My family was in the hardware business (Bloomfield Ave. Newark, b/ N12th and N13th) for over 60 years, and I worked there throughout my teen years. The Rt. 22 Union location is the older and smaller of the two Home Depots in Union. I don't often need help; I'm more likely to be one of the customers assisting others. When I have needed assistance, I've known enough to realize that the accuracy of the advice I've been given is no better than 50/50. While this is a lot better than the service at the old Rickles stores, it isn't a standard that can be relied upon. They usually know how to operate a key-cutting machine, but having a window shade cut has been frustrating. They don't seem to understand the difference between outside (bracket-to-bracket) and inside (shade tip-to-tip) measurements. I usually add a half inch to the inside measurement, then carefully trim with a utility knife.
This Home Depot store is generally well-stocked, but lacks the floor space needed to offer the variety of the Vauxhall store. Home Depot is notorious for their abrupt changes in the brands offered, making it very difficult to refill supplies of consumable items and parts. They generally avoid the loss-leader strategies of Rickles; selling the principal item at a deeply discounted price, while gouging on the prices of the remaining supplies needed to complete a job. They often refuse to stock many basic hardware items, particularly the less expensive staples. Both Union stores offer rentals of both tools and trucks, and the process is a time-consuming ordeal. Returns are usually smooth.
Two areas to avoid in your Home Depot experience are their ultra-low grade brass plated electrical wall plates and their Hampton Bay brand of ceiling fans (ours shorted due to manufacturing defect after 5 days). On the other hand, Behr paint is excellent and reasonably priced (top-rated by Consumer Reports, as well).
The Rt. 22 Home Depot can be a pain to get to when highway traffic doesn't cooperate, but has plenty of parking. I'm at either of the two Union stores (but never Lowe's) several times each month; I'll be back. read more