First things first, I sincerely appreciated that when I walked into the store to buy paint, a clerk was kind enough to inform me that there would be a 40% off sale if I waited to come back in a few days. That's a significant savings, especially if I were to take her advice and buy the $50 gallon paints, which I wasn't about to do -- but still.
When I returned and confirmed that indeed there was a 40% sale going on, I selected my colors and explained that I needed 3 gallons of Ovation, two in satin and one in semi-gloss. The clerk (a different one this time) happily mixed my paint and proceeded to ring me up. When he announced the total, I told him that it seemed on the high side. He looked at the register slash computer and then told me that the sale did not extend to the Ovation paint, i.e. the cheap paint. I did some quick math in my head and determined that at 40% off, I could have selected a higher quality paint and paid only slightly more than I would have paid for non-discounted cheap paint. Granted, I found it a bit gimmicky that the clerk would wait until after I had asked about the sale and after he had mixed the paint to tell me about the exception to the rule, but no matter. I said, "In that case, I might need you to mix that in a different base," and I turned around to go make another choice. He was quick to suggest another option.
"Let me see if I can make this work," he said. Already, I appreciated his business sense. He fumbled through some barcoded coupons and managed to ring me up for 40% off.
Then I showed him my $10-off purchase of $50 or more. This flustered him, but again he compromised by saying he wouldn't charge me for one of the gallons. At this point, I had stopped trying to keep up with the math and accepted his offer as a sensible compromise.
Admittedly, at this point, I would have gladly walked away and rated this place 5 stars. But then I went home and painted. Here's where the disappointment comes in.
I don't mean I was disappointed with my painting. A guy who opts for the cheapest paint choice is content with his own mediocre painting skills. It's just that after I was two days into the project, it was obvious the paint labeled semi-gloss wasn't semi-gloss. Not only was it not semi-gloss, but I still look at the paint and think it's flatter than the satin sheen paint I ordered. Maybe the cheapest paint makes for an unpredictable base. I don't know.
It was the right color but the wrong finish. Now my trim is flatter than the walls. Like I said, my painting skills are subpar and I don't foresee getting out a ladder and brushes and whatnot. I'll deal with it, but I'm still disappointed.
All in all, very friendly staff that tries to be accommodating. Just be mindful of what you walk out of the store with. In the meantime, I've unsubscribed from the numerous emails the company sends out once you join their rewards program.
Probably will go back to Home Depot or Lowe's after this. read more
