first hand opinion

Home Depot vs. Lowe's: Which is the Better Investment?

I'm going to use this blog as a personal forum, so skip it if you want, but it is valid. I work @ depot, and have for four years. When I started, the tenured associates thought Nardeli was the devil, and we were all glad to see him go, even though he got to take a truckload of cash and stock with him. We are all hopeful that the housing market will stabilize, and that our customers and associates will weather this downturn. There are more dedicated, thoughtful and hard working associates @ the Depot than anywhere else I have worked. The issue isn't the associates as much as the belief that cutting payroll is a good method for controlling expenses. We are outnumbered and unable to dedicate time and attention to everyone who needs it. We want to, and it is difficult to see someone not seem satisfied with the service provided, but 3 or 4 others are waiting for help and @ the end of the day you go home and know you've done all you could. Here's where the problem continues, everyone @ store level knows we need more staff hours, and I suspect that knowledge goes higher, way higher, but it is a fact denied in pursuit of the bottom line. No one wants to tell their supervisor, manager, ect. "Sorry boss, we just dont have the staff hours to handle your immediate project." That is not an option in a "get it done" environment like ours. Honestly, we want to be challenged, but not overwhelmed and set up to fail. If employees take the best care of the customers, the customers are loyal and happy and repeat business, the business will flourish and be able to take care of the employees. A simple formula that was working well and should be revisited. I hope someone with position and clout enough to do something reads this and is motivated. I like my job, but it needs improvement and maybe you can help..