Alpine Lumber: A Santa Fe Shopping Guide
Why You Should Visit
- Exceptional Lumber Selection: You’ll find unique, high-quality lumber, including exotic woods, not readily available elsewhere in Santa Fe. One shopper drove 2.5 hours specifically for their lumber. Another noted the nicest wood selection in Santa Fe. They also offer custom milling services.
- Helpful and Knowledgeable Staff (Generally): Many shoppers praise the friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff. They go above and beyond to assist with finding specific items and offer advice. Employees even helped load lumber into a truck.
- On-Site Cutting Services: This is a significant advantage, as few other Santa Fe businesses provide this. I had a small piece cut for a very reasonable price and they did exactly what I asked.
- Support Local Business: Alpine is a family-run business, and some shoppers are willing to pay slightly higher prices to support them.
- Well-Stocked Store: It’s described as a well-stocked hardware store with a great selection of products.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
- Inconsistent Customer Service: While many praise the staff, some report encountering unfriendly or unhelpful employees. One shopper described a rude cashier and multiple unhelpful encounters. Another described the staff taking a long coffee break before attending to customers.
- Potentially High Prices: Prices are sometimes significantly higher than MSRP; one shopper found gouges priced over double the MSRP. While some accept the premium for quality and local support, others find the prices excessive compared to Albuquerque alternatives.
- Quality Control Issues: Some shoppers experienced problems with lumber quality, including splitting, warping, and poorly dried wood. One purchased plywood that split immediately after installation. Another found that purchased lumber warped significantly, requiring planing.
- Limited Inventory: The store lacks concrete and gutter supplies, and other items; multiple shopping trips yielded no success for one shopper.
- Past Operational Issues: In the past, the store had inconsistent hours and did not accept credit cards. While they now accept credit cards, they apparently still lack more modern payment options.
