Carlson Ace Hardware — Local services in Prior Lake

Had been shopping online for tables. Specifically for one to put next to my freeze dryer and/or move the dryer onto (because it’s sitting rather low on a nightstand). In lieu of putting the freeze dryer on it, I wanted something to put the vacuum pump on- it creates a ton of heat and having it right next to the dryer like I do increases the drying time.

I really wanted to find some place near me that actually carried a table. All the places that advertised stainless steel tables would only ship them directly from the manufacturer. “But what if…?” scenarios kept me from ever ordering one. Well Lo and Behold Carlson Ace Hardware in Prior Lake had one! Sure, it’s smaller than I wanted, and much more expensive… but it was in-the-store!!

I drove directly there. I mean, not only the only Ace Hardware, but the only store of ANY kind that had a stainless steel table on the premises.. one that I could take home that day.. one that I didn’t have to wait for shipping.. plus and plus! Sure, this table is actually meant for holding grills and not for other things, if you live in a closed box kind of brain. I think outside the box.

I looked at the shelves, the hooks on the back/side, places to put all kinds of do-dads.. I fell in love with it. Only problem was they wouldn’t sell me the floor model, which was understandable, they had a bunch of stuff on it with no place to go. They even had the manager-type that gave the standard gruff responses “that’s the floor model, it’s not for sale!”

It’s been my experience that everything is for sale for the right price or person. I know I’m not the right kind of person (not one of the ‘beautifuls’ that people fall over themselves to please), so I get it. I wasn’t expecting to get the one that was out together. Luckily for me they had one in the back.

The lady (I apologize for not paying attention to get her name) who helped me out was fantastic. You don’t see many people these days who will help the uglies (like me), who will bend backwards to make a sale and help someone out. She got someone to carry the one from the back out to my car. I was happy to get one. I found out just how heavy the thing is when I tried getting it out of my car when I got home, it’s still in the garage unopened. Now I gotta find someone to get it inside my house and on a workbench so I can put...

My mother had purchased an item on November 11, 2020, intended to be a Christmas gift. Unfortunately the item wasn't in stock and was on back order (which is understandable in a pandemic and with upcoming holidays) but we were assured they would be contacting us when it came in.

Weeks passed and as the holidays drew near, no contact was made by the store so we reached out to check on the status. We were informed that the item was still on back order and may not come in until a few days after Christmas.

On January 2nd, I called the store to ask about the status of the item. They informed me that the item that was ordered had been discontinued and asked if I would like to change the model for a slightly different variation. I agreed and was assured the changes were made and that a note had been placed on the file to contact us as soon as it had come in since we had been waiting for two months at that point. The woman on the phone informed me that they were expecting a shipment towards the end of January and that I should expect a phone call sometime around then--and if I didn't hear from anyone, to call on February 3rd.

I called today, February 5th, and was informed that the shipment had come in, many of the items were already "tagged" (I assume that means labeled for others waiting as well) and that there was "one still left here" and "they must not have gone back far enough in the system to check for your name." I asked for the item to be set aside and that I would drive to pick it up.

During this 3 months, not once were we contacted about the status of our order. Every phone call was from us, the paying customer. One could assume had we not called about our product, you would have just happily pocketed our money and thought nothing more about it. While I understand things are difficult during this time, this is no way to treat a paying customer.

From one small business owner to another, do better. You have lost my respect as well as any future...

I went to this store to buy some nuts and bolts however I was having a hard time finding the right bolts…there was course and fine thread bolts mixed together and I could only find 1 matching bolt. After spending too much time and no one approached me to help I decided to walk out and go somewhere else. As I was walking out they made a comment that I was back there for a while and I said too long. I wouldn’t even bother writing a review but the lady followed me out to my truck and made another comment that I was back by the nuts and bolts for a while (like I stole some cheap nuts and bolts) If I was back there for so long why didn’t you come to help? When I walked out one employee was talking to a customer and she was just standing there so you weren’t busy. After the attitude I will never be back to this Ace plus last year they couldn’t even cut a piece of plexiglass...