that seems insane to me.

If you have to do this, and I think I would try very hard to fight it (isn't there a law about this?) I would use a credit card so you have some protections if there are problems.

I agree with sjerin about using a credit card, and I also think you shouldn't have to put down more than half the total cost. I dealt with a small local cabinet shop that represented about 3-4 lines, and they wouldn't take credit cards, but they only wanted half down.

I agree with sjerin, except I would make sure to use a major credit card that is not a Lowes credit card. I found using a SEARS MC that when I had a dispute with SEARS about charges they were much less willing to work with me or take my side than when I used a major credit card not affiliated with with company I owed the money to. You could also look for another line by the same company. I did some quick research and Schuler cabinets are a brand name made by Elkay, as is Medalion and several others. You might want to look at some lines by the same company made for stores other than Lowes, under different names and see if they offer the same type of thing elsewhere. If they do, you could take the same cabinets and kithcen design and convert it easily to cabinets the same company markets under a different name for a different store.

Sue

my custom cabinet maker takes 50% at the beginning of construction and the remainder upon completion/installation.
i don't care who it is, i would never pay 100% up front.

NO ! NO ! NO ! Sorry to be so blunt, you are just asking for heartache.

Sally,

First off, I don't believe Schuler are custom cabinets; they're semi-custom. Custom means they come to your house, take measurements and build each and every cabinet to your specification, regardless of any odd size or configuration.

Speak with the manager and most likely he/she will adjust it to 50% with no problem. If they balk, point out the $25K you spent on windows. If they still balk tell them you'll go to a Medallion cabinet dealer and buy them there. Medallion and Schuler are the exact same cabinets. I bought mine through Medallion. Lowes managers are under pressure to meet sales goals.

We bought KM through HD, but I suspect Lowe's is similar. We paid for the whole shabang when we ordered them, but like you said, they're not going to run off with your money. Because of overlapping promotions we got 10% off, plus a $1000 gift card, free sink base, and free hardware. HD accepted returns of anything we didn't use, regardless of whether there was anything wrong with it. They also promptly replaced a couple defective doors and trim that wasn't properly glazed.

Do pay with a credit card, because that protects you, but the usual reason for not paying 100% up front is that you want to keep the incentive on the supplier to deliver. With the big box stores, that's not a concern like it would be with a little local guy who might go bankrupt or skip town. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

We went with EXPO (HD is their parent company) w/installation and only paid 1/3 at the time of order, 1/3 on delivery, and we'll pay the last third after the kitchen is completed.

You didn't say...is your contractor installing them? You might ask him what he's seen in the industry. Also, check your local laws, although I suspect since Lowes is so big they wouldn't knowingly break any laws.

I agree with Craig00 about going elsewhere if needed and with others about using a major credit card when you purchase, if possible.

Good luck!

I recently got a quote on Schuler from Lowes, definately ask for the 10% off, and ask about free sink bases or any other 'freebies' or upgrades they might be offering. We are building a house and just had them quote the kitchen, the man I spoke with is a designer but also has authority to offer discounts. He told me he would give me a 10% off and the free sink base anytime I placed the order and that they wanted my business and he could likely get the price even lower. He asked that I bring him any other bids I was considering so that they could compete. On an order that size I would ask what else they can do for you as well.

If you pay up front with a credit card, and the card is actually charged at the time the order is placed, and it takes more than 60 days for the cabinets to be delivered, can you still contest the charge if there are problems??? I would think that would be a problem.

This is typical of big box stores. I wouldn't be alarmed. Its not like a small local cabinetmaker or small shop who may be in dire financial straits.

Now that said, I would certainly ask them to reduce the deposit if its important to you and threaten you may look elsewhere - but you already said you are short on time and behind when you should have ordered these. Also, I wouldn't worry about delays or problems. While the big bix stores do get some complaints, they are mainly on the install side. On buying the product, they have the purchasing power to get things corrected quickly if there are problems.

And yes, you do get more leverage if you can put the purchase on a CC.

I would think if Lowe's gives you the 10% off, you would be required to use Lowe's credit? If that's the case, wouldn't you be eligible for the 12 months no payments or interest (ends 5/28)? If so, I'm sure they will have your kitchen done w/in that time and if they mess up- don't pay until all problems are resolved. I've never inquired about having my credit line increased that much, so I'm not sure if they even give that much credit.

I would be worried about paying for everything up front, too, but I really don't think Lowe's is going to go bankrupt any time soon.

Excellent advice the others have offered but I'll add one more thing: make sure Lowes does all the measurements prior to ordering. Any screwups on their part, they have to fix. If you (or your GC) supply the measurements and you screwup, Lowes will not be responsible.

I am with Buehl on this.

The rule of thumb for major remodeling/custom orders is 1/3-1/3-1/3

1/3 deposit
1/3 after delivery to job site
1/3 after job is completed to full satisfaction (also called leverage)

100% down simply spells 'rip off' to me.

Big boxes don't deal in custom cabinets. They do some semi custom cabinet lines like Kraftmaid, etc. But, most orders of most "stock or semi custom" cabinets can be considered "custom" because they aren't sitting around just waiting to be pulled off a shelf in a warehouse somewhere. Each order is put into production in order as it's received--even if standard sizes are used. Those standard sized cabinets aren't made until the order comes for them.

All big box stores require payment up front on all special orders. That's an incentive for the customer to actually py for and pick up the merchandise. If they didn't require that, way too many people would order stuff that they'd never come get or pay for. There are only a handfull of states that will allow a special order to be done "balance due" and that is by a particular state law. Most states do not reglate that at all. So in most of the US, if you want to deal with a big box store, you will pay 100% of the order up front to get it ordered. That's normal. And, problems with cabinet orders and remodeling are normal too. Big box stores hopefully will weather the current downtrend in the economy to deal with problems. SOme of the smaller shops aren't being so fortunate with the turn of things and are closing. Even some of the bigger firms around here have merged or gone under. Those are the companies that 100% down would make the most sense to worry about.

Thank you all for your replies!

I know it is a good idea to use a credit card. I don't have a card with even close to that amount of credit available (for which my husband is eternally grateful). :-) I guess putting part of it on a card would offer SOME protection. I have never had a Lowe's credit card. I intend to ask for the 10% off (good advice--thanks!), but it didn't occur to me that I may not be eligible for that unless I get credit from them. Somehow I can't imagine they would offer even close to that amount. But maybe I could pay using a combination of credit.

I know that Schuler and Medallion are the same, but I thought the prices of Schuler would be better because of the big box store. Maybe not. At any rate, I'm going to look at Medallion tommorow and see what their price would be. I looked at them online and they seem to offer a lot more door styles, but it should be easy to compare prices. I also know Schuler is semi-custom, which is why I compared it to my window purchase. My windows are standard sizes, but I had to place an order and wait for them to make them. I was making a lame joke about the Lowe's KD calling the cabinets custom. :-) I actually didn't order my windows from Lowe's, I was just comparing the payment policy on similar big-ticket semi-custom purchases for a home remodel.

They ARE offering me some free sink bases as well as a $750 gift card (which will arrive in 6-8 weeks--hopefully I will still have some things I need to buy. Do you think they plan it that way???)

At any rate, I still have a little bit of time because both my architect and my GC--who will be doing the installation--want to look over the order before I actually purchase.

Thanks again, everybody.

Lowes will stand by their 90 day policy and that is it, even if they goofed on sizes, height's and the cabinets are unusable for the home owner. Even if you spend $30,000.00 and they got it wrong they will not go past the 90 day period. You most likely will have to sue them. I know 80 year olds they have done this too. I'm thinking about filing elder abuse charges against them. what do you think?

" Lowes will stand by their 90 day policy and that is it "

Natalie 16 year old post. If you had this happen to you and have ALL the documentation, have at it. Just remember, Lowes has deep pockets and when you signed the sales order the 90 days was agreed to.