That was true for a long time, but before that, Home Depot's customer service was terrific too. I think that's a cost that gets cut by a focus on shareholder value. Local hardware stores are still going to be better, with the caveat it may take a decade before they smile when you walk in.

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sh34r 2 days ago | parent [-]

> with the caveat it may take a decade before they smile when you walk in.

That’s damn good customer service right there, if you ask me. The fake-chipper act makes me want to dive into a wood chipper…

	▲	ssl-3 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		I used to frequent a wonderful Ace Hardware with some regularity. The old lady that always seemed to be behind the register eventually started greeting me by name when I walked in. (I don't recall ever giving her my name; maybe she remembered seeing on a credit card or something.) After the pleasantries (which didn't seem fake at all), one of the greybeards present would appoint themselves as my personal shopper. I'd go down my list of demands that was only vaguely sorted by department: "One M8x1.25x80mm all-thread stainless Philips screw, a 16x20 furnace filter, a box of #8x3/4 sheet metal screws, and uh... what do you have for can openers?" And then we'd make a lap or two of the store to get these things, and I'd pay and GTFO. It was great.