Lowes and HD are going to crap

Lowes and HD are really going to crap. I went to get more Christmas light to extend my setup this year. I have GE Micro cool white led icicle lights and I wanted to get a few more sets. They don't carry them any more. When I look at what is offered on both of their sites, they are offering a brand called Northlight. I have never heard of them and the ratings are crap. It's either buy all new stuff to extend, or keep what I currently have.

 

I've found if you like an item, you better stock up on it.
Doesn't matter if it's Amazon, Lowes, HD, Walmart, whatever...

Many vendors have this issue, I ran into it today at HD.
I have a 6-bulb bathroom light and put HD 60-watt LED warm bulbs in it a few years ago.
It's the smaller bulbs like a ceiling fan fixture.
Bought an extra package for when they burn out, or whatever it is LEDs do.

We ran out of them, but I kept the packaging.
HD doesn't sell them anymore.
They have a 60-watt warm LED bulb, but the LED filament looks different.
I didn't tell the wife because she may not notice the difference when I do use them.
But if I did tell her, she would notice it every day...

 

Brother you are singing my song! I live my life by that philosophy.

The truck I'm looking for in my sig line? That's me trying to stock up on the TUNDRAS I like. One isn't enough, I need a spare.

 

First world problems.

 

Awww, someone got their feelings hurt..
It's a forum discussion on retail, not a first-world problem thread.
Go back to watching CNN for your first-world problems.
Word to your mother..

 

Home Depot started going to crap 20+ yrs ago and has been solid crap for at least a decade. I've only shopped at a Lowe's a few times, as there are always 3 home depots closer than the closest Lowes, but I imagine they're about the same.

 

This. I've been asked in the past if I wash my clothes. LOL! The reason isn't because I'm a dirtbag. The reason is because if I find a set of jeans or shirts I like, I'll buy like 8 of the suckers because I don't know if I'll be able to find them again...so I might wear what *looks* to be the same shirt 2 or 3 times a week.

 

Same problem. I wear Carhartt pocket tee's and blue jeans or shorts most of the time. All the time actually.

 

The two companies are exactly the same. Which one is better depends on the individual store.

If you're going to actually need some HELP, you're outta luck either way. GO TO ACE HARDWARE. They're a little more expensive and have a smaller inventory, but an employee will always be there to help you find that widget you need. And they'll cheerfully special order it for you if need be.

 

I was refurbishing a 17ft trailer when I was up in Anchorage. I hit HD a lot. If HD didn't have what I needed, I'd walk across the parking lot and go to Lowe's. Yep, both adjacent to each other. Kinda convenient, unless neither had what I wanted. In that case I'd drive to Graingers which was down the street which was near Fastenal's which was near Yukon Gear and Bearing, which was near........

 

The world can't talk about "the virus" and its impacts currently on China and the goods they produce. Or don't now produce. Sssshhhhhhh.

 

Kind of like me, but I acutally just wear the same T a couple days in a row. I wear a uniform for the entire work day and change in to "around the house clothes" as soon as I get home. So my clean/fresh T-shirt, really only gets worn for an hour before work and after work and then again if I leave the house.

Lowe's tried to survive in Canada, but couldn't. It was a complete bust.

As for Carhartt, your are a trend setter now. All the high-school kids are wearking Carhart, Stihll, Cat and other work-wear. None of them have done an hour of manual labour in their life, but they like to dress like the do.

 

Have you tried their online store? On rare occasions I will find what I am looking for online, but not in store.

 

I remember seeing Home Hardware stores when driving through Canada. Lots of them. Are they family owned franchises?

 

Ah the classic “I’m going to attack you because someone spoke something I don’t agree with” forum tactic. It’s as predictable as the sunrise around here.

This thread started off with someone whining about how they can’t find the right type of Christmas light this year. If that’s not a first world problem, I don’t know what is.

Also, learn sarcasm and don’t take the internet so seriously.

 

The fact that you feel 'attacked' from words written in a forum post says everything I need to know about you.
Are you really that easily 'triggered'?
Better run to your safe space and put on your pink vagina hat.

We appreciate your valuable input to the forum.
Not sure how we ever made it without your genius and wisdom..

 

I believe the are independent franchises, but there are not any in big cities where HD and Rona exist. Small town hardware stores.

 

My feelings hurt.



Oh wait, nevermind.
It was just gas.

 

Back on "TOPIC"

Even the Lowes and Home Depot's carry different items 1/2 hour apart ....

Living in Central Florida , I am surrounded by them and will check their individual websites before venturing out.. a Lesson learned while

finding items for the Master bedroom/bath Reno... The supply houses, Fergusen especially were Crazily over priced without a Contractor discount.

It SUCKS that they ( The Big Box) , can have it within a week to your "Store" BUT I can drive 15 minutes east or South & pick it up same day...

Now onto to "TOPIC 2", not 1st world problem, Spoiled a$$ attitudes that "WANT IT NOW & CHEAP".... Quality has disappeared and EVERYONE has

an opinion when someone ask "Why can't I get the same thing I purchased 2-12 months ago..."

"Throw away society unless you buy extras.."

F#@k that, stay with a brand the gives the Customer good value & screw the "Pinch a penny whiners"....GE lighting used to be the "Cats meow."

but now out priced , WTF????

Let the $hit commence

I'll sit back and

 

Maybe the lights weren't eco friendly enough and got cancelled by Commiefornia. Not Lowes fault

 

They are going downhill. The Lowes in my town doesn't even have cashiers anymore, and hardly any floor staff. I HATE going in there.

I worked for Lowes for nearly 10 years (HS through College, and into my career as a second job), and it wasn't always that way. I hate to see it.

 

It's not entirely the HD's and Lowes problem getting rid of personel. We can thank our current administration on that cluster. Business all over got hit with the Covid mess allowing shortages of raw materials and fabricated goods running in short supply. Then someone within our goverment thought it would be a great idea to raise the wage standards. So for example my state was the first to do so, but our surrounding neighbors did not do that for two years. So the jobs we were competing for the other states business were awarded the contracts, because we couldn't compete. We ended streamlining and had to let go of employees. We ended up buying more machinery to replace the guys we had in here. That my friends is what HD and Lowes is doing. Machines don't take coffee breaks or ask for wages.

 

At least not until AI becomes self aware.

 

Not sure if it's my phone, but Lowe's mobile site is complete trash. All I get is over exposed images, don't get that with Holmes Depot... Not a misspelling.. Either way an irrigation pipe busted in my yard and had, and impressive water fall so I had to shut off the water for the weekend. Went to Lowe's and it's Christmas everywhere, bruh it's mid-October, but whatevs. I had to ask a cashier if they had any PVC pipes as I couldn't find it in the irrigation section, I was sent back to the electrical isle where they had maybe 3 small shoe boxes with pipes. While I stood there, like wtf is this, an employee asked me if I needed to find anything, so I explained it to him and he replied that Lowe's had gotten rid of almost 95% of PVC piping, so whatever was left is all they had. So I left....

Holmes depot had a ton of these PVC pipes, enough to replace my entire yard, but all I needed was some small sections. Holmes depot's mobile site is pretty good, no issues.

 

I don't disagree at all. It's the way of the world.

Corporations pay less positions, make record profits, and we suffer through.

When you automate everyone and everything, displacing workers at that level, coupled with the massive increase in the cost of living (who saw that coming? r/sarcasm) it really makes me worry for the future.

 

That’s the truth! The other problem no one wants to address is the lack of a labor force to begin with since COVID and all the state and Federal money handouts. Good luck finding an employee who wants to to show up for work. To this day we are still running ads to fill positions that we have available. Can’t find anyone. Sure we get folks who come in asking about the position. Then they ask us to please sign a form, which I now refuse to sign. It’s a form to extend their benefits to keep getting free money from unemployment. If you ask around locally in your neck of the woods, I’m sure they are encountering the same problem.

Lastly Lowe’s is definitely geared towards the homeowner. While HD is more towards contractors. You got better luck shooing the HD’s if you want to find something.

 

We had the same thing. Wanting us to sign a form, to show they are applying for jobs to extend their benefits. All the while showing up half dressed or sloppy to "apply" for a job. Freaking ridiculous.

 

Going ?!? Been this way for years…

Lowes really took a dive since taking on the craftsman brand to me - trying to pass off the craftsman “legacy” as a premium product for homeowners. Sorry - it’s just branded junk with a name people recognize.

Basically - even if you find a brand you like - no guarantee it will remain the same year to year. No one “makes” anything themselves - a company builds for the brand and they resell - it’s cheaper and more profitable. No one wants to own manufacturing facilities - just the license to use the names. Sears showed that as they failed and Craftsman/Diehard/Kenmore went up for sale. Lots of “legacy” names out there that are nothing but rebadged no name stuff.

Local hardware stores are still around for a reason - but it’s tough. The barrier to entry is higher than ever and it’s not highly profitable. I’m fortunate to live near an area where there is a large Amish population - so stores that cater to their lifestyle are pretty safe and no big box can muscle them out. Things like a lumber yard with quality product and good prices, small engine repair and stores with a good selection of hand tools/battery operated tools for example - try going to Lowe’s/Home Depot or Menards and saying you need a tune up on your push mower.

 

We have HD, Lowes, Harbor Freight, and 2 Ace Hardwares. Outside of the ryobi ecosystem I’m in, I’ll always go to the ACE’s for just about everything I need. Local small business owners, good people. Someone meets you as you walk in and will escort you straight to the bolt you’re looking for etc.