After my weekend experience at a Home Depot (see prior post), I went in to yesterday's HD with a bad 'tude. I was there to get pressure treated 2X6's, in 8 and 10 foot lengths; so I donned my fashionable black back-belt for support and pushed in one of the orange Depot carts which, alone, must weigh as much as I. I headed back to the lumber section and hadn't even reached the treated wood when an employee asked if I needed help. I wouldn't want another person to choose my wood for me any more than I'd want him choosing my clothing or my dinnerware, so I politely turned down the offer and briefy reconsidered my take on HD employees. As I began fishing through the 8' pieces, another employee asked if he could help me. Okay, now I'm beginning to feel a bit like I'm on display.
"No thanks." I smiled. He seemed hesitant but walked away. Liability concerns?
By the time I got to my 10' pieces, I could feel more eyes on me. But I kept going. They would see that I knew what I was doing and leave me be. Nope.
"Do you need some help with that?"
I looked up to see three guys who were NOT employees, standing at my beck and call, plus Mr Hesitant Employee still hovering in the background.
"No thanks, just checking out the wood."
I continued to roll the wood on its side, checking to see how straight each piece was, while trying to balance it awkwardly on my giant, rolling orange cart. But, there's nothing like four burly guys staring to make the most competent 4'11" wood checker DROP her wood. They rushed over, as I knew they would, and the larger of the three non-employees gave me a lesson on how to pivot my wood to check for bow-dom. I was familiar w/ the technique but appreciative of his intent and thanked him.
As I pushed my large and loud cart to the front, two additional employees offered to help me load the wood into my car. To end this story properly, the checkout person also offered to call someone for me. So, Home Depot, you've redeemed yourself. At least, until I return to your garden department.
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This is Stephanie of The Home Depot Customer Care. I saw your posts and would like to apologize for the experience you described (especially the garden visit) at your local store. We are working to improve customer service throughout our stores and it looks like you may have seen some of those efforts during your more recent visit. I’d love more feedback on the store you visited so that we can improve. Feel free to contact me at information@homedepot.com.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, Home Depot Customer Care
information@homedepot.com