Lowes
I don't really know why I bother buying anything from Lowes anymore. They don't actually install anything they sell. First, I buy a new Bosch tankless water heater. I did all the research online and found the exact unit I wanted, and Lowes had the best price. I purchase the unit and take it home. First, I call the water heater people who I've worked with before to ask if they'll install it. Of course not, they will only install a unit if you buy it from them. I call several other companies and get the same story from them. So I call Lowes back and ask them to please install the water heater they sold me. After being transferred about 900 times, I finally reach the plumbing dept. The guy says he'll find out if they can install it and call me back. A few minutes later I get a call back, and he says no, they won't install tankless water heaters and no, he doesn't know anyone who will. Mind you, on Lowes.com every page has links to "find out about in-home installation on this product". Why does Lowes sell a product they don't even install, or even know anyone who will install? Next, I try ServiceMagic.com - they'll find people to do anything. Within minutes, I have a plumber who says he'll install it and he'll be at my house in 30 minutes. I leave work early and head out to meet him. He looks at the unit like a cat looking at a UFO. He has to call several of his plumber friends to ask what type of venting he needs and how to install this thing. About 45 minutes later, after telling me how much he doesn't like the unit I bought, he gives me a quote for $1600 to install it. Mind you, the first company I called wanted $1800 for the unit and installation, and it was a way better unit than the one I bought. So the thing went back to the store, at least Lowes does refunds.
Next, I buy a Fisher & Paykel drawer dishwasher from them. They charge me $129 for installation. A few days later, I get a call from their installers asking me questions such as why type of pressure release valve I have and if I have a GFCI outlet. They claim there will be all sorts of additional charges if they need to install a new outlet and they usually do a pre-inspection before installing these dishwashers. The dishwasher shows up today and the installer, as he's into the kitchen, says, "No, this won't work." These units don't work with a Johnson T-valve and none of the existing plumbing will work. Will they fix it? No, they don't do that work - I have to hire a plumber. If I'm going to hire a plumber, he might as well do the installation as well. He says these dishwashers basically don't work with any standard plumbing and it has to be setup in advance to handle this dishwasher. So basically Lowes will install the dishwasher for $129 if for some ungodly reason your dishwasher hookups are exactly what's required. I can now see why Fisher & Paykel has a $129 installation rebate on their dishwasher, because they know no installer in this solar system is going to install it for that price, and the only people who will buy it are people who completely gutted their kitchen and are redoing all the plumbing, and those people already have a plumber anyway.
Sigh.
Mike
Comments
Anonymous
April 22, 2011
The comment has been removedAnonymous
August 31, 2012
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January 08, 2014
Yes, I agree, the aren't very good to go to. I suggest you go elsewhere for your in home needs. Phillius | http://www.valleyinteriors.comAnonymous
February 11, 2014
I have had both good and bad experiences with Lowe's and other home improvement companies. You should try around a bit more with other companies before you decide on not buying from Lowe's. Keep up the observations. William | eesolutionsinc.net/about_us