I hate HomeDepot!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mlee0000]

I work at Lowe's part time while I'm going to college. Yeah, its not the best job in the world, but its a paycheck.

One thing to realize is that these stores have a lot of departments. I work in lumber/building materials; if anyone has questions on what kind of drywall to use in their garage or what SPF, SPIB, APA, Exposure rating, or R-rating means--I'm all over it. I worked construction for a while, I've done it, I know it. I know a decent amount about plumbing, electrical, millwork, etc too.

The thing is: sometimes I clock in and my manager says, "You're covering the paint department today." I don't know jack about paint. I just do what I can, I point people to where the product is located. I may not be able to answer every question they have, but I'm not going to feed them BS.

If I don't know, I don't know. If you need a 240V heater element, I could care less if you are cooking meth, using it as a torture device, or heating up your mash. I'm not liable for what you do with the product. I do know, however, what it is like to walk around for 30min looking for a simple part only to be treated like an idiot. If I don't know where it is, I'll find out. I know you want to get in and get out, so you can get started on whatever you are working on.

I'm not trying to advertise for Lowe's or rip on Home Depot, I much prefer the local mom & pop store... They just haven't been in business for a few years.

 

[Rick_R]

The problem is going in to HD, asking "Where is (this)?" and them saying "Well, what do you want it for?"

"I want it for the cross chamber in a Surgian bipolar shuttle-phelger. I prefer Surgian shuttle-phelgers over the Cranton shuttle-phelgers; which do you prefer? Or you could just tell me where you keep the supply hoses with a braided stainless steel sheath."

Rick

 

[RobertHSmith]

The problem is going in to HD, asking "Where is (this)?" and them saying "Well, what do you want it for?"

They are showing interest in your project, that is a good thing

Two thing to remember in these situations, a little respect goes a long way and maturity doesn't always come with age. I've found these two things very helpful when dealing with people at the chain hardware stores that turn out to be jerks. Your reaction can turn what would have been a good conversation into diatribe directed at you.

The point I'm trying to make is, don't let them get to that point. Your initial reaction guides the rest of the conversation and could be the difference between you pissing someone off and making a friend.

 

[idkid]

That makes so much more sense than a phone number for marketing. They only want your number so they can sell it, but a postal code lets them know their shoppers location which is all they need. I am going to ask next time I am asked if I am not allowed to purchase things without a phone number and see what they say. I will ask if I need to make one up and if they have a phone book.

Being a former worker at Lowe's, I'll chime in on the phone number thing. At least at Lowe's, they don't sell the phone number. The reason they ask is so, if you later return a product without the receipt, the register prompts the cashier for a phone number which Lowe's keeps in the database. So the cashier scans the barcodes of the returned products, enters the phone number, and the system searches the database. This way you can still get cash back (if thats the tender you paid in) or they can return it in the correct tender. Before this system, you had a bunch of old guys coming in with their DIY returns with three hundreds CPVC fittings from their MLTs (ha ha) and expecting to get cash back without a receipt. Well, sorry, that hasn't been done in virtually any major retail store in years. So guess what? You're stuck with store credit and then you get REALLY pissed. Again, they don't sell your phone number, they are attempting to avoid the disgruntled old guy (and there are plenty of them) that wants cash back for their purchase that they bought six years ago. So its your right to not give a phone number, but its also their right to give you store credit! It says so on those 8' by 10' posters near the return desk that no one reads.

 

[aekdbbop]

the other day, i went in to get some stuff, and I thought i would go ahead a get some reflectix while i was at HD..

well, they didnt have it, but i asked a worker there if they had it:

B: do you guys carry something called reflectix? It is a reflective insulation in a role... I saw that Lowes had it, but I was here anyway...

W: well, you should have got it while you were there...


******

 

[eddie]

I had an interview a little over ten years ago with the local Home Depot to work in their lumber department. The guy who was interviewing me asked me if I knew what the difference between manufactured framing members and dimensional lumber was. I told him that dimensional lumber was wood such as spruce or redwood cut to dimensions such as 2x4 and 2x6 and generally used for structural framing and construction while the manufactured products were a blend of wood and resins and comes in a variety of lengths and configurations and were also used in framing construction. He told me that 2x4s and 2x6s weren't dimensional lumber and I told him he was full of **** and didn't know what he was talking about. That guy was supposed to be the department manager, too. Needless to say I didn't get the job. I haven't regretted it at all, though. What a numb-nut.

 

[bru-er]

Being a former worker at Lowe's, I'll chime in on the phone number thing.

I did not know that, makes sense. I thought it was for marketing. I also get annoyed when they ask. I was in line behind some people and the cashier was asking for the number and making small talk - being annoyed already by the number thing when it was my turn I ended up just repeating the previous customers number. I wonder if they noticed.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

He told me that 2x4s and 2x6s weren't dimensional lumber

I wonder what he thought it was

 

[eddie]

I wonder what he thought it was

Giant toothpicks, I guess. The guy didn't have a clue what he was talking about.