am i behind the times

[idonthaveaname]

Re: am i behind the times

:facepalm:

Service stations were cheaper for gas back then because they made their money on repairs. That doesn't happen today and I would much rather have a garage than a gas station. Gas is about 2 cents a gallon for the owner--not much money to be made and it became a huge waste of time for the service station owner. They stopped the gas and focused on repair which today is a dying art. Self service is the same. It's all about profit and the less people means more profit and SOMETIMES it means lower prices or at least controlled prices. Still, the business owner (stock holder) wants a return on their money. It's what makes the world go round. In the day, no one stayed at hotels but rather widows and such opened their homes to travelers. Won't happen that much today other than a few B&Bs. Times change. Change with or move along.

 

[bassman284]

Re: am i behind the times

A lot more profit in hoagies and donuts than service. Not to mention coffee.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: am i behind the times

i miss full serve gas stations
and for those of you who think i was wrong for rubbing it in the managers face
guesse what
i had to pick up a pair of sidecutters today stopped at HD and guesse what.
their was a cashier working.
and the same manager noticed me appologized, and thanked me for coming back to his store
P.S. still didnt get my 15% discount but at least their was a cashier

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: am i behind the times

There are few things better than finding a great hardware store.

I'm lucky, I have an ACE hardware that has been in the same location for over 50 years.

Everyone in the place is over forty and have been there for years. I have yet to stump them on some weird bolt or widget I'm looking for. If they don't have it, they know what it is and will get it.

The gal in the paint department is a Genious. She will even tint oil based paints (Rust Oleaum). Nobody else in town will.

I give them as much business as I can. Been going there for 15 years. It's nice to have them recognize me when I walk in.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: am i behind the times

We go to home depot on a regular basses and there has to be a cashier on so i can get all my taxes taken off.

 

[T_Herrod]

Re: am i behind the times

My first encounter with a self checkout was a disaster. I really can't stand self checkouts and every chance i get i let the store know about it. I figure if i have to do self checkout i should get a 10% discount.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: am i behind the times

I prefer mom and pop shops over the big box stores, or at least the places that seem to be mom and pop like Ace.

True story about Boat Owners Warehouse. Not a big outfit, but not a single store. In the same area there are 3 stores, a West Marine (most expensive), Sailorman (a salvage and new/used parts) and BOW (about middle of the road pricing and all new product). They are housed in a small building set up like the old hardware stores. It’s a great place to shop for a couple of reasons. The people there treat you like you’re the only person in the entire store. The great thing is the guys that BOW hires old salts that must be pushing 80 or 90 but really know their stuff.

Funny story; I arrive the other day and one of the old guys come up to me.

“Whatcha looking for?”
“I need a drain plug for the stern.”
“Lighted or unlighted?”
I respond, “Lighted?” As in, what do you mean lighted? Like a light? What? Why would I want a lighted drain plug?
He turns away while saying, “They’re over here.”
I follow and he removes a packaged drain plug that actually has a light on it and says, “You can see better at night when backing into your slip.” He then goes on and tells me a story about his buddy and his 40 foot sports fisher and how it was late at night and the dock light was out…
“Slip? I’m thinking…I have a 17 foot skiff…I don’t back into anything.”
I realize he can’t hear well and he apparently thought that I had agreed I wanted a lighted drain plug. The price was way more than I wanted to spend. I smiled and told him I would probably just need the basic plug right now. He smiled and took my over the $3.00 section.

A few days later I returned for some nuts and bolts. The other old guy shuffles over (Tim Conway style) to the rack (they sell in bulk).
“Whatcha lookin for?”
He reminds me of Gabby Hayes and I say, “I need some bolts for my trailer.”
“Okay,” he says. “Don’t forget to mark them on the bag.”
I pick out the bolts, some nuts, and then some stainless screws. He comes over again.
“Whatcha lookin for?”
I say, “Just some hardware for the boat.”
“Don’t forget to mark the bags,” he says and shuffles off.
I get everything together and start to walk off when he catches my eye once again.
“Whatcha lookin for?” he says.
I just smile and say, “I think I have it.”
“Okay,” he says. “Don’t forget to mark them on the bag.”

 

[catfish58]

Re: am i behind the times

Does anyone remember when you did not get out of your car to fill up with gas? you could even get your oil checked and filled. Self serve gas stations were a scam to keep prices lower. all of us old enough to remember full service knows how long self serve keeps prices down. Whether we like it or not, full service gas left for good. As will many other talking heads that service us now.

I worked at a full service gas station back in the late '60s. I'd pump your gas,check your water and air and bring a pack of cigarettes to you with your change from a $5.

 

[Gibbles]

Re: am i behind the times

at my home depot there is usually someone available on the end of the store with lumber... self check out with those items... hell no!

even with the self checkout the person watching over it will always help out, usually ringing things up at their counter if needed.

And that goes for lowes, and walmart too!

And for the op, IMO the manager should of countered with something like a gift card or 5%

 

[bruceb58]

Re: am i behind the times

And for the op, IMO the manager should of countered with something like a gift card or 5%

The manager countered with 15%. Sounds like the manager was trying to correct the situation.

Some people just can't be pleased and are more trouble than they are worth.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: am i behind the times

Home Depot and Costco are the only stores currently in our local market that has self checkout, Lowes has never had self checkout and Walmart did away with it due to high rate of loss.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: am i behind the times

Yesterday, I used one at Home Depot and one at Albertson's super market. I didn't have any problems...people in front of me didn't have any problems...no grumpy old men complaining! In fact, looked like the grumpy old men were waiting in the lines for the cashiers.

 

[southkogs]

Re: am i behind the times

Does anyone remember when you did not get out of your car to fill up with gas? you could even get your oil checked and filled. Self serve gas stations were a scam to keep prices lower. all of us old enough to remember full service knows how long self serve keeps prices down. Whether we like it or not, full service gas left for good. As will many other talking heads that service us now.

We've got one station in our area that is typically VERY competitive (if not cheaper) with the self-serve places but is FULL (as in, "would you like me to check your oil, sir?") Service. Family owned and a really pleasant bunch ... just wish they weren't so out of the way for me.

 

[Grandad]

Re: am i behind the times

I think you'll enjoy this video by comedian Ron James as he tries to use an automated checkout. - Grandad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpdn-4NengQ

 

[littlerayray]

Re: am i behind the times

The manager countered with 15%. Sounds like the manager was trying to correct the situation.

Some people just can't be pleased and are more trouble than they are worth.

no i asked for a 15% discount and he refused to give it

 

[Pghpens]

Re: am i behind the times

I recently spent 20 minutes looking for a doorknob at HD. They had several displays scattered around, none with which the item I needed. When I was finally able to locate an employee, he was from a different department and unable to help, and walked me to the door "expert." Unfortunately, she was only an expert in talking to her friend who was there visiting. I was fed up and went back to the paint counter where the kid was very helpful, and he was able to guide me in the right direction. I don't mind self checkouts because they generally have a short or non existent line, but I like to go to Customer Service if possible to checkout. They are usually near the office and have managers milling around. I always get stuck with a pimple face kid who isn't able to make change for $100 without serious deliberation. I think these stores are getting too big for their own good. It's sad that my local hardware store is a few times bigger than my garage and has more employees than the huge retailers.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: am i behind the times

It's sad that my local hardware store is a few times bigger than my garage and has more employees than the huge retailers.

Simple solution. Don't go to HD and go to your local hardware store.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: am i behind the times

This thread is sounding like the many "I hate Walmart" threads I have read on various forums over the years!

:faint2:

 

[bruceb58]

Re: am i behind the times

I go to Walmart, HD and Lowes. If you really want good customer service you don't go to those places. There is a trade off for price and customer service.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: am i behind the times

i gave up on c.s. at wal-mart just a bunch of beat down people stocking shelves
but if your working at a hardware store like hd or lowes at least know your product.
went to canadian tire to the boating section saw a student with a bunch of owners manuals.
asked him what he was doing he said studying the product lines
i nearly fell on my butt.
he told me that when it is slow and after checking ailses he studies the products to give the best customer service
i walked away grabbed the manager brought the manager over and said you see this young lad.
if everyone cared as much as he did, your sales would quadrupel .
then i looked at the kid and said keep this up and you could see yourself in a corporate office .
he thanked me i called corporate head office and let them know about this kid.
that was last year.
come to find out they flew him down to corporate head office and they want to invest in his future.