I usually go to Lowes over HD. I own quite a few Rigid tools and have yet to have a problem from any of them. My 2 Ridgid routers are still going like champs, one is ~4yrs old. I also bought a Kobalt 11-drawer toolbox 2yrs ago, hell of a toolbox for the $.
As for customer service, I'm not sure. I pretty much put all big-box companies on the same level for CS. Its a crap shoot from store to store, but being that I usually know what I'm looking for...I just ask simple questions and find my own ****.
For lumber/MDF for the shop, I use a local lumber yard here in Monroe. They are only ~1/2mile down the road, so its a quick trip if I need something on the fly.