I visited three hardware stores looking for a piece for my faucet and the second one directed me here. They were very helpful and found what I needed immediately. Now, from a pricing standpoint, I don't think there are many bargains. When I got home I checked the price of the item I bought. It was $33 at the store and I found it advertised as low as $16 online. The same part on the manufacturer's site is $24. However, if you consider shipping costs and convenience and the fact that I didn't know what I needed, I can justify the higher cost. Plus there is a lot of overhead owning a store in Manhattan and I want to keep places like this in business. So you may pay more, but the service and convenience are worth it, in my opinion. read more

Prices not for the average consumer, staff not very helpful unless you're a contractor making bigger purchases. No prices marked on any merchandise - when you get to the register, prices are sometimes 50%-200% more than what you'd pay at Home Depot. I think they jack up the prices because contractors mostly shop here. When I went in to purchase a 25 ft garden hose (the ones that you can get on Amazon for $17, or Home depot sells them for $20), they wanted $40! The person behind the register just shrugged when I said I can get it for half price online. A Dremel drill kit cost $80 - the same one could be had at Home Depot or Amazon for $56. I wouldn't shop here unless it's absolutely necessary. read more

As a business owner, I am absolutely disgusted with Midtown Lumber. When we tried to return plywood that was delivered to us, they would not take it back because it had black marks on it and said it was unsellable. I agree. However, this is what they sold us. I had to speak with 3 different people who were all just telling me they couldn't help me and I needed to talk to someone else. If this company has such standards for what they sell, I wouldn't have received this merchandise in the first place. I offered multiple times to show footage of the delivery and where the wood was placed after and it was not touched. This damaged plywood was exactly what they sent. We had also refused delivery for a 2x4x12 that was warped and still have yet to receive a credit. This is NOT how you should run a business. In addition....I just received the plywood they refused to refund and the black scuff marks they are talking about are from THEIR DOLLY!! read more

Customer service skills zero! I found this vendor as a distributor of the Quiet Rock product. Not knowing much about it, I called for information. I was directed to Milton (major attitude from the start) who sent me back to YouTube to look at videos to learn more about the product. Cool, no problem. I watched the videos and was ready to order the product. I call back the following week to make an order and this guy talks so nasty and is so short with me as I am giving him the order that I had ask what the hell is his problem? I am a customer and did he really want to take an order from me? He said no and don't call there anymore!! LOL! Does he really think he was hurting me? Business must be very good at Metropolitan when you can choose whose green money you take! I wonder if the Manufacturer knows that this distributor refuses to sell their product?! read more

Definitely not a big box hardware store. The aisles are narrow and dirty, just like they should be, there's a huge selection, and people are around to help. Unfortunately, these people are not very helpful. Even if there are 5 people within your sight, you will actually have to shout to get one's attention. When you do, they will just tell you to be quick because they're closing in an hour and a half. Um, yeah, ok... I came for baseboard molding and a big piece of cut plywood and bought neither. The molding had to be cut to size (obviously) and the guys stop cutting whenever they feel like it (in this case, 3pm). And the plywood was stupid expensive. No thanks. However, I'm glad Met is here. If I can wake up earlier, I can get some molding cut, and I can also get all the hardware stuff I need without setting foot into the Big Box Hardware Store From Hell. read more

Metropolitan is the best hardware store in Manhattan, hands down (and believe me, I've been to most all). I've also read the negative posts, and frankly, from these reviewers' perspective, I completely understand what is going on. Let me explain, I've lived in Hells Kitchen for years and am regular customer; I regularly conduct large scale renovations and make cabinets as a hobby and side-business. To understand Metro you need to understand their business: They cater to, and are staffed for, large professional contractor orders. Many of their customers have accounts, credit lines, etc. They generally service professionals who know roughly what they need. Because they see volume and interact with professionals, they also are a great source of valuable information re: different products and methods that enhance quality and value for your job. The practical know how and knowledge surpass anything Home Depot can possibly offer. BUT, all this presupposes that the customer has a working knowledge of their construction process, tools and their material needs. This fact would explain the comments re: rude service etc: They simply are not set up for the labor-intensive low volume business of onesies and twosies of novice DIYs. BUT, even then, if you do research before hand, work with them, you will find them down to earth and extremely helpful--just wait till they are not busy. As to price, quality and service: Their customer base of professionals and large orders allows them to carry a huge selection of professional tools and supplies. Note the quality and selection far surpass Home Depot, and provide an all-in better value and feel than the cheaper HD alternatives. Their services is superior as well; A sales rep knows exactly where everything is, I quickly grab what I need; the check out process takes 5 minutes, lumber is picked up across the street, custom-cut to my needs and I'm out. Compare the aimless walking around in the endless aisles of HD and their teenage clerks who know little beyond (or even) the posted FAQ sheets for any tool or supply. The checkout lines wind into the aisles... all for inferior products! A further personal note, last weekend I sent to Metro my 13 year old-daughter, alone, to pick up "an assortment of 1/4 " and 3/8" carbide tipped drill bits" for her school project that we are working on. They recognized her, and she told me the staff reached under the counter, handed her a few drill bits (a freebie), gave her an ice-cream bar and sent her on her way. Now that is professional neighborhood service!! They have my biz locked up. That said, I have read the comments below and do agree: they are focused on a specific corner of the market that is not for everyone. Ray read more

I am having my apt. reno and my contractor needed to get some things. I volunteered to go-he has a steady day job-but I was worried about going to MetLumber b/c of the reviews. Well. It was a great experience. One of the salesmen walked me over to the paint dept. and Louis was very helpful. He even showed me where I could get a cup of cold water. I browsed a bit and all the folk I ran into were willing to help. I will definitely go back for the things I need and the things I may find that I need! read more

Garbage cat-calling staff. Garbage products. Garbage respect for keeping the sidewalk clear. Driving their forklift like it's a go kart out on to the sidewalk. Trash place. Rather just go to Home Depot. read more

Decent selection of wood and tools but is typical store crammed floor to ceiling down narrow rows. Also, if you like being treated like an idiot, this is the place for you. Employees tend to act like everything they do is a chore and take a number to get help. I will go here if I absolutely have to. read more

This store sucks - totally. Insulting, rude, fat assed, tired old relics at the counters that only want to see how rudely they can treat people. I am a small landlord in midtown Manhattan and own a 4 story building. I live on two floors and the other two floors each have two apartments. I have wonderful tenants and really like to make their apartments pleasant places. I went into Metropolitan Lumber today with the intention of ordering new kitchen cabinet doors for the rental apartments since I just bought and installed new dishwashers in all the units. The area where the cabinetry is on display had this old turd behind the desk reading a comic book. He wouldn't even let me finish asking a question before he condescendingly remarked "Oh, we don't have anything like that here". (Mind you, I walked past a moderate display of cabinet doors in my way to the counter.) On my way out I walked past at least 6 equally scummy looking guys standing around in the check out area. This is a BIG store, and I was the only customer (which told me something). I left the store and drove to the Home Depot at 3rd avenue and 58th Street. In short, they are coming on Monday to take measurements and begin the makeover for my rental units. This will be close to a 6 thousand dollar sale for them, and I also bought new faucets for all 4 units which I will install. When Metropolitan Lumber goes belly up I will be standing outside laughing my ass off. What a riot to think of those assholes trying to get a job in the real world. I would much rather have given my business to a neighborhood store, but thanks to these chimps that was impossible. read more

Yes it takes some getting used to but there are lots of people to help and you can get wood cut to order across the street in the yard. This is a very old school way of doing business. I went two days in a row and was very glad to have the trained help that is lacking at homedepot and to not have to trek across town for a box of nails. If you go to the yard look for the rats...they run the place. read more

I live a block away from this store and occasionally stop here when I am in the middle of a home improvement project and don't have the time to go to Home Depot. I've always had a bad experience here. The prices are of course, much higher than what you would pay at Home Depot. But the attitude and lack of helpfulness at this store is truly astounding. I've lived near this store and made my occasional visits over 20 years. Every time, the staff has ignored me and no one has ever offered to help. The worst is the payment process. I just left the store minutes ago and it was a typical visit. I had to pick up something small, but a sales associate had to write up a ticket before I could go to the cashier. But there was no sales associate who seemed to be able or willing to do this, despite the fact that there were many around. When I found one who did this for me, and moved to the cashier, she told me she couldn't help me because I needed to see a sales associate. Everyone was brusque and rude. I'm spending my money at Home Depot - it's worth the trip and it definitely saves money. Oh, and the store is cramped, dirty, and has a severely limited selection of items. read more

This place was a lifesaver for me. That being said, I don't think the impressions everyone has on here were wrong at all. If you're in the market for exceedingly gracious customer service this is probably not the place for you. But if you're looking for knowledgeable people who can help you and you're willing to play by their rules, it's a godsend. At least it was for me. After a failed trip to a Manhattan Home Depot, where they didn't carry full sized sheet rock, much less more specialized materials like mass-loaded vinyl, I decided to give these guys a try. I decided they were worth a shot based on another reviewer who pointed out that this place caters to commercial contractors so doesn't necessarily have much incentive to placate naive DIYers, but does have the knowledge and stock to help you if you come in knowing what you need. I therefore researched the hell out of what I wanted and swaggered in there ready to give my best impression of being in-the-know. I didn't fool anyone. The unimpressed guy behind the counter immediately convinced me that mass loaded vinyl was going to be a very expensive way of not meeting my needs. But he then gave me some pointers on what would work (sound board, at less than 20% the price) and directed me to head across the street to get it cut to size ,since I would otherwise be working with a handsaw at home. Long story short, I think if you come in here with a reasonably solid initial idea of what you want, take it upon yourself to approach someone for advice, and then are open to and appreciative of what they have to tell you (even if it doesn't come packaged in conventional customer service obsequiousness) these guys have stuff to offer that other manhattan hardware stores don't. That being said, I will warn the women out there that some of the male employees will definitely let you know that they've noticed your gender. This was never in an intentionally rude way, rather in that meant-to-be-complimentary-way that is a mix of chivalrous and condescending. I didn't personally take offense at it as it seemed well-intentioned and frankly in this situation I clearly was out of my league, so the condescension was merited on a knowledge-basis (though not of course a gender one). For me this didn't stop my appreciation of the help I received, but you do probably want to be prepared. read more

So this place isn't for everyone!!!! It is not a DIY, home crafters, warm and fuzzy customer service mecca.... They typically deal with contractors and constructions crews. If you know what you are talking about they will give you a little respect. I find amazing things here that you can't find anywhere else. You just have to know what you are looking for, and be willing to wait to get a price on it. They tend to be higher on most things, but for something that you can't get elsewhere, or just to see what is out there, I recommend this place. As an artist and designer, it is a great resource for industrial fittings, connectors, and raw materials. read more

They are simply HORRIBLE. I was looking for a couple of shelves. Walked in and asked the guy at the counter where I could find them. He told me to ask the sales associate who was vacuuming the floor. I found the shelves but there was no label with the dimensions and I did not have a tape measure. I politely asked the guy with the vacuum cleaner if he happened to know the dimensions of the shelves. He said: "How do I know? You made me stop vacuuming and now I have to look." Zero manners. Zero service. HORRIBLE. read more

I would give 0 stars if I could. This place has workers withnthe worst attitude that don't want to help and pass you off to other workers. If u can get a workers attention they I'll tell u the are busy and can't help...WTF? Not only is the service bad but these guys are bad neighbors and typically double park their trucks on both sides of 11th avenue causing near traffic accidents and blocking traffic leading to the Lincoln tunnel. F*Ck u metropolitan lumber. Ignore Joelle B's review of this place. She has a total of 2 reviews on Yelp and they were both positive about 2 locations of Metropolitan Lumber. read more

Their website says, "Never Be Afraid of a Do-It-Yourself Project. We're Here to Help!" I can't imagine anything being farther from the truth. The employees don't want you to buy anything. They don't want to talk to you. They don't want to do anything that will distract them from listening to the radio or ogling the pinups they proudly display around the checkout. The only positive thing I can say about this place is that they carry some specialty products you can't find at Home Depot in the city or even Lowes in New Jersey. If you want to find that product, get any information on it, or actually purchase it, good luck. While I sincerely hope this review discourages others from setting foot in the store, I know it will do nothing to improve the store itself. Judging by the dot matrix printers and 1980s CRTs these guys use, they surely have no idea how to find Yelp. read more

There was a $100 discrepancy in the cost of my product compared to what I received in my order. I phoned them to ask about the discrepancy and was passed from one person to the next until a manager took my call. He used an undermining, abrasive tone with me and when I asked him to stop being a jerk, he went off on a harassing, foul mouthed rant and hung up the phone. I will never order from those folks again. read more

Worst hardware store I have ever been in. Rude idiotic employees. Completely disorganized. Never again.

Awful. Can't believe they are still in business! All of the staff is busy talking with each other or looking at the cell phones. None of the items have prices!!! YOu have to take each item up to the counter to get a price--wtf?? Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. I want to give the non-home depots a chance, but this place is not even trying. Read the other reviews they are spot on. read more

Couldn't be happier than just now. Came from the javits center and needed some supplies, this place had it all!! They cut my track lighting and gave us terrific customer service. Fantastic! read more

People are rude! Stay away. They charge you 20% for restocking fee which they don't even tell you when you return an item back. Not even a courtesy to help you look at options to avoid it. No wonder why a lot of contractors are staying away from this place. Go to somewhere else! read more

This store is a public menace. They leave the fork lift on the sidewalk and my husband tripped today. When I called the store and spoke to Ken he played the "this is the first i'm hearing of this" defense. No one on their staff was able to apologize or provide reasonable answers or customer service. Horrible. A neighborhood hardware store isn't supposed to be WORSE that the big boxes. I take silent solace that Home Depot or Lowe's will one day put them out of business. Justice will be served. Karma is the ultimate b-i-t-c-h. read more

Worst company ever!!!! Very bad experience!! Don't try to ask for help because all of the workers are most likely too LAZY to move from their chairs or desks!! I asked for a specific piece of wood to a guy who didn't move from his chair... he pointed the directions and i had to look by myself to stuff i dont understand... i asked one more time if he could help and kindly said "have a look over there...". Went to see the manager to complain and ask for help but that one stayed behind his counter and didn't do anything... we can tell HE IS THE GUY IN CHARGE!!!! Not a word to his staff not helping customers.... are we really in NYC????? Worst of the worst!!! Waste of time to go there!!!!! And i work in renovations!!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!! read more

I went there today and an employee named Darnell helped me. He was amazing at his job and helped me find M8 50 screws quickly and efficiently while providing a top notch personable personality. The cashier who rung the order was just as friendly and overall the experience was a great one. This is my new to go to Hardware Store. read more

I have been going to Metropolitan for about 20 years. Their main trade is professional construction. It's not for the home DIYer. If you can't handle a New York construction worker attitude, don't go there. They will sell you the stuff YOU need (if you can name it correctly) for your little project but they don't need YOU so don't expect a lot of Home-Depot-Sale-People-Who-Know-Less-Than-You-Do "customer service. Know what you want, tell them, get it and leave. I love the place and enjoy BSing with the rest of them or flipping the attitude back at 'em.. read more

I went to this place to buy few sheet rocks and concrete cement mix for a project that I'm doing at home. However, my overall experience there was a completeley disaster. The staff was rude and also the price are out this world. Next Time I will go to home depot to buy my stuff. read more

This place is great. I live in the neighborhood and go in all the time for tools and odds and ends for projects and there are always people to help me! read more

Ridiculous prices, and a staff that is second to none in Manhattan - arrogant, glib, and obnoxious. Don't come here if you need help suggestions or advise. The salespeople are too busy chatting up personal stuff to even acknowledge you read more

I am in NYC renovating my apt. in Hell's Kitchen and had to go to a lumber store. Just left the Metropolitan Lumber and Hardware after buying two shelves, blue painter's tape, and some drop cloth poly, ....and to this point...still thinking that this store must have very high employees' theft. The guy who sold me the stuff pulled me on the side, literally in the room full of copper plumbing stuff and said: " give $20 and I will give everything you buy for free". I was shocked at the least and said: oh no, dont worry about it and tapped his shourlder. He said, "sure?". I said sure and I went back to the cashier area with him and he scanned the stuff. I paid the stuff full in cash with the woman cashier, and got back to the guy to claim my stuff. What a weird day! read more

I have had to order lumber from them a number of times for different projects and every single time they are incredibly unhelpful, rude, and incredibly sexist. I have never had a delivery arrive on time, and on one particular occasion a delivery never arrived because the person who was supposed to place the order "took a half-day." It's not just a few bad customer service reps, it is awful internal organization - overall overpriced and a very poorly run business. read more

Absolutely terrible customer service. I have been to this location at least 10 times in the past year because they are the only hardware store near my studio, and every single time I have been sold the wrong item. The salesmen have almost zero knowledge about the materials and tools they are selling you. Even if you come in with a full understanding of what you want/need, and ask for it, they will give you the wrong thing. You have to triple check on every single detail, from whether or not they gave you the right price, to if it is even the right item. It is insanely frustrating, especially when it comes to purchasing lumber or sheetrock. read more

i was hesitant to go after all the awful reviews, but i have no idea where they're coming from. i went for odds and ends- a hammer drill, carbide drill tip, tapcon concrete fixtures, gorilla glue etc. great selection for the resident consumer and staff was very helpful. my go to hardware store from now on. read more

This place is everything except your best YUPPIE place in SoHo. I read negative reviews of it on Yelp. They may come from these new comers to the neighborhood. I've been here for over thirty years and can say that the people at Met Hardware are the friendliest. They just never had a chance to go to finishing school. Sorry for the Paris Hilton(s) of this world! read more

I bought a faucet from this store, later realized it was the wrong one. I had a problem returning it even so I bought on a credit card. Finally the manager said he would return it with a 20% restock fee. When I brought it the faucet in he said he has to wait until tomorrow so his plumber can see if all the parts are there. He called me the next day saying it was missing parts. "impossible since i put everything in the box". When I went there the plumber had the same faucet box with different parts in it. I almost left but I had my parts list and showed him every part I had, i asked him if he had a parts list and he didnt. Then he started getting rude and saying I was pissing him off. I then went to the manager explaining my list and he quickly gave me credit. Never go there for good customer service. read more