Lowes Vs. Home Depot

[Kris Guilbeaux]

So, many of you all shop at these stores. You also prefer one over the other. What I would like to know is, which one and why?

[kert0307]

I shop at both, just depends who gives a better price at the time for similar quality items. I like Ryobi power tools from home depot. The Lowes in my area have better kitchen/ appliance selections. I found the HD shingles (Timberland/GAF) to be the best buy/quality for the money last year when I roofed the house. That being said, I usually go to Lowes first, just because it's 15 or so miles closer.

[chad551]

I like Lowes better, they seem to have nicer/better quality then HD in certain items. However my main reason for this is because the HD that was down the street from my old house was awful. The employees were rude, lazy, and ignorant, and did not know shit. So I drove 10 miles out of my way to go to Lowes.

At our new home Lowes is closer, so it just makes it easier. Plus I went to the HD by our new house to get a propane tank exchange, and I had an issue with the cashier, when he told me to go to the other end of building to pay and pick it up. When his station was next to the exit door and there was tanks right there. So I had some choice words for him and let the moron know that my money provides his dumb ass with a paycheck. Another employee heard my comments to him and quickly came over and took care of the tanks for me. It was pretty funny as other customers started laughing at him, and my son 7 yr old son told him "you just got told"

Also my other reason for Lowes is if you go to the post office and get a change of address packet they have 10% coupons for Lowes in them. So everytime I go to Lowes I save 10%.

[RockRanger]

Home Depot.

Mostly cause there are more of them and usually closer to where I am working. Not a real fan of either though. Lowes usually seems a few cents more expensive as well.

If I want more decorative stuff then I go to lowes.

Anything I need in a decent size quantity I go to a real supply house to get.

I sure wont go to either for advice on anything. I have been told steel studs are no longer made. Or that you can just put a bare copper water pipe right in the slab and pour concrete right on it. It is fine to use pvc for the service entrance of power overhead and they can pull the cables off it with no extra support.

Home depot also seems to have a better return policy. They can lookup what I bought on my credit card so I do not need to keep track of the receipts. I know lowes can do it as well but half the time i go in they say they cant do it.

I do like how Lowes keeps the carts for lumber in the lumber isle so I dont have to chase one down in the parking lot.

[JDraper]

Lowes, because there is one 8 miles from my house, and the closest Home Depot is 35 miles away

[briwayjones]

I almost exclusively shop at Home Depot just because there is one about 5 miles from my house vs. 10-15 miles for Lowes but I prefer Lowes. I think Lowes has better service, better quality on a lot of things and better selection. I also think Lowes has better tools and selection of tools and equipment than Home Depot.

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Wow.. Thanks guys. I kinda had a reason for asking the opinion of EF members because, I wanted to know if it same in most places like it is here.

The reason I asked this was because I am a Lowes employee and have been for the last 7 years.

[gmanpaint]

LOWES

We have a couple of the nations busiest and top rated Lowes stores. (#1 & #2) They are both excellent in every department.

HD is just 2 blocks away, and they have lousy service/help. I asked a sales rep where they stocked razor blades so I can shave the beard I grew while waiting for help, I don't think they liked that comment to well ..lol

When HD opened up, Lowes had a rally in the parking lot. They cut a car in half with sawzalls. They had it painted with HD logo on it, and chanted, "We aint afraid of no depot!" Then they cut and smashed it with sledge hammers....haha!

[tdavis]

For construction material , it's HD here.. For decorative, I go to Lowes (better selection).

I do like the fact Lowes has the better off the shelf tile selection, along with the GOOD epoxy grout.

[backfrmcolorado]

either one... i go where the deals and sales are. or whatever one happens to be closer to me at the time

[Stic-o]

I go to both, However my sis works for Lowes, so sometimes she'll send me a coupon Most of the time I go to the local Cali people. OSH (owned by Sears) and Do-it-Center, they are both much closer for me.

[section525]

We don't have a Lowes in my little hicktown.

[IZwack]

I go to which ever has the better selection of bolts - Lowes!! (even though HD is a 3 minute bike ride away)

[techieman33]

Home depot for lumber, Lowes for pretty much anything else. Other than bolts, for that I go to Westlake (local Ace franchise) or Roaches (local True Value franchise) they usuallyh ave a much better selection of hardware.

[tdavis]

Originally Posted by IZwack

I go to which ever has the better selection of bolts - Lowes!! (even though HD is a 3 minute bike ride away)

OSH has the bolt selection here.

Lowes is too far away - 20+ miles to the nearest one. HD is about 5 miles away, OSH is 2 miles, the local Ace is about 1 mile.

I hit them all, looking for the best deal or selection.

[DanaM]

This thread is too funny. Had to chill in the reading room so I grabbed the laptop and did a quick visit to the Charger forum and logged out and headed to my fav, this forum. I clicked on New Post like I do 10 or more times a day, especially when in the reading room (outhouse, john, whatever) and seen this thread. HD or Lowe's was the destination after I was done in the reading room to pick up 19 sheets of Duro, 2 bags of thin set, and some nails. I was also going to shop for a 36 inch and 60 inch bathroom vanity.

I think this thread answered my questions, head to HD (1 mile away) to get the 19 sheets of backer board and other floor stuff and head to Lowe's (2miles away) to get the vanity's. Right?

[IZwack]

So yeah, I went to HD today to get a single 5/8" bolt - 6" long. As I approached the corner where the 5/8" bolts were located, this lady plops 4 of her young kids in front of that section (three of the kids literally sat down on the floor) . So I walked around part of the store for about 10 minutes while they pretty much went through every single bolt in that little area - discussing which bolt would work best. I even looked at freaking lawn chairs! Do you know how much interest I have in lawn chains? None! Not a single cell in my body cares for lawn chairs, but I looked at them.

[/rant]

[toypaseo]

Lowes for me. Although I rarely have a need to goto a hardware store, I enjoy going to Lowes.

-Always great customer service, while I feel ignored at HD.
-Always seems clean and well lit, while HD seems dirty and dark.
-Storefront always seems inviting, while HD feels like you are trying to enter a fortress or prison.

For specific nut or bolt searches, I usually hit Ace Hardware or DoItBest. Lowes is fairly new here, so I have never tried to search there yet. Pry 95% of the time I leave HD without the nut or bolt I am looking for.

If I move, I think I'll be shopping at Menard's, http://www.menards.com/

[Rick]

Lowes and Ace Hardware for me.

Our local Ace has a lot of "real" hardware that Lowes and Home Depot don't.

[DanaM]

Originally Posted by toypaseo

Lowes for me. Although I rarely have a need to goto a hardware store, I enjoy going to Lowes.

-Always great customer service, while I feel ignored at HD.
-Always seems clean and well lit, while HD seems dirty and dark.
-Storefront always seems inviting, while HD feels like you are trying to enter a fortress or prison. http://www.menards.com/

Well I went to both stores tonight and guess what? What you said was exactly my experience tonight.

D a n a