Lowes Appliance shopping (Grrrrrr!)

[Lakewood90712]

Bought last few appliances at Lowes, easy , no hassles.

Putting down a new kitchen floor , "Why not replace that old stove too". Good Idea. look online, the whirlpool model with sealed burners, big oven window, and the full grate top , on sale, but not in stock nearby. Went to the store to look at the floor model , ok good , the exact one for us "Thrifty" retirees.

Clerk checks, none in stock, special order only. Went home, ordered online on the 11th , for store pickup " expected delivery date 11/21 '.

2 days later , got a call from the store asking if I still want to order ? , uh, YES.

11/20 , store calls , says it's here. OK will be in this weekend to pick-up. Put the old stove at the curb, disappears in less than 30 minutes.

11/22 go to store, Uh , we don't have it, the system shows minus 3 in inventory ?

OK, I ask how did that happen, did you sell it to someone just walking in ? Blank look on the face of the clerk and no answer, 2nd clerk disappears. Ask the same question again " clerk: UH, you will have to call in on Monday , next shipment is nov 29th.

All ok except put the old stove is GONE.

I usually don't get mad, but I hate getting lied to. A simple "ya, we screwed up , were sorry" would be ok.

 

[Texas Proud]

Just saying....

You made the big mistake of getting rid of your old one PRIOR to having the new one at your house....

Sure, they messed up big time.... but so did you....

I never get rid of anything until I know the new one is installed and working...

 

[walkinwood]

I've had a similar experience with Lowes when buying a gas grill over a year ago. Their online system is broken!

 

[Amethyst]

I had to explain a concern to 5 Lowes employees in succession over a stove delivery at a rental home. Each one passed me to the next one. I think Lowes is part of the government!

Amethyst

 

[Dimsumkid]

I've had all kinds of issues with Lowes, so much so that if I need to buy there, I expect issues. I still have a few hundred in GC money to use up before I stay away for good. It's so bad with them there's a Facebook site they want you to go to so you can vent your issues and to get updates/track it. They do respond within a day or two. You may even get a mgr call back too.

https://www.facebook.com/lowes/app_1387359808211576

 

[Walt34]

We were going to buy a clothes dryer there. Old one was broken and the part costs more than it's worth to fix the dryer. Online shows they carry the one we want. Go to store, tell 'em we want it. Oh, and we want the natural gas model.

Uh oh, that changes everything. Now it is ten days to get it. It's in Baltimore, two hours away. It takes ten days to make a four-hour round trip? Apparently so. The heck with that, went to local Mom 'n Pop appliance store, they have it in the back, will deliver tomorrow AM, same price.

We have since bought another three or four appliances at the Mom 'n Pop store, no issues.

Lesson learned.

 

[golfnut]

Bought last few appliances at Lowes, easy , no hassles.

Putting down a new kitchen floor , "Why not replace that old stove too". Good Idea. look online, the whirlpool model with sealed burners, big oven window, and the full grate top , on sale, but not in stock nearby. Went to the store to look at the floor model , ok good , the exact one for us "Thrifty" retirees.

Clerk checks, none in stock, special order only. Went home, ordered online on the 11th , for store pickup " expected delivery date 11/21 '.

2 days later , got a call from the store asking if I still want to order ? , uh, YES.

11/20 , store calls , says it's here. OK will be in this weekend to pick-up. Put the old stove at the curb, disappears in less than 30 minutes.

11/22 go to store, Uh , we don't have it, the system shows minus 3 in inventory ?

OK, I ask how did that happen, did you sell it to someone just walking in ? Blank look on the face of the clerk and no answer, 2nd clerk disappears. Ask the same question again " clerk: UH, you will have to call in on Monday , next shipment is nov 29th.

All ok except put the old stove is GONE.

I usually don't get mad, but I hate getting lied to. A simple "ya, we screwed up , were sorry" would be ok.

A related Lowes story. Needed a long stemmed funnel (to put oil in my new snowblower). Lowes did not have them. Went down the street to Home Depot - no problem.

Hope you are not hosting TG. Think I'll avoid Lowes in the future given your and all other posts.

 

[aja8888]

Last summer replacing a small water valve, went to Lowes (I am a Business card member) and there were none in stock.. Mind you, this is a very common valve . Went to HD and they had dozens. I am no longer a card carrying Lowes business member.

 

[Lakewood90712]

Just saying....

You made the big mistake of getting rid of your old one PRIOR to having the new one at your house....

Sure, they messed up big time.... but so did you....

I never get rid of anything until I know the new one is installed and working...

I sure did screw up on this one.

I guess retail is like the disclaimer on financial products: " Past performance is no guarantee of future results"

 

[easysurfer]

I see that Lowes strikes again.

I've had experiences in the past where they are so confident during the selling that installation will go without a hitch only to find excuse after excuse to not install.

Saying Lowes appliance installation is a joke is being too generous.

The store might look like a Home Depot. But Lowes is no Home Depot.

 

[Texas Proud]

I had to explain a concern to 5 Lowes employees in succession over a stove delivery at a rental home. Each one passed me to the next one. I think Lowes is part of the government!

Amethyst

ROFLOL!!!!


But, if it were the gvmt, there would be more layers and nothing would be done in the end....

 

[Texas Proud]

I sure did screw up on this one.

I guess retail is like the disclaimer on financial products: " Past performance is no guarantee of future results"

I agree... a number of years back it was HD that was in pretty bad shape and Lowes was quite good... I bought a fridge from them without any problem... but I have migrated back to HD for some unknown reason.... so Lowes must not be doing something right since I was avoiding HD for lack of service.... never thought about it, but there it is....

BTW, I USED to go to Sears, but rarely do now... and I have a Sears hardware close to me... it just does not pop into my mind when I need something even though whenever I do go there they have what I need....

 

[easysurfer]

I agree... a number of years back it was HD that was in pretty bad shape and Lowes was quite good... I bought a fridge from them without any problem... but I have migrated back to HD for some unknown reason.... so Lowes must not be doing something right since I was avoiding HD for lack of service.... never thought about it, but there it is....

BTW, I USED to go to Sears, but rarely do now... and I have a Sears hardware close to me... it just does not pop into my mind when I need something even though whenever I do go there they have what I need....

My first credit card was a Sears one way back when. But now the only time I go there is to check out Craftsman tools (I use those C3 line of batteries). Even then, I see if there's a comparable tool at HD (use those 18V batteries there).

 

[aja8888]

My first credit card was a Sears one way back when. But now the only time I go there is to check out Craftsman tools (I use those C3 line of batteries). Even then, I see if there's a comparable tool at HD (use those 18V batteries there).

Craftsman tools are junk nowadays. Ask me how I know.

 

[easysurfer]

Craftsman tools are junk nowadays. Ask me how I know.

I know, not the best, but for the budget minded. It's tough go spend hundreds of dollars on a tool for a top named brand, when I could get a working tool Craftsman for about $50. Plus, I already use a lot of tools using the C3 battery line.

Though, I actually use three battery lines now. Craftsman, Ryobi (i hear, the same manufacturer of Craftsman) and Milwaukee (for a big ass impact wrench for my car).

 

[aja8888]

I know, not the best, but for the budget minded. It's tough go spend hundreds of dollars on a tool for a top named brand, when I could get a working tool Craftsman for about $50. Plus, I already use a lot of tools using the C3 battery line.

Though, I actually use three battery lines now. Craftsman, Ryobi (i hear, the same manufacturer of Craftsman) and Milwaukee (for a big ass impact wrench for my car).

I have 50 year old Craftsman tools that have stood the test of time and several car restorations.

Two years ago, I was given a new 1/2" drive Craftsman socket set (DW thought my tools were "old") and the ratchet didn't work out of the the box. When I brought it back to Sears, the counter guy threw it in a 5 gallon pail that had several of them in there along with a mix of broken wrenches. He said the pail gets emptied when full and the tools get sent back to the supplier.

I have split at least three of the new1/2 drive Craftsman sockets.

If you want cheap tools that actually work pretty well, go to Harbor Freight. My 1/2" drive HF impact wrench sockets are indestructible.

 

[easysurfer]

Once when Craftsman/Sears no longer had the lifetime warranties, that was a sign.

I got this Craftsman cordless tire pump which the chuck is made out of plastic that easily breaks. But some of the tools are somewhat unique.

A case in point about price differences though:

http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-19-...416800553&sr=8-1&keywords=craftsman+c3+jigsaw

vs

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-XVJ03Z...=1416800614&sr=8-1&keywords=makita+jigsaw+18v

Tough to pull the trigger for an approximately $250 top of the line jigsaw when you can get one for a lot less.

 

[aja8888]

Once when Craftsman/Sears no longer had the lifetime warranties, that was a sign.

I got this Craftsman cordless tire pump which the chuck is made out of plastic that easily breaks. But some of the tools are somewhat unique.

I have bought a few Kobalt tools at Lowes. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and price. Not Snap On or Proto, but not bad.

 

[easysurfer]

I have bought a few Kobalt tools at Lowes. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and price. Not Snap On or Proto, but not bad.

I haven't tried Kobalt. As you can tell from my earlier posts, I don't visit Lowes too often.

But was just reading reviews about the Kobalt 20-Volt 1/2-in Impact wrench rated at 350 ft-lbs. The reviews are positive. Looks like a powerful wrench.

 

[aja8888]

I haven't tried Kobalt. As you can tell from my earlier posts, I don't visit Lowes too often.

But was just reading reviews about the Kobalt 20-Volt 1/2-in Impact wrench rated at 350 ft-lbs. The reviews are positive. Looks like a powerful wrench.

I bought the Kobal copy of the Dremel when my Dremel burned up. I'm satisfied and it is corded as I like them. I have an IR impact wrench that's runs off my compressor. I did try a neighbor's electric one (don't remember the brand) and it was impressive.

I think Lowes is trying harder, but has real stiff competition with HD as we all know. I'll never buy lumber at Lowes again. One Saturday I was trying to buy a 8' x 4' sheet of sanded 3/4" plywood and couldn't find a flat or undamaged sheet in the place.

 

[Lakewood90712]

ROFLOL!!!!


But, if it were the gvmt, there would be more layers and nothing would be done in the end....

I just left municipal gov. , Large city , medium size dept. (800 headcount) only 7 layers of management + a supervisor above me in the dept., then the city administrative officer, then Mayor and Council at the top. so 9 layers above ? Insulation works best in layers

 

[easysurfer]

I bought the Kobal copy of the Dremel when my Dremel burned up. I'm satisfied and it is corded as I like them. I have an IR impact wrench that's runs off my compressor. I did try a neighbor's electric one (don't remember the brand) and it was impressive.

I think Lowes is trying harder, but has real stiff competition with HD as we all know. I'll never buy lumber at Lowes again. One Saturday I was trying to buy a 8' x 4' sheet of sanded 3/4" plywood and couldn't find a flat or undamaged sheet in the place.

I got a refurbished Milwaukee cordless impact wrench stashed in my trunk of my car for the sole purpose of removing the lug nuts in case I get stranded somewhere. Car places then to over tighten making manual removing difficult if impossible. The impact is rated up to 450 ft-lbs of torque On my old car (before I sold it) I had tried a Ryobi impact (rated about 200ft-lbs) and that didn't even budge a over torqued lug nut.

 

[Telly]

My experiences with Lowe's are less than stellar...

Ordering through their website has been fine. The next step is delivery to the store, the item(s) get put into a certain stocking area, for customer pickup. So far, so good.
The last step is the customer comes in, goes to service desk, and shows paperwork for pickup. All they have to do is look it up in the system, and call back or send somebody back to bring it to the front. And at that point, they have almost always failed miserably.

To serve the customer for this step, they appear to employ particularly brainless people who were specially bred to be clueless, but act like they are a specialist. I won't tire you with the long stories of waiting for an hour while they bumble and try to tell me the order is all there, when there clearly aren't enough boxes, etc. etc.

I switched tactics. No Mr. nice guy. At the service desk, after they look it up and call back for it, I grab my paperwork back. And tell them I'm not signing off on anything until I see my order is complete, correct, and not damaged. And I don't give the proverbial rat's azz if they feel miffed.

I immediately head to the back, and hail the first person I see in that area, say what the order is, and that it requires special handling (yeah, like not dumping stuff over on a cart, or laying something on it's side when it's not supposed to be transported that way). The person who is supposed to get it now knows I am watching, and I'm not bashful on any directions.
It then gets carted up to the front with my escort. Then carefully is opened up. Only after all is good do I sign off. Almost always, the person up front is gone, and someone else has to look it up again.

In my experience, Lowe's staff (with only a few exceptions), should not be allowed to make any decisions or actions on their own, not that they are willing to do much anyway. They need prodding and direction to override any foolish ideas of their own.

Store management at Lowe's seems to be the worst of any big-box type of store chain. I would gladly fire many of them, and hire someone off the street to give it a try, first letting them know how the previous person in that job failed, and that they have 4 weeks to prove that they are so much better at it. It would be worth a try. Functioning Lowe's management seems to be hiding somewhere.

 

[tryan]

Yeah ... the "free" installation is a joke. Replaced the washing machine. When the delivery came they explained that I needed to pay for the "installation kit" (aka hoses) ... otherwise they would/could not install it. They would not connect the existing hoses to the machine.

 

[Texas Proud]

Yeah ... the "free" installation is a joke. Replaced the washing machine. When the delivery came they explained that I needed to pay for the "installation kit" (aka hoses) ... otherwise they would/could not install it. They would not connect the existing hoses to the machine.

This is more of a liability thing... they have no idea how old your hoses are... if they install with your old hoses and one breaks flooding your house, who do you think is going to get the blame? (maybe not from you, but from most people)

If I were in charge of installations I would not allow them to hook up to old hoses either.... just saying......