Hardware store of choice?

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In my pursuit of a career, I was recently hired on as a Manager Trainee for 84 Lumber. Not a spectacular job to start, but as far as I can tell, is a great starting point for someone in my shoes. 1-2 year training, then relocating to manage or co-manage a shop of my own. The last few months I've been working for Lowe's (left Pepboys after four months, spent 10 years at my employer before that) so this has me curious about everyone's experience either shopping or working for home improvement/hardware stores?

Do you prefer ACE, Home Depot, Lowe's, 84 Lumber, TrueValue? If possible, I'd love to support mom and pop stores, but they are far and few between where I am at. There is a place called Pat's that sells all kinds of discounted home improvement goods. I plan on shopping there more when I have expendable income to work on some projects.
 
I have heard all of those Hardware stores besides 84 Lumber. I guess they don't exist up here. I have no preference, just who can get me the best deal!
 
Congratulations and best of luck.

My experience in the 1960's was that 84 Lumber was one of the only places to get lumber. There were a couple of lumber yards locally but, they were locally owned yards with 1 or 2 stores. We had or still have, Ridge Lumber, Exchange Lumber, Chase-Pitkin, Mathews & Fields but, they're only local. We've also had Mr.2nds(a.k.a. Lumber Liquidators).

Since then, we've had our furry of chain home improvement stores come & go. HD, Ace, Lowe's etc. are the ones that have lasted and are nation wide. So, these are the stores that I most frequent unless I need something special that the BIG BOX doesn't carry.
 
Supporting a "Mom & Pop" store has little or nothing to do with your situation.

Big stores have been known to over expand (Lowe's in Ticonderoga, NY) and "M&Ps" can just fold when the elder dies.

We have one of the very best family run hardware stores near me. It bore their name.
It tried to go "True Value" but the wares were shoddy. That was dumped for "Ace".
The shop is again strong.

How many of those are out there for you to consider them as career models is questionable.
 
Usually Ace Hardware. I need something small and it is a quick in and out. Also the employees are always ready to help almost the minute you enter the store.
 
Originally Posted By: FordBroncoVWJeta
I have heard all of those Hardware stores besides 84 Lumber. I guess they don't exist up here. I have no preference, just who can get me the best deal!


There should be in in Lenexa and Kansas City. They cater more to contractors and subcontactors than individuals. HD and Lowe's have the "average Joe" market locked down.
 
Originally Posted By: ZZman
Usually Ace Hardware. I need something small and it is a quick in and out. Also the employees are always ready to help almost the minute you enter the store.


I didn't understand how Ace was superior in customer service until I started working at Lowes.

I usually work as a cashier in Lawn and Garden, but when I go on break or go to the bathroom, a customer will see me walk by and presume I'm a specialist in the department I am walking by. Most people don't like to hear that I don't know everything about a store that has millions of items in stock LOL but that's the thing, Lowes is HUGE versus the smaller, more specialized inventory that ACE would carry. It's easier and more accessible for an employee at ACE to know about the store in it's entirety than it is for someone at Lowes, especially one who is primarily a cashier.

It's also hard to keep some of these stores employed. The wages won't attract "specialists" but the store requires people with above average work ethic willing to learn the store and/or departments. I myself have gotten compliments on my willingness to go above and beyond, yet I am leaving the store for a better opportunity.

So long story short, if you need specialist advice, I wouldn't recommend going to Lowes or Home Depot; however if you need general help and need a variety of items at a reasonable price, Lowes is your place. Nothing against HD, I'm just partial to Lowes, even before I started working there.
 
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I shop at Lowes. Automatic 10% military discount year around.
 
ACE HQ knows how to stock actually useful stuff. Cheap- and high-grade fasteners in SAE, metric, and fine thread. The franchise fees are probably higher than True Value or Trustworthy but it's worth it to have return customers, IMO.

They pack a lot of stuff in 5000-10000 sq feet.
 
Due to location, I usually end up at Menard's but occasionally have gone to Lowe's or HD for a better deal. They're all pretty much the same.
 
There is a huge variation in the independently owned Ace, True Value and "Do It Best" hardware stores.
There are two stand out locally owned hard stores in my county: Nutter Hardware and Roush Hardware.
Roush hardware owns a Honda auto dealer behind the hardware store.
 
Originally Posted By: ZZman
Usually Ace Hardware. I need something small and it is a quick in and out. Also the employees are always ready to help almost the minute you enter the store.

Where I live, the nearest hardware store is 15 miles away. It's an ACE hardware. And, VERY FRIENDLY! These employees are tripping over themselves with great manners. And, they are VERY knowledgeable.
HOME DEPOT is about 56 miles away. I prefer it over the other big box hardware stores. BTW, La. used to have 84 LUMBER stores. FL. still has them. Well, in Tampa Bay area anyway.
 
Originally Posted By: Bud
I shop at Lowes. Automatic 10% military discount year around.

Really? I didn't know this. I will keep this in mind.
BTW, what kind of proof do I need to show I'm a Veteran?
 
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
Originally Posted By: ZZman
Usually Ace Hardware. I need something small and it is a quick in and out. Also the employees are always ready to help almost the minute you enter the store.

Where I live, the nearest hardware store is 15 miles away. It's an ACE hardware. And, VERY FRIENDLY! These employees are tripping over themselves with great manners. And, they are VERY knowledgeable.
HOME DEPOT is about 56 miles away. I prefer it over the other big box hardware stores. BTW, La. used to have 84 LUMBER stores. FL. still has them. Well, in Tampa Bay area anyway.


Same here … every time I’m hearing folks that don’t have a good “mom & pop” I think of how our hardware store is a mix of both … solid owners and staff … but the buying power of a large chain.
 
We have a hardware store called The pick & shovel in Newport Vermont Family owned. Complete maple sugaring supplies. Lumber-pellets-coal. Tractors-meticulous kept small pets tropical fish-birds. Full clothing shoes-camping. Everything and yes an ice cream stand in summer.
 
Lots of bags work in the local mom and pop so I hardly go there. It's like going to the license branch..

The town where we both started working and will most likely move to has a great little store. Decent prices and lots of bee keeping supplies of all things. The nearest big box store would probably be Menards at 30 minutes or so, but no big deal. I have no real preference between the big 3.
 
Originally Posted By: littleant
We have a hardware store called The pick & shovel in Newport Vermont Family owned. Complete maple sugaring supplies. Lumber-pellets-coal. Tractors-meticulous kept small pets tropical fish-birds. Full clothing shoes-camping. Everything and yes an ice cream stand in summer.

We need one of those here. It would sure fit in here very nice, here in the country.
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I used to have an employee/pipe fitter that worked for me in the fab shop, that was from Vermont. He had a very thick Northern accent. He and I would fun around about each of our accents, mine being cajun. Anyway, he told me about how he would "milk" the Maple trees for syrup. He had brought some from home and gave me a can of REAL Vermont Maple syrup. In return I gave him a can of STEEN'S pure cane sugar syrup from La. that I had from visiting my parents. That Maple syrup was the BEST syrup I have ever eaten in my life!
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Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Lots of bags work in the local mom and pop so I hardly go there. It's like going to the license branch..

The town where we both started working and will most likely move to has a great little store. Decent prices and lots of bee keeping supplies of all things. The nearest big box store would probably be Menards at 30 minutes or so, but no big deal. I have no real preference between the big 3.


That reminds me of one I hit on the way to the coast. He still has tools, plumbing (hard to find), electrical … but stocks lots of things people need for the weekend place like crab traps, outdoor cooking gear, heavy duty cleaning supplies etc …
This place is decorated with old antique signs and items … but no A/C …
 
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
Originally Posted By: Bud
I shop at Lowes. Automatic 10% military discount year around.

Really? I didn't know this. I will keep this in mind.
BTW, what kind of proof do I need to show I'm a Veteran?


I registered on line first, and then I had to go in to my local Lowe's to complete the registration. Instructions were to take your DD214 wit you and they complete the registration in the store. The discount is tied to your myLowes card.
 
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