Proctor Ace Hardware — Local services in Neptune Beach

I came here on a Saturday night around 7. I was looking for trees so I went in the back (it’s actually outside) looking at the different trees that were out there. While I was out there (it was still light), the employees shut the door on me. The way the handle is positioned made it seem like you had to pull the door up to get back inside. When I did so, it didn’t open so I thought I was locked out. I couldn’t find anyone back there, so I had to call my husband and he had to get our son out of the car seat and come inside to help me. He was able to get the door open from the other side, but I do think that before you guys start closing the doors you should make sure no one is out there. When I came inside, I waited a really long time in the checkout. There were 3 guys (employees) just standing in a circle talking, 1 stocking the fridge, and 1 at the cash register with a long line. Because of this, she was not in a good mood. She was a little rude but I think it was because she was having to run the register and answer calls by herself. She kept asking for help and no one came. My plant did not have a price so I asked her if she could tell me the price and she just said “I cannot tell you the price”. I was so confused and she kind of acted like she couldn’t help me and I wouldn’t be able to check out. She said garden may be closed but it was like 20 mins before closing. She did after that offer to call someone over from the garden center, but it took him a long time to come. She had to page for them multiple times. Someone called and she said “ugh we close in 10 mins why are you calling”, picked the phone up, and hung up on them. She didn’t say that to the person on the phone but I don’t think it’s the most professional thing to say with customers around. I also am not sure why phone calls are prioritized over customers who have already been waiting in line as she did stop a few times to talk with others who called. Overall, I really liked the selection but customer service was...

Worst service this morning! I have told numerous people about this location and have brought many people here. I was in the store around 8:45 AM and waited around for about 20 minutes before going to ask someone typically how long they run the sprinklers for in the gardening section because I was wanting to take a look at a few plants. I had let them know that if I needed to, I would absolutely be back to not worry, but I was just curious on how long they ran the sprinklers for.. I was told it would be a couple of hours and that they could shut it off for me for which I replied that it was OK I would be back and they insisted that they could shut it off (but didn’t sound too happy about it). I think that running sprinklers at a time most people would be shopping is odd but to each their own. I thanked the person who went to shut them off to which he just looked at me annoyed and within a two min span I was getting rushed by an older man working there telling me I needed to hurry because the sprinklers needed to be back on. I then told the guy that I had told the other gentleman that I would come back and he told me that they could shut them off and that in no way shape or form I was the one who insisted on this. This whole situation was very awkward, rude, and uncalled for, and I’m glad I had my sister on the phone listening because she was shocked at the way they handled everything. We will definitely not be back and I will be directing anyone with gardening needs I know elsewhere. Very rude customer service. I put my pot down I had already picked up and left. Nothing really unique about their plants besides the “rare room” that isn’t...

Joe- THe MANAGER…. What a crotchety, grumpy human that needs to find a different job/profession. I've lived at beach almost my entire life (so has my bf) & have patroned this store countless times. Today my bf ran in to pick up a few things & I ran to the grocery store. Got a text he was ready to be picked up and so I pulled up for him to hop in the car. The store was not particularly busy, parking lot wasn't swamped with cars as it sometimes can be. I could not have been sitting for more than 1 minute before the manager grumpy Joe comes running up to my window screaming at me to move my car. Mind you, I am not blocking traffic & there were ZERO cars waiting on me & my boyfriend is withing a stone's throw of the car. My boyfriend got in the car and he is still standing outside my window yelling (which at this point I had already rolled up bc being 8.5 mo prego I don't need that kind of energy & stress). I guess no one ever taught grumpy Joe not to yell at pregnant women. I don't know who pees in this guy's Cheerios every morning but I haven't been treated that rudely by someone in a very long time & I feel VERY BADLY for ALL the employees who have to work under him. What's worse is when I called to complain about his unprofessional behavior, there is no one higher than him. They have forever lost 2 local customers. I will drive all the way to S. Jax Bch or go over the ditch before I ever patron that store. Just ashame they have someone so nasty running their business. I bet the owners...