Pleasant HD Experience

[Whaler]

LOML and I went shopping at HD here in Sequim yesterday for a few things for the new house. The store is large, clean and well stocked. While we were shopping we were approached by 6 different people and asked if we were finding everything we needed, at checkout the clerk was extremely courteous.
It was like no HD I had ever been in before.

[stormdog74]

Is this a new HD? We had a new one in my area and the couple of times I went in I got a similar treatment - not quite as good as yours, but everyone was nice and actually made eye contact.

I wonder if it will last or the HD "culture" will creep in eventually. But sometimes the best way to change a culture is to start from scratch.

[shoottx]

The friendly courteous culture was the original at HD. It has gone to .....

Let's hope that what you are seeing is a return to the reason HD was successful in the first place.

[Uncle Cracker]

I've noticed it in the new stores, as well... But that's while they were sparsely populated with customers and the staff-to-patron ratio was probably 3 to 1. After they got busier, it seems it's much tougher to get waited on...

[herb fellows]

LOML and I went shopping at HD here in Sequim yesterday for a few things for the new house. The store is large, clean and well stocked. While we were shopping we were approached by 6 different people and asked if we were finding everything we needed, at checkout the clerk was extremely courteous.
It was like no HD I had ever been in before.

Ok, put down the funny smelling 'cigarette' and walk away from the lighter!
Seriously though, the HD stated policy given to their associates was, when they first opened (I'm not sure what it is now), if a customer asks you where the widgets are, you do not point or verbalize, you take the customer to the product personally.
9 times out of 10 today, the answer is 'that's not my department', if you get anything other than a grunt.
This makes me feel sorry for the good employees who really try to do their job properly (you know who you are, and thanks!).

[just started]

The key is the store manager. When he doesn't care (most of the time) then we end up with poor, if any, service and improperly or unstocked shelves. The same thing happens in ALL large, and especially chain, stores such as supermarkets and drug stores also.

[Pappy]

In the 2 HD's I frequent about the only time I am approached is by someone with a clipboard that is trying to sell me a service or big ticket item in another department other than where I am shopping. I don't know if they are employees or contractors but I tend to get a bit rude with them.

[Tom Slick]

I've noticed that phenomenon at new stores. soon as the newness wears off everyone has the typical HD attitude. Sometimes in a special order area, like windows/doors the associate that works that desk will offer help if they have nothing better to do. The tool guy will occasionally offer help when he isn't busy moving stuff. recently a Hilti rep has been hanging out in the tool section and seems to end up helping people find non-hilti stuff, probably out of boredom.
the local HD has probably 60% college students employees, most could careless about customer service, they aren't going to be working there long anyway.

[Bruce Cohen]

Having worked for Home Depot for two miserable years, I hate to burst your bubble, but the store probably had a regional manager or some big shot on premises that day.

There can't be any other reason for the good service.

Bruce

[gsmittle]

Having worked for Home Depot for two miserable years, I hate to burst your bubble, but the store probably had a regional manager or some big shot on premises that day.

There can't be any other reason for the good service.

Bruce

And here I was thinking it was a sign of the Rapture...

g.

[shoottx]

And here I was thinking it was a sign of the Rapture...

g.

That one all most cost you a new keyboard!

[LarryG]

The key is the store manager. When he doesn't care (most of the time) then we end up with poor, if any, service and improperly or unstocked shelves. The same thing happens in ALL large, and especially chain, stores such as supermarkets and drug stores also.

This has been my experience, exactly. In the case of the local HD -- we have only the one, in the entire area -- it will soon have been open for three years (or is it four?) and the store is still as well kept, and the staff as genuinely helpful, as the day it opened. And it seems to me the service in the Lowe's just down the street has gotten better of late, perhaps as a result of the competition. (The service there was never bad, but lately I think it's even better.)

This is not to say I don't run into the occasional Zero in either store, because I do. But for the most part, they're pleasant places to shop. By comparison there's an HD in a city about 50 miles away that I will never enter again unless forced to do so at gunpoint. It's a dump, and the employees are clearly just marking time until they can clock out for the day.

[cabinetman]

Having worked for Home Depot for two miserable years, I hate to burst your bubble, but the store probably had a regional manager or some big shot on premises that day.

There can't be any other reason for the good service.

Bruce

It's now obvious to all of us that you (Bruce) were in charge of the training classes.

My technique is different when entering the store. Dressed in full combat gear, I ask the nearest employee to be point person and lead me to the product.
.

[Bruce Cohen]

It's now obvious to all of us that you (Bruce) were in charge of the training classes.

My technique is different when entering the store. Dressed in full combat gear, I ask the nearest employee to be point person and lead me to the product.
.

Hey Cab,

I resemble that remark!!!

And in two years, I only told three customers I'd beat the $hit out of them.

Bruce

[jussi]

Only people who approach me at HD are the vendors trying to sell me new vinyl siding, new roof, etc. Maybe I should start wearing a sign around my neck "Not Interested!!"