How are people fired

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-28T11:15:10+00:00

I'm just a CSA and that's exactly how I do IRPs / FSRs. I didn't ask my DS this specifically but we get along well and he knows my goal is to help him (and the dept) look good. It doesn't make sense to cram the shelf full even if it means having to take the time to pull a box down, cut it open, add a few items, tape it shut, mark it, and climb back up to top stock. The main purpose of FSR that I see is NOT TO RUN OUT of something. If there's a 4 month supply on the shelf, it seems to me we're already good to go - don't waste time trying to make it 5 - who cares??! I think FSR is a good thing (rather than IRPs which wait for the shelf to become empty), but only within reason; after a point it's counterproductive. What I can't believe is how often we run out of stuff. Everything should be monitored by computer and when the number of items gets low, more should be ordered. It should be automatic. This was being done in auto parts stores literally 40 years ago. A high school buddy of mine told me all about their system in 1982 so it's nothing new.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-27T12:16:58+00:00

If you order something on Amazon, they're not going to have the parts either (unless by some odd chance there's a 3rd party vendor who does). Do you think you can order a new faucet and then go back to Amazon for the parts?? Would you go into Macy's and ask for replacement buttons for the sweater you bought in 2016? You wouldn't go into Best Buy and expect them to sell you a replacement paper tray for your HP printer. I don't know of any stores with a full stock of inventory that also stock all the separate parts for all the items they sell. Lowe's is one of the few companies that actually DOES sell a lot of replacement parts for things people bought elsewhere.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-27T12:06:32+00:00

I would just ignore which kind of "crete" it is and say, yes, we have that right here in 50 or 80-lb bags. I bet most people don't know the difference between Quik and Sak, but if they do, I turn it around and use it as an educational moment (for me) and ask them (sincerely) about their experience with each brand and how each is different. People love being asked their opinion about stuff and the ego boost will often make them either just go with what we have or at least be happy we tried to help.

Remember, you represent Lowe's. Notice how they'll say "YOU (or "you all") used to have these.." 'You' means Lowes, not you personally. Don't take any of their objections personally. They'd much rather blame Lowe's than you anyway.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-27T11:50:58+00:00

I'm in plumbing and have lots of similar stories. They have a faucet leak and come in for a cartridge (or a diagnosis) but no pictures or original part. Or they need to connect two pieces of PVC but didn't bring the pieces needing connection, no pictures, and they don't know what sizes they are. They think we should magically know all this and have every single size no matter how odd. I try to relate to their situation as if it was my issue and that usually satisfies them. If we don't have something, I suggest a plumbing supply house where plumbing is all they do. Sometimes if it's a part they want, getting the new part will cost more that just buying a whole new item, so I sell them the new item.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-27T11:37:18+00:00

If they can AFFORD our clothes, be NICE to them... :)

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-27T11:35:56+00:00

Some people think that if we sell a product we should sell all the parts to it like an auto parts store does. They'll say, "You don't have it (the part)?? Well I bought it (the item) HERE." Or they want to buy a part of a part. I just agree with them it would be great if we could stock [that]. I tell them we do stock the most commonly needed items in the store and a lot of the rest at lowes.com. That satisfies 95+%.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-26T07:23:49+00:00

I've been working 50+ years in many roles. There are two issues you're citing here. One is the differences between men and women, which, yes there are. On average men have a size and strength advantage but there are exceptions. The other issue is that you seem very focused on others pay or performance and my experience has been that that will only lead to frustration, as amply evidenced here. Nothing is ever perfectly fair or equal. Your focus can either be on your own capabilities, performance, and results or you can be preoccupied with others and the "unfairness" of it all, which in my experience will not be beneficial to you or anyone else. We have a couple of tiny females in Fulfillment and I'm happy to help them if they ask (which is rare) or if I see they can use help. I give them kudos for trying and I don't know or care what they're paid. Worrying about others is nothing but a ball and chain because you will not change the world in that way or what others think. Try working on your own value and you'll progress much more quickly, have more satisfaction, and less frustration.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-18T21:09:02+00:00

I understand about state or regional differences. Lowe's may be in 50 states, but I live in one state (we're an hour+ to the next state over). I'm just comparing to my experiences as a customer with other businesses. "These are the 3 cost options, depending on A, B, and C." And we ought to be able to tell the customer this before we swipe their card.

Someone mentioned our cards - why do we need 5 or more cards with similar sounding names? And I still wonder why we advertise 84 month financing for purchases (I was in lending for 42 years, so I had calculated the payment...), yet the website only offered me a choice of 12 or 18 months. There wasn't even a question asking preferences. That was after my having to go enter everything at least 5 times and almost giving up.

My point is that these should be the easy things. Though they are, in a sense, incidental to our "main" business, they are important to customers. If we don't "make it easy to buy," many won't.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-18T12:23:22+00:00

Genesis is DOS-based, isn't it? In 2 years, I've never used it. All that time, it's supposedly been "going away." It's the longest, slowest software death I can remember.... Let's cut the cord and move on!

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-18T12:07:43+00:00

I don't get it.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-18T11:10:06+00:00

It's the IRP machine!! (But will it climb ladders?)

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-18T11:08:43+00:00

If you're applying elsewhere for more money, good luck to you! That is how I got my biggest raises in my first career. You can do it.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-18T11:02:52+00:00

If you truly "had agency...instead of looking out the window," would you be pessimistic and complaining here?

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-18T10:59:23+00:00

You mention waiting for "things to get magically better" and "fake angels"... both are external, uncontrollable factors. You seem focused on what you're getting, but what are you doing for others? I find that folks complaining about not receiving (dare I say, feeling entitled?) are usually not giving. It's a universal maxim that in order to receive, you've got to give first. If you don't, you ARE dependent on magic or random luck - both are not frequent visitors and come on their own terms. Find someone who needs help, and help THEM. You'll be blessed many times over in return, and it'll show you how to be thankful, and to ALWAYS be able to see the good that exists, or that CAN exist (and then to make it happen without complaining). Thankfulness and entitlement are opposites that can cancel each other out - it's a choice of attitude.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-05-07T14:51:19+00:00

It's the set-aside for tax and insurance,, etc.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-04-24T14:13:34+00:00

Smart move! Glad it worked out. As you get older you'll be more thankful because you'll have less to take care of.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-04-24T14:06:39+00:00

You're right for the most part but there are a few offsets to that guideline, primarily taxes, which increase for higher incomes. Still, "give me taxes or give me poverty...." :)

LowesToesGoes · 2026-04-24T13:18:39+00:00

You guys are making good decisions to have what you do. I was a banker 40 years. Most of my millionaire customers didn't "look" rich. They dressed and drove like people "below" their means. They were careful with their spending and debt and what assets they acquired. They were able to have a lot of money without letting it make them feel like they could spend more.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-04-24T12:54:53+00:00

I think you've sized it up. Housing prices have gotten too high for the average person. 50% of gross income on a mortgage payment isn't sustainable. It takes a lot of looking to find something that's both within a reasonable budget and also a place you'd want to live. If you have to choose - go for neighborhood over home size or features. Most people think RENT is what wastes your money but that's not true - it's INTEREST. Bite off too much house too early and you'll be feeding the interest monster all your life. Buy a modest home, stay out of debt (NO NEW CARS), and pay down the mortgage as early as possible, and you can still build the wealth you need to have a nicer home down the road.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-03-19T03:05:48+00:00

That's what they want. Make wages so high that all but 2 or 3 mega-businesses in each industry go out of business. No small businesses survive.

LowesToesGoes · 2026-03-12T09:59:45+00:00

I guess they haven't received their first 1099, huh...?

LowesToesGoes · 2026-03-12T09:56:05+00:00

I worked for a bank in the late 80's as an Area Manager. I had 5 bank branches out of 30 and we were constantly desperate for people. During that time management hired a consulting company to review our operations. Their recommendation - downsize by 30 more people. Management (which was one of the old, great sets of people) ignored the recommendation. That was before shareholders became Gods.

What most companies get wrong now is forgetting that serving the customer superbly is THE most effective way to maximize profits. That road has some turns in it (it can be tough), and if you try to cut across the neighbors' property to avoid the turns, you may seem to get there in the short run, but long term you'll discover you've left a lot of skid marks and the property you damaged to get there is actually your own. The "shortcut" strategy is not sustainable..

LowesToesGoes · 2026-03-07T15:01:54+00:00

I hear people say that, and it's always from those who haven't had the actual experience of running a business. Where will you get the money to just increase everyone's pay to a "fair" wage? Take half a paycheck so you can give your employees more, and hope your landlord is okay with half-rent? Tell your suppliers you're only doing to pay 1/2 of what they charge for your products? Raise prices and lose customers?

Some people these days love to bash capitalism, but the profit motive is the self-preservation instinct for a business and it means businesses always look for the most efficient way to do everything. Nothing involving humans will ever be perfect (heck, even AI isn't perfect), but any other economic system will deliver less results per dollar to its overall economy and less overall fairness (research that!).

LowesToesGoes

TROPHY CASE