I Work at Home Depot: Here Are 4 Insider Secrets You Should Know
Written by
Maggie Ethridge
Edited by
Gabrielle Olya
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Working at Home Depot since 2022 has given Harold S. a close look at the inner workings of the company. “It’s a good job,” he said, “that also comes with some knowledge that’s helpful for saving money, getting work done on a budget.”
According to Harold, there are a few insider secrets that customers of Home Depot might be interested in.
You Can Sometimes Hire Employees for Side Jobs
Most people know that Home Depot refers out contractors for specialized jobs such as painting a house or rebuilding a kitchen. Harold said not as many customers realize that some employees who have expertise also work side jobs when they aren’t at Home Depot.
“Having an employee who also works as a contractor can be ideal for the customer. You’re essentially getting someone who is both an expert and also has knowledge of how to get the best deal for whatever products you’re buying for the job,” Harold shared.
Employees will know about Home Depot sales in advance, how price points fluctuate throughout the year, how to get discounts and the products that are cheaper but still dependable.
Employees Can Lower Prices
Home Depot employees can discount most items in store up to $50 without manager approval, if a customer brings up a concern about the product or notes a discrepancy with a sales ad. The employee will make their own determination on any defects or price changes, and potentially offer the customer a reduced cost.
“As long as the manager has a level of trust in the employee and their knowledge of our policies, an employee should be able to give a discount,” Harold affirmed. “Managers can give bigger discounts if it’s necessary.”
The Store Will Price Match — but Not With Amazon Prices
It’s not advertised, but Home Depot goes out of their way to match competitor prices. “We will generally match any competition pricing,” Harold said. “And add 10% more [of a discount].” Be aware of an important caveat: The price matching does not include online blockbusters like Amazon.
“You can also bring in digital coupons for other stores and we’ll honor them, too,” Harold stated. “We’ll accept stacked savings, so if you have discounts bring them in.”
If Something You Bought Goes on Sale Soon After, You Can Get Some Money Back
“So this is more relevant for expensive items,” Harold said, “but if you buy like, a barbeque from us and it goes on sale within a month, you can come back and get the difference in pricing.”
This is great incentive to keep track of your receipts. If you make a purchase at a higher price point around any time of year known for sales (think Black Friday), be sure to check back in with the cost during the sale and see if you are entitled to some money back.
When in Doubt, Ask an Employee
Home Depot employees often end up specializing in a certain area of the store. Finding a well-trained employee who can let you in on the best ways to shop is going to help your bottom line.
“If I know a way to help someone save money and they ask, I’m going to tell them,” Harold said.
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