On Sat, 07 Jan 2006 02:53:59 +0000, ameijers wrote:


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

"Dan Lanciani" ddl@danlan.*com wrote in message
...
In article om,
(louie) writes:
| Unfortunately, for me and probably many others who continue to feed
| stores like HD, the only saving grace of these stores are the hours.
I
| can go in there after work hours and get what I need for that evening
| or weekend project. Many local hardware stores have closed by the
time
| I can get there.

Another feature of home centers is that they are actually willing to
sell
to us. We had a local place (open only to 5 of course) that had a
pretty
good selection of plumbing, electrical, and some general building
supplies.
The prices weren't great, but it was local business. They had a change
of
management and became "trades only." I went in one day to get a faucet
stem
and was told that I needed to be accompanied by a licensed plumber with
an
account. Now some years later I hear they have reconsidered and are
willing
to deal with the general public for some (non-professional?) items, but
I
just don't have the urge to beg them to take my money...

Dan Lanciani
ddl@danlan.*com

Look at it from their point of view: You could poke your eye out with a
faucet stem if you didn't have a licensed PROFESSIONAL there with you to
keep you safe. :-)

Oh, I can see the stores point of view- the non-pro customers, if they are a
small portion of the total business, can be a royal pain in the ass. They
need a lot more hand-holding, and generate a lot more returns. Pros come in
with a list, know exactly what they need, and if they screw up and buy the
wrong thing, don't cry about the restocking charges. If there are big-boxes
in town that cater to the amatuers, dealing with civilians just may not be
worth the hassle.

Sure, and that's their perogative. OTOH, several "trades" stores I've
gone to seem to rather like the homeowners business (money is money). I
go in with a list and a wad of cash (and try not to be a PITA). I have a
suspicion that these cash deals are, umm, off the books. ;-)

--
Keith