My Peeve About Hardware Stores

[EddieWalker]

For common sized bolts and assesories, I used to go to Tractor Supply. They have a good selection and good prices. Recently, we got an Atwoods, which is basically a bigger, better Tractor Supply. The biggest difference besides more selection is they have everything in stock. They also have a really good selection of bolts to choose from. You pay by the pound, so it doesn't matter what size you buy, it's all weighed together.

I always check what I'm buying. The time you don't is when you get to where you're going and ready to use them, then realized they are the wrong size.

Lesson Learned.

Eddie

 

[mjncad]

Don't even get me started on Big Boxmart stores.

My local Ace charges by the piece or box for nuts, bolts, and machine screws. Nails and drywall screws are by the pound.

Getting lazy customers to put back hardware where it belongs is impossible, and yes it ticks me off.

 

[Philscbx]

I'm usually the one putting them back where they belong when finding them messed up.
It doesn't bother me in the least, as long as I get what I'm after.
But, not have a common bolt in grade 5 or better will be another story if the bin is empty for no good reason. I just spent $50 round trip with makeshift alternate.

 

[wedge40]

The unfortunate trend is to not carry anything that doesn't have a bar coded SKU. Nothing like having to clean the bar code label off of bolt threads or a PVC elbow, especially when they use the anti-switch labels that are designed to come apart when lifted.

Edit: I wanted to insert a wise crack about it getting to the point of tattooing bar codes on a certain part of the anatomy of practitioners of an ancient art form, which is generally illegal, but well known to the local constabulary. However, that would probably have violated the terms of engagement here, so feel free to insert your own joke.

I believe Nevada is already doing this.. They gotta keep track of their tax base
Wedge

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I have since bought a bolt bin and stocked with 1/4 to 5/8. Its a bit of a luxury at home but it sure saves a lot of trips to town. Of course now I have to gripe at myself when the bolts get mixed up
Ken

Not a Luxury IMO, a necessity.... I used to do the onesie/twosie purchases when I needed them, but ultimately it was more hassle for me then anything, not to mention if a person factored in time & fuel, wayyy more expensive.... I now purchase all my fasteners at a local Fastenal, quality is great, price is right in line if not cheaper and I get em by the bag of watever their quantity level is (Example 1/4" bolts might come 50 to a bag, 1/2" might come 10 to a bag) Really works nice for me as the leftovers ALWAYS get used. Just Wednesday night I broke the hold down bolt to the Battery in my truck when trying to remove it, went to my bin set, grabbed what I needed and kept on truckin along.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Speaking of TSC and Atwoods, recently I was tightening up the lug nuts on my rear wheels and popped one of the heads off. No I am not that strong, it was a factory defect. Luckily I was able to remove the remains. Anyway here I go to TSC and Atwoods to try and find a lug nut for my Yanmar. Nothing to be found. A couple days later I was doing some dirt work with my FEL and just happened to stop to do something off the tractor. When I started to mount back up, I noticed a bolt on the ground, so I started looking and found the hole for that one and a couple more that were missing as well. So he I am in Bismarck Ark and needing some bolts. I go up to the little local store which just happened to have a small bolt bin and asked for some Grade 8 bolts. Not only did the lady have the grade 8 for my FEL but I still had the remains of the lug nut in my truck and we sized it up also. I paid about double for them but I didnt have to make a 40 mile trip to get them. I got a few extra also just in case more of my loader mounts worked out. I think the ones that the dealer used are grade 5 and they stretch then get loose then fall out. I have been pretty rough with it digging up some thorn trees.
Well, what I was going to contribute is that not only do you need to check the size, type of threading and length, but also make sure the grade is not mixed if the place sells more than one grade of bolt. Regardless of where you buy, this is a problem.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not a Luxury IMO, a necessity.... I used to do the onesie/twosie purchases when I needed them, but ultimately it was more hassle for me then anything, not to mention if a person factored in time & fuel, wayyy more expensive.... I now purchase all my fasteners at a local Fastenal, quality is great, price is right in line if not cheaper and I get em by the bag of watever their quantity level is (Example 1/4" bolts might come 50 to a bag, 1/2" might come 10 to a bag) Really works nice for me as the leftovers ALWAYS get used. Just Wednesday night I broke the hold down bolt to the Battery in my truck when trying to remove it, went to my bin set, grabbed what I needed and kept on truckin along.

I did the same thing 2 years ago. I got a parts bin at HF for $10 on sale. Stocked it with 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", and 1/2" stuff. Plenty of lock washers, a few nylon lined nuts, regular nuts, and plenty of washers. I keep the bolts from 1" upto 6".

I also picked up some grade 5 and 8 stuff. I like Rural Kings bolts because they dye them. Normal grade are just metal, grade 5 are gold, grade 8 are purple, and all metric is red. They carry the most complete line of nuts and bolts this side of Fastenal.

I bought all the hardware at Rural King, like TSC but bigger/better, when it was on sale for $0.89 per pound. I think I bought about 40 pounds.

Chris

 

[jimmer2880]

My peeve is why they feel like they have to empty their inventory this time of the year, EVERY year to the point where it looks like they are going out of business.

All that does (besides make their books look a smidgeon better and making me furious!) is drive their regular customers back to the "mom & pops" who still have what you need in stock.

 

[escavader]

HARD WARE STORE? Heck id like to get the boneheads at work to put the bolts in the correct bin at work.It really irritates me when they just throw back the extras carelessly.Or how about when they take the last one of something and dont write it down ,or get them replaced.You ar in the middle of a repair to get the mill running and youve got to go chase bolts cause the bin was empty!!!!Ok rant over
ALAN

 

[sandman2234]

I have this new to me mowing deck, that needs a bit of paint, so I stopped at HD, then Napa, then a paint supply store (closed by the time I got there). No luck, so I passed a JD dealership today, and turned into the hardware store nextdoor's parking lot. Figured since they supplied me with a place to turn around, the least I could do was give them a shot at the paint. Nice folks, bought all they had, then went next door and paid just over twice that for the same green and yellow paint. Gotta love them hardware stores!!!
David from jax