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RANT - Junction True Value

Started 1 year ago by cookie addict
Latest reply from christopherboffoli

cookie addict
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We REALLY try to spend our dollars locally: From the Farmers Market to WS Nursery, C&P instead of Starbucks, Leisure Books instead of Amazon, ect... I have tried REALLY hard not to give Home Depot any more of our money (their political spending policy...). I will take off early to by lumber from the crabby guys at Alki Lumber. Crabby, but colorful and really knowledgeable. I have tried time and again to shop at the Junction True Value, but each time I leave feeling ticked off and I just can't do it anymore. Their prices are sometimes double Home Depots for small parts. Their "plumbing expert" told me to use Plumbers putty on a contrary PVC drain pipe (a big no-no), and recently I tried to return a table saw blade (missing carbide teeth out of the package) and I thought there might be a polygraph before I finally got a replacement.

I went in Thursday for a router bit, saw the outrageous prices and asked if they price matched. "Oh yeah, for some things under certain circumstances..." I pulled out my iPhone to show what the comparable advertised price is and the hardware guy/apparent Luddite scowled at me and said: "Not internet pricing! A real ad from a real store!" I tried to show him it was from the HD site and he walked away. Son of a... Fine, I walked out, got in my truck and drove 1.3 miles to Home Depot. I bought the bit and then bought a second different bit because of the money I had just "saved."

Posted 1 year ago #
bailecyclist
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This is surprising. My experience over the last 25 years has been just the opposite. Junction True Value is my go-to place for parts and help. Their prices tend to be higher than Home Depot, but that's to be expected of a small-scale, service-oriented operation. They frequently have parts that the big box stores do not carry, and their advice is almost always better.

Posted 1 year ago #
WSB
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Before anybody else posts a comment that is in danger of deletion along with the OP - I'm closing this until and unless Cookie Addict, per the rules, adds information on whether she/he took this complaint to ownership/management. Even once the thread's closed, you have a few hours to edit, so if you do edit to add that, I will reopen the thread.

I usually ask this question (if a member doesn't ask it first) as a courtesy but shortly we're just going to start deleting rants that don't verify "we brought this to management/ownership attention" in the first place, without a warning - the rules are clearly posted. Thanks.

Posted 1 year ago #
cookie addict
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So... The router bit issue happened Thursday. I went in on Saturday morning trying to get clarification for the policy. I was told by management that the policy is to price match via printed tangible ads. Internet pricing is not "verifiable" in their eyes and they do not wish to compete with a store in Newark, NJ. Understandable, but the times are a changin' and there are any number of iPhone apps (red laser for instance) that scan the UPC, and show you the best price in a 25 mile radius and online. I explained that it was an everyday price at Home Depot and I was reminded of their policy again. OK...

I also went to management over the return issue I had and spoke with the head of plumbing(?) over the odd advice. They apologized for the way the employee handled the faulty product return, but praised him for trying to look out for the store's best interest. I had to show them the mfg's warning about putty on PVC - printed on the package - before I got a 'Huh, well I been doin' it the old-fashioned way for years and there has never been a problem.' Uh-huh... Neither of those were customer focused answers

As to the "last 25 years..." and "service orientated" Sorry, not my experience for the last two years - two years of hardware shopping every weekend to fix the "little things" in my 1928 house. I get that they have higher prices as the do not have the buying power of a big box store, but double?! I really like to keep things local, but $30 for a small hunk of metal I can get for $14 down the road is just too much especially in this economy.

Do I think that the HD employees are more knowledgeable - nope, not really. Are they nicer? - about the same. Do I hate not being able to find someone when I have a question at a big box? - Yep. Return policy? - HD, hands down. Price? - Home Depot.

It comes down to over-pricing and, in my experience, poor customer service for a local establishment. Like I said, NOT happy about HD corporate political spending and would rather shop local, but if the difference means I can afford to have running water this weekend or next weekend and if I have to allow someone to be a ignore me and cut me off mid-sentence so I can pay them extra, then I am going with the Big Box and will have water this weekend.

Posted 1 year ago #
rainbwmarshmllw
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you can always try mclendons.

Posted 1 year ago #
Yardvark
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Yeah, that hasn't been my experience with True Value at all.
I've been fixing up my house here and there for five or six years. Purchased a bunch of the wrong things over that time and returned them all without any hassle what so ever.
I know which items to buy there and which items I might be better off buying at a shop with a little more buying power.
It hasn't caused me any pain.

Sorry you apparently got a bit of shoddy advice, though. That'll happen anywhere. Ask any pro.

I'll keep shopping as I have. Works for me pretty darn well and I'm as cheap as they come.

Posted 1 year ago #
nighthawk
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If you want local and helpful I would also second McClendons.

Posted 1 year ago #
TDe
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I've never had anything but stellar service and warm interactions from the Junction True Value and they've been wonderful with advice about home repair when I've asked, too. A big box store has the luxury of purchasing products in massive bulk, which allows them to offer price breaks. Who can compete on prices with a company that can afford to buy a million bolts instead of fifty?
I don't want the hood filled with only Wal-Marts and Home Depots. Yeah the world's changing, but choice is still a good thing and having the choice to shop smaller businesses is priceless for a lot of people. This is not the first time you've fussed about small West Seattle businesses in a public forum. Try walking a mile in a small business owner's shoes. Open your own small store front and see how easy it is, especially when a comment by one disgruntled customer in a public forum can cast a negative image far and wide. These local businesses are owned and/or run by your neighbors, they employ your neighbors and the cost in time, sweat and monetary outlay is astronomical. The Junction True Value is one of the best!
P.S. Unless my odometer is totally off, it's more than 1.3 miles from the Junction True Value to the closest Home Depot.

Posted 1 year ago #
anonyme
Member Profile

As an older woman remodeling a house alone, McLendon's and True Value have been life savers. The True Value employees have helped me figure out complex old house solutions on many occasions. Just last week, Chris at McLendon's spent close to an hour helping me pick out mouldings, figure out a difficult install, then carefully wrapping and loading my purchases. That reminds me, I need to write a letter of commendation...

On the other hand, my experiences at the Delridge Home Depot have been horrendous - and yes, I've addressed the issues with both store AND corporate management. On one occasion I needed something that was on an upper shelf. When I asked the crew member to help, he actually threw himself down on a chair and had a tantrum like a two year old. I also appreciate the fact that in addition to what I deem better service, TV & McL have a wider variety of hard to find items than HD, even if the prices are slightly higher.

Posted 1 year ago #
KBear
Member Profile

I also disagree about True Value's prices. When I've compared similar items, I've usually found they're pretty close. Sometimes True Value is higher, sometimes Home Depot is higher. And the staff at True Value are much more helpful. Sometimes I can't even find a staff person at Home Depot, much less get help.

Posted 1 year ago #
maplesyrup
Member Profile

About a year ago I went into Home Depot and I was greeted at the door, "can I help you find anything?" and in every other aisle "can I help you find anything?" around every corner "can I help you find anything?"

So finally I said to one of the employees, "all right, what's going on here? Usually I can't ever find anyone to help me in this store."

And she winks and kind of half-whispers, "well we're supposed to have a bunch of executives from corporate visit the store today."

Of course that didn't last long.

I like True Value and McLendon's.

Posted 1 year ago #
JimmyG
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I don't shop solely with price in mind. Service and convenience are worth paying extra for, and that's what I've found in 20+ years of shopping at Junction True Value.

Posted 1 year ago #
flowerpetal
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Why do we think of True Value and McLendon's as local stores? Admittedly, I do too. There are True Value Hardware Stores across the US and McLendon's from Sumner to Woodinville. Is it their "local feel"? A term I, myself would have trouble defining.

Posted 1 year ago #
redblack
Member Profile

cookie addict: you mentioned "political spending."

i can guess which way you're leaning, but did you notice the giant dino rossi posters on and around alki lumber last fall?

just sayin'. i'm a liberal, but i'll still shop there. mainly because they have better lumber than HD, and lumber yards are few and far between in seattle. as an ace hardware franchise (i think, although they don't participate in the rewards program) they have almost everything else you could want in a small hardware store, too.

Posted 1 year ago #
maplesyrup
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flowerpetal, True Value is a franchise operation.

McLendon's locations are all in WA and their HQ is in Renton.

Not West Seattle local but local enough in my book.

Certainly more local than Atlanta.

Posted 1 year ago #
dyn99
Member Profile

Having moved from Ballard in the last year, I can say that having a decent local hardware store in central West Seattle is a life saver. Not having to drive 7 miles to buy a roll of painter's tape = priceless. Even if you pay an extra $1 for it.

Each store has its place in the larger marketplace. Home Depot is great when you want lots of a very common item at a low price. However, if you want help with nearly anything, you're SOL.

McLendon's has nearly everything you could ever want, and incredibly knowledgable people that are helpful. I truly wish they would open a location in Seattle proper, but refuse to due to Seattle's B&O tax which is very high compared to other cities and unincorporated King County (which has no B&O).

The True Value is great for many things, has helpful people and reasonable prices. They'll never have the selection McLendon's does (as they don't have the space), nor the prices that Home Depot does (they don't have the buying power). So you need to see it for what it is: A pretty darn good small, local hardware store which is dead smack in the middle of the center of West Seattle. I'd venture to say that it's one of the better neighborhood hardware stores left in the City of Seattle.

As to the OP's criticism, I think the criticism is fairly petty. Employees will make mistakes, and the rest is understandable, given the context in the larger marketplace. I'd redirect my ranting at something more worthy of a rant.

Posted 1 year ago #
charlabob
Member Profile

I look at francises like "our" True Value as local. I know the people -- they know me -- they've always been amazingly helpful (I tend to go in and say, "I want to do foo -- what do I need?") For that to work, I need to be able to trust the folks I ask and I do at TV. They've even told me, "You don't really need xyz -- that's just a marketing gimmick." Two sales people have actually told me they appreciate my asking instead of telling -- it avoids returns when people figure out they don't know what they're doing. :-)

By the time I use all the coupons and rewards (and birthday gifts) I suspect their prices are quite competitive.

Posted 1 year ago #
GenHillOne
Member Profile

First, I will still go to True Value for certain things. But over a couple of years, I have had the same man - who I believe is either the owner or manager (because I wanted to say something once and found that it was he who was the top of the chain) - tell me that what I was looking for didn't exist and then ramble on about "this is how it's always been done", "I've been in this business for 25 years", etc., or tell me that I needed to buy other more complicated and/or expensive items that didn't really do what I wanted. It was condescending and dismissive. I must look like a pretty incapable DIYer! For two of the items I was looking for? Went to Radio Shack and they not only immediately knew exactly what I needed, but it was in stock. I'm surprised this hasn't happened to more people quite frankly. But as I say, I'll still shop there, I just avoid that guy, lol.

Posted 1 year ago #
miws
Member Profile

McLendons is also literally family owned and operated. Third Generation, I believe, maybe fourth.

They are not affiliated business wise with the Scott McLendon Hardware, that has locations in, I believe, Port Orchard, Belfair, and possibly others.

Mike

Posted 1 year ago #
oldgrayboarder
Member Profile

I've had nothing but good experiences at True Value for the 12 years we've lived in West Seattle (granted slightly more expensive). Once when I was replacing a pane of glass, I mis-measured it not once, but twice, and when the guy saw me come back a third time, he didn't charge me for the final pane. (I know, measure twice or 3 times, cut once......)

Posted 1 year ago #
ellenater
Member Profile

I both love True Value and can see the OP's point. I've had that exact same experience with a few different employees telling me things that are completely false. Also, go price their bath mats. A TINY bath mat is like $32. I think that's just plain crazy.... HOWEVER, there are also the nicest people in there who will go out of their way to help, some of the best service I have ever had. I would never stop doing there...

Posted 1 year ago #
MarySheely
Member Profile

Home Depot does not carry solar-powered color-changing light-up hummingbirds for my garden. And those who know me know that I am 100% serious that I will support a store to the end that carries things like that which I want, nay, NEED. Long Live Junction True Value amen.

Posted 1 year ago #
christopherboffoli
Member Profile

Mary: Don't those Blade Runner hummingbirds scare away the real ones?

Posted 1 year ago #