Firstly, i am not someone who usually leaves a review. However, after my horrible experience today i feel compelled to write one. I came into the store looking for a portable lock box. I bought the item, and had asked the young (new) associate to kindly show me how to use it / set it up. He was in the process of doing so, when the owner gruffly took it out of his hands and said 'we don't do that'.. I asked the owner to kindly show me how it works, and he refused. He was a) totally unhelpful and b) very rude to both me, and the poor associate who has unfortunately chosen to work in this terrible work environment. I came out of the store shaken and feeling like i would never return to this store if it was the last hardware store on the planet. read more

It's one thing that this place has so little stock. That would be okay if the service was good. It's not. The guy in there tonight started off unhelpful and then turned rude. read more

I needed help finding a few things to hang some heavy and expensive frames. They were very helpful! I recommend shopping with them. Small store but they have a lot there - very convenient! read more

Very rude older man behind the cash register ! From other reviews, I see that this is not an isolated experience. Unfortunate. read more

Horrible experience. I went in looking to get a key made and the owner/manager did not even LOOK at the key before saying no he couldn't. We had a brief conversation where he completely dismissed and belittled me. It's a difficult key to copy and I've gone to 4 different places saying they can't do it. That's fine. What I was not expecting was this horrible man to speak to me in such a manner. I was there for maybe 2 minutes, a 30 second conversation, and then I stood outside of the building in tears over the interaction. I am sick to my stomach over this. What a horrible experience. This place had been recommended to me through some people who had also tried to make similar keys and had success, so I thought it would be possible. I am never coming back. read more

New owners, I guess. They are now closed at 4:00 on Sunday but have not update their website. I arrived just after 4:00 when they were locking up. I wish them luck, but Definitely call ahead to see if they're open. !! read more

Two troubling experiences at this store. Visit 1: Asked for a specific size bolt. Owner was helpful, led me to the right section and picked the right bolt for me after using the one i had brought to compare sizes. When i asked for more help he said "I am too busy right now figure it out yourself". A few minutes later i was in the back of the store looking for something else and he was on youtube, on the desktop in their little closet office . When I checked out the lady was upset I didnt leave the stuff closer to her to scan it. Visit 2: Hard to call this one a visit. It was 5:45, they close at 6, had just a shower drain catcher to grab and I wanted to be quick because it was close to closing on a Friday. Saw the lights on, so I walked in and down one of the aisles. Immediately, a disgruntled cashier came running after me saying "we are closed what do you need!" I said "oh I saw her (another customer) in here I thought you guys were open. He said something under his breath I didn't catch it. Then sort of chased me out of the store. When I took the attached picture, he walked out of the store and yelled "I couldn't care less" at me and another customer who had also intended to go in. He then stormed off with his unleashed boston terrier. This is such a great location and the store seems nice. Horrible people running it. Avoid and go right down the street to Model Hardware instead those guys are great. read more

Aborn True Value Hardware - Lights out at 5:50. - Hardware Stores Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

Wow - the guy that was there was a total jerk.. Went in for something simple. While my wife was asking him .. as I was down in the store, I heard the guy berating my wife until I walked up and asked "whats the problem?" At that point he calmed down and we found what we were looking for. I said exactly what my wife said. I really think this guy has an issue with women. Not sure if its best to alienate half of your potential clients. I do not recommend. Go further to find someone that doesnt think women are not worth their time. read more

Just read the first reviews below about rude interactions and service. I don't like to write about small independent businesses that have to compete with the big box stores. I live near this hardware store and like to be able to support it, and have in the past, but I too have had uncomfortable interactions with Staff. it makes it less pleasant to go in and shop. when the current owners took over years ago, One of the changes in terms of style was they ask you as soon as you came in the door, what did you want? Sometimes you know exactly what you want; I was coming in looking for some item or some service...like getting a key or a hammer. But sometimes I wanted to just go to a section of the store and see what products they have available, then maybe develop some ideas for a project I'm working on. use what I see to come up with a plan. I felt like they were concerned about people shoplifting from them. Because they can be accommodating in offering services without being hypervigilant. The first time it happened I wrote it off, but then it happened more regularly, particularly with the patriarch of the family. The wife was very nice and their son was often nice. I thought they were worried but previous owners didn't do this and other ACE hardware stores don't do this ( Model Hardware in Allston and Ace in Cleveland circle). So, it is convenient to have in the neighbor if you don't have a car or the time to drive to Home Depot. Since they expanded into the building next door, they have more space, but Model Hardware down harvard street into Allston is a larger Ace store. read more

I've seen three hardware stores close in Brookline over the last 15 years or so. Thankfully, Aborn is still there, offering personalized service and a wide variety of merchandise. Today, I brought in a 10+ year old can of paint the former condo owners left for me, to determine if I needed fresh paint. The gentleman working there was able to pry open the lid, determine it was okay, and then proceeded to mix it for me so that I wouldn't have to purchase more, and of course, at no charge. Contrary to several reviews, I am fully satisfied with their service and approachability. While a neighborhood hardware store won't have the inventory of a Home Depot, this one makes it up with location, service, and the "nuts and bolts" on display. read more

There are two hardware stores in walking distance from where I live and I usually go to the other one. I decided to try Aborn this time, but I won't be going back. The current owner does not believe in the adage, " The customer is always right" - or at least you should treat him like s/he might be. I politely tried to help him find a key blank by giving him the code that might be stamped on the blank he was looking for. He told me he didn't need my help, and handed back the key I asked his employee to copy. I guess he doesn't need my business; perhaps he doesn't need yours either. read more

Rude, curt, wildly overpriced. When I walked in wearing a hoodie and sneakers, the clerk shouted "what are you looking for?" I asked him if he meant to say "hello" or "how are you?" He said "No, what are you looking for?" Felt like racial profiling! He led me to the $45 toilet seats, saying hello to a white man along the way. I walked out of there immediately. This is the Boston I always read about. I'm going to walk a mile to another True Value (438 Harvard St) hardware store and hopefully be treated with some respect. I feel like I have to wear my university gear everywhere or get treated like a shoplifter around here. Update: 438 Harvard was a bigger, nicer, better store with friendly staff and lower prices. read more

I would've given this a 1 1/2 if possible. I've been dealing with shower flies or drain flies, and didn't have room on the side of my bathroom sink for a small dish of liquid soap like my mom used when I was younger and there were flies in the kitchen (which is also gross). I went to the hardware store, and asked. The manager/owner from the beginning acted liked he wanted nothing to do with me. I was trying to figure out for myself. When I asked the manager about a product, he called me "milady", which I found extremely condescending. He failed to give advice. I know I could have not given them any service, but I needed something. I asked his employee, a man in his mid-to-late 20's, who clearly had his hands full (and I acknowledged that). I said that his boss was being condescending, and the employee said that that was typical. He suggested a couple of items and helped me check-out. read more

It's always easy to find someone to get help, even when I don't know what I need to fix the problem I have. I can describe the problem, and they'll recommend the material or hardware I need and then walk me right to it. This is especially appreciate, since I don't really know what I'm doing and it saves me having to make multiple trips. What do I need to close a hole in wall? They made sure I had both fine and coarse sandpaper, idiot-proof spackle, and something to spread it with. How do I reattach a veneer that's peeling off a counter? They helped me get the right glue / epoxy and a clamp that would fit the tight space. The store is also surprisingly big and diversely stocked. read more

Went in to get a color match and off the bat was greeted with poor service from who I believe was the owner? regarding the size of our paint chip for color matching and was told to look at the paint samples ourselves to find a match that way... then was rudely interrupted in the middle of my sentence with a "are you done?" after trying to explain what I was looking for... AND specifically told them we did NOT need a huge paint canister since we were just patching a few paint chips, but instead was given a pint of paint that was extremely overpriced. Overall, the service was rude and condescending. Wouldn't go there again and this place deserves 0 stars but giving them 1 for the cute doggie that roamed the store. read more

The store owners are bad people, talk in an ugly and disrespectful way. Not willing to return goods, charge higher prices than any other store for the same products by at least $5 per product. I do not recommend buying from this store and definitely intend to file a complaint against them. read more

Aborn True Value Hardware - Hardware Stores Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

The best neighborhood hardware store. Amazing how much stuff they stock (most recent purchase: a repair kit for an inflatable raft that had popped.) Don't be afraid to ask the staff for help... some of what they stock is in the basement. read more

There sure are Alot of really bad reviews about this place and for good reason. I walked in the other day and some clerk with glasses was yelling at two young girls. He literally threatened to physically hit one of them and that he'd call the police. I yelled "Hey, whats going on" and the girls went right by me one of them crying. I asked if she was alright and if she wanted to call the police but she just wanted to get out of the area. I was informed that was the manager by one of the girls that she just wanted to return an item but he accused them of breaking it when it wasnt broken. I have never seen anything like that before, what a coward to say he'd hit a young girl. I dont know how this guy is managing this store, hes a menace read more

Went there last Sunday to make a copy of the key after the first duplicate did not work. The sad little man, who I guess is the owner/manager literally accused me of lying about getting the key there. When I told him it wasn't an issue and I would pay for a new one, he got so angry out of nowhere and refused to make me a new one. When I asked him why he told me to get out of the store and that if I didn't he would call the cops. This was all while I was with a two year old that I babysit for. This man's behavior was rude, shocking, and inexcusable. No one should support this business. PS: to the guy saying why are we tearing down a local business, believe me that's not on my daily agenda. I wasn't going to review this place until I thought about what if my mom or dad had to go through what I did. I would not want anyone to cross paths with this man. Also the owner flat out refused my money so maybe he should be more concerned about his business. read more

If I could give zero stars i would. The older gentleman working was incredibly rude. I was looking for an allen wrench to take apart some furniture and I was just curious to see which one would work/ fit so I wanted to observe my options. After finally being able to get his attention and asking a few questions I picked one and wanted to check out. This man started yelling at me telling me to get out of the store accusing me of stealing and tried to grab the wrench out of my hand when me, a paying customer, just wanted to check out. I ended up paying for the wrench and leaving as he told me to never come back to the store. As someone who was truly trying to purchase something to help me i'm extremely disappointed and flabbergasted by my experience in this store. read more

The day before a snowstorm, they had sleds out front, and my kid wanted the impulse buy. I went in to ask prices. An unmasked employee walked up and asked if I needed help with anything. I told them I didn't need anything and walked out. Brookline has an active mask mandate for all indoor businesses, including staff. At this moment, Norfolk county is averaging 5,000 new COVID infections per week. This pandemic is not over, and I was literally trying to make a purchase for kids too young to be vaccinated. This person not wearing a mask cost you a sale on a marked up piece of plastic. It's not worth getting my kid sick while we wait in line and missing weeks of daycare, or something worse. read more

I walked in there and asked a simple question was treated rudely. I said why is she rude and the gentlemen said to me what u say. As I waited for Material to be cut I started patting the dog, this punk said don't touch my dog. In the mean time no one had on a mask as u will see in the picture. Needless to say I called Brookline city hall and will make more phone calls. If ur not Jewish or a Brookline resident u get looked at sideways. Wrong person to treat like you did. read more

Aborn True Value Hardware - No mask - Hardware Stores Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

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I will NEVER shop here again. I needed a staple gun last week. It was the last one and had a broken package but he assured me it was fine. I specifically asked if I could return it if I ended up not using it. When i got home it was broken. I went to return it along with the staples...both UNUSED! The guy would not take it back and was SO rude about it because it was "opened." The staple gun was in one of those plastic packages that can be resealed. There policy is return within 30 days nothing used and no power tools. He wouldnt even let me return the unopened pack of staples even with a receipt because he couldn't "resell" it (even though it was broken and open to begin with). When I asked why he just walked away and said "lady im not going in circles with someone who doesnt even know how to use tools" Now reading other reviews I feel better...I thought I was going crazy for a second with how rude this man was I NEVER post reviews anywhere. I literally left the store, downloaded yelp, and now am sitting on the bench outside writing this. read more

I choose this hardware store whenever I need a small item, sometimes bigger items. They have a large inventory, they know their products and where to find any item. They often can make helpful recommendations and there is always someone readily available. They are genuinely polite and helpful. I highly recommend Aborn. It is the quintessential neighborhood hardware store and I always like to support them. read more

Came in for a fluorescent light and was sent with the wrong one. Went back to get the correct item, and the man at the counter didn't want to accept my return due to Covid. Understandable, but not when I asked for something and the sales people send me out when an incorrect item. It's your job to correct my mistake, and to ask for the correct difference. Sales people need to get on the same page and not have one person give one price and another give a higher price. Also, clerk at the counter needs to learn some manners in customer service. read more

My client bought 2 mops on Saturday quickie is the brand. When we got home we noticed that one of the mops was miss a turn key. We call immediately after the fact. A wonderful Asian woman "please come in to exchange it. So we did in good faith. Opond using the product the screws came off while folding the mop to ring it out. Yes there were applied properly. Decided to return the mops on Tuesday. This horrible man verbally harassed her say "you don't know how to work it. Placed out side and asked her to leave. Very upset she obliged and left. I her assistant wanted to confront the mean person. She begged me not to enter the store and set him straight. This person should not be representing your interest. This product is defective. Please correspond to what we can do to settle this ill customer service. Matter with defective merchandise. Looking forward to hearing from you in a timely manner. Sincerely unhappy customer . read more

Very pleasant shopping experience. Well stocked. The helpful staff knew their stuff and they had what I needed. read more

I generally go here for my smallish hardware needs. The store is pretty well-stocked and near me. But service has always been on the unfriendly side. Today I went in for a couple of screws and screw anchors, total cost under $1. I had forgotten to bring my wallet and tried to pay with a credit card. I understand that they don't want really small transactions on a card (although I believe it is not legal to refuse). But instead of handling it in any one of a number of reasonable ways, such as telling me to pay them the next time I was in, the owner very rudely said "You can't pay with that, it has to be cash." I said fine, I'd look somewhere else, and he told me I was welcome to do that. Never going back there. Not the first time with unpleasant treatment, but it will be the last. read more

I must echo what has been said before : it's mind boggling how many things are able to fit in such a small store! Though, if you show up before they open in the morning, to try to be one of the first in, you'll see them unload a TON of things onto the sidewalk - this must help with the interior spacial relations of things. It's just such a TEENY space! I have been able to find a lot of things here that I need for work and for home improvement reasons at chez Julia F. I have never been wowed by how great the customer service has been, nobody has been mean to me, but nobody has been all that outwardly nice either. Much like Economy HArdware used to do, there ar ea whole bunch of small appliances in the place for sale. Coffe maker? Yup. Plumbing fittings to finish fixing dishwasher? Mmmhmm! Large0ass roll of painters drop clothes. read more

Aborn True Value Hardware - Hardware Stores Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

Rude on the phone. I needed a particular light bulb to fit a certain fixture. He would not answer my direct questions and made up other stuff. Instead of saying he didn't know the answer to my simple question, he spoke to me in an insulting and demeaning way. Not only am I not buying that bulb there, I plan to never set foot in the store for anything else either. Home Depot it is. It's funny, you'd think they would know their only chance to fight the big box retailers is through providing decent customer service. read more

If I could give zero stars, or even negative stars, I would -- but it still wouldn't do justice to the horrible service my partner and I received at this store. I'm not a person who typically complains about service but our experience was truly awful. Yesterday one of the employees, Francisco, sold my partner a lock for moving. In the store, he approached her and asked what she needed and then gladly pointed out the most expensive lock. "This is what you need," he told her, holding the lock. So she got it and took it home, and of course it didn't fit. But still, no big deal, just return it, right? Wrong. Brought it there today. And instead of returning the $30+ lock, Francisco caused a huge scene, as he condescended my partner in front of a group checking out, telling her it couldn't be returned because the package (which -- remember -- he placed in her hand and expressly promised would work for what we needed it) had been open. When I spoke with him after, asking if the manager was available, he raised his voice further, refused to help me, and walked away. I'm all for supporting local businesses -- if we want to call a mega store like True Value with shops across the country a local business -- but service like this is just another reason not to head down Harvard Street. In the end, its only $30 or so, but to broke grad students spending nearly all their income on rent, that's a significant sum. And then there's the principle of the thing. Appalled. Edit: after reading the reviews, it looks like the employee, who said his name was Francisco, was actually Jose, the owner. Interesting. read more

Bad and insulting service. My elderly mother returned to this store after they had unsuccessfully attempted to duplicate her key. When she asked that they fix the copy they gave her, the clerk suggested that she was insane (hand gesture and all) and refused to help. She is truly a kind lady that prefers to go to local business instead of big chains. But this is one store that she will surely skip next time. read more

Avoid this hardware store at all costs. These people are so unethical. We got six keys cut here, three of them worked and three didn't. We tried to retune them and they said we can't return them but they'll recut them. That's ok I guess, but since we didn't have the original with us we returned a couple days later to get them recut. This time they claimed that they weren't their keys and we must have had them cut at a different hardware store. We literally live a few blocks from this place so we kind of know which hardware store we went to. The guy was extremely rude. You'd think that for the cost of three keys which is likely less than a dollar for him he would cut the keys. But instead he decided to be a jerk and lie about not being the ones who cut the crappy keys. They've lost a customer in us. read more

I wanted to like this store, since I live nearby. Unfortunately, I had a series of these bad interactions here. The first time I asked for advice on installing some strong hooks above a door frame. The salesperson was completely unhelpful, saying, "hey, it's your project. I can't tell you what to do." Fine, but I came to a local hardware store partially for the advice, otherwise I'd buy online. The second time a different salesperson directed me to the wrong part of the store when I was looking for weather stripping. I found it myself later. The last time a different employee was cutting some pieces from me. He took my parts before I could explain what I wanted, cut them incorrectly, then said, "it's not my problem." Useless at best, genuinely unpleasant at worst. Shop online or ask a handy friend instead. read more

The owner is horrible. No explanation of return policy or help. Said "what am I supposed to do with this" to me when I tried to return something. I understand one can't always accommodate returns but $5 to keep a customer seems reasonable especially in something like home improvement where mistakes are easily made. Maybe he should advertise return policy (other than within 30 days) and it won't feel like a scam read more

Don't not shop here!! The gray hair man is rude and unhelpful. Wanted to have 2 new keys made. (FYI- I've had the same keys made here before, I just needed a couple more). He made a new key, that was not the same length or height as the original. I asked him a simple question "if it would still work even though it was a different length?". Then he didn't respond and just threw away one of the keys, even though I was willing to pay for it. I believe in supporting small local businesses, but take your business elsewhere!!! DO NOT SHOP HERE!!! read more

I would give zero stars if I could. Extremely rude custom service, got yelled at in front of other customers Let me start by saying that I went there to buy supplies and paint to fix the rusted railing on my porch. While I was looking for supplies for my project, the owner stopped by several times to ask me what I was looking for and helped me find a wire brush, sand paper, paint tray etc. He also suggested buying a gallon of paint instead of a quart but he left the decision to me. I selected a quart of white paint and went to pay at the register. While there I decide to buy a gallon just in case I ran out of paint. The owner asked another boy working there to bring me a gallon can. So far, so good. In fact, I liked how the helpful owner was in helping me find my supplies. I paid the bill, went home, and took out all the supplies to start the project. At home I realized that the boy had brought me a gallon of black paint, instead of white. I went back to the store with the receipt to explain the situation and see if they would exchange the paint and help me out given that they gave me the wrong colour to begin with. At the store a really rude person (turns out to be the son of the owner) tried to shoo me out of the store, claiming it was closed. (There was still a customer in the store, the time was close to 6pm and according to Google the store hours were 8:00am - 7:30pm.) He could've *politely* said "I'm sorry, but the store is closed. We can help you tomorrow.". (After all, they're in the business of customer service.) (Would it kill him to keep HIS family-run store open a few more minutes for a customer? I don't think so. But, I could be wrong I suppose.) Instead, he said rather tersely, "Miss.. we're closed. Read the sign." I was taken aback by the rudeness. But I kept my cool and told him I just wanted to explain the situation. Me: I would just like to explain the situation Rude man: No. Read the sign. We're closed. Me: I have the wrong paint. Could I explain? Rude man: We don't take returns. Me: Ok, could you just exchange the paint? I'm not looking to return. Rude man: No. Read the sign. No exchanges. Me: But you gave me the wrong product. Rude man: Doesn't matter. Covid. Read the sign. I asked to speak to the owner but apparently he wasn't there. Going by other reviews I doubt I will get a better response from the owner. The items in the store are overpriced. But I go there to shop local and help a small business. Never again. I should've double checked the paint colour before I left the store. That's my mistake. But I didn't expect the store to give me the wrong colour. That's on them. If only they had been polite and decent, I would've understood that they wouldn't accept returns/exchanges in the Covid era and happily bought another gallon of white paint and left. But the appalling rudeness has cost them a customer. I would rather go the extra distance to Economy True Value on Beacon Street or Connelly Hardware in Washington Square or Cleveland Circle Hardware. read more

I would give this ZERO stars if I could. I came in here to buy a jump starter because I was stranded on a road trip. Once I open the box I realized that the product requires a power outlet which I do not have because I am stranded roadside. When I explain my scenario to the manager he informs me that there are absolutely no refunds. I'm understanding so I bite the $100 bullet. Half way down the block the manager calls me back inside and makes me confirm that I actually purchased the jump starter. Are you serious?! Once he makes himself look like an idiot he goes on to tell me "I have to do this for everybody". Mind you, I'm African American. If you're a MINORITY I recommend you DO NOT shop here and take your business elsewhere. The manager is racist and the shop is overpriced! I say again, DO NOT SHOP HERE! read more

I've been looking for a specific screwdriver since i wanted to replace the one that we broke. When I called in to see if they had it the salesperson on the phone seemed very disinterested. After asking if he carried Stanley brand screwdrivers he automatically mumbled. I thought I'd ask in a different way and say that Stanley screwdrivers were yellow and black. He laughed at me and said "Sweetie, I carry any color you want. I've got blue, I've got green, even pink if you want." He was incredibly rude and continued to laugh at me during the entire conversation. read more

I came down to this store to grab some bathroom materials, unfortunately like other reviews here the owner was very rude and condescending to me. While I was paying, I tried to pay using Samsung Pay on my phone. But he insisted I should just pay with a real method. When I told him it would work, he proceeded to give me a lecture on using a proper method of paying where I would give him money in exchange for goods and services. I ended up just pulling out my card just to get this over with, only he proceeded to walk through every paying step like I had never done it before (Swiping, signing, etc.) Completely rude and uncalled for. Just go to another hardware store if you can. read more