Lowes vs. Home Depot... FIGHT!

[chrisesteschiro]

The local, they will tell me how to fix something and show me what parts I need.

[McGyver]

lowes cuz i can walk there! HD is WAY down broad street, and that just a pain in the ass to drive to.

[dude8383]

They actually stock lots of metric bolts. Thats win in my book.

[Desaevious]

Local Ace or hardware store. Lowe or Home Depot for random metric parts that my locals don't have in stock. But which do I prefer? I'll go with the Home Depot only because we had one years before Lowe's and having dad take you to the big man's Toys R Us as a 10 year old was a good feeling.

[Erik]

Local Ace or hardware store. Lowe or Home Depot for random metric parts that my locals don't have in stock. But which do I prefer? I'll go with the Home Depot only because we had one years before Lowe's and having dad take you to the big man's Toys R Us as a 10 year old was a good feeling.

This is pretty much the biggest reason I go to the HD. Also because it's way closer than Lowes.

[nando]

they both suck, the local hardware stores are way better. The nuts/bolt selection is pitiful compared to the local ma and pa store, and the lumber/building supplies are both shitty and overpriced.

[Jonny Cash]

Theyre both terrible, including Ace which apparantley cant compete either. In the early 90's, they all wiped out the small local hardware suppliers everywhere to the point that noone can compete. Only people who go to the local now are builders/finish guys who can keep the price down with bulk- friends of the owners, or people whohave just been loyal to them for years. Poeple who dont want to 'sell out' just to save a dollar. Its amazing these people are even stillin business.

But the bottom line is theyre cheaper than anyone for all trade materials, especially the smaller nick nack stuff. Even the power tool prices are hard to beat. I spend many many thousands of dollars at HD simply for conveniance.
- Not including my paint/ sprayer maintenece that I buy at local Ben Moore.

[nando]

you must have had some shitty local stores, HD/lowes are more expensive for just about everything except maybe appliances but I haven't shopped for any of that stuff.

[Huff]

It sounds more like you're having a vendor grief than a store battle. I like Home Depot's service and some of their tools (welding gear has been better at Home Depot for a few years; Lowe's is catching up). I also like the self checkout at Home Depot. Lowe's does have some great prices and better tool vendor's in a lot of areas. So.. It really depends on what you're shopping for.

All that being said, I'm lucky enough to have local hardware shops that are pretty amazing.

[M-technik-3]

Voted Rob because their lumber is crap at both locations. Rather use an independent lumber store than the two.

[Desaevious]

This is pretty much the biggest reason I go to the HD. Also because it's way closer than Lowes.

I'm glad I was agreed with and not called a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles. I figured it would go either of the two ways.

[freeski27]

lowes. I like kobalt tools...

[2002maniac]

anytime you need something at lowes, there's always a 10% off coupon at the post office.

[Jonny Cash]

you must have had some shitty local stores, HD/lowes are more expensive for just about everything except maybe appliances but I haven't shopped for any of that stuff.

No theyre actually pretty good. Its just that HD is cheaper. We have Granger here also.

Theres always specific things I will buy there, mostly just the little things. Theres an enourmous plumbing isle at HD, but if I need a quality tool or a specific flange I know the local plumbing supply is the better bet. Also a big tool section, and Husky and Kobalt is junk for the most part.

[Kruzen]

Ace is the place, but lowes is a close second.