NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Part shortages, messed-up installations, lost gift cards, unconcerned customer service, identity theft trouble ... a lot of people have horror stories about Home Depot.

And, after sharing one of mine last week -- a frustrating search for a valve to fix my heating system -- and suggesting that trouble in the aisles might be reflected in the stock, many wrote in to tell me about them.

"You have put into print exactly what I and my friends have been saying for over a year -- the Home Depot we knew and loved has turned into a shopping trip to hell -- they never have what we need, are always low on stock, eliminated a lot of good products, carry bad wood, etc., etc., etc." -- Mary

"Thank you for putting in print what everyone I talk to in the incredibly long lines there screams." -- Walter

And I heard more from the radio public, when I appeared on the The Dolans radio program. All the callers had complaints and horror stories to share.

But even hell has a fan club. And so does Home Depot. And about a third of the e-mail came from people telling me I done the Orange Aprons wrong. And that percentage may be deceiving -- our Web site poll on the subject has Home Depot fans holding a clear plurality.

"My experiences at Home Depot have been much more positive then yours, and no store can carry everything, every time ... I think you've given a great store a bad rap." -- Tony

"I am not a HD stockholder, nor am I a home repair junkie, however I do visit HD from time to time. I have always found their service excellent and they guarantee your satisfaction... The fact that you could not find the exact type of after market plumbing accessory on a Sunday does not seem to be major evidence of a huge corporate failing." -- Randy

Calls to Home Depot's corporate PR office were not returned.

Many, many of the e-mails I received, pro and con, brought comparisons to Lowe's (LOW: Research, Estimates) into the debate. My fault, I guess, for mentioning that one of the analysts I talked to was favoring its stock over Home Depot's (HD: Research, Estimates). Some insisted Lowe's was better, some worse. Since there isn't a Lowe's near me, I couldn't judge.

But with that many people talking about it, I felt I had to at least try. Also, I still needed the right "No. 1 air eliminator" valve. If you'll recall, my heating system was working with a stopgap measure.

So I found a distant Lowe's. They had No. 1 air eliminators -- but they were the wrong size (3/8 instead of 3/4). The employees were equally preoccupied with other tasks. On the other hand, they had the moulding and grillework I sought. And the store was a little cleaner and easier to navigate. But they failed the dreaded small socket frosted torpedo light bulb test.

All in all, I'd say it was a wash ... and proof that the lumber-yard, hardware superstore is soooo-2000. Indeed, Home Depot's stock since then has been on a $52 to $22 slide. And sales are beginning to sag.

It's kind of an egg-on-face situation for pro-business media talking heads like myself. When the superstore comes in with lower prices and better service, and everyone whimpers about the injury to small business, we tend to lecture about the laws of economics and the benefits of economy-of-scale competition. If bigger means better prices for the consumer, it's good. But if the big superstore drives out the competition, and then becomes a hellhole, is that a good thing?

OK, talking head answer: It provides an opportunity for small business to make a comeback.

Later that day, I went to the local plumbing supply -- which I would have gone to in the first place if they had been open on Sunday.

"You need one of those?" the guy said as I walked through the door, pointing at the No. 1 air eliminator in hand.

He produced a 10-piece box. There were two left -- virtual twins to the valve in my hand.

"You sell a lot of these?" I asked.

"Tons."

I bought two.  

Allen Wastler is Managing Editor of CNN/Money and a commentator on CNNfn. He can be e-mailed here.