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Home Depot – Just say no!!

Question:

> What moron ever came up with a double cylinder lock for the house? >Having to have a f)*(^& key to get out of you own house is the *STUPIDEST* >thing I have ever seen.  Imagine having a fire in your house and the only exit >was locked and your keys were in the fire.  Smart, eh?

The double cylinder locks are for improved security for doors with windows. It’s very quick and easy to break the window, reach in, and unlock the door with a conventional deadbolt.  With the dual cylinder, that can’t happen, unless you leave the key in the inside cylinder (which you may want to do if you don’t want to change the lock).  Leaving the key in is no less secure than a single cylinder. As for fire safety, we always have a key within easy reach (from the inside) of the door.  Our other door is a single cylinder and doesn’t require a key. BTW, my local True Value  is way more expensive than HD and typically DON’T have what I’m looking for.  The staff is _generally_ more informed by my local HD has been good as well.  I think there are no hard and fast rules as to which are better.  Varies greatly from location to location I’ll guess. –Mike

Response:

I believe these supercenters like HD used to have the best prices but now they are the ones doing the ripping off due to their market dominance. HD appears to have been a major "wake up call" to the local suppliers that they need to be competitive to survive.  The local supplier here in Portland appear to have responded  to the challenge by offering better selection, quality, service and prices. (but not all under one roof) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> After trying them out for a couple years I’m bidding a fond farewell > to any  significant further shopping at Home Depot. >    <snipped numbered list for bandwidth> > Try your local suppliers.  You’ll be surprised to find that HD prices > are rarely  better. >    Actually, I shopped local suppliers for many years before I settled on >Home Depot as my vendor of choice. All the things you talk about on the >list – where I am, they’re all better at Home Depot. Prices, choices in >brands and selection, service, helpfulness of the staff, etc. Especially >prices. Sometimes, I still fume when thinking of all the money I wasted at >other places before Home Depot moved in. >    Home Depot is a BIGGGGGG outfit. They didn’t get that large from giving >universally rotten service, choice and prices. Any number of cities have >much, much worse situations than you do — or HD wouldn’t have become a >success. I got terrible service, choices and prices. I would not have >shopped for a new vendor except that I was treated rudely and ripped off >for years and years by the previous folks. Now, Home Depot gets first crack >at most projects before I go shopping. It saves time as well as money. My >"alternative" now is mail order. I don’t want to go back to the places that >ripped me off so much in the past.

Response:

: > Home Depot is a BIGGGGGG outfit. They didn’t get that large from giving : > universally rotten service, choice and prices. : It worked for Microsoft…. And McDonalds. — -jim hickle

Response:

>         What moron ever came up with a double cylinder lock for the house? > Having to have a f)*(^& key to get out of you own house is the *STUPIDEST* > thing I have ever seen.  Imagine having a fire in your house and the only exit > was locked and your keys were in the fire.  Smart, eh? >         Sean

If the door had glass in it and there was a man in a ski mask on one side of the door an you wife and children on the other side you might have a different opinion.   :)   I’ll give you another good reason for a double cylinder deadbolt.  Let’s say a burglar comes in through a window.  All of the exterior doors have D/C deadbolts on them.  He’s gotta go back out the way he came in.   Funny…  Peolpe look a whole lot more suspicious passing a TV out though a window than they do carrying it out the front door. As for the fire argument, keep a key near the door but in an out of the way place so you’re not tempted to use it then forget to put it back.   Tell EVERYONE in the house where it is and WHAT IT’S FOR!  Also, make sure it’s low to the ground.  That way children and anyone crawling around on the floor (under the smoke) can still reach it.   And worse comes to worse, open a first floor window and climb out. Bobby —                                        Bob De Weese                                Certified Professional Locksmith *  "The secret to effective communication is knowing what to say, * *   how to say it, and whom to say it to."                        *

Response:

It’s fire code in many cities that you cannot have double cylinders in a dwelling. They are mainly for commercial purposes. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->         What moron ever came up with a double cylinder lock for the house? > Having to have a f)*(^& key to get out of you own house is the *STUPIDEST* > thing I have ever seen.  Imagine having a fire in your house and the only exit > was locked and your keys were in the fire.  Smart, eh? >         Sean >If the door had glass in it and there was a man in a ski mask on one >side of the door an you wife and children on the other side you might >have a different opinion.   :) >I’ll give you another good reason for a double cylinder deadbolt.  Let’s >say a burglar comes in through a window.  All of the exterior doors have >D/C deadbolts on them.  He’s gotta go back out the way he came in. >Funny…  Peolpe look a whole lot more suspicious passing a TV out >though a window than they do carrying it out the front door. >As for the fire argument, keep a key near the door but in an out of the >way place so you’re not tempted to use it then forget to put it back. >Tell EVERYONE in the house where it is and WHAT IT’S FOR!  Also, make >sure it’s low to the ground.  That way children and anyone crawling >around on the floor (under the smoke) can still reach it. >And worse comes to worse, open a first floor window and climb out. >Bobby >– >                                       Bob De Weese >                             Certified Professional Locksmith >*  "The secret to effective communication is knowing what to say, * >*   how to say it, and whom to say it to."                        *

Response:

Silly me… I must have lost my mind! :>((( What WAS I thinking???? <LOL> Randy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > snip > Are you implying that hanging a sign that says "DISCOUNT" – eliminating any > vestiges of customer service, and piling the merchandize in plain pipe > racks isn’t a sign that you are getting a REAL bargain for your money – > regardless of the fact that you are not getting the quality product you > might want and you are going to have to assemble it yourself? > You sound like you are un american or at least not a republican!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >After trying them out for a couple years I’m bidding a fond farewell >to any  significant further shopping at Home Depot. >1. The local lumber yards have better prices, better quality, better >service.  Why endure the miserable lumber shopping experience at HD? >(beautiful TK Cedar at $.99 at Copeland Lumber vs. $1.19 for the HD >culls) >2. The local ACE hardware stores have much better hardware and tool >selection, service and prices as HD.   >(a 3/8-5 brass pipe is $3.19 at Ace vs. $7.00 at HD) >3. Is it just me or does every other HD purchase get stalled due to a >bad or missing bar codes.  And why is every aisle that I want to >closed off due to the forklift? >Try your local suppliers.  You’ll be surprised to find that HD prices >are rarely  better.

I’m glad your local hardware stores are good.  However, this isn’t always the case — I frequent Home Depot (and, to a lesser extent, Homebase) because every local store here sucks wind (lousy service, lousy prices, lousy stock).

Response:

>        I have found Home Depot to be good for the cheap basic home supplies.   >Mainly plumbing and electrical.  If you need anything decent, or a specialty >item, you’re better off finding an established Ace or True Value Hardware store >with people that have been there for a while.

I find that about half of my trips to Home Depot (I go to the one on Washington Avenue Extension in Guilderland) end up in frustration: either they don’t have what I’m looking for, or I can’t find anyone to tell me if they even have it. For specialty stuff, I prefer my local hardware store… help is always there when I need it. (Never tried Phillips, though.) Sincerely, -Franklin

Response:

I have found Home Depot to be expensive on a lot of things. I priced a Snapper lawn mower that was $100 over a local shop and the local shop delivered for free. I have also known folks who priced their installed products and they are a lot higher. There everyday stuff is competitive at best. Mark

Response:

> I believe these supercenters like HD used to have the best prices but > now they are the ones doing the ripping off due to their market > dominance. > HD appears to have been a major "wake up call" to the local suppliers > that they need to be competitive to survive.  The local supplier here > in Portland appear to have responded  to the challenge by offering > better selection, quality, service and prices. (but not all under one > roof)

        I wish that would happen here. It hasn’t. The competition would be good for consumers. My nearest polite "old time" dealer still charges list price for tools and accessories, for instance. I think if he didn’t own the building, he’d have drowned long ago. He’s a nice guy, but we all have to deal with the real world economy. I can’t afford to spend $85 for a $49 saw blade.         Competition is something everybody faces. In my area, the auto parts places have responded better than the home improvement/tool industry.

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        Actually, I think the extreme success of outfits like Price Club/Costco indicate there’s plenty of room for new retailing ideas in our economy.         I figure I save several thousands of dollars a year shopping at either Home Depot or Costco. I’m not upset that they don’t carry absolutely everything I want under one roof. Nobody ever did that when I was paying through the nose.

Response:

Don’t lump Costco and Home Depot in the same sentance Costco sells quality name brands in a warehouse environment at a margin that is never over 14%.  Usually no one can touch their prices. Home Depot on the other hand creates the illusion of a Costco.  In reality what you end up getting  is the cash and carry of Costco but at premium or market price for low quality materials.  (this is definately not value) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->    Actually, I think the extreme success of outfits like Price Club/Costco >indicate there’s plenty of room for new retailing ideas in our economy. >    I figure I save several thousands of dollars a year shopping at either >Home Depot or Costco. I’m not upset that they don’t carry absolutely >everything I want under one roof. Nobody ever did that when I was paying >through the nose.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->         What moron ever came up with a double cylinder lock for the house? > Having to have a f)*(^& key to get out of you own house is the *STUPIDEST* > thing I have ever seen.  Imagine having a fire in your house and the only exit > was locked and your keys were in the fire.  Smart, eh? >         Sean >If the door had glass in it and there was a man in a ski mask on one >side of the door an you wife and children on the other side you might >have a different opinion.   :)   >I’ll give you another good reason for a double cylinder deadbolt.  Let’s >say a burglar comes in through a window.  All of the exterior doors have >D/C deadbolts on them.  He’s gotta go back out the way he came in.   >Funny…  Peolpe look a whole lot more suspicious passing a TV out >though a window than they do carrying it out the front door. >As for the fire argument, keep a key near the door but in an out of the >way place so you’re not tempted to use it then forget to put it back.   >Tell EVERYONE in the house where it is and WHAT IT’S FOR!  Also, make >sure it’s low to the ground.  That way children and anyone crawling >around on the floor (under the smoke) can still reach it.   >And worse comes to worse, open a first floor window and climb out. >Bobby

No – If a masked man was standing on the other side of the door, I WOULDN’T feel much safer with a double cylinder deadbolt. I seen the results of quite a few breakins. When a thief wants to enter a building, he almost always can and will.  Typically, a double deadbolt on a glass door will simply cause the thief to smash the entire door in, smash all the glass and wood panels or jimmy the entire jamb away from the lockset. I suspect more people die in homes each year due to fires than from breakins and violence from total strangers (since, believe it or not, in most cases of violence, the victims knew their attackers). Doug "Use it up, wear it out. Make it do, or do without."

Response:

I went to HD this morning for a particular brand of Wood Dough solvent that others don’t carry.  The first bottle was about 1/8th full, 7/8ths EMPTY.  Put back in stock to sell.  Be carefull out there!  Same thing has happened before as I found out AFTER I got home, but NOWHERE near this bad!  Fool me twice? Not third time!! >I believe these supercenters like HD used to have the best prices but now they

are the ones doing the ripping off due to their market dominance. rbowles96ATaolDOTcom for real E-mail

Response:

>After trying them out for a couple years I’m bidding a fond farewell >to any  significant further shopping at Home Depot. >1. The local lumber yards have better prices, better quality, better >service.  Why endure the miserable lumber shopping experience at HD?

There lumber does leave something to be desired. >(beautiful TK Cedar at $.99 at Copeland Lumber vs. $1.19 for the HD >culls) >2. The local ACE hardware stores have much better hardware and tool >selection, service and prices as HD.  

Few places have the open door retun policy that HD does.  you can take almost anything back to HD. >(a 3/8-5 brass pipe is $3.19 at Ace vs. $7.00 at HD)

That’s quite a price discrepancy. >3. Is it just me or does every other HD purchase get stalled due to a >bad or missing bar codes.  

When in HD, check every item for a bar code before you take it to the register.  I learned that right off. >And why is every aisle that I want to >closed off due to the forklift?

Victim of timing, usually you can wait a couple seconds and be on your way. >Try your local suppliers.  You’ll be surprised to find that HD prices >are rarely  better.

Depends on who your local suppliers are. Bought a rug at HD yesterday, that I’d already bought one of at the local True Value, it was $15 at TV,  $8 at HD.  Same rug.     Matt     -Who is this BETA guy and how long will he be testing our stuff?

Response:

>There are very good reasons for double cylinder locks, but you may not >have that need. I have some exterior doors that have glass panes or >are next to glass panes. Breaking the glass would give easy access to >a conventional knod deadbolt. Using a double cylinder and hanging the >key near the door but out of reach is a good solution. They are also >good for wrought iron security doors.

        True, but there is no reason t ohave a double cylinder deadbolt on a steel or wood entry door with no windows in or around it.         I understand if there’s a door with windows but I still don’t understand why people buy them for places that they are not suitable for.         Sean

Response:

says… >       Actually, I think the extreme success of outfits like Price Club/Costco >indicate there’s plenty of room for new retailing ideas in our economy. >       I figure I save several thousands of dollars a year shopping at either >Home Depot or Costco. I’m not upset that they don’t carry absolutely >everything I want under one roof. Nobody ever did that when I was paying >through the nose. >I think P.T Barnum had something to say about the ‘attitude’ you are >expounding……. >Buying more than you need of inferior products in the long run is not a >savings!

        Not everything at Home Depot is inferior.  Standard name brand products are cheaper at Home Depot a lot of times.  Standard PVC plumbing fittings, NM cable, and many other standard plumbing and home fixtures are cheaper.           These products are not inferior, it’s the same stuff you’d pay more for at the local hardware store.  Thing is, they don’t have EVERYTHING like they advertise.  You still need to go to a quality locksmith for specialty parts, a quality hardware store for special connectors or tools, etc.         The *BULK* items that you use are cheaper, the specialty items still have to be purchased elsewhere.         Sean

Response:

> Home Depot is a BIGGGGGG outfit. They didn’t get that large from giving > universally rotten service, choice and prices.

It worked for Microsoft…. — New York University School of Medicine

Response:

Actually in America, HUGE profits are generated daily by abusing, insulting, antagonizing, and defrauding consumers. PLEASE don’t be so naive as to believe FINANCIAL success in America is based on quality products or service, ’cause it just ain’t so!!!! So called "discount prices" are what draws the hoards of naive consumers NOT quality products or service. Our company has conducted some pretty sophisticated marketing tests and I can tell you price will make a sale at least a 100 to 1 over quality and service. And that’s what the big box stores use to take truckloads of cash to the bank everyday… :>((( Randy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Home Depot is a BIGGGGGG outfit. They didn’t get that large from giving > universally rotten service, choice and prices. > It worked for Microsoft…. > — > New York University School of Medicine

Response:

> > Home Depot is a BIGGGGGG outfit. They didn’t get that large from giving > universally rotten service, choice and prices. > It worked for Microsoft….

You have a problem with Microsoft’s prices?

Response:

> I don’t want to go back to the places that > ripped me off so much in the past.

I agree with you that HD – at least the one near me – is best on selection and pricies.  (Service can be hit or miss). However, I feel compeled to say, in defence of the small hardware stores that you accuse of ripping you off;  You have to realize that the small mom & pop hardware stores have _no_where_near_ the buying power of the big home centers.  If they tried to compete with HD of price, they’d be out of business in six months.   While your neighborhood hardware store may buy a case of something at a time *from a distributor*, HD is buying it not by the truck load, but by the _boxcar_ load *directly from the _manufacturer_*.  Who do you think gets the (much) better price?   On top of that…  Let’s say for example Main Street Hardware sells one wiggit per day.  On the other hand, HD sells forty wiggits per day.  HD can lower their mark-up even more and still turn a good profit because of shear volume.   Most of the small hardware stores generaly make-up for the price and selection difference by offering better/more personal service.  The fact that they have to charge more for the product does not nesessarily mean they’re "ripping you off". Bobby —                                        Bob De Weese                                Certified Professional Locksmith *  "The secret to effective communication is knowing what to say, * *   how to say it, and whom to say it to."                        *

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->After trying them out for a couple years I’m bidding a fond farewell >to any  significant further shopping at Home Depot. >1. The local lumber yards have better prices, better quality, better >service.  Why endure the miserable lumber shopping experience at HD? >(beautiful TK Cedar at $.99 at Copeland Lumber vs. $1.19 for the HD >culls) >2. The local ACE hardware stores have much better hardware and tool >selection, service and prices as HD.   >(a 3/8-5 brass pipe is $3.19 at Ace vs. $7.00 at HD) >3. Is it just me or does every other HD purchase get stalled due to a >bad or missing bar codes.  And why is every aisle that I want to >closed off due to the forklift? >Try your local suppliers.  You’ll be surprised to find that HD prices >are rarely  better. >    I have found Home Depot to be good for the cheap basic home supplies.   >Mainly plumbing and electrical.  If you need anything decent, or a specialty >item, you’re better off finding an established Ace or True Value Hardware store >with people that have been there for a while. >    I personally usually go to Phillips Hardware on Central Ave in Albany, >NY for any of my specialty parts, ESPECIALLY for plumbing and lock/doorknob >supplies.  This particular store was once Terminal Hardware and was a True >Value but is now an Ace Hardware.  None-the-less, the same people still work >there and hey know what they have.  Plus, plumbing fittings, like brass >reducers and such, are a one-shot deal there, one part does the job, instead of >2-3 parts which are a hassle.  I needed a brass 1/2"MIP to 3/4"MIP fitting for >a custom water filter installation, Phillips had it, none of the big places >did.  I mentioned this to one of the Home Depot guys and he told me it was >because it was "old stock" and there was "no such thing" any more.  Sorry >buddy, this is new stock and always in stock. >    This particular Phillips/Ace also has a locksmith with replacement >latches and bolts, keys, cylinders, etc.  Only hassle now is that i’ve moved >further away from it and it’s more of a hassle to get there.  I’m going to have >to make the trip though, possibly today, since I really need to change that >lock on my front door. >    What moron ever came up with a double cylinder lock for the house?   >Having to have a f)*(^& key to get out of you own house is the *STUPIDEST* >thing I have ever seen.  Imagine having a fire in your house and the only exit >was locked and your keys were in the fire.  Smart, eh? >    Sean

There are very good reasons for double cylinder locks, but you may not have that need. I have some exterior doors that have glass panes or are next to glass panes. Breaking the glass would give easy access to a conventional knod deadbolt. Using a double cylinder and hanging the key near the door but out of reach is a good solution. They are also good for wrought iron security doors.

Response:

> After trying them out for a couple years I’m bidding a fond farewell > to any  significant further shopping at Home Depot.

        <snipped numbered list for bandwidth> > Try your local suppliers.  You’ll be surprised to find that HD prices > are rarely  better.

        Actually, I shopped local suppliers for many years before I settled on Home Depot as my vendor of choice. All the things you talk about on the list – where I am, they’re all better at Home Depot. Prices, choices in brands and selection, service, helpfulness of the staff, etc. Especially prices. Sometimes, I still fume when thinking of all the money I wasted at other places before Home Depot moved in.         Home Depot is a BIGGGGGG outfit. They didn’t get that large from giving universally rotten service, choice and prices. Any number of cities have much, much worse situations than you do — or HD wouldn’t have become a success. I got terrible service, choices and prices. I would not have shopped for a new vendor except that I was treated rudely and ripped off for years and years by the previous folks. Now, Home Depot gets first crack at most projects before I go shopping. It saves time as well as money. My "alternative" now is mail order. I don’t want to go back to the places that ripped me off so much in the past.

Response:

>After trying them out for a couple years I’m bidding a fond farewell >to any  significant further shopping at Home Depot. >1. The local lumber yards have better prices, better quality, better >service.  Why endure the miserable lumber shopping experience at HD? >(beautiful TK Cedar at $.99 at Copeland Lumber vs. $1.19 for the HD >culls) >2. The local ACE hardware stores have much better hardware and tool >selection, service and prices as HD.   >(a 3/8-5 brass pipe is $3.19 at Ace vs. $7.00 at HD) >3. Is it just me or does every other HD purchase get stalled due to a >bad or missing bar codes.  And why is every aisle that I want to >closed off due to the forklift? >Try your local suppliers.  You’ll be surprised to find that HD prices >are rarely  better.

        I have found Home Depot to be good for the cheap basic home supplies.   Mainly plumbing and electrical.  If you need anything decent, or a specialty item, you’re better off finding an established Ace or True Value Hardware store with people that have been there for a while.         I personally usually go to Phillips Hardware on Central Ave in Albany, NY for any of my specialty parts, ESPECIALLY for plumbing and lock/doorknob supplies.  This particular store was once Terminal Hardware and was a True Value but is now an Ace Hardware.  None-the-less, the same people still work there and hey know what they have.  Plus, plumbing fittings, like brass reducers and such, are a one-shot deal there, one part does the job, instead of 2-3 parts which are a hassle.  I needed a brass 1/2"MIP to 3/4"MIP fitting for a custom water filter installation, Phillips had it, none of the big places did.  I mentioned this to one of the Home Depot guys and he told me it was because it was "old stock" and there was "no such thing" any more.  Sorry buddy, this is new stock and always in stock.         This particular Phillips/Ace also has a locksmith with replacement latches and bolts, keys, cylinders, etc.  Only hassle now is that i’ve moved further away from it and it’s more of a hassle to get there.  I’m going to have to make the trip though, possibly today, since I really need to change that lock on my front door.         What moron ever came up with a double cylinder lock for the house?   Having to have a f)*(^& key to get out of you own house is the *STUPIDEST* thing I have ever seen.  Imagine having a fire in your house and the only exit was locked and your keys were in the fire.  Smart, eh?         Sean

Response:

After trying them out for a couple years I’m bidding a fond farewell to any  significant further shopping at Home Depot. 1. The local lumber yards have better prices, better quality, better service.  Why endure the miserable lumber shopping experience at HD? (beautiful TK Cedar at $.99 at Copeland Lumber vs. $1.19 for the HD culls) 2. The local ACE hardware stores have much better hardware and tool selection, service and prices as HD.   (a 3/8-5 brass pipe is $3.19 at Ace vs. $7.00 at HD) 3. Is it just me or does every other HD purchase get stalled due to a bad or missing bar codes.  And why is every aisle that I want to closed off due to the forklift? Try your local suppliers.  You’ll be surprised to find that HD prices are rarely  better.

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