Companies/Orgs that (for some reason) still exists

[MrChad]

IBM specializes in Enterprise Level Arch and design. They have became so mature in the IT areas that your not going to see them on the consumer level.

Oh I'm well aware. I was laughing at what a ludicrous suggestion it was for this thread.

 

[chowderhead]

AOL
Myspace
Netzero

 

[JimKiler]

FYI, Ace Hardware is not going anywhere per this news article.

There is a time and place for the local hardware stores and Home Depot/Lowes. I would not buy power tools at Ace but I also would not go to Home Depot for quick fix things.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Congress
Pat Robertson's show.

 

[zokudu]

Best Buy, everyone hates them, their prices are high, with poor sales tactics to cheat the customer.

AT&T, the worst customer service in history spanning generations. Everyone hates them and has at least one bad story about them.

These two made me laugh a lot. I don't see Best Buy dying soon, there are too many stupid people who want a B&M store with "associates" who are paid to help them vs the hassle of maybe returning an online purchase.

Also AT&T has a good phone selection and the better GSM bands as well as some of the best speeds in the country. I wouldn't take Verizon or Sprints slow 3G network or their battery hungry LTE phones over AT&T and HSPA+. T-Mobile is alright but its tough to find unlocked phones for them.

 

[Sixguns]

Our local hardware store is usually good on prices and supplies. I would never buy wood from there since they store it all outside and its always twisted, warped or whatever you would like to call it.

I dont see how our radioshack is still open. Ive gone in there a few times looking for very simple items with no luck. Its run down, dirty, and the employees dont know jack.

 

[Cerb]

Best Buy...

Useful storage and network gear at competitive prices, available on weekends, and most electronics have good return policies (I like buying monitors there for that reason). BB used to be nicer, but they still have their bright spots. BB might not be fun stores to go to, but they have adapted well.

 

[steppinthrax]

Useful storage and network gear at competitive prices, available on weekends, and most electronics have good return policies (I like buying monitors there for that reason). BB used to be nicer, but they still have their bright spots. BB might not be fun stores to go to, but they have adapted well.

I don't understand why someone would drive out to a store and buy something they can get 20 to 30% cheaper online (with shipping) and wait a few days to get?

I can understand the "emergency situation" but I think only represents less than 1% of the market.

 

[shortylickens]

USPS doesn't get tax dollars, and they make money. They're hobbled by legislation that mandates overaggressive contributions to pension accounts.

Bingo.
The biggest cost isnt the trucks or planes or current salaries. Its the pensions which are gonna bleed them dry. I too would love to be taken care of in my elder years but I dont think its appropriate to cause so much trouble in the process.

 

[Gibsons]

Bingo.
The biggest cost isnt the trucks or planes or current salaries. Its the pensions which are gonna bleed them dry. I too would love to be taken care of in my elder years but I dont think its appropriate to cause so much trouble in the process.

Sounds a lot like the U.S. auto industry.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Ace Hardware is awesome. Sure, many items cost about 20% more compared to Menards, Home Depot, or Lowes, however, the service is good.
Also, Ace is convenient. If I need a new saw blade or drill bit or something, I can be in and out of an ace in under 5 minutes. It often takes longer just to walk from the parking lot to the door of one of the big box stores.

 

[SirStev0]

USPS?? Are you aware of how much business they do? They go to practically every single residence in the US, 6 days a week.

Ace Hardware - around here, the Ace Hardwares are at least as busy as Home Depot. They're 10 times more helpful as well.

Radio Shack - I've never figured them out; I completely agree with your assessment. How do they make money? Or rather, how do they make enough money to pay an employee each hour and have enough left over to pay for electricity?

Agreed. Only one that makes sense is Radio Shack. They are worthless and overpriced.

 

[JimKiler]

Sounds a lot like the U.S. auto industry.

Pensions are an outdated concept. But the good news is I hear GM switched new employees to a 401K about a decade ago and they are moving pensions to a 401K as well. Hopefully the unions realize a 401K is better than an unfunded pension. Are Ford and Chrysler doing the same with their pensions?

 

[Saint Nick]

Ace Hardware is awesome. Sure, many items cost about 20% more compared to Menards, Home Depot, or Lowes, however, the service is good.
Also, Ace is convenient. If I need a new saw blade or drill bit or something, I can be in and out of an ace in under 5 minutes. It often takes longer just to walk from the parking lot to the door of one of the big box stores.

Not to mention that Ace is usually located on the outskirts of neighborhoods. Not typically found in large retail areas. At least that is how it is around here. I love Ace!

 

[rh71]

I find many helpfull hd employees. I moved between two different counties and have found countless helpfull HD employees. Many of them are retired Electricians, Plumbers and Carpeters....

True for us too. The Lowes guy was extremely patient with us when appliance shopping - I'm sure the majority don't follow through with an actual purchase either. Same for tile at either store... they loaded our cart from the shelves and took it out to our car. This was for 2 bathrooms so it was no small job. When we needed something from up top, they went and got a lift without an attitude. And this was after searching the whole aisle for it.

I've always said to myself that these people were trained right. Or they actually have a passion for home improvement. You generally see older folks working there, not some college kids just in it for a paycheck. Coincidentally, the local mom & pops hire those. And you get to pay slightly more.

 

[evident]

Not to mention that Ace is usually located on the outskirts of neighborhoods. Not typically found in large retail areas. At least that is how it is around here. I love Ace!

+1. our lowes and HD are relatively far away and like you said in a large retail area. traffic can be a pain in the butt to get there. our ace is right in our little downtown area and is great to pick up things at. the only problem is they have the worst store hours. i think they close at 7PM on weekdays or something crazy.

 

[Jeff7]

And that's the real reason Ace and the other smaller stores stay in business. Most of the employees at Home Depot/Lowes don't know the difference between a power outlet and a lightbulb socket.

This.

And my experience has been that the local or Ace hardware stores are the only places you can go to buy single nuts and bolts, at least for smaller sizes. Anything I've seen at the Home Depot type places are packets of several pieces, and Home Depot seems to have a severe allergy to Philips head screws. So much of what I saw there in the small machine screws were for flat head drivers. Flat head screws are Satan's most ruthless implement of torture.

Maybe it's changed. I think it's been more than a year since I've been to Home Depot or Lowes. Valu Home Center = 2.5 miles away. Home Depot and Lowest = 8 miles away.

 

[shortylickens]

Pensions are an outdated concept. But the good news is I hear GM switched new employees to a 401K about a decade ago and they are moving pensions to a 401K as well. Hopefully the unions realize a 401K is better than an unfunded pension. Are Ford and Chrysler doing the same with their pensions?

There you go. Either choose to save money or choose to piss it away, your call. But no more leeching off younger people trying to make ends meet.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Not to mention that Ace is usually located on the outskirts of neighborhoods. Not typically found in large retail areas. At least that is how it is around here. I love Ace!

Yes, Ace is like 1 mile from my house, Menards and Home Depot are like 7 or 8 miles away .... but, I I am sure some people live closer to Menards or Home Depot .... so I didn't think to mention it before

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Thanks, I was about to post this same thing. The guys posting "IBM" must have no clue about what IBM is doing these days.

My understanding is that they make machines for use by "Business."

Exactly what it says on the tin.

 

[foghorn67]

I'm spoiled because there is an awesome mom and pop electronics store near me. Household, commercial, automotive, radio scanners, HAM, and hobby.
There is a whole aisle just for switches.
Sometimes I feel like Q building the next James Bond car when I look at the toggle switches.

 

[Cerb]

I don't understand why someone would drive out to a store and buy something they can get 20 to 30% cheaper online (with shipping) and wait a few days to get?

I can understand the "emergency situation" but I think only represents less than 1% of the market.

On these forums, sure. There are enough people that either prefer B&M, don't want to take the time and effort to look online (if you aren't up to date on hardware, browsing Newegg can be difficult), or are old farts set in their ways and don't trust online shops for no good reason.

Also, in the case of HDDs and monitors, the cost difference tends to be <10% (why make someone wait, with no computer, for a new HDD, when they're so close in price?), maybe cheaper, and you've got either 14 or 30 days to find something you don't like about it on the monitors.

 

[kami333]

Yes, Ace is like 1 mile from my house, Menards and Home Depot are like 7 or 8 miles away .... but, I I am sure some people live closer to Menards or Home Depot .... so I didn't think to mention it before

Same here. Couple Aces in/close to downtown to grab something quick, Lowes/HD out in the suburbs (~20min).

 

[Sho'Nuff]

They have employees?

Can't find one except at the register.

Come to new hampshire. You will be swarmed by "can I help yous" in HD and lowes. Its a bit annoying, actually.

 

[trmiv]

Come to new hampshire. You will be swarmed by "can I help yous" in HD and lowes. Its a bit annoying, actually.

Exactly how the Home Depot's are here in NC. One Saturday my wife and I were at one of our three equidistant HD's and got asked within the first few minutes of being in the store if we needed at least 5 times. After that we made it a point to keep track, and before we left the store 20 minutes later we had been asked 23 times if we needed help. We moved here from California, and they were never like that there.