In this article you will learn:
What a problem invoice (aka open invoice) is at Lowe’s
How to dispute problem invoices at Lowe’s
The various problem invoice statuses and the supplier/vendor actions needed for each
How SPS Revenue Recovery can help Lowe’s suppliers get back more money with less effort
What Is a Problem Invoice at Lowe’s?
The accounts payable department at Lowe’s has automated systems in place to promptly process invoices that meet the home improvement retailer’s list of invoicing requirements. Invoices that don’t meet these requirements, as well as those attached to shipments where there is no record of receiving, fall into the category of problem invoices.
Problem invoices are bumped from Lowe’s automated system, requiring manual input that runs the risk of delayed payment or even being purged from the system altogether. Making matters more complicated, it can be difficult for Lowe’s suppliers to navigate the different unpaid invoices statuses and determine what action is needed.
Note: Lowe’s refers to these invoices as problem invoices, but at SPS Commerce, we default to using the term open invoices across our revenue recovery solutions.
Related Reading: A Supplier’s Guide to Home Improvement Retailers
How To Dispute Problem Invoices at Lowe’s
How you dispute a problem (open) invoice at Lowe’s will depend on the source of the issue.
For problem invoices that are the result of having no record of receiving or some other discrepancy with the receipt of goods: Suppliers can dispute these invoices with proof documentation to support the delivery of the goods in full by navigating to Vendor Inquiry within the supplier portal and then the Problem Invoices page.
Typically, supporting proof documentation would include:
A copy of the invoice
Any shipping documents that verify the delivery of goods (e.g., BOLs and PODs)
For problem invoices that aren’t related to misreceived goods: Lowe’s might note additional documentation they need to support invoice payment on the invoice’s details page.
Note: Some problem invoices are in Lowe’s court, not the supplier’s. These invoices are simply sitting in a limbo state while Lowe's continues to investigate. When this occurs, Lowe's AP department should provide details as to the status and any next steps on their side.
Related Reading: Lowe's Deduction Dispute Process
Problem Invoice Statuses and Problem Codes at Lowe’s
All problem (open) invoices will have a status visible within the list view and on the invoice’s details page.
Pending = Invoices with this status are waiting on Lowe’s to complete its invoice match process. No action can be taken by the supplier/vendor, and the issue will usually resolve on its own once the invoice is paid.
Lowe's = This status means that Lowe's is reviewing a dispute submission.
Vendor = This status indicates a true problem invoice. The supplier/vendor can submit a comment and proof documentation to support the validity of the invoice. Additional instructions will be provided if anything else is needed before submission.
In addition to the status, Lowe’s will provide a problem code. The following table lists all possible problem codes, a description of each, and the corresponding vendor/supplier action (if any):
Problem Code | Description | Vendor Action |
ACT | Vendor Profile Under Review | Action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
ADM | Pending Auto Deduction – Pricing and Quantity | Verify the price/quantity and retransmit the invoice if it’s incorrect. If the invoice is correct, no further vendor action is needed. |
ADP | Pending Auto Deduction – Pricing | Verify the invoiced price with your Lowe’s merchandising representative and retransmit the invoice if it’s incorrect. If the vendor pricing is correct, no further vendor action is needed. |
ADQ | Pending Auto Deduction – Quantity | Verify the invoiced quantity using the POD and retransmit the invoice if it's incorrect. If the vendor quantity is correct, no further vendor action is needed. |
ADU | Pending Auto Deduction – Unmatched Items | Verify that the invoiced item numbers match the PO and retransmit the invoice if it’s incorrect. If the invoice is correct, no further vendor action is needed. |
ANC | Anticipated Allowance Not Provided on Invoice | Check the merchant agreement, contact your Lowe’s merchandising representative, and retransmit the invoice if necessary. |
APP | Invoice Awaiting Lowe’s Approval for Deletion or Payment | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
CCC | Quantity and/or Pricing Discrepancy Between Invoice and Receipt and/or Purchase Order | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
CRE | Vendor Credit | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
DSP | Display Invoice | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
DTC | Vendor Profile Under Review | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
DUP | Duplicate Invoice Number | No action is necessary. This is an internal Lowe’s code, and the duplicate will be deleted. |
ECT | Electronic Order With Quantity and/or Pricing Discrepancy Between Invoice and Receipt Amount | Verify the invoice price/quantity and retransmit the invoice if it’s incorrect. If the invoice is correct, no further vendor action is needed. |
EDI | Vendor Profile Under Review | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
EST | Freight Estimate Missing | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
FCR | Freight Claim Review | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
FRT | Invoice Freight Type Does Not Match Lowe’s PO Type | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
IMP | Import Purchase Order Number | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
MCT | Electronic Order With Quantity and/or Pricing Discrepancy Between Invoice and Receipt Amount | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions.
|
MIS | Replacement/Expense Part or Out-for-Repair Invoice | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions.
|
MIX | Purchase Order Contains Both Display and Stock Product | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions.
|
MRR | Multiple Receiving Reports Processed for a Given Store/Purchase Order | No action is necessary. This is an internal Lowe’s code. Lowe’s will manually match to correct receiver. |
NCT | Electronic Order with Quantity and/or Pricing Discrepancy Between Invoice and Receipt Amount | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions.
|
OPN | Receipt of Product Not Acknowledged by Lowe’s Location | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions.
|
PRC | Pricing Discrepancy Between Invoice and Purchase Order | Verify the price with your Lowe’s merchandising representative and retransmit the invoice if it’s incorrect. If the invoice is correct, no further vendor action is needed. |
PVR | Multiple Invoices Received for Location/Purchase Order Combination – Refer to Billing Requirements | For all invoices billed for this location/PO combination, provide the signed POD and BOL for prepaid shipments or the POPU and BOL for collect shipments. The ASN is also required for cross-dock shipments. |
QTY | Quantity Discrepancy Between Invoice and Receipt by Lowe’s Location | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions.
|
RAP | Invoice Awaiting Lowe’s Approval for Deletion or Payment | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions.
|
RNF | Location and Purchase Order Number Combination Not Found in Lowe’s System | Retransmit the EDI invoice or submit a response with updated information. If the location/PO is correct, provide the BOL and signed POD for prepaid shipments or the POPU and BOL for collect shipments. The ASN is also required for cross-dock shipments. |
RPS | Replacement Parts | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
TOL | Invoice Out of Balance to Purchase Order | No action is necessary. This is an internal Lowe’s code. |
TWO | Multiple Invoices Received for Location/Purchase Order Combination – Refer to Billing Requirements | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions.
*To expedite the payment of future invoices, submit one invoice per location/PO combination. Refer to Lowe’s billing requirements. |
UAB | Invoice Contains Charge(s) Being Researched by Lowe’s | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
VOD | Purchase Order Cancelled/Voided | Provide the signed POD and BOL for prepaid shipments and the POPU and BOL for collect shipments. The ASN is also required for cross-dock shipments. |
WRO | Quantity and/or Pricing Discrepancy Between Invoice and Receipt and/or Purchase Order | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions.
|
XXX | System Code | Vendor action is required only if requested in correspondence instructions. |
Related Reading: Vendor Performance (Compliance/OTIF) at Lowe's
SPS Revenue Recovery Can Help
Understanding, tracking, and disputing problem invoices at Lowe’s is a tall order.
Suppliers often struggle to navigate the various problem invoice statuses and the actions required by them. And even once a dispute is initiated, suppliers can find it difficult to locate and monitor invoices over time. Despite a lot of time and effort being spent, dollars are still being left on the table.
SPS Revenue Recovery provides an alternative to inefficient and confusing manual processes for managing problem (open) invoices. By partnering with SPS, you can:
Gain better visibility into the current state of each problem invoice.
Understand what actions (if any) are needed and why.
Easily transition between disputing problem invoices and deductions.
Recover more revenue with less effort.
