Ok so we got a little carried away with vendor awareness in our local Home Depot with the Element. :grin:
Talk about an attention getter... People were looking at it, touching it (bastards!) and just plain ole stumped to know why it was IN the store... :?
I think its fairly obvious myself !

http://www.oqcgp.com/albums/Jason-GlowinGTP-Anaka/CIMG0942.jpg
http://www.oqcgp.com/albums/Jason-GlowinGTP-Anaka/CIMG0941.jpg
http://www.oqcgp.com/albums/Jason-GlowinGTP-Anaka/CIMG0943.jpg

I believe we are the first people to actually have a car INSIDE a Home Depot, they say they don't even let the Nascar cars IN the store, they park them outside! The employee's really loved it!

That is very cool.

Now what would be really cool is if you could drive it around the store

Very, very cool! We are sitting here marvelling at the photos.

I wish HD (and Lowe's) were drive-throughs, however. We're in the middle of a bathroom remodel (down to the studs and floor joists!), and hardly a day goes by without a trip to one, the other... or both!

(I hang the drywall, she does the mud! :grin: )

no joke. a drivethough would be so nice...

I'm sure that everyone can agree on these two statements:

1.) One of the worst parts about Home Depot are the idiots shopping there (yourself not included, of course)

2.) 9 times out of 10, when you need some help, an orange apron is not to be found.


I've actually started going to Lowes because its not *as* crowded as Home Depot (I live in Atlanta, home of Home Depot). I still have the same problems as HD (like people walking right in front of you and then coming to a sudden halt, people looking you directly in the eyes but still not moving their cart out of the isle, etc), but it seems to have less of them (for now).

I'm sure that everyone can agree on these two statements:

1.) One of the worst parts about Home Depot are the idiots shopping there (yourself not included, of course)

2.) 9 times out of 10, when you need some help, an orange apron is not to be found.


I've actually started going to Lowes because its not *as* crowded as Home Depot (I live in Atlanta, home of Home Depot). I still have the same problems as HD (like people walking right in front of you and then coming to a sudden halt, people looking you directly in the eyes but still not moving their cart out of the isle, etc), but it seems to have less of them (for now).

Ain't that the truth. I try to frequent Lowes if I can. But they aren't THAT much better.

When I lived in STL I used to only shop at Lowe's.....now that I am in NJ the closest Lowe's is like a 45 min drive away.....so I have started shopping at HD since there is one right across the street from my office

>I try to frequent Lowes if I can.

Ditto. On the bath remodel I just mentioned, we've spent (...so far...) about $1200 at Lowes and $30 at HD, and that's only because a HD is closer by 30 minutes, round trip. So HD is a necessary evil for project-stoppers like adhesives and fasteners.

I was living in Atlanta at the time HD was "created". I quickly learned the following credo: "You can get just enough at HD to start a project, but never what you need to finish it." HD used to be really, really bad about being out of stock on one particular item for months at a time. Fortunately, Lowe's taught them that bad ordering practices loses customers.

It's useful to know that individual HD stores are highly variable in their quality. If you don't like the crowds or stocking at one, go find another, 'cause it'll be different. We are (too) familar with about six stores in two regions. There's a new one (happens to be next-door to our favorite Lowes) which is great - lots of merchandise, well-lit, friendly and helpful staff... which I think is no accident. HD prides itself on being a category-killer, but Lowes is finally making a difference where HQ, Hechingers, National Lumber, Builder's Square and everybody else couldn't.

OTOH, one HD we have to frequent was/is so poorly managed that my wife nearly got into fisticuffs over a "cut in line" situation because the only register open was the self-checkout. It was 9:00 in the morning with every contractor in the world needing the lone clerk to hand-enter building materials codes. What's sad is that this is the closest HD to our next house, which is going to need a lot of work. :x

...now that I am in NJ the closest Lowe's is like a 45 min drive away.....so I have started shopping at HD since there is one right across the street from my office
Have you discovered Total Wines & More (950 Springfield Road/Rte 22)? I think it's in the same complex as that Home Depot. If you're into that type of beverage, they have an incredible selection and great prices. Quite an array of beer too. You can buy individual brews and make your own six pack sampler. Nothing completes a home improvement project like a good adult beverage...after the power tools have been put away, of course.

I will have to check that out.....in Clifton there is a place called "Shoppers Vineyard" and they have an excellent assortment and a very informed staff

My sister works for Lowes so my comments may be biased but then on the other I shop at both locations and based on that I prefer Lowes. I still go to HD because it's the closer location.

1) Lowes is generally cleaner. Contractors probably don't care about this factor. :)
2) Lowes' help appear to be more friendlier and generally more available for help. Good luck in trying to find an orange apron.
3) Lowes provide a 10% coupon (up to $2,000 I think). This is helpful when you are purchasing a large amount of products.

I will have to check that out.....in Clifton there is a place called "Shoppers Vineyard" and they have an excellent assortment and a very informed staff
http://www.wineaccess.com/store/totalwine-union/welcome.html

Cool photos. I worked at Ace Hardware for 5 years and knew many of my customers by name, if not by home repair project... Home Despot and Lowes might be good for big contractors, but in the city with alot of apartment dwellers, Ace is the Place! :) and one of the Ace's i worked at actually increased sales after HD moved in less than a mile away.

I totally agree with Ace being the place in a city environment....when I lived in Lincoln Park in Chicago there was an Ace two blocks from my apartment....it was the only place to go

I am in Home Depot so much they should give me a parking space inside!