So, what's your preference, Lowe's or Home Depot?

Generally, given a choice, I like Lowe's better.  I have found help hard to find at HD, and when you do, they really don't know much. 

I happened to mention once to my wife that my frustration that day was asking for a piece of hardware at HD.  The  guy had no clue.   She responded that she didn't really know what that item was and I responded, "Yes, but you don't work in the hardware aisle at Home Depot."

However, the other day, I ran out of  T-nuts in the middle of a job.  At Lowe's they were about a dollar each, in a bag.   The same item at HD was 4 in a bag for less than one at Lowe's.  So maybe I'll reconsider and do some price comparisons.

How about Menard's? There's a new one out in Liberty Twp (Fairfield-Hamilton area) I've visited Menard's a few times in Michigan and another that's around the corner from my daughter's home in Sandusky, OH. Jury is still out as to how well I like them. One odd thing is that they have a grocery department, about as much selection as your typical convenient store. But if you just happen to need a box of cookies and pound of coffee while you're looking for some plumbing supplies...