Orange Aprons...Crooks or Idiots?

[bigsteel15]

I went into HD. They have the Delta 12" Dual Bevel CMS marked from 499 to 399.
Problem is the price sticker says 36-422L (Laser unit) but the display is 36-412 (no laser)
I found the apron and asked to check if they actually have the one that matches the tag.
He checks the SKU. It says model 2 in stock of model 36-422L for $399
Check how many 36-412 in stock..."we don't have that model, doesn't show up in the system".
So we get the duty manager and asked if I could get a better deal because of the situtation. I explain that I can go down the road and get a Hitachi 12" with laser for $399. No deal to be had, sorry.
I'm now the owner of a new Hitachi.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013
This is by no means a gloat, as I can see y'all can get much better deal, but at regular price of $549 it's a good deal here.

So the question is what are they thinking and was this done on purpose trying to sell an incorrectly labelled product for more than it's worth?

[Russianwolf]

I would have asked them to locate a 422L for me. When they can't, ask for the price of the 412's that are "right here". If they say $399 then call their BS as everyone knows the 422L is a much better saw than the 412. If they still won't budge, go buy the better than delta Hitachi saw.


I honestly think that Hitachi makes the best CMSs in the industry. When a friend was setting up her Picture Framing Business, I pointed her to the hitachis. When she called her framing supplier about an add on for the miter saw they asked which one. They told her she had the best saw for the job. I also told her to get a miter trimmer. Now, she and her daughter love both.

[leehljp]

Concerning Hitachi - most Japanese fine craftsmen consider Hitachi to be the best of all brands. Overall, they like Hitachi tools better than Makita or any other brand. I was very surprised to hear this - not in writing but from different ones mouths.

That is a NICE looking saw that you got!

[LarryG]

If they say $399 then call their BS as everyone knows the 422L is a much better saw than the 412.

Someone please correct me if this is wrong, but aren't these two saws identical but for the laser? Although that addition alone would indeed make the 422L the much better saw, in my view.

I may be too forgiving but I personally would chalk this one up to Sh!t Happens, an honest error triggered by model numbers that are maybe more similar than they ought to be.

[bigsteel15]

Someone please correct me if this is wrong, but aren't these two saws identical but for the laser? Although that addition alone would indeed make the 422L the much better saw, in my view.

I may be too forgiving but I personally would chalk this one up to Sh!t Happens, an honest error triggered by model numbers that are maybe more similar than they ought to be.

Larry, if it was just one location, I would probably agree, but I did the same process at 2 different locations with the same result.
I think the laser IS the only difference. 412 isn't on the Delta website anymore, so not 100% sure

[cwsmith]

"Orange Apron" incompetance is almost a legend. Perhaps a bit unfair in some respects, as on rare occasions one might find an "apron" who will actually go to some lengths to locate a product and help out a customer.

But for the most part, these folks are very poorly trained and even less informed (or should I say "mis-informed"). All too often, even the higher management is clueless.

Frankly, I have cut down my visits to the BORG to every other week, as my blood pressure can't stand it, and the LOML has learned to keep a good supply of Xanex in her pocketbook for me. Just with my experiences over the last three years, there would be substantial material for an two-hour, stand-up comedy routine or perhaps even a new comedy series titled, "Orange Aprons"!

CWS

[LCHIEN]

...So the question is what are they thinking and was this done on purpose trying to sell an incorrectly labelled product for more than it's worth?

I find in general incompetance is in far greater supply than criminal intentions (with the notable exception of Enron executives who'd like you to believe that).

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I find in general incompetance is in far greater supply than criminal intentions (with the notable exception of Enron executives who'd like you to believe that).

I absolutely agree. A lot of HD employees are too lazy/dumb to have any criminal aspirations! There are no a lot of highly successful criminals today. Either they are too dumb to begin with or they are smart enough and just get too greedy (Enron).

[bigsteel15]

I didn't mean to imply the store employees were trying to rip me off, but somewhere up the food chain an obvious (at least to me) error was made in receiving and possibly even in ordering and I'm sure someone noticed and their boss probably said "Oh they're the same thing".
I know my receiver picks up on this stuff right away if numbers or material grades don't match and truth be told sometimes that is my answer, but only if it is in fact the case..

[JR]

I find in general incompetance is in far greater supply than criminal intentions (with the notable exception of Enron executives who'd like you to believe that).

Back when California was going through its deregulated-power fiasco, the Attorney General actually acquired a recording of an Enron trader laughing at the notion of some old lady in Palm Springs dying because of lack of power for her air conditioner.

I'm ususally pretty tolerant of people, but I truly hope that Ken Lay's trial and incarceration led directly to his demise. He was a crook and evil-doer on a colossal scale.

HD people, meanwhile, seem to be well-meaning boobs. The philosophy seems to be to do as much business as possible with the fewest people. The workers end up holding the bag.

My 2c
JR

[ryan.s]

INo deal to be had, sorry.
I'm now the owner of a new Hitachi.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013
This is by no means a gloat, as I can see y'all can get much better deal, but at regular price of $549 it's a good deal here.

Brian - How much did you get the hitachi for? It's coming up as $276 with free shipping. Just want to make sure you got that price.

[just4funsies]

They have to sell what they got, and they probably got a good price on the discontinued model, and want to turn some extra profit at our expense. Wouldn't be the first time... Shame on HD for selling a discontinued model in the first place, and not offering a deeper discount to compensate in the second place...

[bigsteel15]

Brian - How much did you get the hitachi for? It's coming up as $276 with free shipping. Just want to make sure you got that price.

I paid $399 CDN.
As I've touted (fumed about ) many times here, Amazon won't ship tools to Canada and Amazon.ca doesn't sell tools of any description.

No deals here in the Great Wide North