Niemann Ace Hardware Columbus: A Shopper’s Guide
Why You Should Visit
- Exceptional Personalized Service (in some cases): You’ll find incredibly helpful staff who go above and beyond. One shopper received full assembly, operational instruction, and even post-purchase phone support for a battery-powered lawnmower and weed trimmer. They even loaded the items into the shopper’s car.
- Access to Unique Items and Brands: The location offers a good selection of name-brand products not found everywhere. They also carry unusual or hard-to-find parts, saving you time searching online.
- Convenient Local Option: It’s a great local hardware store, ideal for quick trips and avoiding big box store crowds. They even offer equipment rentals, including unusual items like a metal detector. Rental prices are described as “cheap”.
- Well-Organized and Clean Store: The store is described as well-organized and clean, making shopping a more pleasant experience.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
- Inconsistent Customer Service: Be aware that customer service experiences vary greatly. Some shoppers report being completely ignored upon entering, while others receive exceptional attention. One shopper described employees as “clowns” due to their apparent lack of knowledge and unhelpful attitudes regarding an online return.
- Pricing Concerns: Prices may be significantly higher than at larger retailers. One shopper noted inflated prices, especially compared to other areas. A discrepancy between advertised ($9.99) and actual ($14.99) price for a hanging basket was also reported, along with a pricing discrepancy between a sign’s price and register price for a hanging plant ($19.99 vs $29.99).
- Limited Return Policy: Returns of online orders picked up at a different Ace store may not be accepted here. There’s no guarantee that coupons can be applied to online pickup orders after the fact.
- Subpar Rental Experience: For equipment rentals, consider alternatives like Home Depot. The reviews indicate potentially higher prices, poor service, and non-honored reservations at this Ace location.
- Self-Service Pickup: Online pickup orders may require you to collect your items yourself, with minimal assistance offered.
