Home Depot vs. Lowes

[opie's twisted balls]

So whats the difference?

We (Canucks) have had Home Depot stores in Canada for about 15 years and as expected they've very much changed the home improvement and building material market place. On the upside they've brought a larger product selection, increased services and reduced prices. On the downside some long time smaller Canadian-only businesses have bit the dust (to be expected).

Lowe's has been operating in Eastern Canada (Ontario) for a few years but recently announced that they're moving west to Alberta (my stomping grounds).

So, for you folks who have had access to both HD and Lowe's is there any difference? i.e. one is better known for offering lower prices where there other has higher end merchandise, etc.

[spoon]

So whats the difference?

We (Canucks) have had Home Depot stores in Canada for about 15 years and as expected they've very much changed the home improvement and building material market place. On the upside they've brought a larger product selection, increased services and reduced prices. On the downside some long time smaller Canadian-only businesses have bit the dust (to be expected).

Lowe's has been operating in Eastern Canada (Ontario) for a few years but recently announced that they're moving west to Alberta (my stomping grounds).

So, for you folks who have had access to both HD and Lowe's is there any difference? i.e. one is better known for offering lower prices where there other has higher end merchandise, etc.

Honestly, they both don't compare to the service and expertise of the old local hardware store, but Lowes around here is always cleaner, more organized and has better help. The prices seem pretty similar overall.

[PilotJeff]

I second what Spoon said. I drive about 20 minutes out of my way to go to Lowes over HD. The store is cleaner, the help is better, and I feel the prices are slightly better. The one thing HD has over Lowes is paint. I find Behr (HD's brand) to be much superior to Lowe's Valspar.

[PapaBear]

Lowe's for the win. Home Depot isn't going to have any worthwhile employees. The local hardware store (at least where I live), is where you want to go for "thing-a-ma-jigs" that you KNOW you have no chance of finding at Home Depot, or Lowe's. I'd prefer to do it all at the local place, but that's just not a reality anymore.

[sailor]

Lowe's for the win. Home Depot isn't going to have any worthwhile employees. The local hardware store (at least where I live), is where you want to go for "thing-a-ma-jigs" that you KNOW you have no chance of finding at Home Depot, or Lowe's. I'd prefer to do it all at the local place, but that's just not a reality anymore.

so, an 8x10 storefront has better variety? not physically possible.

[Reynolds]

I got a job at Home Depot once, kept my full time job at another warehouse until I was sure I liked it. I decided to stay, and quit my other full time job. The next day they fired me because they said I lied on my application, because I had a DUI from 5 years earlier. What I'm trying to say is "fuck home depot".

[ToiletCrusher]

Honestly, they both don't compare to the service and expertise of the old local hardware store, but Lowes around here is always cleaner, more organized and has better help. The prices seem pretty similar overall.

I couldn't agree with that statement more.

We have a family owned chain, Valu, and the help is fantastic.

I think there are about 10 total locations around Buffalo and theyactually are cheaper than Home Depot and Lowe's.

If I had to choose between the big nation-wide ones, I would choose Lowe's as well.

[Chigworthy]

Blue and white is slightly easier to look at than orange and white.

[razorboy]

If I have to go to a big box hardware store, I prefer Lowes. My one item of exception would be paint. HD has the far superior paint department.

[ToiletCrusher]

If I have to go to a big box hardware store, I prefer Lowes. My one item of exception would be paint. HD has the far superior paint department.

high definition paint is good.

[~Katja~]

Lowes has the better showerhead selection and also does not question my skills when it comes to handy work

[ToiletCrusher]

hehehe.

handy.

[ANC]

I have both right by each other. So if Lowes don't have it I go to HD.

Meh I find Lowes to have slightly better prices, nicer finishing hardware and more knowledgable employees. So I prefer going there.

But both HD and Lowes were sold out of snow shovels yesterday so fuck em both in the pooper.

[instrument]

home depot=wal mart lowes=target

same shit inside of each though.

always heard home depot has more commercial sales and lowes more to the public.

[Tenbatsuzen]

little story -

I just bought a washer and dryer set from Home Depot. The installation went badly. I went into Home Depot to complain, and the manager gave me all the parts I needed to fix it. What I would have preferred is him to send another installation team out to fix it, but it is what it is.

[ToiletCrusher]

Is everything really that awful?

Never have I seen someone complain about so much.

You make it what it is, not "it is what it is".

[underdog]

Lowes has the better showerhead selection and also does not question my skills when it comes to handy work

They are quietly judging you, though.

[opie's twisted balls]

home depot=wal mart lowes=target
If the comparison is accurate then I look forward to Lowe's. We don't have Target here (yet) but from my visits to their stores when I am in the States I like them much better the walmart.


Lowes has the better showerhead selection and also does not question my skills when it comes to handy work
They are quietly judging you, though.
No judging at all. Just thinking about ~K~ looking at the shower heads at Lowe's and trying to decide which would be the best aquatic "friend" nudge nudge wink wink. :D

Oh and thinking that women doing home improvement kind of stuff is HAWT!


Thanks all for the input!

[smiler grogan]

I found for general building supplied HD is better. Anything for a finished room Lowes wins but I will still hit the local guys first unless it's stuff like plywood then like I said its HD.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Is everything really that awful?

Never have I seen someone complain about so much.

You make it what it is, not "it is what it is".

Where do I complain about stuff?

First, I'm a very educated consumer, so pump your fucking brakes.

Secondly, Home Depot botched an installation and I'm not supposed to complain?

I already had to take a day off to be home for the installers the first time. I am trying to conserve my days off for next year. Part of this was my fault anyway because I didn't measure the area correctly.

If you're going to call out, have a better case.

[GregoryJoseph]

With a gun to my head and being forced to choose, I'd take Lowe's.

[britneypablo]

<font color="deeppink"> i love Lowes...i go at least once a week if only to talk around and i love getting a hot dog on the way out...ill prob go tomorrow to buy some things and walk around

[RoseBlood]

Part of this was my fault anyway because I didn't measure the area correctly.

My parents had a new fridge/freezer put in from Home Depot and everything went great. Mind you, my father measured correctly and made the necessary adjustments so it wouldn't be a hassle.

I'm not denying the inemptitude of the installation guy. I realize for every good reliable one, there's another equally horrible one. But no matter how badly they messed up, how could you expect it to go smoothly when you admittedly didn't measure correctly?

I don't understand people who don't measure shit before they order it and then get upset when things don't work out as they had hoped.

[Tenbatsuzen]

My parents had a new fridge/freezer put in from Home Depot and everything went great. Mind you, my father measured correctly and made the necessary adjustments so it wouldn't be a hassle.

I'm not denying the inemptitude of the installation guy. I realize for every good reliable one, there's another equally horrible one. But, no matter how badly they messed up, how could you expect it to go smoothly when you admittedly didn't measure correctly?

I don't understand people who don't measure shit before they order it and then get upset when things don't work out as they hoped.

I brought the dimensions in to the store and the HD guy was like, "oh yeah, it'll fit."

The washer and dryer did fit in the space. The problem was, the door to access the garage (they are in a mud room) didn't swing open all the way like it did with the past washer/dryer, and that made my OCD go bananas.

Like, previously, it swung the full 90 degrees to open, now it only swung like 75 degrees.

The thing is, there's a part so this problem wouldn't happen - it wasn't the W/D, it was the vent duct that is required for the dryer. It pushed everything out. There's a smaller version of the duct, but the installer 1) didn't have it 2) and told me to get a much unsafer alternative. (Plastic dryer duct - if I bought that and installed it and it was discovered, it would have voided the warranty on the dryer PLUS I wouldn't be able to sell my house unless I took it out)

[Tenbatsuzen]

With a gun to my and being forced to choose, I'd take Lowe's.

To your what? Chest? Head? WE NEED TO KNOW.

[sailor]

home depot=wal mart lowes=target

same shit inside of each though.

always heard home depot has more commercial sales and lowes more to the public.

never gone to lowe's, but whenever I've gone to home depot there are a lot of contractors there.

[hammersavage]

I went to both last night looking for something. I left disappointed from HD and bought two things from Lowe's.

[underdog]

I don't understand people who don't measure shit before they order it and then get upset when things don't work out as they had hoped.

It's insane. You have no idea how few people actually measure before they make a large purchase of furniture or an appliance.

[britneypablo]

<font color="deeppink"> i carry a giant orange purse and inside is always my tape measure and a mini maglight flashlight....those are two things a girl should always have on them at all times....and this thread proves why

[ANC]

I brought the dimensions in to the store and the HD guy was like, "oh yeah, it'll fit."

The washer and dryer did fit in the space. The problem was, the door to access the garage (they are in a mud room) didn't swing open all the way like it did with the past washer/dryer, and that made my OCD go bananas.

Like, previously, it swung the full 90 degrees to open, now it only swung like 75 degrees.

The thing is, there's a part so this problem wouldn't happen - it wasn't the W/D, it was the vent duct that is required for the dryer. It pushed everything out. There's a smaller version of the duct, but the installer 1) didn't have it 2) and told me to get a much unsafer alternative. (Plastic dryer duct - if I bought that and installed it and it was discovered, it would have voided the warranty on the dryer PLUS I wouldn't be able to sell my house unless I took it out)

Hey Matty, I know just the guy who can help ya......

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w6xtfed-JTA/Rv0U3KrWlII/AAAAAAAAAuI/rxSgRG9t8cw/s320/rich+vos.jpg

EDIT - FUCK! Wrong Door! Stupid Stupid Stupid...

[nickypeeps]

I was a cashier at home depot for a while and since i didn't know anything about hardware, power tools, gardening, plumbing, electrical work, lumber, and virtually anything they sold in the store, whenever someone would ask me what I thought they would need to build something or ask me where something specific was, i was just pick the corner of the store that was farthest away from me and tell them it was over there. And there was always a pretty good chance that there weren't enough sales people working that day for the customer to even find someone to near whatever corner I sent them to, but if you send them to the wrong part of the store with confidence, they're more likely to think I knew what I was talking about and that they just weren't able to find it, so they wouldn't come ask me again lest they look foolish

I was also cashier of the month within the first three months of working, so that gives a pretty good ballpark for the bar of shitty customer service Home Depot strives for

[~Katja~]

I went to both last night looking for something. I left disappointed from HD and bought two things from Lowe's.
http://r3fresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/duct-tape-3m.jpg

+

http://www.alpinist.com/media/web07f/ms-infinity-rope.jpg

[Tenbatsuzen]

http://r3fresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/duct-tape-3m.jpg

+

http://www.alpinist.com/media/web07f/ms-infinity-rope.jpg

And don't forget:

http://evergreen-rentals.com/images/shovel.jpg

+

http://www.biodieselbarn.com/red_devil_5_op_540x600.jpg

[Tenbatsuzen]

Hey Matty, I know just the guy who can help ya......

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w6xtfed-JTA/Rv0U3KrWlII/AAAAAAAAAuI/rxSgRG9t8cw/s320/rich+vos.jpg

EDIT - FUCK! Wrong Door! Stupid Stupid Stupid...

I do giggle at Vos' stupidity often, so I'll allow it.

[spoon]

I was a cashier at home depot for a while and since i didn't know anything about hardware, power tools, gardening, plumbing, electrical work, lumber, and virtually anything they sold in the store, whenever someone would ask me what I thought they would need to build something or ask me where something specific was, i was just pick the corner of the store that was farthest away from me and tell them it was over there. And there was always a pretty good chance that there weren't enough sales people working that day for the customer to even find someone to near whatever corner I sent them to, but if you send them to the wrong part of the store with confidence, they're more likely to think I knew what I was talking about and that they just weren't able to find it, so they wouldn't come ask me again lest they look foolish

I was also cashier of the month within the first three months of working, so that gives a pretty good ballpark for the bar of shitty customer service Home Depot strives for

You made me laugh and want to hit you in the same post you mother fucker! I love it, unless it's happening to me. What this thread is needing is Matty making it about himself...ooops, missed it. Tell us more MATT!

[Tenbatsuzen]

You made me laugh and want to hit you in the same post you mother fucker! I love it, unless it's happening to me. What this thread is needing is Matty making it about himself...ooops, missed it. Tell us more MATT!

Speaking of someone who complains too much...

Tell us, what awful thing is Jon doing now?

[spoon]

Speaking of someone who complains too much...

Tell us, what awful thing is Jon doing now?

He's ur twitter ho.

[Tenbatsuzen]

He's ur twitter ho.

I still want to (seriously) know how I made this thread about me. (Even though by asking you this, I'm doing just that.)

OTB asked for people's opinions on Home Depot vs. Lowe's. I gave mine. Someone followed up on my post. I responded.

If I make threads all about me or I complain constantly, you'd see multiple threads about how "HD fucked up my dryer installation" or something like that.

Believe me, I have enough stuff in my life right now to complain about that I could cover this board in my life.

[PapaBear]

so, an 8x10 storefront has better variety? not physically possible.
Not only do they tend to have more small hardware, you can walk in, show someone a part, and they will take you to where they are. And our "local" hardware places aren't small. They just don't have all of the lumber, washers and dryers, and refrigerators. They have HARDWARE.

[landarch]

They're both garbage. Go local. It's worth the extra time, gas, and money every time.

[hydee]

So whats the difference?

We (Canucks) have had Home Depot stores in Canada for about 15 years and as expected they've very much changed the home improvement and building material market place. On the upside they've brought a larger product selection, increased services and reduced prices. On the downside some long time smaller Canadian-only businesses have bit the dust (to be expected).

Lowe's has been operating in Eastern Canada (Ontario) for a few years but recently announced that they're moving west to Alberta (my stomping grounds).

So, for you folks who have had access to both HD and Lowe's is there any difference? i.e. one is better known for offering lower prices where there other has higher end merchandise, etc.


Just when I am buying a 33 acre farm in North Glengarry :(

[Chigworthy]

Just when I am buying a 33 acre farm in North Glengarry :(

Just go to Canadian Tire.

[cougarjake13]

So whats the difference?

We (Canucks) have had Home Depot stores in Canada for about 15 years and as expected they've very much changed the home improvement and building material market place. On the upside they've brought a larger product selection, increased services and reduced prices. On the downside some long time smaller Canadian-only businesses have bit the dust (to be expected).

Lowe's has been operating in Eastern Canada (Ontario) for a few years but recently announced that they're moving west to Alberta (my stomping grounds).

So, for you folks who have had access to both HD and Lowe's is there any difference? i.e. one is better known for offering lower prices where there other has higher end merchandise, etc.


for me it feels like this


home depot is for men and construction types

lowes is for women and do it yourselfers