Today I had a range light and exhaust fan installed by a Lowe’s contractor. The entire experience was wonderful. From the time I picked out the one I wanted until today’s installation, I was called to verify the installer would be here on a certain day. Time-frame, the installer called before the store called. The installer called Thurs. I told him not to come due to the weather. We had horrible weather (live on the Atlantic Coast) and rescheduled for today. He had a helper – they brought mats to protect the stove (glass top) and the floors, even wore booties to cover their wet shoes. The installer was given the wrong size fan filter – he called the store, ordered another one making sure I would not be billed for the wrong one. Two hours later Lowe’s service dept. called to verify the installation and if I was happy. I told the person the installer was terrific, even vacuum around the store and about the wrong size filter given to the installer. She said she would make a note and I could tell she did as there was a gap in voice contact I could hear the computer keys. I’ll never go back to Home Depot. Oh, by the way, he personally will bring me the new filter. How’s that for customer service?
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Replies
You got a good one.
I followed up on a patio door installation by lowes. They replaced a Andersen SGD with an Andersen french door set. The HO couldn't get the new doors to lock and called me after having Lowes installers back three times. I ended up taking the whole thing out and resetting it. I took pictures of everything as I took them out.
She sent the pictures and my bill to Lowes and they did give her an instore credit for that amount, so I would say that end of the transaction was good.
Glad your experience was a winner.
What you may be seeing is that a lot of experienced tradespeople are out of work - especially on the new construction side of things. Could be that this guy hired on with Lowes as he had no other way to put food on the table. Usually, the better ones are self employed. Or, it could be just that the guy likes less paperwork and the absence of the hassle of selling. Believe me, I've given enough free estimates to last me a lifetime.
No doubt though that these big box stores are big on customer satisfaction. For example, I really like that I'm able to return stuff without the receipt. I have stuff left over from jobs all the time and may or may not be able to find that exact receipt at that moment.
Just curious. Why did you select Lowe's for this installation and how much did it cost?
Your question is why did I select Lowe's? Ive heard so many negative comments about HD on this site, I decided to try Lowe's. When hubby and I purchased replacement windows (Anderson) we had communication problems with HD and my contractor. We lived with a window (in box) in our house while the contractor dealt with HD (about two weeks.)
We don't have a big Lowes presence here, so my installer experience is pretty much limited to HD.
In my experience, the quality of a HD installation is directly related to the economy and the season. Right now (poor economy and approaching winter), many contractors are taking HD work to keep busy.
When we have nice weather and a decent economy............ - lol
The installer said he's been working for Lowe's for 10 years. He said Lowe's has a quarterly meeting with all the installers to see what is working and what is not. He said when he first started working for Lowe's there was little communication among the installer, customer and the store. He's very pleased with the open communication among everyone.
When he was leaving my house he said he was on his way to install a replacement wall oven.
Another thing to think about is that appliance installation is much simpler than say, the patio door install that was described in one of the top posts above.
I agree.
The installation cost was $140. Yes, I know it sounds high, but I'm a widow. I can do many things by myself thanks to being hubby's goffer for 40 years, but not electronics. Plus, I don't own a van or truck to bring the the exhaust fan home.
I offer a tip to all of you guys: Please teach your wives or girlfriends how to repair minor household problems. I even know a little bit about plumbing.
glad you had a good experience...I try hard to teach everyone a little bit... even if it's just the proper names and terms... they still might not do the work them self... BUT it might just keep them from getting lied to and screwed if they know just a bit...
p
BUT it might just keep them from getting lied to and screwed if they know just a bit...
Amen.
Talked to a retired guy Saturday durring our Project Warm Blitz to winterize low income homes. He wasn't convinced they were helping with heating bills very much and was disappointed in the performance of his old storm windows. He even added plastic inside his windows like the the homes he was working on. After a little questioning he said he just couldn't bring himself to borrow money to have replacement windows installed. Just to much money for the fixed income he was living on.
I ask why not do what you can afford, 1,2,3... windows at a time? He was shocked. Said none of the companies he had talked to even offered that option.
It took about five more minutes to convince him he was driving the bus, not the sales people or contractor.
It always surprises me that people who will haggle over the price of an automobile won't do the same for puchases for thier homes. They seem to know know more about what they drive to work than what they live in.
I like your approach. It is very similar to mine.
You can sleep at night knowing you have helped people. Some only count their money. You are an educator and a super person.
Congrats...also...I don't think 140 is overpriced for that service.
Thank you for your reply. The store is in Lewes, DE and I live in MD. I feel much better about the installation price.
While you had a good experience on this one (YAY!), keep your guard up on the next one. I had some windows replaced at my house, and I had the guys called back threee times because they didn't remove the sticker on the outside of the windows... on the 2nd story!
When they came back, they said they didn't have a tool for that (Scraper and some goof off)... and when I called again, they sent out the same two yahoos, who still didn't have the right tools to take off a sticker on the window.
Mileage may vary!
Tu stultus es
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
I'm sorry you couldn't remove the window stickers yourself. You could have asked a friend for help. Sorry you are anti-Lowe's, not me.
I was kinda thinking the same thing. If the guys installed the windows correct and the only thing wrong was that there were stickers on the glass, I guess I'd have no complaint. Contrast that to a crew that cleaned the glass perfectly and the windows were out of alignment and leaking. I'm always amazed at what some people think is important in the remodeling world.
Everyone is different. Men think women are particular about things. I won't comment further - don't want to start an e-mail fight. :-)
I've never seen it as a gender issue. Some of the weirdest complaints come from anal men. Some of the most illogical come from women though...but I can forgive them....it's their hormones. The guys have no excuse unless they are undergoing a sex change therapy program.
I laughed at your posting, not at you. We had a neighbor (male) who was very specific about everything. He drove his wife nuts. The male neighbor was my husband's best friend. He helped my husband add on a room to our house. The neighbor always kept saying "Well, if it was me." Finally, my husband said: "I'm not you." They remained friends for 30 years.
I got a laugh out of that one.
DW is a perfectionist.
It use to drive me nuts.
Now it just make me better.
I didn't read his post as "anti-Lowes". I read it more as a reminder to be aware that one experience doesn't prove the rule. Of course, it's the same thing is whether it was a good or bad experience.
And it's not really about the window sticker. It's about communication. How hard is it to get the word to the installers to go back and remove the stickers?
I tend not to use big box installers because I want to deal directly with the people who are actually doing the install, or at a minimum, the people who own the business that is doing the install.
seem's a like a bit of nit picking to me. in time spent on this posting to this site some one could have opened the window and removed the stickers?
Or they are fixed units on the second floor.
I understand the way you think. I did have HD from Berlin, MD install two sliders. Had one private installer install a glider and another to install regular windows. All in different years. I've been happy with all installers.