Where do you guys buy hardware.

[fidowanttobe]

Mac's, Runnings, Ace, Lowe's and Menards. In that order, for price AND availability.

 

[southernbound]

Fastenal is close to me and anytime I need "quality" I go there. If I'm buying food for the pets at tractor supply I get some stuff there as well..Understand your frustration with messy bins..Tractor supply seems to be the same everywhere..

 

[mopardude318]

You can find anything you want at McMaster Carr.

 

[merlynr]

We had a local hardware store that had most anything you needed in fasteners. A few years ago they became an Ace affiliate but he kept all his normal hardware. After 125 years and at least 3 generations he sold out to another Ace hardware owner. They have been closed since june one for remodeling. I'm going to be disappointed when they reopen.

 

[N80]

We have a Fastenal here but I did not know they sold retail. I have used McMaster-Carr for other stuff but did not think about larger hardware. I could not find anything on Amazon but maybe I'm not searching it right. We do not have Menards or Rural King.

My experiences at Lowes are consistently bad. It is close by and every time I go I swear I'm not coming back. But after a while I forget and go back again and regret it. Home Depot experiences are the same.

I hear all the time that Amazon and the internet are killing local retail sales. I disagree. The local retailers are killing retail sales. When I can't count on Lowes having its bins stocked there is absolutely no reason to go. I hope that Amazon does kill the big box stores and then maybe the mom-and-pops can make a comeback. My experiences with locally owned business are almost always world's better and even if they can't help me at least the experience was nice.

 

[jaydee325]

There is a surplus store near me that has bolts, screws, and casters for way less than anywhere else. They are usually located in obscure places so you may need to search.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I work in Hickory and have access to the same stores as everyone else. I usually shop at Tractor Supply and Lowes. Don't go to Home Depot much. I am fortunate to have a very nicely equipped locally owned ACE hardware store 3 miles from the house. They have pretty much anything that I need and I typically go there over the others. Faster, prices are competitive, and I keep my money local.

 

[TheMan419]

I try to buy from the local Ace. They don't have much tractor stuff though. Tsc is the only tractor/farm store I have local. Their prices are usually better than the Lowes home despot etc.

 

[Oaktree]

Mac's, Runnings, Ace, Lowe's and Menards.

Runnings is an interesting store. They opened one in Claremont, N.H. a couple years ago. A little pricey, but they have odd items other stores don't. It's a 2 hr (one way) drive so I don't get there very often.

I hear all the time that Amazon and the internet are killing local retail sales. I disagree. The local retailers are killing retail sales. When I can't count on Lowes having its bins stocked there is absolutely no reason to go. I hope that Amazon does kill the big box stores and then maybe the mom-and-pops can make a comeback. My experiences with locally owned business are almost always world's better and even if they can't help me at least the experience was nice.

My problem with mom & pop hardware stores/home centers is their hours are not always convenient. You're generally outta luck if you need something after 5pm or on Sunday.
Amazon is no help there. The box stores have their place.

 

[N80]

The box stores have their place.

Agreed. But in the experience I'm citing they did not have what I needed. And it was stuff they were supposed to have. Stuff their web site said the had. So convenient hours are meaningless to me if they can't or won't keep their bins stocked. And even though my Lowes is less than 10 miles from my house it is in a major retail corridor and is always a hassle to get in and out of. So yes, they have their place but it is getting smaller and smaller for me.