I came to Home Depot looking to purchase a table saw for an upcoming project. Having done research into the different brands and their price points, I ask a sales representative if they price match with items sold and shipped by Amazon.com. The individual told me:
"Our policy is that we only price match if it is sold and shipped by Amazon."
Interested in saving money, I pull up the Amazon price ($88 difference) the representative says:
"oh wow yeah, they definitely have us beat there. Let me get one of my managers to make sure we are allowed to match that".
A manager comes over, I show the price discrepancy. She states:
"Yeah, they do have us beat there. We can price match that for you"
This individual verifies they will do it and brings my item to the front. Not done shopping, I grab the remaining items on my list and go to the front where the cashier scans the saw that was authorized to price match. To my confusion, the old list price rings up. I inform this young lady of what I was just told to me by the manager and what was authorized. The cashier informs me this:
"Won't be a problem, I just have to get a manager approval for that override"
She calls a number on their company handheld device and a different manager comes over. This manager (Nametag: Rachel Hernandez) tells me:
"Yeah, no. we don't price match, sorry".
I informed her that what she just told me contradicts the information provided on their corporate website as well as what the other manager I just spoke to just authorized. Rachel states:
"under no circumstance do we price match Amazon".
Confused, I go to the corporate website and read the following from Home Depot's "The Home Depot Guaranteed Low Price" page in the "help" section of their corporate website:
HOW THE LOW PRICE GUARANTEE WORKS FOR IN STORE PURCHASES:
IF YOU FIND A CURRENT LOWER PRICE ON AN IDENTICAL, IN-STOCK ITEM FROM ANY OTHER RETAILER, WE WILL MATCH THE PRICE. JUST BRING THE AD, PRINTOUT OR PHOTO WITH YOU TO THE REGISTER FOR VALIDATION.
Seeming unsure, Rachel then gives me the number of the helpline if I have any questions. (1-800-430-3376) Convinced this individual is not abiding by corporate policy and acting in a discriminatory manner, I immediately step outside and speak with the helpline. During this call, they verified that Home Depot does indeed price match items sold and shipped by amazon.com but, not resellers on the platform. Additionally, Online orders cannot be price matched with Amazon without also adding in the cost of shipping.
I request a way to communicate that information to the manager that just informed me otherwise, Rachel Hernandez. The individual from the helpline provides a reference code to a specific page in their corporate "knowledge base" to provide to the manager, Rachel Hernandez. I re-enter the store with the code and ask the same sales representative that assisted me with the initial question (this individual provided excellent service) if I may speak to the same manager. He uses the landline phone to call Rachel back. Upon her approach, the first words spoken are:
"I'm still not gonna price match it".
I explain to Rachel I spoke to the help line she provided and offer the reference code they gave me. She states:
"They wouldn't give you that. I know our policies. Are we done? I have other things to do"
Having followed all directions given to me by Rachel, and Home Depot's support line, I plead that she please pull up the code to verify she is not mistaken. (Code:KB5672) Rachel's voice raises to a loud, hostile tone and she says:
"You're really pissing me the f**k off. I told you I'm not f**king price matching it. I don't have to look anything up. I'm not telling you again. GET OUT, LEAVE!".
I request verification of her name. She says:
"Rachel Hernandez"
I verify the spelling and request the corporate number to file a complaint regarding this mis-information. She says:
"Rachel Hernandez, there is only one Rachel here so, you can't mess it up. Now, get the f**k out. I don't care. Leave."
I wish her a good day and state that I will follow up on this incident shortly. Even louder than before, she says:
"leave!!!".
How did this individual get a management position?
This manager was very unprofessional, vulgar, and a poor representation of Home Depot as a corporate franchise. If you are looking for a storefront to buy your contracting equipment, I would suggest taking your business to another store. read more