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Let's get a bike rack at the east liberty home depot!

well, this worked for the Giant Eagle in the Southside, let's try it for Home Depot in East Liberty.


I find myself at home depot several times a week, and always see lots of other cyclists there too. there are people walking thru the store with their bikes or locked to that one sign that is sketchy at best. there is plenty of room for them to put one in.


simply go here and send them a quick message. i already got a lame response. It's FUN!


http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?pn=About_Our_Stores&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053


erok
2009-07-22 15:27:38

eeeek. that looks like a good way to get a shopping cart smashed into your ride


erok
2009-07-22 15:33:23

Which is why I told them that I will just go to the Waterfront and shop at Lowes if this isn't taken care of.


rsprake
2009-07-22 15:36:37

I always see at least one bike locked up at Home Depot. Message sent.


eric
2009-07-22 15:43:59

there we go! a little mouse click activism!


erok
2009-07-22 15:44:57

totally!!! totally need this. i park on the no parking signs in the islands.


caitlin
2009-07-22 15:49:40

"totally!!! totally need this. i park on the no parking signs in the islands. "


same here but I feel bad accidentally trampling the shrubs.


blackcattats
2009-07-22 16:11:27

I lock my bike to a gas grill.


lyle
2009-07-22 16:21:13

I bring my bike in. They've seemed pretty cool with that.


escargonaut
2009-07-22 16:34:21

yeah, it's pretty much impossible to carry a bike and a shopping cart or basket tho


erok
2009-07-22 16:41:26

Sent!


anthony
2009-07-22 18:35:55

I appreciate the convenience of the SLib Home Depot, but for some reason, whatever I seem to need, they never have and I usually wind up going to the waterfront anyway.. Maybe its just my experience.


netviln
2009-07-22 19:05:32

There should be one at the lowes at the waterfront too. I usually lock up to some of the racks they keep plants on out in front of the store.


willie
2009-07-23 01:31:07

Hey guys.


I work at this home depot. A bike rack was in the works, but the assistant manager who was getting it putting in is currently on leave because his wife had a kid who is very ill.


He's expected back eventually, I'd hope soon, and I'll keep you updated.


Also, I make a point to bring it up at the next meeting.


robjdlc
2009-07-23 02:55:40

YES! a mole!!!! Things are looking good!


erok
2009-07-23 15:12:52

you should also present some "cyclist recommended" racks, so we don't end up with any of those toaster style like at the Coop, or those new crappy ones at whole foods in the parking lot


here's a good resource:


http://www.bicycleparkingonline.org/


erok
2009-07-23 15:15:03

Also, if any of you folks need help, ask for Rob or House in flooring (I go by both).


robjdlc
2009-07-23 15:15:08

YES! I'll probably be in there a bunch this coming weeks. i'm building two new decks on my house right now. so far we've loaded up two carloads of wood, but you know, i usually forget something like a special bolt that i'm not going to drive there for


erok
2009-07-23 15:21:33

i got this repsonse:

"Dear Caitlin,


Thank you for contacting The Home Depot Customer Care.


We appreciate you taking the time to forward your concerns regarding the

parking place at the East Liberty Home Depot store.


Please know that the feedback you have provided will be taken very

seriously and will be used in the overall evaluation of our services.


We look forward to your continued patronage and assisting you with all

of your home improvement needs.


Sincerely,


Novel

Customer Care Research Team"


Rob, Who IS this NOVEL


caitlin
2009-07-23 17:05:23

this was mine:

Thank you for contacting The Home Depot Customer Care Research Team.


We apologize for any inconvenience that you may have experienced.


We appreciate you taking the time to forward your feedback.


Please know that the feedback you have provided is taken seriously and

will be forwarded to our stores and Corporate Office.


We look forward to your continued patronage and assisting you with all

of your home improvement needs.


Sincerely,


Subodh

Customer Care


erok
2009-07-23 17:30:47

They got back to me and asked me for my phone number. Heh.


rsprake
2009-07-23 17:33:04

No response so far.


eric
2009-07-23 18:07:08

I'll be really curious to see what comes of all these online submissions. The company was run into the ground by the last CEO and the new guy is all about trying to turn things around, but I think the store level communication is holding him back. Theres a lot of bad stuff that goes on at HD, our turn around rate is extremely high. Honestly I'd be amazed if a bike rack showed up without me or the assistant manager I mentioned saying something about.


robjdlc
2009-07-23 18:14:47

If it goes under, maybe they'll put in a Sears.


lyle
2009-07-23 18:38:52

i for one am glad we have an internal advocate. imagine, they could hold a BUILD A BIKE RACK workshop in conjunction with it


caitlin
2009-07-23 18:39:56

Since they're in the given mood, why not try for a fleet of Kona Ute's for day rentals? If we can rent a haul truck for a day, why not a haul bike?


sloaps
2009-07-23 18:44:02

If you want a direct line to get your voice heard by the management, go for the survey on your receipt. That little "win $5,000 if you go online and fill out a survey" bit is sent directly to the store manager, and all of the comments are posted next to the time clock.


Also, if you're ever in a home depot and get exceptionally good service, if you fill out the survey and mention the name and department of whoever helped you, they get a badge, three badges is $50.


robjdlc
2009-07-24 04:43:18

UPDATE!




Hi

The East Liberty store will have a bike rack installed with in the next 2 weeks . If you have any question's please free to call me at 412 3639150. Thank's Lisa


Lisa payne

Store manager 4136

412 363****. Work

412 818****. Cell.




ndromb
2009-07-24 07:14:02

!!!


erok
2009-07-24 13:11:15

Look at the power of the internet.


igo
2009-07-24 13:31:18

YES!


I find myself at this Home Depot all of the time and would love to have a rack to lock to. They have 8000 parking spaces that are always half empty, just give us a rack for half a dozen bikes and we'll be thrilled.


I've been to the East Lib Home Depot about 15 times in the past three weeks, spending a small fortune on materials for a home remodel. A bike rack would make my life that much more complete.


bradq
2009-07-24 14:08:42

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! YEAH!


anthony
2009-07-24 16:09:26

HOORAY


also thanks for pointing out the power of the survey. i guess i should fill those out sometime. I like giving people who help me mad credit as much as possible.


caitlin
2009-07-27 17:16:01

now if only they would quit destroying their trees....


caitlin
2009-07-27 17:16:20

Now there is absolutely no reason to postpone my home improvement projects for the summer . . . shucks!


lou-f
2009-07-27 18:22:49

Caitlin: The volcano mulching is done by our landscapers, not us. Every time we get them to stop, they come back and do it again.


robjdlc
2009-07-28 03:11:10

it's not just that :) but i know, its like a never ending battle with landscapers. they get paid for the more mulch they dump i think, but the could spread it wide instead of deep. but all those little oak trees were topped long ago and pruned to death. they will never become large awesome oak trees that shade the parking lot now.


either way, i am glad someone is working on it.


caitlin
2009-07-28 16:39:46

Oh yeah, the pruning, forgot about that.


Hey man, some people like their trees to look like lollipops.


robjdlc
2009-07-28 17:48:04

caitlin, I don't think that HD wants large awesome oak trees. The roots would tear up the pavement, and the leaves would be a hassle to clean up, and anyway, there's lots of trees in the rest of the world to make oxygen.


lyle
2009-07-28 17:55:05

true lyle, too bad home depot is cutting them down tho.


erok
2009-07-28 19:12:17

sorry, couldnt resist


erok
2009-07-28 19:12:36

yeah if they didnt want large awesome oak trees, they could have planted different trees there. like some crappy pears that are way cheaper than oaks, and much shorter lived.


also they would not necessarily tear up the concrete. If given lots of space which oaks need, (and there are long wide tree lawns where these oaks are planted) the trees will only grow where the resources are. Trees are opportunistic and want to survive while putting out the least amount of energy possible. While some species have more aggressive root systems (red and norway maples are high on the list), oaks are not one of these.


Anyway, end tree rant. If you want to get more details feel free to contact me off line.... it just happens to be what I spend most of my 'professional time' doing.


caitlin
2009-07-28 21:20:33

oh wait addendum to rant:

one reason trees tear up sidewalks aside from being aggressive/wrong tree in wrong space is that sidewalk construction as it currently exists allows for condensation to form under the top block of concrete, and then the tree roots grow towards that water supply. there are a lot of ways to keep that from happening.. which i can also elaborate on in pm or email :)


caitlin
2009-07-28 21:23:56

Ah, the things you learn when you hang out with intelligent, well-educated people.


stuinmccandless
2009-07-29 00:05:35

Mission accomplished folks. The new rack is installed next to the propane on the right hand side of the store.


I also put in my letter of resignation yesterday, so good news all around!


robjdlc
2009-08-01 19:25:14

!!!! I may make a special trip just to see it!!


congrats too! good luck with whichever way the wind blows


erok
2009-08-01 23:08:50

wow, we're 2 for 2 with this...


erok
2009-08-01 23:09:23

WHERE ELSE CAN WE GET A RACK?!


I am trying to think of all the places i go that i mentally curse for not having racks.


caitlin
2009-08-03 14:35:12

Maybe we could convince the BNY Mellon building on William Penn downtown to buy some decent racks that don't require removing one bolt to steal a bike locked to the end.


Maybe not, I don't want to spoil a good thing. This BNY Mellon building has a covered storage room just for bikes.


dmtroyer
2009-08-04 01:09:34

Bellefield Towers in Oakland (Fifth & Bellefield). While I don't travel there as often as I used to, when I did, I think you could lock up all of two bicycles there. Must be 500 people work there.


stuinmccandless
2009-08-05 03:23:21