Less friendly than unfriendly! These people don't care. Went in to get a new screen. I brought an old screen that had been installed in a window for 20 years or more. They measured, charged me and made a new screen. Problem was that the used the wrong thickness frame material. They first insisted that it was my fault since they made it the way it was written on the slip. Problem is that they measured and wrote the slip. They then claimed (lied) that the old screen was the same thickness frame as the one they made. How could that be since the old one fit in the window track and the one they made didn't? Anyway, I gave them their $12 for a new screen as I don't have time to argue or go somewhere else over $12. It's not the money, it's the poor service and irresponsible behavior that will keep me out of this store whenever possible. I tried today to talk to the owner, but after asking him if he was the owner, he said he was too busy help me. Go somewhere else. These people act as though they are doing you a favor to spend money there. read more

I'm happy to report Lowe's Hardware mid-city is now open for business - 4550 West Pico Boulevard. Phone: (323) 617-9570. Do yourself a favor and drive the extra 2 miles. Emil's is the WORST hardware store ever. Weeds in front (and across the street in a building they also own), peeling paint, and those are minor problems compared to what's happening inside the store. read more

The only reason I give this place two stars is that it's one of the few remaining hardware stores in the area. I had to stop in to Emil's today to buy some nuts and bolts to complete a basic home-improvement project. I've stopped in before just to check out the place and they do have an adequate selection on plumbing, lighting, painting, and woodworking equipment. However, unless absolutely necessary, I would probably spend my money elsewhere. One guy behind the counter was downright surly. I overhead his interaction with about three customers and was surprised by his attitude. These customers didn't seem to have asinine questions either. Fortunately, I was rung up by another guy who was not unpleasant. I bought a total of 8 1-inch bolts with a corresponding number of washers and nuts. My total was $10. I haven't checked the price of nuts and bolts lately but this seemed outrageous. Maybe there are some decently priced items in the store, maybe even some bargains, but I suggest you be very the price of something before buying at this place. read more

Surly and nearly non-existent service. I went in today and one employee walked by without a comment. I walk around, calling "hello" to see if I can find an employee. An employee comes out of the backroom shouting "hey idiot" or something like that...I said I needed help, he said he was looking for his friend. Finally one guy offered to help, waived in the direction of what I was looking for and said "this is all we have"...he didn't wait to answer questions or be of help. ICK!!! I should have gone the other way on Robertson and gone to $$$$ Koontz or Anawalt.. read more

I am a business owner and neighbor to Emil's Hardware. Every time I have been in there someone has been rude to me. Nobody who works there is friendly or nice at all. They act like you are disturbing them when you enter. I would rather drive to Home Depot then go into Emil's. I will NEVER go there again! read more

I've lived in the neighborhood for many years and Emil's has been a lifesaver. Yes, the place is messy, and, yeah, the staff don't have the customer service training like Nordstrom's sales people. But that's okay. This long-time, family-owned business is operated by people who know their stuff and are more than willing to help their customers solve their hardware/repair problems. I have gone in there on many occasions with no clue how to fix something at my house -- I show them photos I've taken on my cell phone, and they've explained to me exactly what I have to do. They've taken me through the store to make sure I get exactly the right screws, adhesives, drill bits, washers, sealants, whatever I need - oftentimes items that cost next to nothing. One time, I decided to repair a plumbing problem in the wall of my shower, even though I had no idea what I was doing. I went back and forth, taking pics of my progress at the house and then coming in to the store to show them where I was at, so that they would explain the next step to me. They were great. Emil's has really been a big help to me over the years. read more

I can't believe these guys are still in business. I went there yesterday to buy a couple pieces of hardware and the guy (not sure if this is Emil) was so rude to me, it was unbelievable. There were a few other customers in the store and he seemed overwhelmed, but that is no reason to treat customers like shit. I will NEVER EVER go back there again. read more

I saw some of the reviews here and can't believe the negative ratings. Emil's is the last of its kind; not only can you get what you want - sometimes they have to find it for you - but it is wonderful resource for advice/tips on all of my household electrical, plumbing, and other projects. If you can't use their guidance, I have used several of their referrals for plumbers, electricians, handymen. You complainers deserve what you get elsewhere. read more

Store hours are approximate! Showed up at 5:20 today and they had already closed for the day.

HORRIBLE RIGID EXCHANGE POLICY. I have purchased hardware from Emil's for 29 years, feeling it important to support local merchants. For the first time I needed to exchange something - three long-lasting light bulbs (with unusual sockets that I inadvertantly purchased) for bulbs with normal sockets. I DID NOT WANT A REFUND, just an exchange. I did not retain the receipt (they were light bulbs, for goodness sake, NOT part of a home repair project). EACH BOX CLEARLY HAD THE EMILE'S PRICE TAG AFFIXED TO THE BOX. The OWNER of the store was completely uncooperative, citing his "posted policy" that he demands a receipt. He said he needed a receipt as proof the product was purchased at Emile's. I showed him the Emile's price tags on the boxes. He acknowledged it was the Emil's price tag. He acknowledged there is no other Emil's Hardware and that I purchased the product at Emil's. So I asked him, given it is clear I purchased the product from him, what does he need the receipt for? Particularly when I'm asking for an exchange, not a refund. His response, "THAT IS MY POLICY." The TRUE purpose of his policy is clear, and it has nothing to do with "proving" the product was purchased at Emil's. I have experienced far more customer-friendly treatment from other hardware stores. I WILL NEVER SHOP AT EMIL'S AGAIN. read more

I would highly recommend you support OTHER hardware stores and NOT this one. If you don't want to read what I have to say below, I can assure you that the owner is very rude, and the salesperson working there is very uninformed, and their exchange/return policies are awful. This place cost me in terms of time, money, and frustration. I went to this store because I wanted to paint a cabinet, and I happened to be in the area. I came to the store with a paint sample, and the salesperson told me to get a certain paint based on the paint sample I showed to him. I also bought some filler to fill some areas where the paint had come off. When I got home, I first sanded, then I put the white putty on the small pits, smoothed them out, and painted the a very small part of the cabinet. The next day, I realized that the color the guy had recommended that I buy was very different from the paint color that was originally on the dresser (I wanted it close to the same as to match the rest of the furniture in the room). I also realized that the paint was not adhering to the dresser (I found out later they sold me water based paint for a oil based painted cabinet..more on that later) I went back to the store, and asked the owner if I could exchange the paint for a gloss. He said "absolutely not". He said several other very rude things to me and his face immediately turned to one of tremendous anger. I would have bought the gloss paint there, but the owner was so rude and angry that I didn't want to put another penny in their pockets. I looked up their rating on Yelp, and saw it was a 2.5. I showed them their low rating, and they were very aware of it. They said that people are entitled to their opinion. So...they wasted my time, money, and for it, I got treated like dirt. I called another hardware store in West Hollywood on SM Blvd, and I asked if they would return paint if I found the color was off, and they said they do. I went there, and met with a great sales person. He said that the reason the paint the guy at Emil's sold me wasn't adhering was because he sold me a water based paint for an oil-based painted cabinet. Water paints don't adhere to oil paints. The guy at Emil's should have known this, because the sample of the broken off paint I brought to him snapped apart easily (tells you the paint is oil-based). So...I ended up having to buy a tool to remove the paint that I bought at Emil's, more sand paper, a sandpaper block, primer (the guy at Emil's didn't tell me i would need primer to put over spackle) and high gloss paint. I wish I had gone to this other hardware store on SM Blvd in We. Hollywood, because even if the salesperson had made a mistake, I could have exchanged the paint. So, in summary, I cannot believe a place like Emil's can stay open with such an uninformed sales force and such an incredibly rude owner. By the way, the paint was less than 15 dollars, and they could have kept me as a customer had they just treated me like a customer and not like an enemy. read more