Your local home improvement store can be an invaluable resource. It allows you to get everything that you need to complete a home improvement project, ranging from a specific colour of paint to different types of lightbulbs. So whether you want to remodel your home to sell it in Los Angeles or just build a simple swing for the kids, you’re bound to make a trip or two there.
Just like with any other shop, the customers of a home improvement store are expected not to do specific things. The majority of those actions will either put you in danger, or make the employees’ jobs harder than they already are.
Here’s a short list of things that you should never do in a home improvement store.
Wearing open-toed shoes
Shoes are one of the things that you should take into consideration when you’re planning to shop in a home improvement store. You will be walking around a place where there are a lot of heavy items. This means open-toed shoes are a no-go, as they offer no protection if you or someone else happens to drop something on your foot.
The best type of footwear that you could wear to a home improvement store are sturdy work boots or shoes. They might not be as comfortable as open-toed shoes, but they’re a must if you want to protect your feet from potential injuries.
Climbing the shelves
If you need to get an item that is out of reach, ask an employee for help. Under no circumstances should you climb the shelves as it can be extremely dangerous.
First of all, you will put yourself at risk of falling. In addition, you might cause the entire shelf, which is likely to be filled with heavy items like paint cans and power tools, to topple down and hurt you and anyone who is close by. For that reason, climbing the shelves is definitely best avoided!
Offering unsolicited advice to other customers
While there is nothing wrong with offering some friendly advice to other customers, you should never offer them advice if they haven’t asked for it. You’re not an employee of the store, and as such don’t have any authority to provide advice – even if you know what you’re talking about.
You can always approach someone who appears to be struggling to find a certain item and offer to help, but don’t be too insistent.
Leaving unwanted items in the wrong aisle
Home improvement stores have an organised system of aisles, just like any other store. The items are placed according to their type and purpose. For example, all the power tools are placed in one aisle, while all the paint cans are located in another aisle. In what is usually a big store, this makes it easier for customers and employees to find a specific item.
You should do your best to avoid leaving unwanted items in the wrong aisles. It only takes a minute or two to put things back where they belong.
Using the forklifts
A forklift is extremely helpful for moving heavy items, but it should never be used by a customer. In fact, to legally use one, you need a forklift training certificate. So whenever you need to move something that is too heavy for you, ask an employee for help. The last thing you want is to get hurt or accidentally injure someone by operating something that you’re not properly trained to use.
Entering blocked-off aisles
If an aisle is blocked off, there must be a good reason. Often, entry is forbidden to ensure your safety. For example, if there’s a water leak from the roof or a problem with the electrics, the store will block off the aisle until it’s fixed. Therefore, to avoid getting hurt, you should never ignore the signage. If you need to get something from the blocked-off aisle, you can always ask an employee for help.
By following the simple tips listed above, you can ensure that your visit to a home improvement store will be as safe and pleasant as possible.
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