I would agree with you on the point that Lowes is quickly going down
hill.

I would not buy anything there that I did not have a second source for
parts and service.

I suspect that Home Depot is doing the same thing.

I think what is going on is that now that they are established in the
market, they are slowly but surely trying to maximize their profit
margins by squeezing their suppliers. Their suppliers respond by
supplying tools that are cheapily made and even more designed to self
destruct after a certain period of time.

I try to buy good tools. When I walk through both of these stores, it
is getting harder and harder for me to find anything to buy.

Really quite sad.

TMT