You know, I was *happy* a year or so ago when they put a new Home Depot
within a reasonable distance from my home, because driving to the next
nearest "home center" was quite the pain. However, I just came back
from what has to be my eleventeenth wallowing in the mud of their
mediocrity, and I'm really getting sick of it.

I'm trying to resurrect the spring-loaded tilt mechanism on a nice
antique Crocker chair for a neighbor of mine, and I found myself
deciding that a 5/16" or 3/8" carriage bolt would be just the thing to
solve the particular problem at hand. Of COURSE, I didn't have one of
the correct length, so off I go on a special trip to Home Depot to
secure the item(s) in question.

As I'm looking through their collection, I'm starting to get ****ed off
because it looks like somebody has put all the wrong diameter bolts in
the various bins; the shanks on the 5/16" bolts look more like 1/4" to
me, and likewise do the 3/8" bolts look too slender. What the hell? I
wished that I'd had my dial caliper with me, but the best I could do was
to eyeball the diameter with a tape measure. They still don't look
right, but after running the bolts through their in-store thread gauge
and satisfied they were correct, I bought one 3/8" and one 5/16".

I get them home, and WTF? I finally realize what is wrong, and now I'm
friggin' ****ed because the bolts are worthless for my application. The
unthreaded portion of the shanks are a full 3/64" shy of their stated
diameters"!!! Oh sure, the outside diameter of the threaded portion is
3/8", but the shanks aren't even close. The shank on every other 3/8"
carriage bolt I've ever purchased has been a full 3/8"; I've *never*
encountered cheap-**** carriage bolts like these before. Some penny
pinching jackasses probably got a nice corporate award for coming up
with such a clever money-saving design.

Do I even *bother* trying to contact their complaint department (if they
even have such a thing)?

--
Repeat after me:
"I am we Todd it. I am sofa king we Todd it."
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/

On Sep 5, 6:17*pm, Steve Turner
wrote:

[bought bolts at Home Depot]
I get them home, and WTF? *I finally realize what is wrong, and now I'm
friggin' ****ed because the bolts are worthless for my application. *The
unthreaded portion of the shanks are a full 3/64" shy of their stated
diameters"!!! *Oh sure, the outside diameter of the threaded portion is
3/8", but the shanks aren't even close. *

Alas, that's normal. Unless you get 'shoulder bolts', the shank
diameter is not the controlled 3/8" you want, because the threads
weren't cut on a 3/8" blank, they were raised (rolled, it's called)
on a subsize blank. You can build up the shank with welding,
I suppose, or just roll a bit of sheet metal around
the shank. Or scrounge in decades-old assortments of
fasteners for an archaic example of what-you-expected.

Some high-strength fasteners will have the full shaft diameter,
perhaps,
because not all alloys are roll-able.

Shop with calipers.

Steve Turner wrote in
:

*snip*


Do I even *bother* trying to contact their complaint department (if
they even have such a thing)?


If you decide to take them back (don't waste a trip on $1 worth of
parts), make sure the person handling the return knows your reason.
Then make a trip to the local Ace hardware and get what you really need.

If enough people complain, they'll go back to the old way of doing
things.

Puckdropper
--
"The potential difference between the top and bottom of a tree is the
reason why all trees have to be grounded..." -- Bored Borg on
rec.woodworking

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

On Sat, 5 Sep 2009 19:46:56 -0700 (PDT), whit3rd
wrote:

On Sep 5, 6:17*pm, Steve Turner
wrote:

[bought bolts at Home Depot]
I get them home, and WTF? *I finally realize what is wrong, and now I'm
friggin' ****ed because the bolts are worthless for my application. *The
unthreaded portion of the shanks are a full 3/64" shy of their stated
diameters"!!! *Oh sure, the outside diameter of the threaded portion is
3/8", but the shanks aren't even close. *

Alas, that's normal. Unless you get 'shoulder bolts', the shank
diameter is not the controlled 3/8" you want, because the threads
weren't cut on a 3/8" blank, they were raised (rolled, it's called)
on a subsize blank. You can build up the shank with welding,
I suppose, or just roll a bit of sheet metal around
the shank. Or scrounge in decades-old assortments of
fasteners for an archaic example of what-you-expected.

Some high-strength fasteners will have the full shaft diameter,
perhaps,
because not all alloys are roll-able.

Shop with calipers.


And don't even think 3/4 inch ply is 3/4".

Puckdropper puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com wrote in news:001bb744$0$31207
:

Then make a trip to the local Ace hardware and get what you really need.

Here in Fair Lawn, I go to Goodman's, a True Value hardware store. Walking
distance, great people and selections, and help! what else do you want.

--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid

Han wrote:
Puckdropper puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com wrote in news:001bb744$0$31207
:

Then make a trip to the local Ace hardware and get what you really need.

Here in Fair Lawn, I go to Goodman's, a True Value hardware store. Walking
distance, great people and selections, and help! what else do you want.

We do have a small home-town Ace Hardware store that's about the same
distance as the new Home Depot. They open at 11:00 this morning and
I'll be waiting on their doorstep. I don't know why I only think of
going to them *after* I've been screwed by Home Depot, but one of these
days I'll learn...

--
"Even if your wife is happy but you're unhappy, you're still happier
than you'd be if you were happy and your wife was unhappy." - Red Green
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/

Ace or Tru Value, both have good hardware bins, someone to help you
find something, help in designing a project on the spot, and you don't
have to walk 3 miles from one end of the store to the other. I always
try Ace first before making the dreaded trip to the Borg.

Steve Turner wrote in
:

Han wrote:
Puckdropper puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com wrote in
news:001bb744$0$31207 :

Then make a trip to the local Ace hardware and get what you really
need.

Here in Fair Lawn, I go to Goodman's, a True Value hardware store.
Walking distance, great people and selections, and help! what else
do you want.

We do have a small home-town Ace Hardware store that's about the same
distance as the new Home Depot. They open at 11:00 this morning and
I'll be waiting on their doorstep. I don't know why I only think of
going to them *after* I've been screwed by Home Depot, but one of
these days I'll learn...

Since I can bike over to Goodman's in about 3 minutes, I often go there
first. Also, I like the owner and the workers, and it means supporting a
local Mom and Pop store. If they don't have what I want, I go for good
wood to Kuiken Brothers, for other stuff to the Home Depot across the
Passaic in the 3% sales tax zone of Paterson.

--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid

Do I even *bother* trying to contact their complaint department (if they
even have such a thing)?

--
Repeat after me:
"I am we Todd it. *I am sofa king we Todd it."
To reply, eat the taco.http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/

I have found that, almost without exception, that the local ACE
Hardware will fill my hardware needs before HD or Lowe's. And usually
cheaper. The local owner has even ordered a piece of hardware, to fit
my needs, a time or two.

BTW, when I say "local"......we live in a town of 700 in SE Kansas.
The closest HD is 30 miles, closest Lowes is 60 miles. Thank goodness
there are two ACE Hardware stores within 15 miles. We also have three
lumber yards within the 15 to 20 mile range that will outclass and
often outprice the big box stores on a consistent basis. However they
are a little short on tools and such.

RonB

whit3rd wrote:
On Sep 5, 6:17 pm, Steve Turner
wrote:
[bought bolts at Home Depot]
I get them home, and WTF? I finally realize what is wrong, and now I'm
friggin' ****ed because the bolts are worthless for my application. The
unthreaded portion of the shanks are a full 3/64" shy of their stated
diameters"!!! Oh sure, the outside diameter of the threaded portion is
3/8", but the shanks aren't even close.

Alas, that's normal. Unless you get 'shoulder bolts', the shank
diameter is not the controlled 3/8" you want, because the threads
weren't cut on a 3/8" blank, they were raised (rolled, it's called)
on a subsize blank.

I must be living in the past or something, because I just got back from
my local Ace hardware and their selection was the same; just as you
describe. This boggles my mind because I have all kinds of old carriage
bolts around here (unfortunately, none of which fit my needs for this
project) and every one that doesn't have full length threads has the
"shoulder" shank that you describe. I rarely buy them and don't
remember where I got them, but it must have been during a different era...

You can build up the shank with welding,
I suppose, or just roll a bit of sheet metal around
the shank. Or scrounge in decades-old assortments of
fasteners for an archaic example of what-you-expected.

I'm just going to invent one from a regular hex-head shoulder bolt that
I brought home from Ace hardware.

Shop with calipers.

Aye. I also need to carry a little pocket-sized tape measure with me
(like my Dad does), but knowing me I'd probably forget the dang thing.
I usually have to wander over to the tools section and "borrow" one of
their new tape measures, then put it back when I'm done. :-)

--
"Our beer goes through thousands of quality Czechs every day."
(From a Shiner Bock billboard I saw in Austin some years ago)
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/

Steve Turner wrote:
whit3rd wrote:
On Sep 5, 6:17 pm, Steve Turner
wrote:
[bought bolts at Home Depot]
I get them home, and WTF? I finally realize what is wrong, and now I'm
friggin' ****ed because the bolts are worthless for my application. The
unthreaded portion of the shanks are a full 3/64" shy of their stated
diameters"!!! Oh sure, the outside diameter of the threaded portion is
3/8", but the shanks aren't even close.

Alas, that's normal. Unless you get 'shoulder bolts', the shank
diameter is not the controlled 3/8" you want, because the threads
weren't cut on a 3/8" blank, they were raised (rolled, it's called)
on a subsize blank.

I must be living in the past or something, because I just got back from
my local Ace hardware and their selection was the same; just as you
describe. This boggles my mind because I have all kinds of old carriage
bolts around here (unfortunately, none of which fit my needs for this
project) and every one that doesn't have full length threads has the
"shoulder" shank that you describe. I rarely buy them and don't
remember where I got them, but it must have been during a different era...

You can build up the shank with welding,
I suppose, or just roll a bit of sheet metal around
the shank. Or scrounge in decades-old assortments of
fasteners for an archaic example of what-you-expected.

I'm just going to invent one from a regular hex-head shoulder bolt that
I brought home from Ace hardware.

Shop with calipers.

Aye. I also need to carry a little pocket-sized tape measure with me
(like my Dad does), but knowing me I'd probably forget the dang thing. I
usually have to wander over to the tools section and "borrow" one of
their new tape measures, then put it back when I'm done. :-)

I just leave a cheap one in the car, only takes a minute to abandon the
cart and run to the parking lot if I need it quickly.

--
Froz...

Phisherman wrote:

And don't even think 3/4 inch ply is 3/4".

I bought some 3/4" poplar at Hell Depot the other day to make a bookcase; I
was surprised it was actually 3/4" just like the sign said.

"Steve Turner" wrote

Aye. I also need to carry a little pocket-sized tape measure with me
(like my Dad does), but knowing me I'd probably forget the dang thing. I
usually have to wander over to the tools section and "borrow" one of their
new tape measures, then put it back when I'm done. :-)

I have a tape mesure and an inexpensive caliper in the glove compartment of
all my vehicles. Those calipers have save my ass again and again. I don't
leave home without them.

Steve Turner wrote:

Shop with calipers.

Aye. I also need to carry a little pocket-sized tape measure with me
(like my Dad does), but knowing me I'd probably forget the dang thing.
I usually have to wander over to the tools section and "borrow" one of
their new tape measures, then put it back when I'm done. :-)

I've developed the habit of carrying a little 6' tape in my watch pocket,
it's now part of the stuff I always have like my wallet, keys, money-clip
etc. Somebody mentioned carrying a cheap caliper in the car--what a great
idea, I have at least one of those Harbor Freight digital jobs that cost ten
bucks, so in the car it goes.

"DGDevin" wrote

I've developed the habit of carrying a little 6' tape in my watch pocket,
it's now part of the stuff I always have like my wallet, keys, money-clip
etc. Somebody mentioned carrying a cheap caliper in the car--what a great
idea, I have at least one of those Harbor Freight digital jobs that cost
ten bucks, so in the car it goes.
That was me. I used to do a fair amount of metal work years ago. I would
frequent salvage yard because I could often find some (cheap) welded peices
that could be easily converted to what I want to build. And the odd shaped
remmant that could be used as well.

The only thing was, I never knew how thick these peices were. Some projects
this mattered a lot. On others, it was not important. I started carrying
the calipers with me. I could quickly determine if I could recycle a
castoff from another place. And I have had the calipers with me ever since.
They have been useful many times.

DGDevin wrote:
Steve Turner wrote:

Shop with calipers.
Aye. I also need to carry a little pocket-sized tape measure with me
(like my Dad does), but knowing me I'd probably forget the dang thing.
I usually have to wander over to the tools section and "borrow" one of
their new tape measures, then put it back when I'm done. :-)

I've developed the habit of carrying a little 6' tape in my watch pocket,
it's now part of the stuff I always have like my wallet, keys, money-clip
etc. Somebody mentioned carrying a cheap caliper in the car--what a great
idea, I have at least one of those Harbor Freight digital jobs that cost ten
bucks, so in the car it goes.

slaps my forehead

See, that's why I love you guys! (Thanks Lee) I too have a couple of
extra cheapie calipers that I never use because my good Lee Valley dial
calipers are always handy, so what better place to store one of the
extras than in the glove box of my truck? And considering how often I
use my calipers around the shop I probably ought to buy a couple more
cheapies and stash them in the glove box of ALL my vehicles. Trouble
is, they'd probably go to the same place as the all the maps of the
states I frequent that I've *also* stashed in those glove boxes. Kinda
like socks in the dryer, something* is _eating_ those *******s. I'll
bet I've bought 27 maps of Texas, but do you think there'll be one in
the glove box when I need it?

* I know who it is, but she'll never admit it.

--
"Even if your wife is happy but you're unhappy, you're still happier
than you'd be if you were happy and your wife was unhappy." - Red Green
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/

On Sun, 06 Sep 2009 08:52:45 -0500, Steve Turner
wrote:

We do have a small home-town Ace Hardware store that's about the same
distance as the new Home Depot. They open at 11:00 this morning and
I'll be waiting on their doorstep. I don't know why I only think of
going to them *after* I've been screwed by Home Depot, but one of these
days I'll learn...

Keep in mind that HD (and Lowe's) didn't get to be a behemoth by
selling top-quality stuff. They got there by selling stuff cheap, and
that usually translates to selling cheap stuff.

When it comes to hardware, paint and the like, I prefer to start at
the local hardware store. Maybe a tad more expensive than the Borg,
but better quality stuff sold by knowlegeable and friendly people that
I like doing business with. And I like knowing that my money stays in
town, too.

I use HD and the like as a last resort except for brand-name power
tools where I must admit they have a far better selection and better
prices.

Reply-to address is real
John

"John" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 06 Sep 2009 08:52:45 -0500, Steve Turner
wrote:

We do have a small home-town Ace Hardware store that's about the same
distance as the new Home Depot. They open at 11:00 this morning and
I'll be waiting on their doorstep. I don't know why I only think of
going to them *after* I've been screwed by Home Depot, but one of these
days I'll learn...

Keep in mind that HD (and Lowe's) didn't get to be a behemoth by
selling top-quality stuff. They got there by selling stuff cheap, and
that usually translates to selling cheap stuff.

When it comes to hardware, paint and the like, I prefer to start at
the local hardware store. Maybe a tad more expensive than the Borg,
but better quality stuff

The problem here, is that the better quality companies are either going out
of business altogether, or getting with the program and selling stuff
manufactured in China with their name stamped on it so they can compete with
the prices of the big boy stores. Paint as much but things are getting
consolidated. Our choices are much fewer than they once were, even at the
mom and pops.

Ed

sold by knowlegeable and friendly people that
I like doing business with. And I like knowing that my money stays in
town, too.

I use HD and the like as a last resort except for brand-name power
tools where I must admit they have a far better selection and better
prices.

Reply-to address is real
John

On Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:06:53 -0400, John
wrote:

On Sun, 06 Sep 2009 08:52:45 -0500, Steve Turner
wrote:

We do have a small home-town Ace Hardware store that's about the same
distance as the new Home Depot. They open at 11:00 this morning and
I'll be waiting on their doorstep. I don't know why I only think of
going to them *after* I've been screwed by Home Depot, but one of these
days I'll learn...

Keep in mind that HD (and Lowe's) didn't get to be a behemoth by
selling top-quality stuff. They got there by selling stuff cheap, and
that usually translates to selling cheap stuff.

When it comes to brand names, they generally are cheaper. Sometimes
not, though. OTOH, I don't think there is a real lumber yard within
30 miles of here (just drove past that one and it didn't look like it
was open to the public).

When it comes to hardware, paint and the like, I prefer to start at
the local hardware store. Maybe a tad more expensive than the Borg,
but better quality stuff sold by knowlegeable and friendly people that
I like doing business with. And I like knowing that my money stays in
town, too.

No real hardware stores here either. As far as the money staying in
town, they don't make screws, or steel for that matter, here either.
If there were a decent hardware store in the area I'd go there. I
really don't like the BORG or the blue place all that much but they do
have some hardware.

When it comes to paint, I go to paint stores. It is a little more
expensive at SW, or BM stores but the paint is better and the
service/help is *much* better. For painting supplies the home centers
are still significantly cheaper.

I use HD and the like as a last resort except for brand-name power
tools where I must admit they have a far better selection and better
prices.

Yep. HD has really been slipping here recently. I almost never go
there for tools anymore.

"John" wrote:

Keep in mind that HD (and Lowe's) didn't get to be a behemoth by
selling top-quality stuff. They got there by selling stuff cheap,
and
that usually translates to selling cheap stuff.

When it comes to hardware, paint and the like, I prefer to start at
the local hardware store.
snip

As far as the fastener industry is concerned it has all gone off shore
years ago.

Rolled thread fasteners are the lowest cost to manufacture so that is
what you are going to find in mass merchandise outlets.

Want some thing else, go to a fastener house and buy spec grade.
Expect to pay a minimum order charge.

As far as paint is concerned, freight is a major cost item.

Paint, especially the architectural stuff, will come from
manufacturing facilities located as close to the end user as
practical.

As far as tools are concerned, the big box stores stock the bottom end
of the product line.

They play the 80/20 game.

80% of sales come from 20% of items.

Works for the week end warrior, but if you want quality, look
elsewhere.

Lew

"Steve Turner" wrote in message
...
We do have a small home-town Ace Hardware store that's about the same
distance as the new Home Depot. They open at 11:00 this morning and I'll
be waiting on their doorstep. I don't know why I only think of going to
them *after* I've been screwed by Home Depot, but one of these days I'll
learn...

--
"Even if your wife is happy but you're unhappy, you're still happier
than you'd be if you were happy and your wife was unhappy." - Red Green
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/

I don't mean this as a flame or anything but really - how did Home Depot
screw you? You presumably went in, looked around, found what you thought
you needed/wanted and bought it. Were the bolts mis-labelled? Were you
unable to inspect or see the bolts? I suspect that the fact the shoulder
was narrower than the thread was relatively apparent to anyone who cared to
look. Just 'cause they weren't what you thought they were doesn't mean HD
screwed you (you kinda screwed yourself).

In article ,
"Lew Hodgett" wrote:

Rolled thread fasteners are the lowest cost to manufacture so that is
what you are going to find in mass merchandise outlets.

I'm not sure what you mean by "mass merchandise outlet". Your neighborhood
hardware store is almost certainly going to be selling the same rolled
fasteners as HD/Lowes.

Steve Turner wrote in
:


See, that's why I love you guys! (Thanks Lee) I too have a couple of
extra cheapie calipers that I never use because my good Lee Valley
dial calipers are always handy, so what better place to store one of
the extras than in the glove box of my truck? And considering how
often I use my calipers around the shop I probably ought to buy a
couple more cheapies and stash them in the glove box of ALL my
vehicles. Trouble is, they'd probably go to the same place as the all
the maps of the states I frequent that I've *also* stashed in those
glove boxes. Kinda like socks in the dryer, something* is _eating_
those *******s. I'll bet I've bought 27 maps of Texas, but do you
think there'll be one in the glove box when I need it?

* I know who it is, but she'll never admit it.


I wonder if there's calipers out there that are made out of thin (like
credit card thickness) plastic. Most of the time I'm measuring something
with my calipers, I don't need the 3-digit precision. I just need to get
around or into a tight space.

Something that would fit in a wallet would be great for those quick "how
thick is this?" queries.

Puckdropper
--
"The potential difference between the top and bottom of a tree is the
reason why all trees have to be grounded..." -- Bored Borg on
rec.woodworking

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

On 2009-09-06, Puckdropper puckdropper wrote:

I wonder if there's calipers out there that are made out of thin (like
credit card thickness) plastic. Most of the time I'm measuring something
with my calipers, I don't need the 3-digit precision. I just need to get
around or into a tight space.

This just one offering from Central Tool, a great company. These
short metal slide calipers come from different makers in both steel
and brass. I have both. Pocket sized, bullet proof, and some
graduated as fine as 1/64" (~0.015"). I carry these instead of a more
expensive machinest calipers, which I lost my very first vernier 6
incher in Lowe's when I put it down for a minute, and turned my head
(DOH!).

http://www.amazon.com/Central-Tools-.../dp/B000OQJG0K

nb

On 2009-09-06, Puckdropper puckdropper wrote:

I wonder if there's calipers out there that are made out of thin (like
credit card thickness) plastic. Most of the time I'm measuring something
with my calipers, I don't need the 3-digit precision. I just need to get
around or into a tight space.

This just one offering from Central Tool, a great company. These
short metal slide calipers come from different makers in both steel
and brass. I have both. Pocket sized, bullet proof, and some
graduated as fine as 1/64" (~0.015"). I carry these instead of a more
expensive machinest calipers, which I lost my very first vernier 6
incher in Lowe's when I put it down for a minute, and turned my head
(DOH!).

http://www.amazon.com/Central-Tools-.../dp/B000OQJG0K

nb

"Steve Turner" wrote in message
...
You know, I was *happy* a year or so ago when they put a new Home Depot
within a reasonable distance from my home, because driving to the next
nearest "home center" was quite the pain. However, I just came back from
what has to be my eleventeenth wallowing in the mud of their mediocrity,
and I'm really getting sick of it.

I'm trying to resurrect the spring-loaded tilt mechanism on a nice antique
Crocker chair for a neighbor of mine, and I found myself deciding that a
5/16" or 3/8" carriage bolt would be just the thing to solve the
particular problem at hand. Of COURSE, I didn't have one of the correct
length, so off I go on a special trip to Home Depot to secure the item(s)
in question.

As I'm looking through their collection, I'm starting to get ****ed off
because it looks like somebody has put all the wrong diameter bolts in the
various bins; the shanks on the 5/16" bolts look more like 1/4" to me, and
likewise do the 3/8" bolts look too slender. What the hell? I wished
that I'd had my dial caliper with me, but the best I could do was to
eyeball the diameter with a tape measure. They still don't look right,
but after running the bolts through their in-store thread gauge and
satisfied they were correct, I bought one 3/8" and one 5/16".

I get them home, and WTF? I finally realize what is wrong, and now I'm
friggin' ****ed because the bolts are worthless for my application. The
unthreaded portion of the shanks are a full 3/64" shy of their stated
diameters"!!! Oh sure, the outside diameter of the threaded portion is
3/8", but the shanks aren't even close. The shank on every other 3/8"
carriage bolt I've ever purchased has been a full 3/8"; I've *never*
encountered cheap-**** carriage bolts like these before. Some penny
pinching jackasses probably got a nice corporate award for coming up with
such a clever money-saving design.

Do I even *bother* trying to contact their complaint department (if they
even have such a thing)?


I'm sure the vent felt good - they're quite relieving at times. Now that
you've gotten that off your chest - you do realize don't you, that retailers
like Home Depot or any other big chain, don't design bolts and nuts - or
anything else they sell.

--

-Mike-

Mike Marlow wrote:
....
... - you do realize don't you, that retailers
like Home Depot or any other big chain, don't design bolts and nuts - or
anything else they sell.

Well, yes and no...certainly some dictate that their suppliers shall
meet certain price points which has the same or similar effect...W-M is
the champion in that regard, certainly...

--

On Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:12:34 -0500, dpb wrote:

Mike Marlow wrote:
...
... - you do realize don't you, that retailers
like Home Depot or any other big chain, don't design bolts and nuts - or
anything else they sell.

Well, yes and no...certainly some dictate that their suppliers shall
meet certain price points which has the same or similar effect...W-M is
the champion in that regard, certainly...

Price is not their only specification, however.

"krw" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:12:34 -0500, dpb wrote:

Mike Marlow wrote:
...
... - you do realize don't you, that retailers
like Home Depot or any other big chain, don't design bolts and nuts - or
anything else they sell.

Well, yes and no...certainly some dictate that their suppliers shall
meet certain price points which has the same or similar effect...W-M is
the champion in that regard, certainly...

Price is not their only specification, however.


Nio kidding, because HD is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. My
local Ace hardware beats the pants off of the 3 closest HD stores prices for
the same product.

"krw" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:12:34 -0500, dpb wrote:

Mike Marlow wrote:
...
... - you do realize don't you, that retailers
like Home Depot or any other big chain, don't design bolts and nuts - or
anything else they sell.

Well, yes and no...certainly some dictate that their suppliers shall
meet certain price points which has the same or similar effect...W-M is
the champion in that regard, certainly...

Price is not their only specification, however.

Yeah, they specify whether they want Chinese or Indian children
manufacturing the stuff and handling toxic materials.

Ed

On Mon, 7 Sep 2009 13:11:02 -0400, "Ed Edelenbos"
wrote:



"krw" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:12:34 -0500, dpb wrote:

Mike Marlow wrote:
...
... - you do realize don't you, that retailers
like Home Depot or any other big chain, don't design bolts and nuts - or
anything else they sell.

Well, yes and no...certainly some dictate that their suppliers shall
meet certain price points which has the same or similar effect...W-M is
the champion in that regard, certainly...

Price is not their only specification, however.

Yeah, they specify whether they want Chinese or Indian children
manufacturing the stuff and handling toxic materials.

What a moron.

"DGDevin" wrote in message
...
Phisherman wrote:

And don't even think 3/4 inch ply is 3/4".

I bought some 3/4" poplar at Hell Depot the other day to make a bookcase;
I was surprised it was actually 3/4" just like the sign said.


It probably traveled to the store through a monsoon.

On 2009-09-07, Leon wrote:

Nio kidding, because HD is not cheap by any stretch of the
imagination.

I know they can be quite greedy, on some items.

When the first of the compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) first came out,
HD was charging as high as $15 ea for a 100W equiv. I later found
other 100W CFLs for as low as $1-3. Buyer beware.

nb

"krw" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 7 Sep 2009 13:11:02 -0400, "Ed Edelenbos"
wrote:



"krw" wrote in message
. ..
On Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:12:34 -0500, dpb wrote:

Mike Marlow wrote:
...
... - you do realize don't you, that retailers
like Home Depot or any other big chain, don't design bolts and nuts -
or
anything else they sell.

Well, yes and no...certainly some dictate that their suppliers shall
meet certain price points which has the same or similar effect...W-M is
the champion in that regard, certainly...

Price is not their only specification, however.

Yeah, they specify whether they want Chinese or Indian children
manufacturing the stuff and handling toxic materials.

What a moron.

LOL.

Leon wrote:
"krw" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:12:34 -0500, dpb wrote:

Mike Marlow wrote:
...
... - you do realize don't you, that retailers
like Home Depot or any other big chain, don't design bolts and nuts - or
anything else they sell.
Well, yes and no...certainly some dictate that their suppliers shall
meet certain price points which has the same or similar effect...W-M is
the champion in that regard, certainly...
Price is not their only specification, however.

Nio kidding, because HD is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. My
local Ace hardware beats the pants off of the 3 closest HD stores prices for
the same product.

Yeah, price threaded inserts at Lowe's and then at Grainger... A real
eye opener. Small hardware stores (that are left) sell as much junk as
the big box stores. You can find good and bad deals at both.

--
Jack
Got Change: Van Guard ==== Van Jones!
http://jbstein.com

notbob wrote:

When the first of the compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) first came out,
HD was charging as high as $15 ea for a 100W equiv. I later found
other 100W CFLs for as low as $1-3. Buyer beware.

It depends on the maker and quality. I'm not defending HD by any means,
but even today, if I went to HD to buy CFLs, I'd pay more than I saw
them for at Bed, Bath and Beyond yesterday where they're selling a
4-pack for a buck. I'm sure Walmart is selling them cheaper every day
of the week too. No point in comparing apples and oranges.

Jack Stein wrote:

Yeah, price threaded inserts at Lowe's and then at Grainger... A real
eye opener. Small hardware stores (that are left) sell as much junk as
the big box stores. You can find good and bad deals at both.

Lowes and HD are good for commonly needed items and they sell them at
reasonable prices. Small hardware stores often sell oddball items that
the big box stores don't handle. We used to have a small chain of
hardware stores here called H&E and the store that was right down the
street from me had antique plumbing parts that I couldn't find anywhere
else within driving distance, including plumbing specialty stores. I
don't know that they cost any more than I'd expect to pay for a similar
product at Lowes or HD, I'm just hoping none of my old plumbing fails
now that the chain has gone out of business.

On 2009-09-08, Brian Henderson wrote:

of the week too. No point in comparing apples and oranges.

What apples and oranges? I don't believe for a minute there's a 100W
CFL that's actually worth $15. I don't give a damn who made it. And
what quality? The $1 CFL burned for 5 yrs. Even if it was a piece of
complete crap, $15 buys me 105 yrs of light. Charging $15 dollars
for one is nothing short of a rip-off.

nb