Turner Ace Hardware — Local services in Jacksonville Beach

Big box stores and internet giants have all but eliminated smaller stores we used to shop to buy stationery, or books, or gifts. When I had a problem with a piece of patio furniture, I went to the place that tells us “you can do it, we can help.” When I finally found someone to ask, they sold me the wrong thing. Then, I went to the neighbor Turner Ace hardware near Marsh Landing.

A manger (Tim White) was not only knowledgeable but cared enough to evaluate my problem and patient enough to explain some solutions to someone who is often more dangerous with a screwdriver than a firearm. And when I expressed doubt at my own ability, he and a colleague (Liam Crockett) actually offered to take the pieces I’d disassembled and see if the expensive chaise could be salvaged. To them, it may have been easy. To me, it was way out of my wheelhouse.

Later the same day, they called me. “All set, good as new!” Who helps like this anymore ? !

Next time you’re lured to a giant corporate chain retailer (where you might also hope to find one of the knowledgeable, well-intentioned people that do work there), consider instead supporting the local business like Turner Ace. Otherwise, smaller, locally owned/managed places like this will go the way of that corner bookstore we used to like to visit before...

My dad always used to say that most businesses that succeeded decided to be in the people business first.

His theory was that if you took care of your customers ,that profit would follow. I can’t tell you when the last time I had such excellent customer service was ,it’s been months if not years.

I needed a “push nut” to repair a wheel on a cooler axle. My first stop was to Home Depot, which used to carry them but no longer do and the hardware guy at Home Depot said go to Ace Hardware , he said “ I bet they have it ,they have a huge hardware selection”.

Great suggestion

So when I walked in, I was told hardware was on isle 15 where I met Tim.

He knew exactly what I was looking for and where to find it.

The amazing part of this purchase was his willingness to come out to the parking lot with a box full of these things and try them on to make sure we got the right one.

For a $.50 piece of hardware this man came to the back of my car and help me fit the right one on and he actually tried to install it for me until we both decided a socket head would best work for the application to make it set.

Absolutely amazing customer...

My husband and I have been going to this location for over 20 years. This is the first time that I have had a problem. They send a monthly reward coupons and we spend money there every month. I never had a problem with getting the discount coupon redeemed on my order until today. The cashier was totally inept. She did not know how to enter the coupon and tied me up for over 15 minutes with her nonsense. Even after she got help to do it right she still shorted me $5.00 off on my order and did not know how to correct it. Another inept person said they could just delete the order and start all over again. How stupid if you cannot do the right thing the first time you make the customer stand there for another 15 minutes. Please find competent cashiers and stop inconveniencing your customers for their lack of training. This used to be a great place to shop but today I did not recognize any of these people must be new owners providing this...