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10 Costly Mistakes Too Many People Make When Shopping at Lowe's

Skip these mistakes when visiting Lowe's and keep more cash in your wallet.

By Mabh Savage

Edited by Amanda Machado

Updated Nov. 4, 2025

Lowe's is likely on your list of shopping destinations if you're looking to save money shopping for a home improvement project, upgrading appliances, or doing some decorating.

The store stocks everything a budding DIY expert could want, often offering impressive discounts and sales. But for the uninitiated, it's easy to overspend at Lowe's and end up more out of pocket than you might expect.

Here are 10 mistakes that are easy to make at Lowe's, along with ways to avoid wasting your hard-earned money.

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Forgetting to check prices elsewhere

Wherever you're shopping, you must shop around before committing. Lowe's in particular offers its "Lowest Price Guarantee" policy. This means that if you find the product you're after at a lower price elsewhere, Lowe's will match that price, whether it's online or in a store.

There are some exclusions, including custom products, professional services, and membership-based wholesale pricing. They also won't price-match things sold online from third-party vendors. Be sure to carefully read their policy before asking for the match.

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Not using discounts or promo codes

Always keep an eye out for promo codes, whether they appear in your inbox or through direct mail. Lowe's also offers various ongoing discounts, including its military discount for active-duty service members and veterans.

Buying all your household items at Lowe's

Lowe's has some impressive discounts, but not on every item. Cleaning products, for example, are often cheaper at other stores. You can get a twin pack of Clorox bleach for $6.98 at Lowe's, but an identical pack from Walmart costs just $4.98. Depending on the length of your list, these tiny differences can add up quickly.

Check prices at your usual stores to ensure you're not overspending on everyday products.

Thinking you can wing it without a list

While browsing Lowe's can be fun, it's generally not productive unless you know what you're looking for. There are so many items in the store that it's easy to get distracted and make one or two impulse buys.

Before heading out to the store, write down exactly what you need, set a budget, and limit yourself to only what's on the list.

Forgetting to claim rebates

For those unfamiliar, a rebate is an incentive offered to someone who purchased an item (usually a refund of some sort). Rebate amounts vary based on your purchase, but they're worth taking advantage of, especially for big-ticket items like appliances.

Lowe's has a designated "Rebate Center" on their site where you can submit your rebate, check your rebate status, and find current rebate offers.

Believing that you're a DIY expert

Many people watch some of their favorite episodes on HGTV and believe they can perform any task with just a few pieces of wood and a hammer. However, it's never as easy as it looks. A common trap is overspending by buying too much of a material, such as a surplus of screws or an excess of paint.

Plan your project carefully so you only buy what you need and save a few dollars for a well-deserved treat once you've finished your project.

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Forgetting about the Back Aisle

The Back Aisle is Lowe's clearance area on both its website and in-store. At a physical location, it's updated regularly with daily and weekly deals and includes clearance bins for particularly outstanding deals.

Be sure to check these items for damage and verify whether they've passed their expiration dates, when applicable, to ensure you're making a good investment, though. Minor damage is sometimes why items end up here.

Bottom line

If you want to save money shopping at Lowe's, it's easier than you think. You just need to know what you're looking for and what sets the home store apart from its competitors.

Lowe's also offers discounts for bulk buys, so depending on your project, be sure to consider this as an alternative to take advantage of significant savings.

A home improvement project is a great way to add additional value to your home. You just want to make sure you don't make costly mistakes when sourcing supplies.

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