C H P Hardware — Local services in New York

I had a very good experience that quickly pivoted to very not good. Based on the reviews here (mostly 5s with a couple 1s and 2s), I’d guess the owner/employees are just temperamental.

When I first came in, I bought about $37 of material, including a wrench. They were perfectly helpful, and well stocked. I was pretty stoked to have a nice, small hardware store around the corner.

When I returned home, I used some tools, and opened up the wrench from a plastic case to find it was a size too small. Having not used it, and still needing one more item I had forgotten, I figured I’d bring it back to see if they did returns/store credit on opened items. It doesn’t specify on the receipt. Obviously, big chains will do this, but it can be harder for small businesses. I went in well aware of this, and fully prepared to be told no, and eat the cost.

However, when I returned and asked if I could return the wrench, and presented it to the man behind the counter, he immediately started berating me. I was in the middle of explaining that I opened it, and was just checking to see the policy, but he couldn’t hear me over his own temper. He said I was trying to scam him, I opened it and used it and now I tried to get one over on him and return it used. Asking me “you didn’t buy it like this, did you?” The whole time I kept my cool, and continued to say “hey, no problem, I’ll pay full price, it’s not an issue if I can’t return it like that.” Didn’t listen to me at all. Still bought the extra item I needed and left.

I’ve never written a review before. I’m not even entirely sure anyone will read this or find it helpful. Small businesses are a double edged sword— in the age of massive chain stores on every corner, rudeness and apathy are a given. But when a mom and pop shop doesn’t treat you like a regular, well meaning person, it reflects poorly on the business a lot more than a Home Depot employee with no personal stake in the store giving you attitude. I’m unlikely to return, but I wouldn’t urge others to not patronize this business. Instead, I’d say everyone should vote with their money, and keep their own self-respect in mind as part of the equation. Who wants to spend $37 to be accused and berated at 10am on...

EXCELLENT Neighborhood Hardware Store, knowledgeable family owned and operated business, their prices are low and the service you'll receive will be excellent. They stock just about everything you'll need for your apartment or property AND they will give you a lesson in how to install it!! If not for Carlos and his educated staff, I would have lost my job as a building superintendent a long time ago!!! Don't waste carfare going to a hardware supermarket with little individualized service when there is a neighborhood store that walks the walk of good prices and thorough personalized service. Keep up the great work CHP; I will always be a...

Horrible service. Wanted to make one copy of three separate keys and they make me 4 copies of one key along with one copy of the other two. I explained that there must be a misunderstanding. Owner throws all of the keys out in front of my face and tells me he doesn’t want my business. Horrible attitude for a slight misunderstanding when I was willing to pay for the ones I needed. Went to Ace Hardware and it was cheaper. Smh this is why small family owned village businesses fail to big franchises. If you cannot be nice and give good service...