: :... ignoring hundreds of "can I help you's"...

: Take an afternoon off. Drive over. Spend a few hours pawing through
: the whitewood 2x4s, looking for vertical grain, not warped, and
: small knots. Keep the pile neat, too... unlike most of the other
: customers who paw through it. If the pile is a mess, straighten
: it while you search. When asked if you need some help, mutter
: something about carving a Greenland kayak paddle, and you're on
: a mission to find the perfect wood. Straight, vertical grain,
: some knots. Be passionate in your explanations. They'll move on
: quickly.

: Given enough time, the entire staff will know you as the benevolent
: crazy guy who whittles a boat out of wood, and they'll just
: glance out of the corner of their eye at you when you pass by
: with nary a word.

: Don't ask me how I know.

Hi Noel,
The response to this thread really impresses me. I won't bore the forum but I'm sure the answer to any life crises is right here. I just gave my attitude towards Home Depot and employees some thought. How dare I be so preoccupied (lazy) to avoid the 3 mile trek, aisle to aisle stopping at items I never knew I wanted, getting lost and usually having a good time. When I say I ignore the hundred or so "can I help you" 's, it's not to belittle the employees but because I'm in my own "retail therapy" world. I'm also a victim of immediate gratification. I had my sights on the red polyurethane wheels at Woodcraft and, well, you know the story.
As I recall, the last time I discussed a project with a sales rep at Home Depot, it felt good! Sat. morning I'm gonna syphon my wifes gas and make the trek. First stop, wood aisle...
Thanks, Jim Schaffer

Btw, there's an ad on this forums index page advertising casters...