Warranty. Most offer a one year replacement warranty and they don't want to incur the expense of having to replace those neglected plants with fresh new stock next spring, if they don't survive. Also, there is a very good chance that they don't own those plants, most are placed there on consignment, and if the supplier tells them to dump them in the garbage, they have no other choice. Seems a terrible waste, but that is life in the fast track today, where almost everything is expendable.
Rb

Plus they get full credit from the vendors for merchandise that is destroyed, rather than it being sold at a reduced price.

we must be really lucky! The Lowes near my house normally has several racks of plants that just need tlc. The sell them 50
%+ off -but as is (ie no refunds if they die). I have had several and the majority have survived - just needed a good home!

Yeah, the Lowe's here does that too. Sells them at half price.

I am so excited I was at Lowes today and saw one last honeycomb Butterfly Bush (3 gal) They were $12.97 and I really didn't want to buy one since I was promised a baby at the fall trade, but I really wanted it now... well it looked a little ragged at the bottom so I asked and they gave me it for $5!!! They always have a clearance rack. So does Pikes. I am not so sure about Home Depot I can't recall finding any great deals there.

The new Lowes near me is also very good about discounts. I have gotten them without even asking when I buy slightly dry plants etc.
AND they will give you all the pots and flats you want, if you ask for them. Many of the workers also don't like to see the waste.

GGG

I have never been successful at asking Lowes for discounts. I ask for the discount and they say the garden center manager has to approve it and they are not in today.

I had been purchasing the "not so great" plants at a discounted price for several weeks and the cashier would list the item on the receipt as damaged - as is. Therefore, no warranty would apply. Then yesterday they were throwing away plants that were in better condition than the ones I had bought. Anyway, I was just surprised. This Lowe's store just doesn't care about their plants. I can tell you that the one in Alpharetta (Windward Parkway) is awesome. They REALLY care about what they do and are very helpful. There is someone always in the garden center willing to help you. I appreciate everyone's stories...it helps me to understand there are some that are compassionate about what they do and are willing to make a decision in the best interest of the plants and then there are some that can't.

I have purchased lots of discounted plants at Lowe's. And my experience is they will discount even more if you catch them at just the right moment. Have never seen a discount rack at HD. But the thing that really bugs me is Walmart. I have seen other threads in this forum mentioning great prices and discounts at Walmart, but honestly I haven't found discounted prices at Walmart. Prices are higher than what you can find at Lowe's and Pikes. Maybe it is just our local Walmart.

Our local Lowe's has discounted racks also, it's the other one that throws away plants that just need some TLC. It's cheaper for them to throw them away than to hire people to take care of them. I just hate to see them thrown away. Maybe if enough people complained, they would change their policy.

sometimes it also works to ask if you can help them throw the plants away. ;-) i just got 8 potted perennials for free at home depot today!

Our Lowe's has a discount rack as does the Pike's (several tables worth!), but it looks like Home Depot throws their stuff out as nothing is discounted. I can't tell you how much money I've blown on Pike's $1 plants and can honestly say they've all survived.