As a resident and homeowner in Millsmont, I have to say that I am already seeing positive changes in our local hardware store. I have been driving to Osh and Home Depot in lew of frequenting Laurel Ace Hardware, which is much more convenient, because I was treated so badly by the former owners. Glad also to hear that you are adding organic plants (no neonics) and revamping the return policy. Keep up the great work and communication with your neighbors! read more

I came 10 mins before they closed & asked for a pint of paint so I could do a project over the weekend. The employee assigned to that area informed me it was too late to mix paint (no one was in front of me) & then said they were closed for the holiday that following day do if I wanted to come back in two days they could help me. I'm all for employee benefits (seriously) but it's moments like these that remind me why small businesses have a hard time saying relevant. Customer service must be central to local businesses so we all keep our money in our neighborhood. Now I'm headed to Home Depot :/ read more

It's a friendly neighborhood hardware store. I've gotten good advice, all the essential hardware stuff, and a pleasant feeling every time I've been there. read more

i love this hardware store! the people are SO friendly, nice, knowledgeable about the products. i buy paint, plants, and anytime you have a question about the anything someone in the store is there to help you! amazing! they have the best tomato plants! read more

Hate the giant Home Depot monster? The Ace Hardware in the Laurel District is a great place if you simply want a garden hose, a coupla screws, and sprinkler heads to get your planter boxes started or have a simple do it yourself project. I went to the Home Depot for a garden hose washer and just about cried when the folks there couldn't point me in the right direction after three attempts and a lot of wandering. I just wanted a f***ing washer! I got in my car and drove to the local ACE and YEAH! They knew where they were! Washers galore! At the ACE, they even have specific knowledge about the different brands of products that they offer and can give you how to advice. I went in there for a replacement pipe to fix my kitchen sink and a nice man cut the piece to size and told me how to replace the piece - for free! Yeah! I saved what, $100 in plumber fees? read more

Boy, I think I just walked into a internal dispute of some sort. 3 months ago I took 2 wooden frames in to have them screened. The service was nice, they did a nice job and the cost was reasonable. Last week I took 2 more in to be covered and ran into a whole different situation. The first person I talked to talked me out of using a different heavier screening material, so I said just do it like the last time and left the frames with them. Today, 3 or 4 days later, I got a call and the guy doing the screening started hemming and hawing about doing the project. ?? I said to do it just like before. He said he didn't remember the other job even though these frames are home made and look nothing like anything else. Then he hemmed and hawed and finally said he would have to give me a price. I said that the same as last time would be no problem, he didn't need to give me a quote. He insisted and came back with a price of $90 per frame. Last time I paid $25 a frame. He told me that the owner had increased the price. I don't know what was really going on, none of the story made sense, When I went to get my frames back, both the screener and the manager kept throwing it back on the owner, even offering me his contact info, so I suspect that the owner had pissed them off somehow and by wasting my time it would make it right in their little minds. So, I am out two trips across town and back at square one, when I expected to pick up the completed job as promised. Made me mad. read more

Small store, but the people that work there are really helpful if not a little strange. The helpfulness is more valuable than the strange factor. I don't know anything about home improvements, and own my first home now. They have helped me on about a dozen projects with not just thr right materials but advice on how to fix stuff too. read more

I can't figure out why this business doesn't make an effort to offer the customer service that Ace is branded for. Today was four strikes (not sure why I went back after three), and I've learned that it's not worth the effort to do business here as we make improvements on our fixer upper house. Granted, most of my hassles have involved policy exceptions I was requesting, but I thought my requests were reasonable. *When I misplaced my wallet, I was in with a checkbook and a passport, and they wouldn't let me purchase the paint I'd already mixed (until the kind gentleman behind me handed me a twenty and said to make the check out to him). *When I attempted a return the day after a purchase, they refused it because I lost the receipt (even though the clerk remembered me). *I was once told they couldn't mix my last two of four paint samples, even though they were still open, and even though I had called ahead to make sure they would take me, because they were closing in 15 minutes and as the manager said "I've been here since 7:30 am so I've had a hard day too!" *This week I was in with my newborn and attempted to return a drill bit and a hacksaw blade, since I'd bought two of each not knowing which I need. That's $14.48 total, and assuming a 1:3 profit margin, less than $5 impact their bottom line to accept the return and keep a customer. It was 4 days outside of their 30 day returns policy. I was clearly never going to need these parts again now that this project is done, and I acknowledged that it was a policy exception I was requesting, given that we lost track of time with the baby. But I asked them to be reasonable, and I offered to take my refund as store credit to be spent immediately today on anything at all that I *do* need. In fact, I've been in three times, and have left two notes for the owner to please call me to discuss. The funniest was the first visit when the owner David hid in the back room and had his staff tell me first that he was busy but wouldn't accept my return, then they told me he was on a conference call and they couldn't talk to him, and then the story again changed that he had just left and wouldn't be back this week. But I digress. I realized the only reason I kept going back is my *perception* of Ace hardware stores (which I love with a passion in many other instances - shoutout to Paul and Barb my heroes at Ace Ellis in Temescal!). But the reality does not match perception in this case. If I can save you the trouble of encountering these same headaches, I'll feel something good came of my troubles. As for me, I finally decided to leave the return items on the counter and walk out of the store forever to close the chapter. Congrats Ace Laurel! You got the $14.48 sale AND you got the inventory back, and all it cost you was a customer! read more

Best staff, great selection of products and a quaint neighborhood feel...I feel so lucky to live down the street.

Somewhat friendly staff who smelled of marijuana. Needed car wash supplies. Yes I know we are in a drought, but my car is 6 months old. Anyway I needed a few things like a bucket, armor all, a new nozzle for my hose, etc. of the 5 ppl on the floor nobody could help me find my items as they were not together. After spending 15 minutes looking around in a store with no customers, I found what I needed. This Ace is not the place with the helpful hardware man. Convenient, yes. Friendly, yes. Helpful, no. read more

Great local business. Not a giant warehouse - but still crammed with the basics and a few more fun things. Gone there three times since moving to the area. The staff were able to meet my needs everytime and offered solid information on the how to's. The parking lot is just another bonus for shopping in my own neighborhood. read more

helpful staff, great selection, and keeps me out of the hellhole of Home Depot. If they had a selection of plants I would go every week.

If there was an option for zero stars this store would be one.. I went there to buy a outdoor extension cord today around 6:30 pm an was racially profiled by an older women who work there. I payed for my stuff and asked to talk to the manager Tom. While I was telling Tom what happen he told me he was instructed by upper management if anyone who look suspicious they need to watch them.. This is ridiculous and outrageous..Tom was unapologetic and not concerned with my complaint..If Tom would have apologize and seem concerned about my compliant I would have never wrote this.. read more

Great selection of small fastener hardware and random other little bits. Helpful staff. The place is a little packed and claustrophobics might get a little wigged out. In general a good selection of hardware store things, but not as exensive as some of the bigger stores. Great for Laurel locals like me! read more

The staff at this Ace store are wonderful! Super helpful and very friendly. I always feel great walking into this store. They will help you in whatever way they can, and also go above and beyond with alot of enthusiasm! It's totally worth going to because of the extra attention you get. Plus the hours extend beyond 6 p.m. which is great for those working people that need something vs. the other Ace stores in the area. read more

Staff is unhappy and makes the customers aware of their dissatisfaction. David the cashier would not accept a return without a receipt. Very poor customer service policy for an unused item. I will keep my business with the larger stores in the area. Longtime homeowner in Oakland, Victor Fierro Coldwell Banker SF Ballet Orchestra read more

Laurel Ace Hardware really has everything you need all in one teeny tiny shop. They're really helpful and friendly with plenty of staff to answer questions. read more

Today, Patricia at Laurel Ace Hardware cut me a piece of plexiglas that fit to perfection. She wasn't sure if what she had there would work but persisted, and in no time flat, the challenge was met. i found Patricia welcoming, responsive, delightful to talk with, effective and up to the task I am a very satisfied customer and will certainly be back. Thank you! Suellen read more

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. NEVER go to Home Depot again! (unless on the very off chance they don't have what you need at ACE) I've never waited for help -- never had to wander the aisles praying I'd find an employee -- and never not found what i needed. I love you Laurel ACE. read more

They have a nice selection of specialty fasteners and doo-dads, similar to an OSH but it's in my hood! For the physical size of the store, they have a very diverse stock of items, and the staff are cool, too. read more

This Ace store was my neighborhood "go-to-store" - convenient, even though the management and a few staff people have been frequently observed getting agitated over small violations such as where to stand while waiting for the cashier. Even with the apparent lack of appreciation for neighborhood based business, I have continued shopping here until yesterday when I attempted to return a barbecue propane tank that had a faulty valve. The manager, who dealt with me remotely by cell from some location within the building, refused to accept the full tank even though it clearly matched the tanks in their inventory. I no longer had the receipt, but I did have a defective tank that was unusable and possibly dangerous. It is apparent from the numerous negative reviews, that my experience is not isolated. I prefer to trade with a merchant that shows some appreciation for the business . Goodbye Laurel Ace Hardware. read more

This place used to be good. What happened? They somehow manage to be out of whatever I need EVERY TIME I go in. But don't worry, they're always well stocked on slap bracelets and glow-in-the-dark ladybug drink holders... read more

This is consistently the worst hardware store I've ever been to. At least 70% of the time I leave empty-handed because they don't have what I'm looking for. I hate Home Depot but I often end up there after disappointing experiences here. I'm actually largely writing this review to remind myself not to bother coming here anymore... read more

Consistently helpful and friendly. The experience of shopping there has an element of charm to it.

Laurel Ace Hardware rocks. Employees really know their stuff & decently priced. Everyone working there is extremely helpful and friendly. Never going back to Home Depot read more

Great neigborhood harware store. They pack a lot of great things in a small space especially compared to the large home improvement stores.

This is the closest hardware store to my house. It is a bit small but the staff definitely makes an effort to help you find what you need and it is much friendlier than the Home Depots of the world. Free parking right next to the store is also a huge plus. read more

Just moved to the neighborhood a week ago. Have visited this Ace 4 times and every time they had exactly what I needed, which is amazing considering how densely packed everything is. The staff is always helpful and friendly. Today I needed a couple mounting blocks to mount some gate latches. They didn't have wood blocks pre-cut to the size I needed, so the guy there took me back to a scrapwood pile they had and handed me a 2x4 big enough to cut two mounting blocks out of it, and didn't even charge me for it! Expect to visit this store at least a couple times a month for many years to come. read more

Thumbs up for local hardware store. They know their stuff, always have good advice and usually have what I need. A better experience than Home Depot even if the selection isn't as huge. Decent pricing none the less. read more

This ACE is convenient for most of my hardware needs. I usually find exactly what I need without having to walk around a huge warehouse home improvement store. The employees are friendly and helpful when I can't find something or need advice about different items and projects. The prices can be more expensive than say, Home Depot, but bottom line it's convenient, especially when I need supplies fast. read more

This is my neighborhood hardware store and I'm happy to have them and support their business. They always have knowledgeable (if not a little quirky) salespeople to help ,e find whatever I need. They are friendly and certainly know how to provide old fashioned customer service! read more

Fifteen years of satisfied shopping here. Helpful, knowledgeable staff. They pack a lot of items into a relatively small space. Very convenient for that missing part or tool in your project. You will likely pay more than in a big box store, but not always. And you will be in and out pretty quickly. Never a problem with returns, but then I keep my receipts. PS--When I first started shopping here, it was a True Value rather than an Ace. It has been the same reliable store under both logos. read more

Ace is always great and Laurel Ace is no exception. The service is always above and beyond. It's great to have them in the neighborhood.

I don't recall her name, but here was a lady (who told me she worked in theater rigging for 30 years) who helped my girlfriend and I understand the ins and outs of affixing things to plaster vs drywall. Didn't know that kind of customer service existed anymore. That's the whole point of brick and mortar! Right? read more

Last weekend I went to the "new" Laurel Ace Hardware and am happy to report excellent service! Bravo to the new owners! I have a lovely and unique lamp made from a musical instrument that I thought needed a new socket. Patricia, who is a new staff member, helped me. The problem was not the socket. Or a new plug. She finally re-wired the whole lamp. We now have Fabulous and working lamp! Patricia mentioned that she did a lot of re-wiring and worked in a place that offered the service. I suggested it would be a wonderful service for Laurel Ace to offer. If you agree, it seems like a great time to ask! This review is obviously for Patricia, but all staff seemed happy and helpful to other customers. I hope they return to good customer service and continue to be an asset to the Laurel! We wish them well! read more

As a Maxwell Park resident, I am so thankful that an Laurel Ace Hardware is here in the community. I get great customer service (wow what a concept); as compared to the bigger *ahem* not to be mentioned monster corporate hardware stores. They pretty much have most everything you need, and if not they will gladly order it for you. Thank you Laurel Ace hardware, you get 5 stars AND you make my day. read more

I really like this hardware store. They have 90% of what I need. They are well staffed and very helpful. It's also a very clean store. Something a lot of retailers seem to forget about. I've only been in the area a little while and I've already purchased gas line parts, varnish, a nice garden hose, and some electrical parts. I should be heading back their this morning for some jig saw blades. read more

I think Laurel Ace Hardware is great. They are friendly, helpful, and have an extensive range of products for a small-ish store. What I love most about this store is that you can actually get a human being to assist you in less than 30 seconds--something you will NEVER get at Home Depot--and also the person is generally quite knowledgeable about the store inventory.Pretty surprised by the two negative reviews from 2014, particularly the one hinting at some sort of racial profiling. If, as claimed, the reviewer really visited this store regularly, she would know that it hosts the most multi-racial staff of any small business I know. Myself, a white woman, and my husband, a black man, both get the same pleasant helpful service here on a consistent basis. read more

Very helpful sales folks here. Needed a replacement valve stem for the shower and the salesperson had extensive knowledge about plumbing and how to fix. read more

This store is a lifesaver. They have what I need, even the most obscure items. The staff is helpful, creative and knowledgeable. So glad they're in my neighborhood! read more