The New Home Depot.....

[roadrashray]

My entire experiance with Home Depot until recently has been in the west including Oregon, California, and Arizona. I loved shopping there. As a retiree who has been purchasing and rehabing old houses for resale I appreciated their expertice and get-er-done attitude. HD staff were generally knowedgable and had the desire and independence of action to come to a positve resolution of problems.
I have been in the east for a couple of years and have recently started shopping at a newly opened HD in this area. This is a whole new corporation and not in a positive way. I have found most people I have been dealing with in the tool department to have very poor product knowledge and a beauracratic approach to dealing with questions. They seem to have no independent ability to make decisions at the local level.
I recently purchased the Rigid 24V LI four tool set. That process was more difficult than it should have been. One of the tool salesman told me they did not carry the Max/Select jig saw and in fact "had never heard of it". After leaving the store I called to determine if their inventory planning showed the product on delivery schedule. Customer service checked and informed me that they had 5 of the jig saws in stock.
On another visit a lady working in the department tried to sell me the extended warranty package that Home Depot sells. She would not believe me when I informed her that all Ridgid tools carry a Lifetime service agreement.
Today I walked into HD and was very happy to see a large Ridgid tool display extolling the virtues of Ridgid Max/Select tools. This display included a very large sign listing the Max/Select tools including the R8823 Impact Driver which I had been anxiously awaiting. There were boxes of saws, planers, and jig saws, but alas no Impact Drivers.
I asked the tool department guy who proceeded to walk me to a 18V set containing a Impact Driver and tried to tell me they are the same tool. I walked him to the large Ridgid display and showed him the sign and explained the nuances of the Max/Select tools. I'm not making this up. He had no knowledge about the features of the Max/Select tool line.
I went to customer service who found the R8823 listed on their inventory tables but informed me that there was a notation in their computer records showing they no longer carried this product. I informed him that this was a brand new product that they had never carried before. He called the tool department manager. She checked the computer and told me that the R8823 impact driver was a they no longer carried. I told her it was a new product and walked her out to the giant Ridgid Max/Select display and pointed to the large sign talking about the introduction of the R8823 Impact Driver. She was totaly unfazed about all this and told me that if the computer showed the R8823 as discontinued then it was discontinued. I suggested that sometimes computers made mistakes, and wasn't there another way. She demonstrated no knowledge of the point of the whole Ridgid Max/Select program. She said she could special order R8823 and asked if I would like her to do so. I replied in the affirmative. She called a number and gave them the information for ordering R8823 and informed me that the product was not available in that stores district and therefor could no tbe ordered. At that point I gave up on poor old R8823.
I then asked her when she would have extra batteries available for the 24V LI products. She said she had no idea. When I responded in a stunned and incredulous manner she informed me that all products in her department were controlled by a plan from some higher level and she had no input regarding products nor knowledge beyond what they send her.
I remember Home Depot reps breaking up sets to replace a tool that had broken. I remember Home depot reps talking about ordering in extra quantities of a product due to local conditions. I remember Home Depot reps who had used most of the types of tools in their department. I remember Home Depot reps calling a supplier and arranging special handling of a needed product. I spent a lot of money at the old home Depot.
I had heard that there was a new Home Depot, but didn't belive it until today.
Its very disapointing. I don't know if I have the time or patience to spend much money at the new Home Depot.
Why am I ragging on Home Depot on a Rigid forum? I had always believed Home Depot and Ridgid were partners in the tool business. Ridgid might be interested in how their products are supported in the new Home Depot. Sorry about the spelling errors. Couldn't get spell check to work.

[garager]

Wow, your letter needs to be heard at H.D. You should copy and paste and send them an email. I have noticed this same thing at Menards, and as far as H.D. goes, I deal with all my stuff at the contractors area, because they are not new there, and always willing to help. Its almost like you get more respect there than you ever would with some one around the floors who are new and don't know didley squat. Thanks for the letter I most certainly see this happening at all giant stores now a days...

[onlycordless]

Your not alone!

You do not need any qualifications to work at Home Depot. These people are from all walks of life. Renters, students, self proclaimed experts, etc.. I am not bashing people in these categories, I am just saying that generally they do not know anything about home improvement. Funny, I know, especially at home improvement store. That is the problem!
I have been forced to do business with Home Depot for the last 8 years because Lowes was not in my area until last year and because they are the only supplier that carries Ridgid power tools locally. I have experienced the same unfriendly, unhelpful and unknowledgeable staff at almost every Home Depot I have visited. Not to mention it seems that Home Depot sells junk. Almost everything I have purchased from them doesn't fit right or just falls apart. Currently, I try to only do business with Lowes, huge difference in the knowledge of their staff and product quality. Unfortunatly, you can't buy Ridgid at Lowe's.
Your post is in the right place because indirectly it is related to Ridgid and the promotion of their products. Maybe Ridgid will be more strict with their contract guidlines with Home Depot.
Not to get too far off the topic, here is the link for the current line of max select tools http://ridgid.com/Tools/Dual-Voltage-Tools/index.htm and I have seen all these max select tools at Home Depot except the impact driver which Ridgid reps have confirmed this tool will available.

[Orange Apron]

I feel I need to add my $.02 here.

I first started working at HD in 2002. When I applied they took my knowledge from working as a cabinetmaker, and my retail experience from working in tools at Sears and gave me a VERY decent starting wage. I was amazed at the amount of experience the other aprons had. We had a professional plumber (in the plumbing dept) a pro electrician (in electrical) and several other real world experience pros in their proper depts.

I quit for awhile and came back. Gone were the pro's. I managed to get back in at my last wage, which is much higher than most others who are working their now. HD is hiring bodies. Un der Bob Nardellis time, he introduced a profit sharing plan, that got all the managers hot and bothered to show more profit. Where does most of this profit come from? Lack of knowledgeable employees (the good ones cost too much money) and by cutting down the hours.

Now we have a new CEO, and we will see what happens. So far not too much has changed, a few more hours given out but that is all.

Ive said it before, but you should use that customer survey at the bottom of your receipt. By doing so your comments go through Atlanta and back to the store. They get read each month at a meeting, and the employees that get their named mentioned on a positive note, most often get entered into a drawing. Last Christmas our store gave out 3 - $1000 (after taxes) checks to employees that were mentioned in the surveys.

[cellardoor]

Another HD employee chiming in here:

I've worked for HD since 2003 and have worked for 3 different stores in that time. I have heard and seen both horror stories and amazing stories or customer service and understand that a life long opinion can be formed by one bad experience. I have heard of these stores where the employees do not know much product knowledge but i have yet to see one in the stores that i've worked for. When i first began in the hardware department I was 18 and knew the basics from working in the local hardware store all throughout high school. My department head spent almost 2 weeks with me taking me around training me and teaching me all about our products and pros/cons/features of each one. He did this with every new employee and it helped me greatly shorten the learning curve. This happened throughout all the departments in the stores where i worked for and it was expected if you were asked to work a department, management would make sure you knew your stuff or at least knew enough to get by with the intention of you quickly learning all aspects of your department.

As Orange Apron said in the past 2 years or so this approach was weakened which is a really sad thing to see. They implemented measures to cut hours severely, many times leaving only 1 associate in each department at any given time but in peak weekend hours, which to say the least is hard when you have 2 or 3 customers needing your attention at a time and the phone is ringing. But besides all the hour cutbacks I still have monthly training sessions i have to attend as well as make sure i communicate with the vendors about new upcoming product. This is done with every associate in my department. I still can't understand how this lack of basic product knowledge can go up the chain of command to the department head but i'm sorry that that was your experience.

Also as orange Apron said, PLEASE fill out the customer survey on the bottom of your receipt. It may seem like a small thing but management buts a ton of weight on what actual customers say. The use of names, positive or negative, is even better. HD had a program where the highest scoring stores would win prize money on every month based on overall satisfaction or most improvement form the previous month. This was a great program as is drove the associates to really care about the customers. I strive to take care of my customers, and our store won that customer service award 3 times, twice giving $1000 each to 3 associates and once giving away $2000 each to 3 associates. I even won that $1000 which was pretty awesome.

Well sorry to keep babbling on but hope i answered some questions, and if not I'm more than happy to share my experiences and knowledge of the behind the scene at HD.

Also to help you on your quest for the Max Select Impact Driver, in the HD computer system it is stated as 'inactive' which just means that it is either brand new and hasn't shipped yet or REALLY old. The impact driver is the former and my Ridgid rep has told me to expect them by spring but he's told me twice before about estimated ship dates so i can't really put a lot of weight in that but i want them to come in since i get asked about them on a weekly basis.

[woodenstickers]

I have met a few good guys and gals at HD, and being very sincere and not political about it the few on this forum seem very with it, HOWEVER, you are often better off asking a pastry chef about tools than a guy in the tool department at HD.

A very nice guy came up to me to help me while I was looking at the Bosch 10 volt lil driver and I and I asked if he knew when the impact version was due out. He told me it was an impact driver. I explained further with sound effects and he said I must be thinking of a hammer drill. I feel bad correcting someone in that situation, especially since I didn't need anything from him in the first place, but I felt it rude not to as well.

One time on the phone, when asked about DeWalt biscuit joiner blades stock status a guy told me I could just turn it over and use the other side.

When I asked if they carried food grade tubing they told me to check a restaurant supply store.

When I was looking for a hardware template for cabinet handles the guy told me I had to check in the tool department downstairs...I went about two feet down the aisle I was in toward the escalator and there it was in his section. (I even described the color to him, and he came up to ask ME if I needed help, I didn't seek him out to send me on a wild goose chase)

I was looking for a replacement filter for my wet dry. I told the guy the model number of the filter. He asked for the model of the vacuum. I thought he must know a special secret compatability between brands. Nope, he took me to the vacuum and said here it is. I said I needed the FILTER, I already have the vacuum. He said, "oh, we don't have filters" and turned his back and walked down past the whole shelf of filters.

This is only in the last four months (except the biscuit joiner blade story but that is my favorite)

[billmoy]

I have had very few positive experiences shopping at HD in the past 4 years.

I refuse to use their automatic check out ever since I was double billed for material and they refused to admit it to my credit card company (Two sales for exactly the same products at the same date/time on their bill, but I had to pay)

Their quality of lumber is now junk and the service is nonexistent.

Lowes is a little better but not by much.

Unfortunately, down here, they are the only game in town. I am setting up a "company" to gain access to the few wholesale lumber yards in the area.

[RevEd]

I have had very few positive experiences shopping at HD in the past 4 years.

I refuse to use their automatic check out ever since I was double billed for material and they refused to admit it to my credit card company (Two sales for exactly the same products at the same date/time on their bill, but I had to pay)



The problem with your credit card is the credit card company not HD. Any card company that would side with the vendor over a customer with an obvious double charge is ripping you off. I would toss the card not the self serve check out.

I had a dispute with a company over a legitimate charge and the minute I complained the credit card company took it off my bill and deducted the cost from the company. The company that I had purchased it from had to come to me for the money, we worked out our differences and I paid them.

The credit card company refused to be an arbitator and I'm told the always side with the card holder. If yours doesn't, like I said I would toss the card.

[onlycordless]

Wow!!! Almost everyone has had the same horrific experiences. I guess it was not just at my region.

Home Depot was able to dominate the market for so long because they were the only major chain in every corner of the market. Similar to Microsoft Windows, you have little or no choice but to do business with them. Therefore, they can cut back on service, wages and training and people are basically stuck to do business with them. The problem is that when a company is publicly traded they have a duty and legal obligation to return a profit to the shareholders. Orange apron, who stated he worked at Home Depot, shed some light on this when he said the former CEO started offering incentives to maximze profit. Welcome to America, the home of the free? The land of opportunity? Sound familiar, only if you have billions of dollars can you be a major player in this so called free enterprise.
Lowe's is quickly expanding hopefully we will see some healthy competition in the home improvement chain stores. Can you say price war.

Every Empire in history has dominated for a period of time, but does not last forever.

[roadrashray]

Home Depot knows how to do it right because I know from direct experiance several years ago when they DID have trained, experianced, motivated personnel. These guys had experiance from doing the work, they knew what the needs of contractors are and thjey worked hard to help you. All they have to do is return to that system........

[Bob D.]

Well, hopefully Josh will point this thread out to some RIDGID execs and maybe, just maybe they will see there is a problem that is costing RIDGID money as has been said here time and again by myself and many others.

I think it's time for RIDGID to tell HD; "It's sure been swell but the swellings gone down. See-ya".

Time to move on RIDGID, and don't look back, HD is not doing your reputation any good when the represent you in this way to potential consumers.


---
As far as the forum spell check not working, you need to have an add-on spell checker installed that works with your browser for the spell chack to work. It's not part of the forum software, it's an extra to your web browser. Take a look at www.iespell.com (http://www.iespell.com) as one example. It's free for personal use and works well.

[woodenstickers]

The thing is I am sure happy to have one near by when I need some fasteners or epoxy or something, and here in the Bay area I am never more than ten minutes from one. That is no exaggeration, they are like mushrooms along the freeway here. Now that I know their general layout and system (better than a lot of the employees) I just go in and get what I need, only to be frustrated and held up by my wandering eye in the tool coral.

I mentioned that there is a HD "PRO" store in my area, but it is the only one I have ever seen. Have any of you run into one? It is good because you don't have 14' inflatable snow-globes or patio furniture in the way, or the people who are looking for those items in the way.

My experience with LOWE'S hasn't been any better BTW, though less frequent and sometimes less successful in finding what I want at that.

[djb]

After reading all this Home Depot bashing I have to say that I find both Home Depot and Lowe's about equal in service and employee knowledge. I have good days and bad days in both establishments, at various locations.

And I'm not convinced [yet] that removing all stationary power tool displays is a horrible idea. I understand what some are saying; I like to see tools before I buy them, too. But the truth is that I bought the TS3650 in spite of, not because of, the display models I saw at HD stores. The displays I saw all had wobbly legs, broken or missing parts, etc. The reason I decided to buy a TS3650 was because of reviews and comments I read on forums like this one. Since the poor appearance of floor displays was more a hindrance than help for me in making a purchase decision, I suppose a reasonable argument could be made that no floor display is better than a wobbly, broken, partially stripped display.

What would be ideal is a well maintained floor of Ridgid stationary tool displays...my garage would do nicely... :p

- djb

I guess the floor display comment should have been posted to this thread (http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10742) instead of here...

[atom12]

How Home Depot Gave Me Beer Money for 2007, Made Me Angry at Ridgid, and Made Me Shake My Head in Bewilderment

Having just lost my last two rants as I clicked "post" I will try to be brief. My closest HD has replaced knowledgeable staff in the tool department with pure frustration embodied in several unhelpful employees. I now travel 25 minutes to another one where the head of the tool dept. is knowledgeable, helpful, and goes way beyond what you would expect and is a joy to buy from. I have to say that a new Lowes, near my house, has awesome, customer friendly staff, goes beyond and has changed my opinion of that chain.....

But since this relates to HD and Ridgid (and I hope someone reads this thread) I had an experience in December that is summarized in my headline. HD's website had the RIDGID portable table saw...reconditioned...for $280..love the saw, the quality, love the price...then I saw how expensive the shipping was (and btw, way above HD's stated policy for shipping costs)...it was close to purchasing a new saw at the store...I couldn't believe it. The next day I called corporate customer service and asked if what I saw was true...yes...so I asked since it is a RIDGID product and only you guys have it locally, can you ship it to the store for free...like Lowes offers for its customers...or various other retailers..."NO". Can you ship it to the store at a reduced cost..not free but not the $$$ on the website as this is a RECONDITIONED TOOL...not the NEW one!" No.

I went to my local store to ask about price, shipping options etc. and was told by management..yup all true..."we don't deal with the website (different business and we don't match prices) too difficult and customers always complain about that". So I mentioned that I was buying a Ridgid product..or trying to..not makita etc. No matter. Basically buy new.

So I called corporate again..I WANT TO GIVE YOU MY BUSINESS, MY MONEY..HELP ME! I was told "Sir, your local stores may carry reconditioned Ridgid tools"..which I have never seen so I asked her to look it up..."no, your district doesn't sell recondioned Ridgid tools...some do but not yours." (I am in SE PA). Since that was the case, I went over the shipping ideas again...not new but hey, you have my sale, you don't have to give me free shipping but meet me half way...nope.

I was sooooo angry...great tool, wanted it, sale was made and it was like a bad movie....customer service only had a script, local presence not a help and I had wasted 4 hours of my time.

Ridgid, if you are listening, what about convincing HD to offer a slightly reduced shipping cost if they are selling off reconditioned power tools?

So, I have cash for beer all year but no saw......

[VLL]

I just plane don't like Home Depot real name "Huge Disappointment". I go in there for the company I work for & once in a while for me after all the other stores are closed.

One of the thing I don't like is Huge Disappointment comes to town & runs other long time small retailers under. The small retailers have products that HD refuses to carry so when the little guy is gone we can no longer get these products locally & have to search far & wide to find them.

Its terrible that Hugh Disappointment is such a rich retailer & still such a poor retailer.

If HD left town tomorrow I would not be Hugely Disappointed.

[djb]

As far as the forum spell check not working, you need to have an add-on spell checker installed that works with your browser for the spell chack to work.

Bob D -

Looks like you could use an online spell checker yourself! ("spell chack to work") :D

I'm an old Mozilla Suite user, but I started using SeaMonkey (http://www.mozilla.org/projects/seamonkey/) last week. One nice feature in SM is a spell checker that underlines misspelled words anytime it is being used. Even typing in this forum. See attached pic for underlined misspelled words in this window and right-click dictionary menu.

- djb

[RevEd]

One of the thing I don't like is Huge Disappointment comes to town & runs other long time small retailers under. The small retailers have products that HD refuses to carry so when the little guy is gone we can no longer get these products locally & have to search far & wide to find them.

If HD left town tomorrow I would not be Hugely Disappointed.


The fault is not Home Depot on this one, it is on us. We have stopped thinking past the present. We want something and we seek it out for cheap forgetting what effect that will have on our future.

I love dealing with local hardware stores, if they don't have it they will usually get it for you. They always seem to know how it works, what it is good for and any limitations or things to look out for. However they aren't the cheapest, they can't buy a zillion and get big price breaks.

Now comes the tricky part I must think. Okay if buy the cheapest how is the little guy going to stay alive? What am I going to do tomorrow when I need advice and the little guy isn't there? Okay maybe the best decision isn't buying the cheapest but rather supporting the guy I can depend on to be able to answer my questions, listen to my stupid jokes and tell me if I use that thing for what I'm thinking on doing I will probably get hurt and most certainly disapointed.
It requires us to think past today.

[roadrashray]

RevEd
Senior Member has some valid points. If we all purchase most of our products from the Home Depot's and Lowe's then the independents may go out of business and we will be totaly under the control of the big boxers.
I also remember a few not so romantic things about the good old days and the small independents.
1) They set the rules for when you could shop. It wasn't that long ago when the normal hours for most dealers was 8:00-5:00 and maybe half a day Sat. and forget Sunday. As contractors in the "time is money era" the boxies open at 6:00 so we can pick up job site materials and get on the job at a decent time.
2) The small guys usually had a limited amount of stock. It was very common to have to wait for an order for the materials we needed. Also the independents would only carry on or two brands while the boxies carry many competing manufacturers.
3)In the early days Home Depot had very experianced reps in each of the trades in their stores. As an inexperianced home rebuilder I greatly appreciated this kind of help. Alas....for the most part that kind of excellance is gone from the new Home Depot and Lowe's.
4)Convienence of one stop shopping. When I'm doing a jop I can make one stop and fill my needs for carpentry, electrical, plumbing and tools. Saves a lot of tiem and money.
5)Customer service-I can remember many times purchasing a defective product from a small independent and having a big fight to have the product replaced or refunded. In all my years and with thousands of dollars purchased I have never had a problem getting a defective product replaced or refunded at the box stores. I recently had a Stanley tape break that I had purchased at a small store I use when I'm in a hurry for fast in and out. I took it back for replacement and they started to jerk me around with "the tape has to broken in a certain way for Stanley to replace". I took the tape to Hoem Depot and walked out with a new one no questions asked.
There are many reasons other than price that I do a lot of my buying at the boxies. I just hope that product knowledge and contractor needs will become a priority for Home Depot again.

[Rafael]

The independents where I live are terribly overpriced and give you bad service unless you are a contractor. At HD even if the service is bad at least the prices and return policy is better.

[jbergstrom]

One of the thing I don't like is Huge Disappointment comes to town & runs other long time small retailers under. The small retailers have products that HD refuses to carry so when the little guy is gone we can no longer get these products locally & have to search far & wide to find them.

I agree, very irritating sometimes.
While I do appreciate the hours, picking out my own materials, cheaper prices, I am often frustrated with being able to find whatever it is I'm looking for.
If an item is not a fast mover or big seller chances are you won't find it at HD.
The tool section, paint shop and kitchen centers usually have people around but I find that the aisles are usually desolate and if I do manage to flag someone down they usually reply "don't know" or "not my department":eek:I don't know how many extra miles I've logged in there looking for left handed discombobulators etc.:D
Oh well I do try and support the other local yards if they're open and if they're not too much more. In my business time is money so cheaper sometimes isn't:rolleyes:

[Woussko]

In my area, I just saw ground breaking for a new ACE HOME CENTER and from what I could see it's going to be a pretty large building. I really doubt that HD or Lowes will have anything to fear, but it's nice to see it coming.

[zimba]

Here is my deal with Home Depot. I have bought tools, equipment, material, carpet, lumber, trim, something from just about every department with many thousands of dollars. It was fairly competitive and pretty good selections. RECENTLY, though, customer service is absolutely terrible. I get frustrated tracking down help, getting questions answered and frankly the stores i shop in JUST DON"T CARE. I bought Rigid compound miter, the big one, and a Rigid router among other things. Both the saw and the router needed to be fixed. I got so pissed at the return desk trying to get help I walked out of the store before it got ugly. That was with the department manager arguing with me about it.
There are other places to shop I will not purchase anything major again unless something DRASTICALLY changes. I will start shopping other places first before i buy any equipment or material.
There are a lot of mom and pop shops i will start giving my business to.
PS Home Depot, i am a GC in the remodeling business and have a trim carpentry business and 12 employees. my money spend other places too! Homeowners ask me all the time where to get something they are interested in.

I have more than a bone to pick with them. Thanks for treating me like crap.

As a side note, the rigid parts.com site is broken. Everytime i try to order a collate for my router the web site breaks.

[RevEd]

RevEd
Senior Member has some valid points. If we all purchase most of our products from the Home Depot's and Lowe's then the independents may go out of business and we will be totaly under the control of the big boxers.
I also remember a few not so romantic things about the good old days and the small independents.
1) They set the rules for when you could shop. It wasn't that long ago when the normal hours for most dealers was 8:00-5:00 and maybe half a day Sat. and forget Sunday. As contractors in the "time is money era" the boxies open at 6:00 so we can pick up job site materials and get on the job at a decent time.
2) The small guys usually had a limited amount of stock. It was very common to have to wait for an order for the materials we needed. Also the independents would only carry on or two brands while the boxies carry many competing manufacturers.
3)In the early days Home Depot had very experianced reps in each of the trades in their stores. As an inexperianced home rebuilder I greatly appreciated this kind of help. Alas....for the most part that kind of excellance is gone from the new Home Depot and Lowe's.
4)Convienence of one stop shopping. When I'm doing a jop I can make one stop and fill my needs for carpentry, electrical, plumbing and tools. Saves a lot of tiem and money.
5)Customer service-I can remember many times purchasing a defective product from a small independent and having a big fight to have the product replaced or refunded. In all my years and with thousands of dollars purchased I have never had a problem getting a defective product replaced or refunded at the box stores. I recently had a Stanley tape break that I had purchased at a small store I use when I'm in a hurry for fast in and out. I took it back for replacement and they started to jerk me around with "the tape has to broken in a certain way for Stanley to replace". I took the tape to Hoem Depot and walked out with a new one no questions asked.
There are many reasons other than price that I do a lot of my buying at the boxies. I just hope that product knowledge and contractor needs will become a priority for Home Depot again.

Junior members also can make good points.
I agree there is trade offs to be made on both sides of the stick.
I know an independant that takes very good care of me, even insuring a delivery was made before normal store hours so I could get a job done.

Your right about returns, usually a small guy eats the lost. However I have witnessed some returns at HD that were anything but smooth. In fact one guy backed his truck through the front, hence the reason most HD have concrete poles in front of the doors.

Price is usually lower at the big box but often the quality is too, especially in wood. Selection is usually greater in the big box unless you go to a speciality items. I dare you to find soffit dry wall or fire code dry wall in a big box but both are common items at the dry wall store. Incidently soffit dry wall is somewhere between regular dry wall and green board. I use it in bathroom ceilings so steam doesn't effect the ceiling and make it sag. Fire rated dry wall has a fire rating stamped on it and is required in commerical apps. My big boxes doesn't even know they exist much less carry them.

I will match the hardwood bought in any HD with the Hardwood bought at my local dealer and his hardwood will win every time hands down.

Yes it is trade off, you have to decide what you want and what you have to do to get it. Sometimes the big box wins and other times the local dealer wins. But I assure you it is not he big box that is driving little guys out it is our mentality that refuses to think past the present that does that.

[sluggo85024]

Long ago in Illinois there was a HW store -- Handy Andy - it is gone

In Arizona there was a HW store called Home Base - it is gone


If Home Depot doesn't correct this problem....... It will be next and Lowes and Menards will be the new "super powers"

[Bob D.]

"left handed discombobulators"

Where did you find these? I was looking for one the other day with no luck. :(


---
djb, The spell check only works if you click on the Spell Check button, which I apparently did not on my last post to this thread. DOH!

[jbergstrom]

"left handed discombobulators"

Where did you find these? I was looking for one the other day with no luck. :(


I finally had to go to a place called Slegg Lumber and I found them next to the whatchamacallits, thingamajigs and dealy-o's:eek::D

[Davet]

Hey jbergstrom, did you happen see any thingilmeboppers or doohickeys
while you where there? No one seems to carry those anymore? :confused: :p

[garager]

I think its a "Merry Go Round" for me, I'll get pissed off at my local center, make a promise to myself never to shop there again. Then I'll go to Home Depot, get mad there eventually, then move on to Menards. Get mad there moved back to H.D., then back to the mom and pa center, back to menards. We'll always get mad at these places, something will go wrong. People come and go from the big box centers, just when you think you have a friend there with knowledge and is very helpful. now he or she is gone. So now your stuck with some kid with no knowledge, I try to teach these people when I'm shopping or ordering, they don't forget what you have done for them, so the next time you come in he or she will be right there to help you. Yes it gets frustrating, I know it would make my life easier if someone there knew what I was talking about, and go some thing like, Wait a minute you don't want that, you need this, cause this is the new and improved version. To stay on top of things, everyone must keep on learning, so try to teach and hopefully they will be listening and they won't forget, and they will look at you with respect, hopefully...

[jbergstrom]

Hey jbergstrom, did you happen see any thingilmeboppers or doohickeys
while you where there? No one seems to carry those anymore? :confused: :p

Davet I live in Canada, those must be American products:eek::D

[michael stephen]

My entire experiance with Home Depot until recently has been in the west including Oregon, California, and Arizona. I loved shopping there. As a retiree who has been purchasing and rehabing old houses for resale I appreciated their expertice and get-er-done attitude. HD staff were generally knowedgable and had the desire and independence of action to come to a positve resolution of problems.
I have been in the east for a couple of years and have recently started shopping at a newly opened HD in this area. This is a whole new corporation and not in a positive way. I have found most people I have been dealing with in the tool department to have very poor product knowledge and a beauracratic approach to dealing with questions. They seem to have no independent ability to make decisions at the local level.
I recently purchased the Rigid 24V LI four tool set. That process was more difficult than it should have been. One of the tool salesman told me they did not carry the Max/Select jig saw and in fact "had never heard of it". After leaving the store I called to determine if their inventory planning showed the product on delivery schedule. Customer service checked and informed me that they had 5 of the jig saws in stock.
On another visit a lady working in the department tried to sell me the extended warranty package that Home Depot sells. She would not believe me when I informed her that all Ridgid tools carry a Lifetime service agreement.
Today I walked into HD and was very happy to see a large Ridgid tool display extolling the virtues of Ridgid Max/Select tools. This display included a very large sign listing the Max/Select tools including the R8823 Impact Driver which I had been anxiously awaiting. There were boxes of saws, planers, and jig saws, but alas no Impact Drivers.
I asked the tool department guy who proceeded to walk me to a 18V set containing a Impact Driver and tried to tell me they are the same tool. I walked him to the large Ridgid display and showed him the sign and explained the nuances of the Max/Select tools. I'm not making this up. He had no knowledge about the features of the Max/Select tool line.
I went to customer service who found the R8823 listed on their inventory tables but informed me that there was a notation in their computer records showing they no longer carried this product. I informed him that this was a brand new product that they had never carried before. He called the tool department manager. She checked the computer and told me that the R8823 impact driver was a they no longer carried. I told her it was a new product and walked her out to the giant Ridgid Max/Select display and pointed to the large sign talking about the introduction of the R8823 Impact Driver. She was totaly unfazed about all this and told me that if the computer showed the R8823 as discontinued then it was discontinued. I suggested that sometimes computers made mistakes, and wasn't there another way. She demonstrated no knowledge of the point of the whole Ridgid Max/Select program. She said she could special order R8823 and asked if I would like her to do so. I replied in the affirmative. She called a number and gave them the information for ordering R8823 and informed me that the product was not available in that stores district and therefor could no tbe ordered. At that point I gave up on poor old R8823.
I then asked her when she would have extra batteries available for the 24V LI products. She said she had no idea. When I responded in a stunned and incredulous manner she informed me that all products in her department were controlled by a plan from some higher level and she had no input regarding products nor knowledge beyond what they send her.
I remember Home Depot reps breaking up sets to replace a tool that had broken. I remember Home depot reps talking about ordering in extra quantities of a product due to local conditions. I remember Home Depot reps who had used most of the types of tools in their department. I remember Home Depot reps calling a supplier and arranging special handling of a needed product. I spent a lot of money at the old home Depot.
I had heard that there was a new Home Depot, but didn't belive it until today.
Its very disapointing. I don't know if I have the time or patience to spend much money at the new Home Depot.
Why am I ragging on Home Depot on a Rigid forum? I had always believed Home Depot and Ridgid were partners in the tool business. Ridgid might be interested in how their products are supported in the new Home Depot. Sorry about the spelling errors. Couldn't get spell check to work.

people from home depot atlanta should read this..

[FastEddie]

Long ago in Illinois there was a HW store -- Handy Andy - it is gone

In Arizona there was a HW store called Home Base - it is gone


If Home Depot doesn't correct this problem....... It will be next and Lowes and Menards will be the new "super powers"

I have been following this thread since it started and wanted to chime in.

On the topic of dead home improvement stores in Illinois, Home Base was here too, but my dad loved Builders Square when he built their house in the early 90's. The Builders Square stores were always swamped in the late 80's and early 90's. I never did find out why they went out of business, but their buildings stood vacant for many many years. Makes you wonder if they lost focus...

Getting to the subject and current day situations, having worked for several large companies, both public and private, and working on their respective information security teams, I was fortunate/unfortunate enough to see a lot of the dirty laundry. I've seen management actions, and the effects of those actions on employees and customers alike, and I've been able to deduce from those actions what *I* think and witnessed works well, and what doesn't. And my conclusion... a clear vision from the top conveyed well all the way down to the bottom. The people working in the aisles and at the register should have a clear understanding of what the company's goals are. And most of those goals better be to service the customer. And there HAS to be buy in from everyone in the organization.

It just amazes me that these big corporations seem to always shift focus away from the customer and to the shareholders. I would be willing to bet most of the shareholders don't frequent a Home Depot retail store, or have never stepped foot in one, so they little if nothing to do with generating profits. But you sure will hear their calls for someone's head if the dividends and profits cease to roll in.

No news to anyone on this thread, but shareholders are not the ones help making the corporations get to their gargantuan size, they are not making these corporations money, they are merely benefiting from the profits. All they need to do is sit back and enjoy their dividends, and let a good executive management team execute on their customer focused mission. I may be optomistic, or making this overly simplistic, but I truly do think it is that easy. Take care of the customer, especially your regular customers, and success will be had more often than take care of your stockholders.

That being said, and regarding Home Depot, I must say our newest Home Depot 5 mins from here is actually fantastic when it comes to customer service. A large majority of the employees are over 35 years old and know their departments fairly well. I'm merely a hobbyist, but have yet to go in and not receive tips on what tools to use to complete a project, the best way to tackle a project, etc. The assistant manager I dealt with several times went out of his way to help me acquire R932 kits, and then he also honored a sale and coupon that expired when the kits didn't arrive in time. It's the little things that add up.

But it's sad that 2 home depots can be so different. Hearing a lot of the horror stories about Home Depots lately makes me happy and sad. Happy that we aren't exposed to that (yet), but sad that I feel it's only a matter of time that we will be. I guess when there isn't a strong clear direction provided from the top.. all of the regional managers have their own goals and visions, and then their district managers have their own goals and visions, down to the store managers who would again have their own. And then you have 2 stores that can be as opposite as described.

So again, I guess what it comes down to is leadership and direction from the top. Then, how and how well that direction is conveyed to the various levels of the organization. My analogy is always this...... An engine is a beautiful thing when all the moving parts are working together towards a common goal of moving the vehicle forward - efficiently and effectively... but when just one piston is off, the fuel line cracks, or a belt decides to fray, the lack of production is noticeable and damaging, always resulting in the vehicle coming to a complete stop. If HD as a whole doesn't fix their ways, their demise is inevitible and will be placed in sluggo's list of failed home improvement companies.

Just my $0.02 - sorry for the rambling,
-Ed

[woodenstickers]

Fasteddie,

Please do not take this as a negative spin, but do make sure that you get second opinions before taking any advice (at least where there are any kind of measurable stakes in money or enjoyment) from the tipsters you have met inside HD. I say this not because I doubt their personal expertise, only because I have been told in very convincing tones information I was lucky enough to know to be wrong. Just a tip from me to you, not a condemnation of the store or it's personnel, I swear. I could have been led astray quite a few times if I was less informed than I have to be as a pro.

This forum is a great place to check on anything you may not be sure about, BTW. I have been steered in the right direction over and over.

[SteveA(MD)]

On Builders Square....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Builders_Square

[Gofor]

Guess I'll add my $.02:
I live in NC, the home state of Lowes. We have a local Lowes as does every neighboring town of any size. I have visited all within a 50 mi radius and all seem to be about the same. The nearest HD is 38 miles away. Been there twice and won't be back. Lousy service, lousy displays. We have another that is 45 miles away. Great store and where I bought my TS3650. Shop there occasionally because they carry a few items different than Lowes. Pricewise they are all within a dime or two for any given item.
When I lived in NW FL, we at first had 5 local builder supply companies. Parts and lumber were well priced but tools were expensive. Lowes moved in and three of the locals shut down. Still bought supplies/materials at the locals (better price) but bought power tools at Lowes (better price). HD built a store across from Lowes. Last two locals folded and for a year life was good due to price competition. After a year, tho, again only a dime or two between the two stores. Here, I buy most materials from the local builders' supplies because the quality is better and the price is lower. Brand name items are still cheaper at the larger retailers.
Back to the 3650 purchase. I thought I wanted a contractor saw, and it was between the Ridgid 2400, the Dewalt and the Bosch. Narrowed it down to Dewalt and Ridgid. When I made a last trip to check out the Ridgid, I took a lot closer look at the TS3650 and re-evaluated what I really could use best. The 3650 won hands down and I have not regretted buying it for an instant. However, had I not seen a display model to start with, I would never have even considered a Ridgid. If it had not been set up where I could look at it, and if the department person hadn't been nice enough to go find me a screwdriver so I could pull the inserts out of it and the 2400 to get a closer look at the insides, I would have come back and bought the Dewalt or a full sized Delta.
I do not buy tools sight unseen. Most serious woodworkers I know are the same. The rule is "Caveat Emptor" buyer beware, and I can't be wary if all I see is a small picture with limited description. How many items do you think Sam's club would sell if everything was kept in a box and no display model was there to look at? If HD is no longer setting up display tools, I will buy none there. Ridgid may want to seriously consider another outlet, including making overtures to the local builder supplies and woodworking supply companies like Woodcraft or Klingspor's to carry their tools. With the quality of tools changing with the model number, I no longer buy based on a brand name. For tools I use everyday, I need to pick it up, feel the grip and balance, etc before throwing $$ down the drain for something that won't do what I need or will wear me out too much to use it.
If Ridgid is serious about selling power woodworking tools, I suggest they may want to ensure they are displayed and marketed. If not, I am sure Delta, Grizzly, Craftsman, DeWalt, Bosch and a few others will be more than happly to fill the void.

Go

[hiloguy]

Our HD here in Hilo, Hawaii is pretty much in line with most of the posts about incompetent (read: useless) orange aprons. The tools on display look like they were partially and loosely assembled, with many parts installed backwards, upside-down or worse. Nothing works. Ever. The orange aprons, when you can find one, rarely have a clue about what they're selling. In all fairness, there are one or two people there occasionally who seem out of place in that they are knowledgable, courteous and competent. But that's rare enough to make the overall picture pretty bleak. I guess HD doesn't give a rip, so they must be selling enough to show a profit. They could do a lot better, though with some decent help. Most of our local contractors here have gone back to the old vendors whom they can rely on.

Regarding the contractor's department, what a joke! The one person there who was really sharp quit because it was so tough for her to get any kind of cooperation from any of the other employees. I used the contractor's department a few times and after they screwed up everything possible, never again. Besides, I can get most anything cheaper at our local lumber yards.

Aloha!

Hiloguy

[Woussko]

Does anyone remember the totally hopeless and worthless CHANNEL stores of the mid Atlantic area? Friends and I used to have some pretty nasty names for them and their worthless staff. When they left people all over were happy to see them gone. Hechinger called themself "The World's Most Unusal Lumber Yard" and people in the know never bought their lumber unless they wanted to use it as fire starter. I'm lucky to have many choices where I can do business. Yesterday I looked over the tool department at SEARS and can see they are changing. No more serious hand held power tools and their overall stock was poor. The place was a real mess with NO ONE working in the department at all. This is bad news. My bet is that soon I'll see "Sears-Mart" on the side of the building. It will simply be another K-mart dump.

[roadrashray]

Recently in Home Depot with my journeyman cabinet maker nephew who is a very strong user of Makita and DeWalt products. He was with me to offer his input as I evaluated the Ridgid 24V LI combo set. He was in the market for a 12" miter saw and had pretty much decided to puchase the DeWalt at Lowe's which has been in this area for quite some time and has attracted a pretty strong customer base.
Home Depot at that time had a very complete display of 12" miters including the Makita, DeWalt, and Ridgid. He pushed, pulled and fondled all three and decided he liked the features of the Ridgid. His preference of the features combined with the LSA led to the purchase of the Ridgid 12" miter saw plus table/cart. I believe the total sale was around $650 which was directly related to the products being on DISPLAY at HD. Craftsman are by their nature very hands on and need to see, hold, lift and try tools that they intend to work with. I understand that the corporate mentality of retail stores is all about productivity per square foot. I suggest that in the case of tools that concept might be short sited. There is a synergy with the purchase of tools. In the case of my nephew he had never considered purchasing Ridgid tools due to his satisfaction with DeWalt. Because HD invested in the floor space for the Ridgid miter saw there is a strong possibility he will give Ridgid a good look when considering other tools in the future. The other part of this picture is his comfort level at HD has been greatly increased through this purchase. He had been pretty much a Lowe's man when big box shopping. He has continued to give HD a look when shopping for materials and tools. It's important for HD to undrstand the big picture when deciding how to use floor space.

[khodgson]

Guys, I don't know if any of you have paid any attention to MSN.COM recently, if not, then you missed a good article concerning HD and customer dissatisfaction. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/HomeDepotShaftingShoppers.aspx

It seems that more than 10,000 customers responded with their own horror stories such that the new CEO of Home Depot responded on March 13. Check out this article for his response to the overwhelming complaints:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/HomeDepotCEOWeLetYouDown.aspx?GT1=9145

This is obviously a nationwide problem and maybe with their restructuring something will get done and soon. I too have recently become agitated with customer service and employee knowledge at HD. All of our locations in Knoxville, TN have gone to fewer cashiers and the check out lanes are more customer self service rather than an assistant. I get so tired of having to check myself out at register anymore, especially when I have several carts of lumber and the only lanes open are the self service. Not to mention, if a rebate coupon is supposed to print, it never seems to at the self service lanes. Since when did HD become a grocery store. If I wanted to work all week and then have to bag my own items as well as scan them on the weekends, I would expect to be paid for my services. I suppose working for HD is beneath this current generation of teenagers so employees are scarce. I waited 45 minutes and went through 4 different customer service employees waiting for someone to help me get down an air compressor that was stuck on the top racks in the tool world section. I finally went and got one of their rolling ladders out of another isle, and between myself and a friend we managed to get that compressor off the rack and pallet ourselves; no thanks to HD employees. What really amazed me, was that while hauling the ladder back to tool world from the lumber section, I passed three different employees and not one offered to assist me or ask what the heck I was doing. One of them even gave me the quick head nod as if to say "hey, thanks for doing my job buddy, I can go on break early now". Maybe now that a Lowes has officially opened across from every possible HD in east tennessee, these CEO's will finally wake up. I really love Ridgid products and hate to switch to anything else, but I am getting tired of spending hard earned time and putting several miles on my shoes just trying to track down an employee everytime I go to HD. Maybe you guys are on to something.

[khodgson]

Guys, I don't know if any of you have paid any attention to MSN.COM recently, if not, then you missed a good article concerning HD and customer dissatisfaction. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/HomeDepotShaftingShoppers.aspx

It seems that more than 10,000 customers responded with their own horror stories such that the new CEO of Home Depot responded on March 13. Check out this article for his response to the overwhelming complaints:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/HomeDepotCEOWeLetYouDown.aspx?GT1=9145

This is obviously a nationwide problem and maybe with their restructuring something will get done and soon. I too have recently become agitated with customer service and employee knowledge at HD. All of our locations in Knoxville, TN have gone to fewer cashiers and the check out lanes are more customer self service rather than an assistant. I get so tired of having to check myself out at register anymore, especially when I have several carts of lumber and the only lanes open are the self service. Not to mention, if a rebate coupon is supposed to print, it never seems to at the self service lanes. Since when did HD become a grocery store. If I wanted to work all week and then have to bag my own items as well as scan them on the weekends, I would expect to be paid for my services. I suppose working for HD is beneath this current generation of teenagers so employees are scarce. I waited 45 minutes and went through 4 different customer service employees waiting for someone to help me get down an air compressor that was stuck on the top racks in the tool world section. I finally went and got one of their rolling ladders out of another isle, and between myself and a friend we managed to get that compressor off the rack and pallet ourselves; no thanks to HD employees. What really amazed me, was that while hauling the ladder back to tool world from the lumber section, I passed three different employees and not one offered to assist me or ask what the heck I was doing. One of them even gave me the quick head nod as if to say "hey, thanks for doing my job buddy, I can go on break early now". Maybe now that a Lowes has officially opened across from every possible HD in east tennessee, these CEO's will finally wake up. I really love Ridgid products and hate to switch to anything else, but I am getting tired of spending hard earned time and putting several miles on my shoes just trying to track down an employee everytime I go to HD. Maybe you guys are on to something.

[Rafael]

I like the self serve lanes at the HD here, it means I can get out of the store in a minute or two instead of waiting in a line that has someone with 100 small parts that have no bar codes and must have the clerk look each one up in some book.
I think a happy medium would be a 10 item or less line.

[woodenstickers]

I like the self serve lanes at the HD here, it means I can get out of the store in a minute or two instead of waiting in a line that has someone with 100 small parts that have no bar codes and must have the clerk look each one up in some book.
I think a happy medium would be a 10 item or less line.

The self serve lanes are great, especially when I have one purchase for myself and one that I need to turn in the receipt for work. One funny thing though, I was buying paint thinner and the beeper went off to alert the attendant. It seems they check ID anytime you are buying strong solvents.

The local LOWE'S here has the same self serve set up.

[Jeffdanz]

I live in a small town in Oregon. Recently we got a Home Depot. Overall, it has been great. Much better customer service than Lowes (actually, customer service at Lowes is non-existent). I have been very impressed with the help I have recieved and the knowlege of the sales people.... with one exception.. I was looking for a plastic featherboard for the new TS2400LS, and both the sales people in the tool dept had no idea what a feather board was. Go figure.

[BENWANNABE]

Do people actually work at Home Depot, last week I purchased 18 sheets of plywood, 2 2x10x8, 8 pieced of molding and 4 pieces of MDF. I asked to have the MDF cut into the 4x4 sheets I needed. There was "NO" One available to cut, let alone help this 62 year old load the two carts, unload them in my pickup.

They did not have a problem taking my cash.

[Jeffdanz]

Okay, I stand corrected. For about the first 3 weeks after opening the customer service was great. Now, after having been open for awhile, things have changed. When you can find help, the person is usally very helpful. However, finding someone to help has definately been a challange. They always seem to be understaffed and never have enough cashiers.

Jeff

[sluggo85024]

TOO FUNNY........... I read your first response and said that would not last long.... I was correct. lmao



Okay, I stand corrected. For about the first 3 weeks after opening the customer service was great. Now, after having been open for awhile, things have changed. When you can find help, the person is usally very helpful. However, finding someone to help has definately been a challange. They always seem to be understaffed and never have enough cashiers.

Jeff

[Wizard]

Have had similar experiences with various stores. We have four Home Depot's in the area and two have horrible customer service, one is decent and one is just great. Thankfully the great customer service is the closest store. So there are good customer service stores you just have to find one. Unfortunately I was in one of the other Home Depot's than my regular one (due to out of stock issues) recently and had to wait about 2 hours to obtain a product that was on the overstock rack about 20 feet off the floor. Just kept being told 'just another minute'. Glad that my store usually has what I need.

[VLL]

I like the self serve lanes at the HD here, it means I can get out of the store in a minute or two instead of waiting in a line that has someone with 100 small parts that have no bar codes and must have the clerk look each one up in some book.
I think a happy medium would be a 10 item or less line.


I am not attacking anyone here accept the establishment.

No self check out should be the normal way. Just remember you pay just as much for the item whether you are assisted with check out or do it your self. If you going to pay for the service you should be receiving it. The only time I tried to us self check out it didn't work. It claimed there was a foreign object in the package or bagging area.

The young lady that insisted I use self check out & started showing me how it was done disappeared no where to be found. I decided I could wait & go to Ace in the morning so I just left the $3 worth of hardware setting there & left. I've never used self check out again & never will, service is what I pay for in the price of the product.

Personally I think its stupid to allow them to make more money while you do their work for them after not doing their work properly all around the store & making your shopping experience miserable.

Huge Disappointment is always always always my last resort short of leaving town & going somewhere else to find what I need.

[CWSmith]

Here, Here,

VLL, I totally agree with you. It seems like everywhere we go in this country, they've tried to convince us that "self-serve" is for our convenience and satisfaction. Excuuuuse Me, IT'S NOT!

I look at it this way... every time some place tries to get you to "self-serve", that means it intends to do away with somebody's job.

It used to be I could pull into a gas station, some guy would run out, ask how much, and while the nozzle was running, he'd check my oil, wipe my windshield and even hand me a free steak knife.

In the market, they'd pack my groceries and carry them to the car.

In the drive-in, they'd step up to my window and I'd give them my order which would be delivered a few minutes later.

I'm sure anyone over the age of 60 would remember when "service" meant exactly that. Today, we seem to have forgotten in all but a few instances (like there still is one store in my area that packs my groceries and carries them to the car).

Today, prices are higher than ever and it's not just inflation either. (For some things, I look at what percentage of an hourly wage I used to spend then, vs now.)

We have a lot more population, but we have a bigger percentage doing little; and while some might argue that we have more on social services, we've also done away with an awful lot of so-called low-end service jobs.

Service doesn't just provide jobs, it also provides much better interaction with people and the social graces that comes with learning to be of service.

No thanks, I like to see somebody ring up my purchase, deliver my meal, check my oil and in the process make a friendly acquaintance. It also provide an income for somebody.

CWS

[JimDon]

Joke:
Remove Lawyer reference.

"Do you know what they call 600 dead CEOs on the bottom of Lake Michigan?"

"A good start."

[onlycordless]

I am not attacking anyone here accept the establishment.

No self check out should be the normal way. Just remember you pay just as much for the item whether you are assisted with check out or do it your self. If you going to pay for the service you should be receiving it. The only time I tried to us self check out it didn't work. It claimed there was a foreign object in the package or bagging area.

The young lady that insisted I use self check out & started showing me how it was done disappeared no where to be found. I decided I could wait & go to Ace in the morning so I just left the $3 worth of hardware setting there & left. I've never used self check out again & never will, service is what I pay for in the price of the product.

Personally I think its stupid to allow them to make more money while you do their work for them after not doing their work properly all around the store & making your shopping experience miserable.

Huge Disappointment is always always always my last resort short of leaving town & going somewhere else to find what I need.


Good Point, and not to change the topic, but I was disgusted by the ATM fee when those became popular. I understand a seperate company usually ownes and/or maintains the ATM, however, we actually have to pay a fee for self-serve banking. The bank does not have to employ a teller and saves money, yet we pay between $1 and $5(depending on if it is a tourist place) for saving the bank money. The bank should pay the charges involved in ATM transactions.

[res057]

I refuse to use the self checkout lines. To me, they are a slap in the face. "Welcome to our store. Pick up what you want, if you don't see it, don't bother asking if we have one in back because we don't know where the back is. When you are ready, just leave the money on the counter. Please don't bother us, we are on break."
I'll wait in line for a live person. If the line is too long or the cashier is inept and taking too long, I go somewhere else.
On a side note; ever notice that there are more people running around the store with "Vendor" written on their shirts than employees of the store?

[Woussko]

I can sort of remember a market where if you were willing to bring your own boxes or bags and box or bag your purchases that you got 2% off. They still did all the checkout part. At Home Depot they should give customers some off for NO service. At Walmart near me they have self service checkouts but they are constantly marked "Out Of Order" which makes me laugh. It costs them good money for that joke and now they are paying for it. ***** heads

[res057]

Yeah, Home Depot and Lowes usually have 4 of the self serve checkouts to save labor costs, but there are usually at least 3 employees hanging out there.
Meanwhile, only two of the regular checkouts are open on a Saturday morning. Big savings.