Lowes Panama City Beach, Florida on Highway 98. Yes, we thought that we were purchasing a new 50 gal hot water heater by A.O. Smith. Instead, we ended up getting a used rusty Hydrojet hot water tank that someone had swapped out inside the box. The black female assistant manager did not even want to hear what had happened. She just assumed that we had put our old hot water heater inside the box to return it for money. We did not go seeking money, we wanted the AO Smith hot water heater that we had paid for. She said that there was no way that AO Smith would ship something used to them. Well, two employees at that Lowes told us that it happens all the time where old and used items are put inside of the new boxes and brought back for a refund. Again, we did not want a refund l; just the new hot water heater we had paid our &540.00 for. So, we ended up having to purchase another hot water heater because the plumber was at our house waiting to put the new one in. Our plumber was mad as heck when he opened the box the first time and saw that old used hot water heater inside. So, I told the sales clerk that I wanted every box opened to look inside before we purchased the next hot water heater. She said no, but I told her that since they did not believe us, we sure as heck did not trust them with what is inside any box from now on. So, she opened the box for us. We could have easily taped the box back up and returned the old Hydrojet hot water heater that was inside of the box. But no, we were being honest and that got us nowhere. Now, does Lowes open and check all returned appliance boxes to make sure that the correct item is inside before accepting the product back into the store? No, but they should! We tell everyone that we know-DO NOT SHOP at LOWES. GO TO HOME DEPOT INSTEAD. WE DO! LOWES DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE CUSTOMERS! When we contacted Lowes in Panama City Beach after trying to reason with that female manager, we never heard back. We were given so many numbers to call. We called and left messages. Just got the run around. We ended up paying over 1,000.00 for one AO Smith hot water heater valued at $540.00. Crazy right! I tried to upload a photo of the used Hydrojet hot water heater but it would not upload.