In-Wall 180 Project

[Morgandy]

I've been reading the HD posts to my husband last night and tonight to show he's not alone... he would SQUASH them under his army boots if he could, and finish it off with a bayonet I think...I've told him for years to stop bothering going there, even though it's just a mile away. He/we always leave there and drive further to Lowe's for the simplest things. He gets kind of postal if he has to deal with HD and their staff. (sorry if anyone reading works for them).

But, it must s$#&*#*ck being held up on this utmost of priority tasks you're undertaking cuz of them..

 

[Ehydo]

I've told him for years to stop bothering going there, even though it's just a mile away.

Here is the deal between Home Depot and Lowes. Home Depot is the place you go if you know what you need and need it now. Lowes is the place you go to if you kinda have an idea of what you need and can wait. At Home Depot you can get it today for less and at Lowes you can special order it and get it in a week or two and pay more.

True DIYers and contracters go to HD and everyone else goes to Lowes. I do not think that one is really worse than the other. I shop at both but if I need an obscure part or electrical item I go to HD because lowes will just have to order it.

 

[jarhed]

One huge difference you forgot Hydo, Customer Service.

 

[Ehydo]

One huge difference you forgot Hydo, Customer Service.

I have had more problems returning things to Lowes than Home depot. I do not know much more about their customer service than that. I never would hire a contractor from either. To be a lowes or HD installer all you need is a business license, insurance and except the rates they pay.


As for your AC I would check with your electric company. They suggest reputable contractors. To be a lowes or HD installer all you need is a business license, insurance and except the rates they pay. I would also suggest a AC with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. The higher the number the better efficiency. We are talking about 20-30% increase in efficiency over AC systems installed in the late 80's.

 

[jarhed]

Well, the system is already installed. I just need the monkeys to come back out and finish the job. They have to run a duct into my fish closet and install the stand underneath the unit and remove the wood pallet it came from. Of all people, HD had to assign these idiots to come do my house. Geez, I have very little patience for people who dont do what they say they are going to do. If you promise something, DELIVER. PERIOD. Setting appointments and not showing up is one of the worst things you can do to me. It will absolutely guarantee that I will be furious, NOT a good place to put me. :mad2:

 

[conda]

Ehydo: Well said about HD and Lowes. I agree.

I don't even bothering asking any employee for advice anymore, I just find it on the internet. The only questions they get from me now is: Where is this? or Where is that? Half the time they can't even answer those two questions.

 

[jarhed]

Ehydo: Well said about HD and Lowes. I agree.

I don't even bothering asking any employee for advice anymore, I just find it on the internet. The only questions they get from me now is: Where is this? or Where is that? Half the time they can't even answer those two questions.

HAHA!!! :lol:

Your right conda! Well, I escalated the issue with HD and they called the contractor, who apologized profusely... AGAIN. This time she said there WILL be someone at my house at 3:30pm today. Said it was her fault (no kidding) as she didnt make sure that the work order got into someone's hands. She's the same one who lied to me when she said she called all three numbers I put on the contract to get my HD credit information. She called my home number, during a weekday. Didnt bother with the cellphone or office number, that would have required effort I guess.

 

[Ehydo]

Ehydo: Well said about HD and Lowes. I agree.

I don't even bothering asking any employee for advice anymore, I just find it on the internet. The only questions they get from me now is: Where is this? or Where is that? Half the time they can't even answer those two questions.

I actually tell them to leave me alone. I will find it faster if I do not have to slow down for a HD employee to follow me.

 

[captbunzo]

Honestly, I think they both suck. I like Home Depot, because I collect Ridgid woodworking tools (sort of). And I have a Lowes nearby, and it's ok.

But generally, customer service from either sucks. When I need someone, there is noone there. And when I do find them, they usually (95% of the time) don't have a clue.

I love our Lowes - has a display near the entrance and exit saying "over 40 products installed", or something. And they right above that display, they have an 8.5x11 page advertising for jobs for installers.... I have asked before, and they barely have any installers employed.

I like to say to myself as I leave, "over 4 products installed". (snicker)...

Sorry for the bad attitude. Just used to asked for help and getting the wrong answers.

I asked about eggcrate once. They had no clue what it was. So I pointed above our heads at the stuff in use for the lights. They told me they didn't have it. Nonetheless, 15 minutes later, I stumbled across it in the store.

GRRR.....

 

[APorter]

You guys got me LOL at work. On more than one occassion I've walk up to someone after they were talking to an employee and have told them "This isn't what you want, you need this one here." Also, my HD needs to hire someone to do inventory management.

 

[captbunzo]

Hehe. Been there. Same for Best Buy -- stood and listened to a sales person unload his sales pitch to a couple parents and their teenage daughter, trying to get them to buy some excessively expensive computer, even though they were saying they didn't have a lot to spend.

When he walked off, I walked up and gave them some better input about what they should buy.

Grrr.... !!!

 

[conda]

Don't even get me started on Best Buy, lol.

If I got paid for all the consulting I've done after their employees did their damage, I'd have my tank hobby paid for.

 

[jarhed]

You guys got me LOL at work. On more than one occassion I've walk up to someone after they were talking to an employee and have told them "This isn't what you want, you need this one here." Also, my HD needs to hire someone to do inventory management.

ALL HD's need to do some inventory management!

 

[jarhed]

THREE STRIKES, THEY ARE OUT!!! :mad2: :mad2:

Ok, so after apologizing profusely with the Home Depot Escalation rep on the phone, the JFK Heating and Airconditioning people in Riverside decided to blow off the appointment we had set for 3:30-4:00pm today!! :mad2: :mad2:

As you can imagine, I'm almost homicidal right now. I'm trying to stay calm, but in the meantime, I've sent them an email asking why through their website, I've left a message with their answering service (apparently they leave work at 4:00 or earlier in the afternoon) telling them that I want my deposit back, they will not be able to charge my HD card, and they need to come get their AC unit and air handler.

I've also called the escalation rep and told her that our relationship was over and I want my deposit back. I called another HVAC place in Riverside and I'm waiting for a callback for them to come over and estimate the job. I did make it explicitly clear that I needed a company that will fullfil their promises and keep appointments.

I'm going to go get drunk now. I dont even drink but it's high time I started.

:mad2: :mad2:

 

[jarhed]

Ok, Home Depot of course, closes at 8:00pm on the East Coast, so we are SOL here on the west coast, so I cant call Customer Care to freeze the card from any charge attempt from JFK. I'll call them at 5:00am to make sure that happens and that they arrange to have their HVAC unit picked up.

Called my Chase Visa card to dispute the $1150 deposit I put on the unit. Forms are in the mail. Waiting for the other contractor to call back.

 

[gumbybc]

man, and i thought I had a reason to be ****ed at HD. One guy funally got fired after i told the manager the advice he was giving, and that he told me that they did not carry the item i was looking for, and it was going to be a big order. I guess he had another complaint on file, so that was it for him...one down....only a few hundred thousand left to go.

On a better note, i love your project so far. it is amazing the skills that you can learn jut by paying attention when someone talks, or when they are showing you how to do something. The tank is looking great...keep up the good work.

 

[jarhed]

Guess who showed up!! Only 2 1/2 hours late too!!! :mad2: :mad2:

I gotta bone to pick with these cornholes!! I'm calling that orifice tomorrow and demanding a discount of some sort for inconveniencing me for FIVE DAYS!!!!

 

[jarhed]

man, and i thought I had a reason to be ****ed at HD. One guy funally got fired after i told the manager the advice he was giving, and that he told me that they did not carry the item i was looking for, and it was going to be a big order. I guess he had another complaint on file, so that was it for him...one down....only a few hundred thousand left to go.

On a better note, i love your project so far. it is amazing the skills that you can learn jut by paying attention when someone talks, or when they are showing you how to do something. The tank is looking great...keep up the good work.

Thanks Gumbyc!!

Yes, I have absorbed a LOT from RC! Honestly, my tank is a copy of about 10-15 setups that were here on RC. Even the carpentry was stolen from here and from a few jobs as a laborer that I did over 10 years ago.

 

[conda]

Yeah, forget about HD for now, where are you at on the tank? Last time I remember, you were doing some wiring.

I just got my in-wall 150 stand done--not by me though, I pay for crap like that or I won't sleep. Running the electric and planning the tank and sump now. Been sifting these forums for ideas.

 

[jarhed]

The monkey's are putting in the AC vent as we speak. I'm shooting daggers at them the entire time. I'm calling the idiot dispach "person" tomorrow and letting her have it! Then I'm calling HD Customer "Care" and telling them I think I should have a discount of some sort. Think $500 is enough for trying to drive me insane for five days?

Now that this is going to be done, I can finish the electrical connections, do a home invasion to steal Southdown(just kidding!) and finish repairing my sump. Should be filling it up by Saturday evening with DI.

While it's filling, I'll be trying to find a mixing bin that will fit (the 32gal Rubbermaid is too big) and building a stand for the skimmer and the Autotopoff/kalk bin.