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Home Depot Receipt

sledgehammer | Posted in General Discussion on December 3, 2007 03:16am

While doing my paperwork it just reminds me why I hardly shop there. 

 

One item bought an “sp g&w <A>”???? The receipt it a foot long with english and spanish on how to enter a contest… special financing options… return policy and the store managers name.

WTF did I buy for $15.97?

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Replies

  1. User avater
    BillHartmann | Dec 03, 2007 03:36am | #1

    I don't know about HD.

    But on Lowes they also print the SKU number. You can go their website and in the search enter that number and it will show you the produce.

    .
    .
    A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
    1. lettusbee | Dec 03, 2007 03:47am | #2

      I cut off the useless part of the receipts, save'em in a  envelope, and as soon as I find out who their director of marketing is, I'm gonna mail him a years worth of waste all at once.

      Who's with me?!

      P.S.  What's the emoticon for tongue in cheek?

      1. RustyNail | Dec 04, 2007 04:47pm | #49

        I'm with ya.  I just tear the bottom of the receipt off at the store and litter the floor with it.  Figure if everyone did it, they'd get the freakin' hint...

    2. DougU | Dec 03, 2007 04:49am | #9

      But on Lowes they also print the SKU number. You can go their website and in the search enter that number and it will show you the produce.

      Bill, You can get produce at your Lowes! I have to make a special trip to the super market for that stuff!

      Doug

      1. User avater
        BillHartmann | Dec 03, 2007 07:42am | #22

        "Bill, You can get produce at your Lowes! I have to make a special trip to the super market for that stuff!"Sure. All of the Lowes, HD, and ACE stores that I have seen have had produce.However, because of shipping problems then only stock it in an immature form.You get to take the pepper plants, seed potato's, home and plant them so that they mature..
        .
        A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

    3. Piffin | Dec 03, 2007 01:45pm | #24

      I call and make them look it up. 

       

      Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

  2. FastEddie | Dec 03, 2007 03:48am | #3

    That used to drive me nuts at HD.  Some really bizarre abbreviation of a product that you can never decipher.

    "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

  3. User avater
    Matt | Dec 03, 2007 03:51am | #4

    Another "feature" of HD receipts is that if you carry them around in your wallet for a month or 2 the disappearing ink does it's magic.  Just great when you need to get refunded from your employer.

    1. sledgehammer | Dec 03, 2007 03:57am | #5

      Yea... sunlight does a number on them too.... and spray lysol will turn them a uniform unreadable grey, I have experience in such matters.

  4. User avater
    popawheelie | Dec 03, 2007 04:03am | #6

    I was returning an item at HD and the person who was helping me shared some info with me. If you don't have your receipt they offer you an in store credit. I was doing that once in a while because I was going in to shop anyway. The person told me that when they give you an in store credit it is given at the lowest price that item was at in the past year. I'm not sure about the year part. But the price is different than what you paid sometimes.

    I didn't verify what she said so this might be bogus.

    1. User avater
      IMERC | Dec 03, 2007 04:08am | #7

      saw a sign at the refund counter that said just that..

      but it was for 6 months and not a year... 

      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!!!

    2. DonCanDo | Dec 03, 2007 06:09am | #11

      Yes, it's true, but if you return too many items without a receipt (there's some magic number that no one seems to know), your name winds up on a list that requires manager approval for returns.  Other than waiting around for a manager to show up (which can take a loooong time), it's usually not a problem.

  5. JTC1 | Dec 03, 2007 04:44am | #8

    I run into the same problem sometimes - I take the receipt back to the customer service desk - they scan and can tell me what it was.

    I try to look at the receipt and note what those cryptic items are before I leave - sometimes have to go see customer service.

    Jim

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
  6. User avater
    Jeff_Clarke | Dec 03, 2007 05:41am | #10

    Simply put the item number from the receipt in a Google search window and the search engine will pull up the UPC description of the item.   Works MOST of the time.

    Jeff

    1. hammerhurtsthumb | Dec 03, 2007 06:17am | #12

      I once bought a Sawzall on a Friday morning from HD. All day long it smelt bad like it was burning up. The electrician the next floor up was even complaining about the smell. I went to return it the next Monday morning with receipt in hand. The manager called this 18 year old kid from the tool dept to come and tell me that it was the “breaking in smell” and they will not take it back. After a back and forth I left with the saw and went to work. Before the end of the week it caught fire.

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Dec 03, 2007 06:21am | #13

        what brand was it.. 

        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!!!

        1. DougU | Dec 03, 2007 06:30am | #14

          Firestorm!

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Dec 03, 2007 07:02am | #19

            ROAR!!!!

             

            there'a a snow and ice thread down in the tav asking after ya...

             

             

            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!!!

            Edited 12/2/2007 11:03 pm by IMERC

          2. DougU | Dec 03, 2007 02:55pm | #27

            there'a a snow and ice thread down in the tav asking after ya...

            I dont have the secret code to the tav so ...........

            We did get some ice, few inches, just enough to make it fun to drive in. I took my son out in it Sat looking for a Xmas tree, got home and had to leave the tree on the porch with  the propane heater running for an hour or so to melt the ice off of it.

            I saw up on  the interstate that the semi's were traveling at about 10 - 20 mph so I guess it was shiddy out.

            I see Glens pic of the snow up at the weekend house, I assume you've gotten a bit of snow already?

            Doug

          3. User avater
            IMERC | Dec 03, 2007 07:35pm | #35

            winter we got... 

            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!!!

          4. johnharkins | Dec 03, 2007 09:46pm | #36

            you mentioned what I assume are their company credit cardsbeen noticing at HD they advertise 5 % back on purchases - does this work as advertised?think I've seen same offer at Lowes but not sure - does yours include 5% back
            thanks John

          5. sledgehammer | Dec 04, 2007 03:08am | #37

            I can look at a grocery store receipt from 2 years ago and tell you exactly every item I bought.... from chips ahoy cookies,  broccoli crowns and lipton onion soup mix.

            Is the beyond Depot's technology or do they have blithering idiots coding their merchandise?

          6. bobtim | Dec 04, 2007 03:37am | #38

            I'd vote for the idiots, mostly in managment

          7. skipj | Dec 04, 2007 08:21am | #44

            John,

            I don't use the 'My company' cards, I believe they are the ones that offer 5% back. I'm fortunate to live in an area with a real wholesaler, BMC West, and they get the bulk of my business. They consistently beat both HD and Lowes by 25% to 50%, and I get to talk to people who have a clue. Their credit policy is simple: pay the previous month by the 10th, or we cut you off; if it's not paid by the 30th, we're seizing your bond.

            For the chains, I use the consumer cards, because they both offer 0% Interest for 12 months on purchases over $300. ( Please, everyone, before you post to tell me that thats a 'promotional' offer only, make sure you have a minimum 15k HD or 20k Lowes card. Every single purchase I make is subject to those terms. The 'promotion' is they want large card users.)

            So, right now, I owe HD about 9k, due starting next August, then September and so on. That 9k is in a money market account earning about 5%. For me. They are charging me 0% interest and 0% principal. For a year.

            The math is simple. Just make sure it's $300 or more every time, and then, put it aside.

            skipj

             

        2. hammerhurtsthumb | Dec 03, 2007 06:59am | #18

          It was a Milwaukee of course. I went to a repair shop and got it rebuilt under warranty. And I now shop HD as little as possible and never for tools.

  7. DanH | Dec 03, 2007 06:33am | #15

    You can always go there and have them look it up. The receipt is on file for several months, and they can call up the long description on the computer for you. If you used a credit card you don't even need the receipt.

    If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
    1. User avater
      popawheelie | Dec 03, 2007 07:29am | #20

      I've had them do that. Look it up for me. I still like to have a reciept in hand.

    2. User avater
      BillHartmann | Dec 03, 2007 07:40am | #21

      That is why Lowes ask for the phone number when you pay cash so that they can look up the receipt.But the few times that I have take stuff back without the receipt they haven ask me for the number or CC to look it up..
      .
      A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

      1. Boats234 | Dec 04, 2007 02:52pm | #46

        Small Hijack--- Lowes just sent me a letter stating that the invoice #'s were whacko for purchases between 11/8 and 11/16 on Commercial AR accounts.

        Letter had a 10% off coupon for next AR purchase. I don't know if the problem was regional or nation wide.

        Anybody else get this letter??

    3. Piffin | Dec 03, 2007 01:51pm | #25

      Sure!
      If U used a CC, you have a paper copy of the receipt that is full of undecipherable codes and prices in stead of a thermal printout register receipt that is full of undecipherable codes and prices 

       

      Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

      1. DanH | Dec 03, 2007 01:59pm | #26

        Yeah, but with a credit card they can look it up without a receipt.Has anyone complained to HD? (Not just griped to the sales droid?) I suspect if they knew they were losing business over this they'd work to fix it.
        If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

        1. FastEddie | Dec 03, 2007 05:03pm | #29

           I suspect if they knew they were losing business over this they'd work to fix it

          Sure!  Have you stopped taking your medication again?"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

          1. DanH | Dec 03, 2007 06:28pm | #30

            Pretty sure I took it this morning.
            If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

          2. mrfixitusa | Dec 03, 2007 06:31pm | #31

            Oh Really, What day is it then?

          3. DanH | Dec 03, 2007 06:51pm | #32

            Afternoon, going by the empty compartment.
            If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

          4. mrfixitusa | Dec 03, 2007 07:16pm | #34

            That sounds like that country wester song "It's five O Clock Somewhere"

        2. und76xx | Dec 03, 2007 07:04pm | #33

          Got to love that comment Dan. Once I was so Pi**ed off at HD after they refused to take back a cordless drill (battery pack would hold a charge for @ 10 minutes - and the drill was less than 2 days old) I called the corporate HQ. Originally I was denied a replacement drill because they told me the re-charge cycle for the battery was 24 hours. This was a quick charge batter pack! Anyway, I told the HQ guy how much $$ he was loosing and how many customers he was driving away with policies such as this and he said, "Thanks for the information, have a great day".

  8. andyfew322 | Dec 03, 2007 06:41am | #16

    I only go there if I absolutly have to and i cant find it anywhere else

  9. skipj | Dec 03, 2007 06:42am | #17

    Amen.

    Pet peeve of mine. One I brought home when it was just a puppy and now has grown into a really big, angry, viscious dog that I unleash from time to time. I took the survey and they sought a restraining order against me.

    All, or most, kidding aside, the receipts are a nightmare to handle, keep track of and decipher. I mark 'em up in the truck so I have an idea of what I bought, and for what job.

    A tip to the return problem comments: I have learned that for HD, a 15k charge card, and for Lowes a 20k charge card makes all of that nonsense go away, no receipt required.

    skipj

  10. Piffin | Dec 03, 2007 01:44pm | #23

    Really!

    I bill out most of my stuff cost plus.

    So I itemize on the bills to my customers. they love it.

    So maybe once every three months, I will see something on the invoices from my regular lumberyards that needs explanation what it is.

    Exactly opposed is the tickets from HD. Maybe once every three months I see an item that I ccan actually understand what it is.

    I rarely shop there, but I have learned that when i do, I need to make notes on the receipt before I leave the store

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

  11. mrfixitusa | Dec 03, 2007 03:55pm | #28

    I was at Comp USA this weekend and they have something like "Neat Receipt"

    which scans cash register receipts into your computer and a better way to keep track of your expenses.

    http://www.neatreceipts.com/index.asp?section=home&page=get-organized&gclid=COqbiKiUjJACFReQGgodLD7Osg

  12. thetigger | Dec 04, 2007 04:06am | #39

    G&W Tools makes a line of stuff like bearing pullers that starts with sp
    does that ring any bells?

    Tigger

  13. BilljustBill | Dec 04, 2007 06:28am | #40

    The assistant manager of a Home Depot told me to Xerox my reciepts...all of them...  or they will fadeout.  He said the reciept tape show printing because it's thermal.  It won't last for those lifetime warranty repairs of their Ridgid store brand tools.

    If you charged your purchase on the HD creditcard, and think you can use it to verify a warranty, the store can only go back 90 days. 

    Once I bought a car battery at WalMart.  The battery came with a small plastic bag mounted to the side where the shop foreman placed the warranty.  I thought that was a great idea. 

    So, Xerox you receipts, put it inside a small zip-lock bag, and tape them to the inside of your tool's box or plastic case. IT was great when my HD  6" ROS crashed and they gave me a brand new one...

    Bill

    1. DanH | Dec 04, 2007 07:03am | #41

      Fading receipts is a problem with about half the cash registers on the market. In fact, my impression is that most fade pretty badly, but some much worse than the rest. I don't see that HD is a unique offender in this department.
      If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

      1. User avater
        Luka | Dec 04, 2007 07:21am | #43

        One may wonder if it has been done on purpose. Just one more way the bean counters are scratching pennys worth, more profit out of a sale. If people don't have the reciept, they can't claim the warranty. If the reciept fades within a few months...I'm guessing that better receipts may actually be cheaper. But they figured out they will save x amount of pennys per sale, with the fading reciepts...

        Everybody is born a hero.

        1. DanH | Dec 04, 2007 03:04pm | #47

          Like I said, a lot of receipts fade like that. Just make yourself up a collection of receipts from a dozen different places and lay them out on your dresser for about 3 months. About half will be badly faded.
          If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

        2. FastEddie | Dec 04, 2007 04:27pm | #48

          I don't think so Jeff.  The thermal receipts show images when struck by a pin or heated.  The other kinds of receipts would be either with a ribbon, ink roller, or some kind of cartridge, and that would cost money to both keep stock on hand and change when empty.  And can you imagine how long they would try to stretch a ribbon?  I remember back when typewriters used colth ribbons, and how faded the type would get toward the end of it's life."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

    2. DanH | Dec 04, 2007 07:04am | #42

      I've always stapled or taped my receipts to the inside of the tool manual.
      If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

  14. tab1 | Dec 04, 2007 08:48am | #45

    IIRC the SKU on the HD receipt IS the SKU you'll find on the item package. NOT the case at Lowe's.

    1. User avater
      Jeff_Clarke | Dec 04, 2007 07:05pm | #50

      Around here the # on the HD receipt is NOT a SKU, which is a 6-place HD number, but rather a UPC which can be looked up on-line.

      For instance, I have a receipt with:

      0044315683909 which Googled produces:

      Description

      2x4 joint hanger

      Manufacturer

      SIMPSON STRONG-TIE COMPANY, INC. (0044315) more items

      or you can just go here:   http://www.upcdatabase.com/

      Jeff

      1. JTC1 | Dec 04, 2007 08:18pm | #51

        THAT IS SLICK!

        I have had a mystery receipt from HD for a while - kept meaning to take it in and have them figure out what it was.

        15/8CRDWSC5# for $18.88 ----- I had no idea what this was for.

        Googled 764666103221 - why it was a 5 lb box of 1-5/8" piffen screws. Once you know that - you can sorta-kinda figure it out from the description.

        I am usually pretty good at noting what the cryptic items are before I leave but I missed that one.

        JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

        1. User avater
          Jeff_Clarke | Dec 04, 2007 08:41pm | #52

          My funniest experience was explaining to DW (looking at receipt) that a 'blow-gun kit' didn't mean I was out to *get* her ;o)

          Sometimes you only get the manufacturer, not the item, but even that helps a bit

          Jeff

          Edited 12/4/2007 12:44 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke

          1. JTC1 | Dec 04, 2007 09:10pm | #53

            I won't even ask what is included in a blow gun kit...............

            Oh, you mean one of those do-dads that goes on the end of an air hose to get rid of dust, shavings, etc.

            I have got one of those to blow sawdust and shingle gravel off of roof decks.  Works good.

            JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

          2. User avater
            Jeff_Clarke | Dec 04, 2007 11:10pm | #54

            Yup, that's it.   Not a poison dart thing ;o) ...

            Jeff

          3. kivaspan1 | Dec 04, 2007 11:51pm | #55

            Ok, so here's a question on the receipt/refund thing. I just finished a rough plumbing project that I started last summer, so after gathering up all the 3" & 4" fittings, which just show up as 'Fitting' plus some other mystery characters, I cleaned them up and drove down to the HD store where I bought them. The returns guy was kinda shocked that I was bringing back this stuff after nearly a year, but I explained that I live over 100 miles away from any store to speak of, and it's taken this long to get all the underground stuff finished. I'd just passed my septic system inspection the day before, after all. Anyway, basically he said "these receipts are worthless, you may as well throw them away". He said all we could do was get a store credit, which was fine by me since I was picking up more stuff that would exceed the refund anyway. Now I'm left wondering what price was refunded, exactly?

          4. User avater
            Jeff_Clarke | Dec 05, 2007 08:55am | #61

            And I would know because ?????

            J

          5. User avater
            Luka | Dec 05, 2007 06:28pm | #62

            I'm thinking the question was rhetorical.;o)

            Everybody is born a hero.

        2. User avater
          BillHartmann | Dec 05, 2007 02:05am | #56

          I was going through my receipts from Lowes and found an item for Crystal White.I know that Lowes is not my source for drugs, but that it what is looked like on the receipt.Turns out that it was for mold made from foam with a white cover on it..
          .
          A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

        3. pm22 | Dec 05, 2007 06:14am | #59

          15/8CRDWSC5# for $18.88

          1 5/8" ? ? DryWall [DishWasher = DesignatedWife] [DeWalt] SCrews 5 pounds.

          This is the same in supermarkets.

          You can blame this all on Bill Gates and his inane DOS with its limitation to eight space memory.

          ~Peter

          On their wedding night, when Melinda first saw Bill in his "full" glory, she said, "Now I know why you named your company Microsoft."

  15. cliffy | Dec 05, 2007 04:52am | #57

    I don't know what you bought, but I bet you didn't get any credible service there.

    Have a good day

    Cliffy

  16. MSA1 | Dec 05, 2007 05:32am | #58

    I thought I was the only one. I hate those Depot receipts. If I dont do paperwork that night, I have no idea what i've bought.

    Should make a tax audit interesting, encoded receipts and disappearing ink.

  17. User avater
    hammer1 | Dec 05, 2007 06:30am | #60

    Get a commercial account with them and the items are legibly listed on the monthly statement. Your account is available for viewing online.

    Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

  18. flyhi152 | Jun 06, 2011 03:22am | #63

    Bogus "lowest price in the past"

    if  you lost  your  receipt  and  paid  cash  HD  takes  advantage  with  what  they  call  "the  lowest price in the past"

    I  just  bought  a  "stainless steel BBQ"   -  the  sticker  showed  that  the old price was $ 299,-  and  the  new  price  was $ 174,-  (item # 039953526176)    they  only  received  6   of  these  and  I  bought   one of  the  two  that  were  left after a  couple of  days.   when  I  tried  to return it  without  a  receipt  they  told me  that  their  system  was  showing  $ 149,-  as  the  "lowest  price"

    I  am  wondering  where  and  when  they  offered  this  item  for  $ 149,-  naturally  they  are  not  able  to  provide  that  answer.  I believe  that  they  just  don't  want  to   tell  customers   "we  give  you  $ 25,-   less  for  not  having  a  receipt."   the  customer  can't  proof  that  they  never  offered  the  item  for  that  price  and  obviously  these  kind  of  lies  are  not  against the  law.

    I    have  had  this  experience  also  in  the  past -   always  when  I  try  to  return  something  for  store  credit,   they  claim  that  the  item  was  offered  almost  for  free  in  the  past....

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