Idaho Lumber/Ace Hardware Shopping Guide

Why You Should Visit

• Exceptional Customer Service: You’ll find incredibly helpful and knowledgeable staff throughout the store. Multiple reviews praise the assistance provided by Say, Katrina, Diana, Angie, and Jay, highlighting their willingness to go above and beyond to help customers find solutions and products. One associate even spent over an hour on the phone with suppliers to source a specific item.
• Family-Owned and Community Focused: This is a family-run business with owners who are deeply involved and committed to providing excellent customer service and supporting the Wood River Valley community. You can expect a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
• Extensive Product Knowledge: Staff members possess expertise in various areas, including paint (color matching and application advice), plumbing (finding specific toilet parts, though some common sizes may be unavailable), and general hardware needs. The ability to source unique items like specialized construction equipment was also noted.
• Competitive Pricing: While not always as extensive as larger chains, the selection is sufficient for many common hardware needs. Prices are consistently competitive with larger retailers like Lowe’s and Home Depot, often within a dollar or two of their pricing, making it a convenient and cost-effective option.
• Convenient Location & Services: The store offers a wide variety of items including paint, plumbing supplies, and general hardware. They also offer special order services if they don’t have what you need in stock, and accommodate returns (even when the customer is at fault). They recently completed a parking lot overhaul, significantly improving accessibility.
• Friendly Atmosphere: Expect friendly greetings from owners and staff, a welcoming atmosphere, and generally positive interactions throughout the shopping experience.

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Limited Selection: While they can special order, the inventory may not always match the broader selection available at larger hardware stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot. One review describes difficulties finding a common bathtub plug and suggests their bathroom supplies section might be limited.
• Inconsistent Customer Experiences: Although many reviewers had positive experiences, there was one review highlighting negative encounters with unhelpful staff, including incorrect information provided about a toilet part and a frustrating attempt to purchase a bathtub plug.
• Potential for Stock Issues: At least one review indicated difficulty locating a specific plumbing part due to its uncommon size.