Beechwood Chip Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 2 questions: When the Home Center guy helps you load three sheets of 3/4" maple ply onto the roof rack of your car, do you tip? When I was 50, I just muscled them up by myself, but now that I'm 57 I'm willing to ask for help. Where in Philadelphia should I be buying 3/4" ply for shop furniture? The Home Center stuff is $50 a sheet and isn't bad, but I assume that real woodworkers don't buy their lumber at Home Centers. I generally buy fewer than 6 sheets at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 As for the first question, you don't need to tip them, but it is appreciated. Most people don't tip, because they feel it's their job. I am not sure of the second question. There is Fessidan Hall, but I think you need to be a registered contractor or cabinet shop. Not sure what that takes. You could also check Mr. Roberts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 As for tipping, the way I think about it is if you are wondering whether or not you should, you probably should. Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 I worked for a home center and if i accepted a tip I'd get fired. Depends on the place odds are is that they are there to help you not to get tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonPacific Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Tips aren't factored into their wages like restaurants do, so it's less imperative. I'd say if they went out of their way to help in some way I might offer a tip, but as Chestnut mentioned, they'd probably have to refuse it. Loading plywood and lumber seems like just part of their job, though I've only gotten help loading (12ft roofing panels) once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 I usually ask for help when loading any sheet goods 1/2" or thicker. I like to keep the corners in good condition at least until they make it to my property. Then I can promptly dent them and have to trim them off. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 I've tipped for help at Home Depot for loading stuff, usually whatever cash I had on hand. I rarely carry cash on me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Wright Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 As far as where to buy plywood, I can get higher quality plywood from my hardwood dealer. Most of the time I just use stuff from Lowes or Home Depot just for the sake of convenience, but there is a difference in quality Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted September 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Thanks, everyone! 2 hours ago, Woodenskye said: You could also check Mr. Roberts. That's only a half hour away. Further than Home Depot, but definitely do-able. I'll have to check them out. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonPacific Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 53 minutes ago, Llama said: I've tipped for help at Home Depot for loading stuff, usually whatever cash I had on hand. I rarely carry cash on me. I think this might kill service tipping, it's a very rare day when I carry cash, and I'm not the only one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elroy Skimms Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 2 hours ago, Chestnut said: I worked for a home center and if i accepted a tip I'd get fired. Depends on the place odds are is that they are there to help you not to get tips. Chestnut is right. If it's Home Depot, employees will get fired if they accept a tip. -E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattF Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 I have never had anyone offer to help load lumber at a big box store. I wish they would though. I haul lumber on a roof rack on a Tahoe. Sheet goods get heavy, but I have a system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Tip? You are lucky if you get a hint of smile from our home centre workers never mind help lifting whatever into your car or onto the roof rack. It's not called a DIY store for nothing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted September 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 The folks at my local Home Depot are pretty nice. It can take a while if I'm waiting for someone to cut some lumber or help me load. This time I was smart. When I got to the cash register I asked for someone to help me load, and the cashier asked over the PA for a "lot attendant". Then I checked out, paid, and went through security. Asked the security guy if I could leave my cart while I got my car. Went to get my car and backed it in to the loading area. By that time the lot attendant was there directing me in and telling me when to stop. The time before, I didn't realize I wanted help until I got to my car. That did not go as smoothly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 I wouldn't tip them, but would offer my thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 1 hour ago, Elroy Skimms said: Chestnut is right. If it's Home Depot, employees will get fired if they accept a tip. -E That's not true, it is discouraged, but you won't get fired. I worked at Home Depot in the lumber and building materials for a short time, got several tips and never lost my job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDi Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Not sure where in philly you are, but you could try Marjam on State road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted September 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 34 minutes ago, JohnDi said: Not sure where in philly you are, but you could try Marjam on State road 22 minutes, according to Google Maps. Thanks! Do you know if they are friendly to hobbyists? Their website seems more geared to professionals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDi Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 I bought 2 sheets of cherry ply there. Sort of old school type place where you have to go to the office and talk to the sales guy and tell him what you are looking for. They were very nice, but I could tell they weren't used to dealing with small orders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 My dealer has a $350 min order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 I always pay cash at the lumberyard - just feels right - lol. Lots of other "small time players" pay via debit or credit. BTW, debit it HUGE in Canada. Not sure if its taken off in the states as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 7 hours ago, Pug said: BTW, debit it HUGE in Canada. Not sure if its taken off in the states as much. Here, debit and credit systems carry different levels of protection. I carry a debit card and run it though the credit card server because of some peculiarities in protection. Companies like to try to force debit as debit does not cost them a per use fee, but that is going away as debit just isn't popular. I think most people just don't like punching a code in at a public place. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 I only use strait credit. The consumer benefits are just too worth it. I stopped using my debit card when i was 18, probably the best thing i did. When i started needing it i had a excellent credit score with no effort. Credit scores are a joke in my opinion as well but it's a game almost all of us have to play unfortunately. Debit is huge here as well Pug, out of my friends maybe 35% use credit, no one uses cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Maybe I was just getting trolled but, I was asked by the really small female cashier at home depot if I needed help out to my car while carrying one of those homer buckets full of electrical fittings. Maybe she was looking for a tip. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 5 minutes ago, Tom Cancelleri said: Maybe I was just getting trolled but, I was asked by the really small female cashier at home depot if I needed help out to my car while carrying one of those homer buckets full of electrical fittings. Maybe she was looking for a tip. Or just the tip... See what I did there? lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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