[macneill]

Or would that be trying to determine the lesser of two evils?

Both stores here suck and blow at the same time.

[bridges]

No issues with the lowes here, Home Depot is a 30 minute wait minimum if you need to find an employee for a specfic dept.

[Cube Dweller]

Depot suckage is in a whole different dimension. I really liked Lowes until they installed the self checkout crap. But at least they still have enough humans working the register.

I avoid Depot like the plague.

[Zimm]

lowes' kobalt mechanics tools are made in the USA. home depots stuff is all chinese...

ummm... stock wise, lowes is a better pick but both are trading lower than they should. ripples from the housing scare i understand. not sure thats fixable by management. not sure when to buy 'em, but id guess, not right now.

[srplus]

But, if I have to go to either, I have had better results as far as staff intelligence at HD in my area... and a little better ratio of help to customers. Lowes (around here) has very few employees, let alone ones that even have any kind of clue as to what they continue to ramble on about. Most, at either store, whether knowledgeable or not, are more than happy to give you their opinion and just keep talking and talking and talking. If they are talking, they do not have to ‘work’. If I am going to have to listen to someone talk - I prefer they have a clue as to what they are talking about.


I have talked enuf. But, you do need that fourth category for your poll. LOCAL BIZ!

[koop]

About the same. Our Lowes and HD are accross the street from each other. Difference is HD has all these old grandfatherly types and Lowes hires Mexican street gang members. They are helpful, but it's weird.

Excuse me.

Wha chu want esse.

I'm looking for drywall screws.

Aisle nueve

Thanks, aisle nine right?

Si mon.

[ATLcrusher]

Here the HD guys are more helpful (but can be hard to find), and the Lowe's guys (90% of the time) are just f--ing clueless.

[BLKDOG40]

I blame Lowes for trying to be a home decor 'one stop shop' and dragging home depot in that direction. I just want a great selection of wood, tools and hardware. I'll go to sears if I need a refrigerator, vacuum cleaner, food processor, etc

[Noah]

Lowes employees suck ass, but lowes has more to choose from. HD has less chit, but the employees have more knowledge......

[2badfjs]

lowes sell 10 lbs rolls of flux core welding wire
hd does not

lowes sells a better cut of wheels
hd does not

hd sells a good chop box blade
lowes is twice as much

hd is in my home town
lowes is on its way

lowes has more employees who ask if i need help
hd ones walk right on by

my family ouned true value is quiting the buisness
i cant find my fuel line spacers i need at lowes or hd for the smokin deal i got tv.

[Poriomania]

HD employees have been hit or miss as far as knowledge, assuming I can a hold of one long enough to ask a question. Usually I know what I want I just can't find it in the store, so Lowes is better since they have more people to help me find things.

[REKCUT]

My 2CW is that Lowes if for retail and HD is for contractors. If you know what you want and can find it on you own then HD. If you need help and dont know what your doing then Lowes. Less choice but more help

[NorCalDoug]

Originally Posted by Cube Dweller

Depot suckage is in a whole different dimension. I really liked Lowes until they installed the self checkout crap. But at least they still have enough humans working the register.

I avoid Depot like the plague.

x2 x100



I hate the self checkout crap as well...if I'm going to do the work that their employees used to do, I expect to be paid for it...
I won't use it unless they start giving out discounts for self checkout.

[Cookiemonster]

Lowe's fully sucks around here. Employee's are clueless, and their lines take forever.

I prefer United Rentals, White Cap, & mom & pop Electrical, Plumbing, & Welding supply outfits. As far as hardware stores are concerned, Pacific Hardware (Ace hardware) for nicknack's & patty whacks. All of these know what they are doing. Of course as a contractor I know what I want & when I go in I want it quick.

Home Depot if I must. Lowe's if I failed to mention sucks!!!

[stevek]

Those self check out things are a trip here. I had to hit a local HD not too long ago and the only lines open were the self check outs. Some poor dude in front of me had to physically scan 5 3/4" 4x8 sheets of plywood.

[Zimm]

self checkout is nice with one or two items when a guy buying a a house thats not assembled yet, is in the normal aile.

[JOFS]

I hate Home Depot and will not go there anymore. I drive 15 extra miles to go to lowes. Have had many things purchased at HD be returns that were used and repackaged. used and broken. Had a guy at home depot help us look for hardwood flooring once. He just walked around for half an hour telling people he was helping us though he just walked around, after the half hour, paged a guy who told him immediately where it was. At that time someone else called him and he couldn't help because it was time to go. He had killed his last 30 min at work doing nothing.

Anyway I can rant on more and more but prefer lowes.

John

[LoveTractor]

Ah hell. I devoted a whole thread to how much Home Depot sucks.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/chit-chat-section/87792-home-depot-sucks.html

They can suck the sweat from inbetween my thigh and testicles during a long car ride.
Case in point: I want to get a Weber grill during a Labor Day sale. Lowes doesn't carry many. Home Depot carries a bunch. I've got to keep looking cause Home Shit-po ain't gettin' a penny from me ever again. (without the smiley)

"Home Depot. You can do it. We can don't care."

[Landpimp]

actaully the local HD is a pretty dang good place, very helpfull(now) good stock(normaly) and really close to me.

[swank60]

Home Depot has the worst customer service in the retail industry. Some marketing company has been doing a TOP 10 Worst for retail service and HD is #1 pretty much every year. If they don't fix it, Lowes is going to take a huge chunk of their business.

I go to Lowes, usually. Mostly because I grew up back in VA and Lowes was there for years and years. I think they're based out of N. Carolina.

[Urrrk]

I don't go to either if I need service, a particular type of lumber, or small stuff. Fortunately there's a True Value that just opened near my house, and they seem to stock all the miscellaneous doo-dads I forgot to buy but need right now to complete whatever home project I'm doing.

I like HD to stock up on 20 packs of electrical and plumbing parts. I don't like the prices or selection at Lowe's.

I buy 90% or my lumber at the locally owned yard.

[Cruisin'Carolina]

Originally Posted by swank60

Home Depot has the worst customer service in the retail industry. Some marketing company has been doing a TOP 10 Worst for retail service and HD is #1 pretty much every year. If they don't fix it, Lowes is going to take a huge chunk of their business.

I go to Lowes, usually. Mostly because I grew up back in VA and Lowes was there for years and years. I think they're based out of N. Carolina.

True dat....


I will drive by HD on my way to Lowe's almost every time. I had just started to figure out that my local True Value, 20+ years in the business, had figured out a way to cram anything the big box stores had that wasn't 10' long, and started using them regularly, when the daughter of the original owner announced she was calling it quits, and opening a persian rug boutique instead....

[hodag]

HD is a half a mile away, if its not something I need help with, I go there.

Lowes is 2 miles away, and I might stop there to check prices on my way to Menards.

Menards (in Omaha) 7 miles away, but better prices than either HD or Lowes. Knowlegeable, easy to find employees, indoor lumberyard.

I also like to use the little, neighborhood Ace. They have little wierd things for my 81 year old house that nobody else has. They lady that works there knows everything and can cut glass to within 1/32" of the dimensions you give her. I only get keys reproduced there because nobody else's ever work as good.

Hodag

[White Shark]

Originally Posted by Cookiemonster

Lowe's fully sucks around here. Employee's are clueless, and their lines take forever.

I prefer United Rentals, White Cap, & mom & pop Electrical, Plumbing, & Welding supply outfits. As far as hardware stores are concerned, Pacific Hardware (Ace hardware) for nicknack's & patty whacks. All of these know what they are doing. Of course as a contractor I know what I want & when I go in I want it quick.

Home Depot if I must. Lowe's if I failed to mention sucks!!!

x2. I ran a Lowe's Commercial Sales Desk for a year and a half.
-------------
Lowe's has better homeowner oriented product line.

HD has a better contractor product line.
-------------
Lowe's stocks approx 100k SKU's.

HD stocks upwards of 200k SKU's.
-------------
Lowe's will carry a product line with 1 manufacturer choice.

HD will carry one item made by 3 different manufacturers, giving you choice.
-------------
Lowe's carries a broad selection of DIY tools.

HD carries large demo and roto hammers and other commercial tools.

-------------

The end result? They both suck, but Lowe's sucks worse.

The employees at Lowe's are idiots led by bigger idiots they like to call, "Management".

The management cannot make a cash disbursement over $250 without notifying the District Manager.

Everything is controlled by a Master Program in the Corporate Office and all will be assimilated to this plan. If you are a free thinker who comes up with great ideas, you are labeled a squeaky wheel, a danger to the collective, or you are simply branded as dangerous.

The Managers are largely uneducated and are "Yes Men" who are promoted for ass kissing ability, the speed with which they can agree with the boss, and keep unhappy customers happy. Innovative thinkers are not tolerated and the Operations Manual is holier than the Bible.

Half the guys who worked for me did time in San Quentin, and the other half spent time in Folsom Prison.

Our delivery manager had spent time in San Quentin for conspiracy to murder and attempted murder...."Ma'am, would you like me to stay and install your refrigerator while you wait? I'd be happy to take care of that for you..." He and his delivery drivers made Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew look like a ladies charitable choral society.

When the Corporate goons come around, you have to fall in line with the "Dog and Pony Show" with your notepad, walking shoes, and ass kissing grin if you want to survive, much less promote.

Deception is common, promises are rarely kept, and people will sell their mother into prostitution if it is required to get a leg up on the rest.

I worked in this industry for almost 11 years and have seen it all. Being an independent Contractor is the only way to go. I never want my kids to have to work for either of these companies.

By the way, I quit on good terms. I don't have an axe to grind with anyone, these are just hard lessons learned and shared for your enjoyment.



The only reason I like Depot more is because they stock better contractor related items and I can get my crap quick and get out. Lowe's has the most ignorant check out people in the world. I only check out at the Contractor's Desk at HD as they usually have their act together.

The lady who has been the daytime checker at Lowe's is a bitch who loves to mouth off. I bought some 4x8 Masonite sheets and I had to help her find the item number. She called to the back and they gave her the 4x8 hardboard item number which is one and the same. She got all bent out of shape because I called it Masonite when it is obviously hardboard. She actually wanted to stand around and argue the point.

I told her that she was an ignorant tool for a couple of reasons:
1.) Because I ran the Commercial Sales Department and I used to order that crap all the time for Lowe's. I know exactly what it is, little Miss Know It All Checker Beyotch.
2.) As the Commercial Sales Manager, I would therefore be her boss if she worked in the store where I worked, which is the next closest store.
3.) The Masonite Corporation practically owns the "hardboard" market just like Kleenex owns the "tissue" market. In any lumber yard with it's salt, they will typically refer to hardboard as "Masonite".
4.) The customer is always right (That would be me). Especially this time because she's a damn idiot and I know what I'm talking about.

As such, I shop at HD more, the lesser of two evils.

[76FJ40]

The self checkout at Homet Depot SUCKS BALLS. Did I mention it SUCKS BALLS! Home Deopot SUCKS BIG OLD MAN BALLS!

[hatman406080]

I'm a general contractor. 90% of my supplies come from Ace. They are the best in service. In and out in no time and free delivery. My painting stuff comes from Sherman-Williams. Dunn-Edwards sucks. Home Depot, too.

HATMAN

[Cube Dweller]

Originally Posted by White Shark

x2. I ran a Lowe's Commercial Sales Desk for a year and a half.


The end result? They both suck, but Lowe's sucks worse.

The employees at Lowe's are idiots led by bigger idiots they like to call, "Management".

The management cannot make a cash disbursement over $250 without notifying the District Manager.

Everything is controlled by a Master Program in the Corporate Office and all will be assimilated to this plan. If you are a free thinker who comes up with great ideas, you are labeled a squeaky wheel, a danger to the collective, or you are simply branded as dangerous.

Since Bob Nardelli (Ex GE Exec) took over HD, they've done the same thing. Coincidently, the same time the suckage began.

[rick_d]

like walmart, bed bath beyond, target, office depot etc, HD and Lowes are all out there to sacrifice "associates" for $$$. I refuse to use Lowes because of zero help on a special order cabinet deal which dragged on for 24 months with the only resolution being I had to got to HD to get the same product.

Here in Tucson I buy lumber from Grant road and the mill department has always helped.

electrical supplies can be found at any number of suppliers, Husser, Outlet, etc.

We have choices for plumbing, lighting etc.

Steel can be had from Santa Rita on up.

Praxair, Consolidated, Pima etc can help with welding stuff.

nuts bolts from Scott supply or Copper state

wire rope from a local supplier (changed names),

Ace, especially the 22nd/kolb location has a ton of stuff

DiEugenio for taps or Industrial supply,

Kents for used tools (even the 1/4 24 tap+ die I needed last)

etc. Very few reasons to give money to HD/Lowes, and those working at above shops are 1,000,000,000 times more helpful.

[albee]

Home depo and Lowes both created their own grades of lumber. Neither of which comform to national standards. What the hell is Top Choice lumber anyway? It is all garbage that is what it is. Since I am a contractor my local lumber yards will give me great deals to keep me happy.

[pappy]

Originally Posted by stevek

Those self check out things are a trip here. I had to hit a local HD not too long ago and the only lines open were the self check outs. Some poor dude in front of me had to physically scan 5 3/4" 4x8 sheets of plywood.

HD is no longer visited. HD is right around the corner. Lowes is miles away. I'll go to Lowes every time.

Twice I went into the HD on a Saturday morning. Only line open was selfserve. First time I had cable cut to order. Finding somebody to help get the wire cut was easy. Finding somebody to help me at check out was another story. Second time I had a 2x4. Scan the item it says, so I hold up this 10ft stick over the scanner. Then it asks me to place the item in the bag. WTF. Won't let me continue until I do. Woman guarding the checkout never offers to help, and shrugs her shoulders when I look at her. Enough is enough. I call corporate HD and bitch. Ten minutes later I get a call from the store manager. He says I should have gone through the "contractor line." Uh, I'm not a contractor. How would I have known that?

Of the four Lowes stores in Albuquerque that I'm aware of, only one has selfserve. But they also have registers with people too.

Lowes has the small hardware I usually need (nuts and bolts). HD does not. Lowes has a great selection of grinding wheels and stuff. HD does not. Lowes seems to sell better quality stuff. Lowes used to have a great selection of metric sockets. Now they don't and HD never did.

Of course one of our local Ace Hardware stores rocks. They have an army of vultures at the front when you walk in ready to pounce and help. When they ask, I always say yes. Double thumbs up for Chase Hardware. Too bad they are the exception.