I love that this happened! It does make us feel all's right with the world, at least for those moments--and we can take them away with us and maybe be a little kinder ourselves.
I'll take Lowes over Home Depot any day. I've had much better luck at Lowes in the past, when I was shopping at both. I don't shop at Home Depot now, for political reasons, but I think I wouldn't, anyway. In every town that has one of them, they also have the other. Almost without fail. So Lowes it is, for me, anyway.
Just goes to show you that it's not the (big) box, but what's in it. You have to wonder about the corporate culture at these respective stores, whether it's inspired locally or nationally. Either way, what a difference a Tim makes!
"... even if you have all the products that the ‘other guy’ has, you still need one more thing to be successful." Yes! It is the employee/customer interface. That is why I always shop at Trader Joe's. I don't know if their clerks are well-trained or if TJs only hires friendly, happy, helpful people? But I will pay more just for the kindness shown there. Nice post Heather!
Okay, I’m going to share a dirty little secret about Lowe’s.
I got involved in a project that donated almost 500 storage sheds built by volunteers for people who lost their homes in a Northern California wildfire. Thousands of homes and other structures were destroyed and almost 90 people lost their lives.
A nearby Lowe’s supplied most of our materials and donated the roofing and paint for the sheds. They got the roofing shingles from a supplier near Seattle and delivered them to us with a Lowe’s truck.
If we needed something, our Pro Desk person dropped everything to help. Lowe’s employees even helped built sheds when they could and Lowe’s sent trucks and forklifts a few times to deliver sheds to the new owners.
Here in Idaho, Lowe’s provided support for a major facelift on a residential youth ranch. The ProDesk person who helped us was pure gold. The project started during the time of Covid when everything was difficult to source, but somehow we never ran short of and materials because of her efforts, even when she was down with Covid herself.
So the dirt little secret about Lowe’s is that they are about more than only a bottom line. They really do help out with projects in their local communities. It’s probably a great way for them to build goodwill, but it also seems like a big part of their corporate culture.
I honestly think the people at Lowe's are friendlier than the ones at Home Depot. Like, Home Depot's CS is on par with Walmart's. And I absolutely HATE that place.
Such a breath of fresh air when someone goes out of their way to make life easier for you. I think it's pretty obvious which guy loves his job and which guy dreads it.
I was in Walmart three years ago when I asked and an 80ish year old thin black guy with an "Air Force " cap where the toys were for someone my grandson's age. He proceeded to walk me all the way back to the far corner of the store and helped me find the type toys I had in mind. He impressed me so much that a few months ago I asked a middle-aged guy if he by any chance remembered the guy I described. He immediately responded - "Oh, that's Harry, he's working just mornings a few days a week now. I hope he doesn't have to work, but at least he seemed to love his job.
I love that this happened! It does make us feel all's right with the world, at least for those moments--and we can take them away with us and maybe be a little kinder ourselves.
I'll take Lowes over Home Depot any day. I've had much better luck at Lowes in the past, when I was shopping at both. I don't shop at Home Depot now, for political reasons, but I think I wouldn't, anyway. In every town that has one of them, they also have the other. Almost without fail. So Lowes it is, for me, anyway.
Just goes to show you that it's not the (big) box, but what's in it. You have to wonder about the corporate culture at these respective stores, whether it's inspired locally or nationally. Either way, what a difference a Tim makes!
"... even if you have all the products that the ‘other guy’ has, you still need one more thing to be successful." Yes! It is the employee/customer interface. That is why I always shop at Trader Joe's. I don't know if their clerks are well-trained or if TJs only hires friendly, happy, helpful people? But I will pay more just for the kindness shown there. Nice post Heather!
Very nice, Heather. These little interactions are always so inspiring.
Glad you got your Thanksgiving fixed!
Nowadays, good customer service is SO scarce that when we actually receive it we can't help but notice it!
I love putting these kinds of moments in my back pocket just to remember that kindness does still exist.
Okay, I’m going to share a dirty little secret about Lowe’s.
I got involved in a project that donated almost 500 storage sheds built by volunteers for people who lost their homes in a Northern California wildfire. Thousands of homes and other structures were destroyed and almost 90 people lost their lives.
A nearby Lowe’s supplied most of our materials and donated the roofing and paint for the sheds. They got the roofing shingles from a supplier near Seattle and delivered them to us with a Lowe’s truck.
If we needed something, our Pro Desk person dropped everything to help. Lowe’s employees even helped built sheds when they could and Lowe’s sent trucks and forklifts a few times to deliver sheds to the new owners.
Here in Idaho, Lowe’s provided support for a major facelift on a residential youth ranch. The ProDesk person who helped us was pure gold. The project started during the time of Covid when everything was difficult to source, but somehow we never ran short of and materials because of her efforts, even when she was down with Covid herself.
So the dirt little secret about Lowe’s is that they are about more than only a bottom line. They really do help out with projects in their local communities. It’s probably a great way for them to build goodwill, but it also seems like a big part of their corporate culture.
I honestly think the people at Lowe's are friendlier than the ones at Home Depot. Like, Home Depot's CS is on par with Walmart's. And I absolutely HATE that place.
We need more 'Tim Kindness 🤍
Thanks Heather, the ripples of Kind stories never end.
You named your microwave too?! Love it! Whats the new one’s name? Your pieces always make me smile and warm my heart. You exude kindness. ❤️❤️
Such a breath of fresh air when someone goes out of their way to make life easier for you. I think it's pretty obvious which guy loves his job and which guy dreads it.
I was in Walmart three years ago when I asked and an 80ish year old thin black guy with an "Air Force " cap where the toys were for someone my grandson's age. He proceeded to walk me all the way back to the far corner of the store and helped me find the type toys I had in mind. He impressed me so much that a few months ago I asked a middle-aged guy if he by any chance remembered the guy I described. He immediately responded - "Oh, that's Harry, he's working just mornings a few days a week now. I hope he doesn't have to work, but at least he seemed to love his job.