Complaint Review: The Home Depot - Coram New York

There seems to be a culture of arrogance at the Coram, NY store (store #1229). SEVERAL times (at least three I can remember) I have been overcharged for items. Product is 'conveniently' stacked out under the wrong sign or old signs not taken down. I have talked to friends and coworkers and all report similar problems with the Coram, NY store.

In one particular instance I was overcharged $50-$60. I went to the customer service desk and complained. The arrogant jerk at the counter walked back with me to the aisle stack and when I pointed out the price he disagreed and said it was 'plain as day to him'. I grabbed a passing customer and asked him what he thought the price was and he came to the same conclusion as I had. Another issue of 'convenient' packout.

I wrote a letter to the corporate office ragarding the matter. I NEVER received a reply. I called roughly six (6) weeks later and was told I should email the complaint. I copied & pasted the text from my original letter. I got a canned response that offered me a $10 gift card (by my math that left me at LEAST $40 short for the one instance and at least $20-25 short for the other instances. I called to complain and after about 10 minutes the first customer service individual upped the ante to a $50 gift card. That was STILL short in my book.

At this point things went downhill when I requested to speak with a supervisor. At first I was told 'she wasn't going to take my call'. How do you like that? Like she's a freaking VIP or something. I this point I was offered a chance to play some bizarre form of 'Let's Make a Deal'. If I wanted to speak to the supervisor I would have to relinquish the $50 gift card offer. I was FUMING at this point. The supervisor I spoke with (Rebecca?) apparently was the inspiration for the culture of arrogance at Home Depot.

I asked why I never received a reply to my initial letter (Answer: letters are logged in system - they do not receive a reply). NICE SYSTEM! I wanted to discuss why I was overcharged (Answer: your email [from six week old letter] doesn't say you were overcharged, it says there was a pricing issue). When I wanted to discuss what had transpired in the six weeks since the letter [another store had it priced the way I originally interpretted it], she said since it wasn't in the email she couldn't discuss it.

At this point I requested to cancel my Home Depot credit card and she transferred me to another department but not without first giving me some more nasty attitude. I now shop at Lowes (Medford, NY) - prices may be a few cents higher but I have not yet been overcharged so I figure I'm ahead of the game.

This all took place several months ago. Home Depot recently sent me some canned email SPAM recently. A whopping 10% off an order to make amends. Yeah right - like I'd ever take them up on that. My recommendation? Avoid this store like the plague. The corporate board should consider changing the company name to 'The Home Despot' - I think it better describes (at least) the Coram, NY store as well as the corporate headquarters.

Rich

Ridge, New York
U.S.A.