Lowes

I really want to like Lowes. I really really do…
This Lowes location is the closest hardware store to my home, so when I need to pop out and quickly get something, this is my go-​to location. I’ve had very mixed experiences going to this location though, especially compared to their Oshawa location.
I can never, ever find a person available to tell me where to find something. I’ll walk up and down the store, looking for a specific section or item and after walking the store twice, I’m usually searching for someone. The only place I can ever find an available associate is in the plywood/​drywall section. The guys here are nice and helpful but they’re almost always standing around chatting at the back of the store and I have to interrupt to get help.
I’ve also found that some of the people that work here can be snotty. I went in to buy some specific hardware that I needed to build my own headboard (I was following a tutorial online and they had suggested a very specific part and I knew they had the part) in the nuts and bolts section and after talking with the guy there, I did get what I wanted, but he made me feel like I was a bit of an idiot or that I didn’t know what I was doing. The part I got was the right part but the conversation wasn’t super helpful or positive.
I went in looking for a little bench type deal for my front hallway, to hold some shoes and be a place to sit when you need to lace up your boots or shoes, and there were signs printed by the store noting «20% off all organization & closetmaid» (something like that). I was buying something that was eligible for the discount and according to their website, the prices matched. When I went to the cash, the lady gave me a super hard time about the discount. I told her there were signs and she sent someone to check and then had to get the flyer out to check for herself (which is fine). When I mentioned the website price, she told me that Lowes does NOT price match THEIR OWN WEBSITE. Which is bloody ridiculous. The prices were the same anyways, but I got such a hard time from her, I left with a bad taste in my mouth. She’s a regular worker there so I avoid her register if she’s working.
Overall, this place is okay. I dislike the layout of the entire store — I find myself going from one end to the other if I have to pick up more than one item and nowhere do they have baskets to grab to hold things and no one is offering to help me when my hands are full. I would spend a lot more money here if it was better organized and laid out and the customer service was up to snuff. The greeters at the exit aren’t very friendly or nice and you can tell their «goodbye have a nice day» is out of obligation, not because they care.

This is my favourite home improvement store in the area. Selection is very good, which for me elevates it above home depot when I’m shopping for fixtures, appliances, light switches, etc. Home Depot still wins for tools and lumber, in my opinion.
Service is great and friendly, and you can usually find help if you need it.