In article , postmaster@
127.0.0.1 says...
"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in
news:Ld1Jg.2162$aQ4.1459@trndny06:


"Not@home" wrote in message
I'm unhappy, because a few years ago we had two hardware stores near
us, either of which would have provided good advice, but Home Depot
has driven them out of business.

How did Home Depot put them out of business?

Did they block the entrance so customers could not get in? No
Did they sue the owners and force them out?
No Did the bribe town officials to condemn the store?
No. Did they have the utilities cut and leave them in the dark?
No

People just like you and I put them out of business. We stopped going
there. We had a choice and we decided it was more important to save a
few pennies than to go to the local store for our needs. We decided
that HD had a better selection so we went there instead of the local
store.

We complain that things cost too much so stores like Home Depot find
cheaper sources in places like China and we buy them. Then we are
happy with the price, but complain because we lost our manufacturing
jobs to other countries. Instead of spending the weekend at home
enjoying friends and family, we go to the mall and buy cheap stuff
from overseas.

Pogo said: "we have met the enemy and it is us". That was over 45
years ago and still true today.




Well said facts Edwin.

Back in VT there was a hardware store that one day began a "closing the
doors" clearance. Had been there a long time. HD moved in like 6-12 mos
before. Was talking to they owner who I knew personnally. Basically said
the same as you just did. One comment that stuck was that when people
want a few loose nuts/bolts/washers they come by hoping to only have to
spend a nickel or two and not have to drive 5mi. When they need a hedge
trimmer they run to HD and Wally World.

Which store? The ACE (I think it was) in EJ never did have
anything to sell. They had no stock *years* before HomeDespot knew
VT existed. Several others were the same. Good riddance! OTOH,
there is a decent HW store on the other side of Burlington that's
expanded and a new ACE in S. Burlington opened about 1Mi. from the
HomeDespot.

No, some stores have no idea how to compete. They don't *DESERVE*
my patronage (come on Lowes!).

--
Keith