Smith's, now Costello's Ace Hardware, is nothing less than the Hardware Store from Hell. I've been in twice over the last two days as I am working on a small plumbing repair. I asked three people yesterday, all wearing Ace shirts, if they worked there and they all replied, "No." So you are wearing that shirt as a fashion statement? I finally got to the cashier, Michael at the front desk, and he was great. This morning I went in needing another gasket and hoping to get some advice on silicone adhesives. It was early and no one was there except the two cashiers, fittingly dressed for Halloween as Tweetle Dee and Tweetle Dumm. When I asked if there was a silicone alternative, the reply was, "I don't know, I am the cashier not a plumber." I responded, "Used to when the old team was here there was always somebody knowledgable." This elicited a comment about "Princeton entitlement" and how she hates Princeton. I haven't had customer service like that since 1988 in the Soviet Union. And did I mention the music? If you like rock 'n roll at full volume, this place is for you. Me, I am headed to Lowe's. read more

Have a question, they'll answer it without the big box echo and the eternal search for a warm body. Buried deep in the catacombs of the ancient Princeton Shopping Center, Ace offers a very pleasing, manageable space stocking most of what you'll need to tackle the majority of projects on your list. Do yourself a favor and throw a monkey wrench into your reflexive travels to Lowe's or Home Depot and shop locally - competitive pricing, stellar service and a quick in and out. What's not to love. An easy five stars. read more

Don't bother with online ordering--it's never ready, the guy at the counter is rude. I could have saved $$$ and ordered feom Amazon, wanted to support local. Last time it was a ladder when i was sick & needed to prune trees--oh, it says we deliver, we don't. Most of the staff here is great, but i have the flu and just wanted some metal polish. Apologies that I couldn't shout any louder while i have a sore throat, congestion, watery eyes, and Q massive migraine, but politeness goes a long way, and boomers need to learn some manners, like handing a pen to the person, not tossing it on the counter, not even with the nib out for signing. read more

Went there yesterday evening looked at the stihl multi tool I wanted and asked the cashier young looking bo) if I could get help he announced on the speaker 4 guys talking half way back in the store did not respond. 20 minutes later white women comes and gets immediate response from one of those men Just saying if not white try staying away, I know I will. read more

Not the same since they changed named and presumably ownership. item listed in stock on the web site, not available in the store. They don't answer the phone claiming it is out of service. Opening hours listed till 8 pm in one place and till 5 pm in another. read more

Oh no! What happened!? New owners?! It's like a discount store now with crappy merchandising. It feels like a race to the bottom of quality and selection. read more

In recent days both Mike and Chris (at Route 33) went all the way to support my small but annoying problem with those modern electronic automobile key fobs. Very much apreciated. read more

Great service and very helpful staff, especially during the pandemic. Curbside pickup is quick and convenient. read more

Rude, lazy customer service. Every time I call this place or go to ask for help they're completely unwilling to do anything beyond answering a yes or no question. Workers act like they don't need your business, even if you have spent a ton there over the years (something I won't be doing anymore). I know it's not, but the way they act you'd think this place was a front. They just don't care to interact or help their customers, even if they're not busy and the place is empty. read more

I always find what I need at our local Ace Hardware (as well as something I didnt KNOW that I needed.) The staff is exceptionally helpful and knowledgable. During this pandemic, I am grateful their policy is "masks on" to the benefit of the customers and their employees. Check out this Princeton fixture! read more

Smith's ACE Hardware at the Princeton Shopping Center is the best hardware store in the area! The staff are friendly and helpful, they have an amazing selection, and the prices are very good. We like that they have both the hardware store and a housewares section with a good selection. They have helped our Cub Scouts with paints and supplies when they had pinewood derby cars to build and whenever we have had a home improvement project, they have given us helpful advice. They have supported many local nonprofits and they have even adopted cats from SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals, the local shelter. We love their adherence to COVID safety protocols and we feel very safe in the store. read more

John said he placed an item on hold and once we drove there he denied having the item-- denied putting it on hold; lied or forgot who he spoke to only 1.5 hours earlier; said he spoke to someone else yesterday about it-- made incorrect excuses and even lied about his own name! This is not proper customer contact when people are using time, gas and their schedule to obtain items when we could have obtained it at a different location instead of driving hungry with low car gas! read more

About two months age we bought two water spray bottles, one large for the plants & one small size to spray water on my face while outside. The large one I use on the plants has continued to perform. The small one literally fell apart. Yes, both bottles have the Ace Hardware logo printed on them. Today I went into the Ace at the Shopping Center where the purchase was made and was told there can be no exchange unless we present a receipt showing the purchase was made at an Ace store! Excuse me, what is printed on the bottle? Then the young man tried to fix the bottle. After unsuccessfully trying to fix the spray he said he must track our bottle in inventory. How about doing what Trader Joe's does, just exchange the bottle? read more

Called Ace Hardware on Harrison Street in Princeton seeking information on an item. Waited 5 minutes on hold. Hung up, called back, woman on phone said she would get help, waited again, this time 3 minutes, hung up again, called back, woman answered again and said she was store manager. Told her I was frustrated for the wait time and lack of customer service, she was unapologetic and lacked the basic skills required to handle the situation she created, therefore, she hung up on me, YES, the store manager hung up on a customer! Called back again and was informed that the store manager was on vacation, thereby leaving several people in charge during his absence. Obviously not trained nor qualified. Ace's lapse in judgement certainly makes it difficult for a local shopper to spend their money in a local business. My future choice will be either Loews or Home Depot. read more

This Ace Hardware location is perfect for any of your home improvement needs! .... But I don't do any home improvement. I've been here to make a copy of a key and, I just realized yesterday, that they have a great selection of kitchen items. They had a impressive selection of coffee makers so I decided to get one yesterday. They're more than just hardware, go check it out! They have all kinds of things, including humidifiers, fans, heaters, fondue pots, whatever your heart desires! read more

Came here at 3:55 on a Sunday when they close at 4 and nashim, a worker there, said they had closed. We explained we just needed to pick up a quick thing and he rudely told us to get out because they were closed. It wasn't even 4! Rude and lazy staff. read more

I could not find my mask so I stopped by this store to get some. I did not enter the store because I didn't have a mask on but rather stayed outside until an employee came out. I explained that I wanted to buy a mask and asked if they could go in the store, bring it to me so I could put it on and then I would go inside to pay for it. Even though they confirmed they had some in stock, the employee said he couldn't and was not willing to help in any way. read more

I'm in here pretty frequently for my many home projects. They've got an excellent selection, and their price on small housewares is often better than what you find on Amazon. Definitely a local gem. I dinged a star for two minor annoyances: (1) They close too early. 8pm is prime time for working on stuff, and that's when they close. They should push it back to at least 9pm. (2) Online ordering is pretty frustrating. The website doesn't tell you what's already in the store, and they have to ship it from a warehouse even if they already have it. Once you do that, it's extremely hard to return it or change your order. And when you get there, nobody knows where your order is or how to process it. It's clear that nobody ever does this except for Ace Hardware n00bs, as I was. read more

Rude service person named Gabby gave me a terrible attitude and said I was rude because I did not realize she was already helping another customer who must have been on the phone or whatever but was not in my sight. This girl should not work at this store it's one of my favorite stores that has many many different items and usually many many helpful workers. Very disappointed read more

I try to give them all the business I can. They're a local business and they aim to please and keep their customers. For example, they recently exchanged an item that was not exactly what I wanted, and gave me a refund for the difference. This reminds me of the way business used to be conducted before box stores and the internet. read more

Best customer service of any hardware stores in area. I get in and out in under 15 minutes, even when I'm there for multiple items. At Home Depot and Lowe's, I seem rarely to be able to get in and out in under an hour (not including drive time). A few items are slightly more expensive at Ace, but most items are the same as the big box stores, and their discounted items are much less. I couldn't recommend more highly. read more

This is a fabulous neighborhood fixture with helpful, conscientious staff and everything you need for projects large and small.

They have such a wide variety of items...hardware, naturally, but also garden tools, kitchen supplies, and lots of fun and unexpected treats. And their mask game is On Point. Love this store. read more

This is one of my favorite stores in Princeton. The staff is always helpful. A few weeks ago when they were in the midst of reorganizing the store, an employee went the extra mile to search through the boxes of merchandise that were packed to be re-shelved. More stores should have a cat in residence, too. read more

Went in on Friday feb 29th to buy a dust mask....not because of virus fears but for work/dust reasons. Asked the young cashier who informed me that they were sold out of masks. At that point, someone in line and the cashier started to make fun of me for wanting to buy a mask. The cashier spoke about masks not protecting against viruses and the two of them were laughing. It was if I was not even there. Very rude, inappropriate and I won't be back. read more

i Just did an in store pickup -- love the online system that incorporates my ACE rewards (I always forget to take the coupons!) . I bought two bags of seed starter, paI'd online, and went to the store to pickup. So easy! Have gone to this store for years -- am so grateful for their great customer service! And, all employees were wearing masks and taking safety protocols seriously -- thank you!! read more

Actually cheaper than Home Depot and Lowes for many items, and exponentially better service. Much, much faster to get in and out, and salespeople are consistently knowledgeable and helpful. Why would anyone waste an extra 30-45 minutes each trip and deal with all the frustration of shopping at a big box store when she could shop here? read more

Tons of knowledge and very helpful. We were in the market for a new grill and Tim was very helpful with everything we needed, same price as the big box stores with much better service read more

One of the nicer ACE stores. Large store, wide selection, plenty of service staff. We stopped in to pick up a DAPP flexible hose (as advertised on TV). My wife was hesitant to order on line. We called ahead and they set two aside for us. read more

Based on multiple visits, this store is definitely deserving of 5 stars. They have great customer service, are conveniently located, and are surprisingly well stocked for their small size. Regarding service, I had a great experience buying a weber grill from them. I did some web shopping on a Sunday and decided on a grill. I called the store and asked for a price quote. They matched an online price from a box store. I went into the store that same day to buy some accessories. And by Tuesday, the same guy who talked to me on the phone and who sold me the accessories, was at my house after I got home from work (5:15) and was installing the grill. In just two days I had the grill installed. You don't see that level of service around any more. This is my goto hardware store! Just an additional note, they carry benjamin moore paint. Happy to give them 5 stars! read more

My little son and I love this store. An important aside is that you should be very concerned when a kindergartener tells you he needs to go to the hardware store, but that is indeed what happens. They have many cool,rare seasonal items such as pumpkin carving kits and toys for kids. They also have many crucial household supplies, cleaning products, cooking utensils, small appliances, and a good selection of standard hardware store goods such as paints, tools, etc. It is a small store, but very well-stocked. The layout is cramped and a little chaotic, but still functional. I find the prices although a little high to be quite reasonable and they have great sales and rewards programs. Most importantly, their staff is excellent, extremely helpful, and knowledgeable. read more

Overall a good hardware store, some of the aisles are a bit messy, but you can still find what you need. Plenty of staff available and alway asking how they can help. It would be a 4 star review but I recently got a pool for the dogs at my workplace and was told it would be at the store the next day and they would call me... I called them the next day and it wasn't there. They then said it would be at the store the next day and they would call me... I called them and they didn't have it. Finally on the third day I got (2) different calls saying the pool was ready to be picked up, five minutes apart form one another. One professional call and another 5 minutes later saying the same thing and half way through I hear someone saying in the background "I just called them!" The caller, "why didn't you tell me!" And then hung up! read more

My earlier review of this store contained complaints about loud music, but in recent times, that has been alleviated. This store turns out to be very useful, carrying a wide variety of good products, kind of like the time-honored old country store. It also comes with a big gray cat, their mouser, whom you can find sleeping almost anywhere in the store at various times. Since the music has backed off, I am often in the store--it's the go-to place for almost anything except groceries. We regularly buy bird feeding supplies and kitchen items here. In particular, there is a very pretty kitchen store in one corner. And, a good selection of flower pots and gardening supplies, including live bulbs and seeds. read more

Ace is the best. They have everything! After looking at three of the big box stores on route 1, to no avail, Ace had the replacement gasket I needed for my blender. Phyllis Spiegel, Plainsboro read more

This is a conveniently located store. The prices are a little higher but it's right around the corner in Princeton so that's the trade off. The salespeople are knowledgeable and always help me find things that I need. They stock a little bit of everything and have always had the item I was looking for. A nice, local, "small town" store. The biggest minus: Parking is not great since they are working on the entire shopping mall lot. I wish they made the spaces on an angle or larger. Very small and close together spots. The parking lot is taking forever. Years even? read more

Great customer service. Great selections. Still fixing up my home after some flooding. Back and forth a lot and this place has saved me time and again. Thanks Ace! read more

Watch out if you are getting keys made. We got a duplicate made, and we when we came home, they did not work!

I love this place! They have everything. Not only did they have a piece of screen that I needed, they gave me some of their scrap for free.

i live in a suburb of princeton and as such this is closer than going to the big stores on Route1; that is the only reason i use the store and only when i really don't want to make the trip to home depot. Every time I have been in there the service has been horrible, so in a since i understand why today happened as they clearly allow employees to behave inappropriately. Today was a new low, as I had to ask for input on an extension cord/power strip purchase. What i got was the 'head' of the electrical area, 26 at most, who gave me substantial attitude and rude remarks. Sadly that was expected, but when the guy whips out a badge for i think fire inspection and asks if i live in princeton (doubt this was a prelude to asking for a date since i'm late 50's) ie he could come bust me for implementing a fire hazard because i don't agree with him. I get that this Ace Hardware ownership could care less (i complained and had to state the obvious that there is a major difference between advice and threats), but i'm assuming Princeton does care. read more