NO-NO Home Depot ??? (appliances, to buy, contractors)

[alroj]

Just had 2 bad experiences with HD, interested to know if that happened just to me ? Is Lowes better then HD? I'm looking to redo my kitchen....

[CouponJack]

Back when HD first started opening stores, they hired well trained, experienced people from the different trades. Over the years they started cutting out good people in place for part-timers (so they wouldn't have to pay benefits...)

Granted, not every store is like this but a good majority I can confidently say this has happened to (since I work in the industry and spent a good amount of time in the stores).

In regards to HD vs. Lowe's. Most women prefer Lowe's and men/contractors prefer HD. Of course there will be exceptions....

[jstevens44]

Originally Posted by CouponJack

In regards to HD vs. Lowe's. Most women prefer Lowe's and men/contractors prefer HD. Of course there will be exceptions....

A guy working at Lowe's told me this too. He said that they were designed with those preferences in mind.

[SunnyKayak]

shop Lowes it head quartered here and so is there garden supplier Metrolina Green house


Besides they sponsor Jimmy Johnson

[ellemaew]

Originally Posted by SunnyKayak

shop Lowes it head quartered here and so is there garden supplier Metrolina Green house


Besides they sponsor Jimmy Johnson

Oh Sunny, you would have to say that (you like Jimmie Johnson!!)!! psst, I'm a Tony Stewart fan I still like you though!

But, on to the topic at hand...we are getting ready to redo our kitchen so I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I wanted. I've spent a lot of time on both sites (No Sunny, I'm not a traitor, HD isn't sponsoring Tony next year!!).
I have found that it really depends on what you are looking at - HD had 4 times as many options for kitchen faucets as Lowe's had. But Lowe's had more, and in my opinion, better, selections for tile. As far as customer service and knowledge, I haven't really spent much time with reps from either company - I've usually done my homework first or am having the installation work done and don't need to know - but when we were painting I was very pleased with both the customer service and the product that I got from HD. For store layout, yes, I like Lowe's better - it's "prettier". HD very much has that industrial hardware store feel.

[Doorway]

I say support Lowes as much as you can since they are headquartered here

[anifani821]

I am a Lowe's fanatic. I have had a thing for Lowe's since I started housekeeping (and scarily - that has more than 25 years now!!!) Got my first free-standing freezer from Lowes - their Holiday brand. I have used their financing plans to buy so many things, from appliances to grills to lumber.

I like everything about Lowe's more than HD, including customer service on the floor as well as customer service on the phone.

Just to be sure that I was not missing out on anything, I faithfully comparison shopped from about 2000 to 2004, at wh/ time I decided that I was consistently getting better prices at Lowe's. So I quit comparison shopping and just head to Lowe's now.

That being said . . . there have been times when I am looking for a particular item, and can't find exactly what I want, so then I find out if Lowe's can order what I want . . . and I also check w/ HD to see if the prices are any different (or if HD has the exact thing I am looking for).

Lowe's runs their company well and I appreciate how I am treated there. I am with Doorway - even if all things are equal - I will support Lowe's b/f HD. Keep those jobs here in our region!!!!

[Stripes17]

The two chains were always equal to me in terms of price, product, and convenience.

My Nascar influence has always made me prefer HD to Lowes. Was never a fan of Mike Skinner or Jimmie Johnson (cars that Lowes has sponsored). I am a Tony Stewart fan, so I always shopped at the orange store when the choice needed to be made.

Now that my #1 driver (Jr.) is with Hendrick, I have to somewhat support Johnson / Lowes as a good teammate.

Oh, the conflicts in life!!!

[mullman]

We bought a very nice GE Profile stainless fridge a few years when we did a complete kitchen remodel (did not use a big box store). The Lowes installers brought the fridge in, and hooked it up, but it was wobbling about 3/4". My wife (I was at work) ask the guys what the problem and told them it just did not seem correct.
Their response was 'it will level out when you put some food in it'.
LOL! I got out the manual and leveled it when I got home. This took all over 3 minutes.

IMHO, the big box stores just have horrible installment services.
I could tell you some real horror stories on Lowes and HD kitchens installations, BTW.

[alroj]

Thank you all for the suggestions!
Mullman, what kind of horror stories do you know about L & HD? What is the alternative then? I'm kinda scared to start this project.