Originally Posted by
elkhornne
One thing you and everyone can do on large purchases related to your home is Lowes (not sure about others) offers a program if your purchases are over $2,000 is to submit everything to them that your going to purchase. Do this at the commercial desk. The Lowes CSR will them submit the package to corporate and with 24 hours you'll have a discount on all items. Usual savings is around 10%-20%. Some items are a little less and some more. On a Refrig I received 19%, deck supplies 21%, fencing 9%, riding lawn mower 14%.
Then I use my CC and got the miles. I never let the contractors make the purchases. I find I get better savings making the purchases myself and paying the contractor for work only. Just an idea.
To parlay this idea further, your capital one venture card currently offers an effective return of 6% toward travel expenses when you buy Lowes Gift Cards through their website. You get 2 points for the purchase and 4 bonus points per dollar. So for every 1000.00 you purchase in GCs you'll get 60.00 in travel credit. Pretty darn good when you stack when submitting to the commercial desk.