What is A/C Plywood? (Rant)

[dh]

I went to Home Depot today looking for a sheet of A/C plywood to make some shelves in the Garage. The reply I got when asking when I didn't see what I wanted, "What is A/C plywood? Hey, Tom, do you know what A/C plywood is?"

I pointed out the B/C sheeting and said, "See, this is graded B/C, I want A/C." then explained the grades, as he stood there looking like an idiot.

Why don't they train thier people?

I sent my girlfriend to Lowes to pick me up a blade for the chop saw. I even sent her along with a picture of the chop saw on her phone. She returned with a saw blade for a gas powered, hand held saw. She said the guy there told her that was what she needed. I had to have it, so I used it. It fit, but I couldn't get a cut within an 1/8" accuracy.

I just had to rant about the lack of training/knowledge in our box stores today.

[TwilightLane]

I hear you!! I had a similar story at the HD near me. Also w A/C ply. I couldnt believe it. I got the distinct impression that if I wasn't building a deck, the guy couldnt be of any help.

Went over to Lowes. Guy was nice, helpful and knew his business. HD is now my LAST stop when I'm looking for something.

Home Depot:

Lowes:

ACE:

My two cents.

[Jason and Amanda]

I prefer the local digs even if they are a tad more expensive. The sales people remember your name even, are willing to give you trade secret level advice, and pick out what you need for you. To me, that's worth the extra dollars.

Sometimes, if I overhear a sales person giving a buyer some really bad advice that I happen to have some better knowledge on the subject, I will follow up behind the sales person and strike up a conversation to add an additional viewpoint and hopefully help the buyer make the best decision. I actually met a retired man building a camper on a custom trailer frame that way, what are the odds. He didn't know anything about computers though, he looked at me with a blank stare when I told him about the online community of TTT owners and builders.

[goldcoop]

Oh Boy, my favorite subject!

I love it when you actually catch eye contact with one of the people with the vests and rather than ask you if you need any help....

They turn and walk away!

I also had a experience at Lowe's where I wanted to special order something and it was taking way to long to find the item I was looking for on the computer... It was clear the clerk wasn't computer savoy enough... So I looked it up & found it in short order.... Even on a program I've never used before!!!!

Cheers,

Coop

[CliffinGA]

DH I used to work for the HD for 3-4 yrs back about 8 yrs ago while between jobs. When I was started was when the 2 original owners were still active in it and you had alot of full time people that they hired and either had experience in the area they covered or they trained to work there by there more experienced people. After they step down and they had Bob Nardelli moved that all changed. The stores went to more part time people, less full time staffers, less training, and paying alot less money. over the last 8 yrs like you I've seen it just get worse with them cutting it down and having one person covering 2-3 deptartments and not having experience in any. Unfortunately more and more companies are doing that to maximize profits, why pay to train them when its cheaper to just replace them. The store I worked at when it opened had alot of people who had been in the company for 10 to 15 yrs, even one guy who's father had been the first HD manager and had worked there 20+ yrs!! None of them are there anymore or with the company!!

Thats whats wrong with our country and why we're in this mess today!!

[eamarquardt]

Ranting is healthy IMHO. Gets it off yer chest. People that rant (IMHO) are far less likely to "go postal".

I like to RANT.

However. Venting is only one aspect of ranting. I have been criticized on the forum for being angry. Angry no, dissatisfied, yes. So if yer gonna rant also rant to someone who can "make it better". Let the store manager know of your experience. If you get the "okey dokey" from the person you rant to. Go to the next level. I usually reach someone who cares.

If you rant to the right person, maybe the world will change for the better.

Also my #2 son (having been released from the USMC(R) and having won the war single handed w/o firing a shot in anger but he did see a few mortar rounds inside the wire) is back in school and highly motivated this time. He works pt at Home Despot (as I call em) and recieved 50 hours of training before he hit the floor. Not a lot, grant you, but better than nothing!

There you have it, again, the world according to Gus. You, of course are free to disagree.

Cheers,

Gus

[gregp136]

I personally will stick with my local True Value or Ace Hardware, and my local lumber yard. Nicer people, can talk to the owner, and the price difference is not as big as the big boxes would want you to believe. And no, I have not stepped into a walmart in YEARS.

Greg(and Laurie)

[48Rob]

Nicer people, can talk to the owner, and the price difference is not as big as the big boxes would want you to believe.

This is very correct, but when comparing prices, it is important not to compare big box store prices directly to lumber yard prices as the materials are likely not the same...

Lumber and plywood have different grades, both for use, and quality.
Lumber yard material is almost always of higher grade/quality that what the box stores sell.
There are exceptions, such as stores located near local mills.

An sheet of plywood at HD may be a grade C or D.
A lumberyard is more likely to offer A and B grades.



Rob

[eamarquardt]

I personally will stick with my local True Value or Ace Hardware, and my local lumber yard. Nicer people, can talk to the owner, and the price difference is not as big as the big boxes would want you to believe. And no, I have not stepped into a walmart in YEARS.

Greg(and Laurie)

I suggested to the owner of our local True Value store that he put a big sign out encouraging folks to compare his prices with HD and Lowe's. Quite simply put, he said he said he has enough business and didn't care about it, ha.

He does have a huge selection of all manner of nuts and bolts. SS, grade 8, etc, etc, etc. If I need nuts and bolts (which I do a lot) I don't even consider going to the big box stores.

Cheers,

Gus

[wannabefree]

Here I am surrounded by 3 HDs and a Lowes, all about 3 miles away. Each HD is different. They stock different tools and hire different people. One has staff eager to help, one has a mix of good and bad, but the bad generally know who to get help from, while one has invisible staff. Generally it doesn't matter to me -- I know what I want and usually know where to find it. But it bugs me to ask where to find something and be sent to the wrong department. Some of these guys don't know plumbing from electrical.

What bugs me most? Checking myself out! Give me a discount for doing your stinkin' job!!

When those DIY checkout machines first came out I had a 4x8 sheet of drywall. The attendant had to scan it with her gun, then the stupid machine said "Place the item in the bag!" It wouldn't let me scan the next item! Then there was the bag of screws that wouldn't scan. No problem, I just scanned an identical bag, so I pulled it out of the bag to rescan. "Place the item back in the bag!" the machine screams. Again, wait around for the attendant to wake up, several minutes to explain the problem, and I'm out of the store.

I'll gladly pay Ace 5% more for service.

[dh]

I prefer the local places, but, they arn't open late or on weekends. Where else can you get everything you need to build a tool shed at 10:00 on a sunday night?

[dh]

Ever notice they play hd commertials over the PA at hd?

[Lou Park]

Where else can you get everything you need to build a tool shed at 10:00 on a sunday night?

Absolutely nowhere.

[Lou Park]

Lumber and plywood have different grades, both for use, and quality.
Lumber yard material is almost always of higher grade/quality that what the box stores sell.
There are exceptions, such as stores located near local mills.
Rob

I have found the local lumber yard by me carries b/c ply that is equal to the A/C from the big box stores. Same goes for the "quality lumber" of the big box is equal to the standard of the local yards. In other words, if you go to the local lumber yards and pick out the lower grade products, it is equal or better than the high grade products of the big box stores.
Lou