Crown Ace Hardware — Local services in San Diego

After going to puchase a small window screen from Crown Ace Hardware, I'll never go to Home Depot or any other hardware store again! Their customer service was literally awesome; they fixed me up with a brand new bedroom window screen - to replace my damaged old screen - for only $50 and had it ready to pick-up within two days! The whole staff worked as a integrated, happy team and their knowledge of their products, along with their customer service expertise was their Forte! Mike took my original order and explained everything that they were going to do concerning the replacement of my screen, so I was able to learn something too! A few of their associates wore small headphones, in order to communicate a customer's wishes with eachother; the purpose was to save time, by not having to walk all over their store to find another representative...a novel idea! Crown Ace Hardware had an extremely large selection of high grade building and home repair products, that left nothing missing from one's home or business repair list. Their paint section had myriad different colours and any combiation of them could be mixed - along with their expert advice - in order to create your own custom wall/ house painting surfaces. This particular store was one of the most awesome hardware stores that I've ever seen and unless you actually knew their layout - through making many trips there - one needed a customer service associate to help you locate whatever you needed.. They also had a beautiful nursery that was replete with flowers, small trees, gardening tools and other things that one might need in order to create a lush garden or whatever...

My husband and I were in a conversation as we walked into the store. The store greeter interrupted our conversation to welcome us to the store and I had to pause what I was saying to my husband while she talked over us. I probably gave her a not-very-nice look.

We went to the area where the product that we needed was, but the item we were looking for was stacked over my husband 's head (he's 6' tall, and he couldn't see in the bin even when on his toes).

I found a step ladder and brought it for him to use and, after a few minutes, a man walked over and said that they couldn't have him on a ladder in the store, because if he fell, they'd be liable. He asked if he could help us. My husband said yes and showed him what we were looking for. The man took one of the bins on the top shelf down, dropped it on the counter, then walked away.

The girl from the front walked back and asked if we needed help. I told her that we'd asked the guy for help, he took the bin down and walked away, which wasn't much help. She then said that she'd already asked if we needed help when we walked in and had turned her down. I told her she had interrupted my conversation with my husband, to which she replied she had welcomed us to the store. At that point my husband put back everything and we left.

Since when is it polite to interrupt a conversation simply because you're welcoming someone, and how much help is it to provide what might be the wrong size product, then walk away from your customer?

I've done a fair amount of business at this Ace since I live in the neighborhood, but now I doubt...

February 2024 - During the days and nights of relentless rain I found out the shed in my backyard with a lot of my belongings had a huge hole in the roof and most of my items were rain soaked. I ventured out to Crown Ace (my go-to hardware store) hoping they would have tarps. The really nice salesperson took me to the aisle and they had every size imaginable and at a very low price! (I found out a day later from a friend that Home Depot had been sold out of tarps for days.) I purchased several and drove home, only a few minutes away, and got a really nice neighbor kid (he is 21 yrs old, I am a 70 yr old woman) in the rain to help me cover the shed and tie the tarp down. And the salesman was right on. It was the perfect size for what I needed! I don't know what I would have done all these years without Ace Hardware and I won't go anywhere else! It is truly a friendly, neighborhood store. Also, it's always easy to park close to the entrance. Home Depot's lot is always full and it's a trek from the car to the store, then the store is crowded with long lines at the checkout. Another plus for me and others in my position is they offer a military discount for all active duty, retirees, family members, etc.

August 2023 - Another visit and found exactly what I was looking for. Just purchased some Fiskars pruners and an EGO Power String Trimmer. The employee explained the pros and cons of each string trimmer in their inventory and which one would be best for my home use. Everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable. I love this store. MUCH BETTER...