Local Places Discussion Board

Local Hardware Stores

AdamO — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:41:08 GMT

We've got a local Ace Hardware store, called Southern Lumber, that has exotic hardwoods, Cabinet Makers' level hand tools and an old tool museum on its 2nd floor!

Local Hardware Stores

produceguy — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:24:01 GMT

Here in Austin ,Tx. there's a really good one called Breed & company,it's small in size but it has everything except wood,at Christmas it has the best decorated trees you'll see anywhere,it's also the place you go for small kitchen hand gagets

Hardware Stores

AdamO — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:27:45 GMT

Now, I can move my Craftsman flame-backed chair around!

Hardware Stores

AdamO — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:41:16 GMT

They fit!

Hardware Stores

AdamO — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:47:16 GMT

I just got some button-head screw, metric, hardware for one of my Craftsman bar stools.

I was going to get the plated hardware, at aroun 3.75 each.

But, it turns out the same size pieces were available in "stainless-steel" for only around 85 cents each.

Boo-yah!

Very poor customer service

BobL27 — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:59:01 GMT

Actually, HDs Appliance department people are much different from their other people; they DO come over to you and say hello and offer help. They have their own business cards showing them as "Appliance specialist". I was very surprised at this. All other parts of the store, when an employees senses you approaching, they disappear around a corner. Its almost as if the have secret passage ways. got to yell "HELLO, EXCUSE me!" before they are gone in a flash.

Hardware Stores

AdamO — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:37:24 GMT

A really good hardware store has some surprise stuff, that not even some of the store workers know "what it is".

Like:

Would you believe spare dressing wheels for a star-wheel dresser tool?

I was floored, when I saw them!

Got me TWO sets...

The store hardware guru had to "look up" their price.

They didn't have no barcode on um!

Sweet...

Very poor customer service

AdamO — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:18:56 GMT

I agree!

It is VERY HARD to find hardly no one to help you at Home Despot...

Lizard's Thicket

AdamO — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:09:08 GMT

Ahh... Fresh Choice.

Salad fixings and more.

All I can't eat is the lettuce.

LOL!

Hardware Stores

AdamO — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:07:58 GMT

The tool area in the store I work at is pretty expansive and very well lit (near lights and fixtures).

Now, the paint section is TINY there!

The exercise equipment has done "jumped the isle" and is rapidly displacing all the Paint section.

Very poor customer service

AdamO — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:04:20 GMT

And... If the Associate is not FACING you, you might want to see if getting within their "field of vision" improves the greeting percentage.

Adam! There's a Customer needing help.

Where?

Behind the post/ around the corner...

What?

Hardware Stores

AdamO — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:59:40 GMT

And, some of the Hardware salespeople actually LIKE talking hardware!

My wife sometimes questions my being gone for over 2 hours...

Hey... They have got a LOT of furnace filters!

Lizard's Thicket

SHC-StaceyW — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:41:11 GMT

I'm asuming this local place is in SC. Ill have to look into it next time I go down that way. I love BBQ!

Hardware Stores

gulicious — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:11:39 GMT

What makes places like Lowes better is the amount of space for the product. Sears has good stuff but its in a corner of the store, or a fraction of space. Craftsman's line is a cramped area, feels dark, narrow and not friendly to anyone who is not hardcore about tool brands.

If the brand and hardware were expanded or re-designed to be more light, open and aired out, I would shop there. Seriously it does actually matter, as much as it seems like a silly issue.

Hardware Stores

TriCoRob — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:54:43 GMT

I'm sure not every Hardware Sears store does it, but the ones here do... don't tell customers a mall store has something in stock when 1)they don't call the mall store to actually find out and 2)we simply don't have it in stock.

I've had too many customers leave angry because they were told we have something in stock and they drive "all" the way to us to buy it... only to find that we don't have it after all. The person at the Hardware Store checked our inventory with the computer instead of calling our store. You DO NOT do that. Yet, most of the Hardware Stores do that around here - then we have to deal with the angry customer.

I've also had some Hardware Store associates tell a customer one thing about what they need or want and it simply isn't true. Lack of knowledge.

As I said... that seems to be a lot of the ones around us. I know it isn't all the Hardware Stores. It's frustrating, that's all.

Hardware Stores

FlyEaglesFly — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:09:25 GMT

What is your favorite thing about your local Hardware store? Why do you choose to go there instead of a big box or a mall store? What would make you choose a Sears Hardware store over a competitor?

We want to improve our free standing hardware stores and would appreciate your input.

Very poor customer service

MikeyRocks — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:25:38 GMT

Yeah most times I'm in stores nobody says Hi, but I think it's cause everytime a salesperson does talk to a customer the customer usally isn't interested in a pitch. So it usually goes like "Do you need help" and usually people will say "No, just shopping" so after awhile I think salespeople just give up, which is sort of sad since I'm sure there are some customers that do need help and don;t ask.

Hardware Stores

SHC-StaceyW — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:39:33 GMT

Obviously, I buy all my tools from Sears. Go Craftsman! But for accual hardware? Nuts and bolts? I have a inependent local small town ACE that has everything I could ever need. Hardware, Mulch, etc. I am so glad it's there or I'd spend half an hour driving just to get to a half way decent one. It was interesting to learn about OSH. Learn soemthing new everyday! Something about the smell of a hardware store........

Hardware Stores

jeeperpilot — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:30:04 GMT

I have a Sears Hardware 5 minutes down the street. I used to hate going there, but since I have been here it seems like a lot has changed at the store. Completely different staff, the new staff is friendly and helpful. The store is now stocked!!!! Before it was bearen. I love going there. Those survey's must of really helped. I am glad to have that store near me now!!!!!

Very poor customer service

AdamO — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 04:01:09 GMT

Did the Customer approach an occupied cash rep?

If you walk up to an empty register, who's going to greet you?

At the very least, they'll get acknowledged and a Sales Associate will be paged for Customer Service, since the Cashier is supposed to hang tight in the register area for other Customers who just need to buy something, or return something, or make a payment.

If an associate is NOT wearing their badge, they are not on duty yet, on a scheduled break, or just finished their shift and leaving the store.