Swartz Ace Hardware — Local services in Newton

I am a diehard Ace & True Value Customer... and I have spent thousands restoring a car and doing hobbies and self repairs. I will drive and extra 20 minutes to not use Home Depot or Lowes. I just moved to Newton and my first experience here. This is the worst store ever. I ask for help getting a flex line for my toilet, I get a grunt and finger point. When I bring what I found the guy doesnt even respond. I ask if this would work for what I was replacing, no answer. So I paid and gambled. I get home and the line is too long to fit and cant flex to get to the connections. So I knew they didnt have any shorter so i went to Home Depot. Got a guy that helped me match it and get the right one. Grade A service from HD! On my way home I stopped to return, never installed and not even a scratch. As I am waiting in line the woman at the register is complaining about customers going on and on and how they are understaffed. I get my turn and before I can say anything, NO RETURNS ON PLUMBING! ITS POSTED ALL OVER THE PLACE! I tried to explain that could not get help earlier and more complaining! Here excuse was understaffed, I said "Not my problem" She responds with not mine eaither. Grade A douchebag! This place needs to close and she needs to find a job that does not involve people! $15.26 cost them a loyal customer.... I suggest Depot in Watertown, they...

A local staple for close to 100 years, Swartz's Hardware carries most of my hardware needs. Friendly, helpful staff, housewares, plumbing, electrical, tools, grills, yard equipment, snow blowers and a paint department can all be found in this small store front. Formerly part of the True Value chain, Swartz's is now part of the Ace Hardware family and shares its ownership with Tags of Porter Square, Cambridge. Update: I have decided to deduct one star. For the past year and a half we have all been operating under pandemic conditions. Swartz has always had narrow aisles and tight spacing. Social distancing within Swartz is difficult at best but neither staff nor customers care to even try. It seemed that no matter what I was looking at someone would immediately come over to reach between me and the shelf. Almost no attempts to respect my personal space were made at any time. Secondly, even though we have a city mask mandate in effect, few masks were being worn. Yes, the signs were posted but the staff and half the customers chose to...

This is the place I have always gone to since moving to the area in 1998. Back then it was different and better assistance with needs. Things change and so did this hardware store, new people, updated store, etc... The last time I was in the store I needed some assistance but, everyone was already helping others or were not identifiable. I am short with back issues so reaching for something on the top peg was difficult for me. I had to use another object to knock the item off the peg. As I caught it I noticed one of the assistance laughing like hell in my direction and then made his way to the cashier when he saw that I could see him. A few years back with former workers, I would have been assisted and not laughed at. I also had keys made for my new apartment and when I had the need to use the basement key, they wouldn't work. I was too disgusted and ashamed to bring them back for recutting. I will now drive out of my way to another location if it means being assisted with respect. Gone are the days of...