Learning Curve

Learning Curve It was a rare moment, but Lowe’s didn’t have what I was looking for, so I went to Home Depot again today — for the first time in, I don’t know, six months — and of course, I was disappointed again. I’m learning. Sooner or later I will get it right and no matter what the circumstance, I’ll know not to waste my time by going there. It’s not just the out-of-stocks, it’s the HD key guy who calls me “chief” or the department manager who tells me he doesn’t have what I’m looking for before I finish telling him what it is. It’s the all ’round crappy experience. It’s the “forget you” attitude, if you get my drift.

As I drove home past my local Linens ’n Things (not exactly on the way, but we’re keeping tabs), the discount signs — now touting 60%-80% off — were joined by yet another: “Last 5 Days.”

What a way to go. It just doesn’t seem right, but then, this is only business. And LNT started down this road a long, long time ago — even before the LBO and the mountains of debt that ultimately triggered its demise.

Unlike Home Depot, LNT always had reasonably good customer service — at least I never had a problem, and I can be a difficult customer (a shocking revelation, I know). But like HD, Linens taught me, over a long, long time, not to waste my time going there. They either didn’t have what I was looking for, or Bed Bath & Beyond had more selection, or better quality, or was easier to shop or… It really doesn’t matter. I, along with thousands of others, learned.

Five days, and then this Linens ‘n Things store joins the ranks of the grateful dead — the precursor to the rest of the chain.  We’ll feel the loss for a few months, maybe. But in five years, we’ll barely remember the name.
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