Dirty little secrets that big box stores don't want you to know about!!!!!

[the ringo kid]

OK, most here know I worked (worked) at a home depot store. I gave my 2 week notice as of last Thursday morning due to learning some dirty little secrets they practice towards customers-some of them were MY customers. I cannot be part of that carp.

For the past few months-ive had a few come in - not saying it to me-but to others coming through my line and I just happened to hear what they were saying. Anyway, this happens to be on someone buying an extra protection plan on power tools. OK, I was the top-seller at the store I worked at for selling these things. They gave extra coverage (most of the time full coverage ) from anywhere between 2-5 years.

Anyway, without telling every detain-not enough time. I had been hearing what they were saying about the company (or this store in particular) not honoring these plans-tho people paid for them!!!

Well, some of MY customers began to come in and come to me complaining about the same thing-most recently-last Thursday morning. I spoke to my immediate supervisor about it even having his speak with my customer. Basically-they refused to honor the EPP-Im not sure why?? because I was too busy to be able to listen to the full conversation.

Some whom I sold these plans to (ranging from $7 to $69 ) were on fixed income-and many were veterans and many were also handicapped folks.

These plans are designed to allow the customer to bring in something they bought and if it breaks down within the plans time? they simply return it, and get the same item and walk out of the store-instead of sending it off to be repaired having to wait to get their item back.

Another D.L.S. is, selling reconditioned and repackaged merchandise as brand new merchandise--and 90% or more of the time-it's gas, or electric-powered stuff. You walk into one of their stores-see something that looks tampered with--99% of the time-it is. I used to warn every customer I had about that who grabbed the "last of its kind off the shelves or the floor" but needed that item.

What one of their dirty tricks on that is-that is their way of getting a reconditioned returned item out of their store. They also PURPOSELY leave the shelf almost empty as if no more are in back or up on the top shelf-so that the item is purchased and gets out of the stores "face." The nighttime folks are SUPPOSED to restock the shelves and usually do-as well as some day workers.

Its up to the store manager who decides what is what and what gets done-in this case-it's mark. I made a ""secret complaint"" to corporate in Atlanta-but found out they do not keep it secret-having made that complaint almost 4 weeks ago.

These jerks lie at every level with exceptions. Also, DON'T think you are not being spied on as customers either!!! And im not just talking about the cameras you are designed to see. Im talking about pinhead-sized cameras they put into soda machines-and at self-checkout and in other areas of the store.

So what is that Latin saying about buyer beware? well-consider it said and said here. I at one time-THOUGHT that place was a great place to work for and shop at-HELL no, and ill never spend a penny there and will never refer anyone to go there for anything again. BTW-most everything they have that walmart has-walmart is cheaper.........

If anyone has any questions on anything more specific? feel free to ask. Im totally done with that criminal business. I doubt the owners thought it would turn out this way? and i highly doubt most of the stores are like this one in particular? but you never know.......

 

[Faulkner]

Thanks Ringo . . . as a consumer, I'm not the least bit surprised.

 

[sigp220.45]

I've never bought the additional warranty on anything, and I've never wished I had.

I figured it is just additional profit for the store, and that the process of using one would be so burdensome they figure most people won't bother.

Thanks for validating my suspicions. Sorry you're out of a job, though.

 

[the ringo kid]

Im only too glad to warn others. This stuff grossly pisses me off. They skewered many people, and many were my customers/ vets etx. I went beyond my duties to save them customers saving many, and this is what happens?

 

[brjr51]

I NEVER buy extended warranties, period. And if the carton looks opened or resealed, it stays on the shelf. My wife always gives me a hard time cause I'll look through stock to find the box or carton in the best condition.

 

[the ringo kid]

I've never bought the additional warranty on anything, and I've never wished I had.

I figured it is just additional profit for the store, and that the process of using one would be so burdensome they figure most people won't bother.

Thanks for validating my suspicions. Sorry you're out of a job, though.

No truer words said. Paragraphs 2 and below. Its all profit. I had some customers that did get lucky-but they were exceptions to the case. They would bring in something-id send them to the Customers service/returns desk to get a refund. Id write a note on their paperwork-and that alone would stop their being denied. I got chewed out for doing that several times, but I didnt give a damn. They should get what they spent money on.

I should be working again within a month. Im starting to look again as of Thursday. )

 

[the ringo kid]

I NEVER buy extended warranties, period. And if the carton looks opened or resealed, it stays on the shelf. My wife always gives me a hard time cause I'll look through stock to find the box or carton in the best condition.

My battery power is on about zero-but ill explain more on that tomorrow. What you would do-is best. I had hundreds of items like that come through-and on just about every one-I marked down because i could see it was tampered with. The jers that be-didnt like that BUT--I was empowered to do that up to $50 per transaction-so couldnt be fired for it. Just meant slightly less profit for the store.

 

[Warren Sear]

I never consider it good form to bad-mouth one's employer to the public. If you have a legitimate complaint with them, this is not the place to do it.

That is all I'm going to say on the matter.

 

[the ringo kid]

A bit more on the last post. I get (or had) been getting many things that clearly were poorly resealed. A blind person could see it. STAY AWAY FROM THOSE AT ALL COSTS NO MATTER HOW BADLY YOU NEED IT. Go elsewhere or to another hd location and get a new one. Most of the time-parts missing and you are NOT getting what you are paying for.

These are tampered with-either by workers or customers stealing something vital from the package. Ive brought that up to (mis)managements attention numerous times and basically told to keep my mouth shut! I didnt and told customers at every chance when no ""ears"" were around. By ears means--anything from a head cashier being around to any member of management to anyone who is in the "gool old boys club" or seeking a voted on promotion.

BTW-anyone seeking employment there-will NOT get advanced based on busting butt--you get voted on into your next position. That's another dirty little home depot secret that is not known.

 

[the ringo kid]

I never consider it good form to bad-mouth one's employer to the public. If you have a legitimate complaint with them, this is not the place to do it.

That is all I'm going to say on the matter.

I dont give a damn, they earned this and, I have nothing they can get unless they want a DvD collection? im going to spill all the beans I can. And besides-they dont know who I am here and lose hundreds of employees daily. There is a consumer reports complaints site that has numerous complaints against them posted-ive not joined but read and agreed with those ive read. They also hired a person who tries posting positive press there.

BIG TIME EDIT SINCE MY POST ON SEVERING TIES WITH THE COMPANY WAS NOT READ APPARENTLY

AS of last Thursday morning at approx 10:30 am CST, ties were severed with said company. So no-I was and are not stabbing my employer in the back. As I am no longer with said employer-I have the right to say what needs to be said.....................................................................

 

[Hillbilly77]

I had a store try to sell me an extended service plan on a new pair of Leupold binoculars.
I pointed to the words "Lifetime Warranty" on the box and told them I was pretty sure I didn't need their "service plan".

______________________

A different time, I watched a crook at Gander Mountain sell a firearm service plan to a customer.

"If you ever have a problem with it, just bring it back here. We'll send it in and get it fixed for you then you just come back here to pick it up."

The gun in question was a Smith & Wesson M&P. I was thinking, "If he ever has a problem with it, S&W will send him a free shipping label to send it in for repair under their lifetime warranty. Then they'll ship it right back to his front door."

Unfortunately he fell for it and I couldn't get his attention to stop him.
Basically GM ripped him off for an extra 35 bucks.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I rarely buy extend warranties. Maybe, four in my lifetime. But the last one I bought was about two years ago at Home Depot on a lawn mower. Even used my Veteran's discount (which payed for the EW). Mower's been running fine.

 

[brjr51]

Uddy was looking for a pressure washer

A bit more on the last post. I get (or had) been getting many things that clearly were poorly resealed. A blind person could see it. STAY AWAY FROM THOSE AT ALL COSTS NO MATTER HOW BADLY YOU NEED IT. Go elsewhere or to another hd location and get a new one. Most of the time-parts missing and you are NOT getting what you are paying for.

These are tampered with-either by workers or customers stealing something vital from the package. Ive brought that up to (mis)managements attention numerous times and basically told to keep my mouth shut! I didnt and told customers at every chance when no ""ears"" were around. By ears means--anything from a head cashier being around to any member of management to anyone who is in the "gool old boys club" or seeking a voted on promotion.

BTW-anyone seeking employment there-will NOT get advanced based on busting butt--you get voted on into your next position. That's another dirty little home depot secret that is not known.

I recall a few years back looking at air filters for my truck. Someone had actually returned their used filter in the box and the store took it back. There was a dirty filter in the box.
A buddy was looking for a pressure washer. We went to Sears and the sales guy pointed us to a little chain link fence pen they had out back. He told us this is where we keep our returns that we can't sell as new. Customers actually buy these, power wash there deck or house, then bring them back and expect a refund for whatever reason. I couldn't imagine being in retail nowadays.

 

[nachogrande]

RINGO CHILL.

You just got out, remember. I think many of us know of these scams, but thanks for the heads up.

 

[loknload]

Thank you Ringo! Never particularly cared for Home Depot or Lowe's as well.
Never have I purchased extended warranties. If the piece breaks before it's due, it was a piece of junk to start with and I don't want another.
I will give Lowe's credit though a couple of years ago I bought a new wash machine and dryer from them. The washer was the last year run and discontinued and it didn't work right. Lowe's replaced it with a new year model which was more expensive and better no questions ask. So I do give them credit for that.
I don't like to buy a lot of electrical and plumbing supplies from them because it's all low grade Chinese junk and I don't trust it. Electrical supplies especially.
I've seen Lowe's put the used returned stuff back on the shelf as well.
If I feel the box is damaged and not sealed properly I won't take it. Very selective about that and my wife thinks I'm crazy?
But thanks for the inside scoop....

 

[Onomea]

Re damaged or opened boxes, I have gotten some great deals on stuff from Amazon's Warehouse Deals category. People order stuff, send the stuff back for one reason or another for a refund, and Amazon either fixes it or can't discern what the problem is, and puts it back on sale at a steep discount. So far everything I have purchased that way — TV and binoculars come to mind — has been fine...

 

[Bajadoc]

Buyer beware. The reason people sell you stuff is for their benefit not yours. Everything is a scam until proven otherwise. Research is in order before any significant purchase. Extended warrenties are the same as gambling, statistically speaking. No thanks.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

One time I bought a Guaranteed for Like Battery at Penny's.
When I went back for my third battery, they didn't have Any more lifers.
So I say, no more lifers? I got a guarantee for life, as long as I own this Pickup.
They say, those didn't last very long.
So they have been taken out of the store!
Like I didn't know that already!
So I got the best regular battery they had.
When I sold pickup several years later, It was still working!

 

[TX-Dennis]

I never buy an extended warranty. Once had a car dealer tell me they would not sell me the used vehicle I wanted without an extended warranty (only $2800 extra). It was only for my protection, of course. I got up, and said I guess we are done here, then. There are plenty of other cars for sale in town.

For some reason he changed his mind real quick.

 

[Golddollar]

Thanks for letting me know that I'm not crazy for looking at the condition of the boxes.