The Home Depot — Local services in Oceanside

MISINFORMATION, MISLEADING SALES PROCESS, RUDE INDIVIDUALS IN THE STAFF

My wife and I had purchased a Whirlpool dishwasher on the appliance sales floor at the Home Depot on 5755 Mission Ave, Oceanside. We were in need of replacing a dishwasher that had been broken for a month.

At the time of purchase (February 26th), the salesperson whom helped us seemed knowledgeable. She had asked if we would like to have our dishwasher professionally installed, and I declined the service because it has always been easy to install previous dishwashers from various companies; I knew that different hoses, fittings, and clamps might be needed. She then asked if we needed all the additional parts to install the dishwasher. I had declined, and that was my first mistake. I was under the impression that the parts that I needed were the hoses, fittings, and clamps, which I had. But apparently, I was also in need of a Whirlpool specific electrical wiring kit. Being that most dishwashers in the past have their electrical cable/plug already installed into the machine, I didn't expect to have an appliance purchased and delivered that I would not be able to install. This is the first of my woes with the staff at this location: this salesperson does not truly know about the specific appliances being sold and didn't inform me that there were Whirlpool specific parts that weren't included with my purchase. In regard to Whirlpool, I am disappointed that they manufacture their dishwashers with the electrical cable and plug not installed or included (BUYER BEWARE).

The second problem I had I didn't realize was a problem until after I had tried to return this appliance. When the saleswoman finalized my sale of the dishwasher, she stated that I had 48 hours to return the item under manufacturer warranty if there was anything wrong with it. After that, I would have to rely on the 3 year Home Depot warranty I had purchased. What she didn't explicitly tell me was that ALL APPLIANCE SALES ARE NONREFUNDABLE! I will admit fault for not reading the paper which stated that items are nonrefundable AFTER SHE FINALIZED THE SALE AND THEN QUICKLY STAPLED SAID PAPER TO MY RECEIPT.

When the appliance was delivered to my home three days after purchase, I had tried to install it quickly realizing I could not complete the install since the Whirlpool specific plug and parts associated weren't included with the dishwasher. Frustrated, I looked online for the electrical parts to feed power to my dishwasher. The Whirlpool specific parts were available, but not readily in store nor would I receive them for another 10 days (as of this review, I have 9 more days before the parts arrive).

My wife and I decided that this was too much work and inconvenience as it is taking more time and effort than expected being that WE WEREN'T INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRICAL PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT INCLUDED WITH OUR PURCHASE! So we loaded the dishwasher into my wife's car to return it to Home Depot. This is when our third issue occurred.

We didn't realize that appliances were non-refundable until we had tried to return this appliance. The way we had found out was in a very rude manner. I understand and acknowledge that the staff doesn't make the rules and regulations regarding returns and refunds. But the rude attitude from the servicing staff member helping us with the return was not necessary when we were already out of luck. I had simply asked if there is anything I could do, and if there was anyone I could talk to. This staff member looked at me and said rudely "No, there's nothing you can do" and then, with a look of agitation, puts her finger on my paperwork and said "It says here: NONREFUNDABLE!"

I am stuck with an appliance that won't work for the next nine days. It was sold to me without being informed of part requirements and sold to me without being explicitly told about the 'no return' policy. I'll start going to Lowe's for my home improvement needs, and Costco for my big appliance purchases. At least at these places, I can count on knowledgeable staff who are...

This is in regards to the Kids workshop held usually on Saturdays. For Kids to attend this event, they must register online so that Corporate has the estimated amount of kits to send to the store prior to the event. The problem with this is, THIS WHOLE 2023 YEAR, they only send a limited amount of kits, usually 150 (1 kit per child=150 children only) I am told. I figure, if a parent registers online, they are locked in for a kit at least for the first hour the event begins. The event begins at 9am on these particular Saturdays. When the Home Depot team is setting up outside, Any parents who are interested for their child to get a kit will be given a form to fill out if they did not register online (pretty much taking away from those parents who did prior registration in advance!!) and if they show up with 1-10 kids, there goes 1-10 kits from those who registered! I was told these employees CANNOT DENY KITS TO THOSE WHO WALK UP THE DAY OF THE EVENT! So why even register online? To make matters worse, let's say they start setting up at 8am, there goes 1 hour of "pop-up" kids who get a kit vs. those that come in at the 9am hour. I was told by numerous employees they only get a limited amount and is 1st come 1st served only, again, why register in advance then? What baffles me is that these kits are usually gone within 30 min, it is a madhouse as is with crowded tables, not enough screw drivers, hammers, chairs for kids to sit comfortably. I contacted corporate several times on how they can better this either by taking down online registering entirely since they only send so many kits that ARE ALWAYS SOLD OUT AT EACH EVENT, or... at least the staff saying no to any walk ins who HAVE NOT prior registered online and asking them to come back at 10am, giving everyone who did register a chance to get their kit. This issue has not been fixed all year long. I do not know how Lowes works out their DIY workshop but they always have enough for those that registered and a couple extra kits for those that did not register. they have enough room for children to do their projects comfortably too, never having to wait (or fight over) supplies. Lowes does get crowded but never overwhelmingly so like home Depot Kids workshops do. Anyhow, after registering for this past workshop (Gingerbread house) and emailing corporate again about my 3 kiddos who showed up 20 min after 9am and Home Depot being out of the kits (a line behind me with others who registered for the event too) I was brushed off with generic response from corporate. This is awful! Parents approached us and verified that kits were given to several parents who did not prior register and for curiosity I wanted to cross reference a print out list they had of those who did prior register and it was barely half crossed off, again, giving walk up parents priority over those who registered beforehand. I do not recommend Home Depot for these workshops at all unless you have a early riser and don't mind driving to the store to be left...

I purchased a matching washer and dryer from Home Depot at the end of May, from the Oceanside location and was guaranteed a seamless delivery and setup. Unfortunately, this marked the beginning of my nightmare.

The dryer was delivered before the matching washer, causing the 48-hour reporting window to expire before I could test it. When I finally did, it didn't work at all. Despite my numerous attempts to resolve the issue with Home Depot, I was repeatedly directed to GE to utilize their one-year warranty, even though I had also purchased a three-year Home Depot warranty.

GE sent a technician in mid-June, who determined that the motor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The earliest available appointment for the repair was at the end of June. Frustrated by the prospect of waiting a month for a brand new appliance to function properly, I contacted Home Depot to request a complete return and refund.

Home Depot scheduled a pickup for June 21st which was also confirmed by the appliance department in store, promising reimbursement upon return of the faulty dryer. I waited at home for the scheduled pickup, only to discover that the delivery service had canceled it without notifying me. Home Depot then informed me I needed to contact GE again, and now also Allstate, as they apparently handle Home Depot's warranty claims.

This ordeal has consumed countless hours of my time and caused significant frustration. At this point, I simply want the defective machine out of my house and my money refunded.

Based on my experience, I strongly advise against purchasing appliances from Home Depot. Their customer service and resolution process have been the worst I’ve ever...