Cicadas & Home Depot

 A couple of different thoughts here today.

*Cicadas.

I find these little (actually big) bugs disgusting. The last time they were out we lived in Northern VA. It was like they were raining cicadas. The sidewalks were covered and you couldn't avoid them. Crack, click. Ooooh so gross. They are on their way apparently. Do you have cicadas that show up everywhere in the US?  The last time they were around was 17 years ago. I had hoped to never see them again in my lifetime. Not looking forward to this spring. To me, they look like cockroaches. Shiver

*Home Depot vs Lowes

Rick sold our tractor lawn mower. Whew. With some of the money, we opted to buy a new grill since ours died. It was 12 yrs old, it was time. 

Even though Weber kept telling us we may just need parts. Nope too far gone.  We went that route 2 years ago.
So, we picked out the one we wanted. 
You see our original grill came with grates where the center was a circle that came out. The grill came with a Wok, a pizza stone, and a two-sided handle cast iron pan. 
We use all 3 all the time. We grill all the time, year-round. Then when you are done you just put the circular grate back in if you are doing dogs, burgers, and the like. 

We thought that since the grill grates were in fabulous shape, and just needed cleaning, if we could find a grill with the same measurements, we could use these again. Because now they only make these types of grates on a big model for way more money.  We measured the inside grate area. We went online and did our due diligence. We found them less expensive at Home Dept. (no Weber stores here) So off we went.
 
We saw the 3-burner model we were interested in with the tag hanging from the handle saying $499. Just like online. 
That was $70 less than everywhere else.
So, we looked everything over. Rick had his tape measure. Yep, this is going to work. 
We went to the customer service desk because there was no one to help us and we told them we wanted to purchase this grill.  Is there free delivery and free Assembly we asked. Yes, they said without ever looking up at us.  
We purchased it, and they said it would be delivered on Saturday afternoon. In one day? Heck, we thought that was great.
 
Friday night when we got home, I pulled out our Home Depot Receipt. It said we paid for a Weber 215. That is only 2 burners and with a much smaller grilling area.
I called them to avoid going back up there. 
The gentleman told me that was what I paid for. 
I explained what we thought we bought and why. 
He said, "Nope”. He didn’t care to listen to me .”Do you wish to cancel this delivery for tomorrow?"  
"Yes, I do. Please just refund me."
"Okay, I'll do this right now."
"Thank you."
 
Rick and I decided to go back up to Home Depot on Saturday morning. 
I could see they hadn't refunded me, and I figured it best to just go and make sure they do refund us. 
Since I couldn't sleep I got myself together and went at 8am without Rick. 
I went straight to the model we looked at. 

The tag read $499. What the heck?

I then proceed to go to the customer service desk.
I explained the situation and showed them the receipt. 
They insisted that is what I paid for.
I insisted that is not what is on the floor. I asked them to come to the grill section (20 feet away) and see what I was talking about, please.
She looked at it and she said, "Yeah?"
I said, "Do you see the grill is a 3 burner?"
"So? You paid for a 2 burner. This isn't what you paid for."
"Do you see the price on the tag hanging from this lid handle?"
“Yea"
"So you have the wrong price on this grill then is what you're telling me?"
“I guess”
I said, "How about we find someone who knows for certain please"
Rolls her eyes and walks away to get this older gentleman.
He comes over. I handed him my receipt. I explain.
He says, "Oh no,  you bought this one over here"
I said, "NO I bought this one we are in front of. Do you see the price tag?"
"Hmm.. Guess we put the wrong item number on this grill.  It rang up the item number for the 2 burner."
"Will you then honor this mistake YOU made?"
He laughs, "Ah, no. It doesn't work like that. We use this item number"
I tried some more. 
He was adamant that while it was their mistake I was not going to get the one for $70 more dollars from them.
"Okay fine, may I get a full refund?" 
He fucking SIGHED, very loudly, you guys as if I was the difficult one. I'm angry now. 
He wasn't even nice about any of this. It was THEIR FAULT.
I said, "I don't appreciate that sigh, I did nothing wrong, you are treating me as if I did"
He apologized. It was not heartfelt but I took it.
I asked if he was going to remove that tag. He said eventually.
I got my refund and came home. I'd bet that tag is still on the wrong grill.
 
When I arrived home Rick was still not awake. I went to the computer and viewed the Webers on Lowes. The same one, in stock, noted the aisle number and bay, and headed off to Lowes.
I could not find the model I was looking for. A man working in the area asked if he could help me. I told him the model of the grill I was interested in. He showed me and then went over options etc. I explained that I did not bring my tape measure and asked if he could measure this for me so I was certain I was not buying the wrong one. He laughed and said he wished others would measure that saves a lot of hassle with refunds. The measurements were perfect. I told him I wanted it and he asked me to follow him to the end of the aisle where a computer was located. He looked up something and handed me a piece of paper to bring to customer service with this item number on it. I thanked him and went to customer service.
 
I got to the customer service desk and she was so pleasant. She apologized for making me wait. (all of 2 minutes) No biggie to me.

I asked if I got free delivery and assembly. She said you do over a certain price. Let me double-check for you.
Yes, you do get both free of charge. She said I see you have a Lowes charge card do you wish to use it, because we can give you 5% off today with the charge card?  Now I had no plans to charge it but I'll take the few bucks off. I'll go home and pay the charge card with my money online. She explained delivery times and asked what worked best for me.
What number to call me when they are on their way etc.

I left there happy. I had such a different experience. Everyone was so helpful and pleasant. I immediately came home and went online to see that it was already on my charge statement, so I paid it. So really, I didn't charge a thing but I got a few bucks off. We get the grill on Wednesday the 7th. There will be some meat on that grill on Wednesday night!

Later that day Rick took the old grates out back and scrubbed the hell out of them with wire brushes and easy off. They look brand new. He hauled the old grill to the curb and before he was halfway up our driveway a truck came by and took it. I don't know why they'd want a grill with no grates but hey it was better than us having to pay extra for our garbage man to take them. So it all worked out.

Guess who won't be going up to Home Depot again?