Hi I'm New - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Paul Staub · 02-20-2005, 09:03 PM

Hi, my name is Paul and I sell windows and siding for the Home Depot in Charlotte, NC. I have been reading this site for a while now and I have gotten a lot of great pointers from people on this site with much more experience than me.

I guess I am a representative of one of the most hated companies on this site but from what Ive read there is not a whole lot of difference in the way that we do business. I'm just another guy out there trying to put food on my table and help customers buy quality windows and siding.

Anyway, if im not welcome here I'll go, but I do get a lot out of reading the posts, so thanks and I hope youll let me in the discussions.

Glasshousebltr · 02-20-2005, 09:18 PM

Welcome Paul.

Bob

mikesewell · 02-21-2005, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Staub

...I hope youll let me in the discussions.

Welcome Paul. I hope you enjoy your stay.

Don Benham · 02-21-2005, 01:07 PM

As far as I'm concerned Paul, welcome. I'll be honest I'm not a fan of your employer, I believe them to be a great example of what's wrong with the industry. But thats not you and I hope the occasional disagreement doesn't come between us adults.

Welcome aboard,
Don

Paul Staub · 02-21-2005, 05:18 PM

Home Depot is funny because everyone you go to has a differing quality of service. The Charlotte branch for installed siding, windows, and roofing, has few complaints and several extremely experienced managers that were around when Remodel America and IPUSA first strted in with Depot. We do things entirely different then branches do in other areas. We rarely use high pressure tactics, and usually go out of the way to give each customer a personal touch. This is probably because Charlotte is a low volume branch and we have the need to operate on the personal level with customers much like the local GC's. Otherwise I would starve. I do wish there were more qualified specialists in the store, because they could help customers find me and take some of the prospecting burden off my shoulders. Also I'm tired of apologizing to customers for stupid advice that they give in the store.

**Nathan** · 02-21-2005, 06:00 PM

Welcome to the board Paul. I hope we can learn a lot from each other.

**Floorwizard** · 02-21-2005, 09:52 PM

Welcome.

Yes, HD tends to do things wrong IMO, but sometimes good employees can make it different.
The problem is that if the employee is really that good, they tend not to work for them.

Right Grumpy?.......

Paul Staub · 02-21-2005, 10:47 PM

Quote:

The problem is that if the employee is really that good, they tend not to work for them.

I'm quite capable, and know windows and siding quite well, and have had no complaints so far. Home Depot also offers good benefits, a matching 401k plan, and a 15% stock discount.

I don't really see this incorrect business structure that ive read about on this site. The poeple order their windows, we help them finance, theyre ready to go in 3 weeks, they put them in with insulation trim and caulk just like they are supposed to, and if they break we fix them. Seems like the right way to do things to me.

**Teetorbilt** · 02-21-2005, 11:44 PM

Paul, as much as we bash the places, I think that we will all admit to knowing a few good guys that work in the box stores.
I hunt and ride with Jim in HD electrics, retired from his own business. Nobody better than Ralph at Lowes, same thing only in plumbing. Al at HD is the best paint mixer ever even if his paint is not the best. There are some others.
Unfortunately these people only number a dozen out of 2 HD's and 2 Lowe's, pretty slim pickin's.
I'm sure that you're one of the good guys or you wouldn't have admitted it.
Welcome aboard.

JustaFramer · 02-21-2005, 11:57 PM

Psst I tell you a secret I buy from HD and Lowes. But only for tools because you beat the mom and pop outfitt that won't give a discount because I don't buy ********************ing 3 pallets of nails a month.

Mike Finley · 02-22-2005, 10:21 AM

Home Depot and Lowes Rock.

Don Benham · 02-22-2005, 08:11 PM

I'll shop at the Mom and Pops. They've always given me better, smarter customer service. I can go to a big box and maybe get lucky and find someone who knows anything. Or deal with the kid who was in Gardening last week but is in this department getting cross training. Or buy one of their tool packages that come incomplete. Or if I feel like standing around for hours on a weekend listening to sales people tell customers thngs they know nothing about. Thats always fun.

Don

housedocs · 03-19-2005, 09:28 AM

Welcome Paul,

There are a few good guys like you working at the big box stores, unfortunately for every good one who knows his stuff there's about 20 that don't know a roofing nail from a finish nail. That coupled with the fact I have a good relationship with a small local chain of lumber yards that will match the prices on most materials, about the only time I shop there is when I happen to be working close by. All my major material purchases go thru the local yard. From my experience, the absolute worst associates in these places work in the tile department.

shimmerl · 08-15-2005, 03:26 PM

welcome poul this the great place to be....