The Home Depot in Emeryville seems to understand that nothing comes out quite the way you'd wanted.
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Need wood? After extensive research Franklin and I have decided that the Home Depot in Emeryville is the best one around. Granted, its still a giant chain store and they're all pretty awful as far as customer service goes (not to mention that you're better off supporting mom and pop shops any day), but when you need lumber and paint and gardening supplies the Depot's pretty handy. That said, if you have to go, make the trek to Emeryville; everyone was super friendly and helpful and they even knew where things were (funny that should even be an issue, but try asking for anything at the Alameda store). Plus their saw worked.