Home Depot Tricks They Don’t Want You To Know
Home Depot has all the materials and supplies you need to make your house look brand new. They have everything from appliances to lumber so that no matter what project is on your list, they've got it ready for you.
Plus, if saving money is a priority of yours, then this article will show you 30+ Home Depot hacks to help you save time and money while shopping at one of the most popular home repair stores in America. Ready to learn more? Keep clicking through this list to take a look at these helpful tips!
Buy Kitchen And Bath Supplies In Winter
If you're considering renovating your kitchen or bathroom, the best time to shop is during Home Depot's Winter Bath Event lasting from mid-January to mid-March. You can save hundreds of dollars with up to 40% off bath and kitchen products.
Additionally, certain appliances may have a discount of 30%, while wall tiles can be bought at 15% off! Be sure to keep tabs on Home Depot for extra coupons that might be available during this period.
Use Ace Hardware Or Lowe's Coupons At Home Depot
Bring your Lowe's and Ace Hardware coupons to Home Depot, as they may honor their competitors' coupons in accordance with their price match policy.
While it is not explicitly stated on the website, some customers have had success using this method; however, it should be noted that not all employees will agree to accept other stores' coupons so verifying that the product is identical at both stores prior to presenting the coupon is advised.
Read More: Useful Shopping Hacks For Your Next Trip To Costco
Check Overstock
Before purchasing something at its regular price, take a look at Home Depot's overstock. This store stocks items that were bought in excess quantities, and have thus been discounted considerably – allowing you to save up to hundreds of dollars on more expensive products such as doors, rugs, and furniture.
If you visit the physical store, you might be able to find some of these items in the clearance section or even those returned by customers. On the other hand, shopping online can give you better insight into what's available across stores since they carry different stock.
Pennying Out
If an item has been on sale in Home Depot long enough, it is considered "pennied out,": meaning the store will no longer value it, and its price becomes just one penny. If you manage to grab this item before a worker removes it from the shelves, you can purchase it for only $0.01 - but remember that it usually takes over six months for items to go on clearance and reach such discounts!
Similarly, discounted products do not appear as pennied out on Home Depot's website - so your best bet to find these cheap goods is by going into a physical location and checking the prices with the scanners around the store or at the self-checkout machine.
Negotiate Damaged Goods
At Home Depot, customers can get a discount if their products arrive damaged. All you need to do is bring the item to customer service within 30 days of purchase, and they may provide a price cut.
While this varies depending on store management, there are some great deals to be had - Insider Edition reported that one customer got 10% off a kitchen sink for just a small box tear! Keep in mind though, it's not worth deliberately damaging purchases as this won't always result in discounts.
Home Depot Will Cut Lumber Twice For Free
If you're looking to buy wood, the type will determine how it's purchased. Poplar is usually bought by the foot while pine comes in planks - but always opt for more of it than less; Home Depot won't charge extra for cutting twice.
Should you need smaller planks, ask an employee to cut them for you and if cost-saving is your goal. Search out lumber pieces marked with purple spray paint - these leftover pieces can be sold up to 70% off. That said, remember: The purple part can always be cut off later!
The Rebate Center Can Save You Big Bucks
If you're in the market for appliances, check Home Depot's Rebate Center. Rebates are like discounts you receive after the transaction, which are refunded later. At Home Depot, you may get up to $581 in rebates from refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and ovens.
The more products you buy that are eligible in rebates, the more money you can potentially get back. For instance, if you bought four appliances from the Rebate Center, each with a max of $581, you could potentially receive $2,000 in rebates.
Being Nice Can Go A Long Way
It'll be worth your while to start a conversation with Home Depot employees. According to Consumer Reports, associate and sales employees are allowed to give a discount of up to $50 without consulting a manager. Of course, you still need a solid reason to receive a cut in the first place.
Higher-up employees can offer you more substantial discounts. The supervisor can discount $100, the assistant manager may remove $500, and the store manager can knock off up to $1,000 without calling the regional director. While this is possible, don't count on $1,000 off whenever you want it.
Summer Is The Time To Buy Paint
If you're planning on painting your home, wait until summer to start shopping. At Home Depot, paint usually goes on sale around the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Shop during any of those weekends and save a lot of money on paint!
If you're not picky about the paint color, there's an "oops" paint bin at Home Depot. Here, paints that are incorrectly mixed or mi-stinted sell on a discount. You can find gallons for $5 to $8 here, but don't expect to find the perfect shade of baby blue!
Free Tool Repair
When you buy a tool at Home Depot, you'll receive a one-to-two year warranty. This doesn't just cover returns; it also provides free repairs. Yes, you can repair tools at Home Depot, as many stores offer the service at their Tool Rental Center.
If you present your receipt to employees, they may fix it for free. If they can't fix the tool, they may replace it for free. Tool repair usually takes around two to three months, depending on what you bought and the amount of damage inflicted.
Complimentary Gardening Supplies
If you're passionate about gardening, you can join Home Depot's Garden Club. The club is free, and you'll receive a $5 off coupon once you join. As a member, you'll receive special sales only available to fellow club members.
Occasionally, the Home Depot Garden Club will send its members free samples. Small packets of seeds and fertilizers will go to members for them to try out. Money Pantry claims that members can save around $300 if they take advantage of the Garden Club.
Rental To Move Your Things
If you're moving soon, know that Home Depot can offer a "mover's coupon." The store has a partnership with Penske Truck Rental that offers 10% to costumers. You only need to reserve the moving trucks on the Home Depot website.
If you're a veteran, military, AAA member, or college student, you'll get an extra 10% off. Not only will you receive a discount, but you'll also get unlimited miles. That alone should provide a better deal than U-Haul, especially if you need to drive over a long distance.
Buy Holiday Supplies On Clearance
Although it may seem counter-productive, buy your holiday decorations after the season ends. These products get discounts up to 50% off since employees are trying to get rid of their excess items. Most clearance holiday supplies are by the Home Depot Pro Desk.
The longer after the holiday, the more discounts you'll see. For instance, Christmas decorations may go up to 75% off after the new year. Wait three weeks, and you may see up to 90% holiday decor, although the products will be picked through at that point.
The Ends Of Aisles Usually Have The Best Sale Items
Beyond the clearance section, sale items are scattered throughout Home Depot. In general, employees tend to stock the ends of aisles with sale items. These are usually clearance or used products that attract customers to the aisles because of their low prices.
Some people may think that clearance items have a set-in-stone price, but this isn't always true at Home Depot. There, sale prices are up to the manager's discretion. Employees won't always knock down the price further, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Some Products Are Best Purchased Elsewhere
While Home Depot has great prices on many products, it doesn't offer the best deals on everything. For instance, Kohl's and Hobby Lobby have better prices on silverware and wall art. Smaller kitchen appliances, like grilling accessories and vacuums, sell for lower prices at Walmart.
Although Home Depot gives a good deal on moving trucks, you may not want to buy moving boxes there. At $1.48 for a medium box, they're expensive. Petsmart, Target, and Dollar Tree usually provide free moving boxes if you ask.
Rent Tools Instead Of Buying Them
Tools are expensive. If you need a tool for a one-time project, rent it instead. Home Depot rents out power tools, outdoor tools, and moving and lifting equipment. These products are often outdated versions that have been replaced by newer models.
These tools have been used. But unlike other stores, Home Depot has them looked over by a technician before each rental. You can rent tools by the hour, day, week, or month, and the savings will add up. For instance, you may rent a tool for $30 for four hours instead of buying one for $200.
You Can Return Dead Plants
According to the Home Depot return policy, you can return any plant within one year. This includes dead plants. Yep, you heard that right. If your herb, perennial, or shrub dies on day 360, you can still return it if you have the original receipt.
You won't get a free plant, but you will receive a refund to purchase another one if you wish. If you order a plant online and it comes damaged, return it within three days to receive a free one.
Search For Sixes And Threes
Like a secret code, Home Depot uses sale tags to indicate how long a sale will last. Most notably, prices ending in six symbolize that there are six weeks left until the price changes. These include $5.96, $20.06, $15.66, etc. Also, a sale price ending in six is usually around 50% off.
The number three says the same; the item's price will go down in the next three weeks. These are the only known numbers to indicate time-sensitive sales in Home Depot. A price ending in three usually rounds out to 75% off.
Know Your Sign Colors
You can learn something about a Home Depot product by the color of its price tag. For instance, green tags mean that the discount applies to that product only, not other products of the same brand. Usually, these items were bought and returned or ordered and never picked up.
If you see a yellow sign, you know the item is on clearance. It also means that when the product sells out, it will not be re-stocked. If you want an item that has a yellow discount tag, buy it quickly.
If You Live In A Big City, Shop Online
Home Depot shoppers may wonder if it's cheaper to shop in-store or online. In short, it depends on the product and where you live. According to a comparison of prices by Adobe, most products have fallen faster and climbed slower online. If you live in a big city, you may want to shop online.
Housing prices are higher in cities such as New York and Chicago, so Home Depot may raise costs. Online, it's a flat rate. As a potential downside, the online store may not carry as many clearance items.
Get A Discount With The Home Depot Credit Card
Did you know that you can open a credit card with Home Depot? If you do, you'll receive an immediate discount. When you open a new credit card with Home Depot, you'll receive $25 off a purchase up to $999, and $100 off of a purchase over $1,000. Occasionally, employees may offer 10% off of your first purchase as well.
You can also defer the interest on this card and increase your savings by waiting for a year. When using the credit card, you'll receive 5% off of every Home Depot purchase if you own a qualifying business.
There's More Than One Black Friday
At home and garden stores, there's more than one Black Friday. As parts of its own "spring cleaning," Home Depot also hosts Spring Black Friday, and it's the best time to buy gardening and outdoor supplies. Look for deals such as five for $15 on mulch bags and 40% patio furniture.
Spring Black Friday usually occurs in late March, and sales may continue through April if the products don't sell out. If you want a spring shopping spree, visit Lowe's, Walmart, Sears, and Ace Hardware for sales during this time too.
Home Depot's Price Match
Like many big retailers, Home Depot institutes a price match policy known as "Low Price Guarantee." In short, if you find the same product for cheaper at a competitor store like Lowe's, Home Depot will lower that price by 10%. Provide proof to your local Home Depot store, and they'll give you the best option.
What if the price drops further after you buy from Home Depot? If the price of the product drops again within 30 days, you will get your money back. In essence, there's a chance that you could receive that product for free.
Price Adjustments Are Available
If you buy a product from Home Depot, and the same product goes on sale within 30 days after you bought it, you'll eligible for a discount. Home Depot will price match the on-sale item, and you'll receive the difference. But how do you know when your item goes on sale? Through receipt-tracking apps.
Apps like Paribus track receipts that are sent through your email. If the product goes on sale within a month, the app will notify you. Then you can request a price adjustment and receive a refund.
Check The Special Buy Of The Day
Before you visit your local Home Depot, check the online store. Every day, Home Depot hosts a Special Buy of the Day. One product category will receive a discount for only 24 hours. By "product category," we mean one product of a certain brand, such as Genie garage openers.
You can find the Special Buy of the Day under the "Specials & Offers" tab. It'll also show everything else on sale. Perhaps you'll get lucky and find the product you need on sale for that day.
The Red, White, And Blue Sale
If you miss the Spring Black Friday sale, you'll have another one in July. On Independence Day, Home Depot offers the Red, White, and Blue Sale. Products marked Red/White/Blue can be marked down around 40%. The sale usually lasts around ten days, with the Fourth of July landing in the middle.
This sale is the best time to buy appliances, which are usually the products marked off. Refrigerators, grills, and patio furniture can go up to 50%. Picture everything you'd need for a barbecue; that's what'll likely be on sale.
Home Depot Will Help You Bring Supplies Home
Buying in bulk will land you great deals, but there's another problem. How will you carry all that stuff home? Unless you own a truck, you'd likely have to make more than one trip. You can spare yourself the time by renting a Home Depot pickup truck for 75 minutes.
The trucks are called Load 'N Go Rentals, and you can get just over an hour for $19. On the Home Depot website, you can reserve these trucks in advance. They also offer cargo vans and moving box trucks.
Learn Crafting At Home Depot
Do you want to put Home Depot's products to use by creating crafts? If you want to DIY but don't know where to start, Home Depot offers classes. These night classes teach kids how to make birdhouses, racecars, picture frames, and more. Home Depot offers adult classes as well.
Most classes land on the first Saturday of each month starting at 9:00 a.m. Even better--all of them are free! Look for the Do-It-Yourself Workshops at your local Home Depot to read a schedule of all classes offered.
Check The "Scrap Bins" For Deals On Wood
If you need wood scraps for a DIY project, don't pay full price. Look in the back of your local Home Depot. Some stores have "scrap bins," where they keep leftover pieces from vendors. These wood pieces are often discounted up to 80%.
According to some customers, Home Depot's scrap bins may include wood better than that on the shelf, and for just $0.50 per piece. However, stores vary. Not every location offers a scrap bin, and the price depends on the leftover product and the store's management.
Coupon Books Are In The Store
Don't have a Home Depot coupon in your mail? Sometimes, you can find coupon books inside the store. Check the cleaning aisle and the entrance of the store for coupon books. You might be able to see what's on sale without even looking online.
If you want coupons emailed to you, join Home Depot's mailing list. You'll immediately receive $5 off of a $50 purchase, and you'll know which products make the Deal of the Day. Plus, you can open coupons on your phone, eliminating the need for a book entirely.
Display Furniture May Be Cheaper
Furniture stores are often more willing to discount display furniture since the models are susceptible to damage. Home Depot is no exception. During a sale season, ask an associate if you can buy the display floor furniture for a discounted price.
You'll have better luck asking during a sale season (like August or late January) than when everything is at a normal price. Since they're providing items at sale prices anyway, the discount won't be a huge loss for them. If you want a product that's not worn or damaged, though, buy the shelf furniture.
Opt For Bulk Pricing
If you have a huge project that requires a lot of supplies, you have an option to save. Next to the regular price, a product's tag will list a "bulk price." These prices are usually lower--up to 30% lower than the regular price!
Home Depot takes "bulk" seriously. You'll usually need to buy 20 or more of the product (such as wood, tile, soil, etc.) to qualify for bulk pricing. Over 4,000 products provide bulk pricing, so if you need a lot of supplies, take advantage of this deal!
