I've bought a lot of items from both Home Depot and Lowe's over the years. I've found them to be customer oriented, easy to do business with, and they carry a wide assortment of products. I've had doors installed, carpet installed, bought appliances, tons of tools, hardware, you name it. I'm looking at vinyl tiles at both stores right now, and carpet at Lowe's. I pay close attention customer reviews. Other than that, I have noticed that they carry a wide price range of items within a product line, to suit what their customers want. In researching the vinyl tiles, I've noticed that H.D.'s store brand has a lot of excellent reviews. I have also noticed that both stores have the bottom of the line, inexpensive varieties that have problems. But I think that's more because of the PRICE and not because it's at H.D. or Lowe's. Some of the vinyl tiles have complaints that the top layer will scratch off, pieces not be squared, the tiles iwthin a box won't match in pattern, etc. So I think if you inspect in person, and buy something that is not the bottom of the line, it should be fine (paying attention to customer reviews). I don't know about ceramic tile, but for vinyl tile, I was able to buy a single tile, or pick up a sample, and take them home for color inspection, and scrape them with a knife to test for durability. The one thing that surprises me, but which I think is the case, is that if there is a manufacturing defect, and the tile has been installed, I'm not so sure the big box stores will credit you. They may serve only as an agent with the manufacturer for you. You'd have to check on that, since I'm not sure. But then all stores would be this way. I love the big box stores. So easy to do business with them.

I am also interested in the Natural Harmony 51% wool/49% olefin and am surprised at the many negative comments on olefin. I had a rug made of 100% olefin and was very impressed with the durability and the fact that I could be cleaned with bleach. That was especially nice for a light colored rug. Of course I realize that will not be the case with the wool combination but regardless i don't think olefin would deter me. If it works for Sunbrella fabrics and resists fading, I think that will work well for me. Now just to find the best price

I *almost* ordered a dishwasher and a 36" dual fuel range from HD - but didn't in the last minute - simply because they didn't have an option of (free) delivery to room of choice without installation - it was either "drop on the street" or "full delivery + installation service" (for a ~$60 fee or so). Went with Best Buy instead.... always had good experience with them (including washer + dryer installation), and same (great) prices as HD. HD *are* great in other things related to home improvement, primarily things that my contractor is in charge of installing, e.g. hardware, tile, etc. - competetive prices as far as I could see.

We built this house in 2001-2002. I looked at every cabinet in my area, and finally fell in love with a Thomasville line at HD in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I was worried about using HD because of all the problems forum posters reported with the box stores. My daughter, who worked for American Woodmark for a couple years, looked at them and said they appeared well made, so I went ahead. My experience was about as good as it gets. I went in with a plan in mind. The KD there made some good suggestions that improved the plan. We ordered the cabinets and they were delivered ahead of time. They waited in our garage for at least two months in their boxes. My GC installed them himself and said they were very nicely made. The decorative trim on two of the doors was raised a bit, and when I contacted HD -- 10+ weeks after delivery -- they took care of it and the new doors were delivered immediately, no questions asked. They've held up beautifully for 6 years. Absolutely no problems. If the same cabinet were available today, I'd order them again in a heartbeat for the house we're now building. As it is, I have a custom shop trying to match the glaze technique. Problems: I chose a white finish with a golden glaze. A couple of the drawers seem to have less glaze so they appear whiter than the rest. I was disappointed that the end panels and toe kick boards weren't glazed. I've learned to live with it, but I do notice it occasionally. If I'd been smarter, I would have ordered door faces for the end -- beginner's mistake. Shortly after I ordered, Thomasville changed suppliers so I couldn't do it after the fact. Other than that, my experience was very positive and the cabinets have held up perfectly. Six years later, no problems. Bathroom cabinets were also TV, a different line. No problems there, either. Chose a thermafoil for the laundry -- no problems with HD, but would never do thermafoil again. I've had a bit of lifting on one door. I think a lot of the box store issues have to do with installers rather than the cabinets themselves.