Get rid of Home Depot

[Marker]

You need to get rid of Home Depot if you really want to take you woodworking tools to the next level. I'm sure you are aware (from posts in your forums) that most HDs market your products very poorly and they market your accessories even worse (if at all).

I have a Ridgid Radial Arm Saw, Table Saw, Jointer, and Planner. They are all great and I would buy other Ridgid tools. However, at this point I have given up on finding the "support" I want from Home Depot. I went looking for a Ridgid Drill Press last week and after frustration, ended up buying a Delta instead. I have ordered accessories directly from you (online) and it was great. However, sometimes when I want something, I want it then, not a few days later. If I could only buy parts for my Ford SUV from the factory, I would not buy another Ford.

[Big Johnson]

I am feeling the same way MarkR... I was in the market for a bandsaw a while back and couldn't get a new one in a box at the time at HD and didn't want the abused floor model, so I ended up buying a Jet from elsewhere... I am going to need a planer and jointer very soon to accompany my new biscuit jointer. I am not sure at this point who will be getting my business... I love ridgid's products but their source for retailing the product line stinks... I currently own the TS2424LS tablesaw and the EB4424 spindle sander... I would like to upgrade my drill press in time from a large bench model to a floor unit...

The HD clerk in Lincoln, NE still thinks Home Depot owns Ridgid, Emerson, and even Ryobi... I don't know about Ryobi for sure but I am pretty sure he is 100% incorrect on Ridgid and Emerson!!! Can't tell'em anything either...

They had spindle sander drums when I bought the EB4424, so I bought enough for near a lifetime so I don't have to stop back for a very long period to find out they are on backorder when I need them... This adds to my frustration on the AC1035 “Zero Clearance Inserts” I can’t easily get either… I want to see one before I buy it…

I am ready to give up on them (HD)!!!

[Big Johnson]

P.S.
I don’t like posting negative feed back but something needs to be done...

Please pardon my venting...

Merry Christmas fellow forum members...

[K.M. Delano]

It would be nice to purchase a DP1550 and the mortise attachment at the same place. Also, if the need ever came up to replace the knives on my jointer in a hurry, I won't be able to because HD does not carry them! They also have no plans on doing so.

Rigid woodworking tools are very good items, yet HD has a very large (4-5 times more) space for Ryobi items as compared to the area it has for Rigid. The jointer in my local HD has a nice coat of surface rust on it. Does not look good to someone looking at buying a tool.

I came real close to getting a Delta thickness planer instead of the Rigid BECAUSE of HD. In February I plan on getting a new Drill Press. I'd like to go with the DP1550.

Jake, I don't have the inside knowledge of running an operation such as RIGID, but I am one of the people who buy and use the product. I really beleive that there has been enough comments on this site about the problems with HD for Rigid to do something about it.

[K.M. Delano]

Just a side not Jake.

Way too many HD employees are convinced that HD OWNS Rigid! They have to be getting that idea from somewhere................

[Marker]

Glad to hear that I'm not the only one that has just about given up. Of course, my main point was (and I am hearing it from others) that I would like to buy more Ridgid tools, but it is become less and less convienient. Even if I can buy the tool, if I ruin a planer blade in the middle of a project, I don't want to wait days for a new one or pay a premium for overnight shipping.

My main reason for complaining/venting is the hope that if enough people complain, maybe Ridgid will do something about it. In their class, I think the Ridgid tools are some of the best around. The customer service is top notch, and the Ridgid forums (and Jake!) are a great resource. However, the reasons many of us have mentioned are pushing us to tools made by other companies.

Thanks for listening!

Merry Christmas to Ridgid and all forum members.

[ 12-24-2002, 12:51 PM: Message edited by: MarkR ]

[KellyC]

You should see what they did to our HD's nice display of Ridgid tools up front in the XMAS section....first, they intermixed the other saw (Ryobi and Delta) in the display....then in infinite wisdom, they put a wall of cheapo toolboxes right in front of the display and a lot of junk right behind the entire thing....all the tools made by Ridgid are now buried. I agree....set HD on it's ear and let 'em have Ryobi
for the house brand.

On a lighter note, I just got two flip tops for XMAS....gonna play with them tomorrow!

[BadgerDave]

I apologize for hijacking MarkR's thread but Kelly, how about a review on the flip tops after you have had a chance to play with them?

[Marker]

No problem "Badger Dave" I'd also like to hear what Kelly has to say about the flip top's.

[Pepaw of VA]

I too have about given up on Ridgid. I like my Ridgid tools, I own the TS2424,MS1250 & EB4424. I've been reading good reviews about the Ridgid plainer,bandsaw and joiner all of which are tools I want to add to my shop. But what good are reviews if you can get the product at the only supplier around. There was a Rip from Emerison at one my local HD he helped my wife and I find the flip table she wanted to get me for Christmas. There were no where near the Ridgid display. In fact he and another HD sales clerk had to go hunting for them. You would think that with all the posts over the last year about this on going problem with Ridgid at HD something would have been done. Maybe the power that be at Emerison dont care. But like my friend Big Johnson I too may look at other brands when it comes to getting my Bandsaw and plainer. I would have to drive a little more but if thing dont change the trip will be worth it. Jake I know you dont have the power to change things your self. But If there is any way you could see that these post get to those who can and should do something that would be great. Thanks

[KellyC]

I tested them today while making trim for the bookcases I'm building for a client. WOW...all that time wasted using those pesky roller stands!! The Flip Tops are genius!

They have a superior system of locking lever on the square tube that holds the head...it holds the tube from two sides and looks to be very sturdy. Most of you have used rollers know that the knob screws can wear out with time since the screw is the only holder. You can lock it in the horizontal position for use as a support while using the miter saw. With the four feet on each one, it's very stable. The other position is canted to catch drooping boards fromt he table saw (which works flawlessly with 1/4" plywood). The lock pin goes into the second hole which prevents the head from falling to the vertical position when there's not a board resting on it. The third position is locked vertically for storage.

I'm very impressed and it won't be long until I buy a third and fourth so that if I need them with the TS and the SCMS on the job, I won't have to "share them".

I highly recommend anyone thinking of getting new stands to look these over first...they are more than worth it!

[Marker]

Thanks for the review Kelly. Sounds like I could use a pair. Luckily they can be purchased online so I don't have to wait for my local HD to stock them (I have not seen them in stock yet)!

[Big Johnson]

Thanks for the great review of the flip top stands Kelly... I too, have wanted to get something to help me out when sawing and such... I was thinking one would be nice but I believe you are on the right track with multiple stands... I think I will start with 2 and see how we get along from there... I don't always have someone around to assist me with my projects... The "Flip Top" just might be the answer... smile.gif

I still look forward to Jakes comment on the main topic of this conversation thou… I am still hanging on by a thread with HD… There are many other fish in the sea that are eager for business…

[RixWorx]

Let's let'em know!

Home Depot Comment Form (http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=NAVIGATION&CNTKEY=contact%2findex.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1511640853.1040956731@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccekadchdlm imdkcgelceffdfgidgkk.0)

rick

OK, The URL button sucks, let's try this...
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=NAVIGATION&CNTKEY=contact%2findex.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1147066038.1040958889@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccgadchdl migiic (http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=NAVIGATION&CNTKEY=contact%2findex.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1147066038.1040958889@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccgadchdlm igiic) gelceffdfgidgmn.0

OK, every thing sucks!

Go to www.homedepot.com (http://www.homedepot.com) and on th ebottom of the page is a contact us link, let'em have it!

[ 12-26-2002, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: RixWorx ]

[UO_Woody]

Last spring as I was setting my building up I had the chance to see the Ridgid Rep and see the demonstrations of the tools by a hired individual. I even talked to the manager of HD on duty at the time.
From what I got from these 3 people are Emerson made the corporate deal. Ridgid Reps are responsable for the displays setup and HD is to provide the space. Problem being, Emerson Corp. isn't in the HD stores, it was all done on paper. Each store was mandated to devote a certain amount of floor space for the displays, which is barly big enough for the machinery. That is why you find the boxed machinery stacked on shelves to the ceiling. Ridgid Reps are to take care of the displays, which are limited on time to each store in their area. They simply don't have time to take of the displays. HD could care less if the machinery rusted into a pile of dust.
I couldn't get a direct answer to the question, "why doesn't HD carry the acceossories"?
But did get a comment from the rep that it probably wasn't specified in the Corporate deal.
I just returned a defective drill press today and returned home with a brand new one. Can't beat the warrenty. I had it 6 months before a bearing or something went bad.
But if HD isn't going to handle Ridgid, who then?
There are about 8 HD in a one hour driving area from my home. One of them is bound to have a piece of machinery in need. But there is little along the lines of woodworking stores. And they are all devoted to Powermatic, Jet, Delta. I'm sure they are not going to welcome in Ridgid and piss off the Big 3 and loosing sales to Ridgid. And not everyone Drops In on a woodworking store to LOOK at machinery. At HD, you walk in for a broom, pass the display and decide you've waited long enough for a table saw and wheel one out.
But enought rants here, providing someone who can do something about it, may lead to a better customer based deal WHEN the contract between Emerson and Home Depot is renewed...IF renewed.
What I worry about the most is I have just about every piece of Ridgid Woodworking Machinery they offer, and what happens if HD drops Ridgid?
The main reasons I went with all ridgid machinery is it's availability in my area, and the warrenty and ease to benefit from it. Plus NO SHIPPING, and the affordable price so I could get the machinery all at once.
I agree totally that a better relationship between Emerson and Home Depot has to happen to benefit the customer, and the profits for both Corps.
My next trip to one of the 8 HD stores in my area I'm making it a point to grab the store manager on duty and ask some questions. Find out why the store displays are so poorly taken care of, why there is no accessories, etc.
I suggest everyone does the same accross the country.
And maybe we can get answers and make a difference as I'm sure HD meetings talk about such things....Input from customers to their staff.
Ridgid Machinery is Quality for the price, I'd hate to see the prices go up to see a large square footage in home depot devoted to Ridgid Machinery and kept dusted clean of fingerprints.
Another reason I bought Ridgid is the reviews I read. The Store displays looked like crap, and I could care less they did. But I also know not every individual walking in to look at machinery has done research, and appearence WILL play a major factor on at least 1/2 the potential customers that walk in off the street.
I also suggest HD Head Corp. and Emerson get emails from all of us on the same issue. Mentioning the some of the things I've mentioned here. It can get worse, it can get better. The squeeky wheel gets the greese. So lets do some squeeking and maybe the dusty rusty displays will get some greese, more room, and some accessories stocked.

[john54]

...my thoughts on this supject/problem,

It's really not that Emerson/Ridgid doesn't WANT to sell more tools, they do. But, I think, they want to do it in a way that doesn't piss off Delta and Jet/Powermatic. You see, Emerson builds motors for Delta, Jet/Powermatic and a whole lot of other companies. They might even build motors for Ryobi. So if you buy say a Delta RAS, your getting an Emerson motor. Now I'm sure Delta has more than one supplier of motors for their equipment, but maybe not. Delta puts up with Emerson/Ridgid selling woodworking tools because they used to build the stuff for Sears anyway and as long as Home Depot is the only place to buy Ridgid woodworking tools, then Delta figures that they wouldn't have gotten that sale anyway. They, Delta, thinks that that customer shopped at Sears and/or Home Depot. Not their customer (Delta's) so they (Delta) don't care.
What you guys have to understand is that the bad service we get in Home Depot actually helps us get really well made tools at great prices. The tool is more important than the retailer. I own the Ridgid TS2412, the JP0610 and the EB4424. I plan on getting the Ridgid planer real soon. So, forget about the retailer and get back in the shop.
The opinions expressed are just that, opinions.
John
Eastchester, NY
"Beer is proof that God exists and He wants us to be happy." ~ Benjamin Franklin

[Dave Arbuckle]

John, most motors I see on Delta equipment are Marathon. I admit not having done a study, though.

Question I have is, if not Home Depot, who? Good, bad, or indifferent, they are about the largest venue there is. Compare 1,321 Home Depots with 61 Woodcrafts.

Dave
(not affiliated with Ridgid or Emerson Tool)

[Marker]

Good points John54 and Dave. Maybe a better topic would have been: "Get Rid of the Exclusive contract with Home Depot".

I should first say that I really like the Ridgid Tools that I have (RS1000, TS2424, JP0610, and TP1300) My original thoughts when I started buying Ridgid tools were Good Quality, Excellent Warranty, and available everywhere (via Home Depot). I make trips to Home Depot at least every other week.

However, I started this thread out of utter frustration in finding not only accessories, but the tools themselves. They lost one sale last week. I got tired of waiting for a DP1550 so I bought a Delta 17-925. If Ridgid would start selling the tools online, that would certainly help, however, I would hope the price would be discounted without the middleman and to compensate for shipping costs.

What I was really hoping to do is drum up comments from other members to make Ridgid/Emerson aware of the many problems in their relationship with Home Depot. I would prefer to stick with Ridgid Tools, the Excellent Warranty, and of course Jake. However, with a Woodcraft and several Woodworkers Warehouses within a 45min drive the reasons to buy another brand are piling up.

[J Reed]

Mark R,

They have the flip-top at all three of your local Homedepot's. I purchased mine at the Chicopee location and they have a ton in Wilbraham. I also saw them in W.Spfld on Dec 23rd in my quest to find the Porter Cable router combo with the free guide. W.Spfld could be tricky though (it's a zoo)!

I too highly recommend them. They pickup the boards and slide oh so smooth. They're also very stable and don't move at all when a board meets them.

[Marker]

Thanks for the Info J Reed. If so, I must apologize and stand corrected on my earlier post in this thread.

I was there last week (W. Springfield) and didn't notice them, but then again I was concentrating my search on a Drill Press and a few Zero Clearance inserts.

P.S. You made me do a double take, the company that I work for was founded by it's CEO: John Reed.

[ 12-31-2002, 08:21 PM: Message edited by: MarkR ]

[RevEd]

You can blame HD all you want but the problem is really Ridgid's. If Ridgid would use properly trained and motivated factory reps sales would increase. If sales increased HD would start stocking more products, if more products were stocked more sales would be made and etc.

Ridgid is paying a bunch of factory reps to do basically nothing. They need people that will go in and convince HD management the best thing they can do is highlight Ridgid tools. Then they need to be in the stores teaching HD clerks how to market their products. I guarantee the more time Ridgid people spend with HD people will directly effect how much time HD people spend selling Ridgid.

People always want to look smart. Teach a HD person the right answers to the a customers questions about the Ridgid tools and he will sell them just to show how knowledgeable he is. Give him the “inside scoop” about a new tool or how to use an existing tool to accomplish a customer project and he will be your star salesman.

I see other manufacturing reps in the stores talking with customers and sales people, and cleaning and setting up displays. When I ask them a question they have a knowledgeable answer. When I see the Ridgid reps they act they have to be there, could care less about their displays and quite frankly know little or nothing about their products.

In chain stores like HD what has the biggest effect on product availability and presentation is the factory reps selling their product first to store management, secondly to store personnel and lastly to the customer. Until Ridgid steps up to this I don’t care what store you put Ridgid into it won’t be any better.

Ridgid needs to wake up, they are no longer dealing with a Sears where sales people once were motivated to sale “Sears” saws. Their in a whole new world with a lot of competition and customers that have many options.
Ed

[john54]

Dear RevEd,

Your dreaming. You want expert advice/service AND low prices? - It can't happen. In my 40 years on this planet, I have learned that you can't have both at the same time. The only way you can make people really care about the quality of the job they are doing is pay them well. If H.D. paid ALL of their sales people well, if they were ALL full time employees, if they "gave a **** ", then you would get great service and a clean well stocked store. BUT! this costs money. You wouldn't have the low prices. So, what do you REALLY want? If you want a nice clean, well stocked store with sales people that know their **** , then get yer *** to Garrett Wade in NYC!
Just my 2 cents.
Have a great day in the shop.
John
Eastchester, NY
"He who is not just a little bit scared of his power tools, we call stubby" ~ John M Peragine

[rbl2]

My shop has almost all the tools I will need and unfortunately only one is a Ridgid, the BS1400, and it's a great tool. Had I known at the time I was buying tools what I know now odds are good to excellent that I would have purchased Ridgid tools only.
I think we have to keep in mind that when we go shopping that the sales people are just that, sales people. They rarely do woodworking on the side and have little if any knowledge of woodworking tools.
As sales people however they should know enough and be required to keep display items clean and clear of other items. They should also know or be able to find out reasonably quick what they have in stock. In this area HD is lacking.
Reading through these threads I don't see a complaint about Ridgid, I see a complaint about HD. I would agree that Ridgid should address any problems they have with HD. It is my belief their sales would improve dramatically.
What I'll need next in my shop is a thickness sander and a decent sharpening system that will do planer and jointer knives, as well as lathe chisels. Any plans for Ridgid to make these anytime soon ?

[JSchnarre]

All,

I understand many of your concerns and while I do not have any specific comments, I pass on any of these threads to those how need to see them.

Jake

[Big Johnson]

It's not just Ridgid displays and products at Home Depot, read this link: http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB9&Number=356563&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[mcooke]

I'm sure Ridgid would love to dump Home Depot. From what I've read on this website it sounds like Ridgid is in some kind of long term contract with HD that prevents them from selling their products through other vendors. I must agree with the original premise of this thread...HD absolutely sucks. Most of their sales staff have no clue what they're talking about and management doesn't seem to care how the customers are treated. I talked to a friend who works at HD and he said that there was a definite shift in management at the corporate level a few years ago and that all of the long term employees are just as disgusted as we are.

[Mike3206]

Guys, RevEd was absolutly corrct. My wife works at HD and tells me everyday how 4 DeWalt reps came in, or how 3 Milwaukee reps cam in and so on. She has also told me how GOOD the reps are at selling their product.(she gave me a story how the rep could stop in mid sentence, sell a tool to someone, then fnish the sentence.)

When I asked about the Ridgid reps, she said that they barely ever come in, and don't sell their product nearly as good as the others. In my opinion, the Ridgid stuff is just as good, (I own a ton of the stuff now) but when the displays don't look good, don't expect anyone to buy. I think the reps visit plumbing suppliers a whole lot more!

Also, the employees are trained by the factory reps. They call it a PK, or product knowledge class. I know that HD pays their people to take them, as my wife has come home an hour or so late on many occasions because of one. If the HD staff isn't selling it like it should be, then maybe they need the information. JMO

[RevEd]

John54 if you will read what I wrote I said the problem is with Ridgid not HD or HD employees. It would not effect prices should Ridgid would start expecting and getting what they are already paying for. Right now Ridgid is paying a bunch of product reps for nothing in my opinion. It is the product reps that setup and maintain store displays, not store employees. It is product reps that suggest stocking inventory and replenishment. It is product reps that teach product knowledge to store employees. It is product reps that motivate store employees to sell Ridgid over Dewalt, Delta and etc.

HD is in business to make money if they make it selling Ridgid okay. If they make it selling Dewalt fine. For HD to stock more Ridgid products they have to be shown it will sale. To do that you need marketing by product reps.

Ridgid is in a new area, before they sold to Sears and the product carried the Sears label. Therefore Sears had a reason to sell their products. They also sold to small customer base plumbing supply shops. In the plumbing shops sales are based on customer loyalty to the shop not the products.

That all changed when they walked into HD. They entered a world where most people don't even know the Ridgid name. What will sell their product in stores like HD are attractive eye catching displays. People that are excited about the product. People trained to talk intelligently about their products.

Ridgid’s factory/product reps that I have meet and talked to couldn't sell me a nickel for 4 cents. They knew little or nothing of the products, had an attitude that they could care less about me, Ridgid or selling anything. I was actually shocked the first time I meet one. I have now learned that one wasn’t exception but rather the rule. If you don’t believe me go talk to one and then go talk to a Delta/Porter Cable or Dewalt factory rep. You will see a day and night difference.

Look what happened when they came out with a new 3612 saw. They let HD give it the same stock number. They should have warned HD of the potential confusion and mess it would cause. I’ll bet no one in Ridgid even guessed what happened would happen. They are in a new area and need to learn that to sell their product they need a very aggressive and highly motivated factory sales force.

I'm not an expert but I will tell you the problems with Ridgid and HD are mostly Ridgid's fault.

[john54]

RevEd,
I respect your opinion but, your missing the point.
If Ridgid wants their Reps to do a better job then Ridgid has to a) Pay them more, and b) Hire more of them. I suspect that the Ridgid Reps have so many stores assigned to each of them that they can't spend more time in each store. If Ridgid hires more Reps this will cost more money which will be passed on to the customer in the form of higher prices. You get what you pay for. The other reason I suspect that things are this way is the business that Emerson Electric does with the other tool companies. Fact; Delta buys some of there motors from Emerson Electric, how many? I don't know, but I don't think that Emerson Electric wants to lose that buisness. So right now Ridgid can't go head to head with Delta. If Ridgid started to sell to Woodcraft, Woodworkers Warehouse, Amazon etc.. then they would lose all of the Delta business. For all we know they might be making much more money on the Delta business than the woodworking line at Home Depot. And what about the motors they sell to Jet/Powermatic, Makita, etc., they might lose that business also.
It's more complicated than you or I can imagine.
Just my 2 cents!
Have a great day in the shop.
John
Eastchester, NY
"Beer is proof that God exists and He wants us to be happy." ~ Benjamin Franklin

[Andy B.]

Hey Ridgid! Why don't you sell your tools in England? Also in today's The Wall Street Journal they have ab article on HD! www.wsj.com (http://www.wsj.com)

[ 01-17-2003, 02:59 PM: Message edited by: Andy B. ]

[michael stephen]

WOW! whats with the home depot and ridgid thing anyway...

[Depot Dave]

The notion of HD owning Ridgid is impregnated to employees thru upper management and continuously
taught to new associates,one can ask most HD managers and they also will tell you the same.As far as I'm told...HD does own them..and I sure wish someone from Ridgid would clear this up for me please.Who Owns What?

DepotDave

[BadgerDave]

Depot Dave,

This point has been "cleared up" many times on this forum by RIDGID people. HD does not, I repeat, does not own RIDGID. The mystery to me though is why RIDGID tolerates this blatant misrepresentation to continue! :(

[Depot Dave]

Wheew Thank You.
I'll relay this on to every employee whom which beleives HD does own Ridgid,and I'm sure it will become a debate from some upper managment.When is Ridgid going to pull out? I feel there sales will increase from being sold by professionals than by kids who cant find the power switch.When asked,his reply was "whats a fence".
DepotDave

[George]

I've been away from these forums for a long time and I am trying to return as a regular visitor and this is my first return posting.

I can't comment on whether or not Ridgid is being sufficiently aggressive with its marketing. I see "almost" as many ads in the magazines for Ridgid as other brands. It would do Ridgid a lot of good to be able to have a hands-on/demo Ridgid booth at the big woodworking shows, right across from the Dewalt booth(s). Whether or not they can do this with the HD business arrangement, I can not comment on this either. Some business agreements can really be restrictive.

I do wish that HD sold more of Ridgid's accessories and Ridgid has expressed a desire to be able to do this. I do not know if any progress has been made on this topic but I have not seen an increase in accessories at my area's HDs. And I do wish that Ridgid were available from other dealers.

However, I think, for the most part, that HD is getting a bum rap. The problems that I read about in this and other forums -- especially about the lack of product knowledge by employees -- exists *everywhere* to varying degrees. You can go to one HD, Lowes or Sears (yuck) and have nothing but bad experiences and then go to another in the same chain and have nothing but great experiences.

The city where I live (Huntsville, Al) has three Lowes and 2 HDs. One of each is less than four miles from my house. The other two Lowes stores and the other HD are a long drive away (long when you need something that you forgot for a project). But if I need to go to a Lowes (rarely since HD moved nearby) I will drive across town to avoid the local one because the local Lowes hires a lot of teens that know absolutely nothing and have no desire to learn. There have been exceptions to this, however.

On the other hand, both HDs are absolutely superb. Especially the one nearest to my home (Madison/West Huntsville, Al) which is the store that I patronize most often. The employees *know* the products that they are selling and they know how to *use* the products.

And if the employees aren't happy, they are great actors because -- and I'm not telling a tall tale here -- I have actually seen some singing and dancing in the isles! :) I can say that just about every time I go into the local Lowes, I see different faces (employee turnover), but I always encounter the same friendly faces at the local HD (employees are staying). But I digress.

The management and customer service is outstanding at my local HD. Never -- absolutely never -- have I *ever* received more assistance, information and just plain concern about my (the customer's) needs than at the West Huntsville HD. I hate like the devil on those rare occasions when I have to go somewhere else for a purchase because this HD is so great! I know that if I have any problems, questions or concerns with a purchase that they will be taken care of in a fast an curteous manner at this HD. And their displays of Ridgid tools are just as good as any other brand.

Those of you that have seen bad displays of Ridgid tools at HDs? You should see the Delta displays at my local Lowes. Not THAT is pitiful!

By the way, I do not work for HD nor do I have any financial interest in it. Though I wish I had some stock so I could earn back some of the money that I spend there. :) I am just a computer geek who happens to be a serious do-it-yourselfer/woodworker.

[dustcollector]

Why do you suppose there is such a difference in service etc. from one HD to the next? McDonalds, love em or hate em, manages to be very consistant.

Is HD not overseeing their stores and managers, demanding a certain leval of performance, but just letting some lazy managers and staff rule the roost?

There are many HD's in my local area, and there is a huge difference in the way they are operated and maintained. Just the other day a friend from another area came back from one of our local HD and said it was the 'armpit' of Home Depots. I was in the same store later for some electrical wire. The customer ahead of me was buying some lamp cord, and the salesperson, after spooling it off, had no idea how to cut it. So, the cusomer found some bolt cutters in a jumbled pile of tools on the floor and chewed through it with those. I wanted some 6 gauge single conductor; the 'associate' asked if I knew what it looked like and could I show it to her on the rack, so I did. As she finished measuring it another salesperson brought her a pair of wire stripper/cutters, which she DID NOT KNOW HOW TO USE.

I don't expect most HD salespeople to be experts, if they were they'd be working somewhere else for more money. But come on, this is lazy management.

[Juice]

Emerson is pulling out of America and moving to France, guess who will pull out of Ridgid? that's right me along with other wood workers andbody else! would like to see some more commets on this before I destroy a lot of my tool's

[KellyC]

France? Where'd you read that? The WW tools have shifted to the Orient somewhere...we think Ryobi got the contract...I'm out on any new tools they produce if that's the case, but as far as destroying perfectly good tools?...NO WAY...I'm keeping mine....hope you were joking.

[Greg's Garage]

Wow. HD is getting their butt kicked in this thread.

Regarding the Ridgid factory reps, I have only met 2 and in different HD's in Louisiana. They both were great. Knowledgable, helpful. One of them gave me a couple of 10" saw carbide sawblades and a 20% discount on a 10" Miter saw and Spindle sander. I told the other that I was looking for a dust collecter for my RAS. The next week, he delivered it to my house! How much better can it get?

As for as the knowledge of the HD salespeople, I don't need much from them. Just point me toward what I ask for and I'll decide what I need to do.

Just my humble opinion.

Keep makn' sawdust.

[squid]

I've come to the conclusion that if you want fanny-patting service go to Rockler's or Woodcraft. If you just want to purchase what you need and get back to work HD or Lowes will suffice. It's HD's choice to operate the way they do and that is primarily for construction contractors not the home tradesman, Lowes leans more to the DIY weekend warriors.

[Rafael]

All I ever want from HD people is to tell me where something is located. Often they have a hard time with that.