Don't say nothin' bad about Lowes

[ultrarunner]

When I'm in Olympia WA I prefer Lowes... although the Home Depots in the area are good.

Maybe, it is because there are 3 HD nearby and Lowes tries harder?

I've also found the lever of customer service outstanding at the stores in the area compared to the SF Bay Area stores.

Lots of military in the area and the Lowes wants their business...

The first time, I thought the exceptional service was a fluke until I found it to be the case each visit.

Where else would the manager open a locked store and man the register just to let a customer pick up some needed plumbing supplies? Never would have thought a big-box would do that.

Of course have my truck broken into at Bay Area HD doesn't make me warm and fuzzy either.

My brother is a commercial real estate portfolio manager and one of his centers has both a Home Depot and a Lowes... kind of makes a visit one stop shopping.

 

[Bird]

bought a 5x8 2000lb trailer with ramp today on sale for 498 with my 10% I got out with 448.20 (no tax DMV will get that) randy

Is that a typo? Or did you really get that kind of a deal? The cheapest 4x6 here is $525 and the 5x8 is $998. If I could get the $498 price on a 5x8, I'd jump on that like a duck on a June bug.

 

[vaskeet]

Is that a typo? Or did you really get that kind of a deal? The cheapest 4x6 here is $525 and the 5x8 is $998. If I could get the $498 price on a 5x8, I'd jump on that like a duck on a June bug.

Bird not a typo it was in the local sale paper (elizabeth city NC) I also used my lowes card so no intrest for 1 year They were selling like hotcakes. I bought it at that price so I dont have to use the 18 foot trailer to haul small stuff. Now permanent tags/taxes will add about a $125.00 or so.Randy

 

[jinman]

Randy, I agree with Bird. That price is lower than they sell for used around here. That is an incredible deal far better than my "paltry" $250 savings. I'm jealous.:ashamed: Good for you!:thumbsup:

 

[vaskeet]

once in a while I find good deals I wonder if its because a tsc just opened in Elizabeth City Randy

 

[caver]

It seems to me that customer service has improved in many places since the economy tanked.

I had an issue with my hot tub on one of the coldest nights we had this winter. The company was in CA and I was surprised someone was still manning the phones. I had to wait very little for a customer service rep and he was very helpful on what might cause the problem I was having. Blew me away enough that I told him I was blown away by the customer service.

 

[bdeboer]

I have my own beefs with lowes. I dont like the way they price things even from one store to another. I am fortunate to live about 30 minutes from 4 DIFFERENT lowes. All in ohio, Mansfield/Ontario, Mt. Vernon, Marion, Ontario.

Marion store has a lowes 1/4mile away. Mansfield has a HD and Menards 1/4mi either side. Those two stores have MUCH cheaper prices than the Mt. Vernon store and the Columbus stores are hit and miss.

I have mentioned it before, but about 6 months ago a friend of mine was on his way to the Mt. Vernon store for some Blow in insulation. I told him to hold on while I checked online. Sure enough 9.89 in Mt. Vernon and 5.98 in Marion, SAME EXACT STUFF.

And I just last week found another one. 4" corrugated drain pipe.

It really pays to use that "Check other stores" option on their site.

And NO the Mt Vernon store will NOT price match their other stores.:confused2:

Edit: Well apparently the links didnt work

But marion (zip 43302) is $33.88 and Mt. Vernon (43050) is $54.30

Talk about price gouging

I have noticed that the basic framing studs and OSB are competitive with the Lowes and HD in Marysville, but sometimes save money on treated lumber or longer 2x6 etc at Menards in Marion. The most annoying thing to me about the Menards in Marion is finding one of their customer service people to enter in my order at the Lumber counter. So that I can stand in line to pay for it, then find the lumber and maybe get some help loading in the back.

 

[LD1]

I have noticed that the basic framing studs and OSB are competitive with the Lowes and HD in Marysville, but sometimes save money on treated lumber or longer 2x6 etc at Menards in Marion. The most annoying thing to me about the Menards in Marion is finding one of their customer service people to enter in my order at the Lumber counter. So that I can stand in line to pay for it, then find the lumber and maybe get some help loading in the back.

I actually perfer the way mernards operates in this aspect:thumbsup:

I hate lowes and HD where you are expected to cart it all out of the store instead of being able to drive the truck and trailer right up next to it.

And I usually decline the help when offered at menards. I PERSONALLY what to check each board as it goes into my truck/trailer. Because when I plan a job like a shed or deck, I figure EXACT. Nothing worse than having to make a 35min trip back because a 2x4 was twisted or split.

The only time I usually let them help load is when I am getting something like a full pallet or two of landscape bricks, or concrete, etc.

Plus, everything outback is paved/concrete. Nothing like driving through the mudholes and walking through them when loading up at carter or 84 lumber.

 

[jinman]

Yesterday, I was turning on an outside spigot and noticed my water heater pressure relief drain was dripping. I went inside to investigate and cycled the valve a few times open/closed to reseat it. When I checked it was worse. . .much worse. So it's Sunday. Every hardware store around is closed up tight. The chances of TSC or Walmart having a water heater temperature/pressure valve is slim and none. Off to Lowes we go after shutting off the water and removing the old valve. What a pleasant surprise to find that Lowes had three lengths of valves. The longer necked one was a near match to my water heater and priced at $12.24. I needed some CPVC glue, cleaner, and Rectorseal TFE pipe thread dope too. I had cut the CPVC to remove the valve, but had a 3/4" CPVC union to splice it back together. Since my water heater sits open in the corner of my garage, it was easy access and a snap to do the repair. I ran a hose from the drain and flushed out sediment while I was doing the valve repair. My local Lowes came through for me again; all with a 10% retired military discount of course.

This morning, my telephone rang about 9:30 AM. It was an automated message from Lowes. The Jacuzzi corner drop in tub I ordered last Thursday afternoon is at the store and ready to be picked up. I'll probably go get the tub in a few minutes to ensure it doesn't sit in the warehouse and maybe get damaged. They told me they would help me load it out in my pickup so I would not have to pay a $65 delivery fee.

Okay, I know I'm starting to sound like a commercial for Lowes, but I might have great stories bout Home Depot also if they were here. It's just that lately Lowes has been a positive experience for me everytime I walk into the store. If they screw up, I promise to post it, but for now they are sure on my good side.:thumbsup:

 

[JB4310]

We have both close by, My biggest gripe with Lowes is they always have just 1 or maybe 2 registers open! Drives me crazy!

My nieces husband works in appliances at Lowes, you should see the deals he gets, his regular discount is just 10% but if some one returns something and they can't resell it (or just managers discretion), he can get it for deep deep discount. One week a year the employees get an extra discount as well.

They're a young couple with their first house, they have remodeled and furnished that house from top to bottom thanks to Lowes.

JB

 

[jinman]

I went to Lowes yesterday to pick up my Jacuzzi tub. It was 5:15 pm when I got to the store. Within 5 minutes, they had found my order. In another 5 minutes, a young fellow came to the front of the store with the tub on a cart. I looked at the box and could not even see a single rub mark from shipping. It looked like it had rolled off the end of the assembly line at Jacuzzi.:thumbsup: The young man helped me load the tub into my pickup and it is now at home, waiting for the bathroom to be built.

 

[PapaPerk]

Lowe's primarly carries overpriced, imported junk. Especially in the tool area. Marginally better than the infamous Harbor Freight... the kings of cheap crap.

If I have to shop at a big box store... I prefer Home Depot... at least I can buy a level or speed square made in the US! Try that at Lowes. blah

But if you have a good local hardware with reasonable prices.... well that's who get's my business.

 

[MossRoad]

Our Lowes RARELY has everything I need for a project. Just two days ago I went there to get some fittings. I needed two pipe nipples, two 90 degree elbows and two 4" pipes. They had one nipple, one elbow and many pipes.

If I need 4 of something, they will have 3. I ordered storm windows from them several years ago. They called me to tell me they were in. I went to the store and they could not find them. 17 custom storm windows and they couldn't find them. I found them myself in the back on some skids outside their break room.

Then there is their price guarantee of 10% lower that their competitors... I took an ad for a children's slide from a competitor to them. They told me they didn't carry that slide. I pointed way up towards the ceiling and showed them one on the top shelf that was exactly the same as the one the competitor sold. He told me they didn't have anyone available to operate the forklift. I looked down the aisle and a forklift drove by. They got it down for me and then I asked for the 10% off. Yikes! :laughing:

And finally, 18 gallon Rubbermaid tubs. My life is organized in 18 gallon Rubbermaid tubs. I have over 120 of them, all numbered and a database to find my stuff. I called the store and asked if they had any. They said they had about 70 of them. I drove to the store. They could not find them. I once again found them on a top shelf. I asked them to get them down for me. They said they were reserved for another customer. I got the manager and voiced my displeasure with having to make a 30 mile round trip for nothing. They told me there were 70 in the store. There were 70 of them up on that shelf. I asked him to show me proof that they were being held for another customer. He couldn't. I bought 10 of them after they got them down.

I still shop there when it is the only game in town, but I rather pay 10-20% more at a local hardware store just to avoid the aggravation.

And there are three Lowes in our area and all three have disappointed me.

I'm glad that some folks have had good to great experiences with them. :thumbsup:

 

[ultrarunner]

Lowe's primarly carries overpriced, imported junk. Especially in the tool area. Marginally better than the infamous Harbor Freight... the kings of cheap crap.

If I have to shop at a big box store... I prefer Home Depot... at least I can buy a level or speed square made in the US! Try that at Lowes. blah

But if you have a good local hardware with reasonable prices.... well that's who get's my business.

Don't think I've ever bought tools at HD or Lowes or HF except for a table top disc sander with a gift certificate I received... oh, and I did stock up on chain when I was there. Very satisfied with both the chain and 12" disk sander.

At work, the go to source is Grainger... if I order something by noon, chances are I will have it the next morning and no charge for freight.

On my own... I've collected much of what I have used... several contractor friends were going out of business and I was able to pick things up very reasonable.

In reading the posts... it seem the stores vary be location... my only long term Lowes experience is in Olympia/Lacey WA and I have never been treated better... like I said, never heard of the store manager letting someone in after closing and manning the register just so I could get my plumbing problem fixed.

I guess it really comes down to the mix of customer service, price and selection.

 

[Bird]

bought a 5x8 2000lb trailer with ramp today on sale for 498 with my 10% I got out with 448.20 (no tax DMV will get that) randy

Well, vaskeet, in post #22 of this thread, I asked if that was a typo because $998 was all I'd seen in that size in person or on the Internet at Lowe's. However, I stopped by today and took another look. Sure enough, they have that trailer on sale until 4/4/2011 for $498. They only had one, no price shown on the trailer itself and said they had 3 on order but didn't know whether they would arrive before the sale ends and the regular price is over $700.

Naturally, their $998 trailer in that size is a nicer trailer with slightly bigger tires, but for the price, I think it might be hard to beat the one on sale.

So I bought the one they had, and that was quite an experience. It took 7 employees and long enough that at one point, I finally told them if they'd just give me a refund (I'd already paid for it), I'd get out of their way. Apparently the store only has one young lady who knows a little bit about how to do the paperwork, and I think she only had to make 4 or 5 phone calls before she got it done.

I guess at least she finally got it done right, because I went straight from there to the county tax office, paid the sales tax, registered it, and got the license plate.

Did you notice those trailers are made in Mexia, TX? Or at least the ones at the Denton, TX, Lowe's are.

 

[JB4310]

Our Lowes RARELY has everything I need for a project. Just two days ago I went there to get some fittings. I needed two pipe nipples, two 90 degree elbows and two 4" pipes. They had one nipple, one elbow and many pipes.

I'm glad that some folks have had good to great experiences with them. :thumbsup:

I have that problem with the pipe fittings, hangers etc. all the time at lowes and HD. a little more often at lowes though. I use certain parts regularly, so even if I'm not out of them, if I see they have what I use, I buy and store them cause I know what a PITA it is when you need a fitting and they don't have it.

JB

 

[Bird]

Our Lowes RARELY has everything I need for a project.

As with most, if not all, companies, it depends mostly on the store management. When the Waco, TX, Lowe's was fairly new, I got so disgusted one day, I walked out without buying anything, but when I got home I decided to call the store manager to tell him about some incompetent employees. A few months later, a brother-in-law was going to put in new electrical service for a mobile home. The co-op provided the meter base, so then we had to get a 16' pole, set 4' in the ground, metal conduit, rain head, wire, breaker panel breakers, etc. We had a one page set of instructions from the electric co-op. As soon as we got into the electrical area, a young fellow came and asked if he could help us; looked like a kid so I didn't really expect him to know a lot. But we let him see that sheet and he just started gathering stuff up and putting it in the cart. And in nothing flat, he had every single item we needed in that cart.

So that evening, I called the manager (they had a new one) and told him I called when I had a complaint so I had to call when I found an employee who was both competent and making a real effort to help customers.

 

[Marveltone]

There isn't a Lowes within 100 miles of me.... or Home Depot, Menards, Grainger, Northern Tool, TSC, HF, etc... *sigh*. Local hardware stores and a Fleet Supply 20 miles away will have to do.

Joe

 

[vaskeet]

Well, vaskeet, in post #22 of this thread, I asked if that was a typo because $998 was all I'd seen in that size in person or on the Internet at Lowe's. However, I stopped by today and took another look. Sure enough, they have that trailer on sale until 4/4/2011 for $498. They only had one, no price shown on the trailer itself and said they had 3 on order but didn't know whether they would arrive before the sale ends and the regular price is over $700.

Naturally, their $998 trailer in that size is a nicer trailer with slightly bigger tires, but for the price, I think it might be hard to beat the one on sale.

So I bought the one they had, and that was quite an experience. It took 7 employees and long enough that at one point, I finally told them if they'd just give me a refund (I'd already paid for it), I'd get out of their way. Apparently the store only has one young lady who knows a little bit about how to do the paperwork, and I think she only had to make 4 or 5 phone calls before she got it done.

I guess at least she finally got it done right, because I went straight from there to the county tax office, paid the sales tax, registered it, and got the license plate.

Did you notice those trailers are made in Mexia, TX? Or at least the ones at the Denton, TX, Lowe's are.

The paperwork went smooth on mine now my taxes/tags cost another 145.00 here in NC. Glad you got one at that price. I bought it to haul things like the riding lawn mower and coolers/ bikes for camping trips/vacations I am thinking about putting a wood floor on it which should stiffen it up some Randy

 

[vaskeet]

Lowe's primarly carries overpriced, imported junk. Especially in the tool area. Marginally better than the infamous Harbor Freight... the kings of cheap crap.

If I have to shop at a big box store... I prefer Home Depot... at least I can buy a level or speed square made in the US! Try that at Lowes. blah

But if you have a good local hardware with reasonable prices.... well that's who get's my business.

I think someone is a tool snob :laughing::laughing: just kidding Randy