Home Depot sent me the wrong item.

This is what I ordered...

This is what I got...  

Since the order numbers matched, someone presumably didn't notice that the photo on the box was different from the actual item.  Since the latter was clearly visible it shouldn't have been a problem for them. 

But now it's a problem for me.  I had to waste an hour of my valuable time returning the item.  As far as I am concerned Home Depot owes me $100.

When they asked me to review my purchase I posted the same photos and story that I posted here.  I guess I'm not surprised that they emailed me the next day to tell me that my comment had been rejected. 

But it does make me wonder if they reject all negative comments.  And if others online do the same thing.  It's an important issue since research shows that consumers are likely to spend 31% more on a business with "excellent" reviews; and 86% will hesitate to purchase from a business that has negative online reviews. (Rudolph, 2015)

I've noticed that Yelp posts some negative reviews under a sub-heading labeled "not recommended."  At least they aren't suppressing them.  But then again they aren't trying to sell me anything. 

Buyer beware.

Rudolph, S. (2015, July 25)  The Impact of Online Reviews on Customers' Buying Decisions.  business2community.com.  Retrieved August 17, 2017, from

http://www.business2community.com/infographics/impact-online-reviews-customers-buying-decisions-infographic-01280945#c0EQJlJQWQS2qW3j.97

Going to Home Depot with John and Zack was an eye opener.

I'm addicted to Tiny House shows.  As someone local put it - tiny - ha, you should see New York City apartments. 

So, I am always on the hunt for new ideas.  And, I would kill to have a carpenter as talented and creative as Zack Giffin.  Tables that are stored in the ceiling, trundle beds, grilling stations, he does it all.  So you can imagine my surprise when he and John headed off to Home Depot in the middle of a show.

And then I found out that Home Depot does semi-custom cabinetry.  I didn't know that.  More importantly I am intrigued.  And since I am thinking about updating some cabinets in my apartment the timing couldn't be better.

So even if it felt a bit Truman Show, I would vote this the best product placement I have seen so far.  Kudos to DIY and Home Depot.  Who knows?  I may actually buy something!  Unless of course Zack has some time to spare...

Can Richard the Cat Convince You to Get Out the Hammer and Nails?

I was in a “Teaching with Technology” Conference at NYU last spring, when a speaker noted that you can tell when your online network is working because people will start posting photos of cats.  His statement got a big laugh, probably because everyone recognized that it was true.

Apparently this lesson was absorbed by Home Depot who has decided to introduce a feline spokescat for the holiday season.  Perhaps they were encouraged by recent positive sales results to take a chance, or they could have been reacting to data which has shown that icons appear to be an effective way for companies to connect with people in the social media space.  Either way it seems to be a bold move. (Vranica, 2012)

You can expect to read Richard’s sarcastic comments about his inept family’s home improvement disasters on Tumbler, and BuzzFeed‘s home page will be Home Depot orange next week.  Tweets can be found @RichardTheCat and content is planned for Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Foursquare.  (Zmuda, 2012)

It all sounds like fun, but I’m not sure it will inspire me to tackle those home improvements that I have been putting off.  What about you?

 

Anderson, M. (November 13, 2012)  Home Depot 3Q Results Edge up, Beat Street’s View.  abcnews.go.com.  Retrieved November 16, 2012, from

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/home-depot-3q-results-edge-beat-streets-view-17705759

Vranica, S. (March 26, 2012)  Knights, Pirates, Trees Flock to Facebook.  Wall Street Journal p B1.

Zmuda, N. (2012, November 14)  Home Depot Adopts Feline Holiday Mascot.  adage.com.  Retrieved November 16, 2012, from

http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/home-depot-adopts-feline-holiday-mascot-richard-cat/238323/