Big Box Web page - anyone else as frustrated with Lowes' site

[dmccarty]

I just do not understand how Lowes, HD, and other brick and mortar stores can have such bad websites today. There are other companies that do a very good job with their websites such as NewEgg, and of course, Amazon. At this point, companies do not really have to create a website and figure out what Customers want, they can see it on other companies websites. The big issues for me is filtering and searching. Unless there is some patent that is out there on result filtering, there is no excuse for websites to not have good filters. Searching seems to be easy but it is not. Google really is a master at searches but they have been refining their methods for years. But it still is frustrating to search for something in a store and not find that item when you know they sell it.

Later,
Dan

 

[scdeerslayer]

I believe most of this website redesign recently is to make the websites more friendly for touch-screen devices. I can still find things on most sites though. I just hate the sites that have way too many choices. That's the problem with Amazon. It's great to search if you know what you want but it's lousy for browsing because there's too many choices, especially the choices from non-Amazon sellers. Filtering by Prime only items helps though. The biggest thing I usually want is that when I view an item I want the menu categories it's listed under to show up at the top, that way I can browse everything in the categories. Some items it's hard to find by the menu, others you just don't know how it would be categorized. Some sites have this but it seems most do not.

 

[tcartwri]

You should try it from Canada. We truly are a third world country in online shopping.

 

[CCWKen]

At least the Lowe's website works. I can't get anywhere on Home Depot's website. All I get is blank/shaded pages or spinning orbs. Apparently, HD is using a lot of scripts or seedy methods of tracking for everything. I have some good security filters set for my PC and I'm not changing them for one site. HD just looses my business. I haven't had a malware problem in over five years and have no intention of lowering my bar. If a site doesn't work, I go somewhere else. HD can go pound sand. Walmart is another site I have problem using.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I check prices at Lowes, Home Depot, Ace and Amazon. Websites can be quirky but sure beats driving around. Lowes free shipping increasingly useful.

 

[rekees4300]

I have emailed Lowes about this and have mentioned it to managers in their stores - though as expected nothing changes. It seems this would be an important issue for Lowes.

Is it me or have others experienced this? Not a really important topic, I know, but I am curious.

The big box stores still don't understand why Amazon is eating their lunch. Seems rather stupid they fail to invest in functional websites.

 

[downsizingnow48]

If I know exactly what I want I google the item and add a store name Ace Lowes etc. this bypasses the funky menu and search functions.

 

[deezler]

Have to agree completely with OP. I simply do NOT shop at Lowes because their website is so bad. I don't want to waste my time wandering around a store to see what is available, so I always research on the web first and see what inventory is actually in the store and available to me. Lowes website search function is so bad it is almost comical; can never find what I need. And then if I do, I cannot accurately verify what will be on the shelf in the store when I get there.

Home Depot's website, on the other hand, is also not perfect, but it works pretty well. Search finds what I'm after, and the store inventory quantity is usually very accurate.

 

[dragoneggs]

How did we ever survive without the internet? Now we are bitching because we can't find some obscure thing we want in seconds, price it, see what others are saying about it, and find out if it is available near me, and then shop around never getting up off our butt! Then if we choose, we can have it delivered to our door often in two days if we want to pay a little premium. Dang technology... bring back the Sears Catalogue.

 

[deezler]

How did we ever survive without the internet? Now we are bitching because we can't find some obscure thing we want in seconds, price it, see what others are saying about it, and find out if it is available near me, and then shop around never getting up off our butt! Then if we choose, we can have it delivered to our door often in two days if we want to pay a little premium. Dang technology... bring back the Sears Catalogue.

Actually two day shipping is free now, who doesn't have amazon prime? You get free 2-day shipping, tons of free music, and the very binge-worthy show Man in the High Castle. Totally worth $80/yr.