THis is really a wholesale warehouse, so not much for window shopping but they can get anything you…read morewant in plumbing or electrical, and the staff were really knowledgeable.

Over the past few years I have visited Bartle & Gibson at 1159 W 16th in North Vancouver BC, 3 or 4…read moretimes to pick up plumbing supplies and will never go back after my last visit. The two men who stand behind the counter, who have been there for many years and have been there every time I visited are not helpful and very condescending. Perhaps because I am a female but I am not sure? They definitely need a staff change at the front counter as both men appear to be bored and not enjoying their job at all which reflects outwardly towards customers. When I ask them a direct question I have literally been ignored and dismissed to the point that they are just rude. Their lack of helpfulness and product knowledge is appalling. I was actually approached outside after one encounter by a plumber who witness the exchange between myself and the counter help at Bartle & Gibson and he apologized for their rudeness and then proceeded to tell me what I needed and recommended another place to purchase it. I have renovated many homes and have a very good knowledge of plumbing requirements. I now take my plumbing requirements elsewhere.

I first discovered Greenworks at its location near Olympic Village, probably close to ten years…read moreago. At that time, I wasn't in possession of a space in which I could make use of their gorgeous, health-conscious and thoughtful products, but I spent a long time in their showroom looking at everything and asking tons of questions--which their staff were happy to answer--and vowed to myself that I would remember this special place and come back when I had the space and the resources that would allow me to take advantage of what Greenworks offered. That day finally came this past Saturday. I'd researched their lime wash products online and narrowed down my colour choices, and was ready to make a decision. The room I'm working on is large -- 12 x 20 with a vaulted ceiling, and both ceiling and floor as well as walls were going to get the Greenworks / Portola treatment! I arrived at their new, much smaller location in East Van to find two staff in the shop and three customers; I was the fourth, and happy again to browse while I waited. Eventually one of the staff, a young man, asked if he could help. I described what I was after and he pointed me in the direction of the Portola colour samples and then went back to his previous customers. I soon chose what I wanted and waited again. Again, eventually the same young man approached and I showed him the colours and pulled out my measurements for the areas to be painted with the lime wash -- walls, floor, and ceiling. I said I was looking for a ballpark total cost and asked if he needed pen and paper to take down numbers. He said no. I gave him the dimensions. I will spare readers the details of what followed and summarize: Over the next ten minutes, he asked me for those numbers a total of five times. Went back to his previous customers twice. Answered the phone and instead of asking the caller to hold or taking their number for a callback, stayed on the call and served them. I leaned in at that point and quietly said, please call them back. He did not glance at me or respond in any way. When he ended the call he asked again for the dimensions I'd already provided four times before. Finally he named a total price. Doubtful of the accuracy of the quote, I asked, again quietly and neutrally, for a printout, which he provided. He then turned away from me and to the two other customers who by this time were talking with the other staff person, proceeded to interject in that conversation and answer the questions they were asking of his colleague, and ignore me completely. I left. I'm a little embarrassed to say I climbed into my truck and shed some tears. Years of anticipation -- and years of planning and working and saving -- had gone into that day for me, and it was a massive disappointment. I'm not a frequent review-writer ... I'll take the time only for the standout experiences, and usually only for the stellar ones in that category. That's what this could and should have been, but wasn't. And when I ask myself why I'm writing a review instead of just calling or emailing to "complain to the manager," I realize it's because I don't want to take the chance of either tipping off, or having to interact with, with that person ever again. I worked retail for eight years myself, to put myself through school, and have run my own business for over 25 years, and I know we all have off days and we all make mistakes and we all have to learn over time what it takes to provide great customer service. But this wasn't just an off day or a mistake or inexperience. It was willful disrespect -- towards both me and his employer. I would, however, be grateful for an apology from the store owners and the offer of a one-to-one appointment with another staff person at a time when that young man will not be on site. Greenworks is the only natural building supply store that I know of in Vancouver, and definitely the only retailer in Canada of the product I'm looking for. I could order from the source, which is in California, but shopping with and supporting local retailers belongs to the same ethos as buying natural non-toxic building materials. So, Greenworks, I hope you read this and respond as the kind of company I still believe you are. I signed up for Portola's newsletters and texts today. They have my email address and phone number.

For years I've been looking for a reason to shop at Greenworks. From the time I first saw the…read moreproprietor, Alastair, on stage at Epic! to the kitchen reno of a friend, done with materials from Greenworks, I knew I had started a store love affair. Then one fateful rainy afternoon, Peter S and I were walking by. And it just so happened we'd just come from a neighbour's apartment that was being renovated. Needless to say, we had flooring on the brain. If you are into home finishings and fixtures like tiles, flooring and paints AND are someone who is also committed to sourcing environmentally sustainable items, this store is right up your alley. The staff is knowledgeable -- not just about the item, but also about its environmental footprint. They host workshops -- although according to their website -- their last one was held in July. The shopping experience itself is no pressure, quiet, and relaxed. We could take our time roaming and when we were ready, they sent us home with 2 bamboo flooring samples. Do I want to make sustainable choices for my apartment? You bet. I just need to save an additional sum to do so! Worth it? To me, yup.

The epitome of the traditional hardware store. Cluttered with everything you could need in a cosy…read moreatmosphere. Amazing customer service.

I've had many great Christmas trees over the years from the good folks at Magnet Hardware, but this…read moreyear the noble fir they put aside for me was something else: picturebook perfection. Prices are crazy right now, Christmas trees no exception, but this specimen was true value for money, and Ed Wilkerson and his staff couldn't be friendlier, more helpful, or more expert. Always a pleasure doing business there.

These guys are usually my go to place for casters but this time they screwed the pooch severely. I…read moreordered two hand carts from their web site at $79.89 each on sale. When I got there to pick them up they wouldn't sell them to me at the advertised price and was told by the manager that I had to pay a $20 dollar per unit shipping fee. I reminded them that they weren't shipping them, I was standing right there to pick them up. They still charged me the shipping even though they didn't ship them. I am very unhappy and will consider other vendors in the future. They need to get their act together

No help , no suggestions for alternative.. basically felt like I was bothering him and he had…read morebetter things to do.

Standard is a contractor oriented building products supplier.If I suspect an item is not there I…read morecall the sales desk.It's not a place to get everything in your home.It's a place to buy the product to build the home and renovate. I know what I want and do you have it?It's a place like that.Old school.Like Lumberland and Beaver was.The website doesnt work for me.Some challenge there about my server and theirs.

This place is a fail, price is alright. The customer service sucks! From the guy at the gate all…read moreattitude, to the guy they sent to help me in the yard, which I had to wait 10 min then go back in to sales to re-ask to send someone out to help me. When he showed up he wasn't too knowable. Then after all was done in the yard I had to interact with gate guy again. Then into the sales office again! Was it the managers day off? Because no one seems to care about their job here... I think I might find another place to get lumber next time.

Cheap renovation supplies, but that's the key word - cheap. Some of the prices are unbelievable but…read morethe quality really varies across the products. Tile is tile for instance, but some of the hardware, tools, fasteners, etc. are pure junk Just be picky about what you get, and if you want anything to last, you may want to shop elsewhere. That being said, this is great for landlords where things like doorknobs, locks, and other small things that could break easily can be replaced cheaply, even if damaged by the tenants. I will continue to shop here, but I'll just be judicious on what I decide to buy.

First time here, we were looking for bathroom glass door and we got what we wanted. Overall nice…read moreproduct range and affordable price!

I love this place and have been shopping here for years. Just this morning I went to pick up my…read moreusual supply of loose screws, a respirator-filter replacement and some other odds and sods and also just a few pieces of lumber from the yard. You're not allowed to wander around yourself, and I had enthusiastic help from Andrew and Christopher, who made inventory requests and pulled down massive bundles for me to look at, and helped me select some good pieces for my project. It was a risky-dinky project yet I was treated with patience and friendliness, and not like a waste of time, which would have been understandable! Thanks guys, and see you next time!

Total low life store! Everyone who works here has major attitude from the girls at the front…read morecounter to the guys in the hardwood department. It feels like the store should be located in Surrey. I'd rather pay slightly more across the street at Home Depot.