Will you shop at Lowes?

[Kris81]

Apparantly they brought in all american workers to construct their stores here.

Does that sway you away from shopping there, or do you not care?

[Impossibles]

I don't care.

Americans are people too, they need jobs (probably more than canadians)

[ferkel]

nice bright store.. but didn't see much people buying. Their opening day gift is a joke..

[Red_Army]

sure why not...home depot is an american company aswell, and Rona is just plain ****

[TCWeasel]

Where did this information come from?

[number8888]

If they provide good service and good prices then yeah I would shop there.

[aggronieszka]

The amount of hours to build the store doesn't really compare to the amount of hours worked in the store once building is complete.

Pretty sure Canadian stores will hire Canadian people. It's retail, ladies and gentlemen, not a board of directors of a multinational corporation we're talking about.

[stealth]

sauce?

[Hairball]

I question how they can bring American workers to build their store. Maybe some key personnel would be American, as it's an American company.

Don't just make things out of thin air.

[williamsauga]

canadian = american = human

[Whitedart]

I question how they can bring American workers to build their store. Maybe some key personnel would be American, as it's an American company.

Yes, they probably have their own project managers for new builds, and those project managers probably have qualified people that will get the job done on time and on budget.

And if you use RFD as an example, you could likely count on your fingers the number of people that work in construction trades, such as Red Army. No one wants to do any job other than a white collar job (see Career section - finance, finance and finance).

[gman]

Yes, they probably have their own project managers for new builds, and those project managers probably have qualified people that will get the job done on time and on budget.

And if you use RFD as an example, you could likely count on your fingers the number of people that work in construction trades, such as Red Army. No one wants to do any job other than a white collar job (see Career section - finance, finance and finance).

They cannot just bring worker over to work without application. The same as Canadian just can't go to US to work without a working permit. We do have construction workers in Canada who are not working at the moment.

If what OP said is true, that means our government let that happened.

[maniacshopper]

sounds to me Lowes gave their construction crew work visas, which obama was willing to expedit.

The way unemployment is in the US, if a corporation is willing to create jobs ( whether it be in Canada, Mexico, Afghanistan, Iraq) for Americans, they'll do everything they can to get them started asap.

Just like those highly regarded university of waterloo computer science graduates who are lucky enough to hired by microsoft. Signing bonus, residence at microsoft headquarters, aka microsoft campus. The green card is also a fairly quick process.

[Cheap Cat]

And if you use RFD as an example, you could likely count on your fingers the number of people that work in construction trades, such as Red Army. No one wants to do any job other than a white collar job (see Career section - finance, finance and finance).

Huh? RFD is now representative of working people in Canada? There are lots of people who work in the construction trades in this country. Just because they may not be vocal on this site, doesn't mean they don't exist. This site is also filled with a lot of anti-worker sentiment and union bashing. Fortunately, we all don't think that way.

[robster77]

As a general rule, I always shop at Rona as it's a Canadian company and I try to support local (personal preference). I avoid Home Depot like the plague unless they have a really super sale. I would imagine I will treat Lowes in the same way.

[Cheap Cat]

While I don't believe that Lowes used American workers to build their store, I do believe that they brought in some US workers to set up the store and train staff. When they first opened in Brampton (one of their first Canadian stores), they had American staff in the store working alongside Canadian staff. They were probably training staff from their US head office. When Walmart opened its Supercentre here, they too had US staff in store setting up and working with staff.

[Hairball]

sounds to me Lowes gave their construction crew work visas, which obama was willing to expedit.

The way unemployment is in the US, if a corporation is willing to create jobs ( whether it be in Canada, Mexico, Afghanistan, Iraq) for Americans, they'll do everything they can to get them started asap.

Just like those highly regarded university of waterloo computer science graduates who are lucky enough to hired by microsoft. Signing bonus, residence at microsoft headquarters, aka microsoft campus. The green card is also a fairly quick process.

I think you are confused. It is not up to the United States to let someone work in Canada. The Government of Canada would issue visas to allow people to work in Canada.

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident, no one is allowed to work here unless there is a suitable need for that work in the country.

Their project managers and such would probably be needed as they don't know how to build a Lowe's here. But there are lots of construction workers that can do the job in this country. And probably also those people involved with "opening" up the store. I forgot the exact term of that job.

I don't know too much about the US side of things, but they probably have similar requirements, as there has to be a need for that work. Although some argue that they allow a lot of foreigners as cheap labour.

[brunes]

As a general rule, I always shop at Rona as it's a Canadian company and I try to support local (personal preference). I avoid Home Depot like the plague unless they have a really super sale. I would imagine I will treat Lowes in the same way.

Attitudes like this toward public companies are really dumb, because it is totally irrelevant if Rona is a "Canadian company", as you have no idea who the shareholders are. They could be Canadian, American, Mexican, Armenian, who knows - and who cares? The company is operating in Canada, therefore it is employing Canadians and paying Canadian taxes - that is all that should matter to you.

Similarly, how many Canadians do you think are shareholders in Home Depot or Lowes, either directly or indirectly (via pension plans, mutual funds, etc) ? I would wager a very large number. What about those Canadians?

Just for a taste, a quick investigation shows that 20% of RONA is owned by a French conglomerate. That is a huge amount, and therefore this French company pretty much controls the board of directors of this "Canadian" company.

[boyoflondon]

Attitudes like this toward public companies are really dumb, because it is totally irrelevant if Rona is a "Canadian company", as you have no idea who the shareholders are. They could be Canadian, American, Mexican, Armenian, who knows - and who cares? The company is operating in Canada, therefore it is employing Canadians and paying Canadian taxes - that is all that should matter to you.

Similarly, how many Canadians do you think are shareholders in Home Depot or Lowes, either directly or indirectly (via pension plans, mutual funds, etc) ? I would wager a very large number. What about those Canadians?

Just for a taste, a quick investigation shows that 20% of RONA is owned by a French conglomerate. That is a huge amount, and therefore this French company pretty much controls the board of directors of this "Canadian" company.

The problem with many people is that they have 0 idea about ownership and where the money goes in a corp.

Instead, they just look for "made in canada/canadian owned" bs ..

A can of beans says its "made in canada". Can is made in canada but the contents are imported from China lets say. Due to the fact that the can itself is worth more then the product inside, manufacturers can say "Made in Canada".

[jm1]

The problem with many people is that they have 0 idea about ownership and where the money goes in a corp.

+1

Stop people on the street and most of them will think Tim Hortons and HBC are "Canadian" companies.

[mxz700]

Yes, I have and will go there again.

[rhill03]

I'll keep shopping at my friendly Home Hardware Building Centre thank you very much. They are independently owned - a co-op. Each owner is a shareholder and NO ONE ELSE. 100% truly Canadian Owned with better service levels.

[gman]

sounds to me Lowes gave their construction crew work visas, which obama was willing to expedit.

Since when Lowes (or any company) can give people Canadian working visa?


The way unemployment is in the US, if a corporation is willing to create jobs ( whether it be in Canada, Mexico, Afghanistan, Iraq) for Americans, they'll do everything they can to get them started asap.

Just like those highly regarded university of waterloo computer science graduates who are lucky enough to hired by microsoft. Signing bonus, residence at microsoft headquarters, aka microsoft campus. The green card is also a fairly quick process.

That is only because US companies were abusing H1B working visa (and US government allowed that to happen) and it is something many US IT people has been trying to block it. On the other hand, it may also be because Waterloo has something special other US university could not offer. However, construction worker is construction worker. They are building a big box and not a state of art building. You don't need someone with very special skill.

[mrcantrell]

sure why not...home depot is an american company aswell, and Rona is just plain ****

Bingo. I work for a company that supplies HD, Lowe's and Rona. Rona is a disaster not only in their stores (from a customer perspective) but also from a corporate perspective (from a supplier perspective).

Lowe's HO is a mess, but we attribute that to the fact that they're still new in Canada.

HD seems to be reasonably well organized internally, but they are so large that it's very difficult to get anything done with them.

At some point someone had the following in their signature and I think about it everytime I shop at HD: "You can do it, we can stare at you blankly when you ask for help."

[z24driver1986]

I will shop at Lowe's from now on.... Rona sucks and I don't know where anything is in there... Home Depot is a total mess and no one around to help you when you need it. Lowe's is the best hands down. I've been waiting a while for this store to come by now it has :

[robster77]

Attitudes like this toward public companies are really dumb, because it is totally irrelevant if Rona is a "Canadian company", as you have no idea who the shareholders are. They could be Canadian, American, Mexican, Armenian, who knows - and who cares? The company is operating in Canada, therefore it is employing Canadians and paying Canadian taxes - that is all that should matter to you.

Similarly, how many Canadians do you think are shareholders in Home Depot or Lowes, either directly or indirectly (via pension plans, mutual funds, etc) ? I would wager a very large number. What about those Canadians?

Just for a taste, a quick investigation shows that 20% of RONA is owned by a French conglomerate. That is a huge amount, and therefore this French company pretty much controls the board of directors of this "Canadian" company.

A couple of things. Rona acquired the share ownership of the French consortium (ITM) you referenced earlier this year through a share buyback program. Not that it would matter to your theory of the French company controlling the Board, since every single member of the Rona Board is Canadian, as is the majority share ownership of the company (Pinotte Family Trust and various income funds amongst the major Canadian banks). But I digrees and I agree with what you're saying about share ownership crossing national boundaries (even though Rona's mostly does not). However, there are other certain benfits of supporting a Canadian entity. For example, Rona has a larger number of Canadian suppliers than Home Depot due to logistics, customs savings, and overall comparative advantage of Canadian suppliers in certain products (wood, for example). Check it out. This in turn supports these entities and jobs. Secondly, by supporting Rona, I can be proof positive that the jobs will and always will be in Canada, since they only operate in Canada. Rona operates under a dealer model similiar to Home Hardware, whereas the corporate decisions of Home Depot and Lowes are made in the U.S. So if they decide to cut bait, such is life, whereas the Rona dealer stays in business if they sell in their territory. And thus their employees remain employed. Further, I can also be proof positive that charatible activities such as the Rona Foundation and Olympic athlete support will once again support Canadian programs helping Canadians.

I don't work for Rona and have no vested interest in them, but I know the industry pretty well. Like I said, I'll go to where the best deal is, but all other things being equal, I'll choose Rona. Again, personal preference.

[Mother of Three]

The essence of RFD is to go where the best deals are.

[speedyforme]

I prefer Rona only because there are 3 locations very close to my home. Home Depot is decent. I went to Lowes once and it was nice but strange, maybe because it felt so American when I walked in. Plus it's too far from Mississauga, I am not driving 30+min when I can drive 5 min to my Rona.

[gman]

I will shop Rona, Lowes, Home Depot and CT. All of them are within 5 minutes drive and Lowes is the closest. Since all of them are close, whoever gives me the best price of the item wins (for that item). :D

[Kris81]

While I don't believe that Lowes used American workers to build their store, I do believe that they brought in some US workers to set up the store and train staff. When they first opened in Brampton (one of their first Canadian stores), they had American staff in the store working alongside Canadian staff. They were probably training staff from their US head office. When Walmart opened its Supercentre here, they too had US staff in store setting up and working with staff.


When i made this thread, it was because i had spoken to a friend of mine i hadn't seen in a while (who works in construction) and he told me all of the construction contracting jobs for all of the Lowes in canada were given to american companies, and they were all sent down here to build the stores. So the Union he belongs to has sent out numerous memos asking their employees to stick with Home Depot. Sure Home Depot is an American company, but they didn't bring in americans to construct it.

[speedyforme]

I would personally think that the labour of Canadians would outweight the labour of Construction overall. SO if Lowe's hired American companies to build the locations, big deal. As long as they employ Canadian to work at the stores...

[boyoflondon]

When i made this thread, it was because i had spoken to a friend of mine i hadn't seen in a while (who works in construction) and he told me all of the construction contracting jobs for all of the Lowes in canada were given to american companies, and they were all sent down here to build the stores. So the Union he belongs to has sent out numerous memos asking their employees to stick with Home Depot. Sure Home Depot is an American company, but they didn't bring in americans to construct it.

Ohhh the 'brilliance' of union minds ....


Just like the "Out of a Job Yet? Keep buying Foreign" ....

[Cheap Cat]

Ohhh the 'brilliance' of union minds ....


Just like the "Out of a Job Yet? Keep buying Foreign" ....

Ah the ignorance of non-union people.... What is wrong with unions asking people to boycott companies that don't support local workers or treat workers fairly? Unions aren't the only ones to do it. I do doubt the legitimacy of this story as it doesn't make sense and I doubt that the union asked people to shop at Home Depot. Home Depot doesn't exactly have a good reputation for treating their workers fairly.

As for buying foreign, the reason we get cheap Chinese crap here is because people buy it. If we didn't buy it, stores would be forced to carry better made Canadian goods.

[boyoflondon]

Ah the ignorance of non-union people.... What is wrong with unions asking people to boycott companies that don't support local workers or treat workers fairly? Unions aren't the only ones to do it. I do doubt the legitimacy of this story as it doesn't make sense and I doubt that the union asked people to shop at Home Depot. Home Depot doesn't exactly have a good reputation for treating their workers fairly.

As for buying foreign, the reason we get cheap Chinese crap here is because people buy it. If we didn't buy it, stores would be forced to carry better made Canadian goods.

FYI, I used to 'belong' to a union, so I am not just talking out of my rear here :)

FYI2, "Out of a job yet, keep buying foreign" is a slogan that referred to auto industry. I guess that they failed to notice that there are "foreign" auto makers with factories in US/Canada ... On the other hand, there are "domestic" vehicles that are built outside of US/Canada ....

[speedyforme]

So can we soon say Timmies will become Canadian once again?

[GreyingJay]

The essence of RFD is to go where the best deals are.

Or the best quality goods, yes.

I just finished a rather large "hobbyist" construction project (a volunteer project to build bunk beds for a kids' summer camp) which involved buying lots and lots of 2x4's and 2x3's. The nearest lumber/hardware store to the campsite is a Home Hardware, meanwhile I live 5 minutes from a Home Depot. So when I do the work from home (e.g. pre-cutting and drilling) I tend to buy the lumber from Home Depot, but if the camp orders a few lifts of lumber, it gets sent from Home Hardware.

My local Home Depot lumber is really crappy. Lots of splinters, bark, knots, warpage... and the 2x3's are all finger-jointed from pieces about 18 inches long. I figured that was pretty normal, until I saw an order of 2x3's delivered from Home Hardware: Perfect, straight, beautiful. Their 2x4's seemed nicer overall too, though not without defects. Bottom line: I think (my local) Home Hardware sources better wood than (my local) Home Depot.

As for tools, each place has its own sales, but some have better model choices than others. For example, try buying a circular saw with a brake. At Home Depot, there's one model, a DeWalt. At Rona, there's a bunch. So I bought from Rona.

Apparently a Lowe's is about to be built 2 minutes from my house. I can't wait to have a look. :D

[brunes]

FYI2, "Out of a job yet, keep buying foreign" is a slogan that referred to auto industry. I guess that they failed to notice that there are "foreign" auto makers with factories in US/Canada ... On the other hand, there are "domestic" vehicles that are built outside of US/Canada ....

Last I checked even *BEFORE* the recent bankruptcies, Toyota and Honda combined had more employed in Canada than GM/Chrysler/Ford combined.

They should have been allowed to go under. Such a waste of taxpayer dollars...

[Eyeman]

Ah the ignorance of non-union people.... What is wrong with unions asking people to boycott companies that don't support local workers or treat workers fairly? Unions aren't the only ones to do it.


That's a laugh. Both my wife and I have found that unions we've belonged to over the years sell their own workers down the driver more than management.

And how is it Fair when unions extort big salaries from companies for unskilled work. The LCBO comes to mind immediately.


As for buying foreign, the reason we get cheap Chinese crap here is because people buy it. If we didn't buy it, stores would be forced to carry better made Canadian goods.

Why are the Chinese goods so "cheap?" See above.

[Eyeman]

Just like those highly regarded university of waterloo computer science graduates who are lucky enough to hired by microsoft. Signing bonus, residence at microsoft headquarters, aka microsoft campus. The green card is also a fairly quick process.

Completely wrong. Green cards take a long time. They only get work visas to start.

[Eyeman]

canadian = american = human

Canada vs US vs EC vs China vs. ... = economic competition.

It is not one world.

[Bleys007]

canadian = american = human

Well then, Happy Independence Day to you.

[sixer]

While I don't believe that Lowes used American workers to build their store, I do believe that they brought in some US workers to set up the store and train staff.

+1

Secondly, I would definitely shop there. I shop at Home Depot and their American.

[Menace]

Independence Day = Canada Day = Oct 1 National Day = Human is having ton of fun with beers and BBQ parties :cheesygri:D:cheesygri:D

PS. Don't Drink and Drive!!!!

Well then, Happy Independence Day to you.

[Halifax55]

Apparantly they brought in all american workers to construct their stores here.

Does that sway you away from shopping there, or do you not care?

I have a new store 2 minutes away, went to buy a few things, customer service sucks...there was none! As I was leaving I commented to clerk at customer service about lack of service and she said that the manager needed to hear this...I heard her phone the manager and the manager say she would be be right there...but 16 minutes (yes, 16 minutes) later, she had not bothered to attend...

So...I will never again, I repeat, never again go to LOWES. I suspect that they will out of business here in no time at all...lots of competition and some of the competitors do give a crap about their customers.

[brunes]

I have a new store 2 minutes away, went to buy a few things, customer service sucks...there was none! As I was leaving I commented to clerk at customer service about lack of service and she said that the manager needed to hear this...I heard her phone the manager and the manager say she would be be right there...but 16 minutes (yes, 16 minutes) later, she had not bothered to attend...

So...I will never again, I repeat, never again go to LOWES. I suspect that they will out of business here in no time at all...lots of competition and some of the competitors do give a crap about their customers.

Did you push the help button in the isle?

Customer associates at all big box stores (except Costco) are few and far between, but at least Lowes has help buttons. I can't even count the number of times I have literally walked around the entire store at home depot looking for someone to get something out of a case for me.