Lowes Pellet Buying Nightmare
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Lowes and HD are just like any other big box store. They vary tremendously from town to town, depending on the management and quality of workers. To say that all Lowes suck (or all Home Depots, or Best Buy, or Petsmart, or whatever) is a bit unfair. And they change from year to year. Our Lowes started out as a smaller store when it was first built in the early 90's, and relocated to a huge stand-alone location several years later. Service has been up and down. One time I remember buying a load of plywood (or was it drywall?) and I literally could not get anyone to help me load it into my truck, even after asking several times. Terrible service. But in the past couple years, I've seen a big improvement in their customer service. Probably something to do with the Home Depot that opened about 15 miles down the road 
I do try to always deal local when I can, though - for plumbing, electrical, auto parts, I use local businesses. Same for my John Deere and Honda parts and service, I always use my local JD dealer. That's just more of a personal thing though, I've always liked supporting local businesses, farmers markets, etc whenever it's possible.
I do try to always deal local when I can, though - for plumbing, electrical, auto parts, I use local businesses. Same for my John Deere and Honda parts and service, I always use my local JD dealer. That's just more of a personal thing though, I've always liked supporting local businesses, farmers markets, etc whenever it's possible.
The Other One
Member
Damn, I never think to use those 10% coupons when I buy the pellets! I will be stocking up for next winter as soon as my tax check comes in! Now they will be $180 a ton or $3.60 a bag
bcb1 said:Lowes and HD are just like any other big box store. They vary tremendously from town to town, depending on the management and quality of workers. To say that all Lowes suck (or all Home Depots, or Best Buy, or Petsmart, or whatever) is a bit unfair. And they change from year to year. Our Lowes started out as a smaller store when it was first built in the early 90's, and relocated to a huge stand-alone location several years later. Service has been up and down. One time I remember buying a load of plywood (or was it drywall?) and I literally could not get anyone to help me load it into my truck, even after asking several times. Terrible service. But in the past couple years, I've seen a big improvement in their customer service. Probably something to do with the Home Depot that opened about 15 miles down the road
I do try to always deal local when I can, though - for plumbing, electrical, auto parts, I use local businesses. Same for my John Deere and Honda parts and service, I always use my local JD dealer. That's just more of a personal thing though, I've always liked supporting local businesses, farmers markets, etc whenever it's possible.
Very much agree, but if allowed, would like to also state that those workers in the big box stores are also you neighbors, and they too are buying things and paying taxes. Also, that big box store is getting taxed at amounts that would scare most of us. Also, I know our local Walmart is always making donations to community functions. What I don't know, is do the box stores offer employee benefits. I don't know of any of the Mom and Pop stores here that offer any benefits beyond an employee discount. One store was allowing free meals for his employees, but when the state got wind of that, that benefit had to come to an end. Same thing happened with gift certificates. The state insisted they be included as wages so taxes could be collected on the value.
save$ said:bcb1 said:Lowes and HD are just like any other big box store. They vary tremendously from town to town, depending on the management and quality of workers. To say that all Lowes suck (or all Home Depots, or Best Buy, or Petsmart, or whatever) is a bit unfair. And they change from year to year. Our Lowes started out as a smaller store when it was first built in the early 90's, and relocated to a huge stand-alone location several years later. Service has been up and down. One time I remember buying a load of plywood (or was it drywall?) and I literally could not get anyone to help me load it into my truck, even after asking several times. Terrible service. But in the past couple years, I've seen a big improvement in their customer service. Probably something to do with the Home Depot that opened about 15 miles down the road
I do try to always deal local when I can, though - for plumbing, electrical, auto parts, I use local businesses. Same for my John Deere and Honda parts and service, I always use my local JD dealer. That's just more of a personal thing though, I've always liked supporting local businesses, farmers markets, etc whenever it's possible.
Very much agree, but if allowed, would like to also state that those workers in the big box stores are also you neighbors, and they too are buying things and paying taxes. Also, that big box store is getting taxed at amounts that would scare most of us. Also, I know our local Walmart is always making donations to community functions. What I don't know, is do the box stores offer employee benefits. I don't know of any of the Mom and Pop stores here that offer any benefits beyond an employee discount. One store was allowing free meals for his employees, but when the state got wind of that, that benefit had to come to an end. Same thing happened with gift certificates. The state insisted they be included as wages so taxes could be collected on the value.
I remember hearing about that. The owner of some Subway stores in Maine was being charged for back taxes on free meals he provided to his employees. This was about 5 years ago. Not good publicity for bureaucracy in Maine but when is it ever (good that is). That old saying may be true in Maine: "No good deed goes unpunished."
will711
Minister of Fire
save$ said:bcb1 said:Lowes and HD are just like any other big box store. They vary tremendously from town to town, depending on the management and quality of workers. To say that all Lowes suck (or all Home Depots, or Best Buy, or Petsmart, or whatever) is a bit unfair. And they change from year to year. Our Lowes started out as a smaller store when it was first built in the early 90's, and relocated to a huge stand-alone location several years later. Service has been up and down. One time I remember buying a load of plywood (or was it drywall?) and I literally could not get anyone to help me load it into my truck, even after asking several times. Terrible service. But in the past couple years, I've seen a big improvement in their customer service. Probably something to do with the Home Depot that opened about 15 miles down the road
I do try to always deal local when I can, though - for plumbing, electrical, auto parts, I use local businesses. Same for my John Deere and Honda parts and service, I always use my local JD dealer. That's just more of a personal thing though, I've always liked supporting local businesses, farmers markets, etc whenever it's possible.
Very much agree, but if allowed, would like to also state that those workers in the big box stores are also you neighbors, and they too are buying things and paying taxes. Also, that big box store is getting taxed at amounts that would scare most of us. Also, I know our local Walmart is always making donations to community functions. What I don't know, is do the box stores offer employee benefits. I don't know of any of the Mom and Pop stores here that offer any benefits beyond an employee discount. One store was allowing free meals for his employees, but when the state got wind of that, that benefit had to come to an end. Same thing happened with gift certificates. The state insisted they be included as wages so taxes could be collected on the value.
To answer your ?? do big box stores offer benefits, yes they do. I worked part time at HD a few years ago and had holiday pay vacation pay and if I need retirement plan, insurance ect... I thought this was pretty cool for a part timer, usually all you get is a pay check.
I stopped buying pellets at the big boxes as most newbies are finding out they stop carrying pellets in Feb. out come the lawn mowers grass seed ... I buy from the local stove shop = sometimes better prices than big box, quality pellet locally produced and they help me load them on my truck. It works for me
DV said:
I went to HD one day this past fall in search of pellets. I asked two workers there if they could direct me to the wood pellets. The first guy looked puzzled and the other guy said follow me. I followed him down one aisle and he pointed at some biscuits for wood working.
Those would be some expensive, auger jamming "pellets".
The regular man in the dept that sells pellets at Lowes, Augusta Me told. Me they carried pellets all last year and intend to keep them in stock all of this year. At least one of those brands is from a local plant, Maine Choice. I could get those and use my veteran's discount, but I still prefer MWP from SIB.
mfglickman said:
Dude look where he's from Illinois, that and Ohio are giving away everything cause it's a almost poverty level for most people living out there, record no job's and half the houses are foreclosed
Pellet-King said:
DUDE your stereotyping. You're from Ct where all the Wall Street fat cats live. Sorry !! Just had to throw that back at you. I realize that Ohio and Illinois are fly-over country, but we aren't all destitute.
I forgot to add Michigan is even poorer than Illinois!!, messin with ya!, hope all you guys with the good deals all the best luck and wealth in the future!!
That's OK. Some day fresh water will be selling for $10 a gallon. We'll build a big dam at the east end of Lake Erie and you'll come beggin' us.Pellet-King said:
Pellet-King said:
Ohio. Home of the $175/ ton Somersets
Not all of us are broke..... At least the ones who have a little, seems like its a lot. ;-P
Panhandler said:
This article points out some of the issues with the discount.. http://paycheck-chronicles.military.com/2012/01/22/lowes-and-home-depot-revisited/
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