Lowes low

[Shimon]

The Lowes around here used to be Eagle until Lowes bought them out. Eagle was great. Plenty of helpful worker bees, good products, good support. Then Lowes bought them and after a while most of the good workers left while those that remained on board have a developed a harried, glazed-eye look which is very sad to see. Plus, what used to be a pleasant trip to the local Eagle store has turned into a depressing and frustrating experience which I liken to poking a sharp pencil in your eye. I think this is what is referred to as "progress".

 

[3RRL]

the lowes near me is pretty good about avoiding lines, if there are more than 3 ppl in a line they open a new one, also if someone is taking forever they often open another one. or if you go the contractor checkout it is generally free...


Aaron Z

Well, you are lucky then.
They probably have someone there with a brain?
Out here, Lowes and Home Depot, they are all standing around watching you...an incredible display of apathy. They got that look on their face that says "What, do you really expect me to help you?".

 

[mowpower]

Yep not too many helpful people in those places, when you need help can't find anyone in the whole store. When you don't need help 4 or 5 helpers stop by asking to help. I love when the only checker open is the self scan line and the spotter invites you "ready to check out"? Sure let me scan this stack of 2x4's and plywood!

 

[Bedlam]

LOL on scanning the stack of 2x4's When the first self serves opened her in Wal Mart, I had 50 lbs of dog food, I held it up and scanned it.(this was before the removable tags) The machine then went into berserk, :weight is wrong please wait for assistance' We stood there as the one single woman tried to assist the other three registers that were messing up also. She finally got to mine and said in a nasty way "SIR you must put the bag on the counter so the register can sense the weight"
So I picked up 50 lbs of Dog Food and was about to drop it onto the table.
Too Funny.
And mind you this was a handicap accessible counter,
It all comes down to what people can tolerate.I once went to Home Depot and wanted 30 bundles of wood shingles. A worker there said that the lift operator was busy but would get the only pallet down in a minute. I told the person, it was fine not to rush, Id be back in the am ,thinking that would help them out some. the next am at 7 am I was there. and the pallet was still up top.(so much for being Mr nice guy) LOL
They thought i was nasty when I asked for the key for the fork truck, to bring it down. After almost an hour they finally could figure out to drop it. And only bashed a few things bringing it down .
But all in all everyone has a breaking point, Some can tolerate it longer, the employees seem to want to tip people to that edge.
Secret shoppers and all, they don't have to worry

 

[scesnick]

I hate Lowes with a passion for many different reasons/experiences. I only go there when the local 84 Lumber or local harware stores do not have what I am looking for.

 

[MLinOleMiss]

My wife and I went to Lowes the other day looking at kitchen cabinets and 'bothered" the cabinet associate with a few questions. When we began discussing prices, he told me that it would be an additional 1500 to 2000 dollars for installation. I told him that I didn't need installation as my father-in-law is a carpenter and he would install them. He told me that he could not sell them to me without installation, I asked where this policy was displayed on the sales floor and got the old blank stare. I then asked who installed the cabinets and he said "we do". I asked to speak to one of the installers and he said that they don't work at the store. I asked him where they worked and he kind of shrugged and said that Lowes hires independent contractors to put in the cabinets. I asked if they always used the same contractor and another blank stare. I mentioned that it was funny that Lowes could use their contractor of choice to install my cabinets but I couldn't. He muttered something about warranty and self-installation. I asked if they required their contractors to install everything that they sold, third blank stare. Left after the drooling began, I don't think he ever figured out where I was going with the conversation.

 

[Ken_CT]

Home Depot recently contacted me about this tree. (click on pic)
They said they are having difficulty finding wood suitable for their 2X4s. (only kidding)

 

[mjarrels]

Shimon,

I use to love shopping at that Eagle Hardware store when I lived on Whidbey Island... HAD the best FREE coffee which would keep you shopping longer!

mark

 

[Blagadan]

I love the "phone number" requirement when I go into the big box stores...
I dont live in the USA but I do travel there on business quite a lot. Almost every time I'm in the states I wind up in Lowes or HD (You guys get great bargains over there)... Anyway.... When I'm queuing up to pay for my stuff and the cashier asks for my number, and I say "sorry i'm from Europe!, I dont have a US phone number". I LOVE the following expression on their face... The blood drains and they go into a kind of freeze mode! Nearly every time, they have no clue what to do with me. But I dont leave until I get my item. Most times a manager is called and 9 out of 10 times I get a discount for my troubles... Yeah, I'm a trouble maker...

Over here we have a similar store to HD, its called B&Q. Looks identical to HD even down to the orange aprons.... Most of the staff working in the B&Q's I frequent are older people, maybe fifty somethings, semi retired plumbers, painters, carpenters, gardeners... About all of them have a specialised knowledge and are placed in the right department to answer questions relating to the product on sale... I like the service there...

 

[scesnick]

Over here we have a similar store to HD, its called B&Q. Looks identical to HD even down to the orange aprons.... Most of the staff working in the B&Q's I frequent are older people, maybe fifty somethings, semi retired plumbers, painters, carpenters, gardeners... About all of them have a specialised knowledge and are placed in the right department to answer questions relating to the product on sale... I like the service there...

Now there is a novel idea that Lowes and HD will never EVER do. That might ruin the crappy shopping experience that they work so hard to acheive...