To anyone in the Pacific NW with cable or satellite:
Seattle’s KING 5 television has been hawking an upcoming expose’ on HD and their contractors. This probably will be a multi part series on their evening newscasts coming up this week. Monday Feb. 19, I believe is their first report.
Think we’ll learn anything new?
I am amazed that with all the coverage this subject has had in the recent past that people still seem oblivious to these practices. HD, what’s up with them? Paying the CEO off to the tune of $200 million +, allowing poor contracting in their name.
Must be nice to have people throwing money at you!
…The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain…
Be kind to your children….they will choose your nursing home.
…aim low boys, they’re ridin’ shetland ponies !!
Replies
Since you brought up the subject...
Last week my reciprocating saw died. My local hardware store had the choice of a couple, and I ended up picking up picking the Bosch for $ 125 Cdn. This weekend I was at HD and saw it for $99 with a free 25" extension cord thrown in. Several people have told me that the tools are not the same at HD. They a special runs with cheaper parts. Do all companies do this? Even reputable ones like Bosch? The price thing doesn't bother me. I like the guys who own my local store. Just curious.
Sorry if this has been covered in the tools forum, I didn't find anything when I searched.
Not all of them, but the uncertainty is how do you know which ones?Look at model and serial numbers fo rone.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Kind of a Brand X making Model A for general consumer with metal gears and then a Model B for large coprorate customers/franchises, with plastic gears?
I've wondered about this, too. Is it driven by manufacturer or large chain? Horse/cart or cart/horse? Does it, in fact work that way or is it urban legend?
I, too, prefer the local guy if prices are close. We're neighbors, so to speak, in a small town. I know his profits help him and his family locally and he keeps a lot of his business locally, too.
I have lots of nice, good quality tools but I don't buy them regularly because I do not use them daily to make my living. They are "recreational", I guess. Because of that I can take my time to research and save for what I hope are better quality items.
Any guidance or wisdom folks?...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
you gota be specific on what kinda tool you need.Then you will get all kinds of opinions here.
You can try these guys too.http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/
Some years back I bought a 1/2 DW hammer drill from HD, same model # on the box as my local lumber yard had. Brought it home and discovered it had no reverse if you weren't pushing on it hard enough to engage the clutch. Good Luck getting a stuck bit out of the hole .
Tried a buddies who had bought his at the local yard, his worked fine so I sent mine back to DW for repair.. guess what . mine wasn't supposed to have the reverse.
Yea they do sell modified stuff to the big boxes in my opinion.
HD owns Ridgit , Ryobi and maybe others.Best to you and yours, Chris.
Some say I know too much? Can you ever?
HD owns Ridgit , Ryobi and maybe others.
Do you have any more information to support that statement? It appears that HD does not own any tool manufacturers, although some (like Ridgid and Ryobi) sell primarily through Home Depot.
FWIW, Ryobi tools are made by Ryobi Limited and Ridgid tools are made by Ridge Tool Company, neither of which are (apparently) owned by Home Depot.
Here is a link:http://ir.homedepot.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=120332
Looks like Emerson owns Ridge Tool.
"HD owns Ridgit , Ryobi and maybe others."WrongRidgit is owned by Emerson.Ryobi is owned by TTI which also owns AEG and Milwaukee..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Emerson does in fact own Rigid but HD saved the company from bankruptcy and owns part of the company.
"Emerson does in fact own Rigid but HD saved the company from bankruptcy and owns part of the company."Emerson was near banckrupcty?Lets see some news release where HD bougth part of them?.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Hopefully this will put and end to the misinformation:http://www.gotoemerson.com/jsp/news/drelease.jsp?ReleaseID=2053
yur needed down in the Tavern.....Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
That is a myth that keeps making the rounds
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
"HD owns Ridgit , Ryobi and maybe others."
I really thought that they owned Ryobi, bought 3or4 years back. I stand corrected by the majority and am humbled.Best to you and yours, Chris.
Some say I know too much? Can you ever?
I was involved with porter cable when they were "porter cable" and the head guy told me (and i know this to be true with guns) that the chain stores have a price point they wish to meet and ask the manufacturer to meet that point... sometimes it's as little as a shorter cord or no free blades ect.... sometimes it's the exact tool but hey give the big chain co-op ad dollars to make up for it... or free goods ie... they buy the saws and manufacturer gives them 5 free retail blades to sell for each saw purchased... they sell the saw below cast and make it up on the advertising or sale of the blades... rarely will you see 2 big box stores have the exact same saw...SKU number that way they never have to match a price cause it "ain't the same"
p
From what I've seen it's done with pumps, faucets, water heaters and lawn mowers.
My plumber has been telling me for years that "brand x" sells parts at HD that are chrome plated plastic, while at supply house, it's chrome plated steel. Same part # on the box! Seems like fraud somewhere in there. Unfortunately, it makes it harder on us when trying to explain to a customer why the price is more for sinks, tubs etc. at the supply house because ......It's not the same stuff!! The customer tends to think that the one trying to pull the wool over their eyes are the plumber........until he opens the box from HD and shows them the difference, along with the missing/ broken pieces.......
I'd revolt, but all the competition is out-of-business :(
Bing
parts at HD that are chrome plated plastic, while at supply house, it's chrome plated steel. Same part # on the box!
I've had a different experience--people bring me part numbers from HD, I call my wholesaler to order the item, and the number isn't in their system. That tells me it's one part # sold thru normal wholesale channels, and a different one for HD. As far as competition goes, the plumbing and electrical wholesalers I deal with are selling for the same prices or even slightly better, and the service is of course far superior.
Same thing here with ceramic tile. Customer picks it out in Maryland and we try to order it from a tile joint here and no go. doesn't exist outside of HD
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Buy the same faucet at depot and your plumbing supply house...
Now the numbers won't match but they have identical names and look the same.
Weigh them both and tell me why they aren't identical?
One of my day jobs is computer sales and service.I can tell you that HP has three quality control levels on their assembly line.A computer is tested for speed, and general stability,etc.Level one is hp direct and goes on that line.Level two may run fine, but slightly slower, or 1 in 1000 hour hiccup(generalizing). That is a Circuit city or Best Buy computer.Level three, runs slower yet, has a 10 in 1000 hour hiccup, as well as possible lower fit and finish level. That one gets a wm on the end of the serial number,It goes to Wal-Mart, and parts ARE NOT available through HP.com.Level four gets scrapped...There is also the situation where Wal Mart contracts with HP, or E-machines for a shipload of computers at a certain price point, those also get a Wal-mart specific serial#. The DOA rate is pretty high, but wal-mart eats a few and makes a killing on the rest.A medium to large guy named Alan, not an ambiguous female....NOT that there is anything wrong with that.
yea they have only their own. its a pain especially when you try to match tile the HO got rom them. I tell the folks o stay away from them as much as possible.
b/c once the HD is sold out of that tile its gone with the dinosaurs
View Image "We fight not to enslave ,but to set free"
Thomas Paine
I was looking at Slant/Fin baseboard heat last week at HD. I then copied down the prices b/c I had to go to my plumbing supply house for some PEX so I figured I'd check the price differance. The baseboard at HD was more expensive,,,not by much but it was more and the thing too was they only carry the one output type and at my supply house for a little more $$$ you get the higher output series...DIY'ers never know about that part.
also..it is true that some of the guts in a HD faucet are plastic and the exact same type faucet at the supply house is metal. Sometimes you might opt for the plastic because it might not matter to you as much for some reason but at least you should know what you'r getting.
"As I was walkin' - I saw a sign thereAnd that sign said - no tress passin'But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!Now that side was made for you and me!" Woody Guthrie 1956
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
"they only carry the one output type "Limited choice and availability -Wheni went to the Andersen factory they explained that HD wanted them to produce a window for them at a certain price break. Andersen told them they would refuse to lower quality to make that happen, but that they would come close if HD agreed to buy X number of windows, and only certain size/models of wondows. So they ship trucks to HD every day, but only about 40% of the window line is available through HD.I saw the same thing with cabinets. A customer was adamant that I go to HD to price out their kitchen cabs. I think they probably had stock in the company - but anyways, I went to look and found that ( besides having only half qualified people wasting my time) they do NOT have cabs available in all the normal sizes stepping up every three inches. Where a 27" wall unit was crucial top the design, they were telling me that it was not possible to get one and trying to sell me a 6" filler for that five inch space they were creating. Gag me ugly!End of storey, I walked out after wasting a whole day trying to do business withthem and told the customer that it was not possible to get what we needed at HD
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Gag me ugly!<<<LOLOLOL...thats a first...lol.My sister was buying cabs for her kitchen from Lowes just before xmas.
Kitchenmaid...I told her to see if the boxes were 3/4 or 5/8 cause I know thats how HD does it.
It did turn out it was 3/4...I do have to admit they did a really great job for her (Lowes) and for a lot of her friends. On time and "nothing" went wrong. She got a price from two local kitchen places for the exact same cabs and she said it was 50% more expensive to have done. Thats a LOT! So...the lesson is that you have to shop around and be a wise consumer.
For all the talk we give here in BT about supporting our local stores I bet we shop fortools etc more on line than anywhere else. I know I do.
I don't have money to throw around ...specially now a daze.
"As I was walkin' - I saw a sign thereAnd that sign said - no tress passin'But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!Now that side was made for you and me!" Woody Guthrie 1956
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
"Limited choice and availability -"TRue, but so does anyother supplier.Some are broad, but not deep.Other are deep, but not broad.BTW, I saw in the news the other day that HD is looking at spinning off or selling HD Supply and get back to their "roots"..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
The best that I can tell are that SKU's are assigned by the reteller and don't be used with another one.UPC are different and assigned by the manufacture.This seems to imply the same.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_Keeping_Unit"An SKU or Stock Keeping Unit is an identifier that is used by merchants to permit the systematic tracking of products and services offered to customers. Usage of the SKU system is rooted in the drill down method, pertaining to data management. SKUs are assigned and serialized at the merchant level. Each SKU is attached to an item, variant, product line, bundle, service, fee or attachment."That said that only reliable thing to compare tools is to look at the completely model number.Where I have seen the most difference is in the cordless tools.Might have a 3 piece 18volt kit XYZ123 with 2 batteries. But there will be a Christmas special kit XYZ123-1 which is 25% less and only has one battery.But NO tool manufacture or faucet manufacture (and common one is mentionded) is going to sell a model ABCDEF through one store that has different quality then they sell model ABCDEF through different store.It pisses off the consumer, it pisses off the tool store, and it pisses off the low price store.And it pisses off the vendor that has to supply two different qualities and has the same warantee on them..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
But I think they sell different stock #s of different quality levels, and the item has the same name. For instance a faucet by a certain manufacturer called the "Elite" (fictitious name) can be found at HD and also at a plumbing supply. They look the same, the guts are cheaper on the HD model. At least that's the word on the street!
Update
I just heard the evening news a bit ago and KING 5 News stated that the Home Depot report will air on their 11PM broadcast.
Probably their 10PM show on KONG 6/16, as well.
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Edited 2/19/2007 12:16 am by oldbeachbum
I have only heard bad about HD contractors. I cannot believe that a system that large could possibly provide top quality results.
I disagree. It can be done and it is difficult but I think the key in any corporation is management. Those setting policy and making daily decisions. But, as we all know, firms like that are hard to find anymore. Quantity and dollars over quality in almost anything one sees or experiences....The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
HD plays a numbers game - just hope as a customer you don't get the sub who has been out partying all weekend.
After joining these fine folks at BT I will not consider anything from HD or Lowes unless I carry it out myself and know that I can't do better through my local guys first.
Then, for the jobs I can't do....I'll hire my local contractor.
The only better way to keep you guys on your toes is to raise the urinals. :0)...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
don't forget - HD has a price guarantee on all the items they sell - if you can find a lower priced item identical to what they sell, they will refund the difference plus 10% (or whatever their deal is at any particular moment). What this means is that their buyers try to ensure that the products HD receives from it's suppliers have a model number slightly different than that sold on the 'open' market to ensure that they do no have to honour the price commitment very often. It's not always about the quality of the manufacturing, or the makeup of the item - sometimes it's simply about model numbers - ALL of the big box, price guarantee, retailers practice this tactic...
I do electrical work. As such, I work for many different customers. Also, like any successful business, the "80/20" rule applies: 60% of my work comes from 20% of my customers.
I was doing a job last year, where the customer, and in turn the General Contractor who had hired me, were making impossible demands. Sort of like asking the carpet to be laid while the concrete was still wet .... all in an attempt to speed up the schedule. The GC was not happy with my refusal to 'tell him what he wanted to hear.'
Now, we were all under stress at that point, so I was in a forgiving mood when he said to me "remember, I give you all your work. You work for me...." BS. He is but one of my customers; and I believe I have a duty to be honest- even when it hurts. In this instance, all worked out well, there were no hard feelings, and life goes on.
NOW ... compare this to the relationship a large retailer is likely to have with the contractors that they provide.
First of all, even the largest local contractor hacks the resources that the "Monster" has. The folks at the "Monster" likely have no contracting experience, having 'punched the clock' all their lives. Plus, the "Monster" is focused on but one thing: being cheap. Interchangeable managers dealing with a multitude of 'disposable' contractors have no interest in the success of those contractors.
Add to this an inexperienced dreamer, a one or two man start-up contractor, with no customer base or reserves.
With this formula, is it any surprise that the 'contractor referral' field is so filled with hard feelings?
Extremely good summary. Should be req'd reading for anyone considering hiring them. One of my customers had quartz counters done by HD, and a friend had Corian... both were satisfied... but in both cases the jobs were done by reputable shops that pick up work from HD in addition to their regular customer base. I'm surprised in both cases that these folks did not just seek out a direct relationship, but I guess marketing wins.
The big box stores are towards the very bottom of my list in terms of where I do my shopping, but I do have two observations. Recently (since Nardelli got fired), I have actually seen cashiers in the HD store. As in 6 cashiers at one time, two of whom had no customers and were "trolling" to get someone to come to their register. This is the first I have seen this since the stores first opened many years ago. And as to Lowe's cabinets, I recently saw firsthand where the customer bought new cabinets and tops from the Lowes folks, the customer was not happy with the finished product, and the local Lowes agreed to do a complete R&R, including a cabinet upgrade, at no cost to the consumer. Sadly, the implementation of the R&R didn't go very well and dragged on for months substantially in part due to Lowes contractor, but I was still surprised at Lowes positive attitude about customer service. (The burden of the R&R cost was born by Lowes, not the contractor.)
Our HD is eliminating cashiers and putting in more automated check outs. The way of the future I guess.
"My" home depot only has 2 cashiers. One in the "contractor" checkout, and one by the automated checkouts. Then there is about 10 lanes where no one works. Even removed the cashier in the tool dept. I suppose they could loose the self checkout cashier, and make everyone go through the "contractor" checkout, since the contractors pretty much don't shop there anyways.
Also the parking lot is a popular hangout for burglars, thieves, thugs and whatnot. Sometimes Lowes really gets my hose in a kink, but it's a whole better place.
Don't you find it ironic that HD doesn't require a signature on a purchase under $50 and they don't check signatures at the automated check outs.
For some reason Canadians have embraced debit cards. Our use is higher than other countries and they are protected by a pin #. Credit card fraud is out of control and I guess HD is one reason.
Our use is higher than other countries and they are protected by a pin #
You keep telling yourself that! The crack whore that stole my debit card was able to buy plenty without the pin #.
Doug
I can't see how anyone can use a debit card without the pin. Without it, the transaction does not go through.
I buy gas all the time without entering my pin #, thats just one example - I could list a boat load more of them.
Doug
I guess your debit cards are different than the ones in Canada then. In Canada, you have to enter a pin number.
Yeah, but then there are those scammers from Montreal who have been using hidden cameras to record your pin when you use it.
come now Doug, doesn't that seem like a bit of an exaggeration?
My debit card will also work as a credit card ... just push the credit button on the keypad. It still deducts money from the account like a debit card."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
--- My debit card will also work as a credit card ... just push the credit button on the keypad. It still deducts money from the account like a debit card. ---Yup. My fiance found that, too.Rebeccah
come now Doug, doesn't that seem like a bit of an exaggeration?
NO, no exaggeration, if you dont understand how they work go out and get one and try it.
I guess I dont know how they work in Canada, didnt know the poster was Canadian but I use mine all the time w/o the pin no.
Doug
Well, I guess that would depend on the size of the boat.
You've got a combo debit/credit card.....it's a different animal from a straight debit card, and your exposure if it's stolen is different.....
I'll have to check that but I think your wrong. I dont believe that my card is a combo.
My card will not work as a credit card in that if there isnt any money in the account then I cant buy anything. I can enter CC into the machine when I pay though, thus eliminating the need to sign for the purchase. Everytime I buy gas I swipe my card and start pumping, no # needed. Same results if I go into HD, Lowes, Menards.
Not having to enter a pin no. is as common as the buying experience itself. For those that are arguing that thats not the case then let me suggest you lend me your card, I dont want the pin no. - lets just see how much I cant spend! That may be the case in Canada, I have no experience buying there but its certainly not the case here in the US.
Doug
Edited 2/22/2007 6:47 am ET by DougU
Our bank is right next to the supermarket so we always used to use cash. Our area also has a lot of grow-ops, so it turns out anyone paying with cash is assumed to be a grower.
Not having to enter a pin no. is as common as the buying experience itself.
That's interesting; anyone with your card could empty your bank account. Makes it pretty un-secure in my opinion.
That's interesting; anyone with your card could empty your bank account. Makes it pretty un-secure in my opinion.
Thats absolutly right! When I had my bilfold stolen out of my car the crack whore that took it did in fact empty out the account. I only had about $800 in it at the time (sometimes it pays to be broke) and she was able to get the better part of it.
Thats why I made the statement that anybody wants to loan me there card minus the pin number I can still have a field day with it.
Bank cards are/were unsecured at that time - I think you can get insurance on them now - but I was out the money with no recourse!
Doug
--- That's interesting; anyone with your card could empty your bank account. Makes it pretty un-secure in my opinion. ---That's why I don't even have one.I have an ATM card, but it's not a debit card. Nobody but me gets access to my checking and savings accounts. No automated transactions (OK, one exception for Direct Deposit of my paycheck, which is required by my employer), no online banking.My fiance has a debit card that he uses fairly heavily, but we've disabled overdraft "protection" (aka high-interest loans on overdrafts) and he never has much money in that account anyway.Rebeccah
The crack whore that stole my debit card was able to buy plenty without the pin #.
Dude... you gotta hang with a better women!
the "80/20" rule applies: 60% of my work comes from 20%
Can you interpret that for me?"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
big box contractors are the most expensive at least on entry doors. They charge for everything that may be done. In Florida, at least where I am, they are using unlicensed subs, who are then using unlicensed, uncomped subs. Got caught up with them until I found out they were not permitting the work. Entry doors must be permitted here. When I tried to quit, they informed me I had been threatening customers because my installs were bad. This was after 400 doors with only 2 callbacks.
What is the logic on permitting an entry door?"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Depends upon which county makes the rules.
In Duval County, for instance, no permit is needed for residential door or window replacement, patio slabs or replacement siding 500 sf or less.
Logic of the door inspection might be that the installer follow the prescriptive procedures involving the number, type and placement of fasteners.
For permitted work which might include installing a new exterior door as part of the job, the inspector will need a copy of the approved installation requirements and will definitely count the screws - NO NAILS - critique their positioning and measure the air space between the jamb and rough opening. We are allowed a max of 1/4" or we take it out and add solid filler. They might even require that we pull a screw or two to make sure we are using the correct size/length. Those extra long screws that go through the hinges are also included in the inspection.
yes indeed....front door=first line of defense against those nasty hurricanes....better have it installed tight, or else....
Must conform to 140 mph windload requirements
another station in LA did the same thing..Man the HD didnt learn anything.
View Image "We fight not to enslave ,but to set free"
Thomas Paine
Home Depot report and link to video:
http://www.king5.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/videoPlayer.php?vidId=122501&catId=231
or
http://www.king5.com/
the video and report is 6-7 minutes long and gives you what you might expect, nothing new to you guys but thought I'd follow up on it.
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
is there a printed articale for us dial uppers???Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
try this one:
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_021907INVhomedepot.174acf6a.html...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
thanks...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"I was used to doors that closed," she said. She ended up with gaps up to four inches wide between the doors."
I'm trying to picture this. I take it was some type of french door setup or what?
" Last October, Parks paid Home Depot nearly $16,000 to reface her cabinets and to install a new stove and pantry. She was shocked at what they put in."I was used to doors that closed," she said. She ended up with gaps up to four inches wide between the doors. "They are cabinet doors. My guess is that they are binding and standing open 4". Not doors that close and then there is a 4" gap..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
These were kitchen cabinets with what should have had full face frames from what I could see. The center piece dividing the two sides upon which each door would rest were entirely missing.
There is one shot of new paneling or some such on a section of wall where the electrical outlet was left as originally installed (including face plate) on the old wall surface and the "new " wall surface simply cut out so you could reach through, so to speak, to plug in your appliances. It looked as though some 10 y/o had cut the opening with a jig saw.
The woman is in her 80's and just wanted a new update. The oven/range they delivered would not/could not be installed but they did not elaborate on the particulars with that except to show it just sitting there, months later, while she cooked on a portable hot plate.
Never mind all the BS of broken promises and shoddy work, this piece showed some very serious code and health violations and I don't understand why the "news" people did not call in building and health inspectors to at least look and comment.
Maybe they will follow up, maybe not. Probably a good piece to start but just "headlines news with film at 11" to titillate so we'll tune in. I'll keep an eye out and update if more shows up.
Jim
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Edited 2/20/2007 12:26 pm by oldbeachbum
The cabinets may have been RTAs where someone pulled the wrong size doors. That would give the appearance of a missing center stile if the doors were too short.
I encourage my customers to check out HD then come and see me before they purchase anything. I can usually be pretty darn competetive when I show them an apples-to-apples comparison on us vs HD.
By the way thanks for the link to the news report!
Jim
Several observations here. On another Forum, a woodworker purchased a DeWalt Sliding Miter Saw at Home Depot. What he said he found is that although it looked the very same, the model/serial numbers noted it was sold at HD. It had only half the length of warranty of the other models sold to retail stores by DeWalt.
The other related issue comes down to items also sold by other big vendors like WalMart. Two teachers were comparing the same brand and size of small college dorm Fridges for their college bound kids. What they found is that the Fridge bought at the discount store didn't make the year, even when a second one was provided to replace the first. The other purchase just kept going and going.
Lastly, a brother-inl-aw bought two-tube 40watt light fixtures for his shop. In doing the lighting as each month's shop budget would allow, he purchased half from Walmart and half from a local hardware store. Every light fixture from Walmart quit due to bad ballasts while the other half of the shop's lighting keeps going.
To sell things cheaper, things have to be made cheaper.
No longer is buying stock in huge volume a way of getting the final price down. The best success I've found is to watch for closeouts on high dollar quality and hope it's target buyer was one that wanted design and style over concern of low price. It's the hope of the big vendor that the "Want It Here and Now" overpowers the fast pace and weak memory of average consumer.
Bill
A friend had a "call the attorney" experience with them last year. She did get a new roof by a contractor of her choosing after the appraiser, the broker (DW), the remodel contractor, and the best roofer in the area all wrote letters explaining their willingness to testify.
Such an outcome's gotta make a good man smile.
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
~ Voltaire
Oh yeah !
Makes you wonder why it has to get to that. No more pride in their work and "don't give a s---" attitude. I guess that's why we keep breeding new lawyers.
What we really need here is a Tony Soprano. "You call that a roof?" "How fah down you figure it to be?" "Aay, just checkin' ". ;0)...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!