21 replies to this topic

[4thgenFolsomite]

We just don't want to give up on OSH and it has been suggested that if people email OSH headquarters, they may stay in Folsom.  Maybe not in that building, but still in town.  Lots of friends (and myself) have now emailed them asking them to stay here.  If you are so inclined, pop them an email at feedback@osh.com.  Maybe we can get them to stay!

[slowthegrowth]

Yes! Please please help. There are many employees there that have worked there faithfully serving Folsom for 15+ years.
Thru the sale of the company to Sears...then Lowes. The closest Osh is off Laguna in Elk Grove so pretty much everyone will get laid off...and soon!
DON'T LET ANOTHER FOLSOM FAVORITE CLOSE!

[bordercolliefan]

Do we know any information that supports the idea that public support might keep the store open? I mean, are they closing all the OSH stores (in which case they are unlikely to keep one open in Folsom), or are they picking and choosing which ones to close and if so, is the problem that our store is not very profitable?

It always seems busy. I, too, prefer OSH to the big box stores for hardware and garden items.

[AMETHYST PRODUCTIVITY]

I was in OSH yesterday and am so disappointed that they will be closing our store! 

Going to Lowe's is such a project. 

[2 Aces]

Closing a store isn't a hasty decision. I'm sure they had kicked it around for a while. Probably using the same forecast as other large employers in the country...and that forecast is "recessionary conditions will persist, at best...and may indeed get worse going forward". Only the well-performing stores get to remain open.

But I sent OSH an email anyway.

[4thgenFolsomite]

my understanding is that corporate is only closing certain stores, not all of them.  I have also heard a rumor they are considering other locations in Folsom (maybe they don't like being right across the street from Lowes), so let's give them a reason to seriously consider staying in town!

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Folks,  the best way to keep a particular store in the town is to shop there.  They have to generate enough revenue to justify their existence.  Being across the street from Lowes (their owner) doesn't help.  OSH is consistently more expensive than Lowes, and people only have to cross the street to get a better price.  The OSH model is "give better customer service, pay a higher price".  The Lowes model is "give no customer service, pay a lower price".  And it works.  The demise of OSH was inevitable.  Their best bet is to move south of hwy 50, WHEN that area gets developed, 3-5 years from now.       

[4thgenFolsomite]

Folks,  the best way to keep a particular store in the town is to shop there.  They have to generate enough revenue to justify their existence.  Being across the street from Lowes (their owner) doesn't help.  OSH is consistently more expensive than Lowes, and people only have to cross the street to get a better price.  The OSH model is "give better customer service, pay a higher price".  The Lowes model is "give no customer service, pay a lower price".  And it works.  The demise of OSH was inevitable.  Their best bet is to move south of hwy 50, WHEN that area gets developed, 3-5 years from now.       

all true....except I am hearing it is possible that corporate will listen if there is enough demand.  I think lots of people in Folsom, myself included, don't mind paying a little more for the convenience of shopping at OSH instead of the giant box.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

The Lowes model is "give no customer service, pay a lower price". 

 

We always have good customer service at Lowe's.

[4thgenFolsomite]

 

We always have good customer service at Lowe's.

I always have to search for it there.  OSH greets me at the door and gets someone to help me.  saves me a lot of time.

[ducky]

Folks,  the best way to keep a particular store in the town is to shop there.  They have to generate enough revenue to justify their existence.  Being across the street from Lowes (their owner) doesn't help.  OSH is consistently more expensive than Lowes, and people only have to cross the street to get a better price.  The OSH model is "give better customer service, pay a higher price".  The Lowes model is "give no customer service, pay a lower price".  And it works.  The demise of OSH was inevitable.  Their best bet is to move south of hwy 50, WHEN that area gets developed, 3-5 years from now.       

 

I have to disagree.  OSH has been across the street from Lowe's for quite a long time before Lowe's bought OSH and it did fine.

For me, it's more about selection and service.  It's not that I loathe Lowe's, but it does save time when there is someone that can answer your question seconds after you walk in the door.  I was just in Lowe's looking for something this week and walked up and down the same two aisles five times and was never asked once if I needed help.  Other times, I get friendly help immediately.  So it's hit and miss; whereas at OSH it's service immediately without fail.

 

Some things at Lowe's are a better price, but not always.  For example, if you need a lot of 1/2 gph drip emitters and go to Lowe's all you can find are packs of 10 for $6.18.  I can go to OSH and get a pack of 25 for $9.99.

When I needed to replace an outdoor faucet, all Lowe's had in the style I wanted was one with a blue handle.  Didn't want a blue handle.  Went over to OSH and they had a better selection and the faucets seemed to be better quality.

 

Take this with a grain of salt, but I heard from an employee that they had to vacate because the property changed hands and not that the closure had anything to do with how well the store was doing financially..

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

I always have to search for it there.  OSH greets me at the door and gets someone to help me.  saves me a lot of time.

Not being greeted at the door is a far stretch from "give no customer service." I think that statement was an unfair characterization.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Here's the difference between OSH and Lowes.  Walk into OSH, someone is standing near the door and asks if you need help, and if you say "yes", they actually know where the items are in the store.  Walk into Lowes and you're on your own.  If you need help, you have to chase down someone there, and if it's at dinner time, there are no employees around.  When you finally do manage to catch someone at Lowes and ask for something, most of the time they send you on a wild goose chase.  "Oh, it's over on aisle 7"  When you get to aisle 7, what you're looking for is nowhere in sight.  So you ask someone there and they tell you, "Oh, go to aisle 31".   The other problem with Lowes - They always seem to have some shark salesman near the entrance trying to get you to sign up for solar.  But if you need a 2/56 x 1" pan-head bolt,  THEY DON'T CARRY IT.  And when you ask the employee for one, he has no clue what you're talking about.   Very frustrating. 

[4thgenFolsomite]

Not being greeted at the door is a far stretch from "give no customer service." I think that statement was an unfair characterization.

Deb, see what grumpyoldguy said. He nailed it. That is my experience too.

[Steve Heard]

In my experience, you can have the same experience at Lowe's or OSH. I think OSH employees may be more likely to initiate a conversation, but not always. I've been in there before, wandering and looking for something, with no offers of help and no employees in the vicinity to ask for it. Same as Lowe's. 

 

I was looking for a patio set recently, and was pretty shocked at OSH prices. The employee I spoke to said that they focus on quality, while Lowes focuses on price. 

 

By the way, did y'all know that Lowe's owns OSH?

 

Yep, it's true.

 

Also, I don't know if it's a done deal, but Sprouts is supposed to be opening in the OSH spot, so I don't know if it can be saved.