OT: Treatment of Women In Hardware Stores (Yes, this is a Rant)

[drom]

LOL! Sorry Grumpy cat.

 

[The Lazy L]

...is there a chop saw out there in the lumber shed...someone from Receiving can go out there and cut it for you
..ten minutes waiting for the mysterious person from Receiving to come and cut my silly 2x2s. No one came. ....

What would you have done?

As a man I would have used their saw and cut it myself.

If I was a woman I would have stuffed a pair of water balloons down there, bounced around the store asking for someone to cut my boards. Bet I have several men cutting off their thumbs without even realizing it.

Then I'd bat my eyelids and ask if they would load the boards in my car for me too.

 

[The Lazy L]

Men. You now that hoard of Salesmen you get went you pull into a used car lot?

Daughter was college age and went shopping for a used car. Not a single Salesman would approach her!!!!! She bought a car from the only lot that a Salesman not only came out but also listen to want she was looking for.

 

[Kazfam]

How frustrating!

Honestly, I usually never have this problem at HD and Lowes (the two places in my area).

I'm 51 with silver threads among the gold - does that matter? I'm thinking perhaps it's the area of the country. We are in South Carolina. When I worked (product and design engineering for GE) I was always treated with respect by the factory male personnel. I say this for comparison because when I worked in a similar capacity in NY state I was treated quite the opposite, very rudely with many innuendos (if you get my drift) hurled at me with every encounter. Not a pleasant experience.

I would call the box-store people out - "Are you going to help me or do I need get the manager?" "Are you refusing to help me because I am a woman - can I speak to your manager?" Or something to that effect. Don't put up with it. Like I tell my daughter, you can stand up for yourself without being a witch about it. Most people will straighten up if confronted in a balanced manner.

I learned the "go get the management" from my husband - works every time.

Hang in there girlfriend!

 

[LeenaB]

You gals should try Lowes. They're even worse than Home Depot. I refuse to even go into one anymore as I always have a bad experience. I learned my lesson a few years ago and am now the proud owner of a circular saw, jig saw and even a big ole table saw. Oh and buying those was an experience, I encountered the most sexist men on the planet who wanted to know who I was buying them for because obviously I would have no use for them. Oh and picking out lumber is always fun at HD, most of it is warped so it requires a lot of sorting to get good pieces. And they don't like it when you pick through stuff.

 

[Beekissed]

In the last town I lived, the local hardware guys got used to me coming in, them asking me if they could help and what was I looking for, and me replying, "I'll know it when I see it!". At first they would ask me what I was trying to do but when I told them they'd just look at me and point me in the general direction of an aisle that maybe, could possibly and might be something I need for that!

After awhile they got used to my "projects" and would join in the fun of trying to brainstorm which obscure piece of metal bracket, hinge, or fitting would best help make this mystery object I was inventing on the cheap. Same with my lumber guy, a small business that was way up a holler...he'd see me drive in, get a big grin on his face and say, "I wondered when you would show up....it's spring! What ya buildin' this year?" Then he'd rip me some lumber to my specifications, sell it to me on the cheap and help me load it. Loved the lumber guy!

The local Lowe's here are helpful enough in some areas but when you hit the lumber area they staff it with young guys who seem to run from you or know little about customer service but for the most part they aren't sexist. I don't think they even know what that means.

 

[conny63malies]

You gals should try Lowes. They're even worse than Home Depot. I refuse to even go into one anymore as I always have a bad experience. I learned my lesson a few years ago and am now the proud owner of a circular saw, jig saw and even a big ole table saw. Oh and buying those was an experience, I encountered the most sexist men on the planet who wanted to know who I was buying them for because obviously I would have no use for them. Oh and picking out lumber is always fun at HD, most of it is warped so it requires a lot of sorting to get good pieces. And they don't like it when you pick through stuff.

I own the same tools. Picked them all myself. I am about the up grade to a sliding compound miter saw and a better table saw. The old one just isn't up to what I want to do.

 

[augustajo]

I currently work at the Pro Desk in Marana Arizona at Lowe's. I am a woman and always have to prove myself to the male contractors that come in and want to deal with a man. Frustrating, but also rewarding when they realize that I know more than some of my male counterparts and start coming in to see me for their project needs. I would encourage you to visit a Lowe's store in your area. We cut lumber and are happy to help out all customers. The first 2 cuts are free and 25 cents each one after that but to tell you the truth we usually do not charge for the extra cuts unless it is extremely excessive. I've worked at 2 different Lowe's locations for the last 5 1/2 years and can tell you that at both locations the customer service is focused as priority #1. I hope you give our business a shot and more so I hope you receive amazing customer service!

 

[Cknldy]

Okay, this caught my eye and I read every post since '08. Now this may just be a hillbilly thing but I find that walking into the hardware store with a big wad of chew in your mouth makes the guys take you more seriously! IF assistance is required stay nice and smiley while saying your piece confidently. If/when the 'help' starts in on the child treatment just pull out your spit bottle and make sure every bit of what you're spitting is a nice nicotine-nasty-rich- brown color. Don't start laughing and choke when you see their face change, it totally ruins it! You WILL get what you need and there won't be a condescending tone anymore
Think it won't work? I moved way down south years ago. Went to look at a truck on a used car lot wearing a sundress and sandals. When I asked to look under the hood the (older) salesman obliged but started talking about the looks of the truck instead of the engine. I waited a few days and returned wearing jeans and a t-shirt with chew in my mouth. Same salesman. Didn't even recognize me from before, popped the hood myself and spit before checking out the engine. How long has it been leaking oil? Did your guys check it out already? Yep, honest answers and real talk. Same questions as before but I guess how you present it helps them understand how to respond! :;-)

 

[aart]

In the last town I lived, the local hardware guys got used to me coming in, them asking me if they could help and what was I looking for, and me replying, "I'll know it when I see it!". At first they would ask me what I was trying to do but when I told them they'd just look at me and point me in the general direction of an aisle that maybe, could possibly and might be something I need for that!

After awhile they got used to my "projects" and would join in the fun of trying to brainstorm which obscure piece of metal bracket, hinge, or fitting would best help make this mystery object I was inventing on the cheap. Same with my lumber guy, a small business that was way up a holler...he'd see me drive in, get a big grin on his face and say, "I wondered when you would show up....it's spring! What ya buildin' this year?" Then he'd rip me some lumber to my specifications, sell it to me on the cheap and help me load it. Loved the lumber guy!

.......

I had pretty much this exact experience.


I worked in the mostly male dominated arena of engineering for 20 years, so you kind of figure it out.
But it really boils down to individual people, some people are idiots and some are not.

Yes, a woman in a lumber mill or hardware store might have to deal with preconceived stereotypes.

Most good service people catch on to what your level of understanding is and work with you, but it takes time..... and common courtesy goes both ways.