Lowe’s of Ft Walton Beach

I like this Lowes as a general retailer of home improvement goods. Almost always treated well by the employees. This review has nothing to do with the employees or basic store offerings. It is about contract services, specifically, the purchase and install fees for a hot water heater. I paid $ 35 dollars for a great guy to come out and review the situation and work up a basic work order for Lowes to process a quote. He was great. The problem began when I was quoted $ 1,200, for the job. After breaking down materials and labor I arrived at about $ 500, for materials with the hot water heater being about $ 385, of the material. Fair enough. I asked Lowes to send me the detail quote with labor charges listed and they would not. Okay, no big deal, do the simple math. $ 1,200, for the job less $ 500 for materials leaves $ 700 for labor. After talking to other companies that do installs, the standard time for quotes to install is two hour labor. Could be one or three but average is two. That is $ 350 per hour for labor. Use three hours and it is $ 233 per hour. Doctors and surgeons might be this high, usually less. And they have way higher overhead rates to cover. Lowes overheads are mostly built into the materials and labor just an aside. Bottom line, big rip off. I could have just said no and moved on, but I found myself insulted that they would think people would not see through this. It seems criminal, but of course, let buyer be aware. I guess people blindly pay these prices without understanding. You need to know your material vs labor. Labor rates for this type of work, not to disparage the awesome techs, are just is not worth it. People must refuse to pay. I ended up getting the entire job done for $ 600. Saved $ 600 cash! Wife and I will enjoy this, seems like a reward. Lowes, shame on you for ripping off people that are desperate for repairs, may need your credit or simply not sharp enough to see what you are doing. I am cancelling my Lowes card after this. Will test Home Depot to see what they do. People, no your labor rates and don’t overpay for the skill. It is the only way to stop this nonsense. Can’t blame the seller if the buyer doesn’t care.

Friendly useful service. My parents do all their condo appliance shopping here. They get a military discount.

My favorite place to go shopping… always helpful staff… never had a problem returning anything I didn’t fit… They have a good selection of supplies for my koi pond… A great selection of bricks for landscaping. Sunbelt Rentals right next store If I need some big equipment.

Shopped at many Lowes over the years, but this is the absolute worst I’ve been too. Rude employees! They have no concept of customer service. If you order anything and have to deal with the customer counter, prepare to be frustrated. I don’t recall the woman’s name that works the counter but she must be one bitter old gal. The other employees avoid her, you should too.