Lowe’s of Hickory

I can’t even explain how rude the employees were to me. Sorry that I don’t spend my life in hardware stores. Employees are placed to help customers and to make the shopping experience a good one.
I tend to be nice to strangers because I want to be treated the way that I treat them. I spoke to three different people (who looked away when I approached them for help) and each one was rude and disrespectful. Ugh.
*disgusted with this store’s lack of customer service*
** I accidentally checked in at the wrong Lowes. How? I’m not sure because I had my location on to check in on Unilocal.I did visit the one near HWY 70.

Back before Home Depot became popular, or there were Wal-​Mart Superstores, or Mega warehouse stores — there was Lowe’s. And Lowe’s had everything. Guess what, they still do.
I kept seeing television commercials for Lowe’s advertising Filtrete filters 15% off the regular price. This is extremely timely for me because (a) I have used Filtrete allergy reducing filters in my home for years and years, and (b) I knew that my currently installed filter is due to be replaced the first of September, and © I had no new filters left to install. Timely is an apt description.
After going to my bank and waiting twenty minutes to cash a check in the drive-​thru, I wasn’t in exactly the best of moods.
I entered Lowe’s and grabbed a shopping cart.
As I navigated my way to the center of the soccer field sized store, a nice middle aged lady approached me wearing a Lowe’s polo shirt. I smiled and courteously asked her where I could find the air filters. She said without hesitation, «aisle 17.» Sure enough that’s where I found a treasure trove of Filtrete 2200, 20×25×1, Elite Allergen Extra air filters (their best filter).
They are regularly $ 24.97, but if one buys four or more they are currently 15% off retail, a $ 3.75 savings. I usually stock up on these filters so that I have one or two years worth in a closet. I bought eight. I am good for two years. I saved $ 30. Thirty bucks is thirty bucks.
On the way toward the checkout lines, I decided to buy a plastic spray bottle to replace a broken plastic spray bottle that I use to clean my car’s windshields. I saw another male employee standing at the end of an aisle and I asked him, where in this behemoth of a store would a person find an empty plastic spray bottle. He said, «I think, that I know just where they’re located, follow me.» I did. The man had a pronounced limp, but he was a nice man with a kind, helpful, disposition. These bottles were large. They had adjustable sprayer and they were…$.96. That’s 96 cents. I bought two. It works perfectly. I thanked the man sincerely.
As I was standing waiting to check out, a lady in the self checkout line said «I can help the next person in line.» Then she motioned to me to pass all the folks doing self checkout and come to her register. I let a Hispanic young man with one item go in front of me. He didn’t even say thank you. So much for manners.
The lady at the register was very pleasant, and she made sure that the 15% discount (a contractors rate) was in effect, which it was. I saved $ 30. I thanked her for being nice enough to expedite my checkout and she said that it was her pleasure, and then she wished me a happy weekend. I was blown away by her warm smile and friendly disposition. (Janie Patton is the store manager, and based on my outstanding service, this may very well have been her.)
I left with what I needed and in a MUCH happier mood than when I arrived at Lowe’s. Is there any better compliment for a business? I usually do my home and hardware shopping at Home Depot, but one almost has to bodily tackle their employees to get anyone to help. I think, based on today, that I will go to Lowe’s in the future for my home improvement needs. Great customer service makes a world of difference in one’s shopping experience. Way to go Lowe’s, thanks for the GREAT service.