Replies

1. 
   calvin | Apr 23, 2010 10:12pm | #1

   Glad you saw the light.

   When all the small shops go, it will be too late to rethink buying from the mega store.

2. 
   runnerguy | Apr 24, 2010 08:59am | #2

   I agree. Our local hardware store carries a lot more specialized suff then the local HD. Just the other day I needed some Miracid (evergreens next to a conc. walk. A ph level thing) and the local guy had it and HD didn't.

   This is one of my favorite videos:

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBh-m1yTZS0

   "Johnson's and Morgan's Jewelry...."

   "The little man who built this town before the big money shut 'em down".

   Doug

3. 
   DanH | Apr 24, 2010 09:09am | #3

   I don't get this "orientation" thing.  Are you saying the BBs are g@y, aligned toward Mecca, bad fung shui, what?

   Seriously, one problem is that the "indies" keep shooting themselves in the foot.  Several local HW stores switched distributor associations and no longer carry the variety of stock they used to.  And the independent lumberyards likewise cut back on stock and became (even more) homeowner-surly.  Even ignoring their usually higher prices, they drive you to the BBs.

1. 
   calvin | Apr 24, 2010 10:26am | #4

   I would hope that what you see in your area is..............

   The norm for you and not the vast majority of people.

   I am both a tradesman and a consumer.  I do not need the vast array of "stuff" to peruse thru that supermarkets put on their shelves.  I want what I need. For me, locally owned and operated shops are what take care of my material needs.  Likewise, the same goes for my creature comforts - food, clothing etc.  Sure, having a dept store whether for bldg materials or clothes or provisions is both necessary and good.

   But, what Home Depot is going to "trust me" in the yard to load my purchase w/o some attendant standing watch, or get a certain amt. of fasteners out of a bin and write the count on a ticket instead of the seal a meal package?  

   And what box store or internet biz is going to keep me in running tools when something fails?  My tool supplier of 38 yrs will give me what it takes to do the job if they can't fix it on the spot. 

   Imagine going to Lowes and convincing the associate that since there's a problem with one part of a customers faucet that stops the completion of a job, they might pull the display down and rob that part. 

   Think a big box would bring all my kitchen cabs first run in the morning when all I do a year is maybe 3 kitchens? 

   Then there's the knowledge of what it is they are selling.  There's more to it than knowing whats on the shelf and what aisle it's in.  Transient sales staff no matter how smart they are can't possibly be counted on to offer pertinent information that keeps you one step above the rest of your competition.

   It's often mentioned here how if you need it in a pinch, the big box has it.  Well generally speaking that might be true, but if it's a specific item I wouldn't count on it.  You might be pressed a bit more to "make it work" when what you really need isn't on the shelf.  Went in just last week looking for some duct boots that turned oval to round and reduced size with a 90 to turn and run through the basement joists.  Everything but the 90 oval to round pcs.  They had the oval pipe, they had the round.  Called a small plumbing and heating operation.............."sure, how many do you need".  They had it because it's what they do.  Of course they'd stock what works, not just what makes the shelves look full.

   All of the above and more is what keeps me pleading with people to not think megastore first.  When it's all you have left, and when all  the other viable alternatives that have worked for years are gone-I'm going into medicine.  Having the talent to do what I've done for almost 4 decades is one thing that has earned me a reputation not equaled by many here in my locale.  Being able to make things happen no matter what roadblock is put in front of me separates me from the rest.  And to be able to do that I can attribute to my suppliers.  Without them I'd be walking down the aisles pushing a shopping cart like all the others.

   In a daze.

1. 
   DanH | Apr 24, 2010 05:20pm | #6

   But, what Home Depot is going to "trust me" in the yard to load my purchase w/o some attendant standing watch, or get a certain amt. of fasteners out of a bin and write the count on a ticket instead of the seal a meal package? 

   Well, our HD doesn't have a proper "yard", so that's not an issue.  The Menards across the road has a yard, though, and they long ago stopped standing over people while they loaded.  (They still check you at the guard shack, of course, but they're not as thorough at that as they used to be.)

   But I never said "think megastore first".  What I was lamenting was the fact that the independent dealers have been cutting back on service and selection, presumably to try to compete on price.  This is a "shoot yourself in the foot" reaction.

4. 
   Clewless1 | Apr 24, 2010 10:33am | #5

   Hey, understood, but by the same token ... I've gone to my local hardware/supplier and thought they were trying to rip me off by charging over double the BB for e.g. a 25 ft Stanley tape measure. If it was e.g. 10-15% more, it may not be an issue. But if I'm buying 100s of dollars in tools and stuff, this adds up as just about any contractor would tend to agree.

   I do like my local guy and have given them 10s of thousands of dollars of my business. But I refuse to pay $12-15 for a tape measure I can get at the BB (or online!) for $6.

5. 
   robert | Apr 24, 2010 10:23pm | #7

   I hate Home Depot about as much

   as I hate Walmart.

   But here's a tale of two lumberyards.

   Huston Lumber in Oldwick New Jersey.

   Small, local, full service yard. Open 7 Am -5 or 5:30 PM and half days on Saturday. They service Contractors and Homeowners all the same. A little more expensive than the big box stores, but always FAIR and always FULL SERVICE, contractor or homeowner alike. They stayed true to their customers and their customers have carried them thru rough times.

   The other place?

   Warren Lumber and MIllwork in Washington New Jersey.

   They spent ten years buying up other local yards. Big yard, big millwork and door shop. Best pre-hung interior doors around by far.

   But less and less small guy friendly. They wanted to be the BIG supplier. Only open 7-4 , Monday-Friday. No time or patience for the small guys or home owners. Over the last few years I've talked to a lot of guys who used to be loyal customers that have jumped ship.

   In March? Warren liquidated it's assets, settled debts and tax liens.

   Huston is still chugging along.