Part of the problem is that it's not that easy to find 2 wire outlets at your local hardware store. Our local large chain hardware store probably has 16 varieties of duplex outlets, all 3 prong, and no 2 prong types.
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Probably the two "suspicious"outlets that you are concerned about were daisy-chained from one or more of the badly wired outlets that were upstream of these two. They are now properly (probably) wired.
Your local hardware store sells the "idiot-lite" sensor that you mentioned and it would be a Good Idea to have one around.
Local where? In any case, I'm glad they're showing back up. I don't think I've seen them anywhere in decades. I think people just started putting in the grounding outlets (even 'electricicians') until the NEC or someone started a fuss over it....
I said "large hardware store" or something like that. :) Not everyone lives near a Home Depot!
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I think I've seen them in some local Ace and True Value hardware stores. I've even seen those tiny plugs/switches (Despard?) that let you put 3 things in a standard box.
Well last I checked they had them in McLendon's as well, it's a small (though admittedly very well stocked) local hardware store. Can't say I've ever really looked for the things, just seen them around.
Obsession? Well I'm not sure it's an obsession, but I do like them. They're everywhere (including less than 5 miles from both my house and my work), have a decent selection, good prices, and they're a one stop shop for home improvement. I'm not sure where the nearest electrical supply shop is, would probably have to drive all the way to Seattle.
That depends on how the breaker box is wired. Most, if not all modern breaker boxes have the main breakers and the breakers for the individual circuits in the same box. Since this is presumably an old house, that may not be the case. It may have the main breakers or cartridge fuses in a separate box, and there may be an external lever to power down the whole house. If that's the case, the breakers can be switched off one by one and the main power can be switched off. At that point, there is no power coming into the breaker box.
I don't think they have "experts" that work there but not everyone needs an expert to buy what they need for a home renovation.
The selection they have is limited ... but that's why their cheap ... they don't have to stock a larger selection so they can have larger volumes on the stuff they do stock.
They have a reasonable return policy .. almost anything you don't use can be brought back.
Since there are so many of them ... there is usually one in the neighborhood ... so they are convenient.
They drive competitors out of business, which is fine in itself unless you happen to need to talk to an expert or find a specialty item. The difference between a good hardware store or store that supplies the trades and Home Depot is huge, but most people don't know the difference. Everyone just knows Home Depot (or Lowe's). It's like buying everything you own at Wal-Mart or Target. It can be done, but I'm not sure you'd want to.
I generally try to avoid Home Depot and give my business to the places that stock hard-to-find items and employ guys who actually give correct advice. Prices are higher, but that's what happens when one stocks specialty items that don't turn over often and pays his employees a living wage.
I would have to drive past two lumber yards, four hardware stores, three electrical supply and at least on plumbing supply, to reach a Home Depot.
I see where HD rents trucks for something like $19/hr for people to take stuff home in. If I call my local lumber yard, they will deliver for no extra charge, and have it out to me usually by the next day, and sometimes its been the same day. I tell them where I want it, and when I get home it is stacked there. I expect that the price is probably a little higher than HD to begin with, but not enough to concern me given the level of service (I also have an account at the local place, and they bill me at the end of the month, Net 30.)
HD can be good for the semi-clueless, who know only to buy generic stuff by price, who need to see it in the aisles because they don't know to ask for it from a counterman, and who are basically looking for generic items at generic prices. Personally I hate the whole big-box crowded experience, even the parking lot is a zoo. Its not worth the few percent savings to go through the hassle when I can just go up to the counter (or call) my local yard, tell them who I am, and tell them what I want and where to leave it.
I will admit that sometimes HD has a deal - one of my employees found a power tool that he felt was equivalent to what I had authorized him to buy for us, for MUCH less at HD so he got it there; for a volume item on "special" yes they might have it cheaper. But generally I do not look forward to a trip to HD and would rather buy locally (the HD is maybe 23 miles from my house).
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