DIY store IDJITS!

"Then don't complain about hte 35 mile trip to Lowes to get the wrong
parts."

I don't;
a: usually get the wrong parts
b: travel more than 5 miles
c: need that much help in the first place.

Posted by Dick Adams on July 4, 2006, 9:21 am

> I gotta ask, do they have a mandatory IQ test to get a job at

> Lowes or Home Depot?? I'm guessing they do, and if you do not

> come in in the bottom 10%, no job for you. (Apologies to DIY

> store folks reading who actually know what they are doing)

> ....

The problem as I see it is that these stores are becoming
understaffed and many to most of the staff lack creoo-department
knowledge and problem-solving skills. My HD (Ellicott City, MD)
has more "know" people than "no clue" people, you just have to
keep track of who's who.

Plumbing is the worst area in all stores because you really
want someone who is a plumber and they can make a lot more
money plumbing than they can make clerking! That is one of
the reasons DIY stores are a great workplace for disabled
tradesmen - they can really add value to any project.

Dick

Posted by John Grabowski on July 4, 2006, 9:44 am

> I gotta ask, do they have a mandatory IQ test to get a job at Lowes or

> Home Depot?? I]m guessing they do, and if you do not come in , in the

> bottom 10% no job for you.

> ( Apologies to DIY store folks reading who actually know what they are

> doing)

> During a big remodel project, I send the wife to Lowes to get either a

> reducing T (3/4-3/4 to 1/2" CPVC) or a reducing bushing, or a reducing

> coupling. I need probably 20 of these. Well, the wife who is pretty

> astute with most aspects of DIY stuff except plumbing............comes

> back with a bag full of stuff NOT my 1st choice of the reducing T's but

> stuff that will get me from 3/4 to 1/2".

> Being in the middle of anther aspect of the remodel I shelved the bag

> to use later. Well, last nite is "later" I got the bag out, opened it

> up.............much to my surprise/dismay.........the bag is full of

> 1"-3/4 " reducing stuff.

> Now, I distinctly remember the wife calling to ask specific sizes when

> the Lowes idjit was trying to put the needed plumbing bits together,

> she had specifically asked for 3/4" to 1/2" reducing stuff, had showed

> the idjit the sizes , and even the drawing in her notebook........and

> he kept assuring her that what he put together was what she needed.

> I just have to wonder........"WHY" ? Why would the idjit do that,

> unless he was simply.............an Idjit? This wasn't a kid either, it

> was an adult middle aged man. Of course, I guess I just answered my own

> question right?? If he is working at Lowes at 45-50 years

> old............

> Ok, sorry to blow off, but this is not the 1st time this has happened

> at the big 2 DIY stores ( both of which are a 35 mile round trip from

> me).

> I guess my own intelligence should be questioned too, as far as why I

> keep going there.

> Oh well

> Take care ya'll

> Steve

As a contractor and an occasional do-it-yourselfer I rarely send someone
else for materials. When I do it is only after I have called in the order
and verified the availability. Materials are too important for a job and
should not be taken lightly. I shop around for the best prices and that
usually means going to more than one supply house or home center to complete
my list.

Sometimes I have customers offer to go buy materials thinking that they will
save money. Although I cringe at the thought, I will give them a detailed
written list, tell them where to go, give them a few days to make the
purchases, and they always come back with an incomplete package.

When it comes to materials, you need to do it yourself. It is common
knowledge that the employees of big chain stores are hit and miss as to
their degree of expertise, attitude, and customer service skills. You just
cannot count on someone qualified to be there to help you. Unfortunately
shopping for materials is time consuming, but I consider it part of the
planning process. A great deal of planning that is done at the beginning
can be a big timesaver during the progress of the project. It always hurts
if you need to stop in the middle of a job to run out and get materials.

Posted by Stormin Mormon on July 4, 2006, 1:56 pm

Yep, I know what you mean about customer supplied parts. They think
they can save two dollars, or they think they are "helping". And the
part is wrong, or whatever. Very often they want you to share all your
years of exprience to tell them what to look for, or what to avoid.
And then at the end they want a discount cause they "helped". And if
you give em enough wisdom and pointers, they just get the holesaw, or
whatever, at the big box store, and do the job themselves. Which is
what they planned, all along.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

Sometimes I have customers offer to go buy materials thinking that
they will
save money. Although I cringe at the thought, I will give them a
detailed
written list, tell them where to go, give them a few days to make the
purchases, and they always come back with an incomplete package.

When it comes to materials, you need to do it yourself. It is common
knowledge that the employees of big chain stores are hit and miss as
to
their degree of expertise, attitude, and customer service skills. You
just
cannot count on someone qualified to be there to help you.
Unfortunately
shopping for materials is time consuming, but I consider it part of
the
planning process. A great deal of planning that is done at the
beginning
can be a big timesaver during the progress of the project. It always
hurts
if you need to stop in the middle of a job to run out and get
materials.

Posted by tbasc@bellsouth.net on July 4, 2006, 10:29 am

steve wrote: