Is it possible today to buy U.S.-made goods in mainstream, reasonably-priced stores? The answer, ABC’s John Donvan learned while reporting a “Nightline” story to be broadcast tonight, is a rather emphatic “no” when it comes to clothing, and otherwise “maybe.”
lowes
Lowe's Ignores Your Mom Until She Gives Up
By 4.13.09
Here’s a story that made us sad. Reader Mary’s mom went to Lowe’s to buy a mailbox, and was ignored until she finally got so frustrated that she gave up and just left, in tears. Don’t cry, Mary’s mom. We will not ignore you.
Lowe's Halloween Decorations Are Already Sick Of Christmas
By 9.23.08
The Lowe’s in Cary, NC already has Christmas decorations up. Right next to the Halloween decorations.
Customer Battles Lowe's Online Over $3500 Fence, Wins
By 9.2.08
Last year, Lowe’s horribly botched Allen’s $3500 fence installation (see picture, left). When he complained, the installer and Lowes dodged responsibility, but still demanded $3500. Allen refused to pay and they sent his bill to collections. So Allen put up Lowes-sucks.com with pictures, correspondence and phone recordings of his customer service debacle. Instead of fixing Allen’s problem, Lowe’s sent him a cease-and-desist to get him to take down the website, claiming “trademark infringement.” That’s when our site picked it up, along with Ars Technica, Digg, and others, driving lots of traffic to Lowes-sucks.com That was a year ago. Now it seems Allen has won his fight.
Expect Fewer Deals At Home Depot, Lowe's
By 8.25.08
Home Depot and Lowe’s are starting to realize that the surging housing market — which had fueled their own sales for the last few years — is really and truly over and it may not be coming back for a good long while. What does this mean for their customers? An emphasis on lower prices every day — and fewer promotions.
Dear Lowes: A Gallon Has 128 Fluid Ounces, Not 116
By 8.11.08
A reader wants to know why Lowes advertises and sells gallons of house paint that aren’t full gallons. Their website says the cans are “1-Gallon.” Their receipts describe them as 1 gallon cans of paint. Even the stickers they print out and place on the lids say “One Gallon.” But Brian notes that when he brought the paint home and really looked at the cans, “One of the labels read ‘116 Fluid Ounces; 3.43 liters’, the second label read ‘126 Fluid Ounces; 3.725 Liters.'”
Lowe's Driver Caught With Hand In The Hooker Jar
By 8.6.08
Sick of prostitutes and their customers infesting their communities, Oklahomans are videobusting them and posting the results on YouTube. This one catches a Lowe’s delivery driver picking up a hooker in a residential neighborhood and retiring to the back of his truck for a playdate. It’s the work of a one man citizen journalism campaign by Brian Bates, who’s been at it in OK since 1996. It seems in the 12 year he’s been at it, he hasn’t run out of material. Full vid inside.
Lowe's Is Apparently Too Incompetent To "Build Something Together" With You
By 7.22.08
Reader Scott really wanted to give Lowe’s some money to install a new door in his house, but, sadly they were just too incompetent to actually do it. After a month and a half of incorrect orders, botched installations, and having to cancel his credit card because an employee from Lowe’s called him up to ask for his mother’s maiden name, Scott finally got a refund and vowed never to do business with Lowe’s again.
7 Thoughts From The Weekend
By 6.9.08
1. No matter how much the little sign made by the owner gushes, there’s a reason why a liter of “Duggan’s Dew” blended scotch whiskey is only $15.95.
Consumer Reports Says It Doesn't Pay To Buy Cheap Paint
By 6.3.08
Our friends at Consumer Reports tell us that even though the price of exterior paints and stains has gone up a few dollars per gallon on average from last year (due to price hikes for many of the petrochemicals that go into paint), big box stores are keeping consumers isolated from manufacturers who would love to be passing on those added costs. It may be tempting to cut costs by buying a lower quality product, but CR warns against using crappy paint. Specifically, CR suggested Behr (sold at Home Depot), Valspar (Lowe’s), and Kilz (Wal-Mart) as competitively priced paints that “ranked among the top performers.”
Don't Believe That Guy Who Works At Lowe's Who Can "Get Everything 1/2 Off"
By 4.2.08
Here’s the story of a guy who had to learn the hard way that “your friend who works at Lowe’s and says he can get you everything 1/2 off” is a liar and a criminal.
By 1.28.08
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A Lowe’s worker says that at least at his store they’re marking down all open-box appliances 50% to try to get rid of them before the end of their fiscal year. This type of stuff varies by store, so your best bet is to grab a manager and see if they’re willing to bargain.
Reader Gets Lowe's To Replace Vibrating Washer
By 10.2.07
After a month of effort, Eric got Lowes to give him a washer that doesn’t shake itself to pieces. His complaint letters and phone calls to corporate had the effect of water dashing against a rock, so he turned his attention to the store manager, where he found success. Domo arigato, Mr. Vibrato!
Lowe's Installers Fail To Follow 9-Step "Easy Guide To Quick Setup," Break Washing Machine
By 9.30.07
Poor Eric. He only wanted Lowe’s to deliver and install a Bosch washing machine, a tall order for any home improvement giant. Eric chose Lowe’s to escape Home Depot’s notoriously horrible customer service, but Lowe’s installers turned out to be just as incompetent. Thanks to their shoddy workmanship, Eric new washing machine has an uncontrollable urge to shake across the room when in use.
I finally realized why it was moving; the installer did not read the “Easy guide to quick setup” booklet with only 9 steps to follow through. The most essential step which was in big bold letters stating “removing the transport bolts is VERY IMPORTANT!”.
Bosch insists that the washer is damaged, but Lowe’s refuses to deliver a replacement. Eric writes:
Retail Panic: Will This Be The Worst Holiday Season Ever?
By 9.26.07
Analysts aren’t pleased with Lowe’s and Target’s latest news.
Coffee Makers As Overpriced Gadgets
By 9.26.07
So I’m in Lowes for some project materials and I pass by their appliance section. I need a new coffee maker as my $19.99 Mr. Coffee from Target isn’t getting the caffeine elixir hot enough anymore. I check out their array of coffee makers. I shouldn’t be, but I’m shocked at how many of them are the same plastic pieces of crap, just with varying degrees of unnecessary features.
