Re: Borg getting worse

On three different occasions I sent emails to HD and one to Lowes about issues I had at the local stores. I didn't rant and rave or threaten to take my dollars elsewhere. Instead, I explained the problem and made a suggestion for a fix. I received very courteous responses each time and two phone calls about the issue. One from each of the stores plus HD sent an assistant manager to the house as a follow up on one major problem.

I'm not saying they don't have many problems, hire young under paid help but all the bitching in the world on the newsgroup won't fix a thing. Peter went the right direction by talking to manager but should follow up with the home office.

Just my two cents.

Stuart Johnson Red Oak, Texas

What Peter said.

Yesterday I was putting in a new window and I ran precariously low on shims. As we have a new Home Depot in town I took the opportunity to use it. They had shims (I was surprised) and I bought 3-packs. I broke open the first two packs and they were all stuck together. The process used to make the shims is a series of slitting saws that leaves a bit of wood at the middle of the shim. These things are crap. Not only do you have to run a utility knife down each one but after the fact you have a shim with a ridge down the middle. Kinda defeats the purpose when you have to factor this ridge collapsing somewhere in the process.

Yes Virginia you can dumb down a $.98 product.

UA100

I hate to appear the "apologist" for Home Depot, but I think you just got a bad batch of shims. I've gotten a couple dozen packs over the years without your kind of problem. In fact, I just went out to the garage and brought in an unopened pack, "Nelson Pro-Line Shims Made From Cedar" from Nelson Wood Shims, Cohasset, MN. Opened the pack and they're "just right."

For future reference, without opening the shrinkwraped pack of shims, you can test them pretty easily for "separation" by twisting the pack.

Jim Stuyck

Wouldn't that be something you wouldn't necessarily want to see on your resume?

I suppose that could be so.

I have to laugh. The batch(es) I got were from Canada and they mention on the packet that they are "patented". Funny, we can get this crap but we can't get Robertson screws.

Had I only anticipated this factoid going in. In the mean time I'll continue buying my shims from anyone but Home Depot.

UA100

I think we Texans in general don't stand for any crap that a store might dish out and there is way too much competition to take care of us if any particular store dose not.

Might be the brand shims as the local HD stocks the shims made from a single piece of pine. You break the pieces apart at the saw kerf. and like Keith indicated, you have to hammer the flash off.

Leon spaketh...

You know why Texans wear cowboy boots... You can't stack s*it that high in tennis shoes.

When I lived up north we used to say that one day Alaska would get divided in half and Texas would be the 3rd largest state.

Just kiddin'

I'll say this much for Home Depot...and I've told this story before...

At one of our local stores, we've got a guy that HD hired...who mostly works the plumbing department. He knows his stuff...but he's extremely lazy. He works out of a wheelchair!

I kid him on a regular basis...about sitting on his dead ass...and how he should be ashamed of drawing a paycheck. He counters by trying to run me over! He's one hell of a guy...and he's not handicapped at all. He's just physically challenged.

I don't know of ANY other retailer in my area that has a handicapped person working the floor...maybe some of you folks do. I give them credit for recognizing this guy's ABILITIES...and making excellent use of them.

Have a nice week...

Trent

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!

I was gonna toss a comment in about Canadian softwood tariffs....but I won;t :)

Rob

You know, if you get a bandsaw, an angle cutting jig, a lump of old stock and, say, 15mins, you could "repair" those shims. Lol!

Handy hint: Travellers to Singapore should never order shims, you'll get more than you bargain for . . .

Greg

Ah...Texas!

Where men are men...and sheep are nervous! lol

Have a nice week...

Trent

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!

On 28 Jul 2003 13:16:46 GMT, snipped-for-privacy@aol.combleah (Charlie Self)Crawled out of the shop and said. . .:

Sounds like something a Marine would say...DOH! here we go

Traves "Sua Sponte"

Traves writhes forward to say:

Fair enough. He was a Marine. Most of the guys I was stationed with were.

Charlie Self

"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." James Madison

To clarify With regard to the 1/4" plywood-- I bought 3 sheets. My friend and I looked at the top sheet and flipped down a few to check another. They were all decent. We grabbed the top 3 off the stack. The bad one was sandwiched in the middle. Yes I could have avoided it - but I don't think I should have to presume that the material on the shelf is damaged. My failure to do so does not excuse their returning the bad sheet to the shelf either. I actually didn't stick around 4 hours. I live about 8 blocks from this store. It's non inconvenient for me to scoot over if I haven't bought enough of something. I was back in the store a few times that day for various electrical, plumbing and wood items. To provide some background...this store was really outstanding when it opened. People were happy to work there and it made he place a pleasure to shop at. A young kid who used to live across the street from me grew up and was doing a good job managing the lumber department. All was well. Enter the New Comandant. I saw the store getting bad. They'd do cart patrol and bring them back without removing the various bits of debris that carts can accumulate...there was nobody working the plumbing aisle, ABS drain parts were a joke. Empty bins with new stock up above not racked in, parts messed up all over the place...warped lumber on the racks... etc.. I asked a few people I have come to know about it and all pointed to the new manager. A slash and burn guy that did a great turn around job on morale and loyalty. The other day I had to find a guy to bring down some valves 'cause the bins were full of the wrong items. I complained about it and he basically told me to f**k off. Now that's customer service. This store has become crap. Yes I can go elsewhere but why should I have to?

and I have written Corporate.

Peter

"MSH" wrote in message news:3f23f312 snipped-for-privacy@news1.prserv.net...

I believe in offering the corrective and constructive criticism to the borg. I had a problem with the Lowe's here in Houston (Hwy 6 @ FM529). I spoke with the manager who not only appreciated the problem being brought to his attention, but discounted an already discounted item. He also gave me his business card with a future 10% discount on the back - good for my next purchase. Everytime I go in there now and he sees me, he makes it a point to call me by my name, wants to know if he can help me (personally) and continues to offer me the 10% off cards. Sometimes it works - but then again at the H.D. next door (actually adjoining parking lots) the scene is similar to what has been discussed in this thread. Anyone can hang out a nationally recognized sign over a building, have huge corporate funding, etc. but the people provide the service - not the "chain name."

Jim Mc Namara Jums

Ummm, better service, better prices, fewer hassles, less bitching and moaning?

I was always under the impression that the boots had the loose uppers designed so the sheep could not get away....8^P

-Bruce

I think you must have been working in the local elementary school ... LOL

Repair em,,, hell you could make em... :~)