LOWE'S

.

I go to Lowe's frequently and I like them. They are professional and punctual. Their work is excellent. I didn't have any problem, they explained the whole process and I watched them while they put the water heater. It was good.

I purchased a Whirlpool 40gal short gas water heater for $309 from Lowe's and the salesperson quoted an install price of $289 plus parts, an inspection fee of $76, and an estimate fee of $35. The estimator came to my house and did an estimate for parts and he also added an extra $75 for labor for a 2nd plumber to lift the 112 lb. tank onto a 20" stand. The old tank was on a 20" stand to meet the 1990's building codes and it was installed by one plumber. I went to Lowe's to dispute the charge. The $35 estimate fee is non refundable so I felt I should try to work out the dispute. Before going to the store I called a well known plumber and discovered the sealed water heater I was getting did not have to be installed on a stand. At the Lowe's store the employee called the Lowe's authorized plumber dispatcher concerning the extra labor and concerning the fact that the water heater could be installed on the floor. The dispatcher insisted that it had to be on a stand. The Lowe's department manger Tammy took over and talked to the dispatcher on the phone and read from the Lowe's website the description of the water heater indicating it was sealed. The plumber stilled wanted the $75 for a 2nd plumber to lift the old 112 lb. water heater off the stand. (Um....if you put your arms around your 112 lb. honey who was on a 20" stool could you not lower her onto the floor?). Although the plumber got his $75 extra labor charge Tammy did not charge me for it. Since it was a floor install I switched to a 40gal. tall water heater. Tammy charged me the lower of the 2 prices $393 and $328 on the Lowe' s website even though at home the Lowe's website showed only the higher price for the water heater. She also did not charge for extra parts for the tall tank install, a flex vent and a couple fittings. She applied the $35 estimate fee I paid to the purchase because the salesperson told me in error it would apply to purchase. Tammy turned a no sale and a soon to be former customer into a sale and a retained customer. The install went well and it passed Orange County inspection. I like My Lowe's store and will continue to shop there as I have since it opened in the early 1990's however I will pass on the plumbing install services. In summary my dislikes about this plumbing service install are:1. extra labor charge2. salesperson's lack of knowledge about sealed gas water heaters and install and the applicability of the $35 estimate fee. 3. the $76 inspection fee (Sears charges $37.50 the actual Orange County fee).4. the $35 estimate fee. other plumbers estimate for free.5. little or no savings if I had to pay for the extra labor, higher price for tall tank, and extra parts.6. the $35 estimate fee does not apply to the purchase7. I don't like to pay in full before the installation

THEY ARE VERY GOOD. WE WERE ABLE TO FIND THE CARPET THAT WE WANTED FOR ONE THING, AND THEY DID FIND US THE INSTALLERS SO I WAS HAPPY. THE INDIVIDUALS WERE VERY PROFESSIONAL.

LOWE'S WAS NOT AS HELPFUL AS I WOULD OF LIKED IN EXPLAINING THE WHOLE PROCESS. THEY WERE WRONG ON THE MEASUREMENT OF ONE ROOM, BUT THE INSTALLERS WERE FABULOUS VERY HELPFUL AND KIND.