We were in the area and I haven't been in a True Value in so long. It was almost nostalgic. The shelves were fully stocked with so many types of items, but it also felt overwhelming with the amount of stuff in the store. We did speak with an associate about a specific type of matches who was very nice. Unfortunately they do not carry blue tip waterproof matches. Prices seemed good. read more

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This was my first visit to Lake Forest True Value and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Of course the first thing I saw they were setting up Halloween displays which of course I've always got to browse. I saw a section on fancy soaps and gifts (wait, where am I?). There were the obligatory tools, paints, yard stuff and then in the back there were cards and city candles (Lake Bluff you smell good), housewares, knickknacks and whatnots. I was only here to purchase yard waste stickers and that plastic thing that goes on your windshield to keep your vehicle sticker from gooping up the glass (yup, they had it), but I also bought a zip code towel and candy. I could have bought a lot more but I'll pace myself. This is across from Sunset Foods so I know I'll come back. read more

Lake Forest True Value Hardware - Hardware Stores Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

The customer service was impeccable and very friendly and responsive to my requests. I had a great experience at this store, highly recommended read more

Looked up items, 7 inch paint roller covers and 4 inch covers, drove to store and not one item was on shelf. They only had 9 inch covers. Waste of my time and delayed my project. read more

This used to be a great hardware store and I'd always prefer to support locally-owned businesses. However, the last couple of times I've been here the store seems to be staffed by teenagers -- not a problem in and of itself since age doesn't determine your customer service focused attitude -- but they've been less than helpful and it seemed like I was inconveniencing them by asking a question. I called ahead of time to ask if they had an item in stock because I knew I was going to be in a bit of a hurry. The person on the phone was very helpful and friendly. When I got to the store I found the item pretty quickly and went to the register to pay. When I got to the register the item rang up two dollars more than the price listed on the shelf. When I brought that to the cashier's attention, he commented: "Well sometimes the prices change and we don't have a chance to change the tags." I've worked several retail jobs myself in the past and frankly that's a stupid answer. Any business I've ever been to that lists a price on the shelf has always honored that price, not some made up price that appears once you get to the register. As I mentioned before, I was in a hurry so I didn't really have time to argue with him and there were several people in line behind me. I decided to pay for my item and leave. Next time I'll head over to one of the big box stores. In a time when the benefit of a small business should be its ability to provide customer service beyond what the big stores can offer, it seems like I get better customer service at one of the big stores. This is a shame because I'd like to support local, it's much closer to my house, and I've been shopping here for years. Unfortunately, I doubt I will be back to Lake Forest True Value. read more

I was in dire need of a Birthday card and gift box. I had to ship a gift out ASAP. Thought I'd find what I needed at the shipping place but was told they don't sell cards. They directed me to the Lake Forest True Value next door. I found the card and a gift box. They also had drop cloths that I was needing for a painting project and a hostess gift for a cookie exchange I was going to! Wow! Major score- love this place- it has it all!!! The sales guy behind the counter even wrapped the gift for me!!! Super great experience at this local gem! read more

This is definitely a local hardware store to say the least. It's tucked away in the corner of the strip mall (near Sunset Foods). And if you aren't looking for it, you might miss it. It's very small in size for a hardware store, local or not. If you need a nut/bolt or basic tool they'll probably have it. But I find the Ace Hardware in Highland Park to have a lot more options and more experienced help. This place is okay if you need something commonplace. But if you're doing any real home repairs, you can still go local just in Highland Park. read more

If I could give a negative star review, I would. I was stunned at the horrible treatment an male employee displayed towards an older female checkout woman and towards me, a customer! The male employee subject who works at LF Hardware, (late 50's, balding, wearing black glasses and a "toys for tots" zippered sweatshirt), did everything possible to not assist me, avoided doing so by placing himself at opposite ends of the store, as NO OTHER CUSTOMER were in the store. I found some of the items I needed. As I was being assisted at check out by a very nice woman at the front check out, she could not determine the correct pricing of an item and requested the male subjects assistance in doing so by requesting him over the store walk-in talkies. The male subject was not far away and he made a loud hissing/sighing sound at the woman's request to assist. Then the fun began. The male subject found the correct SKU numbers to the items I was purchasing and failed to correctly give the information to the very nice woman at the front desk via walkie-talkie. The male subject kept cutting himself out as he was using the walkie-talkies. As a result, the very nice lady that was trying to check me out could not correctly get the information from the mail subject. After a few minutes, the male subject came to the front desk after the owner, female in her 50s, showed up at the front counter to assist. The male subject couldn't of been router to the woman who was trying to be so nice to me and check out my items. This was inexcusable. Is the male subject again to be as kurt as he possibly could and extremely rude to the elderly kind woman at the cash register, I explained to the male subject that the radios were ineffective and his transmissions were cutting out. As I was doing so, he didn't even turn to look at me nor acknowledged my presents. I was alarmed how extremely rude the male subject was and the female owner didn't seem to have a problem with it? Or completely ignored it?? After paying for my items and thanking the kind elderly woman who checked me out at the front desk, I attempted to speak with a female owner of the business. I informed her of what had transpired and of the male subjects rude actions towards the woman at the counter. She seemed to be not want to upset the her male employee?? I informed the owner that I was no longer returning to her store, of which I had been going there for years, due to her male employees rudeness and behavior and I would not tolerate it in front of me directed towards the elderly woman at the front counter nor my self. I want to give local businesses my business but not at the expense of and complete disregard & rudeness towards someone who they work with and in this case, an elderly woman at the front counter. This is not going to be tolerated by myself. I for one am never going to Lake Forest mutual hardware ever again. read more

Owner/manager can care less about customers and employees. He wears no mask and actually tries to get in your face. This is the worst display of behavior I've seen in awhile. I went to purchase an item that had an ad in the weeks paper of a discount. When I asked for the discount, I was told that was last year. This guy finally gave it to me after I left and he followed me to my car and he actually threatened that if I didn't buy it, he'd call the cops since he has my license number ( he mixed paint for me). So under a threat, I bought it as he really seemed irate. This store won't last even though it's been there and I've been a customer for 25 years. The previous owner would have never treated anyone like that and I will not go there again. So much for supporting local business Duh the response was if I don't like someone who doesn't wear a mask, then don't shop there! Obviously they are clueless that it's an ordinance in IL. The public health department would close it down!!!! Do your homework read more

After reading the reviews, I felt I had to chime in. I've been a customer since they opened long ago and they've always gone the extra mile for customers. They have had some dud employees over the years, and one dreadfully rude lazy-bones assistant manager, but they're gone and all's well again. It's not easy these days finding help who know about hardware but give it a try again and I think everyone will be happy to give them their business. Oh, and I question the phone number under this listing. I've always used 847-615-8949. read more

The familiar feeling of a mom and pop shop with a wide selection of tools for the home. They also carry cards and gifts for everyday occasions and holidays. I came in for some $2 tack cloths and left with $75 of cooking gadgets, craft ribbons, gift bags and clearance Christmas cards. The man working there made sure to point out the holiday aisle and informed me that everything was 60% off. Oh, I'm a sucker for bargains! read more

Just moving here & needed a new mailbox. Called, got the right info quickly, can order from website and they install it. Easy- simple- local. Love that! read more

The store is family owned and it shows- in a great way. From screws, to drywall, to birthday cards, to coasters, you can find everything here. If you want to tackle a do-it yourself project, this is the place to go for advice and the supplies you need. Great hardware store and friendly service! read more

I brought in two window screens for repair, which were not ready in the original one week repair time. The second week the didn't know exactly which screens were mine, and sent me home with someone else's screen. Now it up to me to go to the back room to find mine. Poorly run. read more

I have been going to this store for 8 years or longer now. What I loved about it was the fact that it's family owned and operated and people are super nice. I went in yesterday to buy a gift for my 5 year old niece. I picked 2 items and when I was paying for them I asked the sales clerk if they offered gift wrapping- she replied yes and said she would charge for the 2 items separately which was okay with me. After paying for my items we moved to another register, where the clerk attempted to wrap my gift - she was interrupted by 3 I other folks who were at the cash register and while I waited she went back and forth to ring them up! Finally after 10 minutes I asked her if she would just either wrap my gift or return my money since I was running late. That's when she called for help( another employee was 3 feet away shelving ) The gift was very sloppily wrapped so I asked her to at least tie a string- she replied I would have to pay extra for that (!) and she informed me that she had never told me that she knew how to wrap stuff professionally! So I asked her why didn't she just tell me up front BEFORE I paid 5$ for the service which she couldn't offer " professionally" ? This sales clerk was rude she refused to refund when I asked her to stop ( one item was still unwrapped at this point) and she told me curtly that she had " already cut the paper". I will not be returning to this store again and I miss the previous owners. read more

You pay a little bit more than at HD but the service is great and they have about a broad a selection as you need for most jobs. You won't last for more than five minutes before someone approached you to help. read more

I just moved to Lake Forest and wanted to try going local instead of venturing to the big box stores and I bought a ton of stuff for my new house here. The staff are incredibly friendly and offered to help me find things three times during my shopping. A few days after my purchase, one of my new garden hoses sprung a leak, but I lost my receipt and threw away the original packaging, but they exchanged it at no charge anyway. There's a reason you stay local - and Lake Forest Hardware is one of them! read more

I went to Lake Forest Hardware today to buy a desk fan for a co-worker who lost his. About an hour or so later, my co-worker ends up opening the box to find that their was no fan in the box whatsoever. I call LFH right away knowing that one, I paid in cash, and two, as I was about to leave the store the first time, Jane kindly asked if I wanted the receipt to which I had said no. In the end, LFH was kind enough to let me return the empty box and allow me to exchange it for a different fan. Jane and Ryan, whom I dealt with, were extremely nice and patient with the process. Their customer service was much appreciated. It is for that reason that I will continue to go to this store. Thank you Jane and Ryan. read more

I love this "hardware" store which has a small hometown feeling and offers so much more than your typical hardware store. They have wonderful gifts for any occasion. I've bought house warming, Easter, birthday and graduation gifts and cards along with paint and gardening supplies. Keith Morgan, the owner, is so nice and years ago he helped jump start my car when the battery died in the parking lot. The prices are also competitive compared to the large hardware stores. read more

Poor excuse for a hardware store. The kid who is apparently the owner, makes promises he doesn't keep. he'll tell you he's going to order something for you and when you come in to pick it up you find they never ordered it. A friend took screens in last spring to get new screens put in and they lost them. They were never returned. Every time you try to call to speak to owner be cause he's the one that said he was going to do something you just get told he's not in or he's out of town/ on vacation. This kid has no business running a store. I'm told they have a high turnover rate because they don't pay their employees. I will not be spending another dime in this place. If you're looking for decent service do yourself a favor and go to HD or Ace. read more