76 replies to this topic

[ducky]

Ngilbert, you told your story well. Anyone who is a do-it-yourselfer can totally relate.

This may be a little off topic, but how does everyone feel about places like Home Depot and their self-checkouts? I like it if it keeps me out of a long line, but why don't I get a discount for scanning items myself?

One other bit of advice, if you buy spray paint you'll get held up at the self-check because they need to see your ID. I decided it was flattering to be asked for ID even if it was a built-in computer program prompt.

[camay2327]

I do not like the self check out....

[DrKoz23]

Husband and I are both former OSH employees, OSH really does care about customer service.

They care about customer service... because there is approximately 3 people in the store at any one time. You were probably excited to see people walk in the door... whereas Home Depot employees would be just as excited if everyone would leave!

I have noticed that the people at OSH will actually walk you to the item/aisle you are looking for... whereas Home Depot employees will just take an "educated guess" where to direct you. That is if you can find someone to help!

[DrKoz23]

I do not like the self check out....

I love the self-checkout... after being a former checker at a grocery store in my teenage years! It beats standing in the regular line... since I am faster than any of those checkers.

[Farley]

So I'm in Home Depot a month or two ago. I want to plant some pennyroyal in front of my house. For those of you who don't know, it is a member of the mint family, spreads quickly, smells nice, and puts out bluish purplish little flowers. Nice plant to hang or use as ground cover.

I bought some at either Lowe's or Home Depot. Didn't remember which. Went to Lowe's, they said they didn't have any. Went to Home Depot. Found 3 young employees chatting in the garden department. I approached and said, "Excuse me" (one of the 3 took off). I asked the remaining two if they had any pennyroyal. "Any what?" one of the girls asked. The one who knew better than to respond took off in another direction.

"Pennyroyal. It's in the mint family."

"What's it called?"

"Penny ROYAL"

She goes and tracks down the department expert. They speak, look over at me, speak again. She comes back and says, "He's never heard of it", and backs away.

Did you ask for "mint"? LOL
I doubt they have that either.
For anything specailized we always go to Capital Nursery.....Bushnells is great for browsing.
We have the plant you just described. It smells wonderful, and though it dies back in winnter it comes back profusely in spring.

[Farley]

One time I was at Lowe's shopping for bulbs. The guy in the garden dept. said they would not have any until spring. Duh!! the bulbs bloom in spring, but are planted in the fall. Bulbs bloom early like in March and April.

[ngilbert]

They care about customer service... because there is approximately 3 people in the store at any one time.  You were probably excited to see people walk in the door... whereas Home Depot employees would be just as excited if everyone would leave!

I have noticed that the people at OSH will actually walk you to the item/aisle you are looking for... whereas Home Depot employees will just take an "educated guess" where to direct you.  That is if you can find someone to help!

Yeah - OSH is good. You never get that "it's not my department" crap.

My favorite hardware store (free plug) is Emigh hardware on El Camino and Watt. It's an Ace store that's been around forever. The people working there are usually old-timers and are, get this, educated about the products. You can walk up, describe what you're looking for, they'll find it and even tell you to bring it back if it's not right. If it isn't their deparment they introduce you to someone who can help you and tell the other person what you're looking for so you don't have to describe it again. And the beauty part is they don't block off entire aisles during business hours for the forklift so you have to play Pac Man finding a clear aisle to get from point A to point B (c'mon people - if you're bringing stuff from behind the store to in front of the store, go around the building).

[ngilbert]

Ngilbert, you told your story well.  Anyone who is a do-it-yourselfer can totally relate.

This may be a little off topic, but how does everyone feel about places like Home Depot and their self-checkouts?  I like it if it keeps me out of a long line, but why don't I get a discount for scanning items myself?

One other bit of advice, if you buy spray paint you'll get held up at the self-check because they need to see your ID.  I decided it was flattering to be asked for ID even if it was a built-in computer program prompt.

I don't use the self check unless I have just one or two things and the regular line is busy.

I've never been carded by the self-checker. Maybe one of these Halloweens I'll try to buy just razorblades and apples and see if the computer blows up

[Cloud9]

I do not like the self check out....

They're catching on like wildfire. Walmart is a recent convert.

[bishmasterb]

I love the self-checkout! Usually no line.

And after being through it a few times, I think I might just be faster than the union clerk who does it 8 hours a day!

[mylo]

Self checkout usually has more people in line than the regular lines.

"Item has been removed from bagging area" "Place item is bagging area" "Unauthorized item in bagging area".

I'm buying frickin' light bulbs! 1 f-ing pack of them! STFU and charge me for them so I can leave!! !@%!#%!#^!#

This usually happens to half the customers I've seen use self-checkout. So, if someone's in front of you, you've got a good chance you're not leaving anytime soon.

If they're empty, your odds are about 50/50 that you'll get through the system glitch-free. Usually it ends up the cashier standing there has to manually authorize your gear anyway, and since she's already helping the idiot next door trying to swipe his new microwave through the self-checkout you're unlikely to get her attention either.

I hate those frickin' things. All they are is a ploy to get everything RFID tagged, so you can just walk through the gate and be charged indirectly for everything you walk out with. Then, of course, the tags will stay and the fed's will forever know where your boxcutter ended up, but that's all in the name of protecting the fathe..homeland!

I hate self checkouts. Let's go back to using cash and personal service with a smile!

[Farley]

I agree mylo. I am a very social person and really enjoy the give and take with a live check out person.

Furthermore, I am technology challenged, and have often witnessed what you describe. Many people have to have assistance using the self-check out.

Will there be a day when there is a self-return counter also?

[randb]

Yeah - OSH is good. You never get that "it's not my department" crap.

My favorite hardware store (free plug) is Emigh hardware on El Camino and Watt. It's an Ace store that's been around forever. The people working there are usually old-timers and are, get this, educated about the products. You can walk up, describe what you're looking for, they'll find it and even tell you to bring it back if it's not right. If it isn't their deparment they introduce you to someone who can help you and tell the other person what you're looking for so you don't have to describe it again. And the beauty part is they don't block off entire aisles during business hours for the forklift so you have to play Pac Man finding a clear aisle to get from point A to point B (c'mon people - if you're bringing stuff from behind the store to in front of the store, go around the building).

I did not think people would travel that far, but yes I agree they are the best hardware store anywhere.