I mentioned a short time ago that Lowes had called me a couple of time wanting to tell me the “new lower prices” . To refreash and make information available for those that didnt read my comments ;
The first time they called they made mention that blandex 7/16 was 7.25 and the last time they called they mentioned it had dropped to 6.56 per sheet.
Fast forward to now ; Im getting two calls per week by the same guy and he always calls while Im at work . He leaves a mesage on the answering machine basically wanting to get me in the store.
One week it was hot dogs and this week its a contractor appreciation day Friday . They are going to have a cook out under tents in front of contractor sales out side . They will have demos lasting all day from several different reps . This will be continued from week to week with different reps doing talks on product applications and warranties. When we show up there will be specials made available to the contractors by the reps of additional price reductions only if we attend.
This seems to be the new wave of reaching out to get our business .
Several messages mentioned price matching plus adding discounts below comparable invoices from other places. Of course we know how that has worked in the past . No hurrah there .
Still the comming months of winter should offer some very good prices for our own home projects .
Tim
Memphest 2006
November 18th
Replies
That would annoy the hell out of me if they kept calling like that.
I actually like it as there seems to be some fighting for the business going on. Im gonna have to get down there and see whats going on. I havent been using much material lately but it looks like mebbe its a good time to build somthing .
I have had a building permit for a triplex and they have probably forgotten it by now as when I got it the prices jumped up from the interrest rates dipping to 5 percent on mortgages with no points. I simply could not afford to pay that much for materials. The rent didnt figgure up for enough profit .
Tim Memphest 2006
November 18th
I actually like it as there seems to be some fighting for the business going on.
That's just your 'bargain' detector going off. ;)
jt8
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success." --Albert Schweitzer
That's just your 'bargain' detector going off. ;)
Well , yes it is ! <G>
Tim Memphest 2006
November 18th
The also have a flyer with a bunch of specials goo Sept 20-22.
$100 off DEWalt table saw, with stand.
$50 Milwaukee portable band saw.
$5 off wire strippers. etc, etc.
So the saw would be 400 including the stand ?
Tim Memphest 2006
November 18th
Wong $399. But I sell you one for $400. Of course you will have to pay shipping and taxes <G>
Tim -
I like Lowe's, but must say that I just am not as impressed as I once was.
they opened a new one here in NY. It took them about 6 years to get it open because of the complaints. I went in there a few times, and now I go to the new Home Depot because it's closer and bigger.
A week before they opened the store, I got a call from their rep that i was selected as a contractor and entitled to special priveleges. I felt uncomfortable with the call, thought it might be a scam, and asked for a number to call them back. When I called back, i got a different rep, who had no idea what I was talking about - "What new store? What commercial account? Etc. " I actually went on the preview day and walked out empty handed. The prices were nothing special, there wasn't enough help, and I wasn't impressed.
I have bought some stuff from them, but I went in last week for some maple plywood. I found a sheet that had a big flaw in it - top layer was missing in a 1/2" by 18" section mid panel. I asked one of the floor clerks about a discount, and the manager wouldn't even walk down the aisle to look at it (or me). -- "No discounts on that material, sir" was the response I got.
Their stock prices are down, and if they keep doing business like this, it's going down further.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Since you mention all that I must describe this one .
This Lowes is a first class store . Far better than a Depot. I dont buy anything at Depot.
Lowes has things here no one else thinks about . Their hardware section is really awsome for a repair guy, remodel, handy man , HO, etc.
You can find your light fixtures and much more .
Plumbing repair parts are very well stocked and beat harware stores all to heck.
Lots of choices on faucets and etc.
They always have loss leaders out front . Normally its drywall 8 ft , blandex , studs , etc. I can normally save at least 5 cents per ft on drywall. I hang drywall off the trailer and carry it in to hang it . We only make 8 cents per ft to hang 8 ft. Sometimes 10 cents , so an additional nickel helps. Ive done that for years. I did the same on fencing and delivered it to the job often making 15 cents per picket. Thousand boards in a day is nice change .
Now they will deliver anything to me and have no sense when it comes to those things. They will deliver a hot water heater to me . Of course I build an order when I use them. The thing is , they can actually deliver it all.
Ive built new houses and got 90 days credit free so I didnt have to burden the construction loan. Thats why its in place for preferred business accounts as they call it .
Tim Memphest 2006
November 18th
HD has ALWAYS been super helpful when I needed them to be and friendly to boot so I have no complaints about them...so no reason to go to Westbury to the only Lowes around that I know of..
The other day I went in to HD looking for a roll of base sheet to put under a torchdown roof I'm doing under a deck. I was shocked thatthey actually had it being they didnt have any rubber roofing. Thing was that there was no price on it. I know from a roofing supplier by me its about $70 a roll.
HD salesman said he'd look it up and said it was $60 a roll but he'd discount it for me. Wrote me out a ticket for $25...NICE!!!
Same thing happened a few months ago when I needed a roll of outdoor 220 wire...Cause the roll was open I got it for less than half price..NICE! Where can I find a man who has forgotten words?I would like to have a word with him.—Chuang-Tzu
I like HD too, but not the nearby store in Bay Shore. I had a real problem with them a few years ago and never went back - almost never anyway.
They opened up one in Central Islip a couple months ago, and I've been reasonably happy. Good sized store and good selection. prices are okay too, but pretty much what you expect.
It doesn't matter to me what the name on the store is, I expect some kind of customer service and it's getting harder and harder to find.
Edit - I had a problem with the Loews in Medford a while ago when I wanted some stuff, and the manager gave me a 15% off coupon. When i went back, they wouldn't honor the coupon. I went to Westbury, and the guy at the counter gave me the discount without even seeing the coupon. About 7K in windows after the discount so it was worth the trip. I shop at both Loews and Depot, depends on what I need, which is close and how I feel that day.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Edited 9/19/2006 10:12 pm ET by DonK
It doesn't matter to me what the name on the store is, I expect some kind of customer service and it's getting harder and harder to find.
I just found our difference and it makes sense . Im a price hound .
Tim Memphest 2006
November 18th
Trust me Tim;
I squeeze a nickle until the buffalo spits too. But as I've gotten older, I've learned that many times it evens out in the end. HD is cheaper by $2/ sheet for rock, but Loew's is cheaper on the mud, and the lumber yard saves me an hour of driving plus they might be comparable on some things. Unless I'm pricing out a substantial quantity, I don't shop price too much.
My time and aggravation is worth something too - a fact I never appreciated as much until I started paying attention around here.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals