The Home Depot

I have preferred the Home Depot for home needs but today ended my relationship with the Home Depot after my bad experience at the appliance department the store clerk made me feel like I’m the enemy when I tried to order an appliance. Sometimes businesses forget that they have competition and I can go many other places that will be glad to take my money without giving me a hard time
Several years ago I had a water heater installed by the Home Depot but at the time I did not know that they were going to use a contractor I thought the Home Depot would back up their installation work the people that installed the hot water heater were hillbillies that did a hillbilly job installing it. A day after they install the tank it was leaking all over the floor I called Home Depot and was told that I had to follow up on my own they had nothing to do with the installation because they were contractors not Home Depot employees so I swore that I probably would never buy anything that had to be installed from the Home Depot again and today’s attempt to order an appliance made me certain that I won’t shop at the Home Depot again.

I went in looking to do a project at home and the staff was friendly and very knowledgeable. I ended up getting just what I needed and my project turned out wonderfully.

Ever have one of those weeks when everything goes bad? This was one of those weeks.. the snow blower, the sump pump, AND the hot water tank had issues. Sigh.
Can someone please tell me why I’m not living in a mansion in Hawaii with a maintenance staff??? Oh yeah.. I didn’t win the lottery.
So we went to Home Depot to get supplies for the water backup system for the sump pump. Hubby had a long list of items. Luckily Ned was in the plumbing aisle and was able to help us find all the parts quickly. He was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Docking one star because no matter what time or what day you go there, there are only two registers open.

I have bought stuff from online and picked it up at the online ordering desk. The employee at the online desk has always been super friendly and helpful. Last time I actually got free candy!!! They really do their best to make the customer happy.
Also whenever I need questions I’ve had employees that have tried really hard to help me with my problems. Great customer service!

Great service at this Home Depot throughout the store, even loaded it in the car and helped us decide which one. Thank you Home Depot, your competitor
Didn’t even say hello!!!

I needed some supplies/​materials for a small project.
Mike was very available in hardware to guide/​assist me on a screw selection.
Ive always used phillips with a phillips bit in my drill
BUT I’ve stripped more than I care to count. Mike suggested a torque #6 screw & bit
or
A square headed screw & bit.
I took his advice and while assembling my project yesterday, I had NONE STRIP
+
The ability to back screws out, while never sacrificing any wood or screws.
Fast forward to yesterday.
I had leftover supplies/​materials to return, RITA was so kind & efficient making the refund/​return seamless!
note:
Home Depot On Line
We needed to purchase a washer & dryer
so we did the searches & legwork
We purchased 2 nice units at Home Depot On Line
saved $ 90 per unit
+ buying on line comes with FREE DELIVERY vs the $ 50 per item in store purchase
also a 5 year+ warranty for $ 96 per unit.
no co-​pays
no deductibles.

I ordered a Samsung SMH1622S OTR microwave on 11/​18/​2013. I opted to pay the $ 59 for installation services provided by Home Depot. The scheduled and actual delivery date was 12/​04/​2013.
On 12/​04/​2013, the two gentleman arrived to install the microwave. I was not home during installation and my husband was busy getting our kids ready for school that morning when they installed it. It was unseasonably warm in MI that day. They seemingly installed it without a hitch, other than having some issues lining it up with the existing outside venting and the two holes through the cabinets (they needed to drill two new holes because the existing holes didn’t line up with the microwave). They left and we were satisfied with the product at that moment. Exactly three days later (12/​01/​2013), the temperature in MI dropped significantly and we noticed a strong draft coming from under the microwave. The microwave unit itself was also extremely cold, practically an ice box. In addition, it started making a weird noise when we used it — louder than before. After doing some online research, I realized that the installers might not have installed the damper assembly or did it incorrectly. At this point, I realized that the microwave’s performance had been compromised due to the temperature. My husband immediately called the local Home Depot that processed my order (Utica #2708) and explained what happened and told them we want a refund. He was told the item is nonrefundable and to contact the manufacturer directly. He was speaking with the Assistant Manager, Paul. Paul was very eager to get my husband off the phone. My husband told Paul that this was an unfair response and continued to pursue his case for refund. Finally, Paul agreed but stated we would be charged a 15% restocking fee and would not be refunded for the installation services. After some more back and forth, Paul agreed to drop the restocking fee but still refused to refund the installation fee. We returned the microwave in the store that day and Paul was nowhere to be found — I suppose he didn’t want to face us after the phone encounter he had with my husband.
Bottom line is that I will NEVER shop at Home Depot again. We have spent thousands of dollars at Home Depot in the past and I am boycotting them forever more. They do not treat customers fairly and their refund policy is ridiculous — Home Depot does not deserve my hard-​earned money.