Just to follow up ...
I've been able to learn that there's quite a bit of shuffling and other nonsense going on at the higher levels - store manager and beyond. The store staffs are pretty much at loose ends, just doing as best they can, without the direction or guidance they need.
In short, the 'poor help' issus lays squarely in the lap of management - which has absolutely no interest in addressing the matter. Indeed, 'corporate' has the time to inspect parking lots for wind-blown debris, but not to address their advertised goal of having 'trade pros' in the departments.
