Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[2020BRZtS]

I wanted to share some experiences I had over the last couple years with H*me Dep*t that are pretty cool.

H*me Dep*t's prices are not always that great. In fact, smaller ticket items can cost significantly more than ordering direct from a manufacturer. When you buy generic merchandise you don't always know where it came from until you get it. For example, I bought some rubber stoppers to stop drawers and cabinets from slamming shut. Not too expensive, around $10 shipped, but when I got them and looked at where they came from, the same product direct was $1.80. At the same time, I bought some 1.8 kW LED lights for the garage. They were roughly $24 each and I also found the same lights at W*lmart for $18 shipped. I'm glad I chose H*me Dep*t because one was inoperable. If you don't know this, H*me Dep*t will accept any return at any time for any reason as long as the SKU is in their system. Returned the item in the store, reordered online and had a replacement in two days. W*lmart was through a 3rd party seller which would have made the return a bitch.

I learned an expensive lesson a few years ago. I ordered some blinds that attach to french doors from Amaz*n. They arrived in a H*me Dep*t box. I discovered after opening the first one it was the wrong size and returned them. Amaz*n took 20% restocking fee... even for the unopened item.

I reordered them from H*me Dep*t and got them in two days. At some point I got my refund less 20% and went on with my life.

Fast forward again to now when I bought the LED lights for the garage. I logged into my H*me Dep*t account to find a card attached to my account I didn't recognize. I thought that was strange cuz I hadn't ordered since the blinds. I start poking around my account to find my address book had over 1,000 addresses in it and an order history of over $100K in orders. When the reseller processed my return it somehow linked us forever.

I found and printed out the return slip from my account. I took it to H*me Dep*t and spoke to a manager in Customer Service. I said "I know you don't owe me anything but I was charged a 20% restocking fee from the return of a drop-shipped item. The items were returned directly to you and you don't charge a restocking fee. Is there anything you can do for me?" They credited me the 20% and filed a chargeback against the drop shipper.

Now that's service.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by 2020BRZtS

I wanted to share some experiences I had over the last couple years with H*me Dep*t that are pretty cool.

I started to read this post before seeing who posted it and was looking for the hyperlink. I thought I was going to report a bot.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I started to read this post before seeing who posted it and was looking for the hyperlink. I thought I was going to report a bot.

reported

[cjd]

Originally Posted by soundman98

not cheap, but i'd highly recommend romar cabinets. top quality work, and their staff has always been on point whenever i've got a question. the only gc i'd recommend has been booked at least 2 years out since january...

fyi, oakbrook is requiring any hood over 600cfm to have a make-up air intake into the room... we've been doing a lot of 700-1,000cfm units



i'd love to see a room layout of what you've got!

I want make up air. I'd actually like to be able to run it independent of the hood so I can use the fireplaces! Have to crack a window for those today. Since I'm considering a commercial hood style, those can be set up with curtain mua which I hear is quite nice.

Appreciate the cabinet tip. And GCs are tough to find not booked out unless they're unknown or shady. It's going to be a lot of work on the electric side since we definitely don't have space in the breaker box, some added plumbing and gas line...plus the usual demo, drywall, possibly floor, paint, and installation. been saving up for years. Dragging our feet trying to find someone at this point, even that is a painful process.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by soundman98

i'd love to see a room layout of what you've got!

From the kitchen left to right. I have the front entrance, big low window, stairs to upper bedroom, hall to master and bathroom, then another big low window just out of frame to the right.


From the stairs you can see the big low window on the left that was out of frame on previous picture. I had to move the slider down 2 feet to get enough room on the wall for the range and fridge to be there with 24” cabinet between. Yes the breaker panel is in the living room Wall between kitchen and living room was about 18 past the panel. I have no idea how my big sectional couch is going to fit and not block something.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

From the kitchen left to right. I have the front entrance, big low window, stairs to upper bedroom, hall to master and bathroom, then another big low window just out of frame to the right.


From the stairs you can see the big low window on the left that was out of frame on previous picture. I had to move the slider down 2 feet to get enough room on the wall for the range and fridge to be there with 24” cabinet between. Yes the breaker panel is in the living room Wall between kitchen and living room was about 18 past the panel. I have no idea how my big sectional couch is going to fit and not block something.

Looks like it will be a really nice space when all done though!

[Ultramaroon]

Yeah, no.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Looks like it will be a really nice space when all done though!

Yeah, I’m still happy with how it’s turning out. Like all projects, in hindsight you always find things that could have been done differently.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Yeah, no.

No likey?

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

No likey?

No fitty

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

No fitty

Doesn't that apply to all Lotus?

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Doesn't that apply to all Lotus?

Yes!

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Yes!

So why can't that one be the most accomplished of cars you can't fit in?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Doesn't that apply to all Lotus?

Most cars.