I called the Lowe's in Mt Pleasant TX last night to ask if they had a Toro zero turn mower in…read morestock. They did but said they'd have to find the key to it. The lady was pleasant, got my number, found the key, and called me back to let me know they found the key, and I was very appreciative. I had a friend of mine drive with me this morning, as I needed his trailer to pick up the mower (25 miles away). I got there, and they said they had no key to any Toro mower, despite having many in stock, including several for sale outside the front of the store. The only key they had was some universal key that they could use to start it, but couldn't give me. I get that things happen, so I looked at other mowers, but based on the reviews on the Lowe's site, I wanted to stick with that Toro. So, I asked the lady at customer service that was helping me, Jasmine, if I could have them use the "universal" key they had to load my mower (as my friend had driven that way to help me), and load it. My friend and I could push it off his trailer at my house, and I could go to another store to get a key today. As I'll be unable to mow for the next two weeks, it's very important to get this done today or tomorrow, which is why I called in the first place. Jasmine and the man helping to find and load the mower thought that might work, so they went and asked a manager named Ethan about it. Ethan said absolutely not, and would not even call another store to help find a key. I had them ask again, as I didn't want to have to create any negative feedback. Unfortunately, not only did Ethan again say "they could order the key from the manufacturer, and it would just get to you when it gets to you," but he wasn't even willing to come out of the office to tell me this himself. Not sure what he was doing, but it was more important than any customer of Lowe's. So, I call customer service to help. Now, I'm going to need it delivered, as my friend has wasted one trip, and I'm not about to ask again. I thought Lowe's should consider paying for the delivery. Not only did Abigail say her "people that give that approval" said no, they weren't willing to do that, but she wouldn't even identify who made that terrible decision.
Anyway...people keep telling me that Lowe's is going downhill. I used to defend them. Not anymore. My Lowe's Pro card will go dormant, I'll make sure to tell everyone I know about this, and that ETHAN couldn't be bothered to lift a finger and make a phone call to solve a problem that his store created. Poor customer service doesn't begin to touch the way I've been treated. I won't be making the same mistake again.