HOUSTON -- Generators, chainsaws, blowers and trimmers are tools used to help with hurricane recovery. They can be expensive, especially when the product doesn't work.

Several consumers asked KPRC Local 2 investigative reporter Amy Davis to help with a home improvement store that changed its return policy after they purchased pricey tools.

KPRC Local 2 showed viewers the run on generators after Hurricane Ike. People scrambled to snatch them up to get some relief from the power outages.

Several consumers called KPRC Local 2 when their generators or gas-powered chainsaws wouldn't work and they said The Home Depot wouldn't take them back.

The Home Depot's return policy is printed on the back of every receipt. A customer can return gasoline-powered products within 30 days of purchase with a valid receipt.

Paula Land still had the receipt, but she said that when she tried to return a defective chainsaw, a manager refused the return.

Lyle Ross said his generator worked for just one day and Reza Khadem said his generator was leaking gas.

Store managers at different The Home Depot stores told each customer they would have to pay for repairs.

"The Home Depot has a long-standing 30-day return policy on our gasoline-powered products," a company representative wrote in a statement. "A customer can return these products within 30 days of purchase with a valid receipt. We regret if any customers were unable to return items under this policy. The company will be contacting these customers directly to resolve their issues and is reiterating its return policy to all of The Home Depot locations in the Houston area."

Any customer who was told the return policy had changed at The Home Depot after Hurricane Ike was advised to check back with the store.