The other day I went to Home Depot and several associates actually asked me if I needed help. In the past I have suspected them of avoiding customers because they don’t know where anything is either. Maybe they are trying to improve customer service?

I really wish retailers would have a map for those big box stores like they do at the mall. It would greatly simplify shopping. The place is as big as New York City and what I am looking for is usually about the size of a screw, exactly the size of a screw, in fact.

Remember when you could go to a hardware store and buy only what you needed? Now you have a buy a package to get one or two. Of course, you can save the extras for next time, if there is a next time, and if you can find the leftover package next time. I always end up buying another pack as it is easier. I could start a hardware store of my own with leftovers.

But to get back to the reason I was there, I needed four brass cabinet knobs and two key-type knobs. I had already checked online and found exactly what I wanted, but when I got to the store, it was not in stock.

“You can order it online,” said the helpful sales person, as if I didn’t know. I was trying to avoid the wait and the shipping charges. However, if you have stuff delivered to the store, there is no shipping charge.

I went home and placed my order. The two key knobs came immediately, but the other four didn’t. I waited and waited; a week went by; 10 days went by. Just my luck, they lost the order, I thought; but that very day I received an email that my order had arrived.

I went to the store to pick it up. They couldn’t find the package. The clerk looked everywhere and finally called the manager. I was tired of waiting and needed some cabinet latches too, so I told the clerk I would shop while they were looking.

“Where are cabinet latches?” “Aisle 16.” I couldn’t find Aisle 16, much less a cabinet latch. I asked someone who was putting up stock.

“I don’t know,” he said. ( I knew it.) Well, at least he was honest.

“Me either,” I replied.

I wandered around for a while until someone pointed me in the right direction. I finally found what I was looking for and then went back to see if my knobs had been found. “I’m sorry, we can’t find the order,” the manager told me. “However, I will reorder.” She must have noted my twitching eyebrows and purple face. “I will have it sent express mail, she added, and I will not charge you anything.”

I had been there so long that I was running late for a dental appointment, so I went through the self-check with my magnetic latches, and wheeled out of the parking lot. Halfway home, my cell phone rang. It was the manager at Home Depot. “We found your order,” she said.

“Sorry, I can’t come back now.” I was getting ready to say I would come back later, but she surprised me by saying that she would bring the order to my home. Imagine that! Well, why not let her, I thought. “Okay, that will be great!”

When I got home from the dentist, the bag was hanging on the door. I really couldn’t believe it, but it actually happened, free cabinet knobs and free home delivery. So, I might start shopping there more often

I would still like to have that map, though, and one of those scooters like Wal-Mart has as long as I’m wishing.

Copyright 2014 Sheila Moss