch like a hawk since product
information can easily be entered incorrectly into the computer.
It's called human error. None of are perfect.
Personally, tens of thousands of dollars later, I have no horror stories
about any of the cashiers (typing pause to knock on wood). The people
on the floor (if there actually are any - brain optional) is a different
story!
Mark from Pasadena, MD
Speaking of Sears, we used to have a fairly decent hardware store in our
area called Sears Hardware. Then Sears bought Orchard and decided to try
changing all the Sears Hardware stores to Orchard. Lucky us we were in
the area they decided to test market this idea. Now I don't know what
Orchard was like before Sears bought it, but when the stores reopened
they were no longer hardware stores, but home decorating stores marketed
toward people who have never been in a hardware store. Totally ruined
the hardware image. From what I've read here, sounds like Sears ruined
Orchard as well.
A lot of people complained to Sears. Had one friend that was so ticked
off he talked to some VP of the company. Got a $100 gc to Sears. Where's
the logic in that? After a few years of complaints, they decided the
idea wasn't working and changed the store back to Sears Hardware. On the
outside only.
Used to have really knowledgeable people at Sears Hardware, the
grandfather type people who knew what they were talking about from
experience. Now they have teenie boppers who try to shove the most
expensive drill on you.
yobosaeyo wrote:
> I agree completely! It seems as though the employees of HD are the ones who
> used to run and hide from you at the now defunct Home Base. Another p.o.s.
> store that never had what you needed. I have had nothing but positive
> experiences at Lowes since they opened two stores within decent driving
> distance from my home. Luckily I work out by one of them! Also after
> speeking with HD employees one day at the only store where they have not
> gotten rid of all the experienced folks told me that the CEO was on his way
> out for the way he had screwed up the company and caused there stock and
> market share to plummet. I guess we'll have to wait and see on that one.
> Also I do not ever expect to go into my local Sears again as they are
> completely manned by pimple faced morons who cannot answer even the simplest
> of questions. I have made formal complaints on that one and have informed
> them that there name is sh** on the newsgroups. I guess that they are
> chasing away all the customers the way HD is. IMHO I will do the majority of
> my buying at Lowes and only when I need something quick will I go to HD as I
> will pass at least one or two on my way to Lowes!
>
>
what an odd comment about "newfangled" ATM cards!
I bank with B of A and I have an ATM card AND free checking, PLUS a free safe
deposit box... You need to check around, dude.
dave
Silvan wrote:
>
> snip
>
> (I don't have an ATM or debit card either. My bank doesn't go in for all
> that new fangled nonsense. They also give me free checking and overdraft
> protection, with no minimum balance, so I'm not looking to change banks
> anytime soon.)
>
> --
> Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
> Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
> Confirmed post number: 16885 Approximate word count: 506550
> http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> timonjkl <[email protected]> writes:
> >I haven't noticed the prices go down since they went to part time help and
> >self service checkouts.
>
> ah, but have the prices gone up as fast as they would have?
> also, if there are more places to check out, then you check out
> faster. how much is your time worth?
can't comment on the price question, but thus far, I have not seen any
speed-up in being able to check out with self-serve. Problem is that
the self-serve doesn't handle long items well at all, since when I go to
HD, I'm usually getting at least one thing that is long, I don't get to
use self-serve.
<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> B a r r y B u r k e J r . <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >Our self serve lines have one attendant for each four pack of
> >registers. I've NEVER waited more than 10 seconds for the attendant
> >to help when needed.
> >
> >Barry
>
> Wait until the other three self serve machines are being used by
> technological ID Ten Tee's. ;)
And that's precisely what happened in this case. Register 3 was offline.
Register 1 was serving someone who also needed attendant intervention. I was
on Register 2 and the eldery folks on Register 4 were having a devil of a
time. The attendent, understandably so, was occupied on 4.
My wait was about 2 minutes. Again - it was a slow day, so no big deal.
My point was it was a learning experience for me: I wondered if the machine
would ask me for the footage. It didn't. Now I know.
Self serve is a way for them to reduce complaints about the abysmal quality
of their clerks.
Last night GF and I bought 2 sheets 1/2" green board, 2 sheets 5/8
greenboard, 4 sheets Durarock, 1 sheet 3/8" plywood and some screws. I told
her to beware of him charging us for 4 sheets of 5/8 greenboard while I went
to the tool corral and drool. Sure enough, he charged for 4 sheets of 5/8".
She didn't notice till it was charged. She was told to walk all the way to
the other end of the store to get her credit back. I come back and while
she's gone, the clerk decides to call more customers over. There had been no
words up to that poiint. I wheel the heavy cart towwards the dooor to get
the cart out of the way of the other paying customers and the clerk tells me
in no uncertain terms that I shouldn't dare go through that door because she
hasn't yet paid for 2 sheets of 1/2 inch. Sorely tempted to tell him to go
do something to himself, I instead remind him that he made the mistake here
and she had indeed paid too much money already for what we had on that cart,
but fine, I leave the cart in everybodies way because there is no other
place without crossing the magical outside line. As GF finally comes back,
he walks off, right by her, down an isle and disapears without a word. Went
on break, the clerk next to him says. So, GF goes to that clerk and trys to
get help in now paying for the 2 sheets of 1/2. By this time I say screw em
and take the sheets outside to load. The second clerk is not interested and
tells GF to go stand in line. Christ. Little wonder HD has inventory
problems because they now have 2 sheets of 1/2" greenboard unaccounted for.
GF is now firmly convinced her time is better spent dring 30 miles further
to the new Lowes. To hell with HD.
MH
"Charlie Spitzer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "timonjkl" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > "Charlie Spitzer" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:bg97gt
> > [email protected]:
> >
> > > they do. it's called cheaper prices.
> > >
> > > "Jack Forbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:[email protected]...
> > >> I won't use them. I look at it this way. The cashier gets paid to
> > >> wait on me. If they want me to wait on myself, they should give me a
> > >> discount for the money they save on the cashier not doing it.
> > >>
> > >> Jack
> > I haven't noticed the prices go down since they went to part time help
and
> > self service checkouts.
Theres been number of things, plumbing parts, pool chlorine, some plants,
other things I don't remember. I think I bought a ballast that was the same
price as Lowes too. Dewalt tools are about the same price I noticed. Id pay
a little more anyway just because the experience is so much more pleasant.
MH
"bay area dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> What did you find at OSH cheaper than HD? The only items I've found are
sale
> items, like recently when I got some 4' light fixtures with electronic
ballasts,
> cheaper than HD's.
>
> dave
Actually, I have used the self serve and liked it. Can't do that with sheet
goods, need to use the lumber checkout. Try getting 500lbs(approx) on a flat
cart to the middle of the front isle.
I've never had a cashier problem, this one had a bad attitude.
MH
"Mark" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Excellent point.
> I have two things to add.
> First, MSH obviously hasn't used the self service checkout yet.
> Second, This concept is not ready for prime time.
> They are popping up all over.
> I was in BJ's and every other item, an attendant had to come over and
> the clear the equipment so one could proceed.
> What a royal PIA.
> This seems to the rule rather than the exception in talking with others.
> I'll stick to a human thank you.
> oops - thought of a third item.
> Three, MSH - this should teach you not to dissapear when you're
> attention is required. I always watch like a hawk since product
> information can easily be entered incorrectly into the computer.
> It's called human error. None of are perfect.
> Personally, tens of thousands of dollars later, I have no horror stories
> about any of the cashiers (typing pause to knock on wood). The people
> on the floor (if there actually are any - brain optional) is a different
> story!
> Mark from Pasadena, MD
>
On Mon, 28 Jul 2003 17:07:41 -0600, "tnfkajs" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>It was a hot day here in the Mountains and, for once, I didn't feel rushed.
>I decided to pick up 12 feet of inexpensive pine corner bead and work my way
>to the front of the store.
>
>As expected - 11 of the 12 checkouts were unmanned, err - un-personed. But
>our HD is replete with four brand-spanking-new high-tech Self Service
>Checkouts all designed to speed the process and make your shopping an
>enjoyable experience!
>
>Well - molding (moulding) is sold by the foot and the machines will not
>trust you to key in the length. So, you'll be forced to queue on the
>attendant.
Actually, that makes sense when you consider that most people have a
hard time counting stuff without having to measure it. Our H-D has a
sign "small items only" over the self-checkout lines.
I did learn something the other day when I tried to use one (for the
first time). I only had a bag of grass seed and a can of wasp spray,
so I thought it would be pretty fast, since there were only a couple
people waiting at self-checkout and about 500 in line at the 3 open
check stands.
I went through and it kept telling me that there was an "unexpected
item in the bagging area". The attendant came over and cleared it then
explained that the bagging area is a scale and the sale weight of each
item is in the computer. If the weight on the scale doesn't match the
total of the items you get that warning and the clerk has to check it.
What puzzles me is that it was the bag of grass seed that triggered
it. Let's see, a 5 pound bag of grass seed and the weight in the
computer is wrong? Maybe something around 5 pounds would work, ya'
think?
Tim Douglass
http://www.DouglassClan.com
Thomas Mitchell wrote:
> Here's my contrast between HD's and Lowe's customer service.
I've always preferred Lowes as well. At least I can find things there. I have
to be pretty desperate to visit HD.
--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
[email protected]
http://www.mortimerschnerd.com
"Charlie Spitzer" <[email protected]> wrote in news:bg97gt
[email protected]:
> they do. it's called cheaper prices.
>
> "Jack Forbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I won't use them. I look at it this way. The cashier gets paid to
>> wait on me. If they want me to wait on myself, they should give me a
>> discount for the money they save on the cashier not doing it.
>>
>> Jack
I haven't noticed the prices go down since they went to part time help and
self service checkouts.
On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 14:36:09 -0500, Jack Forbes <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I won't use them. I look at it this way. The cashier gets paid to
>wait on me. If they want me to wait on myself, they should give me a
>discount for the money they save on the cashier not doing it.
With the service I get from a typical cashier, I'll gladly do it
myself. I can care less if some of them keep their job, as they
barely do it.
Rarities exist, but most cashiers really stink.
Barry
they do. it's called cheaper prices.
"Jack Forbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I won't use them. I look at it this way. The cashier gets paid to
> wait on me. If they want me to wait on myself, they should give me a
> discount for the money they save on the cashier not doing it.
>
> Jack
>
>
> On Tue, 29 Jul 2003 17:20:59 -0600, "tnfkajs" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >
> ><[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >> B a r r y B u r k e J r . <[email protected]>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> >Our self serve lines have one attendant for each four pack of
> >> >registers. I've NEVER waited more than 10 seconds for the attendant
> >> >to help when needed.
> >> >
> >> >Barry
> >>
> >> Wait until the other three self serve machines are being used by
> >> technological ID Ten Tee's. ;)
> >
> >
> My e-mail address is real.
> Feel free to use it.
> I know how to delete spam.
"timonjkl" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Charlie Spitzer" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:bg97gt
> [email protected]:
>
> > they do. it's called cheaper prices.
> >
> > "Jack Forbes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >> I won't use them. I look at it this way. The cashier gets paid to
> >> wait on me. If they want me to wait on myself, they should give me a
> >> discount for the money they save on the cashier not doing it.
> >>
> >> Jack
> I haven't noticed the prices go down since they went to part time help and
> self service checkouts.
perhaps they just didn't go up as fast as they would have?
"Silvan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> tnfkajs wrote:
>
> > My point was it was a learning experience for me: I wondered if the
> > machine
> > would ask me for the footage. It didn't. Now I know.
>
> How do those things work, anyway? I've seen them in other places, in
other
> stores. Never around here. Never tried to use one.
>
> Seems to me you're SOL if you don't have a credit card with which to pay.
> I'm not looking forward to the day when they become /de rigeur/ in these
> parts, because I never intend to have a plastic debt making machine again.
>
> Do they have some facility for letting you pay with a check at least, or
is
> it swipe the stripe or wait two hours for the one register that's manned
by
> a human being? I notice in the places that have them that there are
always
> 50 people standing in line for the human, while the electro-flummies sit
> there seeing only occasional use.
yes, but you then have to queue for the attendant to take your check, same
as if you're paying with that funny green paper.
> (I don't have an ATM or debit card either. My bank doesn't go in for all
> that new fangled nonsense. They also give me free checking and overdraft
> protection, with no minimum balance, so I'm not looking to change banks
> anytime soon.)
>
> --
> Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
> Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
> Confirmed post number: 16885 Approximate word count: 506550
> http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
>
On Fri, 01 Aug 2003 10:55:18 -0400, Silvan
<[email protected]> wrote:
>tnfkajs wrote:
>
>> My point was it was a learning experience for me: I wondered if the
>> machine
>> would ask me for the footage. It didn't. Now I know.
>
>How do those things work, anyway? I've seen them in other places, in other
>stores. Never around here. Never tried to use one.
>
>Seems to me you're SOL if you don't have a credit card with which to pay.
>I'm not looking forward to the day when they become /de rigeur/ in these
>parts, because I never intend to have a plastic debt making machine again.
>
>Do they have some facility for letting you pay with a check at least, or is
>it swipe the stripe or wait two hours for the one register that's manned by
>a human being? I notice in the places that have them that there are always
>50 people standing in line for the human, while the electro-flummies sit
>there seeing only occasional use.
>
>(I don't have an ATM or debit card either. My bank doesn't go in for all
>that new fangled nonsense. They also give me free checking and overdraft
>protection, with no minimum balance, so I'm not looking to change banks
>anytime soon.)
The Borg here has a human cashier who supervises the 4 self-check
stands. I've seen people pay with cash or check on the self-serve
lines before, but it is much easier with plastic.
In a grocery store the self-check idea seems to work OK since
virtually everything is pre-packaged and bar-coded. In something like
the Borg you still need a lot of live human cashiers because there is
so much stuff that has to be measured or otherwise evaluated by a
human. If they cut the live check-out people too much the self-check
aisles actually turn into a slow down because of the backup for the
live checkers.
Tim Douglass
http://www.DouglassClan.com
Mortimer Schnerd, RN wrote:
> Thomas Mitchell wrote:
>> Here's my contrast between HD's and Lowe's customer service.
>
>
> I've always preferred Lowes as well. At least I can find things there. I
> have to be pretty desperate to visit HD.
Guess it depends on who was there first, too. Lowe's has been here for
years. HD is part of the latest round of sprawl. Further away, in a
poorly-designed shopping center that was but recently a farm.
HD promised our Cub Scout pack they would do a tool demo thing. The person
who set this up got sick. We showed up one night with a gaggle of Cub
Scouts, and the hardware department manager pulled a tool demo out her butt
at the last second. It was a good demo, and they spent some money. Gave
away some stuff, and let the kids play with quite a striking variety of
things. She asked me to come back and spend some money as a form of
thanks.
Because of that, I shop at HD occasionally, but I really don't like the
place. It's Just Like Lowe's, Only Orange, as I say. Same stuff, same
manufacturers, same prices, but the layout is all screwed up, and I can't
find anything, and I really hate the color orange.
I've been shopping at Lowe's for years. Just yesterday, after the fourth
day in a row I had popped in to fuel the latest home improvement debacle, I
told the cashier (the same cashier who had checked me out every other day)
that we were going to have to stop meeting like this. We had a chat. At
the end, he shook my hand.
I can't remember the last time a cashier shook my hand and meant it.
Besides, Lowe's is blue. Blue is good. Orange is bad.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
Confirmed post number: 16937 Approximate word count: 508110
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 15:55:19 -0600, "tnfkajs" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Chatting with the attendant (on that slow day) - she explained the same
>thing to me. Then she said, "You know what I think is impressive? That
>someone determined and keyed-in the weight of everything in this store!"
Everything in every store, not just home centers, has to be shipped to
the store. Some items may hit one or more wholesalers while travel
ling from factory to retail. Whoever is shipping it knows exactly
what each item weighs. Think of a large grocery store, the ones that
also carry hard goods, clothing and other things. They may have even
more different items than a BORG, some with daily changes. <G>
Barry
On Mon, 28 Jul 2003 17:07:41 -0600, "tnfkajs" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Well - molding (moulding) is sold by the foot and the machines will not
>trust you to key in the length. So, you'll be forced to queue on the
>attendant.
Our self serve lines have one attendant for each four pack of
registers. I've NEVER waited more than 10 seconds for the attendant
to help when needed.
Barry
On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 21:24:50 GMT, Bay Area Dave <[email protected]>
wrote:
>It sure would be nice if some of the staff that are on the clock at HD
>would actually be available to help us customers! <g> 'Course I see the
>mgr's point that those guys could clean up something, or re-arrange the
>ever-messy shelves, while they wait for a customer to ask for help. They
>could still be in the aisles. Maybe HD should hire greeters like WalMart?
A lot of retail places could learn from Wal-Mart -- but not from the
local one here.
Tim Douglass
http://www.DouglassClan.com
tnfkajs wrote:
> My point was it was a learning experience for me: I wondered if the
> machine
> would ask me for the footage. It didn't. Now I know.
How do those things work, anyway? I've seen them in other places, in other
stores. Never around here. Never tried to use one.
Seems to me you're SOL if you don't have a credit card with which to pay.
I'm not looking forward to the day when they become /de rigeur/ in these
parts, because I never intend to have a plastic debt making machine again.
Do they have some facility for letting you pay with a check at least, or is
it swipe the stripe or wait two hours for the one register that's manned by
a human being? I notice in the places that have them that there are always
50 people standing in line for the human, while the electro-flummies sit
there seeing only occasional use.
(I don't have an ATM or debit card either. My bank doesn't go in for all
that new fangled nonsense. They also give me free checking and overdraft
protection, with no minimum balance, so I'm not looking to change banks
anytime soon.)
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
Confirmed post number: 16885 Approximate word count: 506550
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
I won't use them. I look at it this way. The cashier gets paid to
wait on me. If they want me to wait on myself, they should give me a
discount for the money they save on the cashier not doing it.
Jack
On Tue, 29 Jul 2003 17:20:59 -0600, "tnfkajs" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
><[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>> B a r r y B u r k e J r . <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >Our self serve lines have one attendant for each four pack of
>> >registers. I've NEVER waited more than 10 seconds for the attendant
>> >to help when needed.
>> >
>> >Barry
>>
>> Wait until the other three self serve machines are being used by
>> technological ID Ten Tee's. ;)
>
>
My e-mail address is real.
Feel free to use it.
I know how to delete spam.
B a r r y B u r k e J r . <[email protected]>
wrote:
>On Mon, 28 Jul 2003 17:07:41 -0600, "tnfkajs" <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>>Well - molding (moulding) is sold by the foot and the machines will not
>>trust you to key in the length. So, you'll be forced to queue on the
>>attendant.
>
>Our self serve lines have one attendant for each four pack of
>registers. I've NEVER waited more than 10 seconds for the attendant
>to help when needed.
>
>Barry
Wait until the other three self serve machines are being used by
technological ID Ten Tee's. ;)
Wes
--
Reply to:
Whiskey Echo Sierra Sierra AT Gee Tee EYE EYE dot COM
Lycos address is a spam trap.
One time I was in HD and saw a couple of "associates" standing around
in front of the tool corral. One of them had helped me find something
earlier in my visit, so I was pretty happy with them. Then a manager
type walked by and told them to stop hanging around in the aisles and
find some way to look busy. Well, I went up one side of him and down
the other, explaining that I, as a customer, WANTED them to hang
around in the aisles, so that I could find them when I needed help,
and if he forced them to do busy-work just to "look good", it would
only piss me off.
When I left they were still standing there ;-)