Whatever happened to REAL hardware stores?

[Moho]

This has been bothering me for a couple days now so I thought I vent somewhere and provide info for a true hardware store.

Went to the local big box store because it was the evening and my local hardware store was closed. Needed a couple of NPT plugs to test my water tank for leaks. I go to the plumbing section and get the typical, "Can I help you?". So I bite, normally I say no thanks "Sure, I need a couple of 3/8" NPT plugs". The response I get, "A who? Oh wait you want the electrical section." I respond with "No, National Pipe Thread Plug." and I get "What thread are you looking for? Coarse or Fine?" At that point I shake my head and walk out of the store, I can wait until tomorrow.

My question is what happened to the real hardware stores? Where the people that work there actually know what hardware is and can actually assist you when you have a question. There used to be one in every neighborhood.

So if you live in Indianapolis or ever here check out Marien Hardware on the southside. You can walk in and say "I need a 3/8 NPT Plug" and the only question you'll get is "Galvanized, Black, Brass or plastic?" Great little store and they always have everything you'll need AND the guy knows how many he has of everything and where, off the top of his head. It's floor to ceiling home made shelving and the isles are so close you can barely walk through the place. No lumber (that is for the lumber yards), it's a HARDWARE store.

Info is below...

http://www.yellowbook.com/profile/marie ... assid=4302

If you know a great little store in your area post it in this thread

[Mightydog]

I feel your pain, brutha.

We have been seen at the local big box store, sure. But we have been making more of an effort to go to at least Ace Hardware as they're locally owned.

In the Portland OR area, Wink's Hardware is the place to go for hardware help.

Here's their link:
http://www.winkshardware.com/

[bobhenry]

Ace is as good as it get here. They are standing by the door at the ready and in dozens and dozens of trips I have only stumped them once with an unusual request.

She was new and had never seen an elevator bolt

The old mom and pops are dead and buried thanks in large part to the
Wal mart's and the mass buying of the big box giants.

The sole proprietor handled each and every piece in that store multiple times, when he ordered it, when he recieved it, when he stocked it ,when he paid for it ,and when he inventoried for reorder, so it is very likely he was real familiar with each and every item in his store. It ain't that way anymore !

[Kevin & Sandy]

My local hardware store is great, it is a True Value. The owner is super knowledgeable and can always figure out what I am feebly trying to explain. He always saves me trips to town with his advice.

I always try to support them, but sometimes it is tough to do. I bought D-con from him for $8 and 30 miles away at the bigbox store the same package was $2.50. Of course I can't drive 30 miles to save a couple bucks but still....

[GuitarPhotog]

We have a couple here in the SF Bay Area, Wisnom hardware in San Mateo has been in business for over 100 years, and Dale Hardware in Fremont has been there for more than 60 years.

Both stores have folks who know what they are doing. The only time I go to a "big box" store is for stupid stuff like tarps and propane canisters that don't require any knowledge.

<Chas>

[rebapuck]

Electronics killed math. When was the last time junior counted your change back to you? I always look over the register to make sure he's pulling out the right number of bills and coins.

[planovet]

Fortunately in the Dallas area we have Elliotts Hardware.

Good thing is they are just down the street (for me). Bad thing is that they are closed on Saturdays.

A really good hardware store is hard to find these days.

http://www.elliottshardware.com/

[swissarmygirl]

We have a "real" hardware store in my town, but I won't go in there anymore. Anytime I've gone in there, I get ignored. Apparently I have no business being in there since I am a woman. So, as much as I would like to support the local businesses, I drive the extra to go to the next closest place, which happens to be Home Depot.

[Aaron Coffee]

Or being able to explain what you are trying to do and they could say "well, this might work or this..." Go to the big box stores and tell them you are building a teardrop camper and get a blank stare and a "what?" then "you might try the rv place down the road, we don't carry RV parts." That is even if they know where the nearest RV dealer is. And then in the big box stores you find an employee in the area you are looking for parts in and they say "that's not my area."

[CarlLaFong]

It's not just hardware. It has permeated our entire lives. Real auto parts stores, real restaurants, real service stations, real people on the phone. Service is an unknown concept anymore. I told the clerk at the supermarket, a while back, to stop texting and look at me while she scanned my items and took my money. I paid for that phone by shopping at that store and helping to pay her bloated union salary. She makes as much as I did, as a union carpenter, doing exactly the same thing I do when I choose the self checkout line, Scan, bag repeat as necessary.
Rant over

[rebapuck]

In spite of her skepticism, my sister-in-law gave me my request for Christmas many years ago. It probably needs updating now. But I love looking through The Complete Illustrated Guide To Everything Sold in Hardware Stores And Garden Centers (except the plants) by Steve Ettlinger.

I can usually find ideas to help solve a problem or a new use for something. And I like going into a hardware store with the correct name of what I'm looking for.

[Verna]

Moho, Marien Hardware has saved me a bunch of times--on the job and off.

Dannemiller on SR 135 in Greenwood is another great one. Menard's built a new store right behind their store, but Dannemiller has survived because they KNOW what you want, and they have it. If they don't have it, they can and will get it for you.

Ace Hardware on the south side of Greenwood is a newer store and they're getting a good reputation about their knowledge and helpfulness.

Verna

[CARS]

Our "real" hardware store is closing it's doors. It's been 60% off for the last couple weeks. Not much left.

I always spent a few hundred dollars up there a month. The final bill came today..... $584.32!! Ouch!!!

Going to miss them. I have a real good stock of nut, bolts, screws, etc. but when I needed something odd or just plain ran out of something, they were there. Yes, it was over priced but my nearest other store is a half hour away.

Farewell Jim's Hardware Hank.

[pete42]

Load up the car head over to Berlin (brr lon) Ohio in the Amish country to Lehman's hardware they cater to the Amish so lots of good old fashion stuff,

or head east on 70 to Springfield Ohio south on 72 to Cedarville Ohio hardware store same as it was when I graduated back in 1960, floors still creak nails in kegs and it smells the same now as then.

Pete

[CarlLaFong]

There is always the option, at least in larger communities, to shop at places like Grainger, Fastenal, local electrical and plumbing supply houses, lumberyards and the like. I have a small Grainger store a few miles from me and they can, generally, get whatever I need in a few hours if I order early in the day. Next day at the latest. My local lumberyard has everything I could ever need or they can get it. Plywoods from CDX to exotic veneers, rough cut hardwood, etc. I still use the Borg most of the time, but I've been going there for years and know their inventory better than they do. I will not buy plywood from them in the summer. They have swamp coolers. When I get the stuff home, it warps up as it acclimates in my shop. I had a sheet of 1/4 oak darn near turn into a cylinder a few years ago