Perhaps, nothing strikes more fear into me than walking into Home Depot and discovering that they don’t stock a particular product I am searching for. The latest incident was when I was looking for some #8 3-inch screws to attach a handle to some kitchen cabinets. The HD store I went to had a half aisle of screws, bolts and other fastening items, but no 3-inch #8 screws. What to do, what to do?

When back to the contractor and confessed that I could not locate the screws he requested. He returns the following day with the screws in hand from Orchard Supply Hardware. Not a small mom-and-pop hardware store, but also no Big Box when stacked up against a Home Depot or Lowe’s. That’s not the first time something like this happened where OSH stocked something that I could not locate at Home Depot, Ace Hardware and some small mom-and-pop hardware store. Even though one-stop shopping is extremely convenient, glad I have these back-up places around.

Just because Home Depot doesn’t stock an item, it doesn’t mean that the item doesn’t exist.

Despite their faults, Home Depot and Lowe’s are incredibly convenient. Most of the time, I can find what I want at either of the two stores. But what happens if Home Depot or Lowe’s doesn’t stock an item? Then, instead of heading to the one-stop shop by default, I have to do some detective work.

For example, I had a hard time tracking down all the dimmers and occupancy sensors that I needed. Both Home Depot and Lowe’s had an adequate selection of dimmers. However, if you required something different—say, a 1000 watt dimmer—then the selection was surprisingly non-existent at both stores. Same too with occupancy sensors for the bathroom. At least, ones that didn’t look too bulky and grotesque, or weren’t already obviously returned merchandise. So, I ended up heading out to Galaxy Lighting in San Jose for my dimmers and occupancy sensors. They’re in that part of West San Jose that one may mistaken for Cupertino. And, their prices were surprisingly competitive with a contractor discount. So, if you are a contractor or work with one, let them know.

Supposedly, the “great” thing about fluorescent lighting is their long life span and low energy usage. The Energy Star web site tells us that compact fluorescents use 2/3rds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs, last up to 10 times longer, and save $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb’s lifetime.

Well, last up to 10 times longer is not the same as last 10 times longer. For one group of lights in my kitchen, the compact fluorescent was the first to go out. I guess that one won’t be saving me $30.

After being immersed into the world of bathroom fixtures and tiles for a few weeks, I discovered that whenever I enter a bathroom, I immediately survey what sink basins, tiles and bathroom fixtures were used. So, when I recently stayed at a hotel, I was surprised that they would use a Grohe showerhead. I was right (in part) because the showerhead wasn’t a Grohe. But, it was close enough to fool me at first glance. Take a look at the Grohe Relaxa Plus Top 4 Shower Head and judge for yourself.

I can’t think of a retailer that offers a better online shopping experience than Amazon. I never have any problems finding a product on their site. However, the real key to their website is the customer reviews. While the sample size may be limited, you are getting feedback from (presumably) real life users. That’s the power of the community working for you.

Now, I won’t call them out, but I see other retailers trying this approach. However, instead of truly informative customer reviews, I see a stupid 5-star scoring system. What I really want to know isn’t whether someone rates a product as a 3 star or a 4 star, but the reason behind the scoring. Does a product work as promised? Is their technology truly revolutionary? What problems do people keep experiencing. That’s what I want. Not a meaningless 5-star scoring system with no real commentary.

If you are shopping for natural stone tile for your kitchen or bathroom, be aware that the tile you see on the showroom display may not even resemble the tile that is boxed up in the warehouse. Naturally, the tile dealer wants to put his best foot forward, so he selects the best looking tile for the showroom. What you need to figure out is whether the showroom display represents 10%, 25%, 33%, 50%, 66% or 75% of the boxed tile. Ask them to bring out a box so that you can take a look.

Here’s my wish list. When I visit a web site, I would like to see the following:

• Location. List the address of all your showrooms.
• Map. Link your address to an online mapping service, such as Google Maps. Not sure why people still link to Mapquest. Google Maps just kicks butt because I can slide the map over with my mouse. Once you’ve experienced that, clicking on the N/S/E/W arrows to page the map over one screen feels downright antiquated.
• Store Hours. Why would a store not post their hours on their web site? This one I don’t understand. Why should I call in to ask someone when your are open. I’m only griping about this one because I see it a lot. Just a few clicks of the keyboard saves me from calling you, and saves you from answering my phone call.
• Inventory. Word-of-mouth business is huge here. Most of the stores I go to were either recommended by a family member, friend or contractor. However, sometimes they can’t tell me exactly the products that you carry. So, introduce yourself. You don’t have to list every single product. Just list the product lines you carry. Better yet, just list the top five most popular items in each product category.
• Pricing. Always love to shop around.

#1–3 are essential and easy to implement. #4–5 would be great. Of course, any photos to inspire the remodeler in all our hearts would be appreciated.

Wanted to get some pricing from Home Depot, but their web site is down. Tell me this, who takes down their web site a week and a half before Christmas? Better yet, let me know what you mean by “We’ll be back online shortly.” Do I check back in an hour, tomorrow morning, or next week? I’ve seen web site updates that all of a sudden stretch out for a few days. (And, I’m talking about Gap, from earlier this year.) Risky, very risky. Oh, in Internet time, I think shortly means by the time I click my browser’s reload button. Nothing is happening. Not short enough.

In California, lighting in bathrooms must be high efficacy, or must be controlled by a manual-on occupant sensor. The 2005 Residential Compliance Manual further states, “At least one high-efficacy luminaire should be installed so that it can be left off the occupant sensor circuit to ensure that all of the luminaires don’t switch off while someone is in the bath. Even dual technology
sensors may not detect a motionless and silent occupant.”

So, if you don’t have a 4-pin fluorescent light in your bathroom, then your lights must be controlled by an occupant sensor. Persons with dimmers need not apply. However, depending on the location of the sensor and the activities of any occupant, all the lights may go off. Well, there you go. Someone taking a shower in a wet, soapy area and the lights go off. Tell me there won’t be a lawsuit if the occupant slips and falls.

Let’s say the bathroom does have a high efficacy luminaire, in addition to an incandescent or halogen light above the sink. As the compliance manual states, the occupant should never just turn on the vanity light. Instead, the occupant should turn on all the lights, just in case the vanity light goes off. Now, how exactly is energy being saved when you have to turn on all your lights?

I still don’t understand how the State can mandate the installation of an occupant sensor that may cast the unwary into darkness when the State is aware of the sensor’s shortcomings. Why exactly is California sending people to Sacramento to require us to install a defective product?

I think after the lawyers get done with this silly law, we will all need to post a sign in our bathrooms warning family members and guests that the lights may go off on them while they are in the bathroom. Furthermore, before anyone may use the facilities, we will need them to sign a disclaimer stating that they are aware the lights may go off on them and that they waive all rights against the homeowner should they slip and fall in a darkened bathroom.