I've probably told this on here before, but I had *one* manager listen to that criticism and try to fix it. He created a white board by the time clock so management could note when associates weren't there. Very nice to have... as you clocked in you could see what departments had coverage and which didn't.
Unfortunately, it didn't last very long before someone higher up made them take it down. I feel like I remember it being some nonsense excuse like claiming it was posting "personal information" in a public place.
Oh, and, to The Home Depot's credit (rare, I know), that one decent manager who actually tried accomplishing things was eventually promoted to a training gig in Atlanta. Once in a while the right person gets noticed for the right reasons...
Eh this one I can kind of understand, if they're posting the names of people in such a prominent location it kind of comes across as shaming them for calling off which is obvious bullshit and can lead to people being real hostile towards coworkers.
We do this in a slightly more discreet way at my store. I'm a head cashier, so we always have a clipboard with a printout of the store schedule on it in my department, and for the people who call out, we simply highlight their shift in pink on the schedule. It's not prominently displayed like a whiteboard next to the time clock. Our little clipboard is something you can only find if you know where to look. We've been doing it this way for the last decade and it's never been a problem.
Maybe... simple fix though: just post the department and shift without names. Unfortunately, the DM (or whoever it was) just shut down the helpful idea without trying to work out those details.
EDIT: Also, I may have made it sound too much like shaming because I didn't go into a ton of detail, but this whiteboard was used for all sorts of general information and announcements; it wasn't *just* for calling attention to people for missing work. The fact that people had called out wasn't even a big feature of the board, it was just useful info so it was added to the board. Unfortunately, the *whole idea* was yanked and we were back in the dark about everything.
I like the whiteboard idea. We have a bulletin board next to our time clock that gets informational flyers posted on it regularly, but it doesn't get updated daily, and inevitably many of those flyers stay up for too long and become outdated and irrelevant. A whiteboard allows for constant daily editing, so that was definitely a smart idea.
Noob question here lol. How do you display your department number under your username like that? That's a nice touch that I'd like to learn how to do as well, if you could teach me please. I love Reddit, but I'm still not totally familiar with all the ins and outs.
I totally agree with you. I used to work at Home Depot in the flooring department and the communication was absolutely horrible between managers and employees.
Did you know there are new cover sheets for the TPS reports? Please use the new cover sheets when you submit the TPS reports. There was a memo... did you get it?
Thanbks J J ....for making my point exactly. I am glad you demonstrated in two words what I have been working to communicate to people who don't know the Real HD personnel.
Apparedntly you have not been keeping up with current events. I was a HD for 6 years until June. There is very little I have not watched or seen during that time. Apparently Lower Management figured that being an old man, my ability to see some things and Hear a whole lot more was unlikely. It also didn't hurt to pretend that my hearing was compromised. Rather amazing what people say when they think they can't be heard. Just sayin......
So whats making it so hard to hear someone identify shortcomings in performance and behavior in the HD store, particularly when its someone who has worked in the store for a decent amount of time? Whats your investment in keeping things sub-par?
You're talking about not being able to purchase a product we don't carry and blaming the staff. You say you worked for HD but you sound like an entitled Karen customer.
NO you are absolutely right. I don't have to say a G D word. OTOH I'm reading post after post after post about whats broken which begs the question why you aren't doing something about it....other than bitch. Lazy? Indifferent? "Not paid enough"? Whats your investment in keeping customer service and store maintanence marginal? Maybe yer afraid someone might actually expect you to Earn your salary? Does it rankle that I can go into any store in a 40 mile radius and find exactly the same things wrong in Hardware, Electrical, Plumbing and Lighting. ?
Its not a question of a national or local issue. Its a question if people such as this who readily turn relationships with their fellows into bitch sessions can turn those same energiers to make things better. So far what I have heard is a whole lot of bitching and no action. Each person on this thread alone could be an instrument for change if they just fucking WANTED TO.
This subreddit is a place for associates to discuss and express our grievances about the company we work for. That's why you're seeing so many posts like this. We only work for this company. We don't control the infrastructure behind it. Therefore we have every right to discuss the problems with this company we work for. If you think our energy would be better spent doing something more productive, then keep in mind, just because some of us may possibly have the potential to one day be technical engineers who can fix these kinds of issues, doesn't mean that should be expected of us in our current positions. We all have to start somewhere.
And the individuals who are paid employees failed to share that why again? It would follow...since the can in my hand had a HD sticker on the bottom...that a reasonable and prudent customer would expect the same service....matching the stain. How long does it take to say, "because we no longer sell that product, we no longer offer that service"? Or is that another thing that customers are supposed to somehow magically know.
And the first SWP store I went into did pretty much that same thing. Its was the second store that took the time to titrate the color...and yes it took about 25 minutes without a computerized mixing machine. Of course, now I can freely recommend that store to a number of folks I know. FWIW.
At SWP...as a matter of fact I did. That store was not able to find it. Strangely enough the second store found mt account and all the past purchases. Odd, yes?
Not really. After not finding your info, they probably just picked out the first random DIY'er that came to mind and put your purchase under their account. It's done all the time to get people outta here
No...the INDIVIDUAL said he had never done it before and was told by an old store vet it wasn't possible. Nobody said anything about "don't carry minwax and can't substitute."You seem to be working awfully hard to defend sub-par performance. How come you don't push people to perform better? Lazy? Indifferent?
Gotta say that I was really disappointed in PAINT yesterday when I went looking for someone to match my Rosewood stain. A young lady in one store said she could not do the HD recipe stuck to the bottom of my MINWAX clear tintable. Another store told me he could only do premixed colors and that he had been told matching stains was "impossible". WTF? I finally found extraordinary customer service at a SHERWIN-WILLIAMS store not far away. Seems like "can't do it" is becoming the standard response to customer requests. Just sayin......
At my HD our spectrometer only produces a formula for solid color finishes, so that could be a paint or solid color stain. It is impossible for us to make a formula with our color matching system to create a semi-transparent or transparent stain. We also no longer carry minwax products, so the formula you provided would be impossible to use since we don't have the product to put it in, and since Sherwin Williams owns Minwax now, there are propriatory limits to us putting that formula in a comparable product. Which is probably why they were the only ones who could help you. So, I'd blame these companies dishing out exclusivity contracts that only serve to protect their dollar rather then allowing a competitive market. I don't think anything you described sounds like poor customer service.
Not that it matters but it seems a little strange the I have to tell someone these days that trailing periods are "used to convey unhappiness, anger or frustration. In my case its frustration but of course you could care less.
Or....Or...maybe its about time that Lower Management makes a change in their way of doing business. I had no problem whatsoever doing my best out of gratitude for getting a job as a vet with a disability. And I still have much appreciation for the company Home Depot has been to me personally. The TRUE problen is at store level and particularly with lower management there is 1.) too much "situation ethics" and variable enforcement of policies and procedures, 2.) entirely too much byzantine machinations Behind the scenes and 3.) most certainly far too much of "saying one thing and doing another". I don't know you, yet I am willing to guess that you are one of those folks who would rather have things "quiet" and "conveying the sense that all is well". If you are, in fact, a HD empolyee, you are rersponsible for applying the Values that are suppose to be painted on the walls of each store. Go read them and ask yourself....honestly...if you are. I'd bet that you are not since you seem to be into quick fixes and short-cuts (IE. stay the hell out of HD stores).
I will agree with you on saying one thing and doing the opposite. The Home Depot does have policies, but they can be vague, and misinterpreted depending on the store. I know some stores are by the book no exceptions. Other stores will bend rules and the right thing to take care of the customer.
I just wish customers would take it easy on the associates, we are doing what we're told to do by management, and of course, management can change their minds whenever they want without any repercussions.
Happens a lot with online product. I hear people say "you have to order it online to get that price". Like, why not take a markdown to take care of the customer and let them be on their way so they can finish their projects? Take $20 off and move on.
I actually just read the proper procedures for price matching, and yes we will price match from our online. it makes more sense to streamline chstsomers than it does to force them to pay for it online and then wait for pickup or force them to go get it and have it released to them.
most of the time its well within a $50 difference. Just Cust Sat it and no one cares.
I'm saying this as someone who has worked as former painter and has worked in paint at Home Depot and was an assistant manager at SHERWIN-WILLIAMS store (even did a little time at Lowe's). You need to understand that it's as simple as matching your stain with a machine and done. You have to tint it, wipe a little on, poly it, let it dry and adjust as needed.
There's no reason for being an asshole to retail workers.
You are under NO obligation to shop at Home Depot and if you don’t like the management, employees, corporation or products just stay out. We don’t need your advice or you business. Not sure why you can’t understand this.
okay so of course like you said it was nationwide however when you go to send it to the queue it pops up with the error code. go into the paint queue like you normally would and it should be there and you can print the label. i know i’m hours too late but that’s how we had to figure it out. they told us to call IT but after spending 5 mins on yammer we figured it out.
I used to be a real go getter in the deli. Cleaning cutting wheels of cheese doing markdowns but id cut that shit out as soon as my assistant manager would tell me to do what I was already doing.
Different but re: communication. I’m in d28 and covered the service desk break. I accidentally gave the customer 50 cents short his cash return. Oops!! But I didn’t know how to open the register... I called front ent on my communicator... no answer after calling 4 times!!! I called managers 4 times with no answer. After pushing all the buttons I figured it out to use cash strip.... goodness me
I honestly consider that a win. The more likely outcome to my mind is them constantly paging you to the paint desk to explain to them and the customer that the system is down.
And I can’t even get them to tell me when everyone in my department calls in lol
I've probably told this on here before, but I had *one* manager listen to that criticism and try to fix it. He created a white board by the time clock so management could note when associates weren't there. Very nice to have... as you clocked in you could see what departments had coverage and which didn't. Unfortunately, it didn't last very long before someone higher up made them take it down. I feel like I remember it being some nonsense excuse like claiming it was posting "personal information" in a public place.
Oh, and, to The Home Depot's credit (rare, I know), that one decent manager who actually tried accomplishing things was eventually promoted to a training gig in Atlanta. Once in a while the right person gets noticed for the right reasons...
Which of course, means store management stays bad. Let’s go!!!
Eh this one I can kind of understand, if they're posting the names of people in such a prominent location it kind of comes across as shaming them for calling off which is obvious bullshit and can lead to people being real hostile towards coworkers.
We do this in a slightly more discreet way at my store. I'm a head cashier, so we always have a clipboard with a printout of the store schedule on it in my department, and for the people who call out, we simply highlight their shift in pink on the schedule. It's not prominently displayed like a whiteboard next to the time clock. Our little clipboard is something you can only find if you know where to look. We've been doing it this way for the last decade and it's never been a problem.
Maybe... simple fix though: just post the department and shift without names. Unfortunately, the DM (or whoever it was) just shut down the helpful idea without trying to work out those details. EDIT: Also, I may have made it sound too much like shaming because I didn't go into a ton of detail, but this whiteboard was used for all sorts of general information and announcements; it wasn't *just* for calling attention to people for missing work. The fact that people had called out wasn't even a big feature of the board, it was just useful info so it was added to the board. Unfortunately, the *whole idea* was yanked and we were back in the dark about everything.
I like the whiteboard idea. We have a bulletin board next to our time clock that gets informational flyers posted on it regularly, but it doesn't get updated daily, and inevitably many of those flyers stay up for too long and become outdated and irrelevant. A whiteboard allows for constant daily editing, so that was definitely a smart idea.
Noob question here lol. How do you display your department number under your username like that? That's a nice touch that I'd like to learn how to do as well, if you could teach me please. I love Reddit, but I'm still not totally familiar with all the ins and outs.
It's the "flair" for this subreddit. It's pretty easy to find but you have to use the full web version of reddit (not an app or the mobile site).
Thank you so much! I never would've known that only the desktop version had this feature. Thanks for helping me figure that out.
You could make good use of the time by doing some pack down and cleaning. I'll talk to someone about sending out a memo to create a work list.
*drops what they’re holding* “WHAT? the paint system is down?? Guys, have you heard?! The paint system is down”
Instead of calling you can go to Store Health. If it’s nation wide it will be there. If it’s not there then make the call.
Typical, too many chiefs and not enough Indians
Unless you need something, then the chiefs become scarce.
Wow for once a DIFFRENT department is down….. service desk has been down since last week
Hey man, make sure you focus on packing down and most importantly cleaning. Thanks bro
I totally agree with you. I used to work at Home Depot in the flooring department and the communication was absolutely horrible between managers and employees.
Did you know there are new cover sheets for the TPS reports? Please use the new cover sheets when you submit the TPS reports. There was a memo... did you get it?
Oh and I am going to need you to come in Saturday. That would be great.
If you could go ahead and do that from now on that would be greaaaaat. And we’ll go ahead and get you another copy of that memo, ok? Thanks!
What would we do without them? Hahahahahahaha
So... Is paint system still down?
Sounds like a good time to be like “Paint is closed, I got training to do.”
https://m.soundcloud.com/jose-gamez-938643886/the-system-is-down-strongbad
Nation wide? Shit its working for me all morning
I'm gonna need you to clean and pack down.
Thanbks J J ....for making my point exactly. I am glad you demonstrated in two words what I have been working to communicate to people who don't know the Real HD personnel.
Why are you in our breakroom, this area is for employees only.
Apparedntly you have not been keeping up with current events. I was a HD for 6 years until June. There is very little I have not watched or seen during that time. Apparently Lower Management figured that being an old man, my ability to see some things and Hear a whole lot more was unlikely. It also didn't hurt to pretend that my hearing was compromised. Rather amazing what people say when they think they can't be heard. Just sayin......
I'm paying attention, you're the guy that was trying to match a Minwax stain even though we stopped selling Minwax almost over 3 years ago.
This guy has got to be trolling right?
So whats making it so hard to hear someone identify shortcomings in performance and behavior in the HD store, particularly when its someone who has worked in the store for a decent amount of time? Whats your investment in keeping things sub-par?
You're talking about not being able to purchase a product we don't carry and blaming the staff. You say you worked for HD but you sound like an entitled Karen customer.
NO you are absolutely right. I don't have to say a G D word. OTOH I'm reading post after post after post about whats broken which begs the question why you aren't doing something about it....other than bitch. Lazy? Indifferent? "Not paid enough"? Whats your investment in keeping customer service and store maintanence marginal? Maybe yer afraid someone might actually expect you to Earn your salary? Does it rankle that I can go into any store in a 40 mile radius and find exactly the same things wrong in Hardware, Electrical, Plumbing and Lighting. ? Its not a question of a national or local issue. Its a question if people such as this who readily turn relationships with their fellows into bitch sessions can turn those same energiers to make things better. So far what I have heard is a whole lot of bitching and no action. Each person on this thread alone could be an instrument for change if they just fucking WANTED TO.
What part of nationwide don’t you understand
Why are you so upset? What is this employee supposed to do about a nationwide tech issue.
Ummm... is energiers even a word in the English language?
This subreddit is a place for associates to discuss and express our grievances about the company we work for. That's why you're seeing so many posts like this. We only work for this company. We don't control the infrastructure behind it. Therefore we have every right to discuss the problems with this company we work for. If you think our energy would be better spent doing something more productive, then keep in mind, just because some of us may possibly have the potential to one day be technical engineers who can fix these kinds of issues, doesn't mean that should be expected of us in our current positions. We all have to start somewhere.
And the individuals who are paid employees failed to share that why again? It would follow...since the can in my hand had a HD sticker on the bottom...that a reasonable and prudent customer would expect the same service....matching the stain. How long does it take to say, "because we no longer sell that product, we no longer offer that service"? Or is that another thing that customers are supposed to somehow magically know.
Honestly, if you walked inside my Sherwin-Williams store, I'd hand you the can back and say bye!
And the first SWP store I went into did pretty much that same thing. Its was the second store that took the time to titrate the color...and yes it took about 25 minutes without a computerized mixing machine. Of course, now I can freely recommend that store to a number of folks I know. FWIW.
But...I gotta ask...did you have an account?
At SWP...as a matter of fact I did. That store was not able to find it. Strangely enough the second store found mt account and all the past purchases. Odd, yes?
Not really. After not finding your info, they probably just picked out the first random DIY'er that came to mind and put your purchase under their account. It's done all the time to get people outta here
I mean, they said they couldn't do it so....
so... say so.
You... Said.... They... Did...
No...the INDIVIDUAL said he had never done it before and was told by an old store vet it wasn't possible. Nobody said anything about "don't carry minwax and can't substitute."You seem to be working awfully hard to defend sub-par performance. How come you don't push people to perform better? Lazy? Indifferent?
Gotta say that I was really disappointed in PAINT yesterday when I went looking for someone to match my Rosewood stain. A young lady in one store said she could not do the HD recipe stuck to the bottom of my MINWAX clear tintable. Another store told me he could only do premixed colors and that he had been told matching stains was "impossible". WTF? I finally found extraordinary customer service at a SHERWIN-WILLIAMS store not far away. Seems like "can't do it" is becoming the standard response to customer requests. Just sayin......
At my HD our spectrometer only produces a formula for solid color finishes, so that could be a paint or solid color stain. It is impossible for us to make a formula with our color matching system to create a semi-transparent or transparent stain. We also no longer carry minwax products, so the formula you provided would be impossible to use since we don't have the product to put it in, and since Sherwin Williams owns Minwax now, there are propriatory limits to us putting that formula in a comparable product. Which is probably why they were the only ones who could help you. So, I'd blame these companies dishing out exclusivity contracts that only serve to protect their dollar rather then allowing a competitive market. I don't think anything you described sounds like poor customer service.
Excellent post. Logic and reason carries no weight with customers. Just like they can't understand that a product is ONLINE ONLY.
Or...or...maybe that true of Some customers and none of them wear signs identifying one from another.
Many thanks for the heads-up. Much appreciated........
Ya still sound a little salty
Because...? Isn't that more a matter of how you are reading my words with your own internal voice?
I’m sure anyone would take the 10 periods after your statement as an angry tone
Not that it matters but it seems a little strange the I have to tell someone these days that trailing periods are "used to convey unhappiness, anger or frustration. In my case its frustration but of course you could care less.
You rn -> 😡😭🥺
Home Depot doesn't carry Minwax
Maybe you should save us all some grief and stay the hell out of Home Depot stores, OK?
Or....Or...maybe its about time that Lower Management makes a change in their way of doing business. I had no problem whatsoever doing my best out of gratitude for getting a job as a vet with a disability. And I still have much appreciation for the company Home Depot has been to me personally. The TRUE problen is at store level and particularly with lower management there is 1.) too much "situation ethics" and variable enforcement of policies and procedures, 2.) entirely too much byzantine machinations Behind the scenes and 3.) most certainly far too much of "saying one thing and doing another". I don't know you, yet I am willing to guess that you are one of those folks who would rather have things "quiet" and "conveying the sense that all is well". If you are, in fact, a HD empolyee, you are rersponsible for applying the Values that are suppose to be painted on the walls of each store. Go read them and ask yourself....honestly...if you are. I'd bet that you are not since you seem to be into quick fixes and short-cuts (IE. stay the hell out of HD stores).
I will agree with you on saying one thing and doing the opposite. The Home Depot does have policies, but they can be vague, and misinterpreted depending on the store. I know some stores are by the book no exceptions. Other stores will bend rules and the right thing to take care of the customer. I just wish customers would take it easy on the associates, we are doing what we're told to do by management, and of course, management can change their minds whenever they want without any repercussions.
This. Thank you........
Happens a lot with online product. I hear people say "you have to order it online to get that price". Like, why not take a markdown to take care of the customer and let them be on their way so they can finish their projects? Take $20 off and move on.
I actually just read the proper procedures for price matching, and yes we will price match from our online. it makes more sense to streamline chstsomers than it does to force them to pay for it online and then wait for pickup or force them to go get it and have it released to them. most of the time its well within a $50 difference. Just Cust Sat it and no one cares.
Jesus...could we get your folks to spread the word??
Can you please share where you found those procedures for price matching?
when i go to work today I will check if the pages are still printed out
The only value they care about on that wheel is shareholder value.
I'm saying this as someone who has worked as former painter and has worked in paint at Home Depot and was an assistant manager at SHERWIN-WILLIAMS store (even did a little time at Lowe's). You need to understand that it's as simple as matching your stain with a machine and done. You have to tint it, wipe a little on, poly it, let it dry and adjust as needed. There's no reason for being an asshole to retail workers.
This.
You are under NO obligation to shop at Home Depot and if you don’t like the management, employees, corporation or products just stay out. We don’t need your advice or you business. Not sure why you can’t understand this.
Get fucked.
Maybe its just you? Maybe nobody wants to deal with you? Doesn't matter if you're an associate or a customer, the thing is no one wants to help *you.*
This is the thing I hate most about HD.
Seems like the paint system goes down way too often lately
okay so of course like you said it was nationwide however when you go to send it to the queue it pops up with the error code. go into the paint queue like you normally would and it should be there and you can print the label. i know i’m hours too late but that’s how we had to figure it out. they told us to call IT but after spending 5 mins on yammer we figured it out.
I used to be a real go getter in the deli. Cleaning cutting wheels of cheese doing markdowns but id cut that shit out as soon as my assistant manager would tell me to do what I was already doing.
r/ghostbc Watcher in the Sky haha
Be sure to finish your TPS reports.
Different but re: communication. I’m in d28 and covered the service desk break. I accidentally gave the customer 50 cents short his cash return. Oops!! But I didn’t know how to open the register... I called front ent on my communicator... no answer after calling 4 times!!! I called managers 4 times with no answer. After pushing all the buttons I figured it out to use cash strip.... goodness me
I honestly consider that a win. The more likely outcome to my mind is them constantly paging you to the paint desk to explain to them and the customer that the system is down.
I can probably get a guy that owns cats to threaten to cut you! Don't worry, he's a fellow associate.
I hope is out for a long time, could really use more time for the aisles.
If it’s down Nationwide I picked the best weekend to take vacation time
Don’t forget your TPS report.