Geez, how things have changed at Home Depot...

[dirtyfingers]

Went to Home Depot today to buy some bailing wire. I always try to look for myself first to see if I can find things there. After many minutes, I asked an "associate" for some help. He tried to walk past me but I guess because I raised my voice up he was "forced" to try and help. He said try this aisle or that aisle so I tried both of the suggested aisles but nothing. I asked a second "associate" but he mumbled so badly, I didn't know what language he was speaking so tried an aisle he pointed to and again, nothing.

So, by this time I was about to give up on Home Depot but asked a third "associate" on the way out and shazam, he walked me right to the item itself and it wasn't even his area he was working in today! He deserves a raise and a promotion.

[webmaster]

He deserves a raise and a promotion.

For simply doing his job?

I don't think so. The others need to be canned.

[cynthia_h]

HD hasn't changed, at least not from the experience today you've described. This is one reason why I don't go there unless there is absolutely, positively, NO OTHER PLACE to get whatever is in question.

I've lived at this house since 1997 and have been to the local HD either three or four times since we moved in. Total number of visits in 14 years.

The staff are generally *not* helpful or knowledgeable, in my experience, and even if DH and I divide forces, each of us looking for one item (if we need two different things), we'll both end up quartering the store looking for whatever it is, since no one on staff will know where, or even what, the item is.

Not my kind of place at all.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[tomf]

I go to the hardware stores so often I tell the people who work there where things are.

[webmaster]

LOL.

My wife was saying to me the other day how much she likes going to the local Ace Hardware store because the people who work there are so pleasant, helpful, and knowledgeable.

[Marlingardener]

We live near a small town with an Ace, and within a 30 minute drive of the two big box stores. Guess which we prefer?
When we go to Ace, we know the guys who work there by name and they know us, they live in the community and have farmed so they know how to "get around" problems (they come up with some of the most amazingly innovative solutions that don't cost an arm and a leg) and no matter how much or how little you spend, the service is great and attentive.
Cynthia, I'm with you. If we absolutely need something not available locally, we first try to figure out how to do without it, and the big boxes are the last resort (as we are dragged off to them kicking and screaming!).

[tomf]

We have an Ace in the next town over about 15 minuets away, yes they are well staffed and helpful, I go there for some things and when I am in a hurry. It is 40 minutes to the big stores but they are also on my way home. The prices are better at the big stores and if you need a lot of stuff it adds up fast. There is a lumber yard in the next town that I know the people by name also, I will be going to see them again this week. Keeping the economy rolling I am.

[tomc]

For my experience all the big-box store species inventory has been consumed by 'just in time' philosophy.

If you want a garden hose (or seed) ourside of April-August don't even bother to ask. They won't have one.

If Scotts don't sell it, they won't have it in any season.

If you are unsure of what you do need, don't bother to ask a clerk at a big box store, s/he will have even less ideas than you do.

[cherishedtiger]

we have one of everything here, Ace sadly is so far out of the way its not really an option. HD and Lowes are right down the street, I prefer Lowes. They are much more helpful, knowledgeable and just nicer. We have an OSH too, but their prices seem higher. Lowes works for us.

[Charlie MV]

I've found Lowes and HD vary from town to town. We go to one store in our home town, another at the boat. Our Lowes store at home is well staffed and usually carry what we need for most of the year or at least near the season we need it. The same applies to the HD near the boat. I have learned who to ask and who not to ask at both locations.

I do know my way around both stores in both locations.

The Ace Hardware in our town is practically a thrift shop. They are poorly stocked and poorly staffed. If you want a 15 year old Black and Decker coffee pot, they have it but they've had it for 15 years.

[gumbo2176]

In my town there are several Ace Hardware stores that I can get to with ease. I'll frequent them for small amounts of things due mostly to pricing. I find the Ace stores are about 15-20% more expensive on many items that I purchase. If I need a small quantity of nails, I'll head to Ace or the local lumber yard. If I need a case of nails, it's off to HD or Lowes.

The best big box store I've ever been to was when I was in Bloomington, IN helping a friend frame up an addition on his house. There is a store there called Menard's that makes any Home Depot or Lowe's in my area look like a mom and pop store. I've never been in a store that large. The staff was more than helpful and this wasn't an impression formed after a couple visits. We went to that store at least 10 times in the 3 weeks I was there helping him. Home Depot and Lowe's could learn a thing or two from the personnel at that particular store.

[applestar]

Alright, alright. You all sound exactly like the new Ace hardware commercial.
Now think back -- are you sure you weren't watching the game just before posting.... Sports fans are one of their favorite target audiences....

...those subliminal suggestions can be insidious...

[Marlingardener]

Sports? Subliminal ads? Insidious? I've never seen an Ace Hardware ad while watching bull riding.

[Bobberman]

Besides Wal Mart my favrite store Home Depot is second! My problem is Lowes is 3 miles and HD 15 miles away! Pricing a HD seems to be better on most things.
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When I buy carpet gripper metal Lowes has a 8 foot section for the same price as the 12 foot secion at HD! You cannot buy any carpet or vinyl metal at Lowes in 12 foot sections! Gloves for the garden HD has a 12 pack for $10 plastic coated and they do not sell that bulk pack at LOwes! Both stores are friendly to me! I find things mostly myself and enjoy looking at all the new things. I love to shop especially in any hardware store! Ace is nice but more expensive with 30 % of what the bigger stores have! I also found that HD glue for capet and vinyl is better around the same price! I shop both stores several times a week!
+++
In Pa. 84 lumber has been around for a long time with the first store being in the UNiontown Pa. area. The guy owes a resort called Namacola Woods which is very nice and may have a casino there soo. As for the 84 lmbers they have most of their products in unheaed areas with a small inside building. I never cared for 84 lumber especially in the last 10 years!

[DeborahL]

I heard somewhere that Lowe's is going under. I hate to see it go because the selection of plants is better than HD's.