We Start Demo, Again
(I've been stuck for over a week now on the radiator recap that I'm trying to finish. So to push past this mental block, I'm going to shelve it for now and just keep blogging.)
We're going to tackle the front room this winter. In preparation, we have cut our downstairs living space in half by boarding up the doorway between the dining room and the front rooms. This involved a trip to Menards for some plywood.
I love, love, love Menards SO much more than Home Despot and Lowers. It has everything, it is laid out in a sensible manner, it has more reasonable prices and the customer service people are much more knowledgeable. Maybe the hearts of other women race when they walk into Tiffanys or when they see a pair of Manolo Blahniks. I get all goo-ga over hardware stores.
Of course, this year we have Miss Grace in tow (aka "the reason we are using plywood to separate the work area from the rest of the house versus heavy plastic"). She enjoyed the large Christmas tree display and little kid play area.
I was thrilled to find that Menards stocks true divided light wood casement windows. I love to use windows for wall decorations and as room dividers. Good to know that I have a supplier.
Now we have to board up the doorway and seal it with tape.
Then let the demo fun begin! Where is my pry bar?
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Comments
Didn't you use to have an advertisement for Home depot posted on your blog. I guess they're ok as long as they pay your bills.
Home Depot Employee
Posted by: Anonymous | December 12, 2006 7:45 PM
We probably had an ad that was channeled through Google Adsense. We don't choose the ads that Google Adsense puts on our site.
Sorry if you feel offended by my opinion. It's just my opinion. And I spend far too much at Home Depot, Lowes and Menards not to be able to offer an opinion. :) I'm sure that somewhere out there is a Home Depot that exceeds my opinion of the Chicagoland Home Depots. There has to be.
Posted by: jm | December 12, 2006 9:24 PM
Did you ever finish your story about the white crow? Just wondering, since you mentioned needing to finish the radiator story. I need closure.
Posted by: Carol | December 12, 2006 10:53 PM
Regarding the big-box DIY stores, I tend to lump them all in the same basket. They all sell more-or-less the same materials, but the experience in each is different. Why?
To my mind, this is clearly an example of how local management can impact a nationwide brand. Particularly for stores like these, where people will want to interact with the staff, the staff availability and friendliness are very important. What happens when store management decides they need to save money by having fewer people on the floor, or by hiring less-experienced staff?
Of course, the chain can impose these problems on the stores too. But, I tend to suspect it is the local management that gives each store their flavor.
Posted by: Jack Vinson | December 13, 2006 11:53 AM
Wow, I wish we had a local big hardware store like this. Our current mecca is an Ace hardware store that's so fantstic we could get lost in it for hours. Same story with the friendly staff. But alas they don't stock the big items like lumber, windows, doors, etc. Consider me jealous!
Posted by: merideth | December 13, 2006 2:52 PM
Seems like you are in good company for noticing that customer service at Home Depot is not what it ought to be. Have you seen this article in Business Week?
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_25/b3989044.htm
Posted by: Ron | December 13, 2006 2:52 PM
Also, in regards to store mgmt versus chain leadership, the problem seems to definitely be Nardelli, the CEO.
Posted by: Ron | December 13, 2006 2:57 PM
I second more on the white crow story. Although, I sensed foreshadowing of a sad ending...
Posted by: Heather (1912 Bungalow) | December 13, 2006 7:18 PM
i've been looking forward to the second part of the crow story but i'm afraid i won't be able to stomach the ending either.
also, you must live near a deluxe menards. they opened their cicero store, the closes to us about a year back. we were impressed with the level of customer service but the inside joke with my husband and i was that they were the '70's hardware store' since their selection left so much to be desired for and their displays looked so dated. their power tool selection only included generic and unfamiliar brands we had never seen. then they ran out of a glue we needed in the middle of a floor project that forced us out to another menards in countyside/lagrange. and our mouths dropped when we walked in and realized not all menards are built or stocked equally. it was brighter, much better stocked, name brand power tools and bright and shiny display and appliances everywhere. needless to say we were a tad bit annoyed that we would need to travel outside our area for a nicer store and a wider selection. we've decided to stick to home depot for now since their stores seem built more equally.
Posted by: irasali | December 17, 2006 4:22 PM