Eye opening trip to Home Depot right now....pretty much everyone working there

[NRaleighLiberal]

were mid 50 somethings (just like me), and judging from some of the chats I had with a few of them (wonderful chats, by the way), professionals who got bounced from their companies (just like me). A few mentioned that they got the job because they needed the health benefits. A few others because they couldn't find anything else/better. We had some stories to share, that's for sure (my company - a big pharma - quietly got rid of nearly 10K people in the last 5 years - and most of the cuts did not make a peep in the local news). Where did most of the jobs go? Offshoring or outsourcing (China and India, primarily).

Just an observation - everyone there was incredibly helpful, very friendly, made it a really good (and educational) experience....not at all what we used to find at Home Depot in terms of working demographic. Even as recently as a year ago, I would have been asking 20 somethings where this or that is.

Just a bit of food for thought on a Sunday afternoon. Me? haven't found work yet. Starbucks or Home Depot at some point? possibly....doesn't seem to be a big hunger in big Pharma for mid 50 somethings like me, despite my 25 years experience.

[DesertFlower]

1. hope you find something soon.

[Brickbat]

2. They better not get too comfortable.

The Home Crap-pot in my area just switched to self checkout, with one kid to float.

[customerserviceguy]

18. Checkout is only a small part of the jobs at these stores

A large number of employees are walking the floor, looking for people to help in the enormous big box who are trying to find something. They also give advice on what to pick, and how to use it. A lot of twentysomethings barely know which end of a screwdriver to hold.

I know that I'm grateful for folks my own age group who have actual experience working in a field, who can give me friendly, helpful advice on what I choose to attempt on my own. My father even worked for the home improvement section of a local chain variety store for a few years after his formal retirement, and liked being able to do it, even though he was in his late sixties.

[NRaleighLiberal]

19. Yes indeedy - I was looking for something very obscure and was led directly to the right place.

The woman who helped me was an absolute delight.

[customerserviceguy]

20. And here's another thing, too

Should the economy pick up again, she'll be one of those people who can list a current job when it comes time to get something else. Even if discriminating against the currently unemployed is somehow outlawed, employers will still practice it.

[raccoon]

64. Yep. They always have and I guess they always will. nt

[locahungaria]

74. Sadly, there's also a down side to this.......

When working at these types of service sector jobs, you realize how quickly your "professional" skills start to become rusty. Low wages often result in having to give up the expense of the internet, which, at the very least, keep typing skills sharp, much less keeping up with other basic computer skills.

Service sector jobs are also generally "flexible schedule" jobs, meaning that you don't know more than a few days in advance which days/hours you will be working. The two retail jobs that I ended up working at both posted the upcoming weeks schedule on Friday's by early afternoon. That makes it really difficult to schedule interviews, plan appointments, etc..... I got lucky a few times when I found I was scheduled off for the next Friday, but that didn't happen often.

You start this first type of service sector job telling yourself that it's only "temporary", and that any day now, you'll land a "real" job again - after all, you're currently employed and that's what counts, right? Especially to potential employers.....but after more than a year, you begin to realize that this job may not be quite as temporary as you originally thought, and besides, you're really not making it on $8.50 per hour, so you re-think your strategy and broaden your job search to include ANY job that has set hours and pays at least $10 per hour.

After 4 months of frantically applying at every temp agency in the area, you finally get a call from one that has an opening that will enable you to give a traditional two-week notice to your current employer (because you have a good work ethic and don't want any "dings" on your excellent resume/work history), but it's not exactly office work - it's light factory work, and it's just a temp job with no bennies. Well, that's OK, because at least it's a regular 7 - 3:30 M-F workweek, AND it pays a whopping $11 an hour! It's a whole year long contract, too boot, and that will give you PLENTY of time to find another "real" job. Well, that time flies by all too quickly, and the next thing you know, the contract will be up in just a few short months and you haven't had much luck with landing that "real" job again, so back to desperation search once again.....

Deadline is looming and no decent "real" job offers on the table, but there IS an offer from someone ready to jump on an experienced, mature person with cashiering/retail experience....they claim that the job is full-time and pays $10 per hour, but it's retail again. What to do......you absolutely DESPISE retail, but then again, it's better than going on unemployment, right? ANY job is better than NO job, right? And there's also the possibility of health bennies down the road, plus at least the job is very close to home, so that will cut down on gas expenses....

OK, you decide (very reluctantly) to accept the job and make arrangements to start the day after the last day of your temp job - seamless move, right? No shafting the current employer and no lapse in pay. What could go wrong? Well, three days before "doomsday", you still haven't heard anything from this new employer about your schedule - like, what time do you want me to report and what will my first weeks schedule be? So you make a call and surprise! They haven't had time to "work you into a schedule yet", so call back tomorrow. Tomorrow comes and you're told that you will be starting a WEEK from next Wednesday - uh oh. The day comes, you go to your new job and see that you are only scheduled to work 23 hours that week, including the entire weekend. Well, OK, it's the first week, surely the second week will be for 40 hours.....second week comes and you're scheduled to work only 32 hours - what gives? An inquiry to the manager reveals that 34 hours a week is considered "full-time" and really, only the supervisors consistently get that many hours per week, but I "should" average around
34 hours per week anyhow, since I seem to be "catching on and getting customers through really quickly". Big red flags are waving now, but wait! It gets BETTER.....

Payday comes along, but no check for me - WHAZZUP???? Well...."You started JUST around the time payroll was doing payroll, so your check will be coming and caught up to date by the next payday, in two weeks." Oh shit. Did I mention that I was also a single parent of two boys, 13 and almost 16? Well, nothing to do but wait. And so payday finally comes and WTF???? My paycheck is pittance and the hourly rate states $7.45 per hour! What happened to $10 per hour????? Another inquiry to the manager and I'm told "No one starts out at $10 per hour! The hiring manager should NEVER have told you that!" After some discussion, I did manage to negotiate a whopping $8.00 per hour. Better go apply for food stamps again, pronto!

When the day finally arrives for my food stamp appointment, my worker asked me why I left the light factory job for this retail job. I explained that the year-long contract was up, and the company who contracted the with the factory, who in turn contracted with the temp agency, decided not to renew the contract with the factory - they had found a much lower bidder. So rather than go on unemployment, I decided to be "proactive" and at least remain employed. The case worker did a face-palm.....I had to bring my last three months pay-stubs from my previous employer (which included lots of over-time), which lowered my monthly food stamp amount. He looked up my wages on his computer and told me how much I would have gotten in UI benefits - yikes - $400 MORE per month than what I was currently earning! My food stamp amount would have been slightly higher, as well. I looked at him and said, "I just shot myself in the foot, didn't I?" He didn't need to answer, that face-palm said it all.

And there I found myself in a worse damn boat than I had been in with that very first low-wage job. Too late for unemployment now - I was never "officially" laid off - just made a "seamless" transition from one job to another. I can't quit - no UI for someone who quits because he/she realized they made a mistake! By the time 6 months had passed, I had my first ever eviction notice after I wasn't able to make rent for the first time in three and a half years. I took my long-awaited tax refund to put first and last months rent on a small house that I would be "doubling up" with my newish boyfriend. We all moved in together and I vowed, now that I could afford internet service again, to again start my "real" job search again - no more "desperation" searches - I was not the only wage earner now.

By this time, it had been almost four years since I worked a "real" professional job. My former professional jobs were falling low and distant on my resume. I was once again concentrating ONLY on jobs that I had been formerly qualified, trained and educated for. There were even less out there by now, and the interviews had become non-existent. I finally found a job posting that matched my skill and qualifications PERFECTLY - from four and a half years ago. I confidently printed off the job application and my resume and mailed it off, sure that I would at least get an interview......instead, I got a letter: "Dear Applicant, Thank you for your interest in the ______ position. However, at this time, we are limiting our interview process to those applicants with more recent qualifications/experience. We will continue to hold your application on file for six months, etc, etc, etc. I threw the letter out in disgust, along with the flash drive that my resume was stored on. I haven't applied for a single job since.

I was crushed, I was demoralized and I finally gave up, after searching for at least decent, living wage employment for the better part of four years. I am almost 50 years old now and have given up hope of ever being independent or self-sufficient again.

Let's face it, the skills gained at service-sector employers such as Home Depot rarely translate into skills that most professional employers are seeking, save for the "customer service" aspect. And you'd be surprised how quickly those professional skills that you once had turn rusty when you're not utilizing them on a regular basis.

Now, this is only one persons experience - my own. Others may have better luck than I, or have a bit more will to keep going. I found an alternate living arrangement instead of a job, so admittedly, I could afford to quit that last low-wage, service-sector job (and did just that after 10 exhausting months), as well as give up on the job search. I do wish everybody out here in the land of unemployed/underemployed the best of luck, and hope for an end to this recession/unemployment nightmare.

[customerserviceguy]

105. How rusty do your job skills get

if you just simply take unemployment instead of even a crappy job?

I know what you're talking about, I moved from the Pacific NW to NY four and a half years ago, and with no connections, had to find a job on my own. I did those lousy temp jobs, and I even managed to get hired on by one of the companies I temped at, just before they had a merger and shut my office down. However, by being willing to do whatever it was to keep employed, I finally have a decent union job. I had to be willing to work at the job I have now for only 20 hrs a week and really lousy, expensive benefits for about a year and a half, and there was a time unemployment might have paid more, but I'm glad I stuck with it. If a double-dip recession is in the near future, I'm fairly set until retirement, as there are other hires after me.

Was I lucky? Sure, but sometimes you have to do a little something to make your own luck. My hat's off to the person who takes a job in another career while waiting for their primary one to open back up. Often, the perspectives they get from the new experience can help them when they get back into the old line of work, and smart employers know this. It also says that such a person will be flexible, and adapt more readily to a changing environment.

Everyone has to make their own way, and I wish everyone luck who has been displaced over these last few years.

[locahungaria]

109. Well see, that's the thing.......

Prior to this economic crash, the only time I had been on unemployment was back in 1987. It was different then, you went down to the office or mailed in your three or so job contacts each week, etc..., but there wasn't much else to it. Let's face it, jobs were a bit more plentiful then.

What I missed out on by taking a really low wage job was taking advantage of the contacts, connections and resources that are now available. I had no idea (at the time) that there were lots of job clubs out there, for example. Or that there were sessions at the local library that offered either computer training to those who needed it, or simple "keeping your current skills fresh" and other sessions to upgrade current skills. And other resources that keep you busy, up-to-date and "in touch", so to speak, all through out a typical work week, as well as some evenings. But you really do have to be able to devote yourself to utilizing these resources on a daily basis. And having SOME kind of a set schedule is pretty essential to being able to utilize these resources on any kind of regular basis.

Sure, you can go to your public library any time to use the computer - but the libraries are incredibly busy nowadays, and there are wait times and time-limits for the computers. The sessions that I referred to above were special sessions with specific computer programs that enabled you to either learn or brush up and keep fresh. Job clubs are also schedule specific - they usually operate on an "every Tuesday between 10:00 am and 1:00pm" type basis.

I guess what I'm trying to convey here is that most service sector jobs (such as Home Depot) have flexible hours - not a set schedule - as well as other difficulties in securing specific time off, and that makes it extremely difficult to devote blocks of time on a daily or even weekly basis to serious job-hunting and skill freshening or retraining. Resources are available that weren't available back in the 80's.

At any rate, I'm not trying to get into a pissing contest with you - I stated that this was simply my own personal experience. I was trying to explain, in my own words, where there may be barriers for a person working in the service sector job. Temp jobs such as you found are EXTREMELY preferable for a job seeker - there is always a chance for permanent hiring and again, I stress, the advantage of a set schedule. And for many people, finances can and DO dictate what job you are able to accept at a particular time. A person living in the same household with a stable wage-earner or other means of financial stability has the advantage to be "pickier" about what type of employment he/she can accept. The sole wage-earner will naturally look for the most pay, the most hours and the ease of being able to schedule a second part-time job if need be. And sometimes that means accepting UI over a minimum wage (or slightly above) job if that means that a roof can be kept over your families head and food on the table.

Personally, I'm thrilled to have the internet again - blogging on internet forums and other daily typing activities have gotten my typing speed back up to where I used to be, where I would at LEAST be able to pass a typing test at a temp agency again! That's one basic skill that got VERY rusty after less than a year of cashiering/scanning groceries! It was really shocking to me when I took a typing test at a temp agency and finding out that I could no longer type even 50 WPM with accuracy after a relatively short time. Any temp agency requires at LEAST that in order to be placed in any type of office work.

Glad things worked out well for you and hopes for many more of those "smart" employers to spring up - we sure need 'em!

[Maraya1969]

52. Always ask for help when you go to these stores. Make them need their employees.

Besides the fact that I always need help. :7

[shanti]

41. my (ex) roofer brother got hired at HD

after a long period of unemployment. he ended up giving notice after they cut his hours. :(

[PatrynXX]

98. self checkout doesn't stock the shelves though

at least not yet. Not sure how many big guys in their 50's plan to stand at checkout aisle's. usually they are walking around either to ask for help , advice or stocking the shelves. usually females operate up front.

[MADem]

3. I know they aren't terribly overjoyed, but I like the geezers at big box stores.

They're like me--they take pride in their work, they are professional, and they don't mumble. They also share some of the same aches and pains of advancing years!

[MrTriumph]

4. Noteworthy: "...most of the cuts did not make a peep in the local news..."

Why have so many local papers become nothing but reprints of Chamber of Commerce promotions?

Up next: Occupy the press?

[Richardo]

56. Occupy the press....

Fantastic idea. If it were its own thread I'd recommend it. ;)

[CrispyQ]

77. Up next: Occupy the press?

Now that will scare the crap out of them.

Fantastic idea. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Selatius]

104. That's rather simple. Because they buy lots of advertising space that funds the paper.

If they reported something bad or embarrassing about a company that is also a big advertiser, they will likely lose money. It's an easy way to control the media without having a ministry of propaganda. The same idea applies to tv news networks. They rely on corporate advertisers too to make money, and the people who sit on the board of directors of these news networks also probably sit on the board of a company that buys ad time.

[Kaleva]

5. I see this at Lowes too.

And there are guys my age and older working as bag boys at the local supermarket.

[graywarrior]

8. Agreed, yet several Lowe's in out area closed over night without warning.

[snooper2]

65. The folks at my local Lowes (at 75 and Spring Creek in Plano TX)

Always good to give specifics :)

Are all the same folks since I've been going there for 6-7 years. The flooring dude, the paint dude, the plumbing dudes (one is like 75 I think but knows his shit), and most of the front of store/return checkout folks...


FYI- Home Depot is a shithole with shitty everything. I wouldn't ask anyone there for advice on how to get out of the store :rofl: (Home Depot on Northbound 75 Accesss road just north of Plano Parkway)





Edit to add space between my & local

[howmad1]

94. Hey, you Home Depot lovers......

The CEO was a Bush Ranger, responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars to Chimp reelection. Still one of the biggest contributors to the rethuglican party. I'd go to Lowes before giving one cent to this bastard.

[jbnow]

110. HD alsp just told some right wing 'family' group

(AFA) to back off and that they were not going change some gay friendly practice the store has.
I don't remember those specifics either although I read about it on Daily Kos within last week. It surprised me because I know their ceo is a right winger.
Anyway the advice there was to go buy a dishwasher and support them
A quick google search showed a bunch of 'christian' groups are mad at them and trying to do a boycott

so there you go

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. My wife tells a story of going to HD to buy an extension cord.

"Extension cord?" the clerk asked.

[sibelian]

10. Hardware across the world has become useless.

I struggle to find a yard brush that doesn't fall to bits. This week I'm probably going to end up making my own one.

[emcguffie]

48. I'm 58 and we grow vegetables, but I have no idea what a yard brush is.

Help?

[poverlay]

73. Lol, I second your bewilderment and raise you a Whatthe? ... n/t

[unapatriciated]

80. a push broom.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=yard+brush&qpvt=yard+brush&FORM=IGRE

[monmouth]

7. Same great experience for me only at Target. Woman that helped

me was a bank executive, laid off, had to pay rent and buy food. She took the job at Target while still looking. Anyway, she was so helpful, only a few years younger than me and helped me find the perfect jeans. I asked her name and told her I would specifically ask for her again. Wish I could have told someone in management what an asset she was. Any suggestions?

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. The woman who sliced my lunch meat the local grocery store was former corporate from up north -

Nicest person - from a six figure job with lots of responsibility to awful hours slicing bologna. But you know what - she was thankful for the job. Again - health benefits.


The thing that makes me shake my head - if this is one city, a few examples, a company here and there - multiply it across the country. I just can't see where the future jobs are going to come from to make things better. Then I ponder my two daughters - 26 and 30 - one with a decent job (she hates), and another with a pretty awful job (she hates) - and wonder what the future will be for them.

[Lucinda]

15. Contact corporate and let them know?

They probably have contact info online.

[monmouth]

17. Yes. Am going to look that up right now. Thanks...n/t

[Lucinda]

43. I always try to when someone does really good work

Seem like more people take the time to complain than they do to praise a job well done. :)

I remember years ago working at a job and having a horrible day, when I got word from corporate that someone had called to compliment me. It's amazing what a gesture like that can do to help someone.

[monmouth]

44. I agree. Have had many of those days myself...n/t

[MedicalAdmin]

53. This is not snark. Write the company and mention her by name.

Cc a copy of the letter to the local fishwraps ( letter to the editor).

[renate]

54. write to the manager of the store, and send a copy to the main office too

Especially these days when nobody writes letters any more, letters of praise have a huge impact, I'm sure, and when you've received really good service, it's so nice to know that somebody deserving is going to get a compliment from the boss and maybe even a raise. And it'll probably go into their file, which is a nice little bit of insurance when the company is looking for people to lay off.

The woman who helped you might even have a future in management at Target, with her experience as a bank executive--wouldn't it be neat if a letter from you helped to get her a tasty promotion?!?

On a similar note, I'll never forget the time, more than 20 years ago, when my sister and I saw a rental-car company's shuttle bus driver at the airport get disgracefully mistreated by a belligerent customer (in retrospect, I would guess that he was drunk). The customer said that he was going to complain to the driver's manager about some imaginary slight; everybody else on the bus squirmed uncomfortably and nobody said anything at the time, but after not being able to get it out of our minds we made my parents go back to the rental place while we went in to explain what had really happened (my parents are awesome so they were easy to persuade). While we were still there, the manager picked up the walkie-talkie or phone (can't remember which) and said simply, "Leroy, come back." I don't know whether Leroy had been fired or sent home for the day or whether he'd just stormed off, but I wonder whether we had saved his job or at least kept a ding from being put on his record... it was a million times worth the trip back and the embarrassment of being a teenager and making a little fuss. I've never forgotten that and never stopped wondering what would have happened to that nice, patient driver if we hadn't taken the time to go back and defend him.

[monmouth]

59. Great story. Thanks..n/t

[unapatriciated]

82. email corporate and give her a kudu.

[Gregorian]

11. I hate to do this. But it reminds me of

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8zNsUTWsOc

[NRaleighLiberal]

12. classic! (and not too far off!) n/t

[Nevernose]

14. The movie they were afraid to release

Because they thought stupid people might be offended. I have had the Gatorade vs. Water conversation at least hundred times, and it always ends with, "Yeah, but this has electrolytes."

[lunatica]

23. You must be talking about Idiocracy

I didn't click on the link, but I remember the line, "If water is so good for plants how come plants don't grow in toilets?"

[valerief]

70. Bwah! Exactly! nt

[madinmaryland]

13. Another interesting thing about Home Depot, is that in addition to the older employees, there

are also a lot less customers in the store. I've been in even on a Saturday for routine little stuff, and there just are not a lot of customers in the store.

[GoCubsGo]

39. That's interesting, because...

I just heard a report that Lowes is closing some of their stores, because they are losing business to the Home Despot. I have to say that in my town, the Lowes tends to be more crowded.

[madinmaryland]

47. Only only go to HD or Lowes for little stuff. As a renter, I don't do much in the

way of home remodeling or repairs. Light bulbs, screws, etc.

HD is two blocks from where I work, so it is also real convenient.

[quakerboy]

103. I suspect

it would be more accurate to report that they are both losing business as fewer and fewer people can or will afford the contractors that shop there, or even the parts to DIY

[CrispyQ]

88. I've noticed this too.

I guess people who are underwater on their mortgage or behind on their payments are reluctant to put more money into upgrades. :eyes:

I have a friend you put almost $30k into a kitchen remodel back in '07, because, "You always get 100% of your kitchen upgrades back." They are one of the lucky ones that their home value has dropped to a little more than what they owe on it. I'm not sure they could get their $30k back, though.

[Brother Buzz]

16. Home Depot has had a long tradition of hiring experienced tradespeople in my area

Tradespeople taking a time out from their trade, recovering from an injury, burn-outs looking for part-time retirement, laid off from a crappy market, and what not. Good people to deal with, but still underpaid in my opinion.

I understood the health benefits were just kinda so-so, but I guess 50% of everything is a whole lot better than 100% of nothing.

[Warpy]

21. The last CEO found out hiring feckless teenagers because they worked cheap

didn't work out too well when the company's reputation suffered and much of their business trotted over to Lowe's or other stores. Usually those 50 somethings are guys who got to old to work in the building trades but who know their stuff.

That they're hiring guys from other professions is interesting. I'm just glad they're hiring older folks. At least they'll keep track of their inventory better than the teenagers did.

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

22. If you take the time to notice, you will see over 50's

doing a lot of jobs, that used to be done by younger workers -

I see older people holding real estate/advertising signs on the corners, working at fast food joints, holding stop/slow signs for traffic before construction zones, even bagging groceries. I can't imagine these positions pay anything over $10 an hour, if not minimum wage.

It is depressing and the reason why wages overall are dropping and the middle class disappearing. And yet, these days, if you are over 50, and have lost your job, you do feel lucky to be working. At anything.

[lunatica]

24. The downside, of course, is young people aren't getting work experience

And people wonder why the OWS has surged.

I'm 63 by the way in case you might think I'm one of those young people hating the Boomers.

[Liberal_in_LA]

85. +10

[Duer 157099]

25. Similar experience, but with a different home improvement store

I love going there and talking to the older folks who know their stuff and give great advice on DIY projects.

I couldn't imagine a younger kid being able to help me with the questions I've had.

:thumbsup:

[WorseBeforeBetter]

26. I shop at the HD on Strickland Road and have noticed the same thing.

Although that little hipster dude who works in Lawn & Garden is a delight (geez, I sound old...).

This is a tough area for the older worker. I know too many working in crappy call centers (e.g., ACS/Apple and Sears) for a measly $10-$12/hr and limited benefits. Good luck to you.

[NRaleighLiberal]

27. Hey - that's where I was! n/t

[RegieRocker]

28. Everyone should get a job as a NY taxi cab driver!

Republicans b.s. solution to all unemployed.
:rofl:

[Exilednight]

29. I use to work for HD when I was much younger. I was there when the original founders still ran

the company. They payed a decent wage, offered great benefits and treated workers with respect.

After they retired, they turned the company over to Bob Nardeli. He reduced hours in departments, increased the employees share of benefits cost and reduced staffing by not replacing employees who quit or retired and the new employees he did hire he hired at lower wages.

I'm happy that they found work, but I bet they are still being treated like slave labor.

[Shagbark Hickory]

30. Service has improved ten fold at HD. They are required to

At my local store, they are required to ask each person they pass if they need any help.
That's a great policy IMO.

[Saturday]

33. I think that policy stinks.

After you've told 5 people you don't need any help they become PESTS!

[Shagbark Hickory]

42. That's the kind of pestering I can live with though.

There's been times where I literally have called up the store on my mobile phone and said "Uh yeah I'm in aisle 18 and need some help and there's nobody around"

[kiva]

50. Agreed, iti's a lot easier to tell someone you don't need help

than to try to find someone when you do. But then I generally like to talk to people, and find that people who do not don't share my views on service.

[progressoid]

45. Yeah, I just had that at a hardware store today.

Leave me alone! If I need help I'll ask you.

[Ed Suspicious]

63. Agreed! I want help to be available when I look for it, but I

trust that if you are employed at HD and in the aisles, you are there to help. I get super annoyed with repeated reminders that help is available.

[snooper2]

67. And when you tell them you're just getting what you need for a p-trap

They look at you with Michelle Bachman eyes :rofl:

[rufus dog]

31. Had them page the manager a couple a months ago at our HD

Store opened about a dozen years ago, great service, knowledgeable staff. Then about 8 years ago it went to shit. A couple of cases of employees playing hide and seek when looking for someone to cut lumber or answer a question. About two years ago it started getting better, some mid fifty year old dudes and mid forties ladies started in paint, lumber, garden and plumbing. Just about 1/2 dozen at first but if help was needed you could hit them up.

Went in Memorial day to get a 4x4, just needed an 8 inch block basically, picked up the cheapest 4x I could find and took it to get it cut. The gray hair asked me if I only needed 8 inches, told him yup, checked out the scrap, nothing there, but it will be worth the $7 to finish my project. He said forget that and went back to the pile and found a piece he said was scrap, marked it, cut off 8 inches and said he had to charge me fifty cents for the cut. I had a neighborhood Jr. High kid helping me with the work and he was wide eyed, as we walked away he just said, "that was really cool." I tried to give the guy a $10 tip for a cook out they were having out back for the employees, he refused.

A couple of weeks later I had a bad flapper on a toilet, I bought the toilet at HD about five years earlier, but couldn't find the same flapper. As I was going through the options an employee came up and asked me what I was trying to do, I had the flapper and he said oh yeah, that is the one on the Champion we used to sell. Can't get the replacement here, but you can send it to Champion or they will replace it for free, I said Damn that sucks, then he said, or, take this replacement piece along with this other one, put them together and you have a replacement. Whole set up cost me about the same as the kits they had. He explained that when he gave that as the first option some people got pissed so he offered the free method first. I was elated, told him so, just wanted to fix the toilet.

Later I went in for a product I had bought there, walking up and down the aisle couldn't find it. Garden guy came up told him what I was looking for he started looking couldn't find it, another lady walks up an she said she remembers seeing it recently. After a minute of all of us looking I am ready to give up and the guy says, it is somewhere around here we are going to find it, the lady then finds a case up top and he pulls it down, success.

After checking out, at self check out, the kid asks me if I need anything, I say yeah, let me talk to the manager. He asks if there is anything he can do to help me (the right response) and I tell him no just page the manager. The kid is in a bit of a panic and they guy who had months earlier helped me with the flapper is walking by and the kid calls him a over. The plumbing guy walks by and says how is it going, I just say good, no issues at all, he then circles back to the kid says something to him then parks himself at the exit with a big grin on his face.

The manager comes up and I tell him I have been shopping at the store since it opened, at first it was great then it got to a point where I hated coming in, (his face got tight) then I tell him about two years ago it started getting better, and started calling out people in different departments who helped and in the last year it has been better than ever.

When I was leaving the plumbing guy was standing just outside and said thanks, told him sure, then stopped and asked why he waited, he told me kid a self check was panicking and he bet him a dollar that I wanted to talk to the manager to tell them they were doing good work, not to complain.

In summary, talk to the manager, my only suggestion would be to plan it a bit and get the employees first names. I had to say, the big guy with the mustache in lumber, the bald dude in paint, the gray haired guy and the lady with long hair who work every Saturday morning in garden, the guy with the walking cast in plumbing, the skinny dude in Electrical, ....

Thanks for the reminder too, I thought I should bring in a couple of dozen doughnuts for the staff on one of my Saturday morning trips, will do it next Saturday.

[Tatiana]

71. You are a wonderful customer. I am sure those workers appreciate you very much.

One thing I have noticed at my HD... the workers there ARE more mature and they remember repeat customers.

I still shop at Menards a lot for price, but if it's not at Menards, I will head on over to HD because I appreciate that they don't simply hire teenagers, but employ older adults who have more knowledge about the products that are sold.

[mopinko]

32. for you, i recommend starbucks.

how's it going?
we got jobs up here in chicago, you know.

[NRaleighLiberal]

36. Mo, pal! Yes (esp since I am the most un-handy home owner in the world!).

It's going OK - we are having a glorious fall here in NC. Tomatoes all gone, but still plenty of eggplant and peppers (ratatouille for dinner tonight).

[mopinko]

46. my best crop was potatoes.

grew those little ones that are so popular now. even tho it took forever to get them to sprout, they were so vigorous that i got a nice little pile of spuds from each vine. vines got beat to hell in the wind we had last week, so i dug them.
tomatoes? so disappointing. just too damn hot. sad part is that they did start to fruit when it cooled off, so i had lots of little green ones that were never going to ripen. so? pickles!! used those cute little purple peppers in them. can't wait to try 'em.

[RebelOne]

34. At my local Kohl's, most of the sales people there are over 50.

And Kohl/s gives gives a discount on certain days of the week to all those over 55.

[ErikJ]

35. Home Depot Founder: Retailers Who Don't Support GOP "Should Be Shot"

I heard they donate millions to GOP candidates.

[Mimosa]

40. Wow. Bernie Marcus DID say it.

I just went googling and found several links.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122705706314639537.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Home Depot was a big driver in driving the manufacturing of tools and hardware to China. :(

[CoffeeCat]

61. Oh yeah, that Home Depot CEO...

...is a hard-core, corporatist Republican. He recently
did an interview with Charlie Rose. He was depressed
because Christie didn't run. He was a big proponent
of all things Republican--including more tax breaks for
the wealthy and Soc Sec/Medicare cuts. Had a terrible feeling
about this guy. You could have set him on the set of
the Sopranos and he would have blended in very well.

[minavasht]

37. I feel bad for the young

guys they fired to hire the old ones.
Seems unfair.

[kiva]

51. Or maybe the younger employees quit

and they hired the older workers?:shrug:

[CrispyQ]

86. Young people should support dropping medicare & SS benefits to lower ages, to encourange retirement.

Even on this 'liberal' board, discussions about these programs often breaks down into younger generations calling the boomers greedy & selfish & the boomers calling the younger generations lazy & irresponsible.

Yet again, TPTB have found a division among us to exploit.

[Mimosa]

38. Walgreen's recently outsourced jobs to India, I'd read.

A friend of mine lost his job to Philipines outsourcing.

Half the time when I get solicitation type calls i can barly understand the person with a strong accent on the other end. Makes it much easier for me to firmly state 'Sorry, but I am not interested in your service. Goodbye' and hang up quickly.

There are ways to make the tax code work to keep jobs in the USA. But our elected reps won't work for us when big corporations pay them to do what THEY (the corporations) want.

[TwilightGardener]

49. I haven't seen anyone under the age of 30 at HD, besides a couple of cashiers.

Same at Lowes.

[dd2003]

55. Craigslist?

Have you been looking on craigslist as well?

[xchrom]

57. recommend

[mmonk]

58. Recommended. I sometimes go to the one on Strickland near Six Forks.

Yes, changing demographic as well as other places as well. Those of us in the mid to later 50's are the forgotten except for restaurant discounts. I'll take more money over the discounts any day.

[AngryAmish]

60. I see more older folks at Starbucks now

[Ed Suspicious]

68. To your point, I notice that the young fast food manager is a rare sight any longer

this labor climate must be a boon to the fast food industry getting real, experienced managers at such a low price.

[Jakes Progress]

62. And these are the jobs the administration

crows about. Sure, there may be a a thousand new jobs, but they are staffed by people making half of what they used to. The republicans caused this, but Obama and the Democrats are catching it. I think that is why the republicans don't mind Obama getting a second term. As things get worse and worse, it will be Democrats who get the blame. It would help is a little fighting was being done.

[mimitabby]

66. went to two restaurants in two different cities this week

and in each, our waitress was a senior citizen. Both were clearly older than me, and I will be 60 next month. It's a scary world out there when old ladies are waiting tables.

[Tracer]

69. I've noticed a big change at my nearby HD.

In the past, if you couldn't find something or needed a service (like getting lumber cut) you could stand around forever waiting for an employee (or worse, comb the aisles looking for one).

Now when I go in, I'm accosted by employees! I was reading the back of an LED spotlight package the other day, when an aggressive (woman) employee almost demanded that a combo spotlight/trim was the better option for me.

I had to explain to HER that the combo package wouldn't work in my situation.

This is definitely NOT the first time recently that HD employees have stalked me!

[dotymed]

72. If memory serves (sometimes it does).

Home Depot was pretty connected to Cheney.

[DeSwiss]

75. K&R n/t

[locahungaria]

76. Of course the older employees are friendly and helpful!

They're bored out of their mind and jump at the chance to do something besides straighten and stock shelves and stand in place while running the cash register - helping a customer and being able to talk to another human being without getting in trouble is paradise! (You didn't think that conversation among employees is ENCOURAGED, do you??) Trust me, I've been there - I know!

Besides, most older employees know a little bit of something about a little bit of everything! :)

[bhikkhu]

78. I go to a locally owned home supply store instead

...as the big chains - and Home Depot in particular - have a tendency toward fascism, the closer you look at the top end of the chain. But I know they are a decent place to work. A friend's wife works at the one we have in town, and its a job she enjoys and tries to do well.

[xloadiex]

79. I use to work for HD

Years ago they were known for paying a decent wage. For the past few years you're lucky if you get minimum wage. I hated the company. As a cashier, they want your main goal to be pushing those credit cards with 23% interest. I just couldn't get myself to do it.

[savannah43]

81. The Koch Brothers own Home Depot.

[Liberal_in_LA]

84. omg. do they really?

[stuntcat]

95. dunno, but I do know-

I do know Home Depot is owned by people who fund Republicans. HD has come up on lots of lists I've seen teh last few years, lists of where not to shop if you want to spend blue or whatever.

For my gardening stuff I only go to the local garden centers now. But there's a lot of stuff I just have to go to Home Depot for, I like to paint and fix up the house and stuff! The employees there are super nice and friendly though, it isn't their fault who owns their store, but I've cut way back on what I'll go there for.

[Liberal_in_LA]

83. I've noticed also that the average age of employees at stores and fast food is getting much older

also bagging groceries and such. Glad people my age can get job. Sad for the young folks who have to compete with them.

[xxqqqzme]

87. I noticed the same thing when

we did an 'event' dinner out at a local up scale restaurant not too long ago. My son was a waiter there at one time. Like him, most were college kids, working their way through school. As we got ready to leave, I suddenly noticed these were not college kids any more. Many of the wait staff were familiar faces but they were all now in their very late 20s or early/mid 30s. Can't find jobs in their chosen fields but have student loans to pay off.

Many of them had been in my house at one time, played golf w/ my son, came to parties but there they are - stuck.

[Romulox]

89. Hey. At least their Hondas are lasting longer! nt

[pdx_prog]

90. China crap

I went into Home Depot 2 years ago to get a chain saw chain for my chainsaw to cut some firewood. I thought I would try buying a chain there to save some time and money. got the chain home, put it on my saw, started to cut and the chain immediately broke and flipped down and got caught on the chain catcher on the saw. A razor sharp chain breaking while you are using it is not a good thing. I took it back to HD and the guy was very apologetic....gave me a new chain and I went on my merry way. I got home, put it on my saw and cut for about 2 hours or so then it broke on me again. I was pissed at this point. I took pictures of the chain, went back to HD and got my money back along with the name of the company that made the chain. I found the company's info and sent them a scathing email along with a picture of the chain. They sent an email back to me and told me that they no longer sold chains to HD and that what I had was a Chinese imitation. The chains looked identical except for the coloring of some of the parts and the name that was stamped on the parts. In the email the company told me that they stopped doing business with HD because they started slowly buying these chains from China and moving them into their stores. I went back to HD and told the guy what I had found out...he said that the chains were made in the USA. We looked at the packaging and sure enough....Made in China in small print on the back. Every one we looked at said the same thing. I tried to find out the info for this company in China but had no luck. This is what companies like HD and Wal-Mart are doing to us in this country...they are looking for the lowest cost and that is it. I will NEVER buy anything at HD again.

[DaveJ]

91. Wow, Mid 50s is not even that old, they should be moving into management

I guess management isn't viewed as being necessary anymore.

At our local Menard's (hardware) store, I bought something that was the wrong size, came back 30 minutes to exchange it, lost the receipt, and even though they remembered me, not even the "manager" had the authority to let me do an even exchange. Seems everything is so automated that they don't need real managers either.

[Turbineguy]

92. The economy works great

for people like Rush Limbaugh.

[suninvited]

93. I started a retail job in April of this year

and at the age of 50, I am the youngest employee there!

[Honeycombe8]

96. Home Depot has long been a source for middle aged skilled people to find work...

I've been going to H.D. for years (about 20 years). I have noticed that entire time that H. D. prides itself in hiring middle aged (and older) workers who have particular knowledge or skills. I wish I could get a job there when I semi-retire (I'll probably never be able to retire fully), but I don't have the knowledge or skills that those other older workers have. I knew two men who got part time jobs there. One had been a home builder on his own for most of his adult life. The other had worked in construction for years, was older, and in recent years had been a handyman, which was what he liked best but his wife wanted him to get a job with benefits. Interestingly, both men left the job pretty quickly; they didn't like working for someone else, since they were used to being their own boss.

Kudos, and smart bus. move, to use the knowledge and skills of older workers.

[totodeinhere]

97. You seem to imply that 50 somethings are better employees than 20 somethings.

Just an observation - everyone there was incredibly helpful, very friendly, made it a really good (and educational) experience....not at all what we used to find at Home Depot in terms of working demographic. Even as recently as a year ago, I would have been asking 20 somethings where this or that is.

As a twenty something myself I resent that. There are plenty of good reliable 20 somethings and I like to include myself on that list. And I'm sure that there are some no so reliable 50 somethings. All generations need to stick together and I don't see a benefit from bashing one particular generation. And if you had been a 20 something bashing the older generation I would be telling you the same thing.

By the way, I hope you can find a job soon.

[Divine Discontent]

111. The OP does not say, "clueless 20 somethings", or anything that could be deemed disparaging.

The OP clearly just said that the demographic a year ago would have been them going and asking the 20-somethings where this or that was at, and now notices it's 50-somethings.

I on the other hand will state that I find that older workers (50+, of which I'm not) tend to know a lot more than most 20-somethings. At the 'mouse house' in Orlando, most, not all, of the younger employees are clueless, petty, too busy playing with their phones, obsessing about a 'hottie' guest, unwilling to focus to understand a concern or a guideline, and unwilling to go out of their way to help others. Whereas most, not all, of the older ones take more time to assist, listen, and have a boat-load of experience and knowledge about the theme parks than a majority of their younger counterparts cannot match. I have 7 years of heavy experience in watching the workforce there throughout my 30's, and where there are exceptions to every rule and wonderful young staff at every large employer, the obvious fact is, the older workers are more knowledgeable and patient with the guests, and the younger ones get the most complaints time and again.

And yet, many companies want to avoid older workers - how sad. Just my personal opinions of what I see at one large employer, and as I said, "most" and not all.

[MasonJar]

99. Just so you know Home Depot's owner is very right wing. He spent

a lot of effort trying to defeat Obama in 2008. At least that was the reporting at the time.

[tpsbmam]

100. I'm seeing lots of seniors at my HD and doing things like pizza delivery in my rural area....

There's a little family-owned pizza/Italian food/sub place out my way in a rural area and they deliver....as a former New Yorker, I have to admit it was something I was used to and one of the few things I miss. It's too expensive for me to use often but once in a while, it's nice when I can't get out. One of the many reasons it's too expensive is because I tip the delivery person GENEROUSLY. These are people who get the delivery service charge, which is barely enough to cover their gas and no pay -- their total pay is from tips. And the man who has delivered here the two times I ordered is a retiree who needs the income -- he also has another part-time gig at a local gas/convenience store.

This is how this country is treating its citizens, be they middle-aged or elderly. For those of us who aren't yet retirement age, welcome to the future. And then there's the young crowd facing finding jobs, maybe with substantial student loans to pay off if they've gone to college......what a country we've become. Land of the 1% for the 1%.

[Divine Discontent]

112. noticing that, too!

Get it here now, or one of a million other designs! http://www.zazzle.com/republicans_2012_keeping_millions_out_of_work_bumper_sticker-128659602907896843?rf=238107662556833486

[Beacool]

101. At least they are hiring.

Some places don't want anyone in that age group. I'll remember to choose them next time I need home improvement items.

Good luck with your job hunt!!!

:pals:

[defendandprotect]

102. Is Home Depot Unionized????

[leftstreet]

108. No

[bluestate10]

106. Since nothing that I can write satisfy some on DU, here I go.

You can be a 50 something waiting for a big company to find you. Or you can use your 25 years of experience to create products that reflect your values and which have the added benefit of creating jobs in your home town if you are successful. A while back a DUer was complaining about pouring chemicals on his skin to fight skin dryness, use your pharma experience to create natural alternatives. The biggest barrier to you doing so will be you, if you are the type that see roadblocks instead of possibilities. Some of the best natural ingredients grow in the wild and can be harvested without expenditure of money.

If progressives and moderates are going to change society, those two groups must become more comfortable with taking financial risks in the hope of building companies that care about american workers, the environment, and economic equity.

[Mimosa]

107. Create products?

Right.How many laid off middle class people have the venture capital -and never mind the 'creativity'- to compete with well financed entities?

Tell that story to those small businesses who had to close up shop when the WalMart stores opened.