ng_reader wrote:
Seems to me, here in SE Pennsylvania at least, that these two retail giants
have their respective eyes set on each other.

Both are Southern companies, so the personalities are similar.

(I do this for a living, so take my word for it)

But, has anyone had any preference over the other in terms of

Service

or

Price?

I think I'd have to go to Home Cheap-O for both. They sell more, so have
more buying power. Plus, they seem to train at least some of their employees
to *pretend* they are interested in keeping their jobs.

But, as Lowes is 1/4 mile away, and Home Depot 3/4 mile away (this is
suburbia mind you, not the city), I think my 1st choice is Lowes. Geography.

As I am one to save budget where I am able (I do not make a great living) am
I really losing out on dollars and cents by not shopping at HD?

Signed,

Mr. Curious

Hard to say... by and large, I find whichever store is newest in the
area is better until they get sloppy, so it leapfrogs a bit. The Lowes
around me is further away so I go to it less, but since I find myself
going there monthly or thereabouts, that indicates that the much closer
home depot isn't providing all my needs. For instance,
recycled-rubber-tires mulch, both loose and as edging and tree rings,
which I will be ever grateful to Lowes for selling, and cheaper than
the online mailorder outfits.

Meanwhile, a couple of months after the Home depot opened up near me,
the nearby sears hardware announces it's departure. Didn't even try to
put up a fight. Sad, because I kind of liked it more, despite many
shortcomings. Anyway, they immediately seem to have deleted all the
staff, some of whom knew their stuff, and replaced them all with idiots
who hate customers. Must be closeout specialists. And, hilariously
enough, all the things they never had in stock, like **edger blades**
have all of a sudden appeared out of God knows where and are hanging on
the walls in gay profusion. All kinds of dolts like me staring at them
and swearing under their breath as they grab a handful.