Killingworth True Value: A Shopper’s Perspective

Why You Should Visit

• Exceptional Customer Service: You’ll find staff consistently described as friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable across various departments. I’ve personally experienced this with staff in paint, small equipment repair, key-making, and hardware sections. One employee even went above and beyond to help me match a specific Benjamin Moore paint color. Another staff member provided detailed advice on staining a knife handle, suggesting layering and sanding techniques.
• Above and Beyond Assistance: The store goes the extra mile. I witnessed an instance where they stayed open 20 minutes past closing to prepare an urgently needed generator gasket for a customer an hour away, accepting payment over the phone. They also offer overnight service for certain items, like my battery-operated lawn mower.
• Specialized Expertise: The staff possesses extensive knowledge of various products, including outdoor power equipment and John Deere tractors. The owner, Tom Cost, is frequently praised for his in-depth knowledge and helpful advice, spending an hour with one customer to help choose a chainsaw. The small equipment repair department has a great reputation for excellent work, going above and beyond with leaf blower and zero-turn mower repairs.
• Well-Stocked and Organized: The store boasts a well-organized layout, making it easy to find items. The stock is generally complete; I’ve always been able to get what I need.
• Convenient Services: Beyond retail sales, they offer repair services for various yard tools and equipment in a dedicated service center. They also offer key making services with attention to detail, like key buffing for a perfect match.
• Competitive Pricing (in some areas): Although some prices are considered high, I found that some items, like tractor oil, were competitively priced or even cheaper than other area stores.

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Pricing Concerns: Be aware that some items are priced significantly higher than at big-box stores. I personally found a pump sprayer and a washer to be substantially more expensive.
• Checkout Experience: The checkout process can be impersonal, with cashiers focusing on obtaining phone numbers for the rewards program without engaging in friendly conversation.
• Inconsistent Customer Interactions: While most experiences are positive, there are reports of employees engaging in loud, inappropriate conversations in the store. One customer reported being insulted by employees involved in such a conversation.