Another Fan Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 (edited) Where I am The Home Depot pretty much monopolizes hardware equipment. I saw the Valu chain a bit driving around WNY. Mom and pop hardware stores I suppose are a thing of the past but it looks like this franchise tries to give that feel Edited June 12, 2018 by Another Fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Yes, Valu is definitely a thing of the Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 See if there is a Harbor Freight in your area... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 I live less than a mile from HD HQ. Bought our house from an exec there. They own Atlanta much like Coke, but Ace Hardware always has the best service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 9 minutes ago, Augie said: I live less than a mile from HD HQ. Bought our house from an exec there. They own Atlanta much like Coke, but Ace Hardware always has the best service. Just had an Ace hardware open near us on Memorial downtown. And it's a nice one! Love going there instead of HD or Lowes when I just need simple things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Egg Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 54 minutes ago, Another Fan said: a thing of the but Hardware stores are the least of your concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 2 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said: Just had an Ace hardware open near us on Memorial downtown. And it's a nice one! Love going there instead of HD or Lowes when I just need simple things. They are awesome. Unlike a smarmy car dealer who swarms you when you set foot on the lot, you walk in the door, they ask what you need and take you right to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 3 minutes ago, Augie said: They are awesome. Unlike a smarmy car dealer who swarms you when you set foot on the lot, you walk in the door, they ask what you need and take you right to it! For real! It's like being back at the Ace on French Rd in Cheektowaga! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 I found a certain size drill bit I needed at Ace that Home Depot did not carry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Just now, Just Jack said: I found a certain size drill bit I needed at Ace that Home Depot did not carry. Hmmm, THAT would be unexpected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Just now, Augie said: Hmmm, THAT would be unexpected. I was a weird size that was required for some equipment we were installing. 31/64" or something similar. 1/2" was just a little to big a hole, and 3/8" was not big enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Just now, Just Jack said: I was a weird size that was required for some equipment we were installing. 31/64" or something similar. 1/2" was just a little to big a hole, and 3/8" was not big enough. Anyone who makes 31/64” needs to be slapped! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Augie said: Anyone who makes 31/64” needs to be slapped! Tell that to a machinist or millwright. There are drill bits you can only imagine. Actually, based on your statement, I doubt you can. Edited June 12, 2018 by Ridgewaycynic2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misterbluesky Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 1 hour ago, Another Fan said: Where I am The Home Depot pretty much monopolizes hardware equipment. I saw the Valu chain a bit driving around WNY. Mom and pop hardware stores I suppose are a thing of the past but it looks like this franchise tries to give that feel The only "beef" I have with Valu is the fact they have a limited paint/stain selection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 (edited) 30 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said: Tell that to a machinist or millwright. There are drill bits you can only imagine. I’m sure that’s clearly true, but does it have to be? Yes, I’m sure there are reasons.......... Personally, I’d round off more. Maybe 31/64” isn’t absolutely necessary. So close to a simple 1/2. Can you make THAT work? ? Edited June 12, 2018 by Augie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 You still have Hectors. That's as mom & pop as you'll see anymore. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Egg Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 1 hour ago, Another Fan said: Where I am The Home Depot pretty much monopolizes hardware equipment. I saw the Valu chain a bit driving around WNY. Mom and pop hardware stores I suppose are a thing of the past but it looks like this franchise tries to give that feel Newsflash Sarsaparilla: Hardware stores in 2018 aren't fuzzy warm sunshine and lollipops places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 1 minute ago, Ifartalot said: Newsflash Sarsaparilla: Hardware stores in 2018 aren't fuzzy warm sunshine and lollipops places. Why not? Ace Hardware does it in a way others could emulate. I like the mom and pop places, but obviously they have limitations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Egg Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 13 minutes ago, Augie said: Why not? Ace Hardware does it in a way others could emulate. I like the mom and pop places, but obviously they have limitations. .....and maybe they'll ruffle your hair, give you an "attaboy" and a sucker to go too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Ifartalot said: .....and maybe they'll ruffle your hair, give you an "attaboy" and a sucker to go too. Keep your hands off my head....unless it’s a scalp massage. I’m good with that! I can keep the sucker for my grandson. It's all good. Nothing wrong with a little customer service. For minimal purchases I will always go to the high service place. Edit: that’s actuallly not true. I prefer an Ace Hardware, but HD is more convenient, so I go there usually. Edited June 12, 2018 by Augie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Menards in the MidWest... I take is kinda like the Valu thing? Gotta check it out, been years since I was in one, in town (WNY) this week. Mom & Pop's are now Ace's... In our town local hardware is affiliated w/Ace. I take for marketing strength? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowgirlsFan Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Mr CGF prefers Ace over Home Depot. Loves their personal service. He'll even make a longer drive to shop there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChevyVanMiller Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 I would drive past two HDs to get to a Valu. Incredible service and always an employee waiting to help you find what you need. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cripple Creek Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 9 hours ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said: Actually, based on your statement, I doubt you can. Unnecessary, really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wacka Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Valu has been around for 50 years. It is owned by the family of of Mike Amico, the Erie County Sheriff from the 70s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrader Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 I have an ACE and a Home Depot very close to my house. The ACE is a bit on the small side though. That limited shelf space really hurts them in terms of what they can carry. If not for that, I'd probably go there more often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teef Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 11 hours ago, Just Jack said: I found a certain size drill bit I needed at Ace that Home Depot did not carry. the home depot by us has fantastic customer service, but i just don't like what they carry most of the time. i end up getting what i want at lowes typically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 (edited) Hector's probably comes the closest in WNY to an old time hardware store. Caring for the household of an elderly relative had me running to the Maple Rd. near N. Forest location often. Valu looks at times like it's trying to be Home Depot with a (un)healthy dose of Dollar General crap thrown in. Edited June 12, 2018 by Ridgewaycynic2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo_Gal Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 I like Valu. If you are buying screws, nails, spray paint, etc you walk in, someone says, "may I help you" and they take you directly to the item. In and out in 10 minutes. Ace is interesting... the one in Clarence and Batavia (same franchise) has terrible CS, but the one in Niagara Falls (same franchise as the other two) has very personal, good CS. They have a few more locations in the area as well. If I "need" to hit an Ace, I go to the one in Lockport. That store has good customer service. I never think to go to Hector's. I know my husband will shop there occasionally. There is also True Value. Ed Young's on Main Street is an interesting (expensive) hardware store. I see the plumbing truck out occasionally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpberr Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 I prefer Home Depot over Lowe's. While both aren't known for customer service, the Home Depot associates at least acknowledge the customers in their presence in Pennsylvania. ? I like shopping at a local Ace Hardware. For one, they sell Stihl products which are superior to any of the stuff they sell at Home Depot or Lowe's. Two, they stock a lot more parts for tractors, snowblowers and gas grills than a big box. That comes in handy when online ordering won't beat the snowstorm or your tractor is marooned in a half cut yard. I buy basic tools like wrenches and sockets from Harbor Freight. If you're a mechanic, they probably don't cut it but for general maintenance of your vehicles or house, you can get a lot of mileage out of Pittsburgh tools for a good price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steptide Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Are we talking about Tru value vs home depot? 2 hours ago, dpberr said: I prefer Home Depot over Lowe's. While both aren't known for customer service, the Home Depot associates at least acknowledge the customers in their presence in Pennsylvania. ? I like shopping at a local Ace Hardware. For one, they sell Stihl products which are superior to any of the stuff they sell at Home Depot or Lowe's. Two, they stock a lot more parts for tractors, snowblowers and gas grills than a big box. That comes in handy when online ordering won't beat the snowstorm or your tractor is marooned in a half cut yard. I buy basic tools like wrenches and sockets from Harbor Freight. If you're a mechanic, they probably don't cut it but for general maintenance of your vehicles or house, you can get a lot of mileage out of Pittsburgh tools for a good price. Home depot does sell good quality like cub cadet, but I understand your point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jokeman Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 I've had good and bad experiences at the Home Depot, on the bad I went to one that their app/web site had they had a certain wall mirror in stock. I asked an employee for help locating the mirror. She walked away and never heard from her afterwards. At that same store I saw another employee who couldn't locate it either yet she called in to another store about 20 minutes away and see if they had it in stock, they did. So I went to that store and sure enough not where the other mirrors were and was ready to quit when an employee there helped me locate the mirror that were in a special stocked area. I know people will cry a mirror? Truth is those things are expensive and was able to get a 42 inch mirror for $25.00 which is a steal. Other times have had good experiences is when I couldn't locate a hedge trimmer because again they had them set aside in a sale section. Yet the best is one I needed help getting a certain sized bolt, usually this is when you want a small mom and pop store yet the guy working that aisle was able to size the bolt and find me a replacement within 5 minutes of dealing with him. Yet I do like Valu too but because of location and amount of things to get I usually stick to Home Depot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpberr Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 2 hours ago, Steptide said: Are we talking about Tru value vs home depot? Home depot does sell good quality like cub cadet, but I understand your point Ironically, I worked at a True Value from when I was 12 to 22. Back in the day before the Internet and even Home Depot, you had to first learn how to fix things yourself, then be able to communicate it to customers. Even had to mix paint using just a book and cut keys with human hands on the machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steptide Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 10 minutes ago, dpberr said: Ironically, I worked at a True Value from when I was 12 to 22. Back in the day before the Internet and even Home Depot, you had to first learn how to fix things yourself, then be able to communicate it to customers. Even had to mix paint using just a book and cut keys with human hands on the machine. The True value stores around me (rochester) all went out of buisness. The product selection there was terrible. Everytime I went in there I felt like all they ever had was the bare minimum. Plus if I remember correctly the prices were pretty high. I appreciate small businesses and mom and pop type places, but sometimes big box stores makes alot of sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Beard Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 3 hours ago, The Jokeman said: I've had good and bad experiences at the Home Depot, on the bad I went to one that their app/web site had they had a certain wall mirror in stock. I asked an employee for help locating the mirror. She walked away and never heard from her afterwards. At that same store I saw another employee who couldn't locate it either yet she called in to another store about 20 minutes away and see if they had it in stock, they did. So I went to that store and sure enough not where the other mirrors were and was ready to quit when an employee there helped me locate the mirror that were in a special stocked area. I know people will cry a mirror? Truth is those things are expensive and was able to get a 42 inch mirror for $25.00 which is a steal. Other times have had good experiences is when I couldn't locate a hedge trimmer because again they had them set aside in a sale section. Yet the best is one I needed help getting a certain sized bolt, usually this is when you want a small mom and pop store yet the guy working that aisle was able to size the bolt and find me a replacement within 5 minutes of dealing with him. Yet I do like Valu too but because of location and amount of things to get I usually stick to Home Depot. When I go to Home Depot or Lowe’s I look up the item on line and it will say where it is. Bay 8 of Aisle 12, or whatever. I have had good luck with that tactic. The last time I was in Home Depot I was looking for a can of spray foam insulation. I couldn’t find it so I pulled out my phone and looked it up. It was on the end of an aisle about ten feet from where I was standing. I felt foolish, but nobody knew about it. Until now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Lamb Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 I get to choose between them all but when I walk into a Valu or Ace there is always someone to help you out. Lowes, which I have owned stock in for years is such a disaster now. Plus, they are dumping Jimmy Johnson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherpa Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 33 minutes ago, Bob Lamb said: I get to choose between them all but when I walk into a Valu or Ace there is always someone to help you out. Lowes, which I have owned stock in for years is such a disaster now. Plus, they are dumping Jimmy Johnson. Marvin Ellison takes over as CEO of Lowes on July 2. He did fairly well at Penny's, which is a disaster, and was at Home Depot for twelve years before that. Stock is up 15% since late May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jokeman Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 16 hours ago, Gray Beard said: When I go to Home Depot or Lowe’s I look up the item on line and it will say where it is. Bay 8 of Aisle 12, or whatever. I have had good luck with that tactic. The last time I was in Home Depot I was looking for a can of spray foam insulation. I couldn’t find it so I pulled out my phone and looked it up. It was on the end of an aisle about ten feet from where I was standing. I felt foolish, but nobody knew about it. Until now. Oh I know about that feature as it helped me find some wood dowels a few weeks back, yet with the trimmer it told me see a store associate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teef Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 16 hours ago, Gray Beard said: When I go to Home Depot or Lowe’s I look up the item on line and it will say where it is. Bay 8 of Aisle 12, or whatever. I have had good luck with that tactic. The last time I was in Home Depot I was looking for a can of spray foam insulation. I couldn’t find it so I pulled out my phone and looked it up. It was on the end of an aisle about ten feet from where I was standing. I felt foolish, but nobody knew about it. Until now. i absolutely love this option. i use it every time in in those stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
\GoBillsInDallas/ Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 There are tools that you can get at Home Depot that you can't get anywhere else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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