Lowes vs. Home Depot?

[GreenNV]

I always go to Lowes and only shop HD when Lowes dos not have the item I am looking for. I prefer the Kobalt brand over Husky. Lowes offers a 10% Veteran's discount every day whereas HD only offers it on three holidays. Both tend to price the same on identical items. Lowes and HD are only .25 miles from each other so distance isn't a problem.

The lumber from both places is poor and you spend a lot of time trying to find straight boards; the plywood has a lot of voids. I now mill my own lumber.

Disclaimer: I also own Lowes stock.

 

[Lkdelta]

Lowes is in my town, HD is a 50 mile round trip.
I like HD better but not that much better.

Yup, me too

Lowes offers a 10% Veteran's discount every day whereas HD only offers it on three holidays.

At my local Lowes, it seems to make a difference who the cashier is,
whether you're getting the discount or not. I have to pay attention to who is on the register and try to find the same from last time

 

[GreenNV]

At my local Lowes, it seems to make a difference who the cashier is,
whether you're getting the discount or not. I have to pay attention to who is on the register and try to find the same from last time

This should be a nation wide policy. I have to show my Veteran's ID card for each transaction. Lowes recently changed the policy that required a manager to okay the discount. Now all cashiers can grant the discount when the card is shown. I would check with customer service at your store to validate the veteran's discount policy.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have 2 Home Depot within 5 miles of me. Lowes is pretty far so needles to say Home Depot is the one. I really like lowes better and do occasionally take the drive.

What drives me crazy is both Home Depots are super close yet they have totally different stuff. I need to remember which one has what before I go there.

 

[gatchel]

I have a Lowes and Home Depot within 3 miles of my home. I have to say that lately I have noticed that they both are sucking as far as help and inventory.

There are "things" in all departments that both stores used to carry that they don't carry any more. When you eventually do speak to someone who has a clue they agree with you on your frustrations and blame the corporate "haven't got a clue" people who are ordering and maintaining inventory for the stores.

To make a long story short, I have been going back to the local supply houses, using amazon, or other internet suppliers like Mc Master Carr, etc... The local Grainger is also a big help but they are business to business and their prices are a premium. When you gotta have it, they follow through.

 

[MFGJR]

I’m really liking the customer service at Home Depot these days:

• Needed a new BBQ grill, and recent hand surgery dictated one that was already assembled. When the one we picked wouldn’t fit in our SUV, the store manager had it loaded in his truck and drove it to our house, gratis—22 mile round trip on a ~$300 purchase.

• Needed 800 SF of inexpensive ceramic floor tile for an addition to match existing tile which we knew the previous owner of our house had sourced from Home Depot. Tile turned out to be discontinued, but they found small quantities at several other stores on the other side of the state, and had it transferred to our local store. When we went to pick it up, they decided it was too heavy for our utility trailer, and once again drove it out to our place at no charge.

• Went shopping for appliances at a different Home Depot store. The sales rep in the appliance area was surprisingly knowledgeable about the products, and even though we couldn’t take delivery for a several weeks, we completed the purchase using the then-current multi-appliance discount and thought we had gotten a pretty good deal. Then, a couple weeks later the sales rep calls us to let us know of a new, even-better sales incentive and she cancelled our previous transaction and re-did it under the new deal, saving us about another $500. Now, that was a pretty sizable purchase (fridge, range, microwave, dishwasher, washer, dryer), and when we needed appliances for another property, we went right back to her.

• While the guys working in the plumbing and electrical sections obviously aren’t professional tradesmen, they’ve actually been reasonably knowledgeable (much more than I!), and always eager to help.

While I agree with the comments about Lowes being better organized and that you can find things there a little easier, I’ll drive past them every time now to go to Home Depot. Maybe what I’m experiencing is isolated to good people in my local stores (Virginia), hopefully it’s more than that.

 

[Anglia Guy]

They are both about the same distance. But I go to HD. A lot better (dryer) wood. And they always seem to carry the other stuff I need. Shoot, I go to Menards before I go to Lowes. It's just down the street from my HD.

 

[kacey2]

I have both stores 2 mi. away, across street from each other. I usually go to Lowes except for paint, Behr. I was in retail for 40 yrs. and I think they both do a good job. Maybe just good help.

 

[bottom feeder]

There are three Home Depot locations in my general area, and two Lowes. Home Depot is closer to where I live (still a 60 mile round trip though) and two of their stores are adjacent to the Interstate, making them easier to get to than Lowes, which are embedded in urban shopping center areas. I have no real preference, but since the HDs are easier to get to I generally start with them, and then go to Lowes if I can't find what I need.

The OP mentioned "no substitutions", but my parting shot would be that the closest Lowes used to be an "Eagle" hardware store, which in it's day was better than HD or Lowes.

 

[SteveCh]

I used to greatly prefer Lowe's. HD is always so crowded that it can be miserable for someone such as I who hates dealing with crowds. Plus, finding someone to assist can be a major chore due to the crowds. Lowe's is, at least around my area, much less crowded [not good for their bottom line, of course].

Also, and again here in my area, I have found that many times Lowe's has better selection of lumber and that may be, yet again, because fewer customers are pawing through it.

That being said, over the past year I have gravitated towards HD more often due to the nastiness or just plain uncaring attitude of Lowe's employees. For example, one day I was looking for a particular light bulb in the lighting dept and the two employees there were talking to each other and when I asked where I might find the bulb, one of them snickered and said, "Better go to Home Depot, they are a much better store and we probably don't have the stupid bulb anyway."

Add to that the unstoppable trend toward Kobalt and other Chinese substandard tools and I am getting pretty tired of Lowe's. HD is not a shining source of US/German/etc. tools, either, but the stuff at Lowe's is just not to my liking at all.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Lowe's is decorated in blue. Home Depot is decorated in orange. Everything I have price compared between the two has been within a few cents either way.

 

[neonnblack]

I prefer HD because they give me less flack about my service dog. Bottom line I shop both. I don't have a lot of choices in my small town.

You shouldnt be getting any flak, from any home depot about any dog you bring in, service or not. Its encouraged to have dogs in the store. I would guess 60% of our people carry dog treats.

 

[melliott28]

I live very close to a Home Depot and a Lowes and shop at both. I don't think one is that much better or worse than the other. However, I tend to choose HD first because their prices are slightly lower on the same or similar items.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Lowes has a better lighting section but I really prefer HD, it seems the pricing is better.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Lowes: always gives veteran discount (10%) when HD may give it if they feel good often do not. I won't take the risk of paying 10% more, so I go to Lowes!

Always or just on Veterans Day?

 

[vwracer]

HD because I hate Jimmy Johnson!

 

[LIGOOMBA]

I use Lowes only because I have 3 pretty close to me.HD is a bit far.

 

[jwalk2c]

Home Depot is my choice. Lowes stopped carrying Simpson Strong Tie and also Closet Maid. Instead they changed to a cheaper made product line. I also like Home Depot's electrical Leviton products better than Lowes Cooper brand.
I can never find the all the small niche items needed to finish a job at Lowes like I can at Home Depot.
And the final nail in my Lowes coffin is they do not have Milwaukee and Makita, at least not in any quantity. Lowes deserted these two tried and true product lines for Dewalt , which in my experience does not hold up in daily abuse like Milwaukee or Makita. Besides Dewalt has to be some of the most unattractive power tools every to be made.
Thank You
Johnny Walker

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm a HD fan. If HD or Menard's doesn't have it, I'll stop by Lowes to see if they do, it's generally a waste of time. I know where stuff is located at HD and alot of the people there recognize me, wife says I'm there too much.

They will give you (not sure if it's company wide) 5% off if you ask for it by using your HD card over Lowe's.

In the last few years, the only time I have gone to Lowe's is when somebody posts something in the Hot Deals section.

 

[nolimits76]

Like most of you, I've used both. Years ago, I was a loyal HD customer when I had both next door to each other. Then I moved and Lowe's become the only choice. I switched. Moved again and have a Lowe's very close, and the HD about 10 miles away.

Most days I chose Lowe's because of convenience, but still generally prefer HD. Lowe's feels more like a "home center" to me to where HD feels more like a glorified lumber yard (which I like). Plus I generally find prices at HD more reasonable. So I wish HD was closer, I'd probably choose them more.

The reality is sometimes one offers things the other doesn't, so I am forced to use both to some degree. The other thing I have noticed having moved around a bit is Lowe's seems to really vary from store to store. I can't stand using the one next door to the HD, but generally like the Lowe's in the more rural areas I have lived. Maybe it's because the employees are more rural too -- I don't know. But I've noticed a difference.

 

[dledinger]

Lowes stopped carrying Simpson Strong Tie...

Pretty sure that's not the case. Just bought some two days ago.

Editied....looks like you're right and I must have bought some old stock. Nothing from Simpson is available online.

 

[dledinger]

They will give you (not sure if it's company wide) 5% off if you ask for it by using your HD card over Lowe's.

Lowes does the same exact thing.

 

[dledinger]

Always or just on Veterans Day?

Lowes gives this every day on every purchase. Just show a military ID.

 

[dledinger]

I prefer HD because they give me less flack about my service dog. Bottom line I shop both. I don't have a lot of choices in my small town.

I've never taken a pet, but everytime I'm in Lowes there are people with large dogs. They sure aren't service dogs, either.

I always figured this was a national policy....guess not.

 

[dledinger]

But I go to HD. A lot better (dryer) wood.

I've noticed that too, but also think the lumber in both *****

 

[chris142]

Lowes is heated and air conditioned. Hd is not. Im not into standing in line with a bunch of sweaty men.

 

[JazRedGT]

Lowe's for me. They allow the 10% military discount on top of whatever sale they are running and can combine coupons as well. Home depot its one or the other but NEVER both.

 

[Tawn]

HD is on my way home from work. Lowes is 32 miles away. A family owned Do It Best and Ace Hardware gets most of my business. The Ace is also a lumber yard.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

From Lowe's website:

Military Discount

Lowe's established the 10% Military Discount to support the men and women who are currently serving our country in the Armed Services1 and to honor Retired Veterans and VA Recipients.2 This 10% discount is also extended to the immediate family3 of those who are currently serving, Retired Veterans, or VA Recipients.

 

[JazRedGT]

From Lowe's website:

Military Discount

Lowe's established the 10% Military Discount to support the men and women who are currently serving our country in the Armed Services1 and to honor Retired Veterans and VA Recipients.2 This 10% discount is also extended to the immediate family3 of those who are currently serving, Retired Veterans, or VA Recipients.

Yeah Lowe's discount is great. HD however are some little ******* about the discount.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Lowes is heated and air conditioned. Hd is not. Im not into standing in line with a bunch of sweaty men.

In Chicago they are all heated AND air conditioned. Why wouldn't they be the same in California?

 

[shopboy13]

Lowes. We have the business credit card with them. 5% off total. Everytime. Plus I like their products better.


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[glider]

I like HD all the way! I have gave them all a chance over the years. This is my standard load and I don't want to make a second trip. Deal with the same person at the pro desk year after year. I get the same discount that is going on at any of the competitors. I feel They put the effort into making my orders the way I want them.

 

[PRH44]

I do both Lowes is just closer for me. I have to go to HD to buy Klein tools.

 

[jveretto]

I prefer Lowes. It is a political/religious reason. Don't ask!

 

[67 camaro]

I prefer HD. The wood at my Lowes is terrible

 

[Falcon67]

HD is my first stop. And, it's right next door across the parking lot is Tractor Supply. I killed 2 hours of a wife hair appointment tonight in two stores with a single parking place.

I like HD because you can typically find help IF you need it. And all the self check lanes are open, even if the store is almost empty. Lowes shuts theirs down when traffic is light. You might end up in line with all 6 people in the store.

 

[dledinger]

I prefer Lowes. It is a political/religious reason. Don't ask!

Don't tell.

 

[cburnscrx]

I’m really liking the customer service at Home Depot these days:

Yep, me too. I wanted to buy some cabinets that were on sale, but the 2 in the store were damaged. I went to customer service to see what could be done, and the store manager went to another store, picked them up, and delivered them to the original HD the next day.

 

[fourjeepin]

Every Home Depot I have ever been in is climate controlled. And I have been to them in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, NC, SC, TN, GA, FL, AL, NY, CA, and Canada.

There are more Lowes in small towns and NC as they started there. HD started here in Atlanta and has concentrated more on the larger markets.

My experience with pricing differences has always been that they are exactly the same or HD is lower. Though I am biased.

Lowes gives their employees 11% off discount. HD gives theirs the same discounts available to customers. No more, no less.