Hosts: Tom Kraeutler & Leslie Segrete
(NOTE: Timestamps below correspond to the running time of the downloadable audio file of this show. Text represents a professional transcriptionist’s understanding of what was said. No guarantee of accuracy is expressed or implied. ‘Ph’ in parentheses indicates the phonetic or best guess of the actual spoken word.)
BEGIN HOUR 2 TEXT:
(promo/theme song)
TOM: Coast to coast and floorboards to shingles. This is The Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show. I’m Tom Kraeutler.
LESLIE: And I’m Leslie Segrete.
TOM: We’re making good homes better. We’re broadcasting this very special edition of The Money Pit from The Home Depot in Atlanta, Georgia.
LESLIE: Money Pit field trip.
TOM: That’s right. Field trip! (chuckling) We’re celebrating Home Show ’06, which is the largest home improvement show in the world. It’s happening simultaneously in over 1,000 Home Depots all across America.
Well, it is fall fix-up time and one of my favorite times of year around the house to do those fall fix-up projects. It’s also the perfect time to head to this place for some ideas and innovations and inspiration. Because the store that we’re in, actually, is across from The Home Depot’s store support center; it’s like world headquarters.
LESLIE: Yeah, it’s The Home Depot headquarters. We’re smack in the middle of Georgia. And it’s actually, you know, this Home Show ’06 is a super-huge event here and it’s not just at this store; it’s at every Home Depot across the nation. And just this morning, we did a clinic on innovative paint applications and there are tons of clinics going on all around the nation. And if you want to find out which one’s going on in your Home Depot or anywhere nearby, go to HomeDepotClinics – that’s one word – .com and you’ll find out exactly what’s going on there.
TOM: Were also seeing a lot of live in-store demos. You can see them as well at your local Home Depot. There’s trained associates that are on hand to show you exactly how to use the new products and to teach you different techniques. In fact, we did a clinic this morning on innovative paint applications.
LESLIE: Yeah, it was great. And you were teaching people how to patch drywall.
TOM: I was.
LESLIE: It was lovely. And so much of what we’re seeing here is really about innovation; new things; new products that are just cutting edge and moving beyond the basics to features and values like you’ve never seen before. And it’s really a huge effort to introduce hundreds of the most innovative products for every room in your house.
TOM: For example, coming up this hour, we’re going to be talking about the latest trends for your bathroom; including lots of little things that can make a utilitarian space much more relaxing.
LESLIE: And we’re also going to find out about the best new paints. And you know, super cool things that you might not have even known that paint can do like be magnetic or glow in the dark or even chalkboard paint that you can apply anywhere, giving your kids permission to graffiti the house in appropriate places.
TOM: It’s legalized graffiti for your house. (laughing)
LESLIE: Exactly.
TOM: Also ahead, it’s the topic you ask more questions about – this topic – than any other. It’s flooring. We’re going to have info on the best new options for what goes underfoot, including carpet and laminate flooring.
LESLIE: Alright, but before we get to the flooring, we want to remind you of all that stuff we’re talking about is available at your fingertips online and here to walk us through that is Maurice McCord (sp) who’s the brand manager for Home Depot.
So Maurice, tell our listeners about this very interactive website.
MAURICE: Yeah, you know, we’ve got some really, really cool stuff happening at The Home Depot right now. We’ve just introduced this tremendously interactive home and what you do is basically take a virtual tour. You kind of walk through it. You look at products. We’ve got all kinds of exciting information about some of the latest and greatest innovations. We’ve got things like video, for some of the products, that kind of gives you a video demonstration of how they work. But it allows you to actually walk through the room. So if you want to see what’s the latest and greatest in the garage, you click on the garage and you can check out those products and get information about them.
LESLIE: I mean it’s really great. There’s the friendly Home Depot representative right there greeting you at the front door. It’s like, ‘Come on in. Let me show you what’s going on in here.’
TOM: Internet connectivity and the bandwidth has really changed dynamically the way we educate ourselves and the opportunities to demonstrate a lot of product situations like this, hasn’t it?
MAURICE: Absolutely, absolutely. The technology is incredible and you know, as a brand manager, one of my functions is to really be the voice of the customer. And people are telling us they want these new ways to interact; these new ways to learn about the latest and greatest in home improvement. And so, we’ve worked really hard to be first out there in terms of putting something like this together so that people can shop at their convenience; they can learn about these products. And what we’re doing with this Home Show is really working hard to bring out kind of the latest and greatest and highlight those items in the store. So get it down to the hundreds, where people can kind of come in and see what’s new and different.
LESLIE: And what about these online clinics? How are they even made available to the folks out there?
MAURICE: Well again, you know, using the latest in streaming technology, we’ve provided an opportunity for people to register for these events. And what we’ve tried to do is really capture the essence of what we do in-store at our clinics, which is deliver know-how and content; empower people to take on projects and complete them and feel comfortable. And so …
TOM: Right.
MAURICE: … in this virtual environment, what we’ve done is put that together and we’ve tried to – what I think makes us unique is that we’ve captured probably the most important element of a clinic; that’s the interactivity. You know, can I ask a question? And as I said, we’re really working hard to listen to customers and you know, provide them with the learning and the experience the way they want to have it. So, sometimes it’s not convenient to come in the store and we recognize that. And so, we’re working hard to find solutions that work for you when you can’t make it in. And this …
LESLIE: Is there also a call-in phone number in case you have a question during the online clinic?
MAURICE: There is a number and let me see if I can get that for you.
TOM: Well, I’m sure if you go to HomeDepotClinics.com you can pick up the number right there.
MAURICE: That’s right.
LESLIE: (overlapping voices) So if you don’t feel so comfortable asking your question in the message board format, you can pick up the phone and get the same answers.
MAURICE: Absolutely correct.
TOM: (overlapping voices) Can you also email?
MAURICE: Yes, you can email as well. And you know, when you sign up for the clinic, they’ll give you an email address. If your question isn’t answered at that very moment, you can send it in to us and we’ll answer it later on. So, there are a lot of ways to interact. With these – as I call them – these online workshops, they allow you also to participate by telephone. So if you want to call in a question, you can do that as well. So we’re trying to find ways, again, to innovate and make sure we’re satisfying customers the way they want to be satisfied.
LESLIE: (overlapping voices) Make it work for the customer; how they like to participate.
MAURICE: Absolutely, absolutely.
LESLIE: And are there any benefits, besides learning about all these cool things, to visiting the site? Do you get coupons? Are there discounts available?
MAURICE: You know, we’re continuing to work on that and find new and exciting ways. So I would encourage your listeners to kind of check back on a regular basis and see what we can pull together. But you know, again, I think the learning and the information is really pretty powerful stuff and I think people will be excited with it.
TOM: (overlapping voices) Absolutely. Maurice McCord with – the brand manager with The Home Depot. Very, very cool, this technology.
LESLIE: (overlapping voices) Yeah, and the site looks gorgeous.
MAURICE: (overlapping voices) (inaudible)
TOM: (overlapping voices) You’ve got to go to the website; HomeDepot.com/HomeShow. And also, if you want to check out the clinics, you can go to HomeDepotClinics.com.
MAURICE: That’s right.
LESLIE: Thanks again, Maurice.
Alright, folks, well now you can call in your home repair or your home improvement question 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just dial our magic number; 888-MONEY-PIT.
TOM: Up next, bathroom makeovers not only add value to your home but they also improve the space that we use to start our day. We’re going to cover the latest bath design trends, after this.
(promo/theme song)
ANNOUNCER: This portion of The Money Pit is brought to you by Aprilaire, makers of professionally-installed, high-efficiency air cleaners. For more information, go to Aprilaire.com. Now, here are Tom and Leslie.
TOM: This is The Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show, coming to you at 1-888-MONEY-PIT. We are making good homes better every day. I’m Tom Kraeutler.
LESLIE: And I’m Leslie Segrete.
TOM: We’re broadcasting a very special edition of The Money Pit today, from Home Show ’06 being held at Home Depot stores all across America. We are actually in the Atlanta, Georgia store right now and there is a lot going on.
LESLIE: Yeah, if you walk into a Home Depot right now through September 24th, you’re going to see product demos, in-store clinics that are going to highlight hundreds of the most innovative products for your home. Or remember, you can check out everything online at HomeDepot.com/HomeShow.
TOM: Well, second only to kitchens, a bathroom remodel can give you a lot of bang for your buck; a lot of return on investment. Cara Deason (sp) is a marketing merchandising manager for bath and plumbing. She’s joining us now with the latest in bathroom trends.
Hi, Cara.
CARA: Hi, how are you guys doing?
TOM: We are excellent.
CARA: Good.
TOM: So, bathroom trends are really going a lot towards comfort. We’re trying to create a good start for our day as we shower up, aren’t we?
CARA: Absolutely, absolutely. The consumer trend we’re seeing more and more are customers are really trading up in the bathroom area; creating a bath sanctuary and finding some relaxation products for their home, as well as products that are easy to clean.
LESLIE: Yeah, I noticed here there’s the American Standard Cadet 3 toilet that’s stain resistant? How is this even possible?
CARA: They actually built in an antimicrobial EverClean glaze into the toilet itself so it resists stains, mildew and dirt and grime.
LESLIE: So no water stains? I don’t have to get in there with my scrub brush anymore?
CARA: Absolutely.
TOM: Plumbing projects. It’s something that I think a lot of consumers are intimidated by. But the manufacturers are making these much more utilitarian. For example, you have something called Speed Connect now so it’s easy to actually install this product?
CARA: Absolutely. American Standard’s come out with Speed Connect faucets that have a third less parts, install in a third of the time. You can do it without tools or plumber’s putty. It’s great for people new to the home improvement industry and home improvement products.
LESLIE: Who might not normally tackle a plumbing project.
CARA: Absolutely.
LESLIE: And you know what else I noticed, a lot of these above-vessel sinks – you know, sort of sitting on your countertop – some of them are beautiful glass; some are really interestingly glazed. Is this fairly new to The Home Depot?
CARA: It is. I mean if you go to high-end restaurants or you look in design magazines, you’ll start to see the vessel sinks. And Pegasus has created products (ph) available at The Home Depot at affordable luxury; tempered glass, stain resistant, in a variety of colors at affordable pricing for the do-it-yourself consumer.
TOM: Talking to …
LESLIE: And they look great.
TOM: We’re talking to Cara Deason (sp). She’s the marketing merchandising manager for bath and plumbing.
So Cara, I’ve done a hard day of home improvements. I’m exhausted, I’m tired, I need to be – I need a bath. You’ve got a whirlpool spa that’s just perfect for this.
CARA: Yes. The Lifetime Whirlpool Tub, available at The Home Depot in a variety of sizes and colors, have new comfort jets and air spa jets that are flush against the tub so they’re easy to clean and also don’t poke you in the back when you’re trying to relax; new lumbar systems and armrests. And they’ve reengineered the drain on the tub so it provides a deeper soak; so more water can fill into the tub.
LESLIE: So you can fill yourself up deeper.
CARA: Exactly.
LESLIE: That’s fantastic. What about bathroom storage? You really tend to shove a lot of stuff in there. You end up with a lot of products, toys; lots of things. How are we organizing the baths better?
CARA: Right. Master Bath has an elite series custom vanity program through The Home Depot; special order program where you can really get a lot of great designs and colors that are on trend and in style for your bathroom. Really easy to do. Come in; take a look at the variety of finishes in light cherry, dark cherry, even pewter – if you’re looking for kind of a stream-line contemporary look for your bath.
TOM: You know, a lot of times, when you see maybe an old western or something like that and you see the gunslinger in the room, there’s a bowl and a water pitcher sitting on the dresser …
CARA: Yes, that would be the sink.
TOM: … which was the sink of yesteryear.
CARA: Sink and toilet.
TOM: And now – well, we won’t go there. (laughter) But as far as the sink is concerned, that’s now known as what’s called a vessel sink. And what’s cool about what the manufacturers are doing now is they’re actually creating these vessel sinks with drains built in.
CARA: Mm-hmm.
TOM: No more pitcher of water (chuckling) required.
CARA: Exactly.
TOM: They have the faucet and they really are a beautiful design. It looks like a beautiful piece of ceramic …
CARA: It’s a …
TOM: … or stone inside your bathroom.
CARA: It’s a great look for the powder room and really an upscale look that’s easy to do for the consumer.
LESLIE: Now, I’ve come into The Home Depot; I’ve picked out everything I like for my bath. Can you guys come in and install all this stuff for me or do I have to figure it out on my own?
CARA: We can help install some of the products or we absolutely have know-how online to help you through it and our 1-2-3 books help. A lot of the installation projects are very easy to do. Installation of vanities, a toilet or the new faucets we’ve got out are easy projects for a consumer to do at home.
TOM: And you can go, again …
CARA: We’re just very inspiring.
TOM: You can go, again, online to HomeDepot.com/HomeShow if you want to check out some of these products.
Cara Deason, the marketing merchandising manager for bath and plumbing, thanks for stopping by The Money Pit. I can’t wait to go home and start tackling some new bathroom upgrades.
CARA: Great, thank you very much.
LESLIE: Thanks, Cara.
Alright. Well on Trading Spaces – you know, I see it week after week – something as simple as painting a room, you know, can really change the feeling and look of that space in a huge, huge way. So what’s new in paint? And what do you do with what’s new in paint? Joining us right now to tell us all about what’s new in paint is Bruce Nelson. He’s the merchandising VP of paint and d
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