Lowes business model is the homeowner DIY’er, so it pays for them to help out. Home Depot however has a model that is for the tradesman who should know what they want and be thee enough to know where everything is. So that may have something to do with the different experience between the 2. As in Lowes needs to train their staff heavy in the helpfulness, HD can get away with less in that area. However in my local HD’s I have found them helpful, but yes there is a difference.