Home Depot - or- Lowe's ?

Question

The Lowe's people seem to know more about what you're looking for. Agree or disagree?

Answer 1

Around here (SE CT)?
LOWE's for sure, sales people know their stuff, better service and better prices.

Home Depot ALWAYS has a thousand shoppers and only two cash registers open! UGGGH! And I've complained too many times, now I just go to LOWE's.

Answer 2

I have worked for both companies as an associate and department manager. So, you want the truth on who is the best of the big boxes? Here it is, niether. They are the same thing, just differant quirks. They carry a few things that are differant from each other, to try to set them selves apart, but, they carry pretty much the same merchandise. They shop each other for pricing, relentlessly. They have pretty much the same useless training.

You can have a great Home Depot and a terrible Lowes in one area, and just 15 miles away its just the oppisite. The credit goes to the people inside the stores, if they know what they are doing and are helpful, that will be a good store, if the management just hired some kids to work the floor, it will be terrible.

One thing i did notice that makes one stand out from the other is that Lowes has a better ordering system so they have the potential to stay in stock better, however, I have also seen that system fail because of incompetent employees.

Thats the gist of it, if you want a good experiance at either one, find an associate that knows what he/she is talking about, is willing to help, and always goto that person.

Answer 3

No offense to you or any who answer, but there truly is no right or wrong answer for the Q. It's totally based on individual experiences and preferences. Certainly as a POLL it's valid.

They both have Up's and Downs, on any list, and because one here believes "they" were treated better or found what they needed at one or the other isn't strictly a written in stone Commandment that either is better or worse.

It also has to do with convenience. I happen to know that wherever a Home Depot pops up, soon to follow will be a Lowes, and vice versa. It's natural in a competetive market. My example of convenience however relates more to MY KNOWING each store, and EXACTLY what I want, and deciding, should I go to the one that is closer, even on the same side of the highway, or should I spend the extra 10 miles in gas and time, to save 14 cents on a pack of hardware?

In large measure they both offer the same things. They both use many of the same suppliers, and they both hire people who NEED work, and are likely to have some HOME related skills or experience. NO ONE here can judge either company by the people employed to serve any customers needs.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

It depends on the store. I have shopped at both. In my area here are 3 Home Depot's and 1 Lowe's. 2 of the Home Depot stores are staffed and managed by idiots and I only use them as a matter of convenience. The 3rd Home Depot is an excellent store, that has never given me bad advice and almost always has what I need readily available.

Answer 5

Lowes is the best home improvement place by far. They have knowedgeable and very helpful people. They smile, they greet you and are more than glad to help you. Home Depot on the other hand have the worst employees I've ever seen. Ask them a question and they don't have a clue what you're talking about. Ask them if they have a certain item and they just don't know. We only have the Home Depot in our area and it ticks me off when I have to go there.

Answer 6

You can't use a broad paint brush to condemn either. I work at HD, and can say that the vast majority of Associates are hard working, honest people. I'm sure it is the same at Lowe's. HD has a very extensive training program for their employees, and I'm sure Lowe's does as well. The difference in the two chains comes down to the local stores' management. Like any field, some are better than others. Some managers can use the system to inspire employees to run an attractive, well stocked, effective operation, other don't. I think what this whole discussion boils down to, if you're trying to compare the two chains, is that the store best serves your needs in your area deserves your business.

Answer 7

Lowes-more expertise and better designed stores. I hate how I feel like I as the customer am in the way of their messes in Home Depot. Used to like them-but have become very disappointed in the last 5-7 years.

Answer 8

Lowes

Answer 9

LOWE'S, Home Depot is staffed by a bunch of dumbasses. I was in Home Depot in Hobbs, New Mexico and heard two HD employees in the next aisle. Apparently a manager talking to one of his underlings. His exact words were, "Man, when a customer comes in here looking at an item, just tell them what they want to hear, you can sell them anything". So basically their policy is, it doesn't matter if the customer needs this gizmo or not, and it doesn't matter if this gizmo won't solve the customer's problem. If he needs something we don't have, just sell him something, it don't matter what. Just make a sale...
I abandoned my shopping cart, left that damn store, and drove 100 miles to Lubbock, to the nearest Lowes. I'll never do Home Depot again.

Answer 10

Lowes knows more and has things better marked. Both stores are losing ground as they move more and more to yuppie decorator stores and often do not stock things builders and (real) do-it-yourselfers need. Those yuppie duppies that hang out in Lowes on the weekends and have given both stores the designation of "New Church of the Millennium" are good for some hysterical laughing fits. I have actually heard "what's this 'Hon' " and the response of "I don't know, but it is interesting, and we may be able to use it for something sometime, so, let's get it" as into the cart it goes. Do you people know we laugh at you.