The Home Depot, The Fence Company, CitiBank/CitiCorp RIPOFF, PITIFUL WORKMANSHIP, LACK OF COMMUNICATION, ALWAYS LATE OR NO SHOWS, NEVER SENDING A REP. OF THE HOME DEPOT BUT TAKING THE FENCE COMPANY'S WORD FOR EVERYTHING!!!! Iowa Ohio

That's just...insane. I do the credit services for home depot. I've seen many complaints on home depot, but truthfully none that were handled as badly as your own. I can however confirm with you that any actions taken by CitiBank are done so through Home Depot. The truth is, most of this looks like whoever was handling your case purposely prolonged this.

The reason why? Well for one, you can only dispute a charge for so long before a bank legally can not dispute the charges any longer...2) Your warranty. I've heard of a lot of other companies doing this, making a dispute last over a period of a year or two and then declining it based on the expired warranty. I must say, this is the first time i've ever come across Home Depot doing this.


I will be perfectly honest, and i'm not 100% sure I should be saying this because I am "technically" employed by them since it is their business with Citibank that gives me a job. However, I have heard a lot of complaints about their installation services. They outsource their installation so really the best bet for a consumer would be to buy your materials from Home Depot, and then check around and find your own contractor. If you do it that way you can request proof of prior work before the contractor ever touches your property.

Hi Brent,

If I were you, I'd look for another job with another company. Check out Rip-Off.com or badbusinessbureau.com and see for yourself all the complaints against Home Depot. As I told you, I am a Realtor, and I plan to ask The National Association of Realtors to put out an alert against Home Depot Installations. With over 5K Realtors in Columbus alone, just think how many there are nationwide! Then, they have their clients, their friends, and their acquaintances. Angie's List also has Home Depot in the penalty box, but it hasn't shown up in any publication yetthey have so many I may not see it until October or November. Home Depot will not be permitted to advertise with Angie's List, and any recommendations to their members will NOT include Home Depot!!

The complaint (with part of the file) is now with the State Attorney General's Office, and a caseworker has been assigned to the situation.

Take care,

Patter From Pat

Sent Thursday, Sepember 14, 2006 at 3:34PM


-----Original Message-----
From: Lee, Brent W [mailto:Brent_W_Lee@homedepot.com]
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 7:25 AM
To: Patricia
Subject: RE: My expectations versus what you think you can do!! FOLLOW-UP TO MY 7/19/2006 EMAIL SENT AFTER MY PHONE MESSAGE TO YOUR MOBILE PHONE!

Patricia,

I am sorry all further communication will have to come from our corporate office.

Brent W. Lee

Zone Service Manager

Columbus, Ohio

cell: 216-297-6813

The contents of this e-mail are not intended to represent or form a legally binding offer or an acceptance, nor should the contents otherwise be considered as a contract or interpreted to create a contract or other legally binding obligation on the part of The Home Depot, unless this e-mail expressly states otherwise.

-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia
Sent: Friday, September 08, 2006 6:43 PM
To: Lee, Brent W
Subject: RE: My expectations versus what you think you can do!! FOLLOW-UP TO MY 7/19/2006 EMAIL SENT AFTER MY PHONE MESSAGE TO YOUR MOBILE PHONE!
Importance: High

Hi Brent,

Please send me a copy of the notations you wrote down when you were here on 7/19.

Patter From Pat


-----Original Message-----
From: Lee, Brent W [mailto:Brent_W_Lee@homedepot.com]
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 9:44 AM
To: Patricia
Subject: RE: My expectations versus what you think you can do!! FOLLOW-UP TO MY 7/19/2006 EMAIL SENT AFTER MY PHONE MESSAGE TO YOUR MOBILE PHONE!

Patricia,

After the conference call this morning Home Depot corporate office will be sending you a response letter on all the issues that have been address on your fence install.

Brent W. Lee

Zone Service Manager

Columbus, Ohio

cell: 216-297-6813

The contents of this e-mail are not intended to represent or form a legally binding offer or an acceptance, nor should the contents otherwise be considered as a contract or interpreted to create a contract or other legally binding obligation on the part of The Home Depot, unless this e-mail expressly states otherwise.

-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 2:53 PM
To: Lee, Brent W
Subject: RE: My expectations versus what you think you can do!! FOLLOW-UP TO MY 7/19/2006 EMAIL SENT AFTER MY PHONE MESSAGE TO YOUR MOBILE PHONE!
Importance: High

In so doing, please find out who and why it was again taken out of dispute with the credit carrier! I notified them via phone yesterday that I was NOT paying the bill, so they best get it back into dispute and have the finance fees that have been added removed from my bill. I also told them I was NOT notified that my account was being removed from dispute! I HAVE NOT released my dispute, and Home Depot had no right to do so!

This total lack of contact is unforgivable as is the entire handling of this matter! Unless this is resolved to my complete satisfaction, I want the fence removed so I can have a properly installed, with grade a wood! Please remember that my complaint began with Jose when only the third post had been installed!

Thank you for getting back with meeven though I had to go through a third party to get any response from you!

Patter From Pat

This account has now been placed with a collection agency, which I expected, and I am refusing to pay the bill. I have created a letter to the Big Three updating them, and I reported this as fraud and dispute to Experian yesterday! Since I can shake my fence, including posts on all three sides, The Fence Company never did make repairs, and Home Depot refuses to do anything about this--even to the Attorney General's Office, I definitely feel I have been defrauded! If any of you have experienced the same or similar situations from Home Depot, report them as disputes and frauds to the Big Three. If you do not have their mailing info, here it is:

Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc.
P. O. Box 740241
Atlanta, Ga. 30339-4024

Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, Tx. 75013-2104

TransUnion
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, Pa. 19022
(TransUnion may have other offices nearer your home, but I only have the Chester, Pa. office address.)

A news anchor, Kurt Ludlow, of our local TV Channel 10 has interviewed me and several others in the Columbus area regarding Home Depot. The story has not yet aired because he is having a problem categorizing the complaints to suit his supervisors--actually, my complaints fall into all of the first three categories: poor service/shoddy work, service/shoddy work, misrepresentation, failure to deliver product or service. Failure to deliver service would most certainly fit into my complaints as well. He is getting his information from the Ohio AG's Office, and he is determined to find a way to get the story on the air--I know he'll find a way to make it happen! Amy, of Columbus, did he contact you? If not, contact Kurt, but contact the AG's office first!

In the meantime, file your complaints, including with the Big Three Credit Reporting Agencies and your respective Attorney General's Office. Also, make certain you inform all your friends, acquaintenances, and anyone else you can about your experiences with Home Depot! There is strength in numbers--use it... Let's do everything we can to put Home Depot out of business.

I understand Robert Nardelli was "paid millions" when he resigned! The trick is to get a CEO position, do a lousy job, and the company will PAY you leave!!


The following are responses the Ohio Attorney General's Office received from Home Depot:


OCT112006 06:12PM FROM
1498 P.001/001 F079
2
2455 Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta, GA 30339 I I
October 11, 2006
Via Facsimile to (614) 728-7583
Sue Carrel, Specialist
Consumer Protection Section
State of Ohio
Office of the Attorney General
30 E. Broad St., 14 Floor, Dept. 066
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3400
Re: Patricia Complaint # 317134, Fence Installation #2420296 Dear Ms. Carrel:
On behalf of The Home Depot, we would like to thank Ms. Patricia for her business, and would
like her to know that we strive every day to accommodate our customers requests while working within consistent warranty guidelines, policies, and procedures.
At this time, we would like to tender our regrets, on behalf of Mr. Nardelli, that we will be unable to meet Ms. Patricia expectations with regards to compensation, repairs, or warranty claims.
We feel, after reviewing the situation in detail, that Home Depot has exercised due diligence in this matter, and will offer no further accommodation, repair, replacement of product, nor will any other offer be considered by, or be forthcoming from any other Home Depot agent or office.
Please know that we consider this matter resolved.
Please know it is the Home Depot's goal to satisfy all of our customers with the products and services we provide. We hope that this resolution will not deprive our locations of Ms. Patricia's patronage in the future.
Sincerely,
Joe Hamburg
Resolution Specialist
Cc: Brent Lee, Zone Services Manager The Fence Company
Proud Sponsor


OCT192008 10:34AM FROM
T302 P.001/001 F518
3L1)3L
2455 Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta, GA 30339
October19, 2006
Attn: Ms. Sue Carrel
Consumer Protection Specialist
State of Ohio Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Section
30 E. Broad Sfreet
14 Floor, Dept 066
Columbus, OH 43215-3400
RE; Patricia Butters, #317134
Dear Ms. Carrel: -
We acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated October 3 regarding the above customer. We apologize for and regret any inconvenience caused to Ms. Patricia due to issues surrounding her Fencing purchase through the Brice Road Home Depot store.
We have been working for some time in an effort to provide effective warranty service on those demands of Ms. Patricia's that fall within the purview of the now -expired installation warranty on her well-installed and customer approved fence. We have made every effort to provide superlative service to this customer, resulting in multiple attempts to furnish warranty replacements on parts and providing adjustment services even after such was no longer due her under the terms of our installation warra agreement. We feel that, under the circun Home Depot has provided more than due diligence in this matter and will offer no further repair, replacement product, or compensation to this customer as a result of her installed fence. The purchased fence was approved in writing at the time of installation, and the warranty period for service has expired. We regret that we are not able to meet Ms. Patricia's expectations in this matter otherwise, and we consider the matter to be closed.
Please know that it is the Home Depot's goal to satisfy all of our customers with the products and services we provide. Thank you for forwarding this information to us and allowing us the opportunity to serve our customer better.
Sincerelely,
Joe Hamburg
Resolution Specialist U S A

That's all I have for now, but I guess that's plenty of info. I'll keep you posted on the local Channel 10's efforts to air the story.

The name of Home Depot's sub-contractor is "The Fence Company" located in Connecticut. I requested that they nail the supports "toenailed" between the posts--they refused, saying that was not how they did it--I was later told that was the first fence of that type they had ever built!!! They nailed the supports outside the posts, so at no point does my fence come in contact with any post!! My advice to you is to go to a reputable fence building company located in your area. Get several estimates, and check with the Better Business Bureau and the State Attorney General's office to see if any of them have any complaints filed against them.

The BBB did NOT help me with solving my problem, and the AG's office was unable to help me either! I have two other accounts with CitiCorp affiliates, and they are fine--what I didn't realize was that since it's a card issued by Home Depot, they pull the strings on their lending institution. That's why I have gotten no satisfaction out of them. I simply have chosen NOT to pay for the fence--I told Home Depot to come and get it so I could have a REAL fence installed!!! This job is so shabby, it's already showing signs of falling apart. I received an email from Frank Ashen of the NY BBB saying he had been named mediator of my case. I sent him email and thanked him and reiterated my complete and total dissatification. I requested a read receipt on my email; he actually read it several MONTHS later!!! He's worthless and I hope he has been fired by now!!! Don't count on them for help once you have a problem--only to check on companies with complaints!! After all, the BBB is supported by the companies who pay them big bucks to belong, which doesn't really mean much; hence, it's not the consumer who's keeping them in business, it's the companies who belong!!!!!

You can also go to a website about how wood fences can be installed; the best is mortise and tenon--similar to dovetailing in furniture, but only two points of contact that actually insert into the post! You can also check out comparisons of cedar versus treated lumber. Just type in compare cedar to treated lumber in your browser--no .com, just what you're looking for.

Good luck with your new fence!! Do a more thorough job of checking the company, and try to stay away from any company that sub-contracts; otherwise, watch their every move!!!

By the way, Robert Nardelli, CEO of Home Depot "left the company." I had heard earlier that he became infuriated and stormed out of a stockholders' meeting because things weren't going "his way." They probably paid him millions to exit; and I understand from a newspaper article he was paid $35Mil in 2005!!!! Outragous!!!!

JUST QUICK THANK YOU.i'm very happy with this site.i'm putting up a fence in my back yard this summer.after hearing your complaint i won't be dealing with home depot.i hope ypu posted the name of the fence company on here to,or was that the name of the company,the fence company.don t want them in my yard either.as for citibank its to late alredy dealing with them.although no complaints against them(citi bank).they treat me good.i'll use this site everytime i deal with a company.so i won t get rip off.i'll print every complaint just to let a company know i won't get rip off from them.thats if i choose to deal with them.depends on the choices i have to shop.

I went through the Ohio Attorney General's Office, and Home Depot refused to repair, guarantee, or do anything else for me, and the Attorney General's Office said there was nothing else they could do for me. I have at least four posts loose--one of which is so loose I can shake the post unbelievably.

I was advised by an expert that was because the post was not installed beneath the frost line--I assume the other three, though not as bad right now, will do the same. The pictures Rip-Off is still carrying are actually those of Judy's (my next door neighbor's fence, and they have made corrections to the PARTIAL fence she had installed.

I have sent pictures of MY fence as an update to Rip-Off, but thus far, my pictures have not been added to my complaint. It's okay with me, though, because even though the post was properly positioned for a perfect miter, they mitered away from the post instead of toward it!! That clearly shows they had no idea whatsoever what they were doing!! They were NOT PROFESSIONALS, and were NOT EXPERIENCED!!

I'm not stupid--my Father was a Contractor and later a Building Inspector, and as an only child, I spent a great deal of time with him learning what I could--I feel if you don't learn something new every day, you have wasted a day of your life!!! I've hung an interior door and two storm doors, added and removed shelves, mitered baseboards, and many other things around my home and my rentals.

I could have done a better job of building my fence than Home Depot's stupid Contractor, The Fence Company. I have no idea of who "Jeff" is who Brent Lee referred to as the owner. There have been three addresses from The Fence Company since I first became acquainted with them (VIA HOME DEPOT), and their original website indicated the company was begun in a spare bedroom by a woman--who, by the way, looks incredibly like Ben Lawrence, the Vice President!!! A moving target is harder to hit!!!!

I notified the Big Three before I was required to make any payments, and since I had put it in dispute early in the process, I was unable to make any payments. I have notified their credit carrier I will NOT BE PAYING THE BILL (this was relayed to them via telcon and thus far, I have not followed up with a written notification; however, they have quit sending me "duns."

At the time I reported to the Big Three, there was no problem showing, since nothing was past due--12 months free credit and no payments!! Also, the first time I put it into dispute, I TOLD CITI NOT TO PAY THE CONTRACTOR!!! They should have listened to me!!!! I have considered night prosecutor's mediation services, but have since decided Home Depot and The Fence Company simply weren't worth the bother of yet more wasted time on my part.

Take pictures, if you have made no payments, don't; keep all documentation--I have a pile about 8 inches tall now--and inform The Big Three credit reporting agencies, notify any and all people you know and ask them to do the same, including any organizations you belong to--I belong to The LRO (Lucent Retirees Organization, and I have asked them to pass along the word--Lucent has approximately 400,000 retirees nationwide!!

I also belong to The National Board of Realtors, and responded to one of their on-line newsletters to please get the information out to all Realtors nationwide. Believe me, if I can put Home Depot, The Fence Company, and any of their other affiliates out of business, I will do just that!!!

Be diligent in following through with your own personal contacts--show them pictures and ask them to notify their spheres of influence and to keep the info flowing to everyone!!! Emails to all of your friends with 2 or 3 pictures should be sent, and a plea of action on their parts to keep the email going will also help you.

I didn't know about Rip-Off -somehow or other, it just popped up one day!! I also belong to Angie's List here in Columbus, Ohio, and if you belong to one there, please report your problems to them--if Angie's List is available in your area and you don't belong, join!! It's worth it...

I was recently told that Robert Nardelli "stormed" out of a shareholders' meeting because things weren't going HIS WAY!! A great display of NOT CARING from a CEO!!!! Don't buy any of their stock, and go to Lowe's!!!!

Pat, Columbus, Ohio

P.S. Amy of Columbus, Ohio, if you are still pursuing your fight with Home Depot and The Fence Company, don't give up, and don't pay the the charge and follow my recommendations above!!!! I know you filed two reports with Rip-Off in 2005 and at least one in 2006, but I haven't had the time to check up on your reports lately!! The 2005 seemed to have "disappeared" from your 2006 report--did you do an update to your 2005 report or file a new complaint?

I went through the Ohio Attorney General's Office, and Home Depot refused to repair, guarantee, or do anything else for me, and the Attorney General's Office said there was nothing else they could do for me. I have at least four posts loose--one of which is so loose I can shake the post unbelievably.

I was advised by an expert that was because the post was not installed beneath the frost line--I assume the other three, though not as bad right now, will do the same. The pictures Rip-Off is still carrying are actually those of Judy's (my next door neighbor's fence, and they have made corrections to the PARTIAL fence she had installed.

I have sent pictures of MY fence as an update to Rip-Off, but thus far, my pictures have not been added to my complaint. It's okay with me, though, because even though the post was properly positioned for a perfect miter, they mitered away from the post instead of toward it!! That clearly shows they had no idea whatsoever what they were doing!! They were NOT PROFESSIONALS, and were NOT EXPERIENCED!!

I'm not stupid--my Father was a Contractor and later a Building Inspector, and as an only child, I spent a great deal of time with him learning what I could--I feel if you don't learn something new every day, you have wasted a day of your life!!! I've hung an interior door and two storm doors, added and removed shelves, mitered baseboards, and many other things around my home and my rentals.

I could have done a better job of building my fence than Home Depot's stupid Contractor, The Fence Company. I have no idea of who "Jeff" is who Brent Lee referred to as the owner. There have been three addresses from The Fence Company since I first became acquainted with them (VIA HOME DEPOT), and their original website indicated the company was begun in a spare bedroom by a woman--who, by the way, looks incredibly like Ben Lawrence, the Vice President!!! A moving target is harder to hit!!!!

I notified the Big Three before I was required to make any payments, and since I had put it in dispute early in the process, I was unable to make any payments. I have notified their credit carrier I will NOT BE PAYING THE BILL (this was relayed to them via telcon and thus far, I have not followed up with a written notification; however, they have quit sending me "duns."

At the time I reported to the Big Three, there was no problem showing, since nothing was past due--12 months free credit and no payments!! Also, the first time I put it into dispute, I TOLD CITI NOT TO PAY THE CONTRACTOR!!! They should have listened to me!!!! I have considered night prosecutor's mediation services, but have since decided Home Depot and The Fence Company simply weren't worth the bother of yet more wasted time on my part.

Take pictures, if you have made no payments, don't; keep all documentation--I have a pile about 8 inches tall now--and inform The Big Three credit reporting agencies, notify any and all people you know and ask them to do the same, including any organizations you belong to--I belong to The LRO (Lucent Retirees Organization, and I have asked them to pass along the word--Lucent has approximately 400,000 retirees nationwide!!

I also belong to The National Board of Realtors, and responded to one of their on-line newsletters to please get the information out to all Realtors nationwide. Believe me, if I can put Home Depot, The Fence Company, and any of their other affiliates out of business, I will do just that!!!

Be diligent in following through with your own personal contacts--show them pictures and ask them to notify their spheres of influence and to keep the info flowing to everyone!!! Emails to all of your friends with 2 or 3 pictures should be sent, and a plea of action on their parts to keep the email going will also help you.

I didn't know about Rip-Off -somehow or other, it just popped up one day!! I also belong to Angie's List here in Columbus, Ohio, and if you belong to one there, please report your problems to them--if Angie's List is available in your area and you don't belong, join!! It's worth it...

I was recently told that Robert Nardelli "stormed" out of a shareholders' meeting because things weren't going HIS WAY!! A great display of NOT CARING from a CEO!!!! Don't buy any of their stock, and go to Lowe's!!!!

Pat, Columbus, Ohio

P.S. Amy of Columbus, Ohio, if you are still pursuing your fight with Home Depot and The Fence Company, don't give up, and don't pay the the charge and follow my recommendations above!!!! I know you filed two reports with Rip-Off in 2005 and at least one in 2006, but I haven't had the time to check up on your reports lately!! The 2005 seemed to have "disappeared" from your 2006 report--did you do an update to your 2005 report or file a new complaint?

I went through the Ohio Attorney General's Office, and Home Depot refused to repair, guarantee, or do anything else for me, and the Attorney General's Office said there was nothing else they could do for me. I have at least four posts loose--one of which is so loose I can shake the post unbelievably.

I was advised by an expert that was because the post was not installed beneath the frost line--I assume the other three, though not as bad right now, will do the same. The pictures Rip-Off is still carrying are actually those of Judy's (my next door neighbor's fence, and they have made corrections to the PARTIAL fence she had installed.

I have sent pictures of MY fence as an update to Rip-Off, but thus far, my pictures have not been added to my complaint. It's okay with me, though, because even though the post was properly positioned for a perfect miter, they mitered away from the post instead of toward it!! That clearly shows they had no idea whatsoever what they were doing!! They were NOT PROFESSIONALS, and were NOT EXPERIENCED!!

I'm not stupid--my Father was a Contractor and later a Building Inspector, and as an only child, I spent a great deal of time with him learning what I could--I feel if you don't learn something new every day, you have wasted a day of your life!!! I've hung an interior door and two storm doors, added and removed shelves, mitered baseboards, and many other things around my home and my rentals.

I could have done a better job of building my fence than Home Depot's stupid Contractor, The Fence Company. I have no idea of who "Jeff" is who Brent Lee referred to as the owner. There have been three addresses from The Fence Company since I first became acquainted with them (VIA HOME DEPOT), and their original website indicated the company was begun in a spare bedroom by a woman--who, by the way, looks incredibly like Ben Lawrence, the Vice President!!! A moving target is harder to hit!!!!

I notified the Big Three before I was required to make any payments, and since I had put it in dispute early in the process, I was unable to make any payments. I have notified their credit carrier I will NOT BE PAYING THE BILL (this was relayed to them via telcon and thus far, I have not followed up with a written notification; however, they have quit sending me "duns."

At the time I reported to the Big Three, there was no problem showing, since nothing was past due--12 months free credit and no payments!! Also, the first time I put it into dispute, I TOLD CITI NOT TO PAY THE CONTRACTOR!!! They should have listened to me!!!! I have considered night prosecutor's mediation services, but have since decided Home Depot and The Fence Company simply weren't worth the bother of yet more wasted time on my part.

Take pictures, if you have made no payments, don't; keep all documentation--I have a pile about 8 inches tall now--and inform The Big Three credit reporting agencies, notify any and all people you know and ask them to do the same, including any organizations you belong to--I belong to The LRO (Lucent Retirees Organization, and I have asked them to pass along the word--Lucent has approximately 400,000 retirees nationwide!!

I also belong to The National Board of Realtors, and responded to one of their on-line newsletters to please get the information out to all Realtors nationwide. Believe me, if I can put Home Depot, The Fence Company, and any of their other affiliates out of business, I will do just that!!!

Be diligent in following through with your own personal contacts--show them pictures and ask them to notify their spheres of influence and to keep the info flowing to everyone!!! Emails to all of your friends with 2 or 3 pictures should be sent, and a plea of action on their parts to keep the email going will also help you.

I didn't know about Rip-Off -somehow or other, it just popped up one day!! I also belong to Angie's List here in Columbus, Ohio, and if you belong to one there, please report your problems to them--if Angie's List is available in your area and you don't belong, join!! It's worth it...

I was recently told that Robert Nardelli "stormed" out of a shareholders' meeting because things weren't going HIS WAY!! A great display of NOT CARING from a CEO!!!! Don't buy any of their stock, and go to Lowe's!!!!

Pat, Columbus, Ohio

P.S. Amy of Columbus, Ohio, if you are still pursuing your fight with Home Depot and The Fence Company, don't give up, and don't pay the the charge and follow my recommendations above!!!! I know you filed two reports with Rip-Off in 2005 and at least one in 2006, but I haven't had the time to check up on your reports lately!! The 2005 seemed to have "disappeared" from your 2006 report--did you do an update to your 2005 report or file a new complaint?

I went through the Ohio Attorney General's Office, and Home Depot refused to repair, guarantee, or do anything else for me, and the Attorney General's Office said there was nothing else they could do for me. I have at least four posts loose--one of which is so loose I can shake the post unbelievably.

I was advised by an expert that was because the post was not installed beneath the frost line--I assume the other three, though not as bad right now, will do the same. The pictures Rip-Off is still carrying are actually those of Judy's (my next door neighbor's fence, and they have made corrections to the PARTIAL fence she had installed.

I have sent pictures of MY fence as an update to Rip-Off, but thus far, my pictures have not been added to my complaint. It's okay with me, though, because even though the post was properly positioned for a perfect miter, they mitered away from the post instead of toward it!! That clearly shows they had no idea whatsoever what they were doing!! They were NOT PROFESSIONALS, and were NOT EXPERIENCED!!

I'm not stupid--my Father was a Contractor and later a Building Inspector, and as an only child, I spent a great deal of time with him learning what I could--I feel if you don't learn something new every day, you have wasted a day of your life!!! I've hung an interior door and two storm doors, added and removed shelves, mitered baseboards, and many other things around my home and my rentals.

I could have done a better job of building my fence than Home Depot's stupid Contractor, The Fence Company. I have no idea of who "Jeff" is who Brent Lee referred to as the owner. There have been three addresses from The Fence Company since I first became acquainted with them (VIA HOME DEPOT), and their original website indicated the company was begun in a spare bedroom by a woman--who, by the way, looks incredibly like Ben Lawrence, the Vice President!!! A moving target is harder to hit!!!!

I notified the Big Three before I was required to make any payments, and since I had put it in dispute early in the process, I was unable to make any payments. I have notified their credit carrier I will NOT BE PAYING THE BILL (this was relayed to them via telcon and thus far, I have not followed up with a written notification; however, they have quit sending me "duns."

At the time I reported to the Big Three, there was no problem showing, since nothing was past due--12 months free credit and no payments!! Also, the first time I put it into dispute, I TOLD CITI NOT TO PAY THE CONTRACTOR!!! They should have listened to me!!!! I have considered night prosecutor's mediation services, but have since decided Home Depot and The Fence Company simply weren't worth the bother of yet more wasted time on my part.

Take pictures, if you have made no payments, don't; keep all documentation--I have a pile about 8 inches tall now--and inform The Big Three credit reporting agencies, notify any and all people you know and ask them to do the same, including any organizations you belong to--I belong to The LRO (Lucent Retirees Organization, and I have asked them to pass along the word--Lucent has approximately 400,000 retirees nationwide!!

I also belong to The National Board of Realtors, and responded to one of their on-line newsletters to please get the information out to all Realtors nationwide. Believe me, if I can put Home Depot, The Fence Company, and any of their other affiliates out of business, I will do just that!!!

Be diligent in following through with your own personal contacts--show them pictures and ask them to notify their spheres of influence and to keep the info flowing to everyone!!! Emails to all of your friends with 2 or 3 pictures should be sent, and a plea of action on their parts to keep the email going will also help you.

I didn't know about Rip-Off -somehow or other, it just popped up one day!! I also belong to Angie's List here in Columbus, Ohio, and if you belong to one there, please report your problems to them--if Angie's List is available in your area and you don't belong, join!! It's worth it...

I was recently told that Robert Nardelli "stormed" out of a shareholders' meeting because things weren't going HIS WAY!! A great display of NOT CARING from a CEO!!!! Don't buy any of their stock, and go to Lowe's!!!!

Pat, Columbus, Ohio

P.S. Amy of Columbus, Ohio, if you are still pursuing your fight with Home Depot and The Fence Company, don't give up, and don't pay the the charge and follow my recommendations above!!!! I know you filed two reports with Rip-Off in 2005 and at least one in 2006, but I haven't had the time to check up on your reports lately!! The 2005 seemed to have "disappeared" from your 2006 report--did you do an update to your 2005 report or file a new complaint?

I am going through a simular situation with home depot and the fence company. They incorrectly installed the fence then told us it was too close to the deck. Their two non-speaking english works installed the fence. My husband called them and they did nothing about it. The fence is still incorrect. My latch broke and I can not get into my back yard at all. They have been giving me the run around, blowing me off, and home depot is taking there side. What have you or home depot done to correct the situation? Im curious so I can start the process.

July 19, Brent Lee, from the Home Depot, came to my home and took notes about everything that was wrong with my fence. He made notes and notations--not giving me a copy--and until I contacted a third party, did not communicate with me until yesterday!! He basically told me yesterday what he told me 7/19! I did receive a follow-up response from him today telling me that "Corporate Home Depot" in Atlanta, Georgia would be sending me a letter based on a conference call made this morning. Corporate fails to respond just as badly as Brent and The Fence Company, their sub-contractor!!!

Worse, without my knowledge, Corporate took my account out of dispute without my knowledge--for the second time. I found out when I received a bill showing interest charges on a no-interest account for a limited amount of time!! I notified the credit card company I was NOT going to pay the bill and that they just may as well write it off right now!!

When Brent was here, he asked me why I chose cedar rather than treated wood, since treated wood is much better and longer lasting--I told him that was not an option offered to me at the time. In last Sunday's ads, I noticed Home Depot offered 6' treated dog-eared planks for $.99 and Lowe's offered cedar dog-eared planks (same size) for $4.47 each. Quite a price difference wouldn't you say? He also told me that treated would have less imperfections and would be longer lasting than cedar!!!

I've had it with this company--I've spent countless hundreds of hours fighting with them to correct my fence, but instead of listening to me, they only listened to and believed what a representative of The Fence Company told them--which was mostly LIES!!! That's how my account gotten taken out of dispute the first time!!!! The Home Depot had no right to take my account out of dispute either time!!! I had previously written to the "Big Three" credit reporting agencies, so they know that as far as I'm concerned, it's in dispute!!!

Below are the latest emails:

This was my last email to Brent earlier this afternoon:

Can you be a little more detailed about the conference call? Also, what are they going to do about the paperwork I have never received?

Please notice insertion of email from Angie's List:

7/17/2006

Dear Patricia,

Thank you for utilizing the Angie's List complaint resolution service. We have attempted to contact HOME DEPOT about your complaint. Unfortunately, we have not been able to elicit any response from this company regarding your complaint. Because the company did not respond to us in writing, they have been placed into our Penalty Box, and your complaint will conclude as an "unresolved" issue. While in the Penalty Box, companies are no longer available to our members in a category search.

I will submit your complaint to be published in the Angie's List monthly publication for three consecutive issues. If the service provider does not respond within the allotted timeframe, they will be placed in our Penalty Box, which may be shared with other media outlets or agencies (i.e. State Attorney General's office, Better Business Bureau, etc.). If the company responds to your request in writing at a later date, both sides of the story will be represented. Inclusion in the monthly publication is subject to space and our production schedule. Therefore, it may take up to three publications before your complaint is published.


If you would like to explore other avenues to pursue your complaint, such as the Better Business Bureau, the Attorney General's office, consumer reporters or trade organizations, please see the attached form for contact information. Please let us know if you have any other questions/concerns regarding this matter, and thank you for giving us the opportunity help you with this issue.

Sincerely,

jackie lawrence
help desk
Toll Free: (866) 625 5478, ext 9615
Fax: (317) 396-9615
Email: jackiel@angieslist.com

Patter From Pat

-----Original Message-----
From: Lee, Brent W [mailto:Brent_W_Lee@homedepot.com]
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 9:44 AM
To: Patricia
Subject: RE: My expectations versus what you think you can do!! FOLLOW-UP TO MY 7/19/2006 EMAIL SENT AFTER MY PHONE MESSAGE TO YOUR MOBILE PHONE!!!

Patricia,

After the conference call this morning Home Depot corporate office will be sending you a response letter on all the issues that have been address on your fence install.

Brent W. Lee
Zone Service Manager
Columbus, Ohio
cell: 216-297-6813

The contents of this e-mail are not intended to represent or form a legally binding offer or an acceptance, nor should the contents otherwise be considered as a contract or interpreted to create a contract or other legally binding obligation on the part of The Home Depot, unless this e-mail expressly states otherwise.

-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 2:53 PM
To: Lee, Brent W
Subject: RE: My expectations versus what you think you can do!! FOLLOW-UP TO MY 7/19/2006 EMAIL SENT AFTER MY PHONE MESSAGE TO YOUR MOBILE PHONE!!!
Importance: High

In so doing, please find out who and why it was again taken out of dispute with the credit carrier!!! I notified them via phone yesterday that I was NOT paying the bill, so they best get it back into dispute and have the finance fees that have been added removed from my bill. I also told them I was NOT notified that my account was being removed from dispute!!! I HAVE NOT released my dispute, and Home Depot had no right to do so!!!!!!!

This total lack of contact is unforgivable as is the entire handling of this matter!!! Unless this is resolved to my complete satisfaction, I want the fence removed so I can have a properly installed, with grade a wood!! Please remember that my complaint began with Jose when only the third post had been installed!!!

Thank you for getting back with meeven though I had to go through a third party to get any response from you!

Patter From Pat

-----Original Message-----
From: Lee, Brent W [mailto:Brent_W_Lee@homedepot.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 1:56 PM
To: Patricia
Subject: RE: My expectations versus what you think you can do!! FOLLOW-UP TO MY 7/19/2006 EMAIL SENT AFTER MY PHONE MESSAGE TO YOUR MOBILE PHONE!!!

Patricia,

I have given all my information to Brenda Parker at customer care. She is working with Evan Jones (the national install merchant) and Jeff from the Fence Company. I will forward you information to customer care and a representative form Home Depot will be getting back with you. There is a meeting set for Friday to discuss this topic.

Brent W. Lee
Zone Service Manager
Columbus, Ohio
cell: 216-297-6813


The contents of this e-mail are not intended to represent or form a legally binding offer or an acceptance, nor should the contents otherwise be considered as a contract or interpreted to create a contract or other legally binding obligation on the part of The Home Depot, unless this e-mail expressly states otherwise.

-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 4:19 AM
To: Lee, Brent W
Subject: FW: My expectations versus what you think you can do!! FOLLOW-UP TO MY 7/19/2006 EMAIL SENT AFTER MY PHONE MESSAGE TO YOUR MOBILE PHONE!!!
Importance: High

Patricia

Patter From Pat

-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 3:12 AM
To: 'brent_w_lee@homedepot.com'
Subject: FW: My expectations versus what you think you can do!! FOLLOW-UP TO MY 7/19/2006 EMAIL SENT AFTER MY PHONE MESSAGE TO YOUR MOBILE PHONE!!!
Importance: High

Hi Brent!

Almost another month has gone by, and I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU!!!!! They say typing in all caps is yelling and that's what I'm doing. The very least you can do is to let me know of any newsno news, some news, more news, etc. etc.you get the message

This is so typical of Home Depot Corporate; that and taking the word of their worthless independent contractors over that of the customerconstant delay, and no word whatsoever unless I send emails each and every dayI can do that if necessary!!!!

I would appreciate hearing SOMETHING from you within the next day or two!!!!!!!!

Patter From Pat

-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 10:49 PM
To: 'brent_w_lee@homedepot.com'
Subject: RE: My expectations versus what you think you can do!! FOLLOW-UP TO MY 7/19/2006 EMAIL SENT AFTER MY PHONE MESSAGE TO YOUR MOBILE PHONE!!!
Importance: High

Hi Brent,

Here is another follow-up reminder regarding weekly updatesI have yet to hear from you since the day you visited and took notesnotes which I did not request copies of but certainly should have!!! That was a very stupid error on my partafter all, I have NO paperwork from The Fence Company that I have signed, even though I have requested them again and again!!!!!

Angie's List is now involved in this process, and I will contact the Ohio General Attorney General's Office as well as the Connecticut and Georgia Attorney General's Office. Also, while I really resent having to take the next measure, I find that I must contact INS and have them check The Fence Company out. I have to assume those workers who spoke absolutely no English whatsoever are illegal, and I really don't want them deported. They came here for a better life, and I would like to see them be able to have it. However, if The Fence Company is screwing them like they did me, then they must pay for their sins. Don't forget the Wal-Mart case: Their contract janitorial personnel were illegal, and INS went after both the contractor and Wal-Martand won!!!

I'm sorry it must come to this, but I'm sick and tired and absolutely exhausted from fighting this for over a year now!! I simply have no more patience for it. You're no better at communicating than anyone else at Home Depot. And, please, contact their marketing department and request that they no longer send me small brochures on their expert, guaranteed installation services to me because I'm a preferred customer. What I am is a totally displeased (pissed off, actually) former customer insofar as your installation services are concerned. Like I told you when you visited my house, I will purchase small, inexpensive items from your store if I'm in a terribly big hurry; otherwise, I will take the extra time to go to Lowe'sI don't care if the gas costs soar to $10 a gallonI'll still go to Lowe's!!!

Furthermore, my former very generous charge of $35 per hour for all the hours I have spent on this, not including paper and ink cartridges, is being revised to $50 per hour!!! I simply would NOT WORK FOR ANY EMPLOYER for $35 per hour under the stress I've endured in this entire transaction. If immediate resolution is not made to my complete satisfaction, my fee will continue to grow highermy time is quite valuable!!! Either fix the fence to my specifications (with an allowance for the difference between the costs of treated versus cedarafter all, I was never offered untreated nor was I told of the difference in durabilityI simply was told that cedar is insect resistant, including termites, and is the best fence) or come get the d**n fence and I'll hire a reputable contractor to construct a fence to MY SPECIFICATIONS!!!!!

Pat

10:46PM Tuesday, August 2, 2006.

This is the third email and at least one phone call that has gone unansweredsimply ignored!!! This information will be furnished to the above named agencies.

Hi Brent,

I've heard nothing from you or Home Depot. What is going on with addressing my problems and complaints? I think you owe me some news of any progress or lack thereof, and I expect that to be in a more timely mannershall we say weekly updates?????

I did hear back from the company I found the proper fence installations from, and they were unable to help me as to the difference in cost of cedar versus treated. I guess I will have to measure my entire fence and divide by the width of the planks and call a few fence companies.

I will have to follow-up this email at a later time. Judy just called me and asked me to take her to the hospital!!!

Patter From Pat

-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia
Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 1:52 AM
To: 'brent_w_lee@homedepot.com'
Subject: My expectations versus what you think you can do!!
Importance: High

Hi Brent,

I don't know if you listened to my entire voice mail I left shortly after you left my house, but I hope you did. I think I can show you something that may shock you!!! It's a picture from the web of Home Depot's fence installation. Please pay particular to the third picture from the left and see how that fence is installedjust like I want it installed, and exactly contradictory to your quote that your fences aren't are not installed that way!!!

Also, in my voice mail message, I forgot to mention one item: I definitely do expect a price adjustment to cover the difference between treated lumber and cedar!! I was not informed of the difference in the woods and cedar was stronglyand I repeat STRONGLYrecommended as the very best!!!

I enlarged the picture last night to be certain, and I'm certain!!!

I found a website regarding proper installation of wood fences. The site shows three methods of connecting backer rails to posts: toe nailed, face nailed, and mortise & tenon. While I realize the mortise & tenon would constitute the greatest challenge, after your remarks about toe nailing, I believe the mortise & tenon would be the strongest and longest lasting of the three. However, I have emailed the company that provided the info to inquire as to what they thought would be the best method. I was promised an answer within 3 business days. I cut off a bunch of stuff in between your header and the wood fence installationlots of lines with little info!!

Please note: Next to your credit information, warranties is misspelledthat doesn't project a professional image. I changed the font color to red so you can easily find it. You may want to check into having it corrected.

Patter From Pat

Pat xxxxx
I have tried several times unsuccessfully to send you a picture ad of The Home Depot's examples of fence installation--toe-nailed supports between posts!! My fence was NOT installed that way even though I asked the crew to do so!!! Each time I have tried, it not only failed, but the system cut me off the internet!! I have no idea what's going on.