I have been working with Katie Krause over the last few months, and she's really great. She gives excellent advice, she has awesome taste. read more

I bought a light fixture and something went wrong with it. Even though it was no longer new, I was able to send Daniel pictures. He helped me out, worked with the manufacturer, and replaced the fixture. Daniel was very professional and helpful. I really appreciated the process and will continue to do business with them. read more

Good staff and array of lighting fixtures it was a pleasure to work with the staff members We bought three items and very pleased read more

I came to Active Electrical Supply with one of those weird little questions you get when you live in a new place. The customer service desk could not have been more friendly or helpful. There is such a difference between shopping at a small local business with actual customer service and vs. a big box store where it is so hard to track down help if you have a question. I'll be back! read more

After striking out at multiple big box stores for lighting to outfit out new house, we stopped here to see if they had anything different to offer. This place had a HUGE variety of lighting fixtures for various tastes and styles. Many of them happened to be on sale at the moment. I will definitely consider them for other unique electrical pieces as they also had smart or curious switches and wall outlets. read more

This is where to go for electrical project materials and premium lighting options on the NW side of Chicago. Your spend a little more than at Home Depot or Menard's lighting, but the quality of fixtures is excellent. read more

Walked in wanting to buy the 4inch recessed led can lights. After talking with Louie who provided some great information I wound up getting the 6inch ultra thin wafer lights and they look great. Saved some money too Thanks to Lou for some great help read more

These guys are RUDE. I was looking for a hard-to-find replacement glass shade for a ceiling fixture, and the guys at both Menards and Home Depot recommended I go here. I walked in, and there were several salespeople standing or sitting at computers near the front of the store. It wasn't immediately obvious where I should look, so I asked one of them where I might find what I was looking for. He glared at me, said "Uh, I'm helping a customer right now." and went back to his computer screen. OK, I'm not that touchy about customer service, but if all you're doing is sitting at a computer typing away, how am I supposed to know that you're helping someone and not waiting for someone to help? I tried with him again, asking if he could at least point me to the correct section of the store so that I could find something on my own. He glared at me, again, and said that they don't carry anything like that, and dove right back into his computer screen. Thanks a lot buddy. Since all of the other staff people were standing around watching this, I said to another one that I'd specifically been sent here by people at other stores, and asked if they could refer me anywhere. They said that I was looking for a specialty part, and that it could be ordered. So, I gave my name and phone number, along with a description of what I needed. Three weeks later, no call back. Big surprise. I'll definitely never go near this place again. On the other hand, on the recommendation of a friend, I went to Clark Devon Hardware that same day. They didn't have what I needed in stock, but it was an item that they carry, so they took my information, actually called me when it was in, and were in general very helpful. They're not a lighting store, but they are nice guys. read more

So first off, the layout and exterior advertising of the store are a little confusing. I have driven by this place hundreds of times on my way to/from the Kennedy, and thought it was a light fixture store, but after being directed here (by a box store employee) to find a replacement part for an attic fan, I find that it is half high-end quirky light fixtures and vents/fans, and half electrical-related hardware store. So that's a good thing. They seem to have two counters, one with people seated at computers (lighting consultant/designer people maybe?) and one with people standing (the hardware section). Seems like the negative reviews I've seen have to do with customer service and I can see that a bit. For me walking in, I didn't know which direction to go for help and so I went to the standing counter. There was no acknowledgment of my existence while the staff was helping other customers ("I'll be with you in a minute, sir"--no), but once the employee had finished with the other customer he called me over and was very helpful, took a lot of time with me, and gave me lots of options and advice. I'll definitely be going here for electrical, fan-related, and lighting needs in the future. read more

Spent some time here in the showroom taking a look at lighting/electrical fixtures for my loft. I'll admit, I don't know much when it comes to either of those subjects...but that's where Active picks up the slack. The salesman I spoke with was highly knowledgeable and incredibly patient with all of my questions and requests. I left feeling that I had been given quality advice and quality products. I will definitely be coming back. read more

Unfortunately, the only positive thing I have to say about this place is that they have very nice lighting. Just as the other lighting place I ventured to, the results were very different. I walked in not knowing too much about my track lighting. However, brought in a picture. The sales rep was not able to assist at all. He told me I need to get the name of the track lighting, bring in a pendant to see if he could figure it out and that it would just be better to replace the entire track.. The other place ventured to told me the opposite. They told me I have a very universal track and that the majority of the existing pendants would work with it and I will be able to salvage the track and transformer if the color matches the rest of my kitchen design. Whether or not he was knowledgeable was the least of my concerns. Just the level of customer service, unwillingness to be helpful, and lots of arrogance left me wanting to never go back there. Very unfortunate. read more

I went here to buy a fan in May for my bedroom. I had done a little research and knew I wanted a casablanca. First, the wait was horrible. Second, when I finally got my turn, I was made to wait for people calling on the phone and other "regulars' that were browsing. Third, I found out quicly that Casablanca is a fortune and when I asked for something more reasonably priced, she made me feel stupid and poor (no joke -- and I have thick skin). Fourth, she was not helpful in putting together lighting, or coloring, or finding one with a remote, and so I was left to my own devices as she helped those on the phone. I walked out paying for a $200 fan with no lights because I was overwhelmed by the choices and she was NOT helpful. Fifth, the remote was supposed to arrive 2 weeks after I placed my order - but by MID-JUNE, I had heard nothing, so I called was given the run around and told it would be in soon. 2 more weeks, I call AGAIN, still not in - but should be in Friday and they will call. End of day Friday, I CALL them, yes it is in. I can pick it up. I go next day to get the fan, long story short, it doesn't come with a long downrod (not even a 6 inch option) and the remote does not have the part that goes in the fan to make it all work. REALLY??????!!!!!!!! You sell fans and you never thought to ask if I would need a downrod longer than 3 inches? ANd then I wait almost 2 months for damn remote and it is incomplete. I installed the fan w/o the remote, returned the remote and WILL NEVER GO BACK HERE! Pick -up counter is rude, prices are inflated, service is horrific - PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME HERE. read more

I came in to get a lighting fixture for my bathroom and everyone was really helpful. I knew nothing going in but EVERYTHING coming out! Thanks guys!!! xoxox read more

What an amazing experience AGAIN!!! Helen Joyce helped us find some beautiful fixtures for our garage last year. We came back again because she was so helpful and I was so frustrated because I have been trying to find a chandelier that was beautiful and affordable and big enough for my hair salon. Not only did she find what I was looking for ...but she helped me to come in on budget!! I had been looking on line and nothing came close to the beautiful piece she found for me!!! Helen is a rock star and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOX!!! read more

My husband and I recently started renovating our new home and we had a list of things our electrician instructed us to buy, as well as a list of all the fun stuff we got to pick out like different fixtures for each room. We were helped by a big, bearded, tattooed guy named Damien who was AWESOME. He works in the electrical part of the store, not the lighting fixture side, but he was pretty knowledgeable about all of it and when he didn't know something, he found out for us. I can't speak for any of the other salespeople, as no one else tried to help us, so maybe that accounts for the other bad reviews this place gets. He helped us navigate the many (too many) options for track lighting to determine what will best suit our needs, and give us the best quality for our budget. I was really impressed with his all around knowledge and he seemed happy to share. We ended up buying more than we expected because we found a lot of things that we really liked and made sense for us after Damien showed us all of our options. When we brought it all back to our house, the electrician looked over everything and was really happy with our selection. I never got the feeling that he was being a pushy salesman, he seemed legitimately concerned with helping us out. The only thing I don't understand about this place is the display of "snack machines" and weird candy, like Sour Dots and Cherry Tinglers. But it gave me and my husband something to laugh about while our order was being filled! read more

Very nice stuff here but very very pricy. I came in looking for a chandelier for my living room and have found that the prices here are just too much. read more

I was looking for some lighting fixtures for my reading room. I ask a certain staff and recommended a good model. I don't remember where it is made from. I ask if they have lower wattage than what he showed me. Unfortunately, it is out of stock. I haven't bought a thing from the store but I really appreciate the staff who spent time showing me some possible alternative lighting fixtures. read more

We recently re-did our entire house, so we needed a *ton* of fixtures, from can lights to chandeliers, to ceiling fans. I think we spent a total of over 30 hours in Active Electric over the course of 12 months (and a correspondingly large amount of money!), but since we spent so much, they cut us great deals. Since we went there often, we tended to be more patient when they had a lot of people on Saturday, and you could tell that they appreciated it--you can only spread 3-4 salespeople so far. We went through dozens of catalogs, they called manufacturers to see if they could get certain configurations of glass shades and fixtures, and even wound up supplying us with dimmers and some networking stuff for the house. Overall, money well-spent, and having the help of Skip and crew over here really made life easier. Oh, and be sure to check out their Fox Lighting store in Glenview over by the Abt. I'll post this review over there as well. read more

Great selection and we found a chandelier that we both loved -- FINALLY! It was my second visit and again had a great experience with Helen, our sales person. If you are the type to go into a small business and then buy it online -- I actually double checked online out of curiosity and found we got a great price in comparison. Great selection, great service and fair pricing. Dog friendly too. read more

Beware of their return policy. After purchasing an expensive fixture from their showroom I attempted to exchange it for another. But alas, I was informed that there are no returns or exchanges when the wire tips are crimped. Very unsatisfied, especially given the pricetag. I'll be going elsewhere. read more

I've used this business for years. They have always been helpful when I need "hard to find" items. Sometimes the wait at the counter can be long but overall I give them high marks. read more

Thanks for the help! I talked to Brian over the phone and he was very knowledgeable with his advice, I would definitely recommend this store! read more

We recently purchased lighting fixtures here and would recommend Fox Lighting. They have better quality & selection than Home Depot/Menards but are also more approachable & reasonable than higher-end boutiques we looked at. Fox has a good-size showroom to select from, along with numerous catalogs to access hundreds of additional lighting fixtures. We experienced good customer service in the store and knowledgeable sales associates. They indicated it would take about one week to receive our products and met that deadline. Helen J. was a big help to us and we appreciated her assistance. read more

Very poor service. Waited in line a long time without common sense courtesy. Very rude and unorganized.

They are both RUDE and incompetent. I was charged twice for the same order and they could / would not remove the charge so I had to rely on my credit card company to save the day. read more

They have a nice selection of lighting however, every time I've been there it seems like it is difficult to do business with them and the customer service people do not understand how to multi task. After my last frustrating experience with them, I will happily take my money else where; my advice is to do the same. read more

I went into this store today and no one even acknowledged that I walked in or was even there. Waste of time.

I was looking for a small chandelier and they had exactly what I needed. Very friendly staff and very helpful.the fixture was reasonably priced too. I just started remodeling and I will definitely be purchading all of my fixtures here. read more

Active Electrical Supply has been my main source for fixtures and supplies for the last 24 years. Having redesigned a few homes, I continue to shop there because of the fine service and large inventory. If I have been unable to locate exactly what I am seeking, the helpful staff have been excellent in locating it through their vast reference books. They are surprisingly knowlegable with the vast array of design choices. read more