GRIPE on big box hardware dept. stores.

[cyberdan (SoCA)]

On a recent post I mentioned that I got a Bigfoot coil and finally got a lower shaft that fit. Well that shaft requires two nylon bolts and wing nuts with washers and spacers and it only came with one set.

So Saturday morning I get up and go to my local Home Depot. (you know the place, as big as Wally World with dozens of employees that know exactly how to avoid eye contact when you need help. Also the only stores I know of in So CA that some of them actually put up (in their parking lots) small buildings with bathrooms and resting areas for illegal aliens. In some parts of their parking areas you do not want to park or you will be surrounded by people whose only English is asking for work)

Sorry, I got off on a pet peeve. I finally track down an employee in the nuts and bolts section and show him exactly what I wanted and he wants to know what I will be using it for. As if a short lesson on MD coils is going to have him remember where the nylon nuts and bolts are. So I just tell him an antenna. Sure enough that didn't work so he gets on the P.A. system and pages someone 2-3 times. So now I got 2 guys opening every sliding drawer in their OWN department. I gave up and drove the extra two miles to one of the remaining Tru-Value Hdw. stores that have not been run out of business by these guys.

I walk in the front door and a lady cashier asks what I need. I showed her and she left the register and took me right to the drawers where all the parts were kept. I was in & out in under 5 minutes.

 

[Ed SW Fla]

... foolish. #1 you wnon't find it unless its a big unit mover seller. If you do find it, your local hardware store will usually be the same price or less, and considerably less if you place any minimum wage value on your time and gasoline.

#2 If you believe the big box advertising, you deserve what you get when you visit.

 

[Vernon in Virginia~Formerly Alaska]

 

[General Ray]

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[cyberdan (SoCA)]

We had another Ace Hdw less than a mile from my house.(now I have to drive 4-5 miles) The city I live in tore down the entire 100 year old downtown, took eminent domain on all the old people, made several businesses move to brand new buildings at much higher rent. You guessed it the Ace is now out of business, couldn't afford the rent.

And what does our downtown look like LAS VEGAS glitz. Just ruined our old town look so they could get at that tax money.

 

[Craig in Alabama]

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[Bobbie]

They have quite a deal going, profit only......no loss. I have friends who are big time plant growers and they have their consigned spaces in all the area Home Depots. They have to send in their own help daily to fix and water the plants in their spaces. And it is the same with all the departments. Stanley Tool, Delta plumbing, Black and Decker, etc. etc. are responsible for maintaining their portion of the departments. The whole store is consigned out and it is this way with many Big Box stores. Big Box even tries to hire knowledgable electricians and plumbers to work the departments, but as I found out......if these people where that knowledgable....they wouldn't be working for Home Depot.

The little guy on the other hand buys from a distributor or company direct and has to maintain his own inventory, and knows where everything is and what it can be used for.

 

[Bobbie]

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[charlie (ky)]

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[Ed SW Fla]

.... the Hurricanes the last two years. Amazingly, they get huge press for their unprecedented generosity in hurricane relief.

I figured out their cash / product donations to relief effors based on their sales was the equivalent of our store donating less than $25. Most hardware stores donated $50 to $100 minimum through their co-op wholesaler plus gave cash / merchandise directly worth thousands. The independent retailers just don't buy enough advertising time / space to get the PR they deserve.

After Charlie, we were open without power for 3 days, pretty much ignoring our own repair needs selling to those that had money and giving stuff away with the idea they may pay later to those that had no money but had major damage they had to get repaired. I don't think we got stiffed by more than 2 or 3 people.

 

[cyberdan (SoCA)]

In the city of Orange (about 6 miles from where I live) 8 illegal aliens were arrested over the weekend for soliciting work in a Home Depot parking lot. It took over 300 phone calls from local residents who were just fed up with the crowds in the parking lot.

Of course the city police said they were not enforcing immigration laws, but all 8 people could not produce valid IDs so they were turned over to the local La Migra (immigration)

If my math is right 8 down and 2,999,992 to go.

(most are very hard working, but I look at the taxes I pay to pay for their kid's schooling and free meals and free medical and it burns me up.)

 

[Bobbie]

Ours are legal........get free everything and refuse to work......obnoxious, in your face, run you off the road type people. I would rather see my tax dollar go to people who are begging for work and will work at any dirt bag job that comes along. At least they are trying. The type we have in our area....well lets say.....we owe them everything and they get everything and DO NOT look for work. Count your blessings that the only hand they have out is for work. You would not like dealing with ours.

 

[cyberdan (SoCA)]

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