Brad Dale had warned me, but driving up on Friday night I was startled to see that Dales Home Building Centre had become Dale's RONA Building Centre. The change was even more pronounced when I visited Dale's the next morning to pickup some plumbing materials. Not only was the big blue sign up on the front of the store but very pronounced inside the store. Brad and his father Bobby, and all the staff were proudly wearing RONA gear.My initial feeling was not positive as my dealings with the RONA store closest to my home (Innis Road in Ottawa was and continues not to be great (see previous post). This local store is filthy, the staff surely, the inventory is poorly organized and the prices seem on average to be more expensive. My wife won't join me when I go tot he store. The Home Depot across the road from it is the exact opposite: clean, well organized, great prices and the people are on you like flies to help...
But then I remembered that the biggest reason I selected Dale's Building Centre was because of the owners. They run the store superbly! They are friendly and always willing to help and suggest alternatives. I simply get great service.
I know that the great service will not disappear because they have switched to RONA. In fact after speaking to Bobby Dale, the owner, it is clear that by moving to RONA he actually has his customers best interests in mind. He feels the prices will be lower, the quality higher, and the speed of deliver faster.
I'm sticking with Dale's...
I believe that the quality of the store has everything to do with the owner or manager of the store.
I'd be interested in your opinion of service in the building materials industry, and the various suppliers - what has been your experience with RONA?