quote:

Originally posted by Bassamatic:
We also have both in our town. I much prefer shopping at Home Depot. We also have a Menards but I really don't like that place.

I would echo this

ETA: I’ve always felt like Lowe’s consciously markets to women in the store, much more than HD. The floor displays strike me as more elaborate and complete, which I interpret as being aimed at women. I guess I’m more comfortable at HD.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TMats,

Both are pretty much the same to me.
I do give the edge on limber to HD but in general I like the store layout better in Lowes.
Both get lots of my money.

As far is one beating the other financially ~ there are a plethora of factors to consider that have nothing to do with in-store customer satisfaction.

flip a coin, Only someone actually in that industry would detect any meaningful difference besides color schemes.

My esxperience has been that Home Depot sells what they want to sell you, not what you want to buy.

I generally try either the local ACE Hardware or the one-off hardware store nearby, first.

Same with lumber. The local one-off lumber store has much better lumber than either Lowe's or Home Depot, plus they carry Select Grade 1 2x4 dimensional lumber.

Tools, electrical parts and supplies, landscaping supplies (sprinkler heads, fertilizer, weed control): Same, same: Local stores that specialize in those things, first.

After that: I prefer Lowe's over Home Depot, except for electrical bits (outlets, switches, etc.). HD has Leviton, which I prefer over whatever it is Lowe's carries.

The 2 Lowe's nearest to me are about a half mile further than the Home Depot stores but I'd drive even further to avoid HD. HD was good many years ago but IMO they've gone WAY downhill in their attitude.

The only time you'll find me in an HD store is when I have no other choice.

Dan

We only have one choice, Lowes unless we want to drive 25 miles to the nearest HD. Lowes offers the military discount every day where HD is only a few days a year. For us Lowes is a great, service is outstanding, product selection is almost the same and the staff is very helpful.

Small towns seem to attract one or the other but not both. We have a Walgreens, but no CVS, same 25 miles apply. However it's worth it be away from the congestion of large cities.

Call me racist if you will, but I strongly dislike all the Spanish signs at Lowes near me, and don't shop there. This is 'murica, and we speak, write/read English here.

I go almost anywhere/everywhere else BEFORE the closest HD. They were so bad in 'customer assistance' a few years ago, I fired them & drove an additional 20 miles to the next closest HD, which shined in comparison.

Then L was built in between those 2. They often have more choice of whatever it is I'm after. The store is full of stuff, but their parking lot is often nearly empty during my visits.

In both chains I've had clerks actually turn & stride rapidly away instead of seeking to help the customer. Recently in HD there was a group of 'employees' actively concerned about visiting with another 'employee' who had a dog on a leash near the pay counter. I pointedly put my stuff down on the vacant paystation & walked out without it.

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:
Call me racist if you will, but I strongly dislike all the Spanish signs at Lowes near me, and don't shop there. This is 'murica, and we speak, write/read English here.

had a guy come by to do some handyman work, and he needed to stop for supplies,

he apologized for being a few minutes late, he said he was stuck behind the Cartel at Lowes,

seems the hispanic contractors all line up at 7am at the local store, and it takes a while to get them all gone

Bought two shop light fixtures at the recommendation of a Lowe’s employee who assured me they were plug in and not direct wired. Got home to find out he was wrong. Returned them and asst manager said no return as I didn’t buy them at that Lowes. They didn’t stock at that store she said. I would have to return to store where purchased. I said I purchased at her store and showed receipt.

I walked with her to the shelf and pointed to the one remaining fixture she “didn’t carry” still on the shelf. That angered her and she refunded my purchase with an attitude.

I avoid them if I can.

quote:

Originally posted by NavyGuy:
I go to Lowes before HD. If Lowes doesn't have what I want, I'll give HD a try. I like it that at Lowes, you don't need to ask for military discount and then show proof as you do at HD. At Lowes you sign up for the MyLowes card and register your military info, then if you self check out you simply scan the card, or show it to the checkout person.

If you don't have the card with you, they'll accept your phone number. Also works for online purchases. I also find HD dirtier than Lowes and more than once a store worker has sent me on a wild goose chase looking for a particular item. Good grief, if you don't know where stuff is, don't guess. It's a big store to be walking back and forth in.

+100. Love the military discount. The HD near me is hard to get in to and does not look so hot.

I go to Lowe's because it's 5 miles closer than HD. I have trouble finding employees to help you more so at HD than at Lowe's. I really have no preference in either, but always seem just as busy. I do prefer Ace hardwares over both and try to shop at those first. Ace clearly has much much better customer service and employees (more knowledgable) and are generally locally owned.

Did you ever compare the 2 stores' brand name items? Home Depot is Hampton Bay and Lowe's is Harbor Breeze. Note both are HB, and many of the items look like they are made in the same China factories and only the boxes are different (slightly).

Home Depot also has a Home Depot Pro Institutional arm, which has nothing to do with the stores or the store Pro Desk. It's also known as Supply Works. They sell/distribute products such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and janitorial supplies to companies, apartment complexes, state and local agencies such as school systems and police departments and jails, etc.

My wife was a manager at Lowes . She has since retired on disability . She was going to sell her Lowes stock but I told her to hang on to it . When HD buys them out she might profit from it . I think it's coming at some point . They do some stupid shit at the corporate level .

Obviously, the outcome of this discussion is 100% location dependent.

We have all three nearby. HD, Lowe's and Menards. HD is a joke. If truth in advertising was the order of the day, their lumber would be labeled as kindling. Mediocre selection on most things and surly staff. Lowe's is a step up. Lumber is much better quality and at least the staff is helpful. Menard's absolutely kicks ass. Great selection, better than average lumber and the 11% rebate deal they run nearly all the time can really add up if you shop there often. YMMV

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
^ Eagle hardware still open? I was in there almost 30 years ago (how did that happen?) and thought they made HD and Lowes look wanting.

Lowe’s bought Eagle hardware little over 15 yrs ago

Ace is my first stop, as mentioned they have great customer service and oddball fasteners.

Then I'll go to Lowes next, as it is closer than HD, they have decent CS and I can take my dog with me.

HD is a little farther away, has crappy CS and won't let me take my dog in.

Lowes is the closest to me so I tend to go there a bit more for quick needs but I spend more at Home Depot.

Home Depot has a better search algorithm on their app(to me at least), Milwaukee tools, rigid tools and therefore rigid shop vac filters, their restrooms are on the sides so you don’t have to walk through the checkouts and around people to take a piss, and they have Coke products instead of Pepsi.

Customer service has been a mixed bag from both companies for me, getting someone on the phone to check it something is on the shelf is the worst.

Edit to add lumber, I don’t think either is a good choice for lumber.

quote:

Originally posted by sureshot45:
Lowes is the closest to me so I tend to go there a bit more for quick needs but I spend more at Home Depot.

Home Depot has a better search algorithm on their app(to me at least), Milwaukee tools, rigid tools and therefore rigid shop vac filters, their restrooms are on the sides so you don’t have to walk through the checkouts and around people to take a piss, and they have Coke products instead of Pepsi.

Customer service has been a mixed bag from both companies for me, getting someone on the phone to check it something is on the shelf is the worst.

Edit to add lumber, I don’t think either is a good choice for lumber.

I use Milwaukee cordless tools (for anyone who hasn't gotten into cordless tools, once you get started, your existing investment in brand-specific chargers and expensive batteries means you need a really compelling reason to go outside that ecosystem).

I don't go to HD or Lowe's very often, but when I do, I am usually looking to pick up another battery or new cordless tool, which means I go to Home Depot - as you point out, Lowe's doesn't carry Milwaukee.