HR
Harold Rodriguez
Feb 1, 2026
I was torn between leaving a two-star or three-star review because my experience was a mix of excellent in-store service and very frustrating phone support.
I purchased an Ariens Deluxe 28 just before a recent storm. I stopped in after work, found the exact model I wanted, and moved quickly since it was the last one in stock. The snowblower was chained up outside, and an associate was extremely helpful—he unlocked it and, along with another associate, helped load it into my truck. That part of the experience was great.
During loading, I noticed the machine was pretty dirty and covered in salt, but given the storm and limited inventory, I didn’t think too much of it. Once home, I cleaned it up and prepared for the storm. That’s when I noticed the chute control lever was broken and wouldn’t stay in place, and the fuel shutoff knob was missing. Despite that, the machine ran very well during use.
Afterward, while cleaning and lubricating the auger, I noticed significant rust. I also realized the unit was a 2023 model. While it worked fine, I wasn’t thrilled about paying full price for a machine with rust, missing parts, and visible wear. I decided the best option was to return or exchange it.
Before returning, I called the store to confirm the return would be accepted—and this is where things went sideways. The first associate put me on hold, then another associate came on the line and suggested I call Ariens instead. I asked if I could simply return it since it was only eight days old. He then transferred me to Assistant Store Manager Frank.
I explained all my concerns, and he repeatedly suggested servicing the machine and told me to call receiving the next day. When I directly asked whether I still had the option to return it, he spoke in circles and questioned whether I had cleaned the machine properly. After multiple attempts to get a clear answer, he eventually stated that snowblowers cannot be returned. This directly contradicted Lowe’s posted 30-day return policy, which made me hesitant to bring it back and risk being stuck with it.
Still skeptical, I contacted Lowe’s support via chat. They were incredibly helpful, reviewed my order, and confirmed that I absolutely could return the snowblower. They couldn’t call the store directly, but advised me to contact customer care, which I did. Customer care was also excellent—they documented everything and told me to return the unit and call back if I ran into any issues.
I went back to the store and completed the return with zero problems. The associates who helped me were friendly, knowledgeable, and even advised never to buy machines stored outside because they tend to get damaged or have parts removed.
Overall, I had a great experience with Lowe’s in person and through customer care. Unfortunately, the phone experience—especially with the assistant store manager—was frustrating and confusing. Either the return policy wasn’t understood, or I was given incorrect information. That inconsistency is the main reason for my lower rating.