If you shop at Lowe’s for your home improvement or DIY projects, there’s a chance you’re doing it all wrong. There are some unwritten rules of shopping at Lowe’s that can help you not only save time and money but also make your shopping easier.
Today, we’ll walk you through seven rules for shopping at Lowe’s and how they can radically transform your shopping experience.
Let’s dive in!
What Is Lowe’s?
Lowe’s is one of the largest home improvement retailers in the world. There are more than 2,200 Lowe’s locations, and employs more than 300,000 associates. Professional contractors to novice DIYers frequent it. If you’re working on a home improvement or other mechanical project, there’s a good chance they’ll be able to help.
Lowe’s is a direct competitor to other large home improvement stores. However, they primarily compete with The Home Depot for the most popular home improvement store title.
Who Actually Owns Lowe’s?
Lowe’s became a publicly-traded company on October 10, 1961. The company sold more than 400,000 shares on the first day of trading. However, it wasn’t until 1979 that it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Because Lowe’s is a publicly-traded company, multiple shareholders own it.
If you’d like to become a partial owner of Lowe’s, chat with a trusted financial planner to see if it can happen.
Is Lowe’s Cheaper Than Home Depot?
Lowe’s and The Home Depot are in direct competition, so their pricing is relatively the same. To win customers, the two companies typically price match one another on identical items.
The two companies offer similar discount programs to help entice customers. However, the two differ through exclusive brand deals on products only available at their stores.
Pro Tip: Want to spend the night at Lowe’s? Find out how you can legally camp in your RV overnight at Lowe’s.
The 7 Rules for Shopping at Lowe’s
You need to follow these seven rules to have the smoothest experience and get the most bang for your buck. If you do, you’ll enjoy your trips to Lowe’s even more.
Let Them Cut Your Wood, Wires, and Chains
Why work harder when you can work smarter? If you’re buying items you’ll need to cut, let them cut them for you. In many cases, products like wood, wires, and chains are items a Lowe’s employee will gladly make the cuts for you. They’ll typically provide a certain amount of cuts for free and charge a minimal fee for every cut after.
This is especially helpful if you’re buying large pieces of wood that may be difficult to fit into a vehicle. Ensure you tell them the exact measurements for the cuts you need, and their professionals will cut it to size.
Take Advantage of Their Military Personnel Discount Program and Parking
If you’re eligible for their Military Personnel Discount Program and parking, we first want to thank you for your service. Secondly, we want to remind you that you should register with Lowe’s to take advantage of this benefit. Many don’t realize that their spouse is eligible for this perk too. So sign up today and start saving!
Another way the store shows its appreciation to military personnel is through its dedicated parking spaces. These are typically prime spots at the front of the parking lot. They’re identified with “veteran parking only” signs.
However, there’s no membership card or requirement to show proof of service. If you’re a veteran, we encourage you to take advantage of these spots with pride.
Use the Lowe’s Credit Card
Lowe’s, like many large retailers, offers a credit card. One of the significant benefits is a 20% discount on the first purchase (up to $100 savings) and then a 5% savings on every purchase. While this deal has some exclusions, you can save a large sum of money on your projects.
If you’re frequently purchasing items from the store, it’s wise to have this card in your wallet or purse.
Buy in Bulk
If you’re a professional, buying in bulk is a great way to save money. The company offers any products for sale with bulk discounts.
However, to take advantage of buying in bulk, you must be a member of their Pro Rewards. If you’re eligible for this account and you’re not saving by buying in bulk, you’re making a major mistake.
Price Match Competitors
As we said earlier, Lowe’s wants to offer customers the best deal possible. This is why they’ll price match most deals from their competitors. However, the items must be identical, and there are some exclusions. If you see an item priced better at one of their competitors, it might be worth trying to see if Lowe’s will match the price.
Consider Scratch and Dent or Floor Models
From time to time, Lowe’s will offer huge discounts on products with scratches, dents, or floor models if they’re discontinuing a product. Don’t be afraid to practice your negotiation skills on some of these items, as managers may be tired of the items taking up space.
Depending on the damage to the item or where you plan to use it, it may not be a big deal for it to have some damage. However, predicting what will be available can be nearly impossible. You need to be in the right place at the right time.
Shop Online
While the Lowe’s stores are massive and carry thousands of products, their online store is even larger. If you can’t find it in your local store, order it online and have it sent to your home or to the store. You may even find that some items are cheaper online than in stores.
So make sure you do your research to get the best possible deal! If you’re not in a hurry, shopping online is a much more convenient and easy way to shop.
Pro Tip: Do you prefer to shop at Walmart? Make sure you know these 10 Unwritten Rules for Shopping at Walmart before you head to the store.
Is Shopping at Lowe’s Worth It?
Lowe’s is a great place to save on your tools and other materials for your projects. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and willing to help customers and ensure they have a smooth shopping experience. Shopping at Lowe’s is worth it for most shoppers.
Make sure you don’t break these rules, and you’ll save some cash and have a great shopping experience.
Do you have any tips for shopping at Lowe’s? Tell us in the comments!
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