Where do you do your home-improvement shopping?

[Zudnic]

Just out of curiosity

[legal_hit]

Since the nearest Loew's is in Mass, we have no choice but to use HD or the local Hardware store. HD is usually the only store open when I shop, so they get my business. Now, if Loew's would move north, it might be a different story.

[jmh]

I do my shopping at Lowe's because Gene Hackman does the voiceover for their commercials.

[Markt]

The local guy near my house closed, so I go to the Depot. Not for wood, though. I go to a local lumberyard for that. Maybe it's just my local branch, but the wood HD has is terrible. They're *slightly* cheaper than the local competition, but when you have to move 20 pieces to find one good one, it doesn't seem worth it.

[Bob Gray]

No Lowe's that are in my part of the Phoenix area. I used to go to Home Depot a lot and still do occasionally for big purchases, but the local Ace Hardware meets most of my needs, is much more helpful, and now gets most of my business. I pay a little more sometimes but save gas and somehow it just feels better to go to the local Ace instead of Home Depot.

Home Depot's wood isn't the best. I've spent a good chunk of time before going through a wood pile to try to find some 2x4s that are halfway straight instead of being banana boards!

[legal_hit]

The local guy near my house closed, so I go to the Depot. Not for wood, though. I go to a local lumberyard for that. Maybe it's just my local branch, but the wood HD has is terrible. They're *slightly* cheaper than the local competition, but when you have to move 20 pieces to find one good one, it doesn't seem worth it.
Yeah, we found the same thing. Luckily my husband can get something of a discount at local lumber yard which helps keep the costs down.

[jd]

i don't own a home, but lowe's seems like the way to go.

[St. Clown]

We have Menard's and The Home Depot around here. Lowe's is just starting to come into town, but I've never been in one.

With all that said, I split my time and money pretty equally between Homer Depot and Menard's, it all depends on where ever else I am shopping that day. But I normally go to the local guy in Rosemount for small things, take advantage of my limited hardware knowledge and their expertise.

[dropthatpuck]

If I need:

Toilet stopper or plumbing supplies: Home Depot or Lowe's
Tools: Sears
Lumber: Local lumber yard (never, never Home Depot)
"Finish" grade Hardwoods: Specialty yard that deals with hardwoods.
Fasteners (screws, bolts, etc.): Local hardware store (Ace or True Value).
Paint and supplies: Local Sherwin-Williams store or other paint store.
Lighting or plumbing fixtures: local distributor with showroom.

Fortunately, we have loads of supply houses in our area, so it's easy to get what you need from the "proper" place.

In general, I refer to Home Depot as "Home Cheapo" as anything greater than yard refuse bags or minor odds and ends, tends to be, well, cheaply made.

[Carter]

For hardware, Farm & Fleet, which is about half the price of my local True Value. Lumber either a local yard or Home Depot. Menards I avoid if at all possible. There may be some banana boards at Home Depot, but at Menards it's all banana boards, and they give you a bunch of crap if you have the cajones to search for a straight one. It also both annoys and cracks me up how the guys at the Menards yard gate are packing heat. I'm waiting to see them shoot someone down like a dog because they miscounted the pavers in the back. :p

[Quizmire]

the fam shops around for the best price, but if it's relatively equal, heads over to "home despot" to get my brother's employee discount.

[Bob Gray]

Farm and Fleet was a great place to go when I lived in northwestern Wisconsin, and that's still the primary place my Dad goes to. Home Depot is pretty dominant here in Phoenix. Home Base and Payless Cashways both went under, so the only real options beyond Home Depot are your local Aces and Hardware Hanks and a few Lowes stores in certain parts of the city. If Home Depot wasn't so dominant I'd probably shop there more, but a bit of competition is a good thing.

[HockeyBum]

I usually go to the Home Depot by default, since it's only 1/2 mile from my house. There aren't any local hardware stores around that I know of. There is a Menards about 5 miles away. I've never been to Lowe's, and I have no idea where one is located.

[goBU18]

Lowe's sucks! Everything is overpriced. Lowe's is simply an upscale and cleaner version of Home Depot where women would prefer so they don't get themselves dirty!

[Parise for Hobey Baker]

I worked at Depot. It's a good store, in terms of products it carries and prices, but it treats it's employees like ****.

[Zudnic]

I worked at Depot. It's a good store, in terms of products it carries and prices, but it treats it's employees like ****.
what national chain doesn't?

[Huskies76]

Now, if Loew's would move north, it might be a different story.
There are Lowe's stores currently under construction in Seabrook and Epping. :)

[legal_hit]

There are Lowe's stores currently under construction in Seabrook and Epping. :)
Ok, north and west? (both towns are an hour away from me :( )

[Huskies76]

Ok, north and west? (both towns are an hour away from me :( )
That's because you live, by your own admission, in the middle of nowhere. You have to move closer to the coast, which is in the middle of everything. :)

[bsaeagle64]

About 6 months ago we spent $$$$ at Home Depot to redo our kitchen. They helped us design it and then their installer completed the work, except for painting and papering. We are now using Lowe's for new carpeting for the basement. My wife likes Lowe's better (??) but I think Home Depot is easier to deal with.