Palm Desert Ace — Local services in Palm Desert

I have driven the extra few miles to go to this store instead of the nearby Lowes because of their expertise, and have usually had a good experience but now will not be going back. I went in today with a burnt out bulb and asked the sales person to match it. (it was an odd bulb) He never spoke to me, took the bulb, appeared to look for it and then suddenly disappeared and never returned. I got a manager to help, who said that no one else (other than the three sales people on the floor who were not the one) were working that day and none of his sales people would do that. He ultimately changed his story and said that the employee I was describing was at lunch but we should wait until he returned in about 45 minutes. We needed the bulb to get the right replacement, so there was nothing we could do. No apology, and he made my wife and I feel like we were a bother. We were flabbergasted that he seemed to feel that the lost bulb was our problem and that the store played no role. There was little he could have done to fix the problem but I would have expected an apology or some demonstration of concern. I've rarely been so shocked at a complete lack of customer regard, especially at a store where people gladly pay more in exchange for excellent service. I just located a True Value store I'll be trying next...

This usually is my favorite ACE in So Cal. They carry the whole True Knives lineup, which is my favorite knife brand after Benchmade, also they carry a lot of NEBO lights, which again one of my favorites. Now what's disappointing is that when I was looking at the knives which are basically at the cash register, one of the cashiers called their manager I'm assuming, I don't know who the lady was because she never introduced herself and then proceeded to not go more than 1-2 ft. away from me during the rest of my visit. Not only was the lady extremely rude but seriously treating me like I have done something wrong was uncalled for. Every time I shop at this ACE I always spend $150 or more and have never been treated like this before. It really sucks because like I said they are the only ACE within 4-5 hrs of where I live that actually carries a good amount of items from two of my favorite brands, and after this experience I don't know If I'll ever return. BTW I still ended up spending over $170 today and didn't get not one thank you from any employee, definitely not the helpful or friendly neighborhood hardware...

I have been going to this same Ace Hardware for going on 15 years. Always helpful, always friendly, always a good experience. Now, yesterday the 24th I went to purchase a cheap circuit tester, they do carry the expensive ones too, as they are all now locked on the hooks with magnets, I asked for assistance. Friendly enough until this employee tells me he'll take the item over to the cash register, I said I can do that, He said no , it's now store policy due to recent theft problems. That would be fine if it was an expensive item but, a $13.00 item? Come on, if there is one thing i can't stand, it's a person who thinks they are law enforcement, when they are not. It was not just the act itself but the employees whole attitude.I will not be treated like a common criminal in a place I frequent 2 to 3 times a week. I think I've earned their trust and respect in 15 years and should have been shown some back. I go out of my way to support local businesses, instead of buying online, or at a Home Depot, or Lowes,...