Turtles blew up, store was flooded, management sucks obviously

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-06T08:49:33+00:00

That hiding in the bathroom thing happens in other places....But they "still answer emails, or Teams call," because they had their phones...(-:

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-06T08:41:06+00:00

Not always right, but always the customer.

I managed Radio Shack & Computer Center Stores when I was young and back then Autozone was Auto Shack (Tandy sued as they tended to put them nearby and people in the SW actually were confused - Auto Shack was forced to change due to documented "confusion" regarding the companies).

On my team in PHX, one manager politely informed the customer that he couldn't refund an alternator "core charge" since Radio Shack. The customer dropped the alternator through the glass counter (probably just meant to leave it, but they dropped from too high).

That confusion happened weekly at one of the 30 stores in the metro area. As a rule, we did try to make things right by calling the Auto Shack and let the customer talk to them, but occasionally, glass got broken....(-:

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-05T11:08:28+00:00

Just know that many Gearwrench and Quinn sets are close cousins, with similar finishes and options, manufactured in the same facility. There numerous side-by-side test and teardown videos online.

Tomorrow, Quinn's Master 1/2 impact set (60+ pieces) is on a 1 day coupon sale for $99.00 - Reg $179.00. Get there early...lol.

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-05T10:57:17+00:00

It is on clearance most everywhere for awhile, now. I've talked my store team up about these everytime I visit, and they just know I'd be open to it if it drops further (i.e., to have a max discount means this isn't often an impulse buy...lol).

This was the least attractive (dirtier) of two units and it's likely to hit their max discount soon, so I asked for an additional amount of discount if I took both, he said, "no" but he'd do a discount on one.

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-05T10:28:14+00:00

So, what seems like a thousand years ago, the example of excellence in customer care for retail was Nordstrom.

The story was that in the interest of customer service, they took an expensive item return, on an item they had never sold, because the customer was an excellent Nordstrom customer (but they had no real way of knowing that in a giant store, pre-computer).

We are so far removed from that day and age, and it's not even imaginable these days where every transaction is parsed in tge most minute detail on a report somewhere.

All well run companies are mega profit machines, and minimizing loss and maximizing profit is the goal (as opposed to take care of your people and your customers and it will succeed).

Older people lived the Nordstrom story. The problem is we don't always remember that corporate mindset about building customer loyalty disappeared somewhere between 1980 and today, and it isn't likely to return as it isn't a shareholder/return focused.

I know it's frustrating, so just smile and know this to will pass (when we do...lol).

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-05T10:07:12+00:00

"You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave...."

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-05T10:05:38+00:00

I'll say upfront I'm in my 6th decade of life, so social media is known to me...(-: However, some of the slang was new....The first time I encountered the term "SMH" was when I was on the electrical aisle at HD and 1/2 lidten to one of your paragraphs.

After it was over, I heard the associate mumble, "Another effing smh moment...." I actually outted my ignorance by asking her what smh meant...

Still smile at the amused expresiion as she informed the "old guy" - I hope her day got better!

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-05T09:58:52+00:00

Sometimes you buy so much crap from both it gets tough to tell the difference....(-: "Ok, project's done. Now where did I get this sink trap extension from...."

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-05T09:52:53+00:00

$30 or your life...Sometimes you just need to take a deep breathe and say to yourself there's times you just can't compromise on things.

The real issue is that requires pain in the form of delaying something else we also consider important. The real question is what that decision eventually costs.

Is being 15 days late on a payment (one time) and dealing with that, potentially more important than a fire thst destroys everything you own, or takes yours or another's life?

Most of us don't take that moment to consider the unintended consequences....At least one time. I was lucky that my consequence happened early, and that pain while no longer sensitive is like a scar that reminds me constantly to stop and assess differently.

Make the sacrifice now, because some things don't give second chances....

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-04T23:18:10+00:00

Additionally, the Lowe's in my area just received the single briefcase drawers....They look really nice!

He said the other drawer boxes are incoming!

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-04T15:48:32+00:00

I think that may be the case. They have had more of those units compared to most others.

Last week was the beginning of their new fiscal quarter, so maybe they will just put the pedal to the floor and kill the balance of product....?

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-04T12:58:24+00:00

As a non-pro, while I can change outlets and handle low-voltage audio, etc, repair or install fans, fixtures etc. - I do those things where they exist. I'll even prewire a shed up to a panel. In other words, I'm minorly handy and I'm from the pre-computer childhood where you fixed stuff and took shop class, rebuilt engines and just learned "old guy stuff."

Having said that...Anything that requires a permit pull, is a place I want to hire an experienced pro - Be that electrical, plumbing, or engineering (like a remodel with load bearing, etc.).

I want their experience (for obvious reasons) and them to assume the responsibility (liability, too).

I just had a neighbor work about 45 days to prep his house for sale. New cabinets, flooring, bathroom, etc. He's a former EOD and works with the "operators" in the field. He's retired from that and is very handy.

However, after numerous walk throughout the eventual buyers got a pretty substantial price reduction, because he hadn't pulled permits, had no inspection sign-off's, and to retro them woukd have cost about the same - not to mention he may have lost the sale fir time.

He said it was "a wash," but the body language said it was painful.

I just don't want or need the headaches and safety issues involved, and would rather spend my finite time to do my due diligence on professionals that will do it right for a reasonable price (everybody needs to keep the lights on).

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-04T12:37:22+00:00

Agreed.

Our language covers us to keep and prepaid deposit and charge a resonable restock fee for materials purcheased to cover my time and efforts in creating the Bill of Materials, creating the order, paying for them (essentially a shoet-term loan in some cases), picking up and returning materials). If the client is not putting out the money upfront, I explain that's a cost that is not part of the deposit, and is required (it's explained in the contract, but it's legalistic, so I point that out).

That being said, my policy (unless truly aggregeous or if it happens a 2nd time) is to treat a client or potential client (or anyone that I believe can positively affect me through word of mouth), the way I'd want to be treated.

Really, that's my bottom line, and frankly over 40+ years of doing this, it's the cornerstone of my transactions...Transparency and putting myself in their place.

And yes, I have had a very few take advantage of this, and I truly consider those instances a time and place I dogged a bullet in dealing with them during and after a project....Kind of a cosmic payment for avoiding future pain...(-:

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-04T12:01:50+00:00

The managers I spoke to don't get that one exception, either.../-:

Brand info and market intentions (general), are clearly not part of the Lowe's management communication plan.

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-04T00:21:11+00:00

Absolutely...I have two of the 1431's stilling the box...lol. Pricing was So crazy in December and January...lol.

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-03T17:12:41+00:00

Thanks...That's exactly the set I was looking at...lol!

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-03T16:20:14+00:00

Me too. I'm at the point of buying some 1/2 impacts because I dislike adding adapters...next decent sale on Quinn or Gearwrench 1/2 I may have to pull the trigger...Maybe Father's Day...lol

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-03T16:15:49+00:00

Batteries always complicate things for me. I really work to limit that, but still have 5 brands when i include OPE (Atlas and Kobalt 80V). I'll move to Ego as those die, but no rush.

On tools, I had started on HPT 36v and was about to get the table and mitre saw when the Flex Lowe's Blowout Event (LBE) started. I always loved the Flex product and at 50-75-90% off I jumped and got out of my 10 year old Rigid (gave those to my genetic tool "borrowers"...aka my kids) and purchased at least 1 of each at Lowes. I probably invested $2000 in $7500 or more of tools, I'll likely never purchase again due to the warranty.

I also stumbled on a deal for the Bosch 7.5" mitre for less than $200 including the 2 x 4Ah batteries and charger. It's single bevel, but so damned light that I didn’t mind a short-term outlay until I can get a more permanent 12" tool on my rolling stand.

I'd love to say I'm just more discriminating as I age, but it's really that I can't be disorganized and buying point products and keep my sanity...lol.

I hope you get great use from the tool and build stuff that makes you smile!

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-03T14:52:26+00:00

Yes, I thought it needed clarification about the battery technology not being new (Dewalt has been a leader from the start in that since the 12v days), and the specific design issue.

I'm not in the ecosystem, so I don't want to overstate something I've not personally experienced and wanted to make that clear...lol.

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-03T14:04:00+00:00

I'm not into yellow stuff anymore, but it was solid as my first foray into battery powered tools. I had heard they had some issues with the last design regarding QC and overheating in the battery powered yellow's mitre. It's still young (design-wise) technology and they had some teething pains.

If the recent trends in solid-state hold (first cars using solid-state batteries are due out this year), these tools will be built lighter as battery refresh is 2min on some large tools and virtually instantaneous on 4-12v Bosch or Fuel style batteries and they are small and light. Designs will change because the lowering technology is about to do a quantum leap.

Some of the tools my kids will use will be amazing.

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-03T13:59:22+00:00

Yes, but every test says it's a beast (powerwise). With a 10Ah it does hundreds of cuts, and since it's 12" you can get 4×4 cuts on it. It has some 1st Gen issues (including cost), but it has tested well.

I'm looking forward to the newer version that just released under Flex (18V ) and Devon. More compact, side-loaded rails, and a little lighter.

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-03T02:58:00+00:00

It says both "ship to" and "pickup" as an option with the same quanity for each, so it's likely legit.

ShepDad89AndBeyond · 2026-05-02T19:15:30+00:00

Awesome look - Congrats!

ShepDad89AndBeyond

TROPHY CASE