Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Lowe's, Pay Full Price For Slightly Used products

In case you hadn't noticed, over the past few weeks GA Harrison has been putting up more posts than usual, allowing me to free up some personal time to get things done that I have been ignoring for far too long.

One of the many projects that I have been tackling is numerous painting jobs around the house. Last night we went up to Lowe's to get some more supplies and I just couldn't believe my own eyes. I had to use my cell phone to take the above image but if you'll notice the paint all over the handle of one of the rollers in the picture. However, what's tougher to see is the roller hanging above it. It has dried up paint all over the rollers edge, (in white) where the roller pad slips over and eventually stops the pad from running off the end.

These rollers were hanging with the brand new rollers and without any question whatsoever, they were USED! Pictures do not lie and quite frankly it makes me question what else Lowe's will put back on the floor that has been slightly used.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm not going back and I'll take my business elsewhere and so should YOU.

13 comments:

Concerned Retiree said...

I know Sears does the same thing with their lawn equipment. 2 years ago I went to buy a weed trimmer and you could tell they had been used. They had tried to clean them up but there plain visible usage signsjust like these pictures in this post. It was not only their weed trimmers but mowers and a lot of their lawn equipment. At that time I had no camera on my cell.

Anonymous said...

As a former contractor, I've seen this too many times to count at literally every "big box" store. But, in some cases you can haggle. I've got 50% off of many items that were returns/not in original packaging. This goes for everything, not just small ticket items. I've bought entry doors for 50% off simply because the original packaging was missing.

Joseph Albero said...

anonymous 11:27, I can understand where you're coming from. HOWEVER, just trying to find someone to mention it to is difficult enought, let alone finding a manager who can make such decisions isn't worth my time.

I'll add, there was NO discount on these products. They were hung as brand new products.

Anonymous said...

Lowe's will take anything and everything as a return. I know several people who returned stuff to Lowe's that originally did not come from Lowe's. Even without a receipt they were able to return it. A good example... a close family friend returned some unopened paint to Lowe's. 5 cans, 3 of which came from the Habitat for Humanity store.

Anonymous said...

Name of the shift manager is handwritten on dry erase board behind customer service desk. Ask for that person and you will be totally amazed at how Lowes responds.

I once had a complaint, but instead of venting there I sent an email. Was given the manager's name and told he would call. He did and we met and resolved the issue quite satisfactorily. In the meantime I got emails from corporate following up to make sure my complaint was being addressed properly.

Very satisfied with Lowes.

As for Sears, can't say I could ever be satisfied by them in Salisbury. Stopped shopping there for about 7 years, tried again about six years ago and was so throughly ticked by total rudeness of the store in general and specific people I have not been back and will never go back.

Anonymous said...

I like Lowe's. I would have left the used ones and picked a new one, as that would certainly been an option. But my spouse would have picked the used ones and haggled over the price, coming home with a good deal - or left it in the store. Everyone has a choice. If these roller were marked with paint, rendering them used, then I am sure it would not take a genious to figure it out.

Joseph Albero said...

anonymous 12:01, Let me guess, Democrat?

Pragmatic said...

I have witnessed first hand how many local big box stores treat returned items. If you return something and tell them the item is defective, they will still put it back on the shelf. They will continue to do so until some poor schmuck neglects to return the defective item or the packaging is too badly damaged. Then and only then, will it go on the clearance aisle. Inspect packaging closely because many times if it has been re-taped it is broken or missing parts. I purchased a DVD played once, and upon opening it, I found there was an old broken DVD player that wasn't even the same brand. The previous customer/thief had opened the box from the bottom and swapped out the player before returning the item. Imagine how much fun it is to return something with that kind of story!

Anonymous said...

12:03 No, he has common sense...

You sound more like a liberal with your crying and bickering all the time.

Sorry for the personal attack using such a dirty word

Anonymous said...

Joe-You don't need to contact a manager or find someone on the floor. If you take it to the register, note to the cashier the damage/packaging/issue, they will be the one you haggle with. They won't ticket an item down on the shelf, but will at the register.

Anonymous said...

We went to Lowe's a couple of weeks ago and stood in the checkout line longer than customers should have been expected to. The cashier gave us 10% off our total purchase for the inconvenience of waiting.

Anonymous said...

Bought a roll of tyvek housewrap from lowe's once... when we unrolled it, it had 84 lumber logo printed all over it

Anonymous said...

Didn't this same blog hassle best buy for charging a restocking fee on returns? They do that because they sell the returned items at a reduced price. Now the company that doesn't do the restocking fee but resells at full price is wrong too? What's the correct procedure since everyone seems to know?