HD has a "new" return policy. As of June 16th, there is a 7 day max return policy on air conditioner units (window/portables), generators, pressure washers and dehumidifiers. AKA stuff with compressors in them.

I went to HD today and the IQ challenged 40/50 something soccer mom returns employee started yakking about the new return policy. We buy window and portable units in bulk for our HVAC biz working with a state cooling assistance program. This one was bad out of the box and the manufacturer was ZERO help. Purchased early May.

As the employee was bleating away, I pointed to the sign that says it doesn't go into effect until Monday. That took the air out of her sails as she had been unprofessionally sitting on the counter talking about her weekend and how she would NEVER work overtime. She ignored me in line a good while before the braying over the new policy. She sheepishly processed the return. I know it's hard to get good help these days but WOW!

I've had some try to say I can't return an item because it's been over 3 months - until I point out the fact that it was purchased on a pro account & that means I have a year.

So many people use HD and Lowes as the cheapest rental company in the world.

They buy something, use it for a while and then return it saying it is defective.

I have seen tools that were broken, missing parts or just beat like a rented mule.

When the stores hire people that know nothing they have to expect things like this to happen.

Saw a Dewalt tool kit that had been returned. Someone had taped bricks in the box to simulate the weight and returned it.

I used to buy entire bays for pennies on the dollar. Had to take it all so the store could get the space back. Once I got a luan door that had been stained. Person brought it back and said it didn't fit so they got their money back.

About four years ago I had two big drywall mud projects at the same time. I bought too much. Some were purchased with the gift cards they would give for using the credit card.

Not so nice kid behind the return counter refused to take the mud back. Said I already brought it back so it must have been stolen.

I was furious. She said well I guess I should go get my manager, my reply was do that and grab the store manager as well. I was doing a fair chunk of change with this Lowes store at the time.

She took the return back after that.

Then I showed how petty I was and filled out a survey complaining about her. After that I would purposely go to her if I had a return.

Just because someone is a "pro" doesn't mean they don't abuse the policy. Yes, certain policies I have been on the losing end. Awesome deal on a weed whacker in Dec. Didn't use it until March or April. Didn't work. Called Craftsman and they were no help. DS had a bad experience with Craftsman as well. We no longer buy anything from them no matter the deal. People abuse the return policies all the time. Unfortunately the "good" people will lose out.

Oh, yeah - I've seen old items returned in new boxes on the shelves for sale, too much.

It disgusts me.

And I can't help but wonder why the clerks don't look at the items being returned.

I mean, really - you don't need to be an electrician to tell that the receptacle in that box is old and has paint on it, etc.

You need to ALWAYS open and check items before purchase.

I've had resent Return issues with Home Depot as well. When a cashier was checking my stuff out, I mentioned to her, "Do not hit the TOTAL button until I have a chance to review my purchase price charted, May things were on discount markdown clearance. She did not list and hit "TOTAL". My total purchased amount showed no "Mark Downs".

I asked her to make corrections, but she refused and said I'd have to Speak with her supervisor. The guy came over to me and said, "For price adjustments, I'd have to go to "Customer Service", at the other side of the store. He refused to help. I took my cellphone and went back to the shelves to snapped pictures of the "Mark down stickers".

While I was doing that, the check out manager want to the stock shelves ND MANAGED TO RIP OFF THE MARK DOWN stickers. But when I was putting the stuff in my cart, I had taken pictures before.

I then went to the Customer Service area and told my story to clerk. He then called over the highest raking associate, the guy that refused to help me at the checkout area. This was racial discrimination.

So I asked for another manager, and was told no one else was there, they all went home.

So they said I had to leave and return tomorrow when another manager was in. They called security and he asked me to leave the store. I refused, I was cheated and charged on my card the old retail price, not the discount. I showed the security guy my CCW permit and said I'm calling the police. So I called 911 and said, a store associate has stolen from me and his armed guard told me to leave the store, So I showed him my CCW permit and told him I'm not leaving until the police showed up or they reversed my extra charges.

I call B.S. on Robert’s story. He called 911 for a pricing dispute at a store? The police said they were going to take a store employee to jail for what? I used to sort of feel bad for him living in “ crazy” California, but it seems the crazy follows him around everywhere. Hmm…

The first time a customer referenced he was carrying a firearm in an attempt to intimidate my employee it would mean police call, restraining order and lifetime ban from the store, regardless of the amount of business he had done with us.

Robert, please stay in California.

Why are we stuck with all these blabbering nonsensical lies?

RobertJ, stop it. We are begging you. Seek help. Amazing that cops won't show up when a true crime is committed but they arrive when there is a price dispute at a store?

I'm with Robert J. on his narrative because I am familiar with other shoppers stories about that Van Nuys Home Depot.

Perhaps Alan, if this came from you it would be believable. Like so many other things that have came from Robert, you take them with a grain of salt. It is really a shame, as I recognize Robert's lengthy background in real estate coupled with cyclic nature of the SoCal market place.

You guys. Just ignore/scroll by posts you don't care for. Robert J will never know or care.

I'm sure people do it to mine - I talk a lot. I always did it to Ally.

I miss SID.