Lowe’s is giving away 100 free Kobalt headlamps per store, nationwide. That’s a LOT of headlamps.
The ad or alert popped up on my news feed. While this looks like a fairly inexpensive headlamp, free is free.
Here’s what they say:
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Thanks for joining us in celebrating first responders this Fire Safety Month. Here’s something special for you: We’re giving away 100 free Kobalt headlamps per store, nationwide.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit one headlamp per registered customer. Product varies by location. While supplies last. Pickup for free headlamp is 10/8/22.
You must register by October 6th, 2022 – while supplies last. Pickup is on 10/8. “Product varies by location.”
You have to be registered on their website.
I wanted to check out the registration process. After being forced to go through verification and new password creation, as I haven’t logged in for a while, it seems there aren’t any headlamp slots still available in my area.
So… good luck?
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If you like freebies, Harbor Freight also has an LED flashlight offer. Theirs is a “free gift just for stopping by,” while supplies last.
Harbor Freight’s free LED flashlight offer is valid thru 10/2/22.
Birdog357
I’ve got one coming.
CountyCork
Got one, thanks!
Phil H.
“Product varies by location” and it’s only available for pickup on a single day. My nearest Lowe’s is 30 miles away. For 144 Lumens and whatever you will actually receive, I’ll pass.
Franck B.
I got one of those free HF lights like 10 years ago and it still works.
For those that couldn’t get a Kobalt one (or didn’t want one) but still need one, I recommend the Streamlight Bandit. You can find it on sale for $15-20, or all the time for $25 ($22 without the headband).
I normally prefer a non-rechargeable version (like a Pelican) so that when I need it, the battery isn’t dead.
John L
Ive had a couple of those, they work, the only gripe is you need to have a phillips screwdriver handy for a battery change. I was at HF buying something the other day, knew about the coupon but decided I already had enough crummy flashlights laying around. China produces them we fill our landfills with them, maybe its time to break the cycle.
Robert
Do they have the isotune air buds built in?
Jbongo
Thanks! I was able sign up. It’s 15 minutes up the road and I’m in town most weekend anyway.
Jbongo
I went back and looked at my emails. Apparently I looked at the email, as I remember seeing the top part, but missed this part of it. Hmm…
Warren+Riccitelli
Looks like the one I bought at HB last weekend for 89 cents
MT
Successfully registered—thanks for the heads-up. Will be interesting to see the level of quality it’s made with.
Mike
Those terms and conditions are incredible: acknowledging that the “event” is inherently dangerous and could involve death, that you’re not entitled to anything of value as a result of participation, and that Lowes has the worldwide “unrestricted and irrevocable” right to use any photos, videos and statements (without restriction on alteration) of yours and your name in whatever manner they wish with no recourse for libel, slander, etc.
I’m sure this is the product of an overexcited lawyer, but it gives them the perpetual right to use anything you say and any picture of you, modify it in whatever way they wish, and attribute it to you all without any legal promise you’ll get the headlamp.
So you give Lowes the ability to exercise control over your name, likeness, and words in perpetuity without any guarantee of any return. And Lowes may but need not give you a cheap headlamp, which is technically free as at that point they have no obligation to you, but man… the chance to get something free is extreme.
Doresoom
Well I signed up for one and afterwards the confirmation message told me I have to be there at 7AM on the one day a week that I get to sleep in. Sooooo…. maybe not.
drewmcdan1
Check your email again. The one I got from Lowes the pickup time is from 7-9 AM or 5-7PM. I would hope they would still have them available if you show up later in the day.
Doresoom
You’re right – the website confirmation only said 7AM, but the email lists the same 7-9 and 5-7 times you mentioned too.
Birdog357
Mine showed an evening time too.
GMC
Yes the email gives two times for pickup. I was surprised that I got one as I live in Naples, FL and power is not fully restored around the store. They are on generator and have sold out on almost everything. It’s a real mess down here.
Josh
I made it on to the list too. At a minimum the light will entertain my little guy while camping or “driving” his car. Thanks for the info
John
Thx! That was surprisingly easy to do.
Portland ME Lowes
Kimberley Potts
I logged in and registered I have to be there at 7 a.m. Thanks for the heads up!!!
Randy S
Looks to be their 200 lumen model, assuming it actually matches the picture. Good enough for the crawlspace work I do on an almost daily basis.
PETE
I registered without understanding how it works. I guess it’s waiting for you at customer service on Saturday with your name on it. Too bad i’ll be out of town on Saturday. Oh well…. i’ll take a weekend in the mountains over a free headlamp
John L
LOL this reminds me of how in my area every year local honda dealers offer free gas ($20 worth) to veterans and honda owners. They do it for an hour several days over a week, revealing the location about an hour before . Hundreds of cars show up they can only serve a few dozen, it creates a huge traffic jam and a lot of angry people using more gas than they might get. Sometimes they dont show up at all or inexplicably change the location.
Ed
YOU MUST BE A FIRST RESPONDER! LOWES WILL NOT HONOR YOUR REGISTRATION. JUST SPOKE TO THEM
Stuart
They don’t list this in their ads or on the registration page. I have a feeling the person you spoke with was misinformed.
Stores have smoke alarms and other fire safety-related products on promotional display right now, and so it’s reasonable to assume the absence of any fine-print or exclusions suggests this is a giveaway open to anyone.
Ed
The Toolguyd link takes you directly to the registration page, which is convenient, however, Lowes provided me with their landing page and the promo is clearly explained:
https://www.lowes.com/l/shop/firstresponders
Trust me, I applied thumbscrews to the Lowes support rep and explained that not everyone goes to their landing page. I said that the double asterisk about registration requirements doesn’t mention you need to be a first responder. Alas, they would not agree and it is what it is. I warned them to expect a TON of angry people showing up to Lowes at 7am for no reason!
Stuart
I didn’t even learn of that page until working backwards from the headlamp page – the Lowe’s ad I was targeted with led directly to the registration landing page.
I checked all of the terms and conditions, and it looked open to the public. Every store in my area had already run out before I posted about it, which suggested it was open before the ad was even shown to me.
The same landing page also has info on DIY-U workshops for building a custom fire kit, and products for consumer purchase to “help keep your home safe.”
I would say that the terms are ambiguous, but they’re not – there are no obvious, clear, or explicit restrictions. With the $10 off $75+ promo, the terms are clear about only being eligible to first responders.
If there are hidden restrictions where Lowe’s checks for first responder status at pickup, that’s going to be terrible for everyone. Eligibility needs to be made clear at registration. The lack of conditions implies their absence.
The fact of the matter is also that this is well above Lowe’s chat reps or customer service. Unless they have terms and conditions in front of them that somehow differ from what Lowe’s has publicly disclosed, what you’re hearing are their opinions and interpretations.
These are the only terms disclosed for this offer: “Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit one headlamp per registered customer. Product varies by location. While supplies last.”
Ed
10/4/22 15:00
I just walked through the door from visiting my Lowe’s and talking to the store manager. He said he was going to have to get clarification, but proceeded to provide me with a free headlamp TODAY.
I explained your point about the headlamp registration has NO extenuating restrictions. I believe he just wanted to get rid of me, but, I came home with what I was supposed to get. Perfect example of the squeaky wheel getting the grease! Thanks for your help, Stuart. That reference to the other ad’s ID requirement really added evidence to my argument.
Stuart
Registration ends on the 6th. Pickup is scheduled for the 8th.
You complained to the manager so much that they gave you a free headlamp on the 4th just to get you to go away?
I don’t encourage this.
Ed
Nah, did not cause a scene. Heck, I didn’t even need to present the difference between the registration requirements between the two offers. Just explained there is debate within customer service whether this is an open event. Also pointed out there is no clear requirement to be a first responder to get the headlamp. We went to his office, he went to their website, and within 5 minutes he was getting me the product and saying he would need to get clarification. I said all of maybe 5 sentences! No big stink, just a store manager fixing a problem.
Ed
Hey Stuart, check this, too. It is the very first sentence on the registration page:
“Thanks for joining us in celebrating first responders this Fire Safety Month.”
I skimmed over it too and still believe the requirements should clearly state it, but it is this sentence that my store’s staff and the support chat used to defend their offer limitation.
Stuart
Consider this other October offer: “Lowe’s appreciates First Responders.”
Lowe’s invites eligible First Responders, doctors and nurses to get an offer for $10 off a qualifying purchase of $75 or more, October 21-28. For that promo, they require first responder status to be verified through ID.me.
The headlamp offer has no such ID or status registration or validation process, nor any mention of exclusivity in their terms and conditions.
Ed
Excellent point (and evidence) Stuart! I went back into the trenches with customer support. They initially said it is an open event and that I should receive the promo. However, I then received this:
“My apologies for the inconvenience, I just checked with the store, and it seems like it is only a first responder event, although it is not listed, my recommendation would be to request to speak with the manager of the store so that they can help you because you have been registered successfully without being a first responder, so my best recommendation would be to speak with the manager in the store or,
If you like you can leave feedback on our website, if you are on a computer you can do it on the right side of our website beside the scroll bar on a blue box that says feedback. You can leave store feedback, website feedback, or order/delivery feedback. We appreciate your feedback as it is an opportunity for us to do better.”
I plan to go into my store now and speak with a manager. I will DEFINITELY be using the link you provided! This headlamp promo included no such requirement and the discount requiring use of id.me makes no mention of the separate headlamp offer! Both barrels, baby! I encourage EVERYONE to use the evidence we have presented in their fight with Lowes to honor its advertising, as written! Best of luck!
K Ford
I signed up, got an email response, and just picked up my free headlamp work light. Thanks for the info, Tool Guy!
Marie
Well gor up nice and early only to find out My lowes In Indian trail Nc. Sid not have any shipped to there store.
Jbongo
I picked up mine this morning without any problems. I just had to show them the registration email.
Randy S
Here’s an update:
I’m not a first responder. I picked mine up this morning, no questions asked other than my name. Seems it was open to the public.
drewmcdan1
Same here. Just picked mine up. It’s in a generic brown box, marked not for retail sale. As a bonus, they included 2 Duracell batteries in the box.
Jon From PA
Got mine this morning. Simply told them I was there for a free headlamp and showed them the email on my phone. The employee said one moment, walked away, and a couple of seconds later came back with my headlamp. No questions asked about my being a 1st responder or not.
Jon From PA
Headlamp note: After inserting batteries, the lamp immediately turned on. The button did absolutely nothing no matter how hard I pressed it. I took the headlamp apart, (very easy w/ only two screws), and found the rubber button pad was misaligned. After fixing that, the button works correctly now.
Popgun42
I got mine, quick response by Lowes. checked me off the list and handed it to me and I left, 3 minutes max, Thanks ToolGuyd and Lowes.
Doresoom
Well, a big fail on my local Lowe’s part. I had the confirmation email to show them and they told me they were out of them. My 4 year old got a life lesson in disappointment after I had told her we were picking up a special surprise for her.
They had me sign a list with name and phone number for a raincheck. There were at least 40 other names ahead of me too. I don’t get how they weren’t prepared for it. They knew exactly how many they needed ahead of time!
Jeffrey Navallo
Kobalt Head lamp stopped working after 2 months
replaced batteries still NG