Ace Hardware – Chums Corners: A Shopper’s Guide
Why You Should Visit
- Helpful and Knowledgeable Staff: I’ve experienced firsthand the helpfulness of several employees. One staff member, Brian, expertly assisted me in finding the right product, even when my initial choice wasn’t in stock. Another employee went above and beyond, finding specific candy items for me after I’d left the store, even calling to let me know they were located and held them for pickup! A third employee even provided assistance before the store officially opened. The greeters are also consistently friendly and helpful in directing shoppers.
- Wide Selection of Inventory: This Ace Hardware boasts a surprisingly large selection of products despite its smaller size. You’ll find parts, tools, yard supplies, grills, and grill accessories. They even carry river tubes and a substantial variety of hose reels (though stock may vary depending on the season).
- Convenient Location and Online Ordering System: The store is easy to access, located conveniently close to parking. Their online ordering system is excellent; I was able to easily check availability at local stores and purchase a river tube online, picking it up later at the store that had it in stock.
- Community Focus: The store clearly values local business. Furthermore, I observed their commitment to community safety during the pandemic, by creating their own masks for customers.
- U-Haul Rentals: They offer U-Haul rentals, which was a smooth and reasonably priced experience for me.
- Traeger Grill Expertise: If you’re considering a Traeger grill, Matt is your go-to guy. He’s extremely knowledgeable and provides excellent advice.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
- Pricing: Be aware that prices can be significantly higher compared to competitors. I found the same box of Borax laundry soap to be double the price compared to Menards.
- Store Hours: Although the stated opening time is 7:30 am, I experienced a situation where the store was not open until 7:56 am on a Monday.
- Potential for Inconsistent Staff: While many employees are helpful and friendly, be prepared for the possibility of encountering unhelpful or even rude staff. One experience involved an elderly gentleman who was less than accommodating when asked about hose reels. There was also a report of a U-Haul employee being rude and unhelpful when dealing with a late trailer return due to car trouble.
- Inventory Accessibility: Stock can be an issue. During my last visit, lawnmowers being put away blocked an aisle, preventing access to needed items. Some items may be stored inconveniently, such as hose reels on high shelves.
