Martin’s Ace Hardware and Building Supply: A Shopper’s Guide
Why You Should Visit
- Exceptional Customer Service: You’ll encounter incredibly helpful and friendly staff. The manager, Ashley, went above and beyond to ship an item hundreds of miles away, a service not typically offered. Marie in particular is known for her efficiency and helpfulness, readily locating and setting aside requested items. Even the paint department staff, despite being busy, remains patient and professional. This personalized service is consistently praised by shoppers.
- Convenient Location & Selection: It’s a great option if you live near Bristol and need supplies quickly, eliminating the need for a longer trip to larger stores. They pack a surprising amount of products into their aisles, covering essentials for basic projects. You’ll find a good selection of auto parts, oils, outdoor paints, mulch, topsoil, chicken and pig feed. They even stock specialized items that may be unavailable elsewhere; one shopper found an item there that was no longer available online or at other Ace stores.
- Knowledgeable Staff: Employees are not only friendly but also knowledgeable about their products, offering helpful advice and alternative solutions. This expertise is valuable for those seeking assistance with projects.
- Quick Service: Shoppers consistently report efficient service, with transactions completed quickly and staff assistance readily available.
- Support Local Business: By shopping at Martin’s, you support a local institution with decades of community service. The slightly higher prices can be seen as a contribution to the local economy.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
- Pricing: Be aware that prices are higher than at big box stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot, and significantly higher than some competitors (e.g., plywood costing $74/sheet vs. $33/sheet elsewhere). Items may be 3-4 times the price compared to other retailers. Feed prices, in particular, are noted as double the cost of competitors. This price difference should be considered against the convenience factor and the value you place on local business support.
- Limited Stock of Some Items: While they carry a wide variety of products, some basic items previously available are now less stocked since the Aubuchon’s takeover. The availability of larger equipment (lawnmowers, snow blowers) may also be limited compared to bulk buyers at larger retailers.
- Coupon Policy: Loyalty coupons may have short expiration periods (two days in one reported instance).
- Loading Dock Interaction: There have been isolated instances of less-than-positive interactions at the loading dock regarding assistance loading heavy items into vehicles.
