Jacaranda Ace Hardware — Local services in Venice

I had a terrible experience at a local ACE store today. I purchased a propane gas tank yesterday afternoon for my friends and former neighbors who are still without power and cell phone connection following Milton. Turns out my friends have been flooded with propane gas tanks so I brought the item back. Aparently this is a “hurricane” item that this ACE store does not accept back. Moreover, they were so incredibly rude. Told me that next time I should read the policy that they just posted on the door and the counter (they don’t accept hurricane items as returns) and even offered to keep the item without giving me back $72…. “We can keep it if you want, we just cannot give you your money back”, they tell me. I don‘t remember if I ever had worse customer experience. They were actually having fun being rude to me… Disgusting… I will never set foot in ANY ACE stores ever again. As much as I like to support local business, this one is absolutely not...

Worst Service Ever. Racist, extremely racist. Not sure if everyone, but at the store today were a Redhead guy who apparently is the one who cut, program and reset key fob. Ironically manager Mike told me yesterday to stop by today at 2pm. When I went, without even pronouncing one word that guy was already saying he can't help me in the most rude and disrespectful way. I tried to explain what I was there for but, literally, he did NOT let me talk. If you want a business to be successful, you can't that type of people working for you. Feels so sorry for him, I can get service anywhere else, but he will be miserable and upset every single day, specially with all the diversity of people Hispanic, Chinese or even living around here in Venice. Shame...

Purchased a weber grill about 3 weeks ago after getting some advice from the expert on staff who said they'd likely be delivered in a week or so. Called today for a status and they don't even have them in the store yet, and expecting the grills to be delivered late next week. On the phone, the Ace employee stated they've been backed up since September. Really disappointed with the communication I received when I made the purchase as I have family visiting next week and now looking at purchasing another grill to be able to cook all the steaks I purchased. My recommendation to the staff is to be honest and understand the customer's requirements before committing to unrealistic...