BajaNomad - Home Depot Sucks

Home Depot Sucks

EnseNADAslim - 3-8-2009 at 12:15 AM

Warning----be very careful of what you buy at Home Depot in Ensenada!! Their Return Policy is only used at their convenience.

OK, I do lots of construction, I've built my own home and Yadda yadda yadda, so yea, I know what I'm doing. I was not to excited about the new home depot in Ensenada as I really like the little neighborhood hardware store, and I soon found out that Home Depot in Ensenada has alot of Nothing. But, I thought their prices on Tankless water heaters was pretty good, and they are Bosch units, so after our old faithful's bottom blew out I thought, yea why not let's try a tankless. I got it all hooked up and it seems that the Battery tray for some reason is not sending out a pulse to engage the ignitor. So I figured I'd just take it back and exchange it for another unit----Wrong :mad:

The young men at Home Depot stated that although they clearly state they're return policy and that I fit in the guide lines, their return policy does not apply to tankless water heaters. And the Box even has the official Home Depot lable printed on it! We fought and fought and I finally went and found the STORE manager. He tried to speak technical with me about Water pressure and I shot him down fast on that stuff (this in not my first time around the block with tankless water heaters). Eventually I think they got the idea that I was peeed off, their return policy totally contradicts what they were telling me (more of the typical, make it up as we go along stuff), and eventually I they refunded me my Money. Sad thing for them is that I was going to by another one too.
They all looked at me as if I was ripping them off, or I was asking for twice my money back, or as if I was some how lying about the fact that I had just bought the unit----They Never even pulled it out to look at it and they said that a Bosch Tech would need to look at it, and make repairs, or send it back to the main factory-----Home Depot in Ensenada Sucks, and I plan not to even go there to buy Gum! :fire:

Bajahowodd - 3-8-2009 at 12:28 AM

Be aware that Mexican Companies whether they be Home Depot, Wal-mart or whatever are majority owned by Mexican partners, which does not ensure that their policies will be the same as their U.S counterparts.

David K - 3-8-2009 at 12:32 AM

Seems that they need a lesson in business principles... to treat others the way they would want to be treated... If a product doesn't work, and you simply want an exchange... that's a no brainer... How much repeat business will they get from you or your friends if they treat you poorly... Small thinkers look for the one sale and not for years of sales to the customer!

CaboRon - 3-8-2009 at 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Seems that they need a lesson in business principles... to treat others the way they would want to be treated... If a product doesn't work, and you simply want an exchange... that's a no brainer... How much repeat business will they get from you or your friends if they treat you poorly... Small thinkers look for the one sale and not for years of sales to the customer!

David,

This is evidently the business model that is being taught in Mexico.

The other one is raising prices when business is slow.

I think they get an "M B Dumb A at school " :lol:

It's a wonder anyone survives with these practices.

CaboRon

DENNIS - 3-8-2009 at 07:47 AM

Yeah.....Just when you think Mexico has put it all together, they go back to their old ways. In other words, you can take the Mexican out of Mexico but, you can't take Mexico out of the Mexican.
The return policy, good or bad, is new to them. Prior to the influx of modern business practices, nobody ever returned anything.
Good for you on standing your ground and next time, avoid those Bosch water heaters. They're too delicate. Get the cheaper, less complicated brands. They take a heavier beating.

vandenberg - 3-8-2009 at 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Seems that they need a lesson in business principles...

Now there's an understatement.

:lol:

BMG - 3-8-2009 at 08:22 AM

Haven't dealt with Home Depot on a return in MX but had a similar experience at City Club in La Paz. We also bought a Bosch tankless heater. It did not have the electronic ignition. Could not keep the pilot lit.

Tiring of constantly reigniting the pilot, I took it off the wall and returned it to City Club. No problem. They gave us a full refund.

In the mean time, they had received a shipment of new Bosch heaters that did have the electronic ignition. That's what we've been using for the last year with no problems.

Just a side note, the Bosch tankless water heaters are made in China.

Another side note. The next time we went to City Club, the returned heater was on the shelf next to the new water heaters being sold at the full price. Another week or so later, we saw a guy loading it in the back of his pick-up. We told him it wouldn't stay lit but he said he could reach the heater from his shower and press the igniter when it went out.

Ford - 3-8-2009 at 08:33 AM

I hate Home Depot as well and as a practice never go there unless I am doing a job and don't know where my small specialty suppliers are. That being said I don't think that is a Mexico only policy on a tankless H2o heater. If it has been installed and used you must contact the manufacturer.
One time I bought a screw gun there and they had a rep pushing a ridgid screw gun. He told me it had a life time warranty including the battery! Wow did I take the bait....I bought one and a month and 1/2 later smoke came from the back and it died. I took it back and they told me I needed to send it to the manufacturer because it had been more than two weeks. I told him no, take it back or I will just buy a new one return it with no receipt for store credit then use the receipt to return the broken one in three days and say it died as soon as I opened the box! He told me I can't follow what you are saying. So I did it and bought a DeWalt!
I have noticed they are trying to cater to contrators a little more now than a few years ago....but they are a long way off from competing with the specialty guys!

EnseNADAslim - 3-8-2009 at 08:59 AM

When you go to the Home Dump-pot customer counter (chopping block) they have their return policy there that says something like this....As long as you return your item in the original package with all the original parts, and you have your receipt, and it's within 60 days, you will receive a refund or an exchange :lol:

At that point they become very selective about what products that includes, which at no place on their policy to they state which products it does not include. At that point they give you one of these :mad:

Then you give them one of these

Then they give you this :fire:

, then you give them this

, but don't give up, by-pass the little guy and head directly to the store manager and give him one of these :fire:

. Then you'll get somewhere.

Oh yea, What other brands of tankless heaters work best that are purchased here in Mexico. I bought a Takgai TK-3 and I bought in the States----this thing ROCKS!--but it was also $900.00

bajacamper - 3-8-2009 at 09:09 AM

Home Depot in general is an experience most people should avoid. I have the feeling that you could die in one of the stores and no employee would notice for a week and if they did they would avoid you, thinking that you might need assistance.

DENNIS - 3-8-2009 at 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by EnseNADAslim
Oh yea, What other brands of tankless heaters work best that are purchased here in Mexico. I bought a Takgai TK-3 and I bought in the States----this thing ROCKS!--but it was also $900.00

Don't know the brands right off hand but, my buddy who has a barn in Hemet, came down specifically to buy a tankless heater, other than a stateside product, because they weren't so loaded up with law regulated parts and functions. A much more simple machine with less moving parts, so to speak. I notice in the big grocery store bakerys, such as ComMex, they use large industrial size heaters with an Italian name?

I'll see if I can get some info so I don't just sit here and confuse your issue any more than I already have.

Leo - 3-8-2009 at 09:44 AM

Just hopeless, those big bx stores. If you go back a few mnths later to pick up an item you had before, they don't carry it any more. Very inconsistent, particularly Costco. Mind you their return pol is not bad.

Customer Service

MrBillM - 3-8-2009 at 10:41 AM

Shortly after Home Depot first expanded into Northern Baja, there was a Business article in the L.A. Times aka "Socialist Peoples Daily World" wherein the head of Home Depot said that their greatest challenge had been educating employees in the U.S. concept of Customer Service.

It sounds like they're slipping backwards, but it's no surprise.

When the AM/PM first opened in San Felipe, I went in constantly and was impressed with their following that U.S. model. Slowly, but inexorably, they began the downhill slide.

I haven't been in there for over a year.

Haven't been in a Mex Home Depot in much longer.

Ooh...My head hurts

Dave - 3-8-2009 at 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ford
I told him no, take it back or I will just buy a new one return it with no receipt for store credit then use the receipt to return the broken one in three days and say it died as soon as I opened the box! He told me I can't follow what you are saying. So I did it and bought a DeWalt!

Velly smart, glasshopper.

wilderone - 3-9-2009 at 09:33 AM

"Seems that they need a lesson in business principles"

Big time. And it's not just Home Depot in Mexico. I'm not kidding - 95% of the time, Home Depot does not have what I want. The simplest things - a plastic trowel, oiled bronze finish door hinges, a refrigerator in bisque. Their employees are clueless and prefer to try to act like they have something important to do instead of sell you something. So infuriating - "Can you tell me where the wire is?" "What do you want to use it for?" "Can you just tell me where the wire is so I can see what's available?" "I can't tell you unless you tell me what you need it for." I routinely ask for a complaint card when I checkout, and was routinely sending them during the 3 months I was remodeling. I blasted them every chance I got in the hope they would improve.
I have actually noticed an improvement in their "hellos" all over the store and when you enter the store, but frankly, I could do without "hi-howyoudoin" 5 times in one shopping experience. This is new. However, the empty shelf where the product you wanted is bare, the lack of salespeople on the floor, etc. hasn't changed. I wander around 2-3 aisles and find nobody, telling myself "I could totally rip them off right now - there is NOBODY around - NOBODY."
And I hate to say it, but Lowes is gaining on the incompetency road.

Woooosh - 3-10-2009 at 11:47 AM

I can never find anyone to help at the Mexican Home Depots- only parking lot guards that want to get tipped for helping you back out of your parking space (when the spaces on either side are empty even)

"Home Depot at standoff with laborers who swarm customers in bid for work"

By ANDREW MARRA

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Mustachioed and graying, dressed in the uniform of a full-time job he once had, Gonzalo Garcia is out in front of The Home Depot on Lake Worth Road most mornings, and it doesn't take much to catch his eye.

A braking pickup or the wave of a driver's hand will send him and several other Hispanic day laborers rushing to the departing vehicle, their eyes bright with the possibility of a day's work.

Garcia, at 49 a father of four, says he tends to hang back as the younger workers push forward. But his counterparts often run, hoping to be chosen to paint, rip out drywall or lay bricks.

The onslaught, a symptom of the voracious competition for dwindling numbers of day jobs, can be surprising to the unsuspecting, and even frightening.

In recent years, the Hispanic day laborers have become as much a part of the scenery at The Home Depot west of Lake Worth as the fence and hedges, and as more lose full-time jobs in construction or landscaping, their numbers seem to have grown.

The Home Depot is not pleased. Blaming the job seekers for causing accidents and driving away customers, the world's largest home improvement retailer has been working to discourage them from rushing vehicles in the driveways and trespassing in the parking lot.

But the need for work keeps pushing the men forward, and the result has been an entrenched standoff.

Garcia, an undocumented Guatemalan national who had a regular job in construction until being laid off late last year, said he and the others only want to work and have no other way to find steady pay.

"We're not here because we want to be here," he said in Spanish. "We need to be."

After repeated warnings, meetings and occasional trespassing arrests, the sheriff's office has resorted in recent months to undercover stings to try to keep the laborers in place.

The workers are allowed to stand on the sidewalk or along the shoulder in front of the store, which is considered public property. But sheriff's officials say they get into trouble when they block the entrance or wander past the hedges into the parking lot.

"I think it's solely a financial situation for them," said Palm Beach County sheriff's Capt. Paul Miles. "If someone else is standing out front and getting in the truck, they're getting the money."

This year the situation has worsened. In just January and February, deputies were called to the store 21 times for trespassing violations, compared with 27 such calls in all of 2008, sheriff's office statistics show.

The day laborers are almost all Guatemalans and admit good-naturedly that they occasionally trespass onto The Home Depot's property. They say there is no other way for them to get the attention of potential hirers.

"We're here for our families," said Moyno, 22, who came to Florida from Guatemala a year and a half ago and declined to give his last name because he is in the country illegally. "I have a father and mother to support."

Full-time work has become increasingly difficult to find, they say, and if they're only looking for work they should be allowed to find a way to earn money.

Others feel differently. Miles said the sheriff's office receives calls from customers who are frightened or annoyed after being surrounded by job seekers. General contractors and builders often send their wives in trucks to pick up supplies at the store, he said, and the women are sometimes startled when well-meaning workers surround the truck and try to open the doors.

Local store managers declined to comment. A corporate spokesman said in a statement that "the existence of day laborers is a complex social issue beyond The Home Depot's control. Like many businesses in the community, we maintain a policy of non-solicitation at our stores."

Miles said sheriff's officials have done a few undercover stings with a plainclothes deputy in a pickup. On the last one, on Feb. 14, Samuel Perez Santos, 37, a Guatemalan, jumped from the moving truck to escape waiting deputies.

During a chase, a deputy shot him with a Taser and he fell to the ground, slamming his head and fracturing his face. He was arrested on charges of trespassing and resisting arrest without violence.

Miles said the sheriff's office decided to stop the undercover stings after Perez Santos jumped out of the pickup, and will consider other ways to enforce trespassing laws.

LOSARIPES - 3-10-2009 at 12:02 PM

Let's compete: I bet you Home Depot in San Lucas is worse....!! clueless; ignorant; careless; lazy; indifferent; plain stupid!!... A+ on all that... I always come out fuming and very frustrated from having to deal with those people. I have had my experiences with HD n the US as well.... not that bad though..

Barry A. - 3-10-2009 at 12:11 PM

Home Depot in Redding was that way too, for a long time. Lately, they have changed here--------they even have a "greeter" at the front door who will answer your questions, direct you to the proper place, and even call in an employee to deal with you directly if you still need help.

This is a great improvement, for sure.

Hopefully this is a company-wide policy that will help you down in Mexico------we will see.

Barry

Woooosh - 3-10-2009 at 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
Home Depot in Redding was that way too, for a long time. Lately, they have changed here--------they even have a "greeter" at the front door who will answer your questions, direct you to the proper place, and even call in an employee to deal with you directly if you still need help.

This is a great improvement, for sure.

Hopefully this is a company-wide policy that will help you down in Mexico------we will see.

Barry

I went into the Rosarito Bach Home Depot last saturday morning with a broken part in my hand. I wandered up and down every single aisle without anyone making eye contact or asking if they could help me find something. There must have been 15 employees in those aisles and more at the front door and the check-out area. Only a few customers besides me. I found what I needed paid and left. I'm not sure what all those people do.

To be fair

Dave - 3-10-2009 at 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
I wandered up and down every single aisle without anyone making eye contact or asking if they could help me find something.

When I ask I get service but I rarely shop HDepot. Only when I think that it's the last possible place that would have a part that otherwise I'd have to go to the States to get. For me, Mexico HDepot sucks not because of service or retun policy. It's that they substitute crappy Mexican product but charge U.S. prices. Same with Costco and Wal-Mart. :mad:

Woooosh - 3-10-2009 at 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
I wandered up and down every single aisle without anyone making eye contact or asking if they could help me find something.

good point. No Behr brand paint at HD Mexico- which is what I use alot of.

DENNIS - 3-10-2009 at 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
No Behr brand paint at HD Mexico- which is what I use alot of.

They have Dutch Boy. Not only that, Their home-grown brand, Berel, has a high end line of products to compliment the junk that they also package. The price is high compared to Behr, or at least it was before the current peso/dollar stuff. I've used the better product and it's good. Saves you the trouble of transporting it from the states. That's worth something in itself.

bajadock - 3-10-2009 at 02:28 PM

My expectations of professional customer service are low when entering any large retail store. On the PRICE/CONVENIENCE/QUALITY menu, getting ONE of those 3 is normal. Getting 2 is wonderful. Expecting all 3 is delusional.

HD Ensenada had no problem exchanging a cracked toilet purchased 3 months earlier. No, I did not install the toilet before cracking or exchanging.

Like Dennis, I use HD Ensenada on occasion. But, it is very different than HD USA. Construrama provides basic materials and solid customer service.

Learning what works in a new culture and community is part of the fun. Always ask a local expert or a local nomad. And after those, ask an expert nomad, as there are thousands of them available.

DENNIS - 3-10-2009 at 02:36 PM

Well said, Doc.

Pacifico - 3-10-2009 at 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajadock
My expectations of professional customer service are low when entering any large retail store. On the PRICE/CONVENIENCE/QUALITY menu, getting ONE of those 3 is normal. Getting 2 is wonderful. Expecting all 3 is delusional.

HD Ensenada had no problem exchanging a cracked toilet purchased 3 months earlier. No, I did not install the toilet before cracking or exchanging.

Like Dennis, I use HD Ensenada on occasion. But, it is very different than HD USA. Construrama provides basic materials and solid customer service.

Learning what works in a new culture and community is part of the fun. Always ask a local expert or a local nomad. And after those, ask an expert nomad, as there are thousands of them available.

What is Construrama? A lumber yard in Ensenada? Thanks...

DENNIS - 3-10-2009 at 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pacifico

What is Construrama? A lumber yard in Ensenada? Thanks...

Construrama here is the same as True Value in the states. It seems to be a chain of outlets that originated from independently owned stores.
I think that's how it works anyway.

BajaNuts - 3-10-2009 at 09:59 PM

fyi for all Lowes and HD purchases-

It may be a brand name fixture but it may not have the same internal components as you would expect.

As construction contractors, we know that many manufacturers make different grades of products offered through different sales outlets. They use the same housing and substitute inferior parts internally. It could be the water heater, space heater, dimmer, or faucet.

The "BrandName" faucet you just bought at the BoxStore may not have the same internal fittings as one purchased through another source. One big thing for plumbing is fittings. BoxStore fixtures, while they look the same on the outside, have plastic fittings instead of brass fittings. It may look the same and have the same BrandName, it may not be the same on the inside.

I think USA BoxStores have to follow national standards for return policies. Probably not the same for Baja. Where we live it's an hour to 1 1/2 hours to get to the store. If I go there I have my list of what I want and don't rely on the employees for help. I will "seek out" an employee for directions if needed, I don't go there often enough to know the store.

[Edited on 3-11-2009 by BajaNuts]

Mexitron - 3-11-2009 at 05:39 AM

I've noticed the same change in Home Depot's PR with emloyees greeting you and all, but, at least in Texas, their stores have still gone downhill from days of yore. Lowe's was always more expensive in California but here they are equal or lower and have better product.

cftlet - 3-11-2009 at 09:25 AM

I try not to deal with hd any where Thet are rip off artists extrordinares. I deat with the one in Redding Cal. (several years ago) and endedup having to ge the D.A. s office involved and the paper. I finaly got my refund but I often wonder how many millions those A-- H----S have made because they ware people down. Damn now I got myself all worked up again. Gues I had bettern have a couple of paacificos and calm down. :yes:

Barry A. - 3-11-2009 at 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cftlet
I try not to deal with hd any where Thet are rip off artists extrordinares. I deat with the one in Redding Cal. (several years ago) and endedup having to ge the D.A. s office involved and the paper. I finaly got my refund but I often wonder how many millions those A-- H----S have made because they ware people down. Damn now I got myself all worked up again. Gues I had bettern have a couple of paacificos and calm down. :yes:

We have a brand new LOWES in town now (Redding), and Home Depot is vastly improved since about 3 months ago. Both are still hectic (I usually shop at ACE), but much better than before, and cheaper then the small shops. It is worth it to me to pay more at ACE because the service is so good. I only buy "big things" at HD or Lowes now.

Barry

EnseNADAslim - 3-13-2009 at 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Pacifico

What is Construrama? A lumber yard in Ensenada? Thanks...

Construrama here is the same as True Value in the states. It seems to be a chain of outlets that originated from independently owned stores.
I think that's how it works anyway.

That's a good question and many hardware stores here still carry their Name, but you see Construrama plastered there as well. I've wondered if it is a net work service that helps keep their inventory in order??? Construrama helps update their system and in turn they pay Construama for the service---I no know for sure. :cool: