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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Home Depot Tells Me I'll Be Able To Return Unused Generator, Changes Mind After Hurricane
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Look that is your problem, they did not mark it up. They tried to provide the community what was needed, stayed open 24 hours to help out. Now because you were scared to be with out electric for a few days you want to return the item.
ReplyDeleteI think they are right, sell it on craigs list
I was told by a cashier at the Westminster, MD HD, that buyers had to sign a paper agreeing to no returns. I do think however, that if there as a return policy before Irene and it's being revoked now, then HD is no different they any other low life business that takes advantage of people during a crisis. I see a clash-action lawsuit on the horizon.
ReplyDeleteYou can't just "borrow" a new generator and expect to be able to return it and get your money back. To expect that wasn't very bright. Now, I wish I had some spare cash as I could get a generator at a good price on craigslist right now...
ReplyDeleteEvidently you guys didn't read the article. While they can refuse to accept any returns for any reason or no reason, their policy does state that gasoline powered products can be returned within 30 days.
ReplyDeleteNow if I was that man that the manager swore at, I think I would have be inclined to punch him in the nose, after I got my money of course. lol.
It only stated that 3 men were returning the generators, so that should not have been any problem.
Now if you had 100 customers trying to return them that would be different.
Obviously the manager didn't have the brains to figure that out. After he called corporate he then gave the return.
If he had done the right thing to begin with no one would have gotten upset, including him.
Oh well, live and learn.
These are the same people that will go and buy the same generator in the next storm then return it once again. If I were Home Depot I would charge a restocking fee of 25% of the purchase price. After all Home Depot is the looser in this whole game because without that generator in-stock they may have lost a sale to someone who would have kept it. The buyer should have to bear some of the burden in this case but they try to make it look like it's all Home Depot's fault.
ReplyDeleteI agree 9:49. It's like the guy got a free rental on the generator.
ReplyDeleteWell the one in Berlin is accepting them as long as they are NOT used meaning NO gas has been added. They have a sign out front stating just that
ReplyDeleteHome Depot went to a lot of trouble and expense in bringing truckloads of generators to areas that were about to be hit with the storm.
ReplyDeleteIf they hadn't of done that in the first place, none of the hundreds of "last minute" shoppers would have been able to purchase one.
The customer discussed here wants in effect, "free insurance" against the possibility of a power outage in a large storm. Who pays for the freight expenses as a result of this selfishness?
Kudos to Home Depot for putting the money and resources up front for all those folks who wanted to buy these units.
I have gone to considerable trouble and expense to have a standby power system installed in my house. It paid off, too -- we endured a 16 hour outage from this storm.
Another storm is brewing out there this week. Will this same person want to buy another generator again, as "free insurance" against another possible outage???
That's the chance you take. It's just like when you buy a stock or a lottery ticket. You hope it works out your way, but sometimes it doesn't. Home Depot is a business, not an insurance policy for a natural disaster. Suck it up.
ReplyDeleteYou are speculating that they will do it again. But charging them a re-stocking fee sounds reasonable.
ReplyDeleteI would hope they have learned a lesson from this and don't panic if there is a next time.
He/they were lucky corporate sided with them and they were able to get their money back.
If they do it again, better clean out a spot in your garage because it's yours now.
I was in the Salisbury Home Depot Yesterday (Tuesday) and a woman was returning a small bundle of firewood, 3 cases of botteled water, 2 packages of "D" size batteries and other storm supplies that were not used. Do you think Home Depot should have a re-stocking charge? I do in cases like this.
ReplyDeleteAs a manager of a retail outlet in o c, this is another example of why we should all be getting
ReplyDeletesix figure salaries. We get idiots in here all the time, "oh I didn't use this beach chair." Then why is it covered in sand? I say like European governments require all men of age to enter their military, our country should require all people to work in retail for two years, it would give you all a better appreciation for life.
This is the same as calling your insurance agent and purchasing flood insurance right before a hurricane. Then canceling it after the storm has passed with no damage.
ReplyDeleteThis guy is a coward. But, HD needs to revise their return policy for generators. A 50% restocking fee would be justified.
A 50% restocking fee would be justified.
ReplyDeleteAugust 31, 2011 7:47 AM
50% of 600?! are you crazy?!
7:42 AM
ReplyDeleteabsolutely. and I wouldn't even take the batteries. You couldn't find a freakin battery within 40 miles.
Stickem lady.
As a manager of a retail outlet in o c, this is another example of why we should all be getting
ReplyDeletesix figure salaries.
7:44 AM
Don't flatter yourself. There isn't a store on the shore whose manager is worth 6 figures.
And that idiot comment works both ways.
HD doesn't want to return all that money. They need it to pay for those shotgun toting Rambo's.
ReplyDeleteI bet even if they only had a 10% re-stocking fee, most would think twice about giving up that much money.
And who and why is that guy? a coward? That word sure gets thrown around a lot on here.
Todd is a crybaby and just needs to suck it up. HE BOUGHT IT AND MAY HAVE KEPT SOMEONE WHO TRULY NEEDED IT FROM BUYING IT. He did not "change his mind" about the generator. From the outset, he intended to return it if he lucked out and didn't need it & probably would have tried to return it used if thought he could get away with it. He will do the the same thing when the next storm rolls up the coast. The difference may be, though, that HD might not bring in all the generators as they did this time because of people like Todd. HD isn't a charity, they're a business & they are in business to make money. They didn't price gouge & that's the most you should expect. I've shopped at HD for years and, although I prefer Lowe's (it's more like a REAL hardware store, the look and FEEL, just a guy thing), I have never had an issue with anything I needed to return to them for ANY reason. In truth, Todd USED HD, possibly to the detriment of others & certainly at the expense of HD. ...and for those of you who say "it's the cost of doing business," that cost becomes a little bit higher because of people like Todd and other customers (us) pay higher prices because of them.
ReplyDelete9:57 AM
ReplyDeleteI don't usually do this but, I think your post is very well written. You had some very good points and expressed them well.
I agreed with some, not sure about some but overall you did a good job.
( just don't let it go to your head. lol)
"Hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe's stand to rake in a nice pile of cash from hurricane-related sales."
ReplyDeleteSo what? That's why they sell things, to make money. You think they should just loan everything out to be returned if not used? If it were your business would you maybe feel differently? It costs money to bring in all that merchandise, money to pay their employees (our HD was open 'round the clock during the storm), money to pay their power bill while they're open those extra hours. It's called free enterprise, supply & demand, capitalism. For those of you who yearn for socialism, hang in there, it's comin'. A little at a time, helped along by people with attitudes like Todd's, who seem to believe everything should be available to anyone who MIGHT need it (mostly him, though) at no cost except to the evil businessman. When it gets here, you prob'ly ain't gonna like it, though, but it'll be too late.
9:40 - "shotgun-toting Rambos?" What does that even mean? "...'splain yourself, Lucy."
9:40 - "shotgun-toting Rambos?" What does that even mean? "...'splain yourself, Lucy."
ReplyDeleteAugust 31, 2011 10:22 AM
Home Depot hired armed security to guard their stores against looting. They thought people would use the hurricane to loot their stores.
he listened to the media instead of listening to me. told you guys it wouldnt be bad! lol
ReplyDeleteSir....that thinks you should be making six figures let me tell you there are very few businesses these days who's management should be paid at all!! All I hear is "good customer service" and the fact is you all suck at giving good customer service. You can start with Verizon, PRMC, & drug stores that give people wrong meds, etc etc. Whatever happened to the customer is always right? Sorry I think most people in retail need to take a class on professionalism.
ReplyDeleteNow having said all that I do agree with at least a 35% restocking fee.
Armed security?? IF someone DID try to "loot", were they actually ready to shoot someone? Would THAT be legal? I always thought you couldn't shoot someone unless they were immediately threatening your life (or someone else's life). Killing someone over the theft of property doesn't exactly sound legal. Unless, of course, they were off-duty cops. Then they can kill for no reason at all.
ReplyDelete11:25 AM
ReplyDeleteI agree with all except 35%. That is way too much, especially on big ticket items. There should be a maximum amount.
9:40/10:27 - Wow. Did not know that. They didn't do that around here. ...or if they did, they stayed out of sight.
ReplyDeleteKinda ambivalent on this, though. They do have a right to protect their property and the safety of their employees. ...and looting has been known to occur in natural disasters (witness the aftermath of Katrina). Also, gotta admit the thought crossed my mind to dust off the old handgun and ammo, just in case. ...but decided it was overkill (pun intended).
Also, was it really wise to hire off-duty cops? If things got REALLY bad, wouldn't they all have had to report to duty "To Protect and Serve?"
11:28 - Usually the deterrent of a show of force is enough to keep looters and other ne'er-do-wells from attempting their crimes. They just move on to victimize those who are unarmed and defenseless.
ReplyDeleteTo: Anon 10:16 - Thanks. (...and no chance of that) From: 9:57
ReplyDeleteTo me 35% is high but for those that are sincere with their purchase they don't have to worry and for those that are dishonest and trying to pull one over they will just have to pay for their convience and the store's inconvience.
ReplyDelete