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