I’m proud to say that I used to wear an orange apron from Home Depot for several years. As an employee, I’ve gained inside knowledge that can help you, your friends and family save even more money. In addition to my knowledge, I’ve met with nearly a dozen current Home Depot employees to share some expert tips on how to maximize your savings on your next visit.
1. Take advantage of price match policies
According to one employee I spoke with, one of The Home Depot’s most underutilized “secrets” is its price match policy.
If Home Depot finds a lower price on an identical product from a competitor, Home Depot will match that price.
It used to be 10% more expensive, but unfortunately it has been discontinued in 2022.
This policy applies to both in-store and online purchases.
Here’s how to use it:
– Research your competitors: Before you buy, check prices on major competitors’ websites like Lowe’s, Walmart, and Amazon.
– Leave proof: Take a screenshot or print out your competitors’ prices. Please make sure to include the item number, price, and date.
– Speak up: Show proof to the customer service desk or cashier. Check prices and adjust accordingly.
See also: Out-of-the-box ways to save money at the home improvement store
Learn to negotiate lower prices
As an employee at Home Depot, I was actually encouraged to offer lower prices to shoppers who requested items if the product or packaging had even the slightest dent, scratch, or defect. Don’t be afraid to negotiate lower prices on these items. Ask for a 20% discount first and be prepared to settle for a 10% discount.
2. Take advantage of the day’s specials
One employee told me about Home Depot’s little-known “daily deals” on select items known as “Today’s Special Buys.”
These sales are available 24 hours a day and offer great discounts on a variety of products, from power tools to home decor.
– Check Daily: Make it a habit to check the Home Depot website or app daily to get these limited-time offers.
– Email Alerts: Sign up for Home Depot email alerts to receive notifications about these sales straight to your inbox.
3. Join a garden club
BJ in the gardening department told me about Home Depot’s Garden Club, a free program that offers exclusive savings and tips to gardening enthusiasts.
When you join, you’ll receive the following benefits:
– Monthly Coupons: Members receive discount coupons on plants, soil, gardening tools, and more.
– Expert advice: Access gardening tips and project ideas to help you get the most out of your purchases.
– Special Offers: Special promotions and benefits available only to Garden Club members.
1 year plant warranty
Perennials, trees, roses and shrubs from The Home Depot come with a 1-year warranty and can be returned for a refund in store credit. Please be sure to save your receipt. For houseplants, I put the receipt in a Ziploc bag and tape it to the bottom of the pot so it’s always available when I need it.
4. Take advantage of rebates and promotions
Tim, an assistant manager at Home Depot, says his favorite way to save money is by taking advantage of manufacturer rebates and in-store promotions.
These can help you save big on big-ticket items like appliances, power tools, and building materials.
– Check your rebates: Visit the Rebate Center on Home Depot’s website to see current rebate offers. Please submit your rebate form promptly to ensure you receive your refund.
– In-store promotions: Look for promotional signs in-store. These include buy-one-get-one-free offers, bulk purchase discounts, and more.
See also: Learn more about Home Depot’s return policy
5. Use the Home Depot Credit Card
Home Depot offers a consumer credit card with several perks designed to help you save money.
– Special Financing: Special financing available for purchases over a certain amount. This is especially useful for large-scale home improvement projects.
– Exclusive benefits: Cardholders enjoy exclusive promotions and discounts throughout the year.
– Extended Returns: Benefit from our extended returns policy and extend your time to return your products if needed.
6. Buy in bulk
We asked another employee to share some helpful tips for frequent DIYers and contractors.
We highly recommend buying in bulk as it can lead to significant savings.
Home Depot offers bulk pricing on many items, including:
– Building materials: Wood, drywall, and insulation often have discounts when purchased in bulk.
– Hardware and Fasteners: Screws, nails, and bolts are cheaper per piece when purchased in bulk packs.
– Cleaning supplies: Stock up on cleaning supplies like bleach, paper towels, and disinfectant to take advantage of bulk prices.
Tips for returning bulk purchases
If you buy items in bulk at Home Depot, you can return items individually at the non-bulk price by using the “Lost Receipt” card when returning items. However, please note that you must pay with store credit.
7. Attend a free workshop
Home Depot offers free workshops for DIY enthusiasts of all skill levels.
In addition to providing valuable skills, these workshops can also introduce you to products and tools that may be sold.
– DIY Workshop: Learn how to tackle a variety of home improvement projects, from installing tiles to assembling furniture.
– Kids Workshops: Fun and educational workshops designed for kids. Often includes a free project kit.
– Schedule: Check the Home Depot website for a schedule of upcoming workshops and register in advance.
8. Shop the clearance section
Another employee reminded me of the often-neglected clearance section, where you can find deeply discounted items.
They range from products with some damage to discontinued products.
– Regular visits: Clearance items change frequently, so make it a habit to check the clearance section regularly.
– Open Box Items: Look for open box items that offer deep discounts, especially in the tools and appliances section.
9. Follow seasonal sales
Home Depot holds seasonal sale events where you can get great discounts on a variety of items.
The main times to be aware of are:
– Spring Black Friday: Held in April, it offers discounts on gardening supplies, outdoor furniture, and more.
– Memorial Day: Huge discounts on appliances and rebates on Behr paint, grills, and patio furniture.
– July 4th: Discounts on tools, building supplies, and home improvement essentials.
– Labor Day: End of Summer Sale on Outdoor and Indoor Products, Behr Paint Rebates.
– Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Big discounts on all departments, perfect for holiday shopping.
“Cheap Paint” Pro Tips
Having worked in the paint department, I can tell you that we often made mistakes in the paint formulation or the mixer didn’t mix the paint colors correctly. Because of this, we were able to add new paint to our “oops shelf” every day and sell it right away at a very discounted price. For 30 to 40 gallons of Behr paint, expect $5 to $10. And most of the colors were very neutral. So if you’re less concerned with color and more concerned with value, get into the habit of checking out the “oops shelf” right next to your paint mixing desk.
10. Apply for Pro Xtra Membership
If you’re a professional contractor or serious DIY enthusiast, consider joining Home Depot’s Pro Xtra program.
This loyalty program has many benefits, including:
– Bulk Pricing: Receive discounts based on your purchase volume.
– Special Offers: Access to special promotions and sales.
– On-site delivery: Free shipping option for bulk orders.
– Purchase Tracking: Track purchases and receipts for easy reference.
See also: How to negotiate lower prices at home improvement stores
11. Earn $5 in coupons on purchases of $50 or more.
It’s super simple and you’ll get a free $5 coupon towards your next in-store purchase.
When I asked the cashier how to find Home Depot coupons, she told me about this simple $5.
The only “note about coupons” is that they are only valid for in-store purchases.
12. Rent tools instead of buying them
For one-time projects, it can be more cost-effective to rent tools than to purchase them.
Home Depot’s tool rental program lets you rent a wide range of tools and equipment, including:
– Power tools: drill, saw, sander.
– Lawn equipment: lawn mowers, trimmers, leaf blowers.
– Heavy equipment: concrete mixers, trenchers, trailers.
13. Negotiating bulk discounts
If you are purchasing in bulk, please feel free to contact us for bulk purchase discounts.
Store Managers have the authority to offer additional discounts on important purchases, especially if you are a loyal customer or Pro Xtra member.
14. Take advantage of military discounts
Home Depot is honoring military members by offering 10% off in-store purchases.
This discount is available to:
– Active duty: All active military personnel.
– Veterans: All veterans with a valid military ID.
– Dependents: Immediate family members of active duty and retired military personnel.
military discount tips
Unfortunately, getting Home Depot’s military discount isn’t as easy as showing your driver’s license at checkout. Next, you’ll need to download the Home Depot app and verify your military service within the app. Show the scannable code within the app at checkout and the cashier will scan it to receive your 10% off. There was a lot of resistance to this because many veterans are not tech-savvy or don’t have smartphones. If you need help setting up your military discount, please contact me directly. We will help you in any way we can.
See also: All Hardware Stores That Offer Prices Comparable to Home Depot
15. Explore online savings centers
My online chat agent recommended the Home Depot online Savings Center where you can find various discounts and promotions on a wide range of products.
This section will be updated regularly and will include:
– Today’s Deals: Daily discounts on selected items.
– Special Purchases: Limited time offers on various products.
– Overstock Savings: Discounts on overstock items.
Ask our readers: How do you save money when shopping at The Home Depot? Let us know if we’ve missed any money-saving hacks or tricks.
Written by Kyle James
I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save money at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Costco. Ta. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and The New York Times for my money-saving tips. (learn more)
