Just had a horrible customer service experience @ Cliff's Variety. An escalated issue to the owner went unresolved. She stuck to her store policy of not taking a return on xmas merchandise due to it being printed on the receipt. Even though you read the receipt after purchase. Sign at the cash register is buried along w/ other impulse items. She would not even issue store credit. I will NEVER shop there again. My only reason in writing this review is that others will see & spend their money elsewhere. A big waste of time & money!!! read more

I've been a resident in the neighborhood over 20 years and am a firm believer of patronizing all of the local businesses. The diva like behavior of the employees at Cliffs is beyond. Not one particular employee but 90% of them. I got so frustrated I went home and placed an order on Amazon Prime and had same day delivery without any hassle. Amazon should buy Cliffs and send all the employees to attitude behavior school. read more

I own an old 1890's Victorian House. When I need an unusual glass doorknob, replacement glass, or a 1950's faucet washer to repair my house, the incredibly helpful staff always comes up with what I need. In the hundred or so times I've been in there, never once have I encountered any "attitude" other than "let me help you!. Yes, you can drive 20 miles to Home Depot to save a few pennies or find more variety, but I love supporting local merchants, saving time, and getting great service. read more

Very excellent customer service. I recently called regarding their composition books and the man on the phone went to check back and forth for the books. The people at Cliff's go out of their way to help you out. It also feels great to support a local business. read more

Fun store to shop. They sell fabric and furry rugs cut to order, as well as a gazillion other home items you didn't realize you need. It's close to Castro Theatre and there is a parking lot on the same street, so it's super easy to get to. read more

Friendly at a cost. I'm a resident of the Castro and I've been shopping at Cliff's since I moved to the city. I love that it's a local store and that by shopping there I contribute to the neighborhood and its culture. The employees have always been kind, helping me find things I need and giving recommendations. My favorite thing to shop for at Cliff's is holiday items (Christmas, Birthday's, Halloween etc.) because their selection is usually quite good. I look forward to wandering around the aisles, getting ideas, and talking to employees. Recently while shopping for a Halloween costume I had a lengthy discussion with an employee about buying items for a costume. I wanted to go the DIY route, making the costume myself but the employee recommended I buy the store's version just in case, insisting that I could return it if need be. You can imagine my surprise when I returned to the store to find out that these items were non-refundable. I tried explaining my situation to the employee at the returns counter, but they refused to listen and rudely refused to take the items back, even as a donation. I left the store feeling manipulated--I would not have bought the items if I hadn't been told I could return them. I think this goes without saying, but if you market your store as being the "local" and "friendly"option, you CANNOT treat your customers this way, especially with other options like Amazon thriving on its customer service and ease. read more

12 inches required. Cliff's is a place of pure shopping delight. This is not your average hardware store, and more of a Variety shop of sorts. Completely finding it on a whim, I whisked by the side with real hardware equipment and walked into the more eccentric end. I wasn't really in need of a backhoe or anything since I don't have a yard. I walked in not knowing there was two sections and got lost in all of the fun things inside. Colorful wigs perched on the wall behind the register, Diva glasses on a rack in the front. Typical housewares like hand towels, bathroom accessories, yarn. That one threw me off, they have yarn! There's actually quite a few different colors so if you're ever in need. There you go. They have pretty much anything you could possibly need if you were stuck in your house for more than 5 hours or in need of something to make you laugh. Paper cups with noses and mugs with brass knuckle handles, thank you! Apart from food. I wanted to pick up a Voodoo toothpick holder for dinner parties but was in a rush for an appointment. Before leaving, because I honestly had no clue what store I was in and having a blonde moment I asked the sales clerk. He looked at me like I was an idiot and had lost my mind but was nice and told me. Silly girl, had I been smart as a whip I'd have noticed the sign on the entrance door. This is a spruced up hardware store for those who like variety with a little Castro flare. read more

Cliff's is the store for everything you could ever desire....really...Not just a hardware store, Cliff's has provided me with years of goodies, fix-its, and costumes. I frequently find myself stumped with translating a costume idea, to a costume reality. Well, Cliff's always comes to the rescue. From needing to be the "Gold Bond Girl" http://media4.px.yelpcdn.com/photo/edPUApPQxUeNKCq7PDM5gQ/l to my latest dilemma of how to make Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra Headpiece, Cliff's always has the supplies, and the staff with the creative and imaginative idea http://media3.px.yelpcdn.com/photo/lH5tkYP3ez5oZSXIWJe-2A/l Cliff's I hope you are around forever, to solve all my problems, have everything I need...and most importantly, be responsible for the Castro Street Halloween Parade!!!! HUGE THANK YOU read more

Love this. I used to go to a similar variety store in Red Bank NJ many years ago and I've seen few places like this since. Everything from hardware and light bulbs to cooking utensils and even whips to keep your life spicy! ;) A fun place to just walk through the isles and just marvel at the many fun and practical items that this place carries. read more

Shopping List: - Wig - Parasol - Countertop Composting Bin - Ribbon - Dishtowels - Tutu - Mask - Kitchen Timer One-stop-shopping emporium: Cliff''s. read more

Everything you could possibly want in crafting and toys and even the kitchen sink. LITERALLY. This establishment actually occupies two brick and motar spots next to each other. Most of the crafting type of materials (e.g. fabric, feathers, sequins, masks, ribbons, etc.) are in the store to the right. You will also find hats, handmade soaps and other quirky items on the selves. My favorite finds include filthy kitty and filthy cock soap (http://shop.filthyfarmgirl.com/) and material with a semi naked firefighter on it (which I am making into an apron). Various types of light bulbs, steamers, and other home improvement items are in the store as well as a well stocked toy section. Wonderful addition to the neighborhood. Worth the extra effort to find parking to see all of the wonderful things in and around this store. read more

Whenever I step through the doors of Cliff's I hear angel's sing a chorus and then the lights shine down and a voice from above says "MELISSA, CHECK OUT THEIR SELECTION OF STUPID LITTLE PLASTIC ANIMALS - YOU KNOW YOU WANT A 2 INCH PARAKEET" and I nod obligingly and go off to find the perfect tweetie bird. Here is a list of other heavenly treasures I've purchased from Cliffs: a cap gun sidewalk chalk a watering can for the flowers I keep killing outside Christmas lights and insulated picnic basket name tags and I had a funky key for our front door. Of course, I usually go after I'm three bloody mary's deep from Harveys - so that explains some of the randomness. OH CLIFFS! How wonderful your variety is. You are where I go to blow money I don't have on silly trinkets I don't need and also to get useful home wares. Is cliff a real person? Because I would totally kiss him on the mouth if I wasn't married. read more

We had a terrible experience in this store. An employee brought us to the other side to take a quick look at wigs five minutes before they were closing (at 6 PM). A different employee, Scott, stopped us at the door and rudely told us we could not enter. We explained - with the other employee next to us - that we only needed two minutes to look and determine if we should come back the following day to purchase. Scott was aggressive, abrasive, and rude. He kicked us out like it was 3 AM at a bar with police ready to fine them. I do not recommend this store. read more

Cute, kitschy. I love this place! Hardware, ribbons, toys, keys, and feather boas. Why only 4 stars? The owner's contractor illegally towed my car a few years back and I practically had to take them to court to reimburse the tow, store, and ticket fees. During all this, the owner herself was an unapologetic B**. read more

Amazing, stylish selection of goods. Prices are very nice. Crap response to trying to return a product that was faulty. read more

They sharpen knives here. It's quick, cheap, and well-done. I walked around the shop while they worked on my chef's knife. They were so quick, I only had about 5 minutes to look around. But, from what I saw, this place seems to have exactly what it claims: variety, and lots of it. I'll be back soon with more knives! read more

I love this spot. They have a great selection of toys and crafts. It is also one of my favorite seasonal stores. On top of being a great location where you could find multiple items that you generally would not find in one place, they make effort to help local non-profits. I've seen the toys for tots bin there during the winter and they also joyfully help the Muscul Dystrophy Association. I work for MDA and they create a heartfelt front window display that showcases youth with muscle disease that they are helping send to camp through the shamrocks program. They love helping in this way and have a true joy for the program. Every year atleast 2 children living with muscle disease get to attend MDA summer camp because of the money Cliff's Variety raises. read more

This place is more than just a hardware store , it's nice calming. I needed to come here especially after being duked and yelled at Smoke Plus. Anyways, Cliffs is the Tiffany's of hardware stores. They have so much to offer whether for an event, home design/repair, household good just about anything like that and them some. And the people are awesome!! read more

After reading my review, the owner responded to me and was genuinely appalled at the horrible customer service that I received. Adding a star for her considerate follow up. read more

I've lived around the block from Clift's for over 5 years now, and love this store. They have everything you need in a rather compact space. And the employees are consistently very professional and helpful - good job! read more

Better than Amazon! Seriously, this is my favorite neighborhood store, they seem to have everything one could need. Especially for costumes and holiday decorations :) read more

Cliff's is not only the coolest place on earth to buy everything from impossible-to-find Victorian home must-haves (like picture rail hooks) to cookware, but the business is a pillar of the community. They support everything from the local elementary school (Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy) to the Aids Foundation and an amazing array of civil rights and social justice causes. Anyone who thinks they were being profiled at Cliff's is either paranoid or has a chip on their shoulder. Yes, I mean you, Austin J. read more

Best selection, best customer service, best hardware store in the area. If Cliff's doesn't have it, they direct you to a local source. The staff knowledge is awesome! You can even buy one screw or one bolt (rather than a package) from the very organized drawers. I always feel happy when I go to Cliffs. read more

Prior to my visit yesterday I would have given Cliff's a five star rating. The layout of the store is eclectic; the art supplies are awesome; all the cool games are fun to browse through; and they sell my favorite pens in the world. Hurray. Plus the service has always been awesome no matter how busy it is. Back to yesterday. I'm ready to check out. No line. I'm stoked. Go to the register. Total: $5.43. Ok. I have cash. Put the $5 on the counter. Pause for a moment to scoop a handful of change from my purse. Put down a quarter, reaching for the dime ... double check with the sales guy "5.43 right?" He halfway nods THEN BLOODY STARTS PULLING the CHANGE OUT OF MY HAND. OMG. I have never before had a cashier literally grab the money as I'm holding it and counting. I told him, "I can do it myself." He pulled away but NO APOLOGY. Just a cold look and I could swear he sniffed a silent "hmmphh." As a former cashier, I know that's a no-no. As a former cashier, I also know how to quickly sort through change and not to use excessive pennies when paying. That's what Coinstar is for. There was one lady behind me who waited all of literally thirty seconds when the cashier started pulling money from my hand so it wasn't like there was a line. As I was leaving, I looked for his name tag-- turns out he's an assistant manager. read more

Love this place! They have got everything under the sun. From hardware supplies to children's toys. From kitchenware to party supplies. Came in here to find a crochet hook, but ended up buying five other things I found after wandering the aisles. Very difficult to leave empty handed. They have the nicest group of employees. So friendly and extremely helpful. Definitely one of the Castro's gems. read more

I never knew what a variety store was until I walked into Cliff's... I also never thought I would review a store on Yelp until I walked into Cliff's. This place screams YOU CAN BUY PRESENTS FOR ANYONE HERE!! They seriously have every kind of knick-knack you can imagine and not just prank gifts. There are useful items - kitchenware, masks, and tons of crafty bits. For those who can relate, I can spend as much time in here as I could in a Michaels Arts & Crafts store. Even if you don't want to spend money in here (which I dare you to try) this is the perfect place to get inspired for your next party or birthday/holiday/anniversary gift. read more

I love Cliff's! This is the fanciest and sexiest hardware store you'll ever shop. I needed nails, extension cords, and a bathroom organizer but something cool looking. I got all three and so much more! Cliff's has the basic hardware store supplies but they also have kitchen and bath items, candles, great kitchen supplies like excellent chef's knives, stuff for the kids etc. Another thing about Cliff's is because it's in the Castro, you can ask someone for help and get a funny response.... Cliff's employee: Can I help you honey? Me: I need nails, a couple extension cords, and something to organize bathroom supplies. Cliff's employee: Sounds kinky...oh just kidding, here follow me and we'll get ya nailed! Me: Laughing tee hee... Next door they sell fabric and more home stuff. They have such cool designed items for the home, it's definitely worth a stop. Love you Cliff's! read more

I'd like to give a renewed shout out to this handy dandy hardware store. I, being a victim of all things on sale, just happened to purchase a very lovely and very cheap lamp yesterday....only to discover the reason for it's cheapness...a very bizarre and estoteric lightbulb...that would lead me down the road of lightbulb terrors, never to be able to return the damn lamp and forever searching for the correct bulb.... OR I could just walk a couple of blocks to Cliffs where they could patiently explain to me that I could by one of many different sized lightbulb adapters (wow, who knew?) or lead me by the nose to a variety of 60 Watt bulbs size B (chandalier size?) of various size and whimsy of which I could purchase. Very exciting. I had not one but two enthusiastic sales people assisting me, I felt very well taken care of. Cliffs really does know how to provide an awesome level of service, so their slightly inflated prices are of no concern to me. I would have literally been at a loss in a Home Depot or on my own, attempting to ferret out the correct bulb. 5 stars! read more

Who knew I needed shrinky dinks en mass? Certainly not I! Not only is Cliff's convenient to home, you can actually purchase real supplies here (it reads "hardware" outside). I love the random kitchy stuff & the store next door with more fancy home decor. One of my favorite places to get sidetracked and mail my friends random things. Example: pill storage bag to be worn in a lady's bosom. Now she'll never lose her happy pills :) read more

Cliff's sells nipples. Little rubber ones that look like a bouncy ball cut in half. You're supposed to invert them, put them on the ground and they pop up and fly. I demonstrated their use to Ryan this weekend and only managed to injur myself. Cliff's sells an assortment of tools and toys that will put your eye out. And that's why I love it. read more

I love Paul at Cliff's Variety Annex - the small storefront next door to the main store. He's always very helpful, has a great wit, excellent service skills, and will order things for you if he doesn't have exactly what you are looking for. Yes, they cost a little bit more, but they provide utterly amazing service - and that is more than worth it to me. read more

A random shopping list from work: _ A Beachball (in the middle of November) _ Dominos _ Elf Shoes (YES THEY HAD THESE) _ Reindeer Antlers (Right next to the Elf Shoes) If it wasn't for Cliff's I would've gone back to work with my bosses wondering where the hell their much needed elf shoes were. read more

I would give this five stars, and let me list why: -The staff is extremely helpful with everything and will search high and low for what you need. I once went there looking for a glue stick (yes, just a glue stick) and one associate couldn't find it. She went looking and before I knew it, there were four other associates looking. -They usually have everything I need (except for glue sticks I guess). And I always end up leaving with more than I need. -It's not home depot -Where can you get glitter and a power drill in the same place? Only a hardware store in the Castro. Loves it. Why it gets four stars: -It is semi pricey -Sometimes they don't have what I need (ie glue sticks). Overall, I wouldn't go out of my way, but I wouldn't wouldn't go out of my way...yeah. Who goes out of their way to go to a hardware store anyways? read more

Normally, I would put 5-stars for Cliff's. I've been shopping there frequently for the last 1 1/2 years since moving to the Castro. Both stores have just an amazing variety of items: from the functional to the purely decorative. Why three stars? On my latest visit this last week, I spotted fake cigarettes in their toy section. Maybe an over-reaction but seriously - fake cigs where the little kids are playing with all the cool magic tricks and games? At least put them next door in the costume section if that's the intention. I'd figure with a dedicated toy purchaser, they'd have enough selection to get rid of the toy cigarettes. read more

They literally have anything you could imaginee, need a wig, need new pots and pans, mirror cut to specific spaces and sizes, every best ribbon and fabric for diy costumes, an arsenal of sequin appliqués. Cliffs I love you! read more

Patti helped me find the glasses I need to complete my Halloween costume. Fantastic customer service! Will definitely be coming back again.

Things I have bought at Cliffs (inspired by Kate R)... Calligraphy pens (and got a tutorial from a hott sales girl on the history of calligraphy and what to buy depending how into it you are... I, of course, didnt ever use them because I dont like to see myself succeed or see things through) Page protectors (to protect the recipes I rip out of my Gourmet and Bon Appetits so that when I am a famously sexy pastry cook and Elizabeth Faulkner leaves her lover for me I will have something to bring to the table besides my outstanding sexiness and proficient sexual skills) Desk lamp light bulb replacement (for my boss) Pirate lunch box (present for pirate brunch hostess) Pirate stickers Sword Pirate Hook hand (which I REALLY wanted to use to eat pancakes with but no one let me. I lie, I was afraid of germs because tourists like to fondle things at Cliffs instead of buying them) Pirate Bendy Man Toy (because Cliffs is in the Castro and there are many men in the castro, some who dress as pirates, most of who are flexible for reasons I will let your parents explain to you) read more

I would like to thank Cliff's Variety for meeting all of my household needs. When I lived in the Lower Mission/Bernal Flats, Cole Hardware was my go-to spot for those bizarre items you just can't find anywhere else. Now that I live in the Upper Market/Lower Hayes Valley/Outer Castro, Cliff's is the place. A cheese grater, key duplication, 12 1-quart mason jars, a video/RCA connector cable, and light bulbs are among the necessities I have scored with the help of Cliff's and its friendly employees. The prices are really reasonable, and I get to feel good about shopping local instead of at big boxes like Target or Bed, Bath & Beyond (and plus, I don't actually have to GO to those awful places). Hooray for the Castro, and hooray for Cliff's!! read more

I could spend hours in here! Oh, I just did. You'll find things you need and things you don't need and pretty soon your hands will be full. The people that work here are all really nice and helpful if you are looking for something in particular. read more

I bought a house within 2 blocks of Cliff's. I know NOTHING about owning a house. I go there regulary, and I get talked through the most basic of basics on EVERYTHING. I love the staff to death, and I really have done some nice improvements on my place. My recommendation is to walk in and look lost- they will find you, tell you the most possibly obvious, simple things, and you will feel better about trying to make your home more lovely. xoxo, chuck read more