What's your most favorite 'big box' home store and why?

[4570Man]

My only option for a "big box store" is Lowes. There's a few smaller hardware stores around. For building materials there's a locally owned lumber yard that's cheaper, and has far better selection with free delivery on a decent order.

 

[4570Man]

A little over 20 years ago we ordered shingles from XXXXXXXX delivered to our roof. A flatbed truck showed up with a portable conveyor. The driver set the conveyor on the back of the truck bed, leaned it against our house, denting the siding, then knocked it off the back of the truck. It fell against the house and slid in and arc down to the ground, gouging the siding. I sent him and the shingles back to the store. I called the store manager and was told he was a sub-contractor (even though the truck said XXXXXXXX all over it) and I'd have to pursue any damages through him, not XXXXXXXX. So I called their company headquarters... and was told the same thing. They refused to help me. I had to go after the sub-contractor myself, which we did. I didn't do business with them for about 20 years, and I told everyone I knew about my experience with their sub-contractor and their lack of assistance. And I wrote a letter to the local paper who did a story on it. Anywho.... take it for what its worth. Check out any company's policies on delivery, sub-contractors, insurance, etc.... its an eye opener, for sure.

Why was he even doing that? On every operation I've seen that's the roofers job. The delivery guy unloads the pallets with a forklift and leaves.

 

[MossRoad]

Why was he even doing that? On every operation I've seen that's the roofers job. The delivery guy unloads the pallets with a forklift and leaves.

I was the roofer.

I ended up ordering from a lumber yard, and they delivered with a boom truck and set them on the roof for me.

 

[TomSeller]

My only close big box is Home Depot, right next to Walmart Lowes is 45 min away, but I do like them for many things.

 

[Budweiser John]

Wow, interesting view points. The big box revolution started in our trading area with Builders Square who's merchandise selection was junk, junk, and more junk. HD came to town and Builders Square disappeared overnight. Then came Lowe's and finally Menards.
When I was building full time, I always used a local lumber yard for lumber and Lowe's for all else. Menards started offering their 11% off promotions store wide and given the breadth of their inventory we now keep a Menards list, cleaning supplies, consumables, farm supplies, landscaping, wild bird seed, pet food, ETC. the minute we get wind of the 11% promotion we make a trip to the store and stock up. While the 11% is only redeemable at Menards it does add up pretty fast. We bank the 11% coupons to use the next time we go shopping.
Also, when doing farm or home improvements such as plumbing or electrical to keep the project on track I always purchase extra fittings and return any excess with out question by store personnel.

B. John

 

[George2615]

My favorite was ACE hardware (only a mile away) until the bigger box stores put our local store out of business. Now have to drive 15 miles and have Home Depot and Lowes basically next to each other.
For other stuff we have TSC and Runnings stores about 10 miles away. No Menards here.

 

[smstonypoint]

In my trading area all three are within minutes from one another........

Not Menards as they are regional, not national. I almost always have to go to BOTH of the others to get what I need. They are about 1/4 mile apart.

Around here, where there's one, the other is either right next to them or just down the road.

In the next town over, they have Lowes, Home Depot and a full size Menards. All are relatively close to each other.

HD and Lowes are right next door to each other near me.

Now have to drive 15 miles and have Home Depot and Lowes basically next to each other.

Hotelling's Law at work -- Hotelling's law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Steve

 

[XSFMED18D]

Hotelling's Law at work -- Hotelling's law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Steve

Interesting! I knew there was a reason they did located these stores close to each other bud didnt know the phenomenon had a name.

When I was in High School I worked at Furrows. It was a hardware store that is no longer in business. I dont think the chain is even in business to be honest. Even as someone relatively new to retail I knew it wasnt going to make it. I had little hardware experience and would often find myself as the only "helper" in the aisles. I am all for shopping locally and trying to help small businesses out but sometimes they just cant compete with the large box stores.

 

[Grouse09]

I have found that "Ethanol Shield" is only sold at HD. Haven't been able to find it or an empty bin of it at our Lowes or Menards.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Lowe's, because my Discover card gives periodic 5% cash back bonuses for shopping there, and the cash back bonus can be exchanged for Lowes gift cards at another 5% discount. I have $625 worth of Lowes gift cards waiting to cash in.