Britdrinker

You don't live in Plano, by any chance?

krizzy

We went to look at a few new homes in Orlando a few weeks ago............all the palms were planted the same in every homes...........it was more than a little scary............. :scared:

gruffbrown

Without getting into the whole Wally World is an evil empire discussion, and just talking about HD, that's not entirely true, they do cater for the location they are in, because building techniques vary around the States, they tend to stock materials pertinent to that area, you won't find the same stuff in CA or AZ as you do in NY or Chicago. As for the mom and pop stores, granted it would be nice if they still offered a 'family' run and knowledgeable service, which is lacking in HD and Lowes (you pay peanuts, you get monkies), unfortunately at the end of the day, whether I like it or not, the big stores are cheaper and have more selection, the bottom line is more profit for me. A little Cuthroat I know, but welcome to the world

Angry White Pyjamas

Nope, near Miami. Funnily enough all our Palm Trees are imported and so are our beaches.

Webbie

The missus is originally from Miami and she tells me that Coconut Grove is a really posh upmarket area. It is a case of a big box store going in and creating an eyesore to the area.

Guelder Rose

We have quite a few small stores but they only sell Chinese products.

There is one family owned grocery store nearby, I went in there once but the food was the cheapest, nastiest stuff you can imagine ... most of it was past its sell by date and was way overpriced!

snowbunny

Damn, I tried to karma you but must spread.....

you're going to get lumped in with me in the anti-Plano loony bin.

snowbunny

Gruff, if you is ever down this way, I'll take you to Breed & Company to the hardware section. The posh section is offputting but the hardware guys know their stuff inside and out. I've never been able to get an answer out of HD "ass-ociates" -- you go there knowing what you need to buy. DIY doesn't mean you know everything about HOW to DIY.

gruffbrown

True, you can't beat a small store for the knowledge, it's purely a questions of numbers at the end of the day, if I save 10% on 2-3ks worth of material a month, I'm going to Home Depot, if you're only buying a widget and don't know what it does, then I agree a local hardware store is best.

Big D

oo - so whats with the anti-plano brigade - went there once by mistake....i think!!

scrubbedexpat099

You can save 10% at both Home Depot and Lowes by getting their Moving vouchers, see their web site. Also they usually have flyers in the Moving packets that you can pick up at the Post Office. They accept each others vouchers as well.

Handy if you have any major purchases coming up.

The technical term for the 'associates' that work at HD is The Borg. However I have always found them helpful and in most cases I have been able to find somebody who knows what they are talking about. But compared to B&Q that would not exactly be difficult.

The other cheapy source particularly for tools is Harbour Freight, they always have offers. Cheap and Chinese and you have to be careful, but a lot of it is OK. Sign up for their flyer.

I think that was one of my major shock points coming to the US, DIY stores whose staff did not speak English as a second language, I found the constant 'can I help you' very disconcerting. and the fact that often they could.

That and going to a Chinese restaurant where none of the visible staff was Chinese, there must be an exemption in the UK to allow discrimination in employment practices.

PS Boulder is getting a HD, after a lot of debate. Wallyworld, no chance.

Britdrinker

I lived there once, for a short while, for my sins.

The best view of Plano is ... in your rear view mirror.

Philgr

I seem to remember reading some business magazine article that B&Q simply ripped off the whole HD business model including store/brand design. Kingfisher owns B&Q - There were rumours of a sale to HD earlier this year but I don't think anything happened.

I've usually found their associates pretty helpful but I do find DIY-related terminology one of the biggest differences between American and "proper" English.

scrubbedexpat099

I went to buy a pressure washer, electric. I was a bit jet lagged and was asked if I wanted a Gas one, total confusion as to how you could operated one with a gas cylinder.

And do not mention faucets.

Big D

spackle - always brings a smile