House of Antique Hardware: A Shopper’s Guide

Why You Should Visit

• Exceptional Product Quality: You’ll find high-quality, beautifully crafted antique and reproduction hardware. I’ve personally purchased cupboard latches that were exceptionally well-made, from the weight and finish to the packaging. Other shoppers rave about the quality of push-button switches, faceplates, hinges, and even door bolts (though replacement parts are apparently not readily available).
• Unique and Hard-to-Find Items: The location offers a huge selection of hard-to-find items perfect for home restoration projects. I successfully sourced unique faceplates for my home bar, and others have found period-specific hardware for historic home renovations that was difficult to locate elsewhere.
• Competitive Pricing: While some items can be expensive (like the $170 lockset I saw mentioned), many shoppers report great prices, especially considering the quality. I even discovered some great sales during my visits.
• Excellent Customer Service (with caveats): Many reviewers praised the exceptional customer service, particularly over the phone, with knowledgeable staff who readily offered advice and assistance. One shopper mentioned their positive experiences spanning seven years of purchases and others described helpful interactions resolving order issues, including incorrect orders and broken parts. My own experience confirmed this.
• Fast Shipping: I experienced fast shipping on several orders, even after some unexpected backorders.
• Detailed Product Descriptions: The website provides incredibly detailed product descriptions. This was a key factor in drawing me to this business.

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Website Limitations: Be aware that the website relies heavily on renderings rather than actual product photos. The actual products often exceed expectations, but you won’t have a completely accurate visual preview before ordering.
• Return Policy Issues: The return policy concerning shipping costs is unclear. One shopper was disappointed that their full refund did not include the original shipping charges.
• Lack of Replacement Parts: The business apparently does not always carry replacement parts. One shopper reported being forced to buy an entire assembly ($200+) to replace a single door bolt, and was met with unhelpful customer service.
• Inconsistent Customer Service Experiences: While many had positive experiences, several reported difficulties, including unhelpful or argumentative customer service representatives. In one case, a hardware specialist refused to help with a replacement part issue because they only dealt with “new orders”. Another case described several unanswered calls and emails after an initial helpful interaction.
• Product Inaccuracies: One shopper received a lock set with mismatched parts, highlighting potential quality control concerns. Another received a mail slot that was unsuitable for their door, a detail not mentioned in the description.