skeletonizer
Well-known member
Menards 
Home Depot or Lowes?
- Thread starter CarWashGuy
- Start date
Scotto
Well-known member
That's often difficult though because most products will conveniently have different model numbers (for the same thing) or they carry different manufacturers.
Bolster
Well-known member
I basically live at these two stores locially, and my comments are particular to just those two stores in So Cal (ie, not making generalities about the whole line):
HD is better for "contractor" type needs (except lumber). They've recently made an effort to have more, and more friendly help. I find that the content of the advice from HD staff is superior, some of their staff have actual experience in the trades.
Lowe's is better for "pretty your home" stuff, and better lumber, cleaner, better organized. I have found their "help" to be abysmally stupid, not just one or two employees, but pretty much all of them. I think the Lowe's staff, while readily available, doesn't know anything. They are just sales people hired off the street.
BOTTOM LINE: Viva La Competition!!! But usually HD is my first choice.
HD is better for "contractor" type needs (except lumber). They've recently made an effort to have more, and more friendly help. I find that the content of the advice from HD staff is superior, some of their staff have actual experience in the trades.
Lowe's is better for "pretty your home" stuff, and better lumber, cleaner, better organized. I have found their "help" to be abysmally stupid, not just one or two employees, but pretty much all of them. I think the Lowe's staff, while readily available, doesn't know anything. They are just sales people hired off the street.
BOTTOM LINE: Viva La Competition!!! But usually HD is my first choice.
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nightrain00
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2008
- Messages
- 134
Well here in the area of New York I'm in I find the Lowes much nicer, cleaner and better stocked than either one of the Home Depots in the area. The help for the most part ***** in either one. They built the Lowes right across the street from the lumber yard I used to work at part time. When they were building it all the contracters we dealt with used to ask if we were worried about the competition. We always said we were happy about it because now all the weekend do it yourselfer retards would go across the street. That's pretty much the way it went people who have a clue go to the lumber yard the retards that come in saying" I need a piece of wood this size " while holding thier arms outstretched go to Lowes
kartracer23
Well-known member
Well, I always hate to bother the clerks since they're over talking with the other clerks. Y'know...don't want to interrupt their conversation about what they did last night or anything.
TejasBimmer
Well-known member
McCoy's for lumber and most fasteners for building stuff.
Sears or On-line for most of my tools & hardware.
Only time I have gone to HD or Lowes are for ceiling fans, door locks, weed and feed for the lawn.
Plants to the local garden shop.
oh yeah, I find Lowes better for asking questions.
Sears or On-line for most of my tools & hardware.
Only time I have gone to HD or Lowes are for ceiling fans, door locks, weed and feed for the lawn.
Plants to the local garden shop.
oh yeah, I find Lowes better for asking questions.
brockstar
Well-known member
I agree on needing a shower after going to Home Depot. I really do prefer their Behr line of paint over Lowe's.
You all are having an influence! I now feel the need to start shopping at my local hardware store. The one with wooden floors, smells old and still sells guns!
You all are having an influence! I now feel the need to start shopping at my local hardware store. The one with wooden floors, smells old and still sells guns!
geaugafletcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2008
- Messages
- 215
Same store, different colors. The both kinda ****.
jerk_chicken
Banned
One thing I won't complain about is going to the 24 hour HD by me, I found a deal on a 4 pack of channelock pliers and cutters that went out for like 10 bucks in the middle of the night. No price marked, so I asked the woman doing stock and revamping that area. Gave my dad one of the pliers and I have the other three here now.
The other time, I had another car-crisis and needed a welder because I thought I could weld a timing pin back onto my flywheel. Anyhow, that idea didn't work, but I picked up a small Lincoln in the middle of the night, its box inside an unmarked white box on a shelf, no price or anything. Ended up getting it for like 190 or 200. It was a 110/88a, but it suited my purposes whenever I needed it.
The other time, I had another car-crisis and needed a welder because I thought I could weld a timing pin back onto my flywheel. Anyhow, that idea didn't work, but I picked up a small Lincoln in the middle of the night, its box inside an unmarked white box on a shelf, no price or anything. Ended up getting it for like 190 or 200. It was a 110/88a, but it suited my purposes whenever I needed it.
WSMC633
Well-known member
Lowes. Home Depots around me are all such dumps. Where my shop is there is a home depot 1 mile west of me and they're building a Lowes 1.5 miles to the south. I can't wait for that Lowes to open....
boiler7904
Well-known member
Had to use self-checkout at HD a couple of days ago even though there were 4 cashiers standing around having a conversation.
I try to use local lumber yards or supply houses over the big boxes but there are times when you have to use one of the big three.
Personally, I drive past Home Depot and Menards to go to Lowes for most stuff because they usually have what I'm looking for or have people that can point me in the right direction. Store is also the cleanest and most organized.
Home Depot is good in the summer because they're open later than the other two which is helpful when I'm doing something and realize that it's 5 minutes past Lowes / Menards closing time. Tool rental at HD is a lot more convenient than driving 15 minutes to the next closest place.
Menards is good for electrical and plumbing supplies. The epoxy for my garage came from there since the other two don't have Rust Oleum Pro. The thing about Menards is that you have to watch a lot of the quality because so much of it is imported Chiwanese **** - moreso than the other two.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Menards
Ditto on the Menards
But it is 45+ minutes away from me. I have a Home Depot and a Lowes almost side by side that is only 15 minutes away or a Lowes that is 25 minutes the other way. I prefer Lowes. The Home Depot seems too gloomy inside, all the help is at the opposite end of the building, or all the aisles are always jambed up with something in the road. It has always been that way. Lowes just seems cleaner, brighter, and better organized.davestlouis
Well-known member
We used to have at least 2 HD's that were 24 hour stores, don't know if they still are because I haven't had a late-night emergency lately. Local HD's are dirty and the stock tends to be dusty and poorly merchandised.
JohnK007
Well-known member
I've got four Home Depots within a five mile circle of my house. But when it's all said and done, I prefer the Menard's about 7 miles away. I haven't got a Lowes close enough to warrant the trip.
jerk_chicken
Banned
Anyone still use a local hardware store?
kwright
Well-known member
Actually, this has been my experience too. Though I go to both HD and Lowes, I find the HD is cleaner, better organized and has more help around and they seem to be more knowledgeable and willing to help.
Tool selection and displays are pretty good in both stores.
My guess is, the store management as a lot to do with it.
kythri
Well-known member
Home Depot.
The nearest Lowe's is 35 miles away, and I have 3 different Home Depot stores in that same range.
I've given up on expecting employees of any establishment to know about their product these days, so the knowledge level of the employees doesn't end up factoring into much of my decision of where to shop. The children at my local Sears don't know anything about tools, the stoners at my local Best Buy don't know anything about computers or home electronics, and the brain-trust at my local Home Depot doesn't know anything about hardware, so it's up to me to figure out exactly what I need before I go in there. Now that most places have these stupid self-checkout jobbies, I think the only reason the employees exist is because automated/robotic shelf-stocking and floor-cleaning systems are still too expensive.
A great example - we had a busted stair tread in the house. I was trying to find the right piece of lumber - exactly 1" thick, but 1" thick lumber is less than 1", so that wasn't going to work. After talking to 10 employees between the 3 local Home Depot stores, explaining exactly what I needed, even taking the broken tread in with me, I ended up calling a local contractor who advertises home remodeling to see where he would buy something like that. He told me to go to the local Home Depot. When I related my issue, he laughed and told me not to bother with the employees, and then described to me the very spot in the store that the stair treads were stocked - already sanded and with the rounded front like I needed.
Oh, and Lowe's doesn't have Ryobi 18V tools!
The nearest Lowe's is 35 miles away, and I have 3 different Home Depot stores in that same range.
I've given up on expecting employees of any establishment to know about their product these days, so the knowledge level of the employees doesn't end up factoring into much of my decision of where to shop. The children at my local Sears don't know anything about tools, the stoners at my local Best Buy don't know anything about computers or home electronics, and the brain-trust at my local Home Depot doesn't know anything about hardware, so it's up to me to figure out exactly what I need before I go in there. Now that most places have these stupid self-checkout jobbies, I think the only reason the employees exist is because automated/robotic shelf-stocking and floor-cleaning systems are still too expensive.
A great example - we had a busted stair tread in the house. I was trying to find the right piece of lumber - exactly 1" thick, but 1" thick lumber is less than 1", so that wasn't going to work. After talking to 10 employees between the 3 local Home Depot stores, explaining exactly what I needed, even taking the broken tread in with me, I ended up calling a local contractor who advertises home remodeling to see where he would buy something like that. He told me to go to the local Home Depot. When I related my issue, he laughed and told me not to bother with the employees, and then described to me the very spot in the store that the stair treads were stocked - already sanded and with the rounded front like I needed.
Oh, and Lowe's doesn't have Ryobi 18V tools!
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Garage_Mahal
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 31, 2008
- Messages
- 551
I only buy bulk items and sale items at Lowes or HD. My hardware needs are taken care of by local Mom & Pops. I'm lucky to have three good ones within quick driving distance and a pretty amazing one within 20 minutes.
TejasBimmer
Well-known member
Henne Hardware (1857)...oldest in New Braunfels, Tx.
Mainly go there for odds and ends for fasteners, that the other stores would not have.
monstergarage87
Well-known member
Same here. If i need electrical stuff, usually go to HD. If i need hardware or lumber, find a better selection at Lowes.... plus they have really cute cashiers hehe..
What's a neignborhood hardware store? The only thing close to one, might be the local Ace Hardware.
I have both a HD and a Lowes within 2 miles of my home.
As others have mentioned the Lowes is much cleaner and looks better.
The main reason I go to Lowes is because if I need lumber, I can just park near the contractor entrance and have the whole thing done in 15 minutes.
If I go to HD, the lines are much longer and there is not much parking close to the lumber section.
It doesn't seem like the prices are that much different and as far as hardware stuff they both carry the same thing.
Have a good evening.
Brad
I have both a HD and a Lowes within 2 miles of my home.
As others have mentioned the Lowes is much cleaner and looks better.
The main reason I go to Lowes is because if I need lumber, I can just park near the contractor entrance and have the whole thing done in 15 minutes.
If I go to HD, the lines are much longer and there is not much parking close to the lumber section.
It doesn't seem like the prices are that much different and as far as hardware stuff they both carry the same thing.
Have a good evening.
Brad
OP
CarWashGuy
Active member
I would if there were any left with 20 miles of me!
M Fan
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have a local Ace hardware store in our small town here and I do use it occasionally, but they usually don't have what I need and the help is worse than the big box stores. As others have said, I tend to find lower prices at HD, but Lowes are generally nicer, so it really boils down to what I am after. When I was wiring my house for LAN and satellite, HD carries Leviton Quikport which I like better than the stuff Lowes carries. When my wife wanted some new curtain rods for the bedroom, Lowes had a better selection.
Major Ramifications
Well-known member
I buy most items at my wonderful local Ace franchise, but when I need good lumber, Lowes beats HD hands down. As for helpful employees at Lowes, we have two Lowes in the metro area. One is in a nicer part of town, and the other is in a run down part. The employees are literally like day and night, if you know what I mean. Two completely different shopping experiences.
The Lowe's & HD here are comparable for woodworking and construction tools. Insofar as mechanic's tools go, there is absolutely no comparison. HD sells Asian junk for the most part. At least Kobalt is decent quality and generally US made.
kythri
Well-known member
I thought Kobalt was mostly Asian-sourced stuff...
Dust
Well-known member
I was a cashier at Home Depot for two and a half years, six months of those as a head cashier. My store's staff was very experienced, and most of them had on-the-job experience. The electrical department head had been a oil tanker and residential electrician for almost forty years, and she was still as fiesty as ever.
I know I'm a bit biased due to my background, but every time I go in a Lowe's I get creeped out. They all seem very dark, the sales associates are either absent or clueless, and the aisles are extremely cramped. However, I get that feeling in many Home Depot stores as well. The store I worked in was one of the oldest in Orange County, and as a result, it had wide aisles, good lighting, and a comprehensable layout. The store down the street from us was relatively new, about five years old, and its layout was cramped, and there was barely any lighting.
It all depends on the store, really. At my store we had great managers, save for a couple real boneheads that eventually got fired or transfered. The front end superviserial staff was all top notch as well, which really makes or breaks a store. I always had my cashiers doing something if there weren't any customers to ring up.
I know I'm a bit biased due to my background, but every time I go in a Lowe's I get creeped out. They all seem very dark, the sales associates are either absent or clueless, and the aisles are extremely cramped. However, I get that feeling in many Home Depot stores as well. The store I worked in was one of the oldest in Orange County, and as a result, it had wide aisles, good lighting, and a comprehensable layout. The store down the street from us was relatively new, about five years old, and its layout was cramped, and there was barely any lighting.
It all depends on the store, really. At my store we had great managers, save for a couple real boneheads that eventually got fired or transfered. The front end superviserial staff was all top notch as well, which really makes or breaks a store. I always had my cashiers doing something if there weren't any customers to ring up.
Major Ramifications
Well-known member
Am I the only one to feel that Lowes has better air conditioning in their stores? I hate going into HD during the summer because I sweat so much in there.
seetherfiend
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2008
- Messages
- 34
Menards
Sutherlands
Home Depot
Anything besides Lowes
Lowes
Sutherlands
Home Depot
Anything besides Lowes
Lowes
I didn't know Lowe's was owned by Wally-World. Like others have said,it depends on what your shopping for. I've had more problems with Home Depot than Lowe's. Actually quite a lot more. Sometimes I'll go in a local hardware store to compare prices and selection. Depending on what I need, I'll go to the local lumber yard for better quality and selection too.
Scott
Scott
Kona Cruisers
Well-known member
Don't know if this has been brought up in the four pages or not,,,, but ,, Home depot's target market is contractors and professionals .. MEN.
Part of Lowes business plan is to market brighter lighting more appealing to the home owner and FEMALES. not being sexist but end learned this from a Cnbc show on big box stores. just a thought
Part of Lowes business plan is to market brighter lighting more appealing to the home owner and FEMALES. not being sexist but end learned this from a Cnbc show on big box stores. just a thought
Nuit Damnant
Well-known member
Thank god! I read that earlier in this thread and thought I could never step foot in a Lowe's again! I refuse to shop at Wally world. I HATEthat place. I'd rather burn my money in their parking lot than give it to them.
That said, I shop at both, if I need help with something I goto Lowes, they're convieniently right next to work. But Home Depot is closer to the house and if I want to walk around and look for an obscure thing for some off the wall project I'm working on, I'd rather go there. I'm lucky enough to be about 10-15 minutes away from 2 Lowes stores, a HD, a Menards, a TSC, a True Value, the Sears hardware store, and an Andersons general store (which has a GREAT fastener isle. Maybe this is why I'm broke all the time?
Mr_fixit
Well-known member
We have both within 1/2 mile of each other. For Me I prefer Lowes. Lower prices on the accessories....Bottom line is since I'm not usually looking for help since I know what I want, so price rules. If I would be working on a plumbing project, The pipe would cost the same at both , but the fittings wouldn't. Lowes is cheaper. those 10 cents to 50 cents a fitting adds up.....
Lowes for me.
Lowes for me.
rickairmedic
Well-known member
My only major problem with Homie depot ( they are across the street from each other less than 3 miles from my house ) is since they put in the self checkouts I dont care what time of day or day of the week you go in theres one cashier and she is standing in the middle of self checkout. I see it as if I am in your damn store spending my hard earned money I want a person to be taking it not a damn machine.
Rick
Rick
I love self checkouts.
mickeyone
Well-known member
The local hardware and Agway got outta dodge When HD and Lowes came in They both **** for plumbing,electric.I go to the plumbing supply for pipe and parts.Delta at HD is junk.Their electric stuff is sub grade,gotten much worse over the years Ill stick to the supply houses or Sherman Williams for paint.I really miss the old hardware store where it was about quality and customer service.Fight the addiction for cheap goods buy US