City Lumber Company — Local services in Astoria

It's hugely hit or miss with these guys. You either get the nicest help in the world or you get a craggy old jerk cosplaying Tim The Toolman Taylor.

I went in today to ask if they had a smooth pressboard that I am going to use as a desk top over some filing cabinets. He couldn't believe what I was saying, as if I walked in started communicating in farsi. Then he told me I meant hardboard, to which I replied, "no I don't. But sure that would work". He then walked away without saying anything so he could grab his measuring tape... before looking up what they had online for me.

He asks what thickness board i want, and I then ask him if they can cut me a specific dimension because I don't have the tools to do it myself at home, to which HE replies:

"We aren't a cabinet making shop, but we can try, it just might not come out great"...

To which I replied, "I don't know what point you're trying to make"...

And he decided that repeating to me that I wasn't at a cabinet makers shop was useful. Like, oh wow, this isn't The Curious Cabin of the Cabinet Makers? Yeah buddy, I understand that. What?

Listen, I try really hard to support our local businesses before going to monopolies like Home Depot, but when you get treated like a moron because you don't walk around with a tool belt on all day there's not much else to do. I've come in numerous times over the years, spent some money there (though not much as they rarely have what I need) and tried again this time. I'll probably try again because I'm hopelessly romantic towards the longterm success of our small businesses but... come on you guys.

Terrible, terrible...

I recently purchased cedar fencing from this business. I spent over $700 here and I can’t remember ever experiencing such rudeness from a business before. I was told the wood I was purchasing was quality wood. That the knots wouldn’t be larger than 1 1/2 inches and no knot holes. Probably 30% of the wood had large knots, knot holes, and a lot of split and damaged pieces. We managed to cut around and make all of the boards work except 2 boards. When I went to return the two boards and get a few extra I was “helped” by the rudest person I’ve probably ever had to deal with. From the moment I walked up to the counter he acted like I was disturbing him. He came out to the pile of boards, pointed at the ones I needed to choose from and then as he walked away said “try not to make a mess!” I have made many purchases from city lumber since I bought my home 10 years ago. I believe I have spent enough here to not be treated like a child. I don’t know how this business keeps customers if this is how they treat everyone. I will drive to Portland to buy lumber before I will give this place my business again. City Lumber just...

City Lumber is great whether you're doing a small project as a homeowner, a large project as a homeowner, or if your contractor. They have an extremely knowledgeable staff. The quality of their Lumber is superb. Even though there is a universal standard for lumber the lumber you choose from there I guarantee will far surpass that junk from that icky Big Box store! You can call ahead make sure they have what you need. You can special order items. Either way you're going to get what you need and you're going to get it fast none of this 2 hours in a big box store just trying to find the one little thing you need. I have stopped purchasing from The Big Box store entirely I don't miss it one...