I've been pretty pleased with the HD here in Arizona. Trying to find the one guy in the lumber department is always a holy grail but they have what I want and will meet any price. I think their employees (and the same goes for Lowes, etc) fall into three categories.
1.) The Pro - These are the guys you want to find. Like the Freepers husband they understand both hardware and customer service. They can you tell you if they sell it, where to find, and how to use it. Every Home Depot has several of these gurus but you have to wade through the other two types to find them.
2.) Cletus - Cletus is 22 years old and the entry level position at Home Depot is the height of his professional career. When he is fired in a few months for trying to do wheelies on the forklift he just won't understand how it all went wrong. Cletus thinks there are two kinds of screws X screws and Minus screws. Never ask Cletus to help you find anything. Start all conversations with Cletus with "Can you find me someone who can help me..."
3.) Ed - Ed lost his contractors license last year after that apartment fire you saw on the local news. Ed is the most dangerous kind. Ed is the guy who sold your sister copper piping for her lawn sprinklers. Thank god for the orange vests, because without it Ed would be in a white leisure suit with a bass fishing tie. Avoid the Eds.