Which home improvement store is your favorite?

**clovis** · #1 09/10/10, 09:57 PM

I'm curious. What home improvement store do you like the best?

Why?

Bearfootfarm · #2 09/10/10, 10:17 PM

Whichever one has what I want at the cheapest price.

I buy different things from many different stores

The best lumber around here is a smaller local builder's supply.
Some appliances are cheapest at Home Depot.
Lowe's seems to have a better selection of tools and hardware

**gone-a-milkin** · #3 09/10/10, 10:22 PM

It depends.

For lumber/ building supply I say 'other'. A local place called Lucky Lumber is wayyy less $.

For sandpapaer/cordless tools/handtools....Lowes is less $.

For paint, Home Depot. They have the selection I like. (we call this place "Home Depression" even so)...

For fencing/buckets/farm supply I say 'other'. A locally owned feedstore.

Same for screws/hinges/ hardware. I get that at a locally owned feedstore at about 30% less then the box stores.

To buy a major appliance (like a fridge) I shop around. Am looking for a new fridge soon.
Maybe will get it from Sears. Not sure yet. Still looking.

I dont think there is any 'one stop' home supply.

**alleyyooper** · #4 09/11/10, 07:35 AM

Lowes for me is best. they give the 10% vetrans discount just by showing my ID card will match Home Depots price and give a 10% discount off that just because they let Home Depot have the lowest price. Lowe's is lit better, Has a better slection of tools, nails and screws, More chain saw bars and chains in stock too.

this area would be a exllant area to open a farm store and the two near by TSC's are horriable many times not having the simpliest idem for a farm. People lined up 10 deep at the only open regester.

Al

jwal10 · #5 09/11/10, 08:49 AM

I shop hometown, Vanwell's lumber, they are an Ace hardware store also. Also a small place that has old fixtures and mill work from old homes, new tile in small lots, off size lumber I can remill, used lumber, odd windows, I like using that kind of stuff, they also trade and barter. I have been to Home Depot twice, didn't buy anything. We did buy tile at Lowe's for a larger project, good selection, good price. I don't buy much new, I like to recycle and reuse....James

**Ross** · #6 09/11/10, 02:51 PM

Perkins lumber is the friendliest and easiest to deal with here, its a small but well known local lumber store. Lowes is pretty new here, it just looks like a Home Depot clone. Better tools maybe. Rona has better decorating items, and unique flooring, its a Canadian chain.

Windy in Kansas · #7 09/11/10, 03:18 PM

I like Sutherlands but have to drive over an hour away to get to the largest one which is just a little further than one in Wichita.

I actually prefer to shop at Home Depot, but tend to think that the lumber and products Lowes carries is actually somewhat superior in quality.

Bearfootfarm · #8 09/11/10, 06:12 PM

Quote:

the lumber and products Lowes carries is actually somewhat superior in quality.

The lumber at the Lowe's here is terrible in comparison to where I buy mine.

At the Lowe's here you have to pick through a lot of warped, knotty junk to load your cart, then push it to the register and finally load it yourself most of the time.

The smaller place I go to takes my order at a desk inside, and I pay for it.
Then they tell me where to park my truck or trailer while they load it all for me.
Prices are about the same or cheaper, and the lumber is some of the best I've seen anywhere

plowjockey · #9 09/11/10, 08:05 PM

Menards, mostly because it is closest.

They are all priced about the same, have about the same snarky amount of (some are quite helpful), ignorant help and twisted 2x4's.

Plus, our school fundraiser, we can get '"cash back" purchasing and then spending Menards store "checks".

**clovis** · #10 09/12/10, 07:56 AM

Thanks for the replies so far!!!!

Overall, I like Menard's the best, by far, even though I have to drive 20 minutes to visit one.

I LOVE Menard's rebate program...lots and lots of stuff for free, if you'll just take the time to fill out the rebate card and send it in. Generally speaking, I try to make it to Menard's once a week just to get the free rebate stuff. You really wouldn't believe how much free (or super cheap) stuff you can get. This week's deal is tape measures for 24 cents after rebate.

I like Menard's for a few 2 x 4's and whatnot, if I need them.

If I need larger quantities of material, I like Carter-Lee in Indianapolis. Wow...that place sells some NICE material, and they are competitive with the mega stores.

We have a Lowe's in town, just a few miles away. It is a nice store, but their prices can be outlandish on many items. I generally still buy from Menard's.

We used to have a local owned hardware store, but it closed a few years ago. On occasion, I'll buy from Tractor Supply.

FWIW, I like the poster who said they like to use and recycle as much as they can, and deal with a firm that carries used material. A big thumbs up for that!!!!!!

greif · #11 09/12/10, 06:00 PM

we have menards, HD and lowes all in the same area, menards is always busy, lowes a few people and HD almost no one... they talked about closing HD but are keeping it open just to show themselves... they are still mad menards would not sell out to HD.... we have a freind who work for HD dorp..... thay are F____ to work for

travis91 · #12 09/14/10, 08:44 PM

Home Depot has Rigid power tools with a lifetime warranty and that all i use at work(my bosses) and lowes IMO has better hand tools(Kobalt) made in USA, hassle free warranty.

tyusclan · #13 09/15/10, 05:32 AM

I deal with local hardware stores mostly. I do buy a little from Lowe's, but in most cases if I can even get it close to the same price I'll buy from the local guys.

**Cabin Fever** · #14 09/16/10, 08:53 AM

If I'm buying plywood that I'm using for 1'x8' or 2'x8' shelves, I'll go to Home Despot. They'll cut it into boards on their plywood jig for free.

MELOC · #15 09/16/10, 11:18 AM

lowes and 86 are the two local to me. i shop around if i need any quantity. i used to prefer the local lumber yards, but the one remaining here in town now caters only to contractors. i do seem to have to sort through a stack of lumber to find the straight stuff every single time i buy lumber. i don't blame lowes for that, i blame mills that seem to think it is a good idea to make a 2 x 4 from a 5 inch branch that grew 30 feet off the ground.

Vickie44 · #16 09/16/10, 02:39 PM

Like others who responded I try to use local but go to Lowes if they cant help. The TSC near me is often out of the most basic items and is often a wasted trip and the Home Depot is very disorganized and messy and hard to get help. I could walk around in Lowes for hours just looking at all the cool stuff !

mekasmom · #17 09/16/10, 03:14 PM

Home Depot is my favorite simply because it is right off the interstate. And when I leave, it is right back on the interstate, don't even have to switch lanes. If it would close down, then Menards would be my favorite.