I'm in Lowes at least 4 times a week. Get a contractor account, get to know the staff, and things are actually quite good. I often call ahead and they pull items for me. The garage door opener was for me personally, so I didn't go to the contractors' desk. I should have. I know the Lowes staff and they know me. I have a great shopping experience most every time I go there. Yeah, there are very few staff in the store anymore, but that's because most people are ordering online (from Lowes) or they are using the pay online and they'll put it in a locker for you so you don't have to go in to the store. The folks working are mostly picking for online orders. If you get a contractors' card/account and spend the time to get to know the staff they will bend over backwards for you. I'll never not use the contractors' desk again. I guess that was my look in on the way most people experience Lowes.