Belgrade Ace Hardware: A Shopper’s Guide

Why You Should Visit

• Exceptional Customer Service: You’ll consistently encounter friendly, attentive, and helpful staff. Multiple staff members, including Dawn Marie, Jeanine, Paul, Chris, and Olivia, have been specifically praised for their outstanding service, going above and beyond to assist with product selection, project advice (such as shelving and key cutting), and even providing local tips (RV routes in Montana).
• Extensive Tool Selection: The store boasts an extensive tool section. I found the range of products to be usually great.
• Convenient Services: You can rent equipment like deck sanders, saving you time and effort. The staff provides helpful tips for using the rented equipment.
• Great Garden Center: The garden center offers a nice selection of plants, including annuals and perennials, although prices may be higher than elsewhere. While the garden staff’s product knowledge may be limited, they showed empathy regarding higher prices.
• Convenient Location and Amenities: The store is well-located, and there’s often a food truck nearby; the Taco Bus is a close option.
• Helpful Problem Solving: Staff members actively search for solutions to your needs. For example, one staff member checked the back stock for a smaller item when the available ones were too large.
• Special Orders and Expertise: The staff researches options and helps you make budget-minded purchases even for larger items like riding mowers.
• In-Store Services: They offer key cutting services, which are particularly well-regarded for their precision and attention to detail.
• Coupons Available: The store offers coupons that can potentially lead to great prices, such as on hanging flower baskets. (Note: coupon usage restrictions exist.)

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Higher Prices: Be aware that prices are approximately 40% higher than at competitors like Home Depot or Lowe’s. This is a significant price difference to consider, especially for larger purchases or frequently needed items.
• Limited Automotive Selection: The automotive section is less comprehensive than other auto parts stores; I needed to visit O’Reilly’s to find the vehicle items I needed.
• Plant Availability and Pricing: While the selection is nice, healthy plants within a specific budget may be difficult to find in the garden center. ‘Organic’ plants are available, but at a higher cost.