Just back from dropping off my request for a quote at the local Home Depot and Rona stores. They both can't handle these requests on weekends both stated that they only handle that during week days but they both said they would pass them on to the manager at the contractor desk on Monday - and I would be called! Gee I hope so... an order of $70K plus is up for grabs...
The Home Depot fellow at the contractor's desk said that he would look at getting to the quote first thing on Monday, after the weekend madness. I actually didn't expect an instant turnaround because I know they will need to call out for various sub-quotes for floor systems, roof trusses, etc. But the fellow immediately started to look at the material list and started to ask a few clarifying questions. I was pleased that he was eager to get at it. Well the weekend madness beaconed his attention so we agreed he would call me on Monday with further questions.
I left Home Depot with a smile - actually a stayed a bit to have lunch in the Harvey's which is inside the store -- I had a 'Gary's Burger"... ;-)
A little less satisfying was my experience at RONA. What really floored me was before I left the "lumber" Desk at Rona the fellow at the desk slipped in that a $100 fee would be required for the quote - which of course would be refunded if I actually purchased with them. Gee I guess they think they are doing me a favour or something... I promptly replied that perhaps Rona really didn't want my business after all! The fellow curtly said well the contract desk will call you on Monday...
I and my wife spent a about an hour walking around in RONA - it had been a long time since I had been there - and I just wanted to get updated on the kinds of brands and materials that they stocked for future reference. Unfortunately, my previous impression of RONA was only strengthened... RONA could learn a lot from Home Depot. I left with the following perspective:
- Rona is generally more expensive ( you see I had already did a preliminary costing at Home Depot the previous weekend - that is why I know it is going to cost me about $70K) Yes there were a few, very small few, number of products where Rona was marginally lower in price - but not many
- The place is horribly disorganized, and a mess. I was looking to price some woodstoves and the chimney accessories, and while I new where the general area the product were in, when I got there I almost passed it by. The aisle was so cluttered it obscured the things I was looking for and until I did some acrobatics thought they didn't have them
- The place is filthy! My wife said she was afraid to touch anything as just about everything was covered with a thin film of dust. As we left she said to me "I feel like I need to take a shower!"
THE SCORE: So far Home Depot 1; Rona 0
I mentioned in an earlier post that I will be getting 3 quotes. My experiences with Home hardware will be coming soon. That store is located near where the cottage is to be built so I need about an hours drive to get there. That will a future story here...