The difference is who you have installing it. I think the unit is basically the same but the Lowes unit is labeled a "500" whereas if you buy from a dealer it's labeled a "550". Not sure if there are any feature differences but both are 3/4 hp and rated for a 500 lb door. I also had an external keypad installed.

I actually stopped by Lowes Monday night on the way home from work. They didn't have the Sommer units in stock, special order only. So, I was going to buy two a Chamberlain belt drive units with battery backup for slightly less money ($198 on sale) and have Lowes install them. They have a $97 flat rate for installation. Sounds good right? Well, not so much.

The guy in the aisle where the product was located didn't know anything about installation so I was told to wait at the contractor scheduling desk for Ken, the manager to show up. Twenty minutes later, a guy walks up. I ask if he's Ken. Nope, but he says he can help. I tell him I'm going to buy two units if I can get them installed in the next couple of days. He proceeds to schedule a service appointment. Twenty minutes later, he was unable to call up a calender to see what dates were available, he couldn't enter the service request in their computer. Einstein said that stupidity was someone doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. Well, this guy sat there for twenty minutes doing exactly that with the Lowes scheduling system. I couldn't watch it any longer. I thanked him for his efforts and told him that he'd just helped me make up my mind. I walked out.

I've found Lowes and Depot to both suck at service that involves a 3rd party contractor. After watching this guy operate, I wondered if the service appointment would actually be recorded in their system. Then I started to wonder if their 3rd party installer would show up on time. Then I started to wonder what sort of skills the installer would have. Then I started to wonder if he would have any experience with an oddball German door opener. Finally, I found myself wondering what the hell I was doing at Lowes.

I called a local owner operated company who is a Sommer dealer Tuesday morning. I know these small guys can't discount the hardware to compete with Lowes and Depot. And I know they aren't going to install for $97 lowball flat fee. But, they had the units in stock. They committed to show up at 8:00AM on Wed to do the install. And they have been around since 1973 and know my neighborhood and the builders who created it. Overhead doors are their sole business. They also threw in a physical reinforcement at the top of the door to increase rigidity and the external keypad.

So Lowes $228 H/W + $97 Install = $325

Or dealer H/W + Install + Extras = $500

I said fruck it. I have too much going on. For an extra $175 each, $350 total it's done and done right. If I have problems, I know exactly who to choke.