# Lowe’s, Menards, HDepot, Which Should I Patronize? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 16, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326 "2024-11-16T19:25:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/21 "2024-11-17T02:42:50Z")
> [@Baal\_Houtham](#): > > And it could be labeled a “pet peeve” but Menards’ practice of featuring the “After 11% Rebate” price annoys the fuck out of me. Don’t put the bullshit price in the biggest type. That 11% “rebate” isn’t even cash- it’s a lousy store credit you have to send off for! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/22 "2024-11-17T02:52:38Z")
> [@Baal\_Houtham](#): > > And it could be labeled a “pet peeve” but Menards’ practice of featuring the “After 11% Rebate” price annoys the fuck out of me. Oh, that is some Old Bullshit! I’d scratch them off the list for that alone! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/23 "2024-11-17T02:53:25Z")
How did he last 17 years there? I I briefly worked at Home Depot after I retired and moved back in 2012, as temporary spring garden help. I made $914 and it was NOT worth it. I could literally have punched in, gone off somewhere, and returned at my off time to punch out, and nobody would have known (and I did see people do exactly this). I second an independent hardware or building store, if there’s one available. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/24 "2024-11-17T02:55:49Z")
I’ve also heard that ULine is a nightmare to work for, making even warehouse workers wear white shirts and ties. The Uihlein (get it?) family got their money from the Schlitz Beer fortune. Smaller stores are also better for me, because I don’t have to walk a mile to find something. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/25 "2024-11-17T03:04:46Z")
You said it, Ace is the place. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/26 "2024-11-17T03:10:47Z")
Had one open up 10 miles from home (Lowe’s and Depot 20 miles) and I’m somewhat happy about that. The prices and about the same, and the people really do know their shit. Got stuff for my last few projects there. And bought a Tomato plant. She’s gonna live in the back room with the dogs and produce all winter long for me! Got a dozen green ones on it now! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/27 "2024-11-17T03:15:27Z")
My local Ace miiiight be 5% more expensive but I don’t have to wander around the store being ignored by clerks, trying to find an item that isn’t there. And the staff is super. The big box stores are horrid. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/28 "2024-11-17T04:20:31Z")
Does it matter who the founders are? Maybe you need to figure out who the majority of the stockholders are? This is complicated by the number of institutional investors. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/29 "2024-11-17T06:16:31Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Trying to direct your retail dollars politically is IMO a stupid pointless exercise. I vehemently disagree. While my personal expenditures are merely a drop in the bucket of ANY business I frequent, the impact is, IMHO, at least far more measurable than the impact of my votes every couple of years. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Passing\_Through](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Just\_Passing\_Through](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Passing_Through)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/30 "2024-11-17T12:34:03Z")
Politics and people aside, Menards products are crap. The Walmart of home improvement stores. If you want to build a boat, go to Menards. Their lumber is so curved a boat shape would be easy. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/31 "2024-11-17T12:55:36Z")
One can always try to expand the impact of a personal boycott by encouraging others to do the same and by writing to the companies explaining what one is doing. The impact may be only marginally greater and the total results, as noted above, infinitesimal—like one’s vote—but one needs to start somewhere. There are more effective things one can do, but they require collective action and few have the time and energy and resources to become engaged. Supporting the people and groups that do this work may be more effective than a personal, silent boycott. But in the words of the old labour song, you might start by trying to “pass out a leaflet and call up a meeting/talk it over.” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/32 "2024-11-17T13:55:52Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > How did he last 17 years there? He had a family to support. Also, he could not advance past assistant manager unless he was willing to go to another store that was much farther from where he lived. This is company policy. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/33 "2024-11-17T14:16:23Z")
Menards stores and products are fine, but I won’t be going there until they eliminate their rebate bullshit. Home Depot is closer to me than Lowe’s, so that’s my usual go-to. I’ve found their employees to be pretty knowledgeable and helpful. It obviously varies by store (heck, it varies by employee). But I also have an Ace nearby, which I really should patronize more than I do. Ace is no longer the place of the helpful hardware man, it is now the place of the helpful hardware _folks_. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/34 "2024-11-17T14:20:49Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > I am going to Penzey’s tomorrow. Never been there before but want to support them since I am going to the Strip District in Pittsburgh anyways. I am going to Penzey’s tomorrow. Never been there before but want to support them since I am going to the Strip District in Pittsburgh anyways. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/35 "2024-11-17T14:30:22Z")
This site rates major corporations based on support for democracy or anti-democracy donations: [American Democracy Scorecard](https://www.americandemocracyscorecard.org/) Lowes - D Home Depot - F It also mentions AT&T, Boeing, Home Depot and Comcast as the biggest spenders on anti-democracy causes. So, what are you going to do, not fly on a Boeing aircraft and not use a cell phone? I think Americans would like to make a statement based on a company’s politics, but we’re only willing to be inconvenienced “so” much in order to do that. I think it’s just too much hassle to keep track of everything every company is doing, bad and good, for example Home Depot has a solid [Community Partnership program](https://corporate.homedepot.com/page/community-partnerships#togglemobilemenu). I am such a tiny speck on the consumer landscape my purchasing wont make any difference anyway, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/36 "2024-11-17T14:44:09Z")
> [@Just\_Passing\_Through](#): > > Their lumber is so curved a boat shape would be easy. I don’t but lumber from any of the big box stores. I am fortunate enough to live near an independent lumber yard that has a nice selection of _quality_ lumber, including yellow pine. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/37 "2024-11-17T15:07:50Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I hate Home Depot. Nobody there knows where any goddamn thing is. In fact, I think they actively avoid making eye contact, and I’ve seen them scurry off to avoid being asked a question. > > Lowes is marginally better. This probably varies by location. At our local Lowes, I’ve found the staff to be very helpful in locating items, though occasionally they have to look stuff up or ask for help. Sometimes they’ll escort you to where you need to go. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/38 "2024-11-17T15:13:57Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > This probably varies by location. Yep. There is a Lowe’s and Home Depot on the same road in the area (of Springfield Ohio) where I shop. The Lowe’s employees are pretty clueless and unhelpful, while the Home Depot employees seem very eager to help. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/39 "2024-11-17T15:19:36Z")
I’m happy to see that Costco received a B. Makes me feel better about patronizing Allstate, Amazon, American Express, AT&T, Boeing, Bristol-Myers, Cardinal Health, Chevron, Cigna, Comcast, CVS, Deere, Exxon, FedEx, Ford Motor, General Dynamics, General Electric, General Motors, Home Depot, Humana, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, Liberty Mutual, Marathon, Merck, MetLife, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Nationwide, New York Life, Pfizer, Phillips 66, Publix, State Farm, Sysco, Tyson, UPS, USAA, Valero, Verizon, Walgreens, Walmart, and Wells Fargo. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326/40 "2024-11-17T15:31:03Z")
Anecdote time: I have respect for the working class, and if a mistake is made on a charge I always point it out so the person at the register doesn’t take a hit to their paycheck. The only time I’ve ever not done this was at a Home Depot. I was buying new door knobs for the kitchen cabinets/drawers and basically needed an entire box of them plus a couple of extra. When I got to the register, the woman was yakking with the person behind her. Glanced at me and kept yakking, then finally turned with an aggrieved sigh and surly look on her face and said “Yeah?” I pointed to the knobs on the counter. She gave another heavy sigh, scanned one of the extra knobs, then hit the ‘times three’ button, which meant that she rang up about $5.00 for what should have been closer to $50. By this time I was fairly annoyed, and not noticing what she had done, handed her a $50 bill. She gave me an exasperated look and a roll-eyes, looked in her till and came up with a wad of ones and started counting them out. I glanced at the register and noticed that she had drastically undercharged me and thought “fuck you”. It still bothers me that I did that, but that person really didn’t belong in retail. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowe-s-menards-hdepot-which-should-i-patronize/1010326.md?page=3)