Replies

1. 
   carl_sperry | Mar 13, 2002 07:26am | #1

   *
   check out home depot.com. They should have a link for this new store theme.

1. 
   calvin_ | Mar 13, 2002 01:22pm | #2

   *What's needed to open this link sonny?

1. 
   jocobe_ | Mar 13, 2002 02:07pm | #3

   *I can't open it either......

1. 
   Mr._Pita | Mar 13, 2002 02:31pm | #4

   *Well, I had tried linking to the press release, but their website forces links to go to the main page. At the bottom of the main page, under the heading "Corporate Information", click "Press Releases". The press release shows up under "Home Depot News". It is dated 02/27/02.

1. 
   Scott_R | Mar 13, 2002 02:50pm | #5

   *This is the first time I've herd about this. Unless this new "Home Depot supply" is set up where I can go to main counter give them my shopping list and have the material loaded right into my truck. I will not be leaving my regular supplier, and I don't think many will either.Having to load material onto a cart, take it through a register where the clerk plows through the entire pile to find scanner labels. Then try to load the material into my truck as the cart is forever trying to roll away towards the nearest parking lot drain, is a huge waste of my time over the local mom and pop supplier.Scott R.

2. 
   calvin_ | Mar 13, 2002 03:10pm | #6

   *After running out local yards, I see their goal for the future is to put our other local suppliers on notice too. Don't let it happen folks.

3. 
   Steve_Joyce | Mar 13, 2002 03:21pm | #7

   *As far as a busienss concept goes it is very solid for that company. However,as Scott pointed out they have to live up to their promise of superior service. That is where Mom and Pop suppliers shine, not necessarily in the price dept.The company really has taken some strides to provide both the "upscale" Expo centers as well as this new Supply line of outlets in addition to its regular store base.It will be interesting to see how many professionals make the switch.SJ

4. 
   Tim_Mooney | Mar 13, 2002 03:26pm | #8

   *Other than what Scott just said I dont understand yet what we are talking about ,since I could not open jpg. Sonny , would you type what you are talking about please ?

5. 
   Ron_Teti | Mar 13, 2002 05:13pm | #9

   *I buy as little as possible from that place and other boxes and will continue to do so, I have such a good repore with the guys at my local places that some pimply faced, hamburger eatin,diet coke drinking, not knowing, uncareing, bad advice giving kid at the boxes can ever give me. i havent eventouched on their selection or quality.

6. 
   Jerrald_Hayes | Mar 13, 2002 06:36pm | #10

   *A while back I recalled reading in Home Channel News about a Home Depot pilot program pilot program taking place in Arizona regarding a Home Depot serving just professionals. It Took a little bit of looking around but I found a copy of it online:Getting serious about pros: Depot focuses on attracting more professional customers by rolling out a new format. (Home Depot: A Different Direction).(new Phoenix store debuting services and products for the construction industry)I'm confident that that's the subject of the BuildingOnline article that Mr Lykos is trying to direct attention to. The correctly posted link to the article he's referencing is HOME DEPOT OPENS STORE FOR BUILDING PROS IN TEXAS . His mistake in posting was making the URL as an attachment rather than just putting it into the text of his message. Should've checked his work, huh.

7. 
   xMike_Smith | Mar 13, 2002 06:43pm | #11

   *had to go to HD for 2 basement windows yesterday..got 'em and went to the pro checkout... backed up .. one line open.. this is at 8:30 am...went to the regular line.. the only other one open.. she was backed up.. and having a problem...so they paged the head cashier.. who breezed over about 2 minutes later.. didn't acknowledge the lines.. after she fixed the problem she announced that there were 2 lines open at the pro section.. which was not true...so.. here's a peak protime.. , 2 lines open, 10 minutes to check out.. gimme a break...2d problem.. i can pull into my lumber yard and go right into the store .. never lock the truck.. at HD, you have to lock the truck boxes.. and take the valuables out of the back.. or kiss them goodby... no security.. and the thieves are lying in wait...

8. 
   Steve_Joyce | Mar 13, 2002 07:56pm | #12

   *Mike - That sounds about right. No matter what I pick up there when I do go it will never have a price or tag on it. The person at the register won't know the sku either.I remember spending about 7 minutes just to pay for a bolt and nut. 7 minutes for them to figure out which sku number. It cost me like $.45 total. I originally dropped a buck and said to call it a day but no...we had to wait.SJ

9. 
   Boss_Hog | Mar 13, 2002 08:29pm | #13

   *I thought it was interresting that they mention "sheetrock scattering". Is that where the teenager on the forklift dumps a load of drywall off the forks? (-:.I'm with the others who basically saidf: "I'll believe it when I see it"

10. 
    ken_hill | Mar 13, 2002 09:33pm | #14

    *Steve- At my local hardware supplier (I've known the owner for 25 years, store has been there for 60 or so) I can grab the fasteners I need, go to the counter and say "Whaddaya say Jeff, couple bucks?" "Close enough. See ya, Ken." 'Nuff said.

11. 
    Steve_Joyce | Mar 13, 2002 10:23pm | #15

    *Ken - I wish. I am lucky (if you call it that)in the fact that I have a new Lowes and HD close by within 5 minutes from our house. The unfortunate part is HD drove everyone else out so they are the only real game in town. Some of the smaller guys exist still but they don't carry much and take longer to get to. The local true value is decent but I have to drive by Lowes to get there. So far I like Lowes the best, the store is only 6 moonths old and the quality of their products is much better than HD.Oh well. At least there is decent lumber suppliers here.SJ

12. 
    S._Lykos | Mar 14, 2002 12:59am | #16

    *Sorry I screwed you guys up with that original "link" being wrong.

13. 
    Timothy_Finn | Mar 14, 2002 05:04am | #17

    *I've only recently started in this business (remodeling/repair, never done any new construction yet), but I love my local lumberyard. They are a tremendous help. If I know what I want, I just tell them and they get it. If I don't know exactly what I want, they'll tell me what I want. HD is fine if you're just "browsing". The closest one to me is about 45 minutes away, but is was nice to just take the wife over and look around when she wanted to choose a new sink. When I've done some work where there was a HD close by, it was a major pain. When I'm in the middle of something and have to search forever to find what I need, it really ticks me off. That's just my 2 cents worth on this whole subject.

14. 
    Steve_Merrette | Mar 14, 2002 05:24am | #18

    *Homo depot and Blowes suck! I spent almost an hour trying to find stuff in HD yesterday because they keep rearranging the store. just when everyone finally remembers where everything is the move it. problem is like others have mentioned in some cases they're the only ones that have certain items. and Lowes...HA! I went to buy a new drywall saw the other day. the drywall area had everything but the saw there. so I ask the clerk. yeah right . "what's a drywall saw?" so I explain it to him. and he still couldn't figure it out. by now we've started asking the other workers in the store and even have the front desk trying to figure out what it is so they can look it up on the computer. finally some old timer came along and knew what it was I was asking for and he finally tells me that they're switching brands from goldblatt to walboard and they are in between shipments. all that to find out they didn't have any. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAArgh!

15. 
    Brian_Smith | Mar 14, 2002 06:43am | #19

    *scott r,it's almost possible. one can go to the special services desk and ask for a catalog, call in your order from the job site to will call, and have them notify you when the order is ready. pick up at the willcall/special order desk.yesterday, went to the paint area to get a color matched quart of paint. the kid (no older than 19 years old) had his boombox tuned to his favorite station right behind him while on the phone. i had his attention after about 5 minutes. i was the only customer there. his 20-something associate showed up in time to enter a discussion with me about primers. i had noticed that all kilz on the shelf was alkyd base and not pigmented shellac, like the BIN. we conversed about this subject for a couple of minutes when a couple asked him a question about clear coating wallpaper, to which he responded that he knew there was such a thing, but didn't know what it might be. uhhh, shellac?brian

16. 
    Sonny_Lykos | Mar 14, 2002 06:55am | #20

    *You lied. They only hire older guys who have been in their respective trade for years.Liar. (-:Boy, does it feel good to have a first name again.

17. 
    carl_sperry | Mar 14, 2002 07:40am | #21

    *No one has mentioned the weekend workshops that Home Depot and Lowes have for the " do it to your selfers" They F#@% it up and THEN call you with that big s#@* eatin grin, " I guess I got in over my head. Can you come right away there is water everywhere." Or something like that!!

18. 
    blue_eyed_devil_ | Mar 14, 2002 02:44pm | #22

    *Another whining thread about HD? Surprise, surprise!I noticed complaints because HD didn't have an item. I then noticed complaints because they have too many items and it's hard to find them.Do you wish it was like the old days....instead of hunting down different aisles, we had to travel to different cities! Sometimes, I'd spend two days traveling to complete one small home improvement list.For instance, take that drywall saw. The lumberyards didn't used to carry drywall tools. If you wanted a professional drywall saw, you'd have to visit a drywall supplier, or a specialized tool store. I had a specialized tool store on my visit list, in my younger days. They sold carpenter, mason and drywall tools. The store was about 800 sq ft and carried professional brands. They discounted every item too. It was nice. But it was also a very long drive for most of the metro detroit people.I'm thankful for the big warehouses. They aren't perfect, but they usually have enough variety in there to warrant a quick trip through. Am I going to load a 16x32 deck complete with rails and stairs on a cart...? I don't think so....Count your blessings. Use the big boxes for what they are worth. If you'd rather spend a day traveling all over town to the specialty wholesalers, instead of browsing a few aisles...then so be it. blue

19. 
    Scott_R | Mar 14, 2002 03:26pm | #23

    *Blue, I guess it's all a matter of perspective. If I were operating in an area that didn't offer such a great choice of suppliers in a close radius, like I do now, I very likely would feel the same way you do about HD and Lowe's. Until I move the big boxes will always play second fiddle to the family owned suppliers in my book.Scott R.

20. 
    blue_eyed_devil_ | Mar 14, 2002 05:03pm | #24

    *ScottR, you make my point exactly. The Big boxes fill a need. They were never intended to cater to pros, but are really glorified do it your selfer centers.They're awfully handy when you need them despite their shortfalls.blue

21. 
    Steve_Joyce | Mar 14, 2002 06:43pm | #25

    *I think they should be taken for what they are. I would never think of asking anyone in either our local HD or Lowes about products. I can find more information on my own. If you don't know what you need or where it is you're going to spend some more time than if you went to your local mom and pop supplier and got the service you require.I look at the boxes as not just DIY home improvement but DIY shopping as well. Ask for help and sit back and laugh. If you want service go to the local supplier. Most lumber (except sheet goods) go to the lumber yard. Every place has a purpose. It will be interesting to see how the "HD Supply" is received. I think HD alienated many professionals by putting their friends the small suppliers out of business and offering an inferior product compared to the old suppliers.SJ

22. 
    Bucksnort_Billy | Mar 15, 2002 03:39am | #26

    *I love HD & Lowes. I built my house through Lowes contractors yard, and most contractors here deal through them. Home Depot's open all the time, I've learned where to look and who to ask, it's part of the job. Mom and Pop, and the local lumber yards gouged us for years, now they're whining 'cause I don't want to pay twice the price...all of you have a choice, go where you want, but why bitch about the boxes here, there, or anywhere? Oh yeah, Sonny, your link opened fine for me, and if HD does a thing for pros here, I'll check 'em out. Dang, volume gotta save me something...

23. 
    Steve_Merrette | Mar 15, 2002 06:23am | #27

    *Hilly, you're forgetting one very important thing. no two of those stores are alike. ours aren't open all the time. ours have many empty shelves because "the truck hasn't arrived yet". and the list goes on and on. it's apples to nectarines.

24. 
    Sonny_Lykos | Mar 15, 2002 06:40am | #28

    *And some people just don't like to start new sentences with an upper case letter.I thought you got a job at Macs working the 2nd shift. What are you doing on the Internet at this hour? (-:

25. 
    RonTeti | Mar 16, 2002 03:32am | #29

    *I wanted/needed to buy a tenoning jig today. I knew they had them at the HD or Blows so I went to a small hardware store Battels which is family owned. they didnt hhave it so i went about 10 miles out of my way to another family owned tool store and bought it. I just rather support the little guy.

26. 
    Steve_Merrette | Mar 16, 2002 04:24am | #30

    *Hey smart alec I was up printing out schematics for that control panel build I did. I installed it today so I needed to provide the prints with it. and what about you? I thought you old folks went to bed early.

27. 
    Sonny_Lykos | Mar 16, 2002 04:27am | #31

    *Not this old man. I'm a night person.

28. 
    Michael_Rimoldi | Mar 16, 2002 04:35am | #32

    *Sonny and Steve,Am I going to have to separate you two? Any more from you and I'll turn this website around and we'll go straight home...Mike

29. 
    Steve_Merrette | Mar 16, 2002 04:38am | #33

    *Hey Mike how goes it? don't worry about Sonny & I, just some good ol friendly ball bustin'.

30. 
    Michael_Rimoldi | Mar 16, 2002 04:46am | #34

    *Hey Steve,Oh I know you two. Like two hamsters of the same sex in a cage. Friendly one minute, fighting like hell the next.And don't ask how I came to be such the aficiando on hamsters...Mike

31. 
    Sonny_Lykos | Mar 16, 2002 04:53am | #35

    *OK Mike. This hamster will be good.Now if you could only get "that other one" to stop rattling my cage at 2 in the morning, asking: "Honey. Are you awake?"

32. 
    Steve_Merrette | Mar 16, 2002 05:00am | #36

    *Hey now wait just a cotton pickin' minute! I never call you honey.

33. 
    Brian_Smith | Mar 16, 2002 05:12am | #37

    *sonny get sunnier day by day...capitalist.brian

34. 
    Sonny_Lykos | Mar 16, 2002 05:34am | #38

    *I don't know. I was still sleepy. Maybe it was "sweetie."

35. 
    ANDY_C._CLIFFORD | Mar 17, 2002 04:52pm | #39

    *I have to agree with Bucky. Take it for what it is and don't expect to ask questions and get professional answers casue if the knew their stuff they wouldn't be working there.....duhhh. Second thing I agree with is....after having my own renovations biz now for 25 years full ++++ time, I DO remember how the lumber yards gouged me so often when they were the only games in town and it wasnt till HD came along that the yards prices finally became competitve. I can also remember attitudes they'd have and NOW.WOW they practically have you invited home for dinner. Complain all you want but each store has their place and if each company does their job well they will all stay in biz. Also, it is true that if you call into the Pro desk at HD and give them your order it will be waiting for you at the front of the store pretty much when you need it. If you have questions..well, then come here. Paid about six bucks for rock at HD and two of the yards around here wanted almost nine. HD had my rock loaded on a flat bed cart for me the next day and it really wasnt all the hard pullin' them in my van as I drove just about to the door and an employee help me load it in. By the way I had fifty boards of rock. You do the math. Don't get me wrong.I aint "in love" with The Po but they certainly do have their place ya babies...lol

36. 
    blue_eyed_devil_ | Mar 17, 2002 05:45pm | #40

    *Andy, you just dredged up old memories that I've buried about how rotten the attitudes of many suppliers used to be. There were a lot of grumpy, unhelpful counter men that really did hate their jobs. The yard guys were pricks.The owners were pricks.I really hated most suppliers that I had to deal with.At least when I focused on rough framing, I only had to deal with one supplier (nails). I liked them, but would have found an alternate.blue

37. 
    ANDY_C._CLIFFORD | Mar 17, 2002 05:51pm | #41

    *Blue, I always hated the yards and the attitudes. I think the younger builders today just don't know what it was like before the "compition". Everything has a purpose and a reason. Reason for box stores is to wake up those suppliers that thought hey had us bent over a 2x4 and also to allow homeowners to try and do their own projects which ends up giving us guys more work cause most weekend warriors screw things up pretty bad. I've done more repairs and finishing up of botched up jobs then I can remember....and charged really for em too by the way. So I wish everyone would stop calling the lumber yards Mom and Pop shops. Get real.....Those so called mom and pop shops cashed in a whole lot more then you are I did. The only mom and pop I know are mine down in Florida......lol...along with Sonny...lol

38. 
    Tim_Mooney | Mar 17, 2002 09:44pm | #42

    *Ride on Andy and Blue. I ran my fathers yard in the seventies. The yards back then were depended on to carry lumber and nails. Today is another world. A much better world. Scorn to the ones that dont appreciate the big boxes. They keep the independent yards inline.What I see as a blessing with the big box is that its a remodelers dream. Mercy!!!!!!!!!How about that tool that you have to have today ???????? I too have taken advantage of their prices. I will make a guess that they have saved me several thousand dollars. Use them for what they are intended for with no loyalty. They dont have any for you. That is the main diference I see. Thats fair also as long as we are up front about it. Lowes has 6 months no pay and no interest on appliances. You bet I have made that deal work!!!! LOL. They used to offer it on all purchases over 200 dollars !!!!! They sure didn't make my banker happy.They will either make the deal sweet enough for you boys on full service or it will only be a memory.

39. 
    RonTeti | Mar 18, 2002 03:55am | #43

    *As much I as I dont like the boxes you guys make sense. I remember "getting the business" at lumber yards before the boxes came around. As a DIYer if I didnt go and buy a large order I was some what scorned and noticed the smirks between the yard birds. Asked for any advice...Ha that was non- existent. So they ( the boxes) have made a impact on customer service. I wont shop at them but I do appreaciate what they did for the industry.

40. 
    Sonny_Lykos | Mar 18, 2002 04:24am | #44

    *Another "pro" about Home Depot. Next Sunday I'm going to one of their Faux painting seminars.Three years ago I almost flew to another city and spent $375 plus travel expenses for a private company's seminar/class. Granted it owould have been much more involved, but..........?Again, USE them whenever possible. They represent one more "tool" in our bag.

41. 
    GACC_DAllas | Mar 18, 2002 06:39am | #45

    *So we all use the box stores and then what? The family run businesses go out of business? Some will and some won't. They don't have the high volume buying power the the box does, so the prices at your local lumber yard are gonna be higher. That's OK with me and my clients. If they want me to shop at the box for their project, I tell them to get it themselves....that's where the savings are. They won't save a dime paying me at my rate to go fetch.I will not buy lumber at the box. Culling through rack after rack of twisted up "white wood" (whatever the hell that is) is not my idea of cost effective. And have you seen the dregs they call CCA? Pre-bent for that curved deck everybody wants. God help you if you need someone with a forklift. That could take a half an hour.My lumber yard can, with one phone call, get me everything I need, do the culling for me, and deliver it and unload it at my job in the spot I want it for no extra charge. Now that's service. And maybe the sheetrock is 30 cents more a sheet......but I don't spend HOURS driving around, culling the spoil, loading it in my truck by myself and unloading it at the job by myelf.Think about it.....Is the money you save at the box equal to the amount of time you spend shopping there? Is the time you spend away from the job costing you more than the money you're saving on the material bill? So you saved a few bucks. How much did it cost you to save those few bucks? I bet if you add it up, you might be surprised. You could be building the furrdowns WHILE the lumber yard is loading and delivering and stocking in the house your sheetrock. Or you could build the furrdowns, and then spend the rest of the day going after the rock yourself at the box.Think of all the work you could get done if you weren't always running to the box for something. Think of the cost of your time (labor) verses the savings on the material bill.Everybody knows that the "time" is the most expensive part of almost any project.Ed.

42. 
    The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Mar 18, 2002 03:38pm | #46

    *I love the big boxes for what they are worth to me which is huge. How about dry warm trim already to use with no aclimating time! and Aisles brimming with goodies to buy! All in heated well lit space that can be shopped at night for the next days work if desired!I use my lumber yards too. For lumber! And big deliveries and windows and doors and all that I want to buy on account and have delivered for free.I'm totally with blue on all of this HD/Lowes Yak.near the blue stream,aj

43. 
    GACC_DAllas | Mar 19, 2002 02:39am | #47

    *Shopped at night?So, that's free to the client? Your time at "no charge"? Who's gonna pay for that Chevy? I guess your free time is not so free after all.Come on William.....you know better.Ed.

44. 
    Tim_Mooney | Mar 19, 2002 06:22am | #48

    *I think some of us have a problem seeing the benefit,maybe because the big boxes deserve scorn. They would be happy putting us out of business, if it made them a buck. So I look at them the same way.Let them hold their classes to teach people how to do our work so the people will have more money to buy with out our help. So be it. [there I said it]Im a trader, thats always looking for a dollar to pick up off the floor. What I have done,since they are here to stay,is use them to my advantage. To most negatives there is a positive. I hang their 3.00 dollar cheaper drywall right off my trailer. I unload their cheaper fencing off my trailer as I put it up. Most of the time when run sales, it is below a private lumber yards cost. I bought a full truck load of stretchers, cheaper than national buys them for, and I got them delivered to the job free.For people that just make it off labor,then I understand the service thing. My deal is ;What I save is my profit. A dollar earned is worth 51 cents after our with holdings as self employed. A dollar saved is still worth a dollar. So when I catch them selling below cost, or they are offering some promotion deal like the 6 months no pay, Im there as a business man cashing in on the savings.The lumber yard still brings me the main stuff. They do get most all my business, but at matched prices from the box!!!!!!!