Lowe’s

I went today to buy three toilets. I found the model that I wanted but there were only two on the floor. According to their website there were eight in stock so I looked for a sales rep to get one from the back. I spoke to two reps that both pointed out another gentleman and told me that I would have to speak with him. This sales rep was busy speaking with another couple. I waited about 15 minutes and then he looks at me and says «there are other reps here, you don’t have to wait to speak to me «. I told him I had talked to two other people and they told me That only he could help me. At this point he was very irritated as he went and asked another rep to go and get the person with the lift truck. I waited a little bit longer and then was a informed that the person that drove the lift truck was on their break and I would have to wait. I waited about another 15 minutes and then the person came by and said they are back from their break but they had to help another customer so just be patient. I waited another five minutes or so and then I just abandon the two toilets I had on my trolley and left the store. It really didn’t seem like they wanted my thousand dollars or that they understood that there is a Home Depot right across the street. Learn from my mistake and go to the Home Depot first.

Was here this morning and needed a new part for the toilet. I believe it’s called a flush valve. I took the one off my toilet to match up with a new one at the store.
I got to this location, and looked for a sign that said plumbing. I didn’t see one, so I asked an associate. He directed me to the opposite corner to which we were standing.
I got down the plumbing aisle and couldn’t see the part I required. The original part that I had was 11 years old. I guess they’ve made improvements to it since.
I pushed the help button, and an announcement was made over their P.A. system. I waited for about 5 min. someone finally showed up. The employee working just came and shut off the call button and started to walk away.
I said to him I need, he didn’t let me finish my sentence and he rudely walked away saying he’d be back.
I waited another good 10 minutes or so and decided I was going to go to Home Depot instead.
On my way out the door I ran into the employee that originally shut off the call button. I asked him if he could help me now.
He said yes, and that he was helping another customer at the time.
We walked back to the plumbing aisle, with yet another customer that had stopped him on the way back from the front.
We got to the plumbing aisle and the other customer was helped with their inquiry first.
I was then finally helped with the part I needed for my toilet.
I wouldn’t say the customer service I received today was very good.
No apologies were offered. It was like the employee was bitter because he was the only person in plumbing.
I would have handled it differently forsure.

These stars are completely for the garden center. Bottom line they are less expensive than Rona or Home Depot on their hanging baskets or ready made pots and that’s what brings me back. Other than that they are just like every other big box store of this type in that they carry appliances, construction material, home decorating, lighting, plumbing… you name it. Unfortunately this particular one is located in the gong show that is shopping at 130^th. The set up is just poor with no flow for traffic other than on 130^th itself and let’s face it Calgary driver’s aren’t known as courteous or patient. The staff are friendly and quite helpful which is nice and there are lots of them around if you need to ask someone a question. Nothing like wandering aisles looking and not able to find a single employee!

Yesterday I visited Lowes in Mckenzie Towne for the first time. It was fairly easy to get to, just off Deerfoot amongst the major shopping centre in McKenzie Towne. Today’s visit didn’t require any advice or recommendations, rather I came here with intention to buy a new Patio Dining Set I knew was on sale. What should’ve been a quick in and out process became a little more complicated.
I’d say at least 80% of the Patio Sets they had in stock were displayed, but oddly enough the one on sale that I was after was not displayed. You’d think they would’ve thought to put a hot sale item on display? So I pulled it up on my phone and asked the store associate in the section for some assistance, after a quick look in the computer he was able to confirm they had it in stock and then took the time to walk us to it. Upon arriving to the shelving area where it was supposed to be located we found the sale signs, plenty of tables belonging to the set, but only one chair that was showing some wear, and no umbrellas or stands for the set nearby. Luckily the associate Peter who was helping us knew exactly where extra chairs would be stocked, he walked us out back where there was more than enough stock and even helped us un-​shelve them. After this we went back to the table which he helped us take off the shelf and load as well, Peter was a great help!
Next was the umbrella, this piece was near impossible to find. It was not in the umbrella aisle or near any of the other umbrella inventory stacks. Unfortunately as we were looking Peter got pulled away by some relentless customers. Luckily he was able to get Eugene, another kind associate to help us out. She was persistent in her search for this umbrella as well. After quite some time she finally found them, they were on the HIGHEST possible shelf! She secured their biggest step ladder to retrieve one but they were at the back and out of reach haha… Then returns Peter to save the day! With a little extra reach he was able to wiggle one free from the back ! FINALLY! Lastly was the stand. That was the easy part, it was with the other stands in the umbrella aisle. *Phew* lol…
At checkout the cashier Candace was polite and efficient, when we were done loading our haul a different associate was nice enough to grab out trolley. So overall it was an interesting trip, I was pretty dissatisfied with how unorganized the store was and how much effort we had to go through to get all the items to complete the patio set, ¹⁄₅. Time spent in store ²⁄₅. However I was extremely impressed with the service and effort exhibited by the associates to locate all the pieces and help us out, ⁵⁄₅. The price/​value was worth the wait so can’t complain there either ⁵⁄₅. What could’ve been an overall awful experience was redeemed by some great associates, thanks all! I usually give a little more weight to customer service when they go above and beyond, so ⁴⁄₅ overall for this trip!

Generally I prefer Lowe’s over Home Depot and Rona.
The staff at Lowe’s are always very helpful, unlike HD where they can barely point you to the right aisle to find a hammer.
I find the selection to be a bit more varied compared to Rona and I have a better chance of finding what I need. Not that I can really complain about Rona’s selection either, its just more of a preference.
Probably the best part of the shopping experience here for me is the self-​checkouts. They actually work well here. I find the one’s at HD always have a hiccup which forces a cashier to come over and help. I’ve only ever had one problem at Lowe’s when a tool box I bought only had an item number and not a UPC which their system doesn’t allow you to type in manually.

I have been to many other hardware department stores but this Lowes in particular stands out from all of the rest. It mainly has to do with the staff. Their always willing to help and with a smile. This Lowes has not let me down and I am here at least twice a week. Thanks friendly staff keep it up