monophoto
Member
The microwave that was installed above the wall-mount oven when the house was built 12 years ago died last week. Went to Lowes for a replacement. Nothing in stock - and the appliance sales person didn't know how to operate their computer system to order one.
So we went across the street to Home Despot. Also nothing in stock - the salesman said he could order something, or we could go to their web site. Opted for the latter, and ordered the microwave, the required trim kit, and decided to purchase the installation option they offered.
Delivery was scheduled for yesterday between 10am and 2pm. Early in the morning, the delivery contractor called to report two problems:
1. They forgot to put the trim kit on the truck before it left on its delivery rounds. Promised to deliver it later in the day (which they did).
2. They were a delivery contractor only - did not do installation. It wasn't clear how Home Depot was going to do the installation that they sold and I paid for.
So I called Home Depot (twice). Naturally, there was the usual problem of getting through the telephone robot to be able to speak to a real person. But eventually, I got someone who said he had never encountered that problem, and would have to get back to me.
When I didn't get a call back, I called again (again twice). The first time, the delivery and installation person didn't know what to do, and directed me to call back to speak to a new orders person (they can't transfer calls?). The new order person was a pleasant young man who listened to my problem, and then put me on hold while he investigated. Naturally, while on hold, I was forced to listen to a series of Home Depot announcements proclaiming how wonderful they are, one of which touted their ability to install any appliance they sell. I heard that one several times, which made it even more incredible that when the nice young man eventually came back, his answer was that Home Depot could not do the installation of the appliance they had sold, even through they had sold it with installation and even though the recorded announcements they played while I was on hold waiting for an answer said they can install any appliance they sell. Instead, he offered to refund the selling price of the installation, and also give me an additional discount 'for the trouble'. Grrrr.
So this morning, wife and I start into the installation. I know my way around most mechanical things, so it shouldn't be difficult, right? Wrong! The instructions say to use the 'tabs' (plural) to align the duct to the bottom of the microwave, and then attach it with four screws. There is only one tab. OK, I can deal with that. But it also said four screws - there are four screw holes in the duct, but only two matching holes in the microwave. What to do:
1. Only use two screws. The problem is that both screw holes are on the same side of the microwave, so if I attach the duct with only two screws, it won't be secure from side to side.
2. Drill matching holes in the bottom of the microwave to receive the two additional screws. But won't that void the warranty? Probably. So I called the manufacturer - but no one answers the phone on Sunday. So I called Home Depot - they transferred me to the manufacturer.
Wife and I opted to purchase the microwave from Home Depot with installation to avoid exactly this kind of problem. But Home Depot's advertising is misleading because they apparently refuse to install the appliances they sell.
So we went across the street to Home Despot. Also nothing in stock - the salesman said he could order something, or we could go to their web site. Opted for the latter, and ordered the microwave, the required trim kit, and decided to purchase the installation option they offered.
Delivery was scheduled for yesterday between 10am and 2pm. Early in the morning, the delivery contractor called to report two problems:
1. They forgot to put the trim kit on the truck before it left on its delivery rounds. Promised to deliver it later in the day (which they did).
2. They were a delivery contractor only - did not do installation. It wasn't clear how Home Depot was going to do the installation that they sold and I paid for.
So I called Home Depot (twice). Naturally, there was the usual problem of getting through the telephone robot to be able to speak to a real person. But eventually, I got someone who said he had never encountered that problem, and would have to get back to me.
When I didn't get a call back, I called again (again twice). The first time, the delivery and installation person didn't know what to do, and directed me to call back to speak to a new orders person (they can't transfer calls?). The new order person was a pleasant young man who listened to my problem, and then put me on hold while he investigated. Naturally, while on hold, I was forced to listen to a series of Home Depot announcements proclaiming how wonderful they are, one of which touted their ability to install any appliance they sell. I heard that one several times, which made it even more incredible that when the nice young man eventually came back, his answer was that Home Depot could not do the installation of the appliance they had sold, even through they had sold it with installation and even though the recorded announcements they played while I was on hold waiting for an answer said they can install any appliance they sell. Instead, he offered to refund the selling price of the installation, and also give me an additional discount 'for the trouble'. Grrrr.
So this morning, wife and I start into the installation. I know my way around most mechanical things, so it shouldn't be difficult, right? Wrong! The instructions say to use the 'tabs' (plural) to align the duct to the bottom of the microwave, and then attach it with four screws. There is only one tab. OK, I can deal with that. But it also said four screws - there are four screw holes in the duct, but only two matching holes in the microwave. What to do:
1. Only use two screws. The problem is that both screw holes are on the same side of the microwave, so if I attach the duct with only two screws, it won't be secure from side to side.
2. Drill matching holes in the bottom of the microwave to receive the two additional screws. But won't that void the warranty? Probably. So I called the manufacturer - but no one answers the phone on Sunday. So I called Home Depot - they transferred me to the manufacturer.
Wife and I opted to purchase the microwave from Home Depot with installation to avoid exactly this kind of problem. But Home Depot's advertising is misleading because they apparently refuse to install the appliances they sell.