I have been a McLendon's fan for longer than I care to remember. When they located in Kent, I couldn't have been happier. I can't imagine returning to Home Depot. The big box places are high priced and cater to those that have no clue what they are doing. You have to buy nuts, bolts and screws in what ever lot they have them pre-packaged, even though you may only need one or two. McLendon's sell the number you need from one to a full case.
My last large project was to resurface my decks and build new railings. I have a lot of deck square footage since my home is built on a slope. I took a materials list to Dunn, Home Depot and McLendon's. Dunn's price was just over $5000.00 for treated lumber. Home Depot would not give a price on my materials list. They forced me to stand at a computer and enter the complete deck, including posts and joists. I then got a computerized price breakdown and I had to subtract out the materials that I didn't need. Why I went through this is still a mystery to me, I am not a patient man. When I got done, the price for the lumber was $5400.00. At McLendon's they priced per my materials list and came up with $3500.00. No brainer there. It turns out that McLendon's holds a smaller margin on lumber, since it is not their prime business. Two days later, I had my materials and was on my way.
I have never made a major purchase, $500.00 or more, at McLendon's without negotiating a discount. They always sell below the competition on a comparison. And, the people in the Kent store know what they are doing. My last visit to Home Depot was truly my last visit. I was waited on by a complete idiot. When I got to the cash register, I asked to speak to a manger to complain. When the manager arrived to talk to me, it was the doofus that I wanted to complain about. See ya Home Desperate. I will take Josh at Kent McLendon's over the entire management staff at the Depot.
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