As for using computers at Home Depot...

[Ign]

I decided to drop this here as most of the debate about using computers at Home Depot occurs in the Home Depot Clearance Thread in this section. Mods can move where ever if they feel I erred.

I typically fill out the surveys on my Home Depot receipts, after all I just know I'm gonna win that $5k gift card any day now. I am, indeed, holding my breath

Anyhow, recently - - VERY recently, like in the past week from my experience - - the survey has been modified to include questions about if you used a "computer kiosk or touch screen" while in the store.

It asks if you were prompted to use it by a store associate, if it enhanced your experience, if the information provided was helpful, if you will use one again, and if the terminal was working correctly. There are also choices for Used, Tried to Use, Did Not Use.

There's (obviously) several things to take away from this:
-it's fine for customers to use the computers
-Home Depot wants to know if it's helping (I answered a resounding yes)
-if you are told you cannot use a computer as has been reported here by several members, get after that survey and maybe say "Tried to Use" but include that you were denied by store employees
-Home Depot wants to know if it was "working correctly" so they (presumably) want those terminals booted up and functioning.

Ok, arguments and ******* matches to follow below:

 

[HomeDepotRob]

Indeed, those in-store computer terminals at the Pro Desk are for customer usage, as per my conversation with Home Depot Corp Offices:

"Dear Mr. xxxxx,

Thank you for contacting The Home Depot Customer Care Team.

It was a pleasure to speak with you today. Below is a brief description
of our conversation:

(1) I advised you that the computer that is marked "Public" can be used
by our customers to check order status or search for Home Depot
product availability on our website (www.homedepot.com).

(2) Your asked if I could mail you a response to your question. I
advised that I contacted you personally to ensure that you receive the
information and asked if you had any additional questions or concerns.
I advised I would immediately send you an email with the information we
discussed.

It has been a pleasure assisting you. Should you need additional
information or assistance, please feel free to contact me directly by
replying to the email or calling me at the number listed below.

The reference number with Customer Care is 54013650.

The Home Depot appreciates your business and would like you to continue
to rely on us for your home improvement needs. Thank you for being a
valued customer.

Sincerely,

Agnes I. Santiago

Resolution Expeditor- Email Resolution Team
2455 Paces Ferry Road | B4
Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: (800) 654-0688 EXT 76493
Fax: (678) 556-7614
Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 11:00 AM- 8:00PM; Sat 9:00 AM-5:30 PM
In my absence, please contact Darryl Morris at extension 76012."

 

[duddly]

....
(1) I advised you that the computer that is marked "Public" can be used
by our customers to check order status or search for Home Depot
product availability on our website (www.homedepot.com).
[/I][/COLOR][/B]

I am not sure that really answers the question. I have never seen a computer marked public. There is a menu item, under the store menu that is labeled public, but... I have still never seen a computer marked public.

 

[HomeDepotRob]

I am not sure that really answers the question. I have never seen a computer marked public. There is a menu item, under the store menu that is labeled public, but... I have still never seen a computer marked public.

When I talked to the representative on the phone, I specifically asked about the computers that have the programs marked "public" as a menu item on the screen. She said that is for public use. It would be illogical for a program to be meant for public use to be on a computer that is not for public use.

 

[schmelpboy]

My store has no computers facing outward even in the Pro area. I've thought about using them back in the appliance area, as there are 4 or 5 desks there with no one ever there to help customers, and the screens are always at what the employee was doing last. Usually Ebay, Yahoo news, or Amazon. I thought about switching them all to Garage Journal and walking away

 

[HomeDepotRob]

My store has no computers facing outward even in the Pro area. I've thought about using them back in the appliance area, as there are 4 or 5 desks there with no one ever there to help customers, and the screens are always at what the employee was doing last. Usually Ebay, Yahoo news, or Amazon. I thought about switching them all to Garage Journal and walking away

Check those computers at the Pro Desk to see if those screens can swivel around to the public side. It could be possible that some workers simple swiveled the screens to the private side, and then never swiveled them back.

 

[schmelpboy]

It looked to me that each screen had a keyboard in front of it on the PRO side.....I'm not afraid of using them without permission...I just don't see my HD putting it out there that you CAN use them as a public terminal.

 

[bczygan]

My local store (Harper Woods, MI) has 2 screens at the pro area that face out and you must stand at them, plus 2 that face back toward seats that are behind a counter for associates.

And there is one more with 2 chairs at the end of the returns/customer care area, at the other end of the store. At another nearby store, that one is at a stand up kiosk.

In my local store, they chase you away from all the pro ones, at least in the morning when there are lines of contractors at them, and associates manning them all. The one at customer service is always available except when an associate is using it to check their employee stuff on the HD employee site. Sometimes new hires sit there, waiting for their third interview.

No signage that I remember.

Bill

 

[whatnoise]

The other day I was at the Pro Desk public computer checking some things... I left for a few minutes and came back to use the computer again and one of the managers asked me to use another computer and pointed to one of the computers behind the counter. I confirmed with him he meant I could go into forbidden territory and he smiled and nodded. He even showed me how to use their phone and gave me a phone list if I needed to call local stores. I think he has picked up on what I do during my visits and just wanted to leave the other computers open. I got a few weird looks from other employees but none of them ever said anything to me. I made sure to thank the manager as I left.

 

[firworks]

My local Home Depot has two outwards facing computers in the pro area, but when I got close to investigate I got barraged by employees trying to "help me". I couldn't actually get my hand up to start messing with it before another one would try to steer me away to whatever I was "looking for". I was wondering though, I saw lots of mention of using the price checker and the computers in store but why is that better than just using the Home Depot website? Don't those computers just use a web browser to show the Home Depot website? I've got a Home Depot app on my Windows Phone that can show prices and locate items on the shelves. Does the one on those computers show the secret unicorn items somehow?

 

[Ign]

My local Home Depot has two outwards facing computers in the pro area, but when I got close to investigate I got barraged by employees trying to "help me". I couldn't actually get my hand up to start messing with it before another one would try to steer me away to whatever I was "looking for". I was wondering though, I saw lots of mention of using the price checker and the computers in store but why is that better than just using the Home Depot website? Don't those computers just use a web browser to show the Home Depot website? I've got a Home Depot app on my Windows Phone that can show prices and locate items on the shelves. Does the one on those computers show the secret unicorn items somehow?

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The website is dead wrong. The price checker is far more accurate. The Price Checker shows actual in-store inventory (they think), the website shows what corporate wants it to show, eg if an item is discontinued it just automatically reverts to not available in stores.

 

[drwheels]

My local Home Depot has two outwards facing computers in the pro area, but when I got close to investigate I got barraged by employees trying to "help me". I couldn't actually get my hand up to start messing with it before another one would try to steer me away to whatever I was "looking for". I was wondering though, I saw lots of mention of using the price checker and the computers in store but why is that better than just using the Home Depot website? Don't those computers just use a web browser to show the Home Depot website? I've got a Home Depot app on my Windows Phone that can show prices and locate items on the shelves. Does the one on those computers show the secret unicorn items somehow?

It will show clearance items but I have yet to find 0.1 cent stuff.

 

[drwheels]

One of my area stores put two computers by windows and door desk. They have a nice chair so you can set.

 

[Zeke]

Some of computers are for employment as you already know. But I wonder if they can access the store inventory.

 

[Ign]

It will show clearance items but I have yet to find 0.1 cent stuff.

As discussed in the Penny Discussion thread (which quickly became hunting ground for the morally superior) many items which will scan a penny don't show as such in the computer. This is where knowing how long the item has been on clearance can be helpful. Worst case, just Price Check at SCO if you can locate the item/SKU.

Wanna see penny deals? Enter a blank in the search and hit return. As someone else said, they got 70,000+ results starting w penny items but its unmanageable and only a fraction of those items likely exist in your store.

 

[Elgato]

I know, old thread.
Today I tried to use the outward facing computers at the pro desk and the associates were both rude and clueless. "Those are ONLY for associates". I asked them to go to price check and search for Dewalt with a filter of clearance. "If you want to see clearance go to the clearance shelf". "Maybe you can use the one at customer service"
Customer service was happy to let me use it but ONLY FOR HOMEDEPOT.COM. I minimized everything, went to Price Check and ran the filtered search. I was browsing through several screens all which clearly showed clearance items in yellow. The associate noticed what I was doing and had a fit. "THATS NOT HOMEDEPOT.COM, YOU CANT DO THAT" So I asked him to do it for me. "NO, I AM GOING TO LUNCH"

I just don't get it. The company wants to liquidate clearance items but the employees are clueless.

 

[fourjeepin]

My theory is they don't want you to be able to search these items. If they did, they would make the data accessible.

 

[sucking chest wound]

I use the computers in the appliance and carpet areas. Don't make a show of it, and don't make eye contact with an associate, which just invites contact. I do this all time time, and I can occasionally see associates notice me out of the corner of my eye, but I have never been approached or spoken to about it. Play the role of a contractor engrossed in finding such-and-such and tune them out.

Nobody here has ever offered conclusive proof, but there is pretty circumstantial evidence that there is a effort on the part of store employees to conceal/hoard clearance inventory, so blatantly searching for this stuff within eyeshot of them naturally will make them competitive or anxious.

 

[Cruzan80]

Depends on the store. For my local one, I make a point of asking if there is an order on the screen, mention that I am just checking on stuff, and for them to let me know if they get busy. Never had an issue. Firm believer that attitude causes most of these problems (on both sides).

 

[homeschool]

I use the computers in the appliance and carpet areas. Don't make a show of it, and don't make eye contact with an associate, which just invites contact. I do this all time time, and I can occasionally see associates notice me out of the corner of my eye, but I have never been approached or spoken to about it. Play the role of a contractor engrossed in finding such-and-such and tune them out.

Nobody here has ever offered conclusive proof, but there is pretty circumstantial evidence that there is a effort on the part of store employees to conceal/hoard clearance inventory, so blatantly searching for this stuff within eyeshot of them naturally will make them competitive or anxious.

Nice screen name!!

 

[Farrier]

The HD's in central Ca will NOT let customers use any of the computers, EVER

 

[Musicinabottle]

My store has no computers facing outward even in the Pro area. I've thought about using them back in the appliance area, as there are 4 or 5 desks there with no one ever there to help customers, and the screens are always at what the employee was doing last. Usually Ebay, Yahoo news, or Amazon. I thought about switching them all to Garage Journal and walking away

That'd be funny!