First off, I have to admit a conflict of interest here. The family that owns Ballard Hardware are friends of ours. Two things you need to know: A) Ballard Hardware is not Home Depot or an Ace Hardware. Its a serious Hardware/supply store for folks in construction trade or the fishing industry. They have tons of specialty pipes, valves and pumps used to maintain fishing boats. If you need stainless pipe/valves, this is your place. That being said, if you are looking for power tools or fasteners or paint, don't be shy! Just go in an ask for help. They have way more stuff in the warehouse in back than you see on the sales floor. They sell quality stuff at great prices. And that brings us to prices... B) A lot of stuff on the sales floor does not have prices. Its because most of the folks who are walking in are buying on accounts. Don't let it dissuade you. Grab a sales rep and ask them to price it out for you. I needed batteries for my cordless drill, and they were way less than anyone else in town. Ballard Hardware is a great hardware store, but its a HARDware store, not a place that sells stuff to hang photos or *ahem* curtain rod brackets. read more

A Seattle institution. Great service, selection and quality products. A great store. read more

Sub par customer service. If you do talk to someone make sure you get answers because they won't call you back. Concern falls on deaf ears.

Not the cheapest hardware store around, but they have SUCH a big selection!! Half of what they have is in the back, so the easiest way of finding out if they'll have what you want is to give them a call and they can tell you pretty quickly. They have a whole pipe warehouse (across the street, limited parking!) where they can cut you basically any kind of pipe in any way. It's pretty sweet actually! I get pipe for my systems for work here. Like I said, not the cheapest. But very easy to work with and convenient if you're in the Ballard area. They have a parking lot. read more

Top notch service - always plenty of people to help, I've never seen a hardware store soo busy! They definitely have the Location! You name it they probably have it! read more

The sales guys here are absolutely on point and very helpful. The two idiots (associates) that sit at the front of the store (immediate right of the staircase)... not so much. Went in this morning to shop for some snap spring pliers; mentioned to the associate I was there to see & meet Dave, and referenced my conversation with him earlier in the morning. The girl working the greeting desk looked confused, overwhelmed, and annoyed that I was even talking to her and requesting to talk with Dave. Once she finally worked up the brain power to call Dave, she omitted my request to reference my earlier phone call with Dave regarding the snap spring pliers. Due to her neglect and lack of mental power, I never got to speak with the Dave. There needs to be better customer service training that is put in place for the junior level employees that work here and workshops that specifically focus on active listening. I want to support small, local business, but it makes it difficult when one has to try communicating with another person that's about as smart as a box of hamburgers. read more

1 star is being generous. Every time I walk in I am completely ignored.I can say over the past 20 plus years of trying to shop here I have always be astounded by the poor customer service! They have two people at the counter and at least 5 siting at there desk behind the counter .These desk people are doing there best to not see you. I even asked one of the counter people for help and he just shrugged. I am done with ever shopping there again. I would rather give my money to Amazon! read more

It is not surprising that this place has never been reviewed seeing as it is closed on the weekends. That means the typical weekend warrior, me included, will never set foot in here. Really that is a shame because Ballard Hardware is fantastic. They have great tools at great prices on items that that are too specific for Home Depot to carry. I ask "Do you have 1/2 NPT Stainless Steel couplings" at home depot and they look at me funny and respond: "What's the application?" or "What are you trying to do" apparently I am a moron and because they are wearing a orange apron they know more about my project then I do. At Ballard Hardware they answer correctly; "Yeah we keep all the fittings in the back how many do you need?...10 no problem be right back" Then they write up a paper invoice with the tax calculated using a calculator. No fancy U-Scans or barcode readers they know the prices of stuff like a hardware store should. The only crappy thing is I have to call in sick to work in order to go here. It is worth it though. read more

This is a terrific place. The sales staff is always on point and will make sure that you get exactly what you need. The name change to Ballard Industrial more accurately reflects their main business focus. They supply parts for projects and the equipment to get the job done. No frou-frou stuff like cafe drape curtain rods or home decor junk. Just honest working dude(and dude-ette) stuff. If they haven't got it, you either dreamed up the item, or lay off the herbal remedies and come back later. I have worked and done purchasing for the fishing industry for my entire career; doing much $$ with them. When a boat is leaving for 6 months to go to Alaska or Russia, grab the flatbed with the extra cargo capacity and go to Ballard Industrial! read more

This is my go to hardware store. They have a great selection of materials and a very knowledgeable staff. I've never had an issue they couldn't help me with. read more

First class service, very helpful staff. Any hardware needs, BHI has it! I love supporting a family owned business.

I agree with colin k, the lack of prices on items IS pretty annoying, but I don't think the reason for it is because these guys are trying to pull one over on you. I think this place is just geared at people who need hardware items for their jobs and are familiar with everything in the store and not people like me who need stuff to fix things around the house from time to time. I wandered around the store aimlessly for a few minutes but finally gathered my courage and asked for help. The man was extremely friendly and seemed to intuitively understand what he was dealing with (a slightly intimidated woman with almost no woodworking experience, and, let's be honest, no clue). He explained how to fix my rocking chair slowly and answered all my questions and even talked me out of buying a saw. I walked out of there with the things I needed for only a few bucks. I'd definitely go back. read more

I completely agree with Phillip. I am a retired contractor and it doesn't matter whether you are a contractor or a DIYer, no one likes to wait in line for non-existent helpers. Part of going to hardware store is being able to review items to determine how best to solve a problem. The system at Ballard Hardware is just plain infuriating---after half a dozen tries, I am giving up. read more

I needed just two bolts to replace a couple that worked out of a piece of furniture. It's hard to find fasteners sold as single items these days--everything is packaged in bulk. The guys at Ballard Hardware were super helpful and friendly. They found something that would work and didn't even charge me. What great customer service! read more

I bought 35 dollar flashlight that turned off intermittently the first use, I tried to return the light and told them I would be happy to try a different model or get my money back. After a lengthy argument they basically told me to get lost! They do not stand behind the products they sell and have a terrible return policy! read more

Why do I have to put one star? This place sucks. Unfortunately, I was dumb enough to go back in there 2 more times after my first disappointing experience. The cashier's only response to anything is "go ask the guys at the counter" There's a handful of guys sitting at desks pretending that you're not there. Eventually they MAY get around to asking if you need help. No prices on ANYTHING. Who cares if the so called "majority" of people buy on accounts? You should be serving the community, not a select few. Apparently only one guy is allowed to help customers, so if you're stuck behind 3 guys in coveralls and hardhats, prepare to wait 20-30 minutes for your turn. This last time, I decided to wait just for the hell of it to see how long they would take to get to me. After listening to a couple life stories, I bailed after 22 minutes. Worst store and worst customer service in the history of commerce. I am proud to say iv'e never bought anything in Ballard Hardware! read more

so if you have ever walked into a convienience store, noticed that there were no prices on anything, and wondered why... but didnt think much until you walked out paying $7 for a bag of doritos? thats what will happen to you when you shop here. i walked in for the first (and last) time and started wandering the isles looking for a replacement to the simple keyed latch on my shed, i couldnt find it so i asked for help from one of the employees, i was taken to what i thought was going to be a 6 foot wide 6 foot tall chunk of pegboard loaded with locks and hasps and latches and hinges, but i was shown a simple 5 foot tall rotating display barely bigger than what you would see loaded with $5 sunglasses at the chevron station. the 3 styles available where not what i wanted so i described what i needed. i was then told that he wasnt sure if anyone even made anything like that. RED FLAG. i told them they had to because i already owned one. i got a funny look. i then asked where the latex gloves were and was pointed in the right direction, no escort anymore? was it something i said? i found the gloves, and to my suprise there was no price tag. on anything. at all. anywhere. another employee walked up and asked if i needed anything and i asked why there were no prices on anything, and he responded "because it helps us keep our prices at rock bottom" i guess they havent figured out that normal ppl like to compare one brands products price to the one next to it. i figured what the hell, this box of latex gloves coulnt be more than $10, so i grabbed it and walked to the cashier. and the cashier lady told me i had to go back to the service counters and get them to write up an invoice and send it up to her. for a box of gloves? yes. so back to the counter i walked, and handed over my gloves. Mr. guy typed away on his computer, and said i was all set, and to go back to the cashier lady. so back to the cashier lady i walked again, and waited. and waited. and then my little slip printed out of her comp. $14.95. $14.95? WHAT THE HELL? oh what the hell, i'm already here. i bought them anyway. just like that bag of doritos. so the moral of the story: if you dont want to be screwed out of your money, if you want a real selection, go somewhere else. by the way, that box of gloves is $9 at home depot. same brand, same size, same style. read more