ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Big Orange Store Flyer

Just got the sales flyer for the week. They are Advertising buy a Hot Tub and get a free Electrical Permit?. Says to see instore for further details.

Wow wonder if that would include the service upgrade and a free load calculation on the home to see if the sevice can handle a added load.

wondering if anyone else has seen this marketing ploy.

Why don't we just call it Home Depot from now on? "Big Orange" is getting a little tired. I mean, I know how people feel, but it's not dirty to say "Home Depot."

Doug, Is a licensed electrician doing the work (where required)?

Peter

How about "Home Despot"? One of my favorites.

-Hal

Hi CT Wireman
When I get a chance I will check it out. I Have seen some home improvments that they market like replace hot water tanks,windows and AC units. I have not seen where they have Contractors for electrical yet. Here in British Columbia if you are in the water pump business you can actually get a restricted Electrical Contractors license only to hook up water pumps. I sure hope they do not think this includes Spas and hot tubs.

Home Desperate.

I know they are not pulling permits here in MA or RI.

I believe they will pay your permit fees.

"...Free Electrical Permit"???!!!

I wonder if they'll pay your fire insurance premium as well?

In all seriousness, I hope this is really offered as an incentive to have a Licensed Electrician perform the job!

Mike (mamills)

[This message has been edited by mamills (edited 05-20-2004).]

Having been a Home Depot employee, (yes, yes) I know that the company policy is to use only licensed and bonded installers for all company installations. I haven't seen the flyer for the free permit either, but I'll have to check it out.

I know that in the store that I worked in, we had three licensed electricians, including a master who was the department head for electrical. Two of the people in the plumbing department (including me) carried a plumbing license or a EPA cert or both.

Unfortunately, not everyone is safety minded, whether they hold a license or not. The Home Depot training is fairly good, actually.

As with anything a consumer can buy themselves, people will do just about anything after they leave the store.

I could probably start a whole board of horror stories, but...

As with anything a consumer can buy themselves, people will do just about anything after they leave the store.

Which is precisely the argument for not selling electrical supplies to DIYer's. This is like a drug store selling drugs without a prescription- it's dangerous and can kill.

-Hal

Hal, I agree with you completely, but let's be realistic, we live in America, land of the free, and it will be a cold day in you-know-where when electrical suplies are not sold in retail stores.

Most wholesalers will sell all their products to homeowners and other non-professionals, as they are motivated by the high profit cash sales. Believe me, I know first hand from working at this large distributor.

Doug,

As Bob said they apparently aren't getting permits in our area (southern New England). I have read the fine print in their flyers which include license numbers, but I think this is for the AC systems and doors/windows.


"Home Desperate" sounds good, as they seem to be desperate for customers, since they still have a ton of competition out there. Lowes is giving them a good butt kicking too.

Peter