RIP Orchard Supply Hardware

bikeama

bikeama

Super Moderator
Staff member
I have been giving as much of my business to the local Ace Hardware as I can. The owner of two Ace stores in Stockton is an avid motorcyclist
 
A

antidote

Well-known member
Damn. I could feel the quality slip five years ago when they were bought out, but was still a great place to find actual pieces and parts. Damn.
 
M

MysterYvil

Mr. Bad Example
Our OSH used to be awesome until some years ago. Then they revamped the fastener section. Then veteran employees were replaced by know-nothings. Didn't know they got bought out, but it makes sense now.

We still have an ACE, which is where I go for esoteric stuff.
 
R

Removed 3

Banned
OSH had a lifetime plant guarantee. Don't have a green thumb? Just bring the original plant back with original receipt and you can get another identical plant or something of equal value
 
scootergmc

scootergmc

old and slow
MysterYvil said:
Our OSH used to be awesome until some years ago. Then they revamped the fastener section.
Click to expand...

I found this to be the case as well. I hold no ill will towards to Lowe's however. Business is business. However, the true marker for my hardware stores is whether or not they carry stainless metric socket cap bolts and screws. If you work on anything metric, especially motos, that's where most local Ace Hardware stores shine, so long as their fastener supplier (usually Hillman) has enough room to stock them.


BTW, if anyone wants to see an impressive fastener section, check out the Ace Hardware in Oakdale.
 
Climber

Climber

Well-known member
This sucks, each major reduction/consolidation puts us one step closer to collusion monopolies.

If Sears go under too, how are you going to get Craftsman tools replaced?
 
scootergmc

scootergmc

old and slow
Abacinator said:
They're hardly replacing tools anymore anyway.
Click to expand...


They will, you just have to be buying the tools with the right warranty. It's been like that for a long time. Gone are the days of raiding garage sales and swap meets, pouncing on a local sears customer service rep with a bin of rusty sockets and wrenches, and demanding freebies :laughing.

<----- never done that :laughing
 
Bowling4Bikes

Bowling4Bikes

Steee-riiike!
too bad. although like was said, they were already bought by Lowe's a while back.

my local ma and pa (Dale Hardware) is owned by Ace. The service is outstanding, but the prices are on the high side. Still, it's a mile away from my place, so it'll stay my go-to.
 
jt2

jt2

Eschew Obfuscation
Climber said:
If Sears go under too, how are you going to get Craftsman tools replaced?
Click to expand...

Right now, both Sears and Stanley Black & Decker have the right to manufacture and market Craftsman tools. Each carry similar yet separate warranties, each through the respective company. So you technically can't take a Sears Craftsman tool to Lowes for replacement, because they source from SBD. Though they might replace it as a goodwill gesture.

When (not if) Sears finally sells off its last asset, burns its last dollar and goes away, so will the warranty on all those tools. However, this article opines that SBD will likely honor the warranty in order to preserve the brand equity and I agree.
 
Johndicezx9

Johndicezx9

Rolls with it...
An Ace is also my local go-to, I temper the high prices by convincing myself I’m saving on gas, time, and frustration.

I will, however, hit the going out of business sale. :)
 
DTM74

DTM74

It's not my fault...
That's too bad. I love the Ace in Vacaville...they always had obscure bolts sizes and hardware. It was my go-to when I was in a jam.
 
Climber

Climber

Well-known member
The three Ace hardware stores that I used extensively for years (Albany/CA, El Sobrante/CA, Lee/NH) all had significant price increases across the board over the last 15 years, the latter two went from mom-and-pop stores to corporate stores.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top