Berkeley Ace Hardware — Local services in Berkeley

Best hobby store around! I'll bet you didn't know that Berkeley Ace is one of the few Hardware stores around that still has a hobby department!

I come here mainly because it is one of the only local hobby stores that stocks a decent selection of 1:32 scale slot cars, track, and accessories, but it is also one of the best hobby stores I have ever been to. They have an excellent selection of hobby products, especially model-building supplies and small tools.

I have observed that they typically have a much better selection of hobby-sized metals, woods, and plastics, on hand, than most of the other hobby shops or hardware stores, which makes it worth it for me to make the trip here, instead of shopping where I live, in Walnut Creek (a 15-minute drive).

Their specialties are plastic models and model trains, and they are extremely well-stocked with both. Their selection of aircraft models is amazing--I've been told that it is one of the largest in the West--and it includes many obsvure, vintage, and discontinued models.

The truly amazing feature of this hobby store is the incredibly knowledgeable staff, which includes a former professional model builder and a model train expert. The store manager is a slot car nut! Everyone is friendly and very helpful.

Also, you can't beat having a hobby store inside a hardware store, because you'll always be able to find those items that you need, but that hobby stores typically don't carry, such as standard fasteners or lumber (there's always something).

I can't say enough good things about Berkeley Ace Hardware. It is definitely my favorite hobby store, and one of my all-around favorite...

I'm a handyman and have been going here for 3 years, because it's by far the closest hardware store to my house. I've been consistently amazed and appalled by the rudeness and poor attitude of one of the managers, Barbara. Several months ago I thought I had spoken with the store manager, a woman, who was incredibly nice and apologetic. She thanked me for my input, said she would address the problem and asked me to introduce myself the next time I was in the store. The thing is, Barbara's poor attitude and consistent rudeness to almost every customer with whom she comes into contact hasn't changed, so I again asked for the store manager. This time, however, I was told the store manager is a man, and that there hasn't been a female store manager in the time I've been coming to the store. Interesting. Who did I talk to? So I left a voicemail for the male store manager... who never returned my call. Aside from that, nearly every time I ask for advice it's obvious most of the employees, including Barbara, a manager, knows less than I do, and whatever opinion they give is just a guess. I hate to reinforce a stereotype, but the only employees who have ever given me really sound, knowledgeable advice have been a couple of the male employees. Many of the female employees are very friendly and professional, and try their best, but when I ask for advice at a hardware store I expect the employees to know more than me about...

The worst shopping experience in America. I bought 2 heat lamp bulbs in one package for my new heat lamp. One of the bulb isn’t working. So I brought it back to the store and ask if I can get a replacement. Initially the people were helpful and trying to find another one in the store to replace the broken bulb. Then the manager came and accuse me of bringing an old bulb to try to get a new one. They said they’ll not take it back at all even I just bought them 2 days ago. I told him I never used it but only put it on to test it. He said my story was confusing him (he just joined the conservation half way and didn’t hear clearly how I picked up the product). Then he called me a liar. He asked me to proof if the bulbs I bought from them are the one I’m trying to return. He basically said if I can’t proof that was the product they sold me, he’s not going to take it back.

The bulbs are only $15.99. If I were the owner of the store to try to gain a customer satisfaction, I’ll either explain nicely or simply replace them. But calling a customer liar for selling a broken light bulb and refuse to take them back!? This is epic! This is only 2 days after I purchased the bulbs. I swear I will never set foot in this store nor tell anyone I know to purchase from them. I’ve been living in Berkeley for long time and been in this store for many times. The manager is absurd and rude! Don’t...