One Rude Contractor

I must confess, I haven’t been to Home Depot in quite some time as the contractors have been great in picking up supplies, but it was my turn to go shopping. Not a problem, I know my way around that cavernous building, and I have learned to wear sneakers for trekking around miles of concrete aisles and pushing a dolly laden with supplies.

So my first order of business was to replenish the cleaning supplies, then onto selecting doors, hardware, cabinets, etc.

My last stop was to pick up several gallons of paint. I am tough, I am in shape, and I can maneuver a dolly overflowing with doors, cabinetry and sundry supplies. However, I cannot lift a 5-gallon bucket of paint. It just ain’t gonna happen . . . that paint will splatter on the floor. But Troy was there, he is so laid back, easy going and always smiling, and he never gets frazzled no matter how many customers are clamoring for his attention. As soon as he was free, he came around the counter and loaded my dolly. When I promised him an Honorable Mention in my blog, he gave me a big smile. Awwwhh.

Finally, we made it to check out, and OMG, there is contractor with a massive order ahead of us, it looked like a freight train had come through the store. No problem, I wave to the PROs crew, point to my overflowing dolly and tell them that I will bring my car around to the loading area.

Rude Contractor

Okay, the loading area is packed, wall-to-wall pickup trucks and forklifts, so when I parked I was very careful to leave room for the men loading those trucks. There were quite a few men working outside, but no one warned me about Mr. Rude Dude of Gabby Girl Construction, who arrogantly ordered me: ‘to move my car,’ as they had a load of sheetrock coming out.

Like I am a @##$ mind reader and knew which truck was waiting for that massive order from inside.

I politely backed up.

Mr. Rude Dude yelled at me, again: ‘informed me that this area is for contractors ONLY.’

Excuse you? Just because I am driving a CAR and NOT a pickup, you assumed that I was a lost housewife looking for the nail salon?

He began to lecture me about ‘contractors only.’

Really. Your boss is a woman, SHE is a contractor. I saw her standing by the truck.

As I got out of my itty-bitty Hyundai hatchback, I clearly stated: “I AM a contractor.” And smiled.

Mr. Rude Dude disappeared because the men that were outside laughed and one even gave me a thumbs-up.

Point made, I walked away.

Back inside at the PROs desk, I told Marge about Mr. Rude Dude. Whoa, she was ready to handle that guy outside, said she won’t have anyone giving her contractors a hard time, and she knows which ones are the problems.

I did thank her, stated that I can take of myself, laughed then said, “I know, we’re just girls.” Sigh.

I reminded her that I write a blog and that I would ‘out’ the company. So Gabby Girl Construction, some employees need a lesson in manners.

Home Depot Parking Lot Laughs

While the guys were still inside wrapping up the latest shopping trip, I went outside and moved my little hatchback into the contractor’s pick-up area. While sitting out there, I watched a comedy show as two contractors in front of me struggled to load a dryer into a work van.

I had to admire them, the older man was doing his best to maneuver the dryer on a dolly to line up with the door of the van, and then hold it steady while the younger dude struggled to shove it in.

It wasn’t going well. It took a few attempts. At one point, part of the dolly was so far under the van I feared for the muffler and undercarriage. Finally, the young man climbed into the van and the two men managed to shove the dryer in, trapping the one man inside.

Young dude was a good 6’ tall, and yes, quite studly. But nevertheless, he had to duck-walk his way out: hunched over, arms braced for balance, slipping and sliding over assorted supplies and tools now strewn across the floor.

It was like watching someone crawl through a child-sized fun house obstacle course.

Finally, and not too gracefully, the young dude stumbled out, almost into the arms of his boss.

Laughing, I applauded, very loudly, making sure they heard me.

The boss turned around, saw me, and exclaimed, “I KNEW you were watching us!”

Me: “Yep, it was a great show, but I’ve been there too.”

Young man gave a bow.

It was a moment.

Home Depot Hugs

Just another day at Home Depot and my mission was to find fluorescent lights. Simple enough. It just meant a trek all the way from the PROs desk, clear across the store—again—to hunt them down.

There is a gentleman standing there, very tall and quite large. As I am searching for the right size, I got hit with the new problem, “diameter?” Darn, they come in diameters!

Same large gentlemen and I walk over to the chart and together we figure out which one I need. Together we shuffle back to the choices, and the nice gentlemen pulled it down for me.

He then reached down, put his arm around me, hand on my rib cage and pulled me up close for a hug!

My heels left the ground.

My eyes popped out of my head.

All I could do was stammer, “Well, umm, now that’s a moment.” And I kinda stammered and walked away.

Back to the PROs desk, I repeat the story, laughing, “Well, I think I still got it!” Mind you, I am quite far away from being that cute 20-something that lives in my memory.

Gotta love Home Depot, never know what will happen.

Home Depot Birthday

This year I celebrated a milestone birthday: I am just not saying which milestone. Circumstances cheated me out of celebrating the last two milestones, however, months earlier I informed my friends that we were going out to dinner, that presents were not required, but loud and noisy cards would be appreciated. I just wanted an evening of laughter and great conversation. I also took a day off from my other job because I wanted a home-spa day: sleeping late, long shower, a manicure and pedicure, simply an ‘I feel pretty day.’

Then I heard those two dreaded words: Home Depot. No!

Do NOT tell me that the handyman does not have his car!

Do NOT tell me that I have to not only drive you there, but that I have to help shop!

It is my birthday. Life is unfair.

Well, it is kind of fun, I do get to park my little hatchback in the PROs (contractors) parking spaces, alongside all the grimy work vans and pickup trucks. It is amazing that doors, paint and people will all fit into my car. (Although, admittedly the car does ride awfully low on some return trips.) I am the only contractor wearing lipstick.

This shopping trip is a big-un. The three of us all have our own separate missions and we know how to work the store, but this trip is turning into several hours of small problems. My ‘spa day’ is slipping away.

Finally, we are at the PROs desk to check out and the staff is doing their best to wrap up this expedition. I was starting to complain: it was my birthday; it was getting late; and I needed to get ready to go out and celebrate.

The fellow helping me turned, smiled, and asked me if it really was my birthday. Answered “Yep,” and even told him my age. Joey then wished me a happy birthday, gave me a hug, and then said that, I was “a breath of fresh air in this store,” noted that most of his customers are grumpy contractors and that I am “A refreshing change of pace.”

Awwwhhhh! Complaining stopped and I just smiled. Who could resist that charm?

BTW, I enjoyed this birthday for nearly two weeks with multiple dinners out with friends. I truly had fun.