We went to Home Depot on Sunday to buy and arrange for installation of a hot water heater. Our experience is chronicled in the following which I e-mailed to Home Depot. If I don’t get a competent response, I’ll be calling their customer service line directly (I should probably have done that in the first place, but I wanted to get it in writing first so I could organize my thoughts):
I am writing to let you know of my extreme displeasure with our experience purchasing a hot water heater from Home Depot this past Sunday. I expect a response explaining how it happened and how you can make this bad experience right.
1. The HWH display was very confusing. Multiple booklets, placards, signs, rip-off pads of product information (all of which seemed to say the same thing in different ways), a phone for setting up an installation, etc. But no clear info on *how* to actually *buy* a HWH and have it installed.
Finally spotted a small pad of “Special Orders.” Wrote out the SKU of what we wanted, and, per the pad instructions, went to the Service desk.
2. There were two people working the service desk. Both were avowedly new to the job, and had no real idea of what they were doing or how to get the help they needed. It took over *thirty minutes* to get the order placed. And, as it turns out, the order was not properly completed (see #5).
3. The lady at the service desk spent several minutes keying in the information for the order, even though all the info was on the pad, then finally quoted me a price of $1100. I knew that the HWS was $492, and the installation was $299. Had I not known that info, then it seems likely I would have spent an *extra* $300. Some savings.
4. Faced with that question, she pounded away on the keyboard for several more minutes. Talked to her fellow service desk worker, who also didn’t know whether the installation price included delivery of the HWH (I had to show them the brochure I brought over, and they had to read it three times). She called the installation number a couple of times. Pounded on the keyboard some more.
After about *15-20 minutes*, she finally had figured out how to properly order a HWH with installation, and came up with the right price. Given that there’s a huge display and full aisle dedicated to HWH orders and installations, I’m very surprised there wasn’t a clear procedure for her to follow (or that she didn’t know how to do it in the first place).
It took *several minutes more* to get the credit card run and the paperwork printed and signed.
5. When we did not hear from the installation company this morning (Monday), my wife called them mid-day. It turns out that *the service desk never faxed them the order*. So, taking *additional* of *our* own time, my wife arranged for the installation to take place later this week. Good thing it wasn’t an emergency!
I would expect the *service* desk, handling *special orders* and other customer service, to include some of Home Depot’s most competent and experienced employees. Instead, it was staffed, early on a Sunday afternoon, with two novices who didn’t understand your services, didn’t know how to find them out in a timely fashion, and who botched the order followthrough.
And it wasn’t even just my order. Another customer was at the desk trying to buy an air conditioner. They didn’t know the products sold, didn’t know how to find them, didn’t recognize the name of the HD floor person who had directed her there, and, as we were leaving and she finally had an A/C unit paid for and on a cart next to her, the HD floor person walked by and informed them that they’d gotten her the wrong unit and needed to start over.
I am a regular HD shopper, but after this experience, I am far less likely to avail myself of any purchases that require use of your service desk.
I would like a response from you as to how this happened, and how Home Depot can make it right for us. I am very displeased.
Margie informs me that:
a. The plumbing company that HD subs with to do the installation seems very competent; they called her up shortly after she contacted the installation 800 number, and have already arranged for an install tomorrow morning. Yay.
b. The installation 800 number folks informed her that she didn’t need to go to the service desk at all. Presumably, the telephone there on the wall next to the HWHs would have dealt with both the HWH purchase and installation — but the signage didn’t say that and neither did the service desk maroons. So, just to keep is straight, said maroons not only couldn’t give me the right instruction, nor handle the order properly, but they made more work for themselves.
c. In point of fact, to the credit of the installation 800 number folks, they were not actually supposed to help Margie this morning, since we didn’t do the order through them. This is both a goofy policy (and further proof of said maroonhood) and a check-mark to the helpfulness of the installation 800 number people.
d. Margie looked at the receipt and found one of those, “Tell us what you think” website/codeword combos that will enter us into a contest for something keen. So she gets the opportunity to bitch about it, too, and, possibly, win a prize. Go, Margie!
UPDATE:
Deer Creek Plumbing did a great job on the install. Polite and competent, they called as soon as the PO was faxed to them and scheduled us for first thing the next day. The plumber was also polite and did a great job on the install.
Dave got an auto-form non-response from Home Depot. (Thank you for you r feed back…If you would like to speak with a customer Care associate…)
One of the fundamental problems with the big orange monster regarding any installed services is that with the entire process isnt fully “owned” by a single entity. HD orders the material, is supposed to get it to your site; the installer expects the material to be there and then goes to work. What happens if the materials never get delivered? Such was my experience (even tho I paid for delivery). The installer wouldn’t show up to do work without material. They redirected the efforts of the installation crew to other “real” jobs. I finally had to personally go to the HD store and load for myself the 13k of flooring material and bring it to my home and carry it all into my house. I was told by the installed services “expeditor” that the installer couldnt come out anyway because he had his crews on other jobs now since “your house(mine)was not ready”. I said I am ready now send them out. He told me to call the installer directly. The installer said “i feel for ya bro, but your outta luck and your problem is with HD, not us. HD admittedly couldnt do anything to help because they have no direct authority over the daily tasking of the independent flooring installer! It’s just crazy isnt it?
The mindset of the poor slob unfortunate enough to have to don the orange apron to make a buck is one of despair, anger, and ultimatley apathy towards complaints. They have to become desensitized because they deal with so many of them. We “lost customers” are acceptable to the horned monsters at the controls of HD because with the volume in sales, it never really affects them. Oh I know their PR machine will say different but try to get real compensation for this above SNAFU and you will be clear as crystal on their view.
As for the name calling that goes into so much complaining about HD employees, I say stop it. The leadership of that company is soley to blame. They put 18 year old kids out on the floor all alone everyday and feed them to the wolves. (anyone who has dealt with customers knows what I mean). Notice that the corporate website gives you no real opportunity to talk with anyone other than tier one or 2 employees with your complaint. That company should be boycotted by anyone who has had a bad experience. If not, they will continue to break it off in your tail
I work for Home Depot so my post must be made under an alias. I’ve worked for this company for almost a year, and though it once was said to be the “most coveted” employer, it goes further downhill every year under the misdirection of Bob Nardelli, CEO. He has been described by several store managers in the Atlanta area as: no personality; limp, cold, handshake; completely for number one and to hell with everyone else to the extreme of cutting out bonuses for employees. He sure lines his pockets, though. This has to be the WORST company to work for, and in my year, they have had 4 exoduses. They constantly hire new people because most won’t stay when they find out what this company is really like now under Nardelli. He literally makes MILLIONS annaully, and employess receive an “annual review” of approximately 27 cents an hour on the average. Stocks have plummeted in the last month, sales are down, store hours are still 6 AM until 10 PM with the employees catching the brunt of this. Think twice before you buy more Home Depot stock, as I, for one, am contacting a union to try and see what needs to be done to right Mr. Nardelli’s wrongs. You don’t get good service there now because the turnover is staggering even in comparison to WalMart.
We have always had horrible experiences with Home Depot. I feel that paying more somewhere that can actually help you, answer questions that are relevant to the purchase you are making, is a far better choice than paying a little (and in alot of cases, very little) more is worth it. We ordered…get that…”ordered” roofing for our new roof, we went to pick the materials up, and ‘oops’ they ordered the wrong amount, we didnt even get enough to put the entire roof on….now mind you, we should not have trusted them, but we did, (foolish foolish us) our roof was off and we were out of luck. Fortunately the other guy, little guy, happened to be able to help us, very willingly, politely…so, we were lucky. But, we had to wait for 6 weeks for a refund from HD. WE WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH THEM AGAIN, EVER. I will gladly pay more, i will support the little guy always!!!
I also worked at home depot for 3 years and seen the utter ciaos.. I was fired because they had too many employees and being a newbie in the are I was cut.. I can’t say it was a bad thing even still being unemployed is better then working for HD.. Nobody knows what’s going on, everyone desperately tries to carry out their job but gets constantly told to down stock, this is more important than helping out the customers..
I won’t ever give another penny of my money to this store no matter what, even the fact that they are 5 minutes away from my house, I’ll gladly travel miles to shop elsewhere..
I’d rather pay a Mom & Pop store and build their pockets then the corporate bull crap that runs HD. In 3 years,this is including my after 6 months 50 cents raise, I made under 93 cents raise in total working my arse off for that company for 3 years, only to end up fired along with 20 others because of cut backs..
Take this job and shove it!
ALL FOR THEM MY FRIEND
Home Depot Store 202 was a sewer of intrigue, nepotism, and prejudice until early this year. When the ASM (Asst Storte Mgr), [Redacted] was fired after an on-property incident, where he couldn’t keep his pants on with a young lady, things were headed for a disaster.
[Redacted] is nothing more than a social retard, and an uneducated imbecile.
He presented himself as someone who knew how to do things, and surrounded himself with flunkies and hanger-on. He demonstrated nothing more than intimidation and threats over employees and never chose to seek a choice.
so was #1105
Yuri, while I do generally encourage free expression here, I’m uncomfortable enough with naming names in this context to redact the one you cite in the previous post (I suppose Those Who Know will be able to figure it out from the HD store number, but for most of the public it’s not something they need to hang a name to).
Let’s talk about screwing the consumer. A few weeks back, I went in to purchase some flooring. After speaking in length with the flooring department associate, and being well educated about the application requirements for my upcoming project, the associate assured me that the special order flooring would work in a floating application. So, $2880 later I find this guy was blowing hot air. He had completely mislead me. To make a very long story short, the flooring was purchased the 25th of September, it’s now October 15th and I still don’t have my money refunded! There fault, not mine, except being stupid enough to give them my money. After several follow-up calls to their corporate office, and speaking to the store manager, all I hear is that it takes time to process, and the minimum I should expect to wait is 20 day’s, that’s after you provide proof to them that the check you wrote cleared.
Bottom line……Shop Lowes. They have a maximum waiting period of 15 day’s!
you are right LOWES ALL THE WAY
I have been an employee with home depot for nearly 4 years. Although it does dishearten me to see what is thrown down the dumpster, I do understand much of the reasoning. First of all, the contracts with our vendors have specific instances of how and under what circumstances a refund or credit is issued to the store. If the store is given full credit it is a vendor stipulation that the item be destroyed or it is considered theft. For those items that we do not get refunded, if useable we will reduce the item to the floor. Plumbing items, such as tubs and the like, are destoyed for liability issues, the same is true for certain tools and power equipment (if it canot be repaired). We do recycle our “white goods” such as refridgerators, hot water heaters and many other items. In a perfect world everything sold would be a “green” product. But this world is far from perfect. We do have a large choice in Energy Star appliances, we use a hazardous waste program (to include flourescents).
I will also say that since I have been with the company they have treated me well. I have had a great deal of support from them during a recent serious and life threatening illness, which I have been dealing with for the past 2 years and will continue to deal with for years to come. Granted the pay is not the best (but how many of us really think that we are paid what we are worth) but retail is not known for high pay rates. They also do dislose what the pay is when they hire you on. The benefits are excellent and the holidays that we work are usually due to the fact that many of the other folks that have it off go shopping. As long as I have the “family” holidays off, I am fine with that.
To end this, I am always a little suspect when I hear of people bad mouthing a company after they have been let go.
i have been working at hd for ten years and have been reading some of the vitriol that is thrown hd’s way. its true that there are many problems associated with the operation of such a huge company, i am just an associate there with an extensive knowledge IN ELECTRICAL and plumbing areas. yes smetimes i pull my hair out because it seems from my perspective that sometimes people are asleep at the wheel however generally speaking i enjoy my work. to address a number of issues that have been brought up, we have many women who are manager’s asm’s, actually the canadian head of operations in canada is a women, minority hiring, we have a nice blend of people from all racial backgrounds, with many phillipean, some african canadians, aborigional, and of course a modest majority of people of european descent. the managers i have been in contact with [5-6] at my store, have again generally been good at what they do. as to how management takes care of their employees i feel myself that they have actually been very good to me witin their mandate which is that they are there to make a profit for the shareholders first. i do have a full dental plan, pharmacutical plan [pays 80%] hd does put some money aside for us, its a kind of rrsp and i make 16.00 p. hr. certainy no get rich wage, but then i am only an associate which means i don’t have to take my troubles home with me at night. a few years ago i developed early onset parkinson’s disease and i now have a pronounced tremor on my right side, my store has been very accpmodating of my situation, and has allowed me to wthdraw when the symptoms are to severe for me be serving customers, this has allowed me to keep working. generally speaking, my observation of fellow employees and management in particular has been a positive one, and the people at the top really do try to be as effective as they can be. i have observed many of the problems that have been expressed in these forums, and sometimes there have been real dumb stuff going down, but in my ten years i have also seen a lot of people get what they needed to be able to complete their projects in a timely manner. the only people who i ever saw get fired were people who either weren’t very competent at their position [and of couse competency is related to wages ie if your getting paid more then more is expected of you], yes it would be nice if you went to the electrical department that every employee was a journeyman elecrician but if that were the case you wouldn’t be able to afford the products or the the customers would probably get the info there and go where the prices are cheaper. its a complicated buisness, maintaining all those stores, every store on any given day does from 50000 to 200000 + in sales, that is a lot of interactions each and every day. i personally don’t think it is very helpful to focus on what is wrong exclusively. it causes a person to see the person who is trying to help you as an enemy. a great spiritual teacher once said “that grows strongest what you put your attention on.” so if one puts ones attention on negativity don’t be surprised if you see a lot of it in your life. i feel kind of guilty for not wanting to complain in this forum but life is too short
ted.
i have been working at hd for ten years and have been reading some of the vitriol that is thrown hd’s way. its true that there are many problems associated with the operation of such a huge company, i am just an associate there with an extensive knowledge IN ELECTRICAL and plumbing areas. yes smetimes i pull my hair out because it seems from my perspective that sometimes people are asleep at the wheel however generally speaking i enjoy my work. to address a number of issues that have been brought up, we have many women who are manager’s asm’s, actually the canadian head of operations in canada is a women, minority hiring, we have a nice blend of people from all racial backgrounds, with many phillipean, some african canadians, aborigional, and of course a modest majority of people of european descent. the managers i have been in contact with [5-6] at my store, have again generally been good at what they do. as to how management takes care of their employees i feel myself that they have actually been very good to me witin their mandate which is that they are there to make a profit for the shareholders first. i do have a full dental plan, pharmacutical plan [pays 80%] hd does put some money aside for us, its a kind of rrsp and i make 16.00 p. hr. certainy no get rich wage, but then i am only an associate which means i don’t have to take my troubles home with me at night. a few years ago i developed early onset parkinson’s disease and i now have a pronounced tremor on my right side, my store has been very accpmodating of my situation, and has allowed me to wthdraw when the symptoms are to severe for me be serving customers, this has allowed me to keep working. generally speaking, my observation of fellow employees and management in particular has been a positive one, and the people at the top really do try to be as effective as they can be. i have observed many of the problems that have been expressed in these forums, and sometimes there have been real dumb stuff going down, but in my ten years i have also seen a lot of people get what they needed to be able to complete their projects in a timely manner. the only people who i ever saw get fired were people who either weren’t very competent at their position [and of couse competency is related to wages ie if your getting paid more then more is expected of you], yes it would be nice if you went to the electrical department that every employee was a journeyman elecrician but if that were the case you wouldn’t be able to afford the products or the the customers would probably get the info there and go where the prices are cheaper. its a complicated buisness, maintaining all those stores, every store on any given day does from 50000 to 200000 + in sales, that is a lot of interactions each and every day. i personally don’t think it is very helpful to focus on what is wrong exclusively. it causes a person to see the person who is trying to help you as an enemy. a great spiritual teacher once said “that grows strongest what you put your attention on.” so if one puts ones attention on negativity don’t be surprised if you see a lot of it in your life. i feel kind of guilty for not wanting to complain in this forum but life is too short
ted.
I worked at a HD in Maryland from March 2003 through May 2006 when I left to take a position at another company. The biggest beef I had with HD was the “great benefits” that they promote. The biggest joke is the “tuition reimbersement plan”. As a full time employee you must be “fully flexible” concerning your work hours, ie.. availble anytime, any days, weekends, etc. If you are part-time you can tell the company what hours you are available to work. So, basically, if you want to go to school, you have to go part-time so that you can get the hours needed to accomidate your class schedule. However, to be eligible for the “tuition reimbersement plan” you must be a full time employee! The system is set up so that no one can take advantage of it! I constantly received praise from my supervisors, ASM’s, and SM for my work as a Special Services Associate, gaining the reputiation as the “go-to-guy”. I earned my first merit badge my VERY FIRST day on the job. I then recieved Special Services Associate of the month the third month I was with the company. After less than a year with the company I was tapped to teach Special Services/Special Orders in new employee orientation. Other stores would call me concerning correcting errors in special orders, book-keeping errors, etc.. Their appreciation was reflected in the two evaluations that I was there for, the first resulting in a 25 cent per hour raise and the second evaluation when I received a 12 cent per hour raise. Bob Nardelli drove the company, the stock, and employee morale straight into the ground. The year I got a 12 cent raise, Bob Nardelli took home $23 million IN BONUSES ALONE and then left with a $210 million dollar severence package. Now, the only time I set foot in any HD is to visit old friends. I go to my local Lowe’s where the staff seem to be more knowledgeable and the store looks “grand opening ready” every visit.
I am a current employee at home depot. I wanted to let everyone know the messed up things that go on in my A-up store. They say they are here for the customer (cust), when I was an order puller I was told by my boss that I was not allowed to help any customers, I would go against what they would tell me to do, get more done than anyone else and still get yelled at. I Switched departments shortly after, now I am a millworks specialist. I know alot when it comes to my department. Altho I have never done any of the installs that are a part of my department, they set me and my fellow millworks associates to run a clinic on how to install a storm door, or how to install a entry door. I tell them that I have no knowledge on the subject and they still make me talk to customers. I had one clinic that they did not tell me I was running and did not give me any information on it, and then I was written up for abandoning my clinic. The clinic captian who tells people who is doing the clinics told me that they rotate the person each week. altho in a 6 week period I am teaching 5 different clinics. They are stupid to think that I am capable of giving expert knowledge on these subjects. If I can leave any message for anyone that wants to read this. Parr Lumber can get everything we can at the same price, There are windows shops all over the place that do the same thing as we do, Platt electric as 5 times more selection then us. What ever you do, go somewhere else all they think about is money, if I had another job that paid me $12 an hour and knew I was going to iraq in may and didn’t care, I would leave in a heartbeat I have yet to find a happy worker at my store, we all are working just because rent is always due. Home Depot sux balls and needs to have people, who actually know how to run a business, take over and do a little something for their associates. And yes I am doing this on the clock at work, I don’t know about languague on here, so Home Depot can go to hell, Kiss my a$$, eat shit and die
I am a current employee at home depot. I wanted to let everyone know the messed up things that go on in my A-up store. They say they are here for the customer (cust), when I was an order puller I was told by my boss that I was not allowed to help any customers, I would go against what they would tell me to do, get more done than anyone else and still get yelled at. I Switched departments shortly after, now I am a millworks specialist. I know alot when it comes to my department. Altho I have never done any of the installs that are a part of my department, they set me and my fellow millworks associates to run a clinic on how to install a storm door, or how to install a entry door. I tell them that I have no knowledge on the subject and they still make me talk to customers. I had one clinic that they did not tell me I was running and did not give me any information on it, and then I was written up for abandoning my clinic. The clinic captian who tells people who is doing the clinics told me that they rotate the person each week. altho in a 6 week period I am teaching 5 different clinics. They are stupid to think that I am capable of giving expert knowledge on these subjects. If I can leave any message for anyone that wants to read this. Parr Lumber can get everything we can at the same price, There are windows shops all over the place that do the same thing as we do, Platt electric as 5 times more selection then us. What ever you do, go somewhere else all they think about is money, if I had another job that paid me $12 an hour and knew I was going to iraq in may and didn’t care, I would leave in a heartbeat I have yet to find a happy worker at my store, we all are working just because rent is always due. Home Depot sux balls and needs to have people, who actually know how to run a business, take over and do a little something for their associates. And yes I am doing this on the clock at work, I don’t know about languague on here, so Home Depot can go to hell, Kiss my a$$, eat shit and die
As another data point, my recent interaction with the local Home Depot went smoothly and I didn’t have any problems. I ordered a washer and a dryer and had them installed. The installers brought the washer and dryer with them, they were polite, quick, and competent, and everything appears to work correctly.
Cool.
although this is an old site, i must bring you guys to light on some issues.i worked for depot for 13 yrs now and i seen many of the things you are describing. at one time we were an unsafe store and i must say in 2009 we have reduced accidents by over 50%. there are many things to drive you crazy at home depot.Bob nardelli screwed everything up and the new CEO is going back to basics. the employees who have been there for a longtime really do care, the one who got fired cause of last one in was prob fired cause they suck. the guy going to school just had to tell hr that he was going to school and give them a schedule and they were exempt from full flex..too many times people do not take the time to ask the right questions ro the right people.the lengths the company has gone to provide customer service will definately show improved satisfaction..the programs we have recently put in place re join the old values of the original founders of the comapny.i have seen some horror stories, but mainly thats when someone is usually looking for a fight before the purchase. we are the best retailer in the home improvement industry and if you dont believeme prove me wrong.
I agree that Home Depot sucks in the customer service department. We had them put up a simple garden shed for us. The subcontractor they hired showed up late (10-11 A.M.) and left early (2-3 P.M.) or didn’t show up at all. When his electric tools broke down, he tried to leave saying he didn’t have any back ups so my husband had to lend him his tools. It took these guys three days to put up a simple garden shed and they did a really crappy job. We went to see the manager of our local Home Depot face to face to complain. She simply looked annoyed, crossed her arms over her chest and told us that HD had too many subcontractors to possibly keep track of the ones they sent to our home and that there was nothing she could do about it. We are now faithful Lowes customers.
Took me 4 hours to book 2,000 worth of carpeting. Had to sign 12 pages, all telling me HD was not responsible for basically anything. The installer was o.k., but left staples all over the carpet, 2 which lodged into my bare feet, the next day. Called the store, never got a return call.
Their prices were the best in town for this carpet, but it took 2 months wait, and several calls before it got installed.
My sanity, and time is worth more than their prices.
30 employees in the store, to wait on 20 customers.
Their name should be change to: “Thats not my department”.
Good bye forever HD – will give my money to the local stores that appreciate my business.
Im a college student who gets jobs here and there and just recently successfully bidded a landscaping job. I need a pole saw to get to some branches and looked around and found out a good gas one is $300-$600 new. I called my local HD and after playing the phone tag game got to the rental department, found out i can rent it for one day $42. I just hope it all works out. ps i know how to use it
I WAS FIRED FROM HOME DEPOT AFTER 7 1/2 YRS WITH ENOUGH AWARDS TO WALLPAPER MY HOUSE. I WAS FIRED FOR PICKING UP 2 TOMATO PLANTS ON A SUNDAY MORNING TO SET ASIDE TO BUY AFTER MY SHIFT . I WAS FIRED FOR SHOPPING ON THE CLOCK,ALTHOUGH I HAVE SEEN MGRS,ASST MGRS HAVE KITCHENS DESIGNED AND CARPETING QUOTES AND ON AND ON BUT THATS OK!! WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE PLANTS I WAS TOLD TO PUT THEM BACK WHICH I DID !! AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD NOT ! WHEN I SAID TO LOOK AT THE CAMERAS YOU WOULD SEE ME DOING SO! BUT THEY DECIDED THAT I WAS A LIAR AND REFUSED TO DO SO.AND WAS FIRED! THEY MAKE UP RULES EVERY DAY IT SEEMS, TO FIT THEIR NEEDS OR WANTS. I WISH THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THAT BUT NO WAY! I EVEN HAD AN ASST MGR SHOW UP DRUNK ON A SUNDAY WITHOUT KEYS TO LET US IN THE STORE WE HAD TO FORCE OPEN THE DOORS WITH HIS PERMISSION WHILE HE SLEPT IT OFF IN THE OFFICE.YOU ARE TREATED LIKE A CHILD , ASST MGRS ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK THE FLOOR AS WELL BUT GOOD LUCK WITH THAT ALL THEY DO IS POINT AND WHISTLE NO HANDS ON THERE EVEN WITH CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS MY MGRS WOULD INSIST I HANDLE IT CAUSE THEY WERE BUSY(NOT).. JUST A BUNCH OF BUCK PASSERS I MCOULD GO ON AND ON WITH MANY MANY STORIES BUT LIKE I SAID BEFORE WHATS THE USE!!!
THIS IS A COMPANY AT ONE TIME WAS A GOOD PLACE TO WORK BUT THAT HAS GONE BY THE WAYSIDE. ALL CORPORATE GREED! WITH PLANS TO HAVE ALMOST ALL PART TIME ASSOCIATES CAN YOU GUESS WHY? IF ANY COMPANY SHOULD BE LOOKED AT FOR THEIR POLICIES AND ETHICS THIS WOULD BE IT! 100% NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. PS THEY ALSO FIRED FAITHFUL HR MGRS OVER 2000 IN ALL OVER THE PHONE, NO WARNING NO HEADS UP NOTHING!!! WHAT A PLACE!! I WILL NEVER EVER GO THERE AGAIN AND MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY AGREE!
I am keeping my name anonymous because I am currently an HD employee. I have been working there for a year as a late night freight associate. I absolutely loved it at first. It was a nice and easy job. All of the people I work with are awesome, great people. But things are slowly going downhill. I will list the issues I have in the order they have occurred thus far: When I was hired in, our store had the “pack-out” team working from 8PM to 12PM, Monday-Friday. I was fine with that. That is what I signed up for. That is what I was told. After a few months of me working at this location, Our freight supervisor switched to another shift, so they hired a department head from another department of our store to handle that position. I must say that the person they hired in is horrible at this position. I don’t know how he ever became DH in the first place! And I’ve heard from other employee’s that this person was always hard to work with. This person makes everything complicated most of the time. We use to be out of the store by 12Am, maybe no later that 12:05, but we would get stuck leaving at like 12:30AM or later because he wouldn’t start having us clean up receiving until it was time to go…AT MIDNIGHT! It started to get frustrating. About 2 months ago, he had announced to us that our shift would be 8PM – 1AM so we can get more done. Ok, that’s understandable. We should be out by 1. WRONG! It’s still the same thing! We get stuck leaving after 1 because of clean-up and what not! What the heck?! Come on! Now a lot of us are starting to get a little pissed at this situation. The real kicker just occurred this past week. We had a meeting when we first came in. It consisted of us freight guys, some of the other garden employees, and the assistant mangers plus our new store manager. Apparently, we weren’t doing a good enough job making sure everything in our overheads were “tagged” and “SKUed” if the home was full and we weren’t getting enough done. Note that there is a 4AM-8AM team that comes in to stock as well, so they finish what we don’t. The best part of this meeting was the very end…starting on that very day we were not to leave the store until EVERYTHING is absolutely put away and everything is clean! And if all the freight was done, we were to help another department if there was work to be done in that area! Not even a warning or a day’s notice! We have been leaving at around 5AM every night! That is not what I signed up for! I can’t complain about making more money because it does help, but I don’t like working all damn night! Can they even legally do that? They said they can, but how come the actual schedule in the break room has us all scheduled from 8PM -12AM? Some of us think this in violation of labor laws or something, but this is ridiculous! They should hire more people or something! I know it’s spring and we are getting busy now, but they have been hiring and we have new people, but we need more. If anybody reads this and knows how this works, can they just spring these types of hours up on us at last minute if we were scheduled from 8-12? Please reply if you can.
Not to mention some of the people I work with in my crew have turned into immature A-holes that get away with not doing anything all night because they are “buddy-buddy” with each other.
Thank you for your time!
If you encourage free speech, than you must be very well aware that this person, whose name you have redacted, is nothing more than a moral vagrant
I have had numerous bad experiences with Home Depot and their financing department. I’ll start with the most recent since it is still fresh in my mind: A month ago I decided to purchase a water softener. I went into the store and asked for help. After waiting for 15 minutes, a man was walking by and the front clerk said, “Hey Frank can you help him out?” I told him I wanted a water softener installed and he said I had to call the number. I said “Okay” he just point up at a sign so I left frustrated. I decided to go ahead and purchase the water softener via internet. When it arrived I called the installation line and the lady asked where I bought the unit. I said “Home Depot” she says they don’t do installations if I bought it there. I was floored! I said, “You mean to tell me if I buy it somewhere else you’ll install it but if I buy it at your store, you wont?!?!” Yep its true. I couldn’t find anyone to install it so I sent it back.
A year ago I had wood floors installed (that was a nightmare, but it was the subcontractor not Home Depot’s fault). I charged it on my Home Depot card because I had a $5000 limit. Within six months my limit was lowered to $650. I asked why and they said I had some late payments on my credit report. I was so angry because I told them, “I haven’t had any late payments for three years but your credit department already knew about those when they gave me credit!” They made up some other lame excuses and finally a few days later they just closed my account. I told them I KNEW the reason was because I paid off my $2000 balance within 18 months and they got $0 fee or interest from me. THAT was the REAL reason I was being punished. Because I paid my bills on time!?!
Although I have a new account with a $5000 limit I will pay this off in a few days, close this account and NEVER return!
HOME DEPOT has a lot to learn about customer service from Lowes!
Home Depot considers Employees as animals. One CEO would say: “We need anybody with a brain in their head [who] is motivated. We need them, desperately. I don’t care if they have four legs.” One black female mgr at Home Depot in braselton Ga was recently told “we want you to Quit” for no reason at all. Shame on you, Home Depot”
Perception and Greed lead Home Depot’s actions.
Watch and share this short video: http://youtu.be/MOU_pT08ios people need to know,
Malcolm Rennie
so assembling grill for delivery in tool rental.hard to finish when other duties call,got trash all over tool rental so i clean up the big cardboard stuff.moving along go to finish grill darn knob missing.go to coppactor see if i can see it.so i jump up and kneel reached in as far as could move a bag hoping i find part.yes shoulders in,not like i was climbing in to unblock jam or anything,anyway part not seen hop down wouldnt you know asm right behind me.maybe not acceptable but no written warning TERMINATION ? 6 yrs 1 minor seatbelt violation employee of month 5 times workin on fifty plus homer awards…go figure……WTF
I don’t know what the safety/termination policy for HD is, Malcolm, but that sounds like a horrible accident waiting to happen. Termination sounds a bit much, though.
Welcome to the real world. Dont you know that we are going to a world wide
Economy…3 bowls of rice a day. The middle class will soon be destroyed .
The 3 main goals of Communism 1. Take away right of ownership from everyone
Keep the wages below the livable minimum.and the Gas prices high.
2. Destroy all Religions (make your workers work on Sunday and move their
hours. around,.to destroy the family. too. 3.Destroy their right to assemble.
that means get rid of the unions and fair wages….they dont want you bitching.
@Richard – While there do seem to be forces in the country that would love to see the middle class destroyed, remove ownership from all but some, keep wages low and prices high, do away with work week limits, and get rid of unions and fair wages, they’ve never struck me as Communist — indeed, they seem to be anything but (save in their authoritarian bent).
What do you expect from Home Depot? They do not care. watch this short video:
http://youtu.be/MOU_pT08ios and share it
Home Depot would make their executives lie under oath to try to win a case.
Many of them including stock holders are getting blood diseases for drinking people’s blood. Keep the pressure up.
I’ve been at HD for 4 years. It’s a total mess. Things are always breaking down. Rules are always changing. And… some customers rob the store blind. Even if we see someone put something down their pants, we can’t say anything to them, because we’d be accusing them of stealing. Only if LP is there, we can call them. People bring stuff back yrs old and want a full refund. As far as certain hours of the day, they don’t let us do pack down. It’s all “customer service”. And I know, there are not enough ppl in a dept. to help everyone. They also switch ppl around in a dept., even if they know NOTHING about that dept. Stupid. I had studied and did all my tests, blah blah blah for a dept. Then wa-la, the manger (16 yrs) gets fired. (When u get down to it, she got paid too much, and they could bring in someone (who knew NOTHING) at a lower pay rate) So we get a new dept. manager also who seems to like boys. So he puts in a teenager, who has no training and knows nothing about the dept, over me. So he’s always sending ppl my way or asking me questions. Pfft~ figure it out nimrod. It’s all about whos ass you kiss and etc. I do my job great, and am NOT kissin anyones ass. Plus, I have a name, and it’s not, hey You, or hey garden girl. I know your name, and address you as such, u do the same retard. Pisses me off. After a year of great reviews, badges, etc, I 10 cent raise is all I get. And I’ll be damned if I let a rude ass customer stand there and yell at me because she knows she can get away with it. I left there, and am MUCH happier!
I was recently let go by the Home Depot I was there for seven years and unfortunate they could not give a reason why I was let go , they just said it was better if we part ways and they walked me out of the store . The same thing happen to one of my coworkers I don’t think the company is that bad is the people running it specially the district people is so horrible if they don’t like you , you are doom and your career is pretty much over I was in charged of one of the most profitable stores Home Depot has and that didn’t matter to them if your not part of the good all boy club you are stupid . Over all the company is great it gives back to the associates and has several programs that the associates can utilize when they need help I really believe in what the company preach about giving back.
Waited in the hardware section again for over 30 minutes. Still no help. The Lancaster, Texas store was opened several years ago. When first opened service was very very poor & understaffed. It got better for awhile, not long though. It’s again understaffed, only registers were self check out, as usual. We need to fire & do away with corporate America totally. Mom& Pops at least served the customer. If they didn’t have it, they’d get it. Home Depot just says it don’t look like we have that, see ya. Corporate America sucks. Just a number @ a necessary evil because they killed Main Street America. Oh yeah by the way Main Street America is what built this country. NOT HOME DEPOT
I have worked for Home Depot for 11 years now and I must say that everyone must start somewhere we have millions of items we sell and its impossible to know everything about all of them. There is also consistent changes to layout and product availability so we also have to try to keep up with that. I must say for this situation which this guy said they must be knew at least they tried to make him happy and corrected the problem. Of course its never said that some customers are just jerks or have a bad day and just dump on us because we wear an apron. Im sorry nobody likes to spend money but you can not get something for nothing. Customers first is our priority and is drilled into us from day one. From what ive read this was a training issue not a service issue we are human and everyone makes mistakes and has to learn from somthing.