Home Depot review: Beware: pro desk "expert" advice caused thousands in damage

I am writing this to warn any local homeowners or DIYers relying on the "Pro Desk" at this Niagara Falls location.

I went to this store specifically to seek professional guidance on the correct fasteners for a pressure-treated fence project. I relied on the expertise of a Pro Desk representative who personally selected and recommended a specific box of nails for my project. A year later, those nails have oxidized and rusted, causing severe "bleeding" and permanent staining across the entire fence.

When I contacted Home Depot Resolutions with a professional restoration quote and a witness who was present for the transaction, their official "Final Position" was that their "associates are not certified trade professionals" and that the responsibility was mine for trusting their staff’s verbal recommendation over the fine print on the box.

Essentially, Home Depot is admitting that the "Pro Desk" title is marketing only and that you should not trust the advice given by their staff.

Because they have refused to take responsibility for the property damage caused by their own employee’s misdirection—offering a mere $30 gift card for a restoration project worth significantly more—I am now left pursuing this matter through:

The Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Consumer Protection Ontario (Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery)

If you are building a fence or deck, do yourself a favour: go to a dedicated lumber yard or fastener specialist where the "Pro" advice is actually professional. Otherwise, you may end up like me—spending your summer fighting for a resolution instead of enjoying your backyard.

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