This store used to be fantastic. They were my go to for over 15 years after my wife and I set up shop in our first little rental home in West Seattle. They had a huge selection of high quality tools and a staff that actually knew what they were doing, they also stood behind their products...which frankly, rarely if EVER did I have an issue with anything they sold. Our favorite thing to buy at McLendon's? Christmas decorations. They had it all. Blow molds, old school ceramic C9 light strands, you name it.
Fast forward to today. We now live in Kent, WA. The Kent, WA McLendon's is singly the cruddiest hardware store on the planet. The staff there all hate doing their jobs. They stand around and yammer, deliberately try to ignore doing anything past the most remedial tasks in their jobs and I'm convinced, they hate their customers.
My most recent ordeal with this branch concerned 10 sets of 70 count C9 LED Christmas Lights purchased around Christmas of 2021.
Within 2 weeks, 6 of the 70 count strands were toast...complete garbage by which exactly 1/2 the strand died all at once. I took 6 of the 10 back and was refunded. A year later (2022), I put up the last 4 sets and all 4 failed the EXACT same way within 2 weeks. I called the Kent McLendons and told them the issue. $120+ on non working lights and asked if they'd been getting calls about this. I was referred to a manager. The manager picked up the phone and refused to identify himself by name. I asked for it 3x so I'd have SOME kind of reference as to whom I'd spoken to but he refused to give it to me. Completely un professional. He then stated there was NO WAY they could help me as the lights were past their 90 day return policy. I again explained the situation and he refused to help me. He also refused to admit they'd had issues with these lights and stated "I have heard nothing."
I then went up the food chain and called the Renton store (the main McLendon's hub). I asked to speak to a manager. Once again, and after waiting on hold for 15 minutes, an anonymous person picked up, with no identification as to whom they were or their job title, just a "hello?" I asked if I was speaking to a manager. I got a "yes." I asked for his name, I got a rudely flat "how may I help you" with AGAIN, no identification, no name. I then told him the issue. He asked me for the product ID, I gave it to him and asked if he'd gotten calls on these lights. He said "I don't know, I'd have to get to a terminal." I said, ok, well let me know what you need then. He replied "I can't get to a terminal right now, it's all the way across the store, but just bring them in and we'll see what we can do." That was it? Basically, "I don't feel like walking to a terminal" ?? Once again, consummate professional at work here.
So, I brought the 4 bum sets of lights all the way up to Renton with the original packaging and my receipt. It was a 35 minute drive. I was then helped by the rudest customer service rep ever. She told me the lights were past the return window...I again explained the ordeal and that I'd spoken to a supervisor who refused to give me his name and told me to take them in for a return. I again asked to speak to a manager. The woman flatly said, "sir these are outside our return policy, there is nothing we can do." A manager THEN intervened. Not a guy, a gal. She took a look at the lights and re iterated the customer service woman's refusal to accept a return.
I walked out empty handed...oh wait, no I was carrying about 20 lbs of dead $120 garbage back to my car.
I then called the manufacturer. The manufacturer was responsive and told me that they would reach out to the McLendon's regional buyer concerning the issue. After 2 calls to the manufacturer over 3 weeks time, NOBODY ever followed up with me. No messages, no calls, NOTHING.
I then decided to eat the $120, and never do business with this McLendon's ever again.
Something awful happened to McLendon's.
I don't know what, but they went from my #1 go to, to bottom of the heap, to now, completely blacklisted on account they have 0 accountability, class, respect or even a modicum of integrity related to the garbage they buy and sell to unsuspecting, once loyal consumers.
Another one bites the dust i guess. Truly sad, not many stand up institutions left out there. read more