Bates Ace Hardware — Attraction in Atlanta

Ace Hardware is hands down my favorite hardware chain. The staff is incredibly helpful. I believe they must have a team rule where you always ask the customer if you can help them whenever they pass by. The store has a lot of different products (a lot of which I wouldn't expect to find in a hardware store), and even when I think I can find things on my own, the staff has always known where to find it faster than me.

I was recently able to get a large amount of shopping done all at this one store, which made me feel so accomplished when really the accomplishment was Ace's. I was able to get Christmas shopping done for some construction tools and headlamps, I got a replacement light bulb, found screws for a home repair, and though I didn't have space in my car, I did see they had the exact fencing I needed for a fence repair. They also have many fun/cute/practical gifts, bird feed and feeders, pet food and toys (my dog loves the Buddy Biscuits Ace sells), plant pots, kitchen tools, and lots of other regular hardware supplies. I've also gone to Ace for small plants (I found small ferns for a terrarium), and it's good to note they have a larger selection in the warmer months.

I had one especially good encounter at my last visit - I was looking at the headlamps and a staff member helped me by unlocking the latch for me (this headlamp was a bit expensive, so it was latched to the rack to prevent theft). Without missing a beat, he also asked me if I needed the batteries for the headlamp. I never would have thought to get the batteries, and I'm so glad he asked! He took me right over to the battery rack and knew exactly what I needed and handed it to me. How perfect!

I shop small when I can, and I love shopping at Ace Hardware. No matter which location I visit (and I've visited 3 now), it's always a pleasant experience, and I almost always see something new and delightful at the store that I...

The first time I went, it was great. It was a Saturday afternoon and everyone was very Helpful. We bought some items and in addition I bought a hanging plant for our patio. Got home, watered it, placed in shade like it said, all good. On Sunday I noticed that the plant looked a little sad to say, watered it and figured maybe the storm from that night affected it. Came home Monday after work, plant completely dead. Since they close early, we didn't have a chance till Tuesday to see if we could get a return. We got there right before closing, our apologies on this, and told the guy in the front that while we threw out the receipt, we were wondering if we could get store credit on the plant. He stuck his finger in the soil and said "Bone dry. Did yall water it? We don't typically do this but bring it to the front." This was a bit uncomfortable for we felt accused of purposely killing it. The cashier lady was probably the most unprofessional person I have ever met. She first accused me of being incorrect about the price, as if I was lying about it be 17.99$. Then she was went, "ugh we don't even take plants back..." Well if that was the case, why were we sent up here? And the best of all, she accused us of lying saying it probably wasn't even their plant. At this point my fiancé snapped back "yes we buy plants and purposely kill them and return them to get more money from ACE." This whole time other employees are prodding this plant going "Have you been watering it? It's completely dry." It's been dead for two days... Of course I haven't watered it. Then this lady goes "oh... Are you Charles? You did buy it here..." And becomes super sweet after realizing her mistake of accusing us. After this experience, I am sad to say we will never return. It's a shame because they truly seemed like a great store until...

Arrived at the store on New Years' Eve to purchase some cleaning items and to look at landscape lighting for my home. Your greeter at the door (was a lady, don't have her name) was very pushy and not very helpful or friendly. When I was able to find what I needed, I asked her a question regarding the size of the package and was told brusquely that it was the only size available. Not a very nice experience, but then went to the checkout and paid for my items. I walked across the street to another business to find out some information for a work related issue, when I noticed the manager walked over to the building, and complained about my car being parked. I was also berated for parking at your store when I explained to him I was a customer. I was also told rudely that "the management doesn't care about my complaint and they won't help", even though I explained to him again that I was a customer. He only asked afterward if I had bought something and then showed him my receipt. He apologetically said after that "he didn't know". The business I went to and work for seems to have a stigma attached to them as a nuisance, but you should know that people who work for them are tax paying, hard working people who could potentially help bring more business, as they also come in contact with other business owners and professionals in the community. I had considered purchasing landscape lighting from your store, but given this experience, I will NEVER shop there again and will post this review (copied and pasted) on Google, Yelp, and other business reviewing sites to get the word out about my poor...