Now I don't go to hardware stores often, so I can't compare to other stores, but I love it here! A lot of it is because of the service. No one is afraid to help you and everyone is so friendly! A very welcoming environment :) I had to get some things to caulk the bottom of a toilet the employees were super helpful with their recommendations. Left feeling less anxious about the job I'm about to do at home! read more

I was gifted an expensive ink pen, but was not confident that I could assemble it with the supplied ink cartridg. It was not purchased from Cole Hardware! But, already having had many positive experiences with help from the very competent staff, I brought it in. Geoffrey at the Vallejo Street North Beach store was instantly able to get it up and running! I did purchase an item that I needed from the store, but the pen help was totally extra curricular! Thank you again Cole Hardware and Geoffrey for truly being part of the community - with your friendliness, advise and assistance! read more

Damien and Spencer are excellent with customer service. They've helped me several times with complicated plumbing puzzles that required some creative use of various fittings. read more

Rex was fantastic! The whole staff genuinely enjoy helping, they are very knowledgeable

It's not Home Depot or Ace Hardware and thank goodness it's not a Walmart. It's much, much better and more than these. Especially the latter. Don't get me wrong, I like both Home Depot and Ace, but I love this store. They may not carry everything; but more than likely, they just might...but sometimes they may not have enough of what you need or what you're looking for. But that's OK. It's always quality over quantity. Even though they may not have the item(s) you're looking for, you can simply ask them to order them for you. And they'll happily do it with a smile without ripping you off or charging you a fortune. No hidden extra fees or delivery charges here. Just an overall good value hardware store in the heart of the SOMA district. The store is very intimate, but it's not that small either. The layout is very easy to navigate from top to bottom. Everything is arranged specifically and purposely to the types of item(s) and tools that makes practical sense. What it lacks in size more than makes up for its one-on-one customer service. It's got that feel of an old-time mom-and-pop neighborhood corner hardware store where everybody knows your name. Either that or it's because I'm usually wearing a name badge. Hardware stores like these are a dying breed, but this one is thriving in downtown of all places. It's truly a store for the people of all ages and sizes that has a community feel to it. A surprising and much needed beacon of light in a once bustling downtown. read more

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Denise Walker, in Commercial Sales, at (full name) Fox Cole Hardware 70 Fourth Street, SF (the "Downtown" one, in the Union Square DISTRICT I just now learned exists), was very helpful!. Before they opened today, by a few, but not very few, minutes, she looked up an item. That their website didn't have, for some reason. She gave me additional info about it, atop her volunteered, quickly sent, informative e-mail (pair). She went above and beyond. But do as I say, not as I do, I suggest. Call once they open at 9 M-F, 9:30 weekends. They're busy setting up. I will wait, now on. But the possible deal was so good.....lame excuse, I know. read more

Great place that has everything you need. Even more helpful and friendly staff give great customer service.

Sean and Damian are great! They saved us a ton of money with a door handle because we did not need to use a locksmith. They were patient and solution driven. Thank you! read more

Cole Hardware is an oasis in a zombie apocalypse cause by SF Government. The store is chocked full of items you need...some you didn't even know you needed. Needed some mold mildew remover for a property that had water issues during the current storms. Cole had six or seven to choose from. Great staff. Love you guys ...please stay in business. read more

Cole Hardware - Hardware Stores Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Spencer was so helpful today! I walked in with one plan for a project, and after discussing it, Spencer had much better ideas. He offered to cut and drill some scrap wood, and sorted out the nuts, bolts, and washers. I ended up with a better, safer, and cheaper product, all in about 15 minutes. Thank you Spencer! read more

It's always worth it to drive across the city to visit Cole Hardware! I stopped in to get duplicate keys made for the family and both Cole staff members I interacted with (from the key specialist and the cashier) operated efficiently and with kindness - which from my experience with other hardware stores is not a given. Thank you, Cole! read more

A huge thank you to Rex at Cole hardware on 4th Very creative solution to my problem .. he listened to what I needed and took literally a second to come up with a product that I needed in house and could use a portion of for my hobbies .. Great price and amazing help.. Shout out to Denise at the front for pointing me in the right direction .. but if you ever can't think of what you may need go see Rex.. a modern day MacGyver.. read more

Denise was a delight! Fast, helpful, and got everything I needed quickly. Will be back soon!

Best hardware store in town with knowledgeable and helpful employees. My mother lost a screw to her dining room table. I took out one of the other screws to Cole. The employee spent several minutes matching my missing screw. Employee even opened a package so I would only have to purchase one screw for 25 cents. Highly recommended! read more

Denise was awesome she brought my things out I ordered online because I couldn't finding parking went above and beyond to make sure my order was correct and complete thank you Denise read more

5 stars for excellent customer service! This was my first visit to a Cole's Hardware and I must say that I am pleasantly impressed with the staff's attentiveness to their customers. As soon as I walked into the store, I was greeted by an employee who provided detailed information on where to find gardening supplies. As I looked for seed packets, another employee approached me and provided some helpful tips. I appreciated the suggestions as I selected some bush beans and squash seeds that would grow well in San Francisco. As I struggled to reach for a packet of seeds, a third employee happened to pass by and helped me obtain the seed packet. Thank you for the vertical assistance! I wish I took the moment to remember their names because everyone I met was friendly and very helpful. If you're an avid gardener or eco-conscious person, Cole's Hardware has great staff and a lot of cool products. read more

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Denise is one heck of an employee! On Thanksgiving day she was out in front of the store advertising with a sign that not only was the store opened for the holiday but that the store sold pies!!! She's a keeper Cole Hardware read more

Came here twice looking for various items and the customer service here is just outstanding!! The associate at the front will ask you what you're looking for, then lead you to the aisle of the item you're looking for. Special shoutout to Rex for helping us out both times, he has the best attitude and is so friendly! Will be my go to hardware store now. read more

On 11/10/2024 I needed to pickup some misc items. Upon entering the store the man at the door was so ridged both in posture and attitude. One of the items I was purchasing was going to be a price match. When I got to the register I asked the rude man at the door if the lady cashier could do a price match, he said no. He then went on to explain the price match policy and I was trying to explain just days ago it was honored. I asked for a . manager he said the cashier was the . manager but yet she couldn't do a price match. I left the store with nothing except confused and with a bad headache. read more

Moving to the heart of the city has its pros and cons. The pros, I mean down town has its charm, the hustle and bustle, it's busy and I love it. However, finding an apartment comes with its challenges. The biggest challenge I had was finding furniture that fits. After building a tv stand, dresser and coat rack I just couldn't do it anymore. Thank you baby J! I found a power drill that made building my standup desk for work so easy! I also was in need of a tape measure because shopping online is iffy. Thankfully, having a tape measure helped me pick out a few pieces of furniture that I was in need of. On to the customer service, absolutely awesome! Everyone was super helpful and knew exactly where everything was. They have everything you need...from command strips to nuts & bolts. Thank you so much for making my move in a breeze! read more

Cole's hardware saved the day! I needed a blow torch for some creme brulee I purchased from Costco. Little did I know I needed a torch. I was in union square area, went to macys nothing, crate & barrel $50 no thanks. Walked right in front of Coles I'm like wait. I walked in, asked for torch and left the store w/torch & butane. Now I can have my creme brulee! And it was under $30, score! read more

Currently building a chicken shed and had some specific tools in mind. I was a bit uncertain if the staff would know exactly what I needed, but was pleasantly surprised by how knowledgeable they were! They offered some fantastic recommendations that really helped me tackle my project more efficiently. Will definitely be returning soon! Thanks for the great experience! read more

Rex and Damion were very very helpful ! They know their stuffs. I needed to find a bolt replacement for a broken bolt on my exercise machine. I wasn't sure if a hardware store has it but they found it in a couple of minutes. Good service with a smile. Highly recommend. read more

Incredible customer service as always! I feel bad as his name fell out of my brain, but was helped above and beyond putting together some cable chains. Thanks again! read more

Went in looking for bed frame hardware that got lost in a move and came across Rex who was amazing to speak with. He helped me find the hardware needed per the manufacturer specs and just had a great time speaking with him. He was very knowledgeable and quickly assisted me and knew his products. If you are on the lower floor look for him!!!! read more

Great service! Quick, very professional, and good staff. Came here to get my keys duplicated. Each key was $3.75, which was higher than expected, esp compared to some other locations I called. However, I would come here again because they're reliable and service is good. read more

The people there were attentive without feeling like one was monitoring you. Before leaving because I couldn't find what I was looking for I was stopped by a staff and he genuinely asked if I found everything I was looking for. My response was no and I went into detail what I was looking for. Afterward, he told me a relatable story and helped me find what I was looking for and it was much, much cheaper than buying it through Amazon. Rex, you are awesome and I greatly appreciate the relevant story and your assistance. read more

To start, this place is noticeable from the great window displays I see every time I walk past. I've been in here a few times and had good service. My last visit stood out in that I had a light die on a holiday when other stores are closed. Shoutout to Denise who was super helpful on the phone about availability and willingness to accept my dead bulbs, and for helping out in store. Thanks for being there in a pinch with the items I need and being friendly about it, Cole Hardware! read more

I'm very happy that Coles Hardware has not left my neighborhood like everything else seems to have lately. The staff, as usual, is very knowledgeable and helpful and has quite a selection of products! I was looking for a solution to unclog my older bathroom drain. Spencer assisted me in all the possible solutions and walked through each of the products that might apply as the standard sized auger I have would not work. He was efficient, to the point and I didn't feel rushed even though other customers started to want his attention. read more

Rex was very helpful and made sure I had everything taken care of and answered all of my many questions. Great customer service!

The folks here are helpful. They've got a lot of useful products here especially given the space constraints in the city.

Rex is the best! He helped me find exactly what I needed for a difficult home hardware repair. Rex is the man.

Amazing store, great staff. One could spend hours finding very useful items for the home and work and I have. No reason to go to a big box store. read more

Knowledge is not something to crow about these days, but the staff at the various branches of the Cole Hardware srotes in San Francisco have it in spades. I live in an Edwardian Victorian house that was built in 1905 (117 years ago) & it's a constant challenge to update/upgrade the internal system from ancient to modern. But the specialists at Cole have the knowledge base to give me the correct gear to fix it on my own & walk me through the repairs, or have access to handy person(s) that can professionally fix it! read more

I used to go to their 9th Street location, but since that closed, I come to the 4th Street location. It was great to Rex was still around. He has always been helpful with finding me what I need. What is also valuable, is his expert advice and tips on products and how to repair things. We had a washer leak. He told us what to look for in the hose and gave us the clamps needed for the repair. Thank you, Rex! read more

I've stopped by here a few times, and I've always had a great experience. The staff is super friendly and helpful! They also not only point me in the right direction for tools but give out pointers with my ongoing home projects read more

Walked by last night on a whim i went in and they had exactly the item i had been looking for, i went to three different hardware stores with no luck, (a brush you could attach to a drill for high power scrubbing), the employee that helped me find it was awesome. Didn't get his name. Also bought a few other items. Go to check out and Nadia the cashier just stands there and doesn't acknowledge me for about 15 seconds, she's just standing there. She motions me forward, doesn't smile or greet me and just looks at one of my items and says, "how much does THIS cost?" I'm how the fuck do i know you are the person that works here not met. Starts ringing up my purchase...stops half way through to talk to one of the employees, ignoring me. Finally finishes, still no eye contact or acknowledgement. I give her my card and she charges me hands me back my card and just kind of tosses my bag at me. Not a heartwarming experience. (minus two stars). Not a bad enough experience to keep me from shopping here, but when you are on the tail end of a crappy day and get treated like this it puts a damper on the moment. read more

A older gentleman named Rex believe solve an electrical issue with breaker. He explained to me how he changed the plugs in his place. I listened because he's very knowledgeable and done the work myself. I'm pleased with his service and wish that all stores had the courtesy he gave me. I'm very pleased. read more

Management, please talk to your employees about refraining from making sexist comments. The guy who sold me a drill and stripped screw remover today literally asked me if "I had a man who knew how to use tools" because he was "unsure if I would be able to do it myself." Oof. Guy, it's 2022 and believe it or not, the screw's been removed. Sad to see that this sexism has been mentioned in other reviews too. I've been coming here since I was kid growing up in Cole Valley, but man did this leave a bitter taste in my mouth. Taking my business elsewhere. read more

Amazing staff and special shout out to Connie who helped me process my return. I stopped by here during a break at work without realizing that my return was going to take a little longer than usual--totally my fault--but I was worried that I would be late getting back to a meeting. Connie not only handled my return, she also told me it was okay to go back and that she would continue to call the corporate office to ensure my return was processed. She even gave me a call after she processed my return to confirm that it went through! Talk about customer service! Wow! A++ read more