Ace is the place

[mjarrels]

I just rediscoverd my local ace hardware store yesterday afternoon. Great service and selection. Think I will become a regular customer. Yes, we have a home depot and a lowes (don't get me started). Only drawback is I must drive by JMU (James Madison University) and the traffic is terrible. Ace is locally owned and operated too.

mark

 

[goaliedad]

Nothing compares to a locally owned, well managed, staffed with knowledgalbe staff good old fashioned hardware store! you may be able to save a few bucks at a box store, but I would rather have a good shopping experience. Your's may be Ace, maybe it some other brand- it comes down to staff and experience.

 

[Jimbrown]

I buy lots of stuff at ACE. Specially PVC and other plumbimg stuff. It seems Home Depot and other stores never have everyting I need and i wind having to go there anyway. I also buy plants there, theirs seem to live when others die. They do tend to be a little higher in price on most things but not all.

 

[RobertN]

Nothing compares to a locally owned, well managed, staffed with knowledgalbe staff good old fashioned hardware store!

Placerville(9 miles from my house) has a hardware store that goes back to about 1850. That place is SOOO cool! Great service, and neat little things nobody else has.

 

[randy41]

Mark-my son lives in Harrisonburg. He graduated JMU last May.

 

[turnkey4099]

I live just outside a small town (3,000 pop) so understandably local stores are small with limitied inventory. Ace is an exception. The store is fairly large for this town and the inventory is amazing. So far I haven't run into anything I needed that they didn't have.

Harry K

 

[islandman]

I agree with all the rest, ACE is the PLACE! Go in there with a problem, a broken part, an idea, or whatever and they will usually come up with a reliable and economical solution, part, etc. The stores are staffed with experienced people.....retired carpenters, plumbers, painters, etc. who know the tricks of the trade and offer you help. Home Depot and Lowe's just have folks tending the aisles. The box stores are OK for lumber, landscaping, doors, windows, etc. but no match to ACE for hardware, paint, electrical, housewares, etc. We also have several fine Do-It Centers in our NW Washington area, I shop them sometimes too.

 

[rdln]

My local hardware was an ace but recently switched to a "Doitbest". He claimed that he is able to stock more selection now. He lives right around the corner from me and would be glad open the store in the middle of the night for emergencies. I try to support him but also am lured to HD or Lowes.

 

[kossetx]

I always go to the small stores when I can. I really dislike the mega stores and I can't ever seem to find just whhat I need there.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I just rediscoverd my local ace hardware store yesterday afternoon. Great service and selection. Think I will become a regular customer. Yes, we have a home depot and a lowes (don't get me started). Only drawback is I must drive by JMU (James Madison University) and the traffic is terrible. Ace is locally owned and operated too.

mark

There's an ACE Hardware about 10 minutes from the house. If I had my way, it'd be the objects seen floating in space near the space shuttle.. It sure doesn't need to be here. Talk about USELESS. The "help" is what ruins the place. The stores owner has them to give out little "tickets" to everyone they wait on so that the floor help gets credit for their "sales". They knock each other over to get that ticket in your hand, then they evaporate......Just disappear......without actually HELPING anyone. Cashier wants that ticket before she'll ring up a customer.

All that, and there's a BETTER hardware store just a block away, yet most of the town shops at the first place. (NOT because they're cheaper either)

I like John Madden. But I sure won't shop at THIS Ace Hardware

 

[goaliedad]

One of the advantages- and potential disadvantage- of ACE is they are locally owned. Generally when the owner is involved the the day to day operation things are pretty good. Sounds like the "ticket man" needs to find a different career! Very strange approach to customer service?????

 

[RobertN]

Orange and black of medium attack... VA-196

mark

Are you refering to this VA-196 ?

If so, cool! Just did a web search on it.

 

[Bird]

I like John Madden.

Hmmm, I've always considered him so obnoxious I'd change channels on the TV anytime I saw or heard him, and he's what makes it difficult for me to trade with Ace Hardware.

 

[EddieWalker]

We used to have two Ace hardware stores here in Tyler, but one went out of business a few years ago. The other is a little on the high end of prices. There selling point is that they will load the lumber on your truck for you, but they are so slow it's not worth it. One time they had sheetrock on sale almost a buck a sheet cheaper than anybody else. I bought a bunch of it, but it took all day to get it loaded!!!

I had a client one time that insisted I use Ace brand paint. They were smokers and the walls were stained real bad. I told them we needed to prime with Zinser first. It's the BEST. They said no, just use the Ace paint. They wanted it, so that's what I used.

It's the worse paint I've ever used. Not only did three coats not cover the smoke stains, but I had to keep stirring it every half hour. It was constatly seperating.

For me, it's the last place I go for stuff.

Eddie

 

[Bird]

Eddie, I guess the "key" is the fact that they're independently owned and operated. In spite of my dislike for their pitch man, and in spite of their high prices, I've actually bought a little bit from 3 different Ace Hardware stores in the past year. Two of them are where I go when I just can't find what I need anywhere else. If they don't have it, I'm probably not going to find it.