Santa Cruz Hardware — Local services in Santa Cruz

I am one of those who loves these types of stores. I can spend a good amount of time looking for the best solution to one of my project's. I like to try to make things out of discarded items or simple things I see for sale in a store that I can make on my own. Its my hobby. Sometimes there can be 20 different items in the store that might serve my purpose and the only way to decide is to go from aisle to aisle, looking for which will be the best fit. They don't seem to like that in this store. I guess they expect someone to come in knowing exactly what they want and to pay and leave. So, every time that I go into this store, I end up frustrated and somewhat insulted because the employees begin to circle the wagons. I guess they think that I am stealing. This makes me very uncomfortable, because I am not a thief. Most of the time I end up leaving empty handed because of my discomfort.

I would have given it 4 stars, if my experience had been different, because they do have a nice selection and quality merchandise. Nobody gets 5 stars from me because there is always room for...

The store has all the equipment and supplies you could need but the staff is very rude. I went in with my girlfriend and we talked to three people. The first, when I asked where to find rope, laughed at my girlfriend and I before pointing in the general direction and saying "halfway down, turn left", the rope was not halfway down, nor to the left. The man at the paint section said that we can find lighters about 3 rows from the register. The man working the register asked "need any help", we said yes and asked about where we can find lighters, he scoffed and pointed in the row in front of him. Then said "found it" and laughed after my girlfriend crouched down. I would not have left a review if it had been just one interaction, but three back to back interactions in which we were made fun of is unacceptable and incredibly unprofessional. This isn't just one person who's had a bad day, but lack of training across an entire team. I will not be returning if I am able to visit another hardware...

This location is nice, has pretty much everything you need and expect from a hardware store. However, the last time I went in to buy a tool really left a bad impression. As I walked into the store I was never notified of the "no bag" policy, no apparent sign, employees did not tell me as I walked in. 5 minutes later as I was checking out isle 3 some old guy (I assume it was the manager) stormed up to me telling me I should have left my backpack at the entrance. After I put my backpack at the entrance of the store as he instructed, he mumbled something under his breath as he walked away, which made me feel incredibly unwelcomed. Staff will repeatedly ask you whether or not you found what you need, as if you were about to steal something...