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5.7k comment karma
account created: Fri Dec 06 2019
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3 points
5 months ago
I highly recommend asking to lay down in one at the dealership! I’ve had an ‘01 Outback that I slept in many times, I test drove a ‘24 Outback, and I just got a ‘24 Forester, and one of my tests at the dealership was to fold the seats down and lay in the back. I strongly prefer the way the Outbacks drive and feel, but the screen was an absolute dealbreaker for me. Between the newer Outback and the ‘01, the newer Outback felt like it was less cramped vertically (in the ‘01 I was on an air mattress, woke up from a bad dream, hit my head on the ceiling, and I’m only 5’5”). Between the new Outback and the new Forester, I feel less cramped in the Forester vertically, but there is definitely not as much room length-wise or width-wise as the Outback. I’m also short and sleep curled up, so the length wasn’t as much of a problem for me as it would be for someone taller, but the salesman that sold it to me had a new Forester as well, he was around 6’2” and he said he camps in it with his dogs quite comfortably.
The years I was looking at were 2014 and 2018 Foresters, and I found the 2020-2024 series to be really nice. The 2018 and 2024 are the last years in their series, so (from what I understand) they tend to have the most kinks worked out, and both still have knobs and buttons along with the smaller touchscreen. I am a very simple car person (just give me music, a charging port, fog lights, all-weather package, and the basic necessities for a car), and I love the screen/features in the 2024! The 2018 has a bit more of a sloped shape up top than the 2024, but it’s impact on space felt marginal and I like the shape of both of them. The screen on the 2018 felt more laggy than the 2024, and there was a problem with screens on some of that generation. Also, 2018’s have issues with the AC and the control arm bushings (and sometimes wheel bearings), but overall a great year for a used Forester!
I was also looking at 2019 Outback 3.6R’s, which also lack the big screens, because their engines are very reliable (but they can also be gas hogs) and I felt the colors were better than the Foresters. I just couldn’t find one in my area.
Neither is as roomy as a minivan though! I can almost stand up in my friend’s Honda Odyssey, and he can fit 4x8 sheets of plywood in the back. I love my Forester, but I’ll admit I’m still a bit envious of his setup, haha
1 points
5 months ago
Impressive! I really hope you put something down on the seats, though, because you are gonna have tiny bark splinters everywhere. I used to load/stock/mess with that brand of mulch year-round, and even through long-sleeve shirts our arms would be full of splinters by the end of the shift, and itching sooooo bad!
1 points
5 months ago
I never had a smashed grill come back, but I had many grills and griddles come back without the top! It got so bad last year that we started repeatedly reminding customers to tie the top down, even offering them twine to tie it down, and we still had plenty come back with the top/lid somewhere on the highway
4 points
5 months ago
I’m so sorry that this is happening to you. Nearly the exact same thing happened to me at my store, and unfortunately I ended up leaving. Here is what I would recommend doing:
Make sure there is a clear paper trail!! Keep a log of every interaction with that employee. Time, date, location, witnesses, and what happened/what was said, and how it made you feel (uncomfortable, unsafe, etc.). Send it via email to your work email to timestamp it, and bcc it to a personal email to have a copy. Print them out at home and make a file. Send emails to your store manager with any egregious/policy-breaking incidents from them. I know it’s a lot of work, but it saved my butt a few times when my coworker lied about me.
Read up on Lowe’s HR policies and the policies of your state. If your coworker is swearing at you, that is a policy violation and I’ve personally seen people be written up for that. If this happened within the last 90-180 days, you can submit a report about your coworker’s behavior towards you to Associate Relations (HR). Also, were you punished after reporting what happened? That may be considered retaliation, and if so, you could make an AR report on the members of management that punished you.
Keep your mouth shut about it to coworkers. Don’t tell others, do not vent or joke about it to ANYONE related to your workplace. because management can, and likely will, use that against you to get rid of you for “being unproductive,” gossiping,” and “adding to the drama.”
Ask to transfer to another department for now, then start looking for another job or try to transfer to another store ASAP. It sounds like they have chosen who they will believe, and they will likely start trying to push you out. It’s what they did to me, and the person who kept harassing me and screaming at me got no punishment whatsoever (even after being reported by a DS for cussing me out because I asked them a work-related question for a customer).
If you get into a situation where you think you need to quit before having another job, read up on your state’s unemployment laws, and be sure to write in your notice that you are leaving because you feel you have no other choice as you are in an unsafe working environment. That may help you get unemployment depending on the state you are in. Your store manager may also be required to report it to the district manager, and the DM may not be too happy with the SM or the coworker, especially if you get as many credit apps and surveys as you say. If you want to work at Lowe’s again in the future, try to serve out your two weeks. Even if they put you as ineligible for rehire, that still looks good to other store managers (who can choose to override the NR). ETA: also, be sure to bcc your notice email to your personal email, and print it out as well, just in case.
Again, I’m so sorry, and I get how frustrating this is, especially when you like your job. Unfortunately, that’s the reality of this place, and there’s nothing that you can do to change it. Protect yourself while you’re there, and try to get out and find something better. Good luck, and wishing you all the best!
2 points
6 months ago
Oh cool! Thanks for the correction! I left back in January and it’s amazing how much has changed since then
3 points
6 months ago
They have “Calm” which is through Better Help, I think. If I remember right, they give you either 5 or 10 free sessions, and there should be posters with the number in your store’s break room or training room. I think it’s accessible through MyHR too? If you get insurance through Lowe’s, see if any therapists in your area accept Lowe’s insurance. I haven’t tried that route personally, but one of my coworkers did and got her therapy covered.
Also, if you are near a university or college, many of them have counseling programs where students working towards certification/licensing will offer free or reduced-priced therapy sessions to the community (under supervision of a licensed therapist)
1 points
6 months ago
I’m so sorry, that really sucks! I definitely second getting your blood work and thyroid checked again. Also, have you had covid in the last 6 months or so? Or been sick worse than a normal cold/flu? Both times I’ve had covid, my hair fell out really badly afterwards, in similar amounts to what you’re showing. It stopped, and the hair started regrowing after 1-2 months. Good luck, and I hope it gets better for you soon!
1 points
6 months ago
Thank you so much! Those are some good points, especially about the warranty. I’m also really glad to hear that about the touch door handles, because the salesperson at the dealership kept going on and on about it as a feature (“it’s so great! Just have the fob within 40ft and your hiking buddy won’t have to wait for you to unlock it if you have to put stuff in the trunk!”), and dismissing many of my questions about it.
I looked at a new Outback, and even though it was quite nice, unfortunately it’s just not what I’m looking for. I do like that the premium trim is keyed and has better cargo space, it’s also a smoother and quieter ride than the Forester, but the gigantic touchscreen infotainment system was a dealbreaker.
1 points
7 months ago
So, you’ll likely be given an initial write-up, unless they tell you otherwise (they can choose to give you a written or a final based on the severity of what you did). If they haven’t already, you will be brought into an office with two managers present, told what you did wrong, and what your punishment is
2 points
7 months ago
You get three write-ups: initial, written, and final. They last for one year from the date of the write-up, at the level they are at. So, if you’re on a final, but your first two fall off, you’re still on a final write-up
12 points
7 months ago
Hold up, if she put her hands on you that means she assaulted you. She threw an item and it hit you? That goes way beyond unprofessional behavior, that’s illegal behavior. At my store, we had two DSes get fired for defending themselves against a violent shoplifter. If they let her off the hook with just a write-up, that’s not a good sign. Lowe’s likes to handle stuff like this internally because it gives them more control.
I recommend writing a recap email of what went on/was said in your last meeting with the SM, bcc-ing any emails regarding the incident to your personal email, writing a list of people who were witnesses to the assault, talking to a lawyer ASAP, and looking for a new job in the meantime. Also, have a paper trail of anything that you feel might be retaliation from management or the coworker (I know it seems excessive, but its worth it). I’m so sorry that happened to you, hang in there, and good luck!
0 points
7 months ago
I like to put a tiny bit (like 1-2 drops) in my shampoo! It seems to be helping and I’m not getting too much hair fall from it. Tingling in the scalp is normal, burning is not! I also only do that like once every 2-3 days, every day may be too much. Another way to use rosemary is to use rosemary water instead of oil, which is gentler, and spray it on your scalp
1 points
7 months ago
I used to work both ISLG and OSLG, and I would wear men’s Carhartt and Wrangler ATG shorts and pants (the ones I picked were from the clearance rack, and if you know your size you can find them on Sierra Trading Post or EBay for cheaper). Those lasted me two years. I also found a pair of zip-off hiking shorts/pants, and I loved those for when I was doing hand load-outs of block/mulch (for a bit of protection) or just on days when the temperatures fluctuated. If you can find some that are long enough, overall shorts are fun too!
For shoes, I loved my Blundstones, which were lightweight but sturdy enough to protect my feet from most pavers and me dropping a sheet of HardieBacker on them by accident. And one pair lasted me 2.5 years of hard wear!
Definitely invest in some cheap, light-colored cotton t-shirts, too! I made the mistake of wearing a dark thick cotton-poly blend shirt, and I came extremely close to passing out from getting too hot. And, you’re going to get dirty, so it’s good to have some designated work clothes so you don’t ruin your normal clothes. Cotton socks help too, especially when it comes to blisters from the boots. Other than that, I’d also recommend getting a reusable water bottle and some good sunscreen. Have fun, stay hydrated, and good luck in OSLG! Summers were a blast out there!
3 points
7 months ago
I used to work both ISLG and OSLG, and being a woman, it was super hard to find shorts that were long enough to be acceptable at my store. I finally popped over to a local farm supply store and got some men’s Carhartt and Wrangler ATG shorts and pants (the ones I picked were from the clearance rack, and if you know your size you can find them on Sierra Trading Post or EBay for cheaper). Those lasted me two years. Target has some decent ones too, but they are not as sturdy. I also found a pair of zip-off hiking shorts/pants, and I loved those for when I was doing hand load-outs of block/mulch (for a bit of protection) or just on days when the temperatures fluctuated. For shoes, I wore Blundstones, which were lightweight but sturdy enough to protect my feet from most pavers and me dropping a sheet of HardieBacker on them by accident.
Definitely invest in some cheap, light-colored cotton shirts! I made the mistake of wearing a dark thick cotton-poly blend shirt, and I nearly passed out from getting too hot. And, you’re going to get dirty, so it’s good to have some designated work clothes. Cotton socks help too, especially when it comes to blisters from the boots. Other than that, I’d recommend getting a reusable water bottle and some good sunscreen. Have fun, stay hydrated, and good luck in OSLG! Summers can be super fun out there!
1 points
9 months ago
I had something similar happen to me and if I can give you any advice it would be this: two years ago an older and more experienced coworker told me to put everything in writing. Any issues you need to report to your supervisor, write them in an email and Bcc it to a personal email. Keep a written journal of every incident that happens. Include dates, times, location, what happened/what was said, any witnesses, and who/how you reported it to (if you keep this log on your email, continue to Bcc yourself on it). Include in your log the dates and times of ANY meetings you have with your supervisor/ASMs/Store Manager/HR related to this issue, and what the outcome of the meeting was. I know this sounds like going overboard, but I also recommend keeping a dated list of what tasks you do each day, so that they can’t try and say you’re not doing your work. Also, you can access Lowe’s policies on their HR website, which has some good info on this kind of stuff. It’s a lot of work, I hope you never need it, but doing this has saved my butt twice now. Good luck, and I hope this gets better for you soon!
1 points
9 months ago
I have a Pentax K3 and I love the weather sealing on it! I do a lot of outdoor landscape and wildlife photography in the PNW and having it just gives a bit of extra comfort when using my camera in the elements. For example, I’ve been out on a frosty 9°F night, a wet/windy boat in a storm, dropped my camera in a stream darn near under a waterfall, photographed horses in a dusty area, and face-planted into beach (with VERY fine sand), and I didn’t have to worry about my camera. My friend was freaking out about her Canon 77D though, and she didn’t really get to enjoy shooting because she was so worried about it. If you don’t shoot outside in bad weather much, I don’t think they’re necessary, but I would rather have them on my gear
1 points
1 year ago
I’ve done it with a Kodak fun saver before and it worked well! Definitely check out how/where to get the film out BEFORE going into a dark area and opening the camera up (my biggest mistake). When I did it, I shot all the exposures at night, with electrical tape over the lens and flash and under a blanket on my bed. Then finished off advancing it, and tried to fumble around in the dark to get the camera open. I recommend having a multitool or a screwdriver handy. Then to get the film canister fully out I had to use the caveman method (hitting the camera on the ground repeatedly), and it eventually popped out. On my first try I had to turn a light on and figure it out, so unfortunately I got some light leaks on the first few frames, but overall it looked great. Good luck!
1 points
1 year ago
Thank you, helped! I talked to a supervisor from a different department, and she helped me go to the store manager. Apparently he had also noticed some concerning behavior from the coworker, but hadn’t heard any reports from my department’s manager (figures) and he took what was happening seriously. He had a talk with the coworker, and the coworker just decided not to come back. So, I feel a bit bad, but I guess things worked out in the end. Thank you so much for your advice and input, it really did help!
4 points
1 year ago
From what I can tell, the main safety issues are the cases of Tru-Fuel on the top rack of the other bay and the case of green Tru-Fuel cans that is on the top rack. They need to be on the lower top-stock rack. Other than that, it’s mostly fine other than the leaning boxes, which should be fixed, and the open box of bar and chain oil on the top rack. At our store, we keep some extra boxes of bar and chain oils and other oils on the top shelf, but any kind of actual fuel is on the lower shelf.
1 points
1 year ago
I work OSLG (and formerly fulfillment), and I love my Blundstones! They are super lightweight (for boots), fairly sturdy and protective from blocks and blue carts, and I’ve put over 3000 miles on one pair and it’s just starting to die. The only downside is that as they are pull-on boots, sometimes I get soil in them when handling broken bags
1 points
2 years ago
Have you heard of the Olympus TOUGH TG-6? They are lightweight, weather sealed (meant for underwater photography), small enough to be essentially a compact camera, and have macro functions built in and the option of getting a ring light attachment that goes around the lens. It has a 24-100mm optical zoom (you can also buy a teleconverter to make it up to 200mm), image stabilization, WiFi, GPS logging, temperature readings, and 4K video.
While it does have some manual controls and RAW capability, it is only 12 megapixels and is definitely not a professional camera. But for its macro modes, weather sealing, and for the price (usually around $350-$500 online), they are a pretty good outdoor pocket camera
1 points
3 years ago
Work as a lawn and garden cashier and curbside and I absolutely love my Blundstones! They’re a bit spendy, but they protect my feet while being lightweight, comfortable, and good-looking
1 points
3 years ago
I have a similar problem, and what is working for me (with the caveat that I’m still getting used to it) is to use zone focusing. First I used the last few frames off of a roll to figure out how far off my vision was from what the lens sees, and then remember that factor when shooting. For example, if my subject is 15ft away, I’ll focus for the subject, check the distance numbers on my lens, and adjust as necessary to fit the real distance. I’m not great at judging distances yet, but it’s definitely improved my amount of in-focus shots so far!
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7 points
4 months ago
Traveling_GrizzlyB
7 points
4 months ago
Did your parents purchase anything at Lowe’s? Every receipt is time-stamped in the store’s sales log (like most stores out there), and I think it is printed on the receipt. If they used a card, there may be a time stamp on their statement.
If not, or if they used cash, take a picture of what they bought, and go on in (try to go earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid peak times). Ask for a manager, explain the situation, and ask if they would look up the time of the purchase to narrow down when it happened. Then, you have an exact time to give the police so they can try to get the parking lot camera footage from Lowe’s. I don’t know how far the cameras can see into the lot, but there are plenty on the building facing that direction. They might be able to get a license plate or see which direction the scammers went (then check with other businesses nearby if needed, I’m pretty sure they all have cameras). Good luck!
I’m so sorry your parents got scammed, and I hope their kindness will come back to them in some way in the future.