Perhaps you live in a poor area and have a bad store near you but where I live Ive NEVER had a bad experience at a LOWES!! You won't get pressure treated lumber cut in California. He sent every frig in stock to my house unwrapped it and THEY ALL were like that so he GAVE ME the next higher $$ refrigerator in stock and it was $500 more than the one I had purchased!! 2000-2022 Home Depot. Joel is a history-loving hobo who travels, usually on foot, across the United States. The corporate management takes it very seriously, and the last thing store managers want is to get a customer complaint about bad customer service. Answer: The official answer would be no, however, depending on the store management, there is a level of freedom that is granted to their employees to "do what it takes" to ensure a repeat customer. A well-managed store will bend over backward to sell me a carriage bolt or, better yet, a new jigsaw. I am making a faux shiplap wall and a website describing the DIY project said that they had the cuts done at Home Depot. Simply return the wood before you check out. Unless the cut is very simple, like cutting the sheet in half, I usually push my plywood on the cart to the drywall tools area. You would be surprised how many overqualified craftsmen work there for various reasons. I'm a DIY rookie on my way to Home Depot and was intimidated about buying lumber let alone having it cut before reading this post. Better yet, I didn't have to return any of the products after reviewing them either! Need Help? Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Here is why. As a result, the associates have been rewarded and are pleased to see me, knowing that I have the power to put bonuses in their pockets. Often you are covering your sister departments and I just can't dedicate all my attention to one persons project, especially if they aren't willing to pick it up later. For beginners such as myself, I have found that approaching employees/service professionsls from a place of humility goes a long way. There are many projects I'd like to take on, but I often dont have the equipment to make the necessary cuts (maybe some day I'll invest in a table saw, but first I want make sure I at least have some talent for diy & am not all thumbs so to speak). Perhaps it will pay for your gas going to the store or allow you to buy one more tool! However, what if you pushed your cart into the aisle and then walked away to inspect the lumber choices? x 3-5/8 in. Are the saws big enough to cut it lengthwise making two 2'x8' ?? I prefer paint from Lowes. Need Help? Score. The tape measures they have are usually jostled around and dropped many times throughout the day. "Hi, Dave. Now, it's time to walk away and pay for the materials. I use good 0.75" thick cabinet grade plywood, which is expensive. By simply placing an item on the cart you choose (such as a 2'x4'x8'), you are essentially reserving your cart. Menards will cut lumber but not plywood. Make sure to help the associate as much as you can! At least $5 and then roughly $2 per cut. After reading this excellent article I went cheerfully to my local Home Depot to get a piece of 2'X4' 3/4 exterior plywood for a shelf project. I understood that was how you treated people. I'm working on a new project, a cornhole game. However, we all WANT to help. You could bring a circular saw or portable jobsite table saw and cut it yourself. I like your article very much. I have seen people get $700 worth of lumber and even though they were warned, watched a fellow employee cut it on a busy Sunday for 3 hours. I explain the project and the questions I have and then ask "is this something you could help me with?" sells precut corn hole boards? The saws are not set up with accurate attached tape measurements to make things faster, either. Most projects, especially after being cut down, are easy to load. I realized that this was taking customer service too far. They are relatively inexpensive, and you'll find it invaluable for future projects. By marking the cuts, you take away the guesswork and eliminate the possibility of miscommunication. Most of the stores who provide wood-cutting services have policy guidelines posted. We are ready for the cutting to begin! Be picky about your wood. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), One (1), 1/4"-thick, 18-in. I had trouble getting Home Depot to take back a $100 life time warranty garden hose that blew out in less than a month with a receipt!! I think, "I could make that if I had all the pieces cut to size." Hopefully, you did not have to resort to the last scenario. As soon as you get out of your vehicle, scan the outside of the building for a shopping cart. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Can be used in the making of stools, trays, table tops and more, Long-lasting and durable pine wood construction. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. We should all realize, like it or not, Home Depot and Lowes are our generations Tom Thumbs Lumber. Hardwood Full Round Dowel, 5/16 in. All we need is someone to do the cutting. It is all about attitude and qualifications. No, not just any cartchoosing the right cart does make a difference to the person who will be cutting your plywood. Excellent advice. Thanks so much! Save yourself and the cashier the hassle of calling for a price check. If you dont like it, dont buy it. You must be joking. Nicely Written with all the photos and all but I must ask are you paid advertising mouth for Home Depot or why did you totally Bash Lowes every chance you got?
I always want to do the right thing for my customer, but we also have to do the right thing by our store. I knew it was a cut that a store may not do. First, can you cut the sheet in half on that line, and then flip it over and make the other two cuts?. Joel - Thanks for this detailed post. This is, after all, what Home Depot wants. ). I got out a piece of paper and drew a simple cut plan. We are entitled to say no to project cuts.
There are signs posted all over the place and overhead announcements stating that associates will be happy to help. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), One (1), 1/4"-thick, 12-in. You will find it written on their apron or vest. Here's what you might overhear them say: On the other hand, this same associate can and will make perfect cuts, not charge you extra for extra cuts, and, in some cases, offer you a discount on your material. Their customer satisfaction program works well and is an important part of Home Depot's philosophy. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. THANK YOU! The main reasons are because of accuracy and respect. I have more to learn that's for sure. Let the cashier know as they have a button that will automatically send out a page for loading assistance. Their salary depends on it! Every time it gets hot or cold, people want us to cut them 40 pieces of insulation foam panels because they are too cheap to buy the pre-cut kits. It's best to load your plywood with the face of it to the back of the saw. Is the price of the plywood identifiable to the cashier? This works especially well at Home Depot, as one of their goals is to offer excellent customer service. Also, with plywood does it even matter? Thank you.
x 1-1/2 in. The first thing I tell people is that it is a rough saw- not finish, there may be chips at the cut and the saw is a little out of square-all true. Very much appreciated. The right answer is the lumber cart. Now I feel prepared to go get my plywood and have it cut. A project that big warrants you finding a friend with tools or buying some of your own. For my cornhole project, I needed four pieces of plywood, each measuring 2 x 4 with the grain all running lengthwise. x 48 in. I left complete instructions with the service department to cut 20 shelves out of a sheet of maple plywood that cost me $50. Fill in the blank with their name. Usually, I plan on them not being as free or willing to help as the more likely scenario. If you find an employee who is the "go to" guy and ask for additional help, like jigsawing, they will make it happen. This article is very helpful. Before I left for the store, I grabbed two other important things: a tape measure and a pencil. Just consider them abandoned when you sell your home, unless of course if you love your appliances and take them with you to your next home! Generally, these are the slower hours, and sales associates are more likely to be relaxed and not feel rushed when it comes time to serving you in the cutting section. Which I did, or course, in order to help this guy out.
If this is the first time you're using their free cutting services or you are new to shopping at a big-box lumber store, the process may seem intimidating. If your project is large, however, an extra set of hands would be helpful. Another great way to save money on projects if you're going to Home Depot for supplies is to write reviews (take pictures and record a YouTube video as well if you have the time) on the products you purchase at Home Depot. Even if you did, the end result will be that you have your cut person in place. And a line always did form. Its all about the approach. So lets talk WOOD, nuts and bolts too while we are at it!! With all of that being said, the time has come! I just used Home Depot and they did all my cutting for some garage shelves. If there is no call button, one of three things will happen next: If you find yourself in the third situation, you are good to go! ;). I try to spend my money wisely everywhere I can. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. All of a sudden, you feel like you are in a ghost store. Need Help? Knowing how hard it is to pull a bulky sheet of plywood into my cart without damaging it, I brought along a friend to help me. Nowadays, the internet makes it pretty simple. I want 4.5 inch cuts on 4x8 1/4 inch plywood. Thanks, Joel. All Rights Reserved. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. 2000-2022 Home Depot. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.
I always want to do the right thing for my customer, but we also have to do the right thing by our store. I knew it was a cut that a store may not do. First, can you cut the sheet in half on that line, and then flip it over and make the other two cuts?. Joel - Thanks for this detailed post. This is, after all, what Home Depot wants. ). I got out a piece of paper and drew a simple cut plan. We are entitled to say no to project cuts.
There are signs posted all over the place and overhead announcements stating that associates will be happy to help. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), One (1), 1/4"-thick, 12-in. You will find it written on their apron or vest. Here's what you might overhear them say: On the other hand, this same associate can and will make perfect cuts, not charge you extra for extra cuts, and, in some cases, offer you a discount on your material. Their customer satisfaction program works well and is an important part of Home Depot's philosophy. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. THANK YOU! The main reasons are because of accuracy and respect. I have more to learn that's for sure. Let the cashier know as they have a button that will automatically send out a page for loading assistance. Their salary depends on it! Every time it gets hot or cold, people want us to cut them 40 pieces of insulation foam panels because they are too cheap to buy the pre-cut kits. It's best to load your plywood with the face of it to the back of the saw. Is the price of the plywood identifiable to the cashier? This works especially well at Home Depot, as one of their goals is to offer excellent customer service. Also, with plywood does it even matter? Thank you.
x 1-1/2 in. The first thing I tell people is that it is a rough saw- not finish, there may be chips at the cut and the saw is a little out of square-all true. Very much appreciated. The right answer is the lumber cart. Now I feel prepared to go get my plywood and have it cut. A project that big warrants you finding a friend with tools or buying some of your own. For my cornhole project, I needed four pieces of plywood, each measuring 2 x 4 with the grain all running lengthwise. x 48 in. I left complete instructions with the service department to cut 20 shelves out of a sheet of maple plywood that cost me $50. Fill in the blank with their name. Usually, I plan on them not being as free or willing to help as the more likely scenario. If you find an employee who is the "go to" guy and ask for additional help, like jigsawing, they will make it happen. This article is very helpful. Before I left for the store, I grabbed two other important things: a tape measure and a pencil. Just consider them abandoned when you sell your home, unless of course if you love your appliances and take them with you to your next home! Generally, these are the slower hours, and sales associates are more likely to be relaxed and not feel rushed when it comes time to serving you in the cutting section. Which I did, or course, in order to help this guy out.
If this is the first time you're using their free cutting services or you are new to shopping at a big-box lumber store, the process may seem intimidating. If your project is large, however, an extra set of hands would be helpful. Another great way to save money on projects if you're going to Home Depot for supplies is to write reviews (take pictures and record a YouTube video as well if you have the time) on the products you purchase at Home Depot. Even if you did, the end result will be that you have your cut person in place. And a line always did form. Its all about the approach. So lets talk WOOD, nuts and bolts too while we are at it!! With all of that being said, the time has come! I just used Home Depot and they did all my cutting for some garage shelves. If there is no call button, one of three things will happen next: If you find yourself in the third situation, you are good to go! ;). I try to spend my money wisely everywhere I can. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. All of a sudden, you feel like you are in a ghost store. Need Help? Knowing how hard it is to pull a bulky sheet of plywood into my cart without damaging it, I brought along a friend to help me. Nowadays, the internet makes it pretty simple. I want 4.5 inch cuts on 4x8 1/4 inch plywood. Thanks, Joel. All Rights Reserved. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. 2000-2022 Home Depot. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.