Anyone who has ever shopped at Home Depot knows how hard it can be to find an employee to help you. If you do find one, that doesn't always mean they will know what they are talking about. I'm always at Home Depot picking up odds and ends, that I've forgotten to order from the supply house, for my job. I cannot believe the number of times I've overheard employees giving a customer wrong, and sometimes dangerous, information.

For example, customer wants help hooking up his new hot tub. Orange aproned idiot is explaining to customer how he just needs this standard, non fused disconnect (meant for air conditioners) and "some of that yellow wire." At this point, I had to step in.

Me: Sir, do you know what amperage your tub is rated at?

Customer: (shuffles the papers he was smart enough to bring with him) Uhm... This says 40 amp minimum. 50 amp max.

Me: That's what I thought. If you use that "yellow wire," the best you can hope for, is that you'll constantly be tripping the circuit. At worst, you could burn down the house.

I then direct him to the correct size wire and fused disconnect, and ask him if he has a permit for the electrical work. That's when Orange Apron, who has been following us and muttering, finally finds his voice.

OA: He doesn't need a permit! As a homeowner he can do whatever he wants!

Me: Yeah, no. In this state, even homeowners are required to get permits and inspections by the local authority having jurisdiction, in this case, it's the city of <home> planning department, for all electrical work.

OA: Oh, yeah? How would you know?

Me: (looks down at shirt with electrical contractor I work for on it) yeah, you're right. I've only been doing this for 20 years. What would I know? (Turns back to Customer) Look, you can listen to him if you want, it's your house and life.

OA: He's just trying to scare you into hiring him to do it for you!

Me: Actually, I don't have the time for side jobs. And besides, I don't have a contractor's license, just a journeyman's. I can't pull permits. Have a nice day.

As I'm walking away, the customer puts his items down, and tells OA that he won't be needing them after all. The next day, I get a call from my boss. It seems he received two phone calls that day. The first was from a manager at Home Depot, who was complaining that I was "poaching jobs in our store." (After telling him what happened, he ended up calling them back and asking if it was their policy to endanger lives and property with incompetent advice) The second was from the customer, who now wanted someone from our company to come out and do it right.