No Assembly Required

Time for my annual rant about a great shopping experience.  Almost 20 years ago, my wife Martha and the kids got me a gas grill for Father’s Day.  Recently a small flame started shooting out of a front knob after lighting the grill; not a feature one looks for in this type of equipment.  Given the overall condition of the grill, that was the last burger cooked on it.

I’m your basic backyard cook, so I did not feel the need to get a grill with a lot of new bells and whistles. I really liked the old grill and saw from online reviews that the manufacturer still received high grades. However, this is where the buying process came to a screeching halt - where to purchase the grill.

Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon, etc. all had different model numbers, so trying to compare model numbers and pricing was challenging.  And while I appreciate big chain store employees can’t be experts on everything from grills to ceiling fans, every time I asked a question, they read the box to find the answer.  I’m no grilling equipment savant, but I can read. 

So, I decided to go to a local hardware store, Needham Garden Center.  A knowledgeable employee walked me through two or three different models.  No sales pressure to buy the most expensive model, just facts and insights from having sold grills for twenty years.  I walked out feeling good about making an informed purchase.  In addition, having bought most of our yard equipment from them over the years, they service what they sell long after the purchase.  Yes, comparable grills were $100-150 less expensive at the big chain stores, but I’m supporting a local business, and the service was excellent.  The last, and possibly best part of the experience, is that the store assembles and delivers the grill.  Now if temps in the Boston area ever crack 40 degrees, I’ll start using it.