The Home Depot: ‘We are not closing’

Posted by GeorgeJetson (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well with the help they have out there they may as well be closeing.

Posted by scurvydog (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I used to think the same way, GeorgeJetson. Pretty much since they opened, any time I went in there, it seemed almost as if the employees would deliberately ignore customers - so much so that I started shopping somewhere else.

However, every now and then there's that obsure item that they aren't going to have at a smaller, locally owned store - so I went to Home Depot. The last 2 or 3 times I've been there (for things not stocked at a locally owned place), there has been competent, friendly help.

I am not sure if they had enough people complain or if I was just going at the wrong times before, but I have had decent help the last few times I've been there.

Posted by stewie (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I will still make the drive to Menards unless I am desperate. I have stood behind employees at Home Depot that are talking to other employees and been totally ignored. I asked for a galvanized wash tub like we use to use to bathe our dog back in the day and the employee took me back to shop sinks!!!!! Thank goodness the hardware store by the mall knew what a galvanized wash tub was! This type of thing happens EVERYTIME I have been to Home Depot!!!! Every Single Time.

Posted by nisperos (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, like many, I shop local, I shop BigBox, and I shop on-line. One time, I needed help with a unique problem and the local person spent a lot of time and helped me figure it out. I still run there for most of my small stuff, but on the one item, Home Depot beat out the local by $60 on price point (even on special order), so in the end I had to go with Home Depot, because I put my family first.

Still, I've had to stop when at Home Depot and help others out because the staff may not be sufficiently knowledgeable (or sometimes I've heard marketing crap about how there's really not much difference between one product and the other when there is, IMHO). But, also, more recently, a couple of times I've had people at Home Depot tell me to try _____________ (a local place), when they didn't have what I was looking for. Sometimes, (but not typically) when management is not looking, you might even get a different referral, for good work and relatively inexpensive by someone not on their approved contractor list...

You know, all business is uneven right now. I've found a couple of people who formerly worked for a local concern later working at Home Depot for the better wages and because (and it was someone else who told me, not them), the local business treated them unfairly, never gave raises, and fired willy-nilly to bring in others off the street at lower wages.

Anyone else notice that Big Box stores are not the same from town to town anymore? Oh, they have most of the same stuff, but often also items of more local or regional interest, so they might be worth checking out when you go on vacation.

Also, since we are all thinking about jobs these days, if I have a little time, I try and make it a point of standing in the line where someone will check me out rather than where I scan the items myself while someone stands at the end and watches 2 or 3 rows of scanner check-outs...

Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I always try to shop locally, unless I just feel like a road trip. If you don't shop locally, you won't have anything locally.
As for Home Depot, I've been happy everytime I've gone out there. Although, the help there now is better than what it was at first.

Posted by slapshot (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It kills me when someone complains about the local economy, yet they do their shopping elsewhere. There are very few items that you must go out of town for. What is needed is usually here. If its not, it can usually be brought in. When someone says they can get it cheaper out of town, I ask them about the fuel cost, the value of their time, and the value (if any) that they place on keeping their money in the local economy.

In reality, I think many people go out of town shopping simply because they want to. That is fine, but don't complain about the local economy then. If people made an effort to buy locally, they'd be surprised to find what is available here . . . and they may find out that that they are helping their neighbor's business out.

Posted by GeorgeJetson (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You people that think shopping at the local big box stores is money well spent in our local economy. Where do you think there corperate office is. Surely is't in Albert lea.

Posted by stewie (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If I shop in Albert Lea, it means traveling 1/2 hours to get there. I shop there as often as I can but if I can't get help from someone because they are too busy chatting with co-workers or they just plain don't know what I'm asking for, I'll go where they do! Trying to find a phlange for a toilet was something the person in plumbing supplies couldn't even find!

Posted by Brooksthd (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To all of those that have replied , left comments or feel inclined to do so, I TRULY appreciate your feedback. My name is Brian Brooks and I have been the store manager for YOUR Albert Lea Home Depot since December of 05'. Our store has experienced great success in the past several years for many reasons. The main reason for our success is from YOUR patronage and even more importantly the feeback , both good and bad , that we get. We are not perfect but we do our best to hire , train, teach , and coach our associates to not only understand the importance of "Customer Service" but the need to provide it to the best of their ability. I often hear of customers that speak to the needs to purchase "locally" and hear is the response I share with them .... I own a home in the city , I have a wife and fours kids that attend several schools in the city as well.We love Albert Lea and hope to raise our family in town and be as much a part of this community as those that have grown up here. We , The Home Depot , currently employee 81 associates at this location and are in the process of hiring approximately 15 more for season. We have a vested interest in every associates success and we do our best to bring quality products at affordable prices to OUR community and all of our customers. I just wanted an opportunity to get the word out there , that we are here because of YOU and our future is dependant on you. I hope you will consider my thoughts and my view . I would greatly appreciate any and all feedback that relates to the store , products , or services we offer. I would also appreciate feedback , both positive and negative. We know we have opportunities to get better and with your help , we can hopefully meet and exceed your expectations on every visit! We are committed to giving you the best product , at the best price, with the best service ! Thank you for your time.

brian_brooks@homedepot.com

Posted by slapshot (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

George -- shopping at a big box in Albert Lea is much better than shopping at a big box in the Cities or elsewhere.

Obviously, shopping locally, at a locally owned store, is best . . . but let's take baby steps and get people to at least stay in town. If they'll shop at locally owned stores, all the better!

Especially in tough economic times, we are all dependant upon each other in some way. More stores going out of business is the last thing we need.

Posted by BB27 (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Solid E-mail from Brian, he is right, it may be a big box store, but it employs over 80 people, that's 80 jobs albert lea would not have otherwise. Are they all $80k a year jobs, certainly not, but it is still money that stays in town and is used locally at grocery stores and restaurants, among other things. the store adds a large amount to the property tax base every year, if not for the store the residents would have to pick up that tab.

For those complaining, you now have the e-mail direct to the boss, let him know exactly which employees don't do their job, he sounds responsive to the needs of the shopper.

Disclaimer - I am not a HD employee, and actually have to work outside of Albert Lea now due to the economy. We need to appreciate the things that are in town when we have them. Albert Lea is a good town, but a large number of the residents of A.L. have a "woe is me" attitude. I love the town, but there are people who complain about everything, they probably hate the fact that the sun to rise in the east and set in the west.

Posted by jmjohn (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

why do you have a for sale sign in front of you business?

Posted by Brooksthd (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jnjohn , the for sale sign is for the land parcels that surround the store. there is a small bill board located in front of our parking lot that shows the land for sale. According to the info posted , we are supposed to see an Aldi's Food store and Flying J soon , hopefully !

Posted by buddy (anonymous) on March 4, 2009 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Brian Brooks. I seen your post and I have to say, 'You the man". I am impressed. Just have to say about a month or two ago when the new orange racks were going up I was watching. As the days passed it kept getting better and better. I have to say that a kinda uneventful time of going to Home Depot was being transformed into to something much more fun. Things started to make sense as far as a "set" was concerned. So I mentioned to one of the gals at customer service that I thought things were really changing for the decor and how much I liked it. I inquired as to if this was a new thing Depot wise and she said to me quite proudly that NO, and I quote, ' this design is our Managers idea', unquote. Yes sir I have to agree. It feels great to shop and see the new decor. Great Job!. Now I even want to work there so I told one gal that and she said,' you might as well collect a check, your out here all the time. That made me feel great as the people out there are really responding to the customer and as you well know, it used to be location,location,location. Now in time its customer service, customer service, customer service. I know it well as I chastise those out there that don't utilize it and tell the ones that do. Thank-You.

Posted by slapshot (anonymous) on March 5, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TTT -- I don't know which local business owner you are talking about . . . but I am sure it happens. I do think though if people in general (including local business owners) consider the impact of where they spend their money, they may rethink some of their spending habits.

I disagree with your comment that there is "no such thing as local shopping". Of course there are exceptions, but, as a general rule, money spent locally has a better chance of being respent locally, as compared to the chance of $$ spent out of town finding its way back into town. Hopefully we can agree on that basic principle. If not, then you will have to go on believing that it simply does not matter where you do your shopping.

Obviously, most consumer products purchased retail in Albert Lea are manufactured elsewhere, but unless you paid "cost" for that product, some portion of the purchase price remains local. My guess is that most retail items you buy locally have markups of anywhere from 5% to 50%. That is how they pay their employees and keep the doors open.

One other point about locally owned businesses, is that they often support local groups and charities that they feel are worthwhile. The ownership of Interstate Meat Service, Erlandson Implement, and some other long time, locally owned companies recently changed to out of town ownership. The new owners may be great people, but I know that the prior owners lived in AL and supported causes in AL. The new owners are going to be more likely to support their own home towns. That is part of change, and its going to happen, but we should recognize, appreciate, and support the local businesses.

What if Mrs. Gerry's, Minnesota Corregated, ALAMCO, Lou-Rich, Ben's Floral, Skyline Plaza, ABG, Produce State Bank, etc. all sell to out of town owners. Are we likely to better off as a community? I doubt it.