American Labor at it's finest....Not! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

davidmash · #1 03-25-2008, 04:26 PM

I purchased two mirrors from Home Depot for the bathroom renovation. They are ovals that have three hooks for vertical or horizontal installation. I measured the distance between the two hooks, dropped a plum line from the light fixture so it would be centered. Measured the holes for the hooks, leveled them and put in two holes, and put my screws in.

When I hang the mirror I step back to look at my work and the mirror is cattywampus by about 10 or 15 degrees. Crap, I must have screwed up the holes. I get my level and sure enough ... They are level. WTF? How can my holes be level and the mirror not? Dumb asses did not install the hooks level. OK, it can happen. I have two mirrors so I get the other one out. It's can't happen to both right? What are the odds. Apparently pretty good. I get one hook on the screw but the other I cannot hook. WTF? I look in the back and the hooks are 9" apart on the second mirror but 11 1/2" and neither are level.

I am thinking that they were made in China by 5 yr old slave labor. No such luck. In bold letters "Made in the USA". The backer boards are just slapped on hap-hazardly. They look like they are cut out by hand. I am guessing they do not even have a jig to place the hooks. When I called the company Headwest Inc she said it must have been a production error. Had one been a bit off I could buy that but when both are screwed up and they are both screwed up in 2 different ways (neither are off the same way in hook distance or level placement) I doubt that was a production error, I am thinking more along the lines of "dumbass error".

We really like the mirrors but there is no way to hang the two of them level with out a whole lot of cussing and I am really not in the mood for that. I guess I'll bring them back and check the other mirrors to see if any of them are assembled correctly, if not we will have to find new mirrors

Just wanted to vent.

Dee8go · #2 03-25-2008, 04:31 PM

I've had mirror "incidents" with mirrors from Home Depot before, too. .

Mistress · #3 03-25-2008, 04:31 PM

The mirrors at Home Depot must be possessed. I had a HD mirror mishap myself. Taking it out of the carton a tiny (unbeknownst to the hanger) hairline fracture was hiding and when when it came out SNAP! lots of unlady-like language came spewing forth from my mouth.

MTI · #4 03-25-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

Taking it out of the carton a tiny (unbeknownst to the hanger) hairline fracture was hiding and when when it came out SNAP! lots of unlady-like language came spewing forth from my mouth.

In that situation, is the "7 Year" penalty on the previous handler or you?

Mistress · #5 03-25-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

In that situation, is the "7 Year" penalty on the previous handler or you?

The person who knew it had a crack in it and re-packaged it up and tried to stick it on moi! That guy!

LUVMBDiesels · #6 03-25-2008, 07:07 PM

I know, blame it on Bush!

Sorry about the mirrors... I have also had HD experiences... They should make it right for you. Go and raise h*ll

davidmash · #7 03-25-2008, 07:36 PM

I returned them with no issue. I found a third one with the same issues.

We ended up going to Lowes and found something else we liked better. It cost us an extra $50 but they are quite nice.

Just ticked me off that the ones from Dept were put together so poorly and that they were made here in the US.

Very sad.

Skippy · #8 03-26-2008, 12:40 AM

They don't call it the Home Despot for nothing.

You tend to get what you pay for. If something's a lot cheaper than the competition, there's usually a reason.

BobK · #9 03-26-2008, 07:25 AM

I'm with DM on the main point of the posting. Here we are trying to boost American workers and products and we get this sort of thing. Ya try to do right by fellow Americans and they let you down. Sad. A note to the CEO of the company is in order. I would have thought the proper assembly jig would have reduced costs while improving quality.

t walgamuth · #10 03-26-2008, 09:06 AM

Even an expensive mirror could have hooks installed wrongly.

That is why its called a mistake!

Tom W

Kuan · #11 03-26-2008, 09:17 AM

The glass may be from the Ukraine, the frame may be from Madagascar.

Heck they may have even ordered the frame pieces predrilled from who knows where.

G-Benz · #12 03-26-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Even an expensive mirror could have hooks installed wrongly.

That is why its called a mistake!

Tom W

I purchased a rather expensive one years ago from a reputable furniture store. Same deal...couldn't get the mirror to level off, despite meticulous measurements. Finally turned the mirror over and found that one of the hooks was 1/2" off of the other!

davidmash · #13 03-26-2008, 10:55 AM

I do not believe this was a mistake. I believe this was more a matter of cutting corners and wanting to have a biggest profit margin possible.

A mistake is one mirror. I looked at 3 of them. All 3 were different. The hooks are laid out ion a "L" pattern so that the mirror could be hung vertically or horizontally. The hooks for the vertical hanging were not parallel on any of the mirrors. The hooks for the vertical hanging were not the same distance an any of the three mirrors. Had the hooks been in the same position on the backer board, it still would not have made a difference due to the fact that the backer board was not centered (Not even close) on the back of the mirror.

This mirror will only work as a stand alone mirror. There is not possible way for it to work as a pair. The only way to mount the mirror easily is to use hanging wire linked to two of the hooks. I wanted to use the hooks them selfs and hang them on screws on the wall for a more stable mirror.

I do not know how much a simple mirror is worth. It was oval with a simple pattern on it. No frame. Not even sure it was glass. Felt more like plastic. Either way, I am pretty sure there is a substantial profit in the $50 a piece I spent on them.

123c · #14 03-26-2008, 01:31 PM

Yes, please buy your mirrors from Lowe's, and anything else for that matter

Brian Carlton · #15 03-27-2008, 12:41 AM

Home Depot remains as the store with the worst products and the most abysmal maintenance of the floor stock.

I never shop there unless I don't want to make the drive to Lowes. If it's any significant purchase, I'll always go to Lowes. Much better products and a very well maintained store.

I recently purchased a top to a vanity at HD. Like a dumbass, I didn't take it completely out of the cardboard packaging before bringing it home. Just did a cursory look to make sure it was not fractured. Get it to the location.........60 miles........and find a chip in the backsplash. How does a chip get onto the backsplash on the side facing the inside of the box? Answer: It cannot. It came that way from the Mexican factory.

I've tried to complain to HD management for years.........forget it.........they couldn't give a crap.........so, they continue to lose business.

I really try to avoid HD whenever possible.