Home Despot vs. Lowes: Which Giftcard Is Preferable?

In My Humble Opinion
1

My sister and brother-in-law just bought a house in Boston that dates back to 1887. They’re basically having to rebuild it from the ground up-I think the only thing they’re keeping is the foundation, frame, and architectural design (the family that owned it had been passing it down for the last 100 odd years and hadn’t done anything except add indoor plumbing at some point). They just finished the roof, they’re now putting real walls and insulation in etc…

Anyway, after trying to come up with a nice gift and failing to think of anything except a Dyson vacuum cleaner (which they informed us yesterday they bought…so there goes that) my boyfriend and I decided just to get them a gift certificate to a store like Lowe’s or the Despot.

In your opinion, which is preferable? They got an impossible deal on the house because of the condition but it’s in a very very high end neighbourhood and they are refurbishing it with an eye to top quality in order to bring it in line with the rest of the neighbourhood. They’re obsessed with HGTVesque style and I think while they want to keep some of the original details and antique charm, they’re also very intent on modernizing.

The both of us are apartment dwellers and don’t know the difference between any of these stores. I have been shoved off with the responsiblity of choosing the store. Is there any difference? Does one have better quality/the style they prefer? Is there a local store in Boston you’d urge me to support over Lowe’s or the Despot? Should I maybe give them a gift cert to Benjamin Moore instead? High end paint (my word, is there such a thing?)?

Thanks in advance for the help.

ETA: we are giving them $500, btw. I like the idea of giving them a gift certificate to a specialised high end paint store but don’t know the difference between any of the brands.

2

I’d go by whichever is closer, personally. I find those stores to be reasonably interchangeable.

3

My father-in-law is a custom home builder and his mantra is: Go to Lowe’s to find out what you want, and then go to Home Depot to buy it.

4

I love Lowe’s and hate Home Depot. Lowe’s has a bigger selection, happier salespeople (and more of them), and they actually have your item (gasp) in stock. Half the time Home Depot has an item on display but the shelf or bin which is supposed to contain said item is empty.

So, Lowe’s, say I.

5

Lowe’s, because the employees are nicer and the stores don’t look like a dump.

6

Whichever’s closer. In the Boston area I’ve never noticed a significant difference in the two stores.

7

I like Home Despot okay, but the torture dungeon in the basement is just overkill, I think.

8

We’ve done virtually all of our remodel purchases at Lowe’s. Mainly because it’s closer, but also because the Depot has let us down far too many times. Things like trying to find out prices, trying to place an order for delivery, trying to find anyone to help. It just wasn’t worth the aggravation.

Plus the Lowe’s is usually relatively tidy, while the Depot often looks like a dump. Maybe that’s just where we live…

9

Thanks for the heads up, guys. After conferring with my boyfriend we’re going to split the amount between Lowe’s and a local retailer of high end paints (I did some research and realised you couldn’t just gift a gift cert to Ben Moore). I like to support small businesses whenever I can-the paint store is a locally owned business in the town we grew up in but I figure they might be jonesing for some sink fixtures at Lowes or something so we decided we’d give them them a little of each. And judging by the price of Benjamin Moore paints, like ONE room or something :slight_smile:

10

It’s slightly off topic, but have you considered a general gift card (VISA, Amex, etc) with a note about it being for the house? That way, they can buy things wherever they want …

11

I like Lowes and Home Depot because they have a lot of stuff under one roof. That said, the lumber yards and supply houses have better lumber and materials, often have better prices and are a lot faster to get into and out of. I tend to treat the nearest box store like a Seven-Eleven, running over there when I need something and forgot to buy it in the big order.

I’d try to figure out which store they use the most and buy them a card from there.

12

Try and subtly find out ahead of time if they have a preference. Nearly everyone I know loves one and can’t stand the other – often for interchangeable reasons.

Friend 1: “Home Depot sucks! They’re way more expensive than Lowes and their staff are morons!”
Friend 2: “Lowes sucks! They’re way more expensive than Home Depot and their staff are morons!”

In reality, neither one beats out the other pricewise across the board, and it’s impossible to compare staff. Yeah, that one guy you talked to three years told you shingles were in Aisle 22 instead of 24 – that’s not indicative of their entire staff. However, your sis and BIL may have a preference – see if you can find out ahead of time.

Incidentally, Home Depot has one of the best paints going. Benjamin Moore has nothing, nada, zip over Behr.

13

Or just cash with a note.

They’re going to be able to comparison shop much more effectively than you are.