Good place for hard-to-find hardware. But buck up, because the owners are downright nasty. As a 70-year-old southerner, I find their service beyond shocking. read more

Closed up tight at 8:36 am on a Wednesday. Loved the hardware store in Mountain Brook though. read more

Five Points Paint & Hardware - Hardware Stores Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I recommend you prepare yourself for a trip to Five Points Hardware by reading all the reviews here. I needed a hard-to-find from Amazon and anyone else Price-Pfister ceramic sink valve cartridge. Checked Lowes, where I bought the faucet, no joy. Went to a near-by professional plumbing supply store in Trussville, again no luck, but the helpful and courteous clerk gave this piece of advice: "They will have it at Five Points Hardware, but be prepared--the owner is a grumpy old guy and may be hard to deal with. Be sure and take the part you need to replace with you. You may find it for $20 on Amazon, he'll probably charge you $40, but you'll go home with the right part." I did, and it was like walking into a scene in a Southern novel. Genuine characters and a real story behind the whole scene. First, parking in that area of town is hard to get. After circling the block several times, I found a place on the street. I walked to the store, only to see several signs saying "Use the Rear Entrance" with an arrow pointing around the back. After passing a couple of possible doors, it really was in the very back of the building. Also behind the store is a very generously provided parking lot. Had no idea, but will next time. The next thing is just entering the store. It's like you walked through a time warp, and are suddenly back in a classic, no-fooling Hardware Store from the 1940-1960 era. I was back in by boyhood, and it was magic. One of the best stocked hardware stores I've ever seen anywhere. Five Points Hardware has been in business since August of 1941. "The owner's father was going to sell the store and facing the draft. He was turned down for the military, but decided not to sell and keep the store going during the war....His son took it over after his Dad died." said the clerk who filled me in on the history. Next I approached the sales desk, and sure enough, there was the owner of the store, mustachioed, gray hair, old jeans and shirt. He asked what I needed, and I told him. The "grumpy" description given at the previous store seemed appropriate, but he was not rude to me. He assigned his assistant to help. This younger man was great: focused and determined to find the exact replacement. He found me the rare and exact part, then methodically and carefully measured my old part to ensure it was right. The price was more than Amazon, but still in the range of what these cost. It was $21.98 and my sink is fully repaired and functional. Recommended my son and grandsons go and check it out to see what a real Hardware store looks like. I get it that this is not the kind of greeting 99/100 merchants give. But go for the right part at a fair price, and absorb the glory of an old-fashioned hardware store. read more

Five Points Paint & Hardware - Price-Pfister sink cartridge - Hardware Stores Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I walked in at least two people offered to help me. I needed some replacement valves for a faucet. They had exactly what I needed and were extremely helpful. I will be heading there in the future when I need hardware items. read more

I wish I could have given them a higher review since I have had one "okay" experience with them prior, but today kind of ruined it. I walked in for a couple generic socket head screws and was met with the most condescending greeting I have experienced yet. I knew exactly what I was looking for, an M5 screw with a length of about 0.75" but the man I talked to was SO sure they wouldn't have it. He then told me that my car is foreign and that they make stuff "for making BUILDINGS." I was okay with just leaving it there but he persisted. He refused to listen to what I was saying and was snappy with me, saying "just tell me what you want" after I stuttered trying to think of the length. He eventually found it (I told you it's an extremely common screw), got it to the register after begrudgingly putting them in my hand, then acted like it was the hardest task ever when I asked to pay by card. I know they are nice to a lot of people but if you don't look like someone who is experienced, you will not be treated like one. It is insulting after how long I have spent learning what I know to have someone treat me like a lesser person like he did. Update: I went back to return the 2 screws shortly after purchasing them as I found another solution to my problem. The let me know that they do not return screws which is fine with me as I understand store policies. After this he proceeded to childishly scoff at me and say that after "all the time spent" getting the screws (30 seconds), they can't just put them back. I went to try and relate to him by talking about my time at Ace and before I could even begin my sentence he snapped at me and said "this ISNT Ace." The insecurity and disrespect displayed by the employees/owner here is just disappointing. read more

Service and atmosphere is exceptional. I just tell them what I need and they bring it to me or take me where it is and I make decisions. Sit around and jaw for awhile and have a bottle of pop and for a moment you may think you have gone back in time to Mayberry! read more

The service was very bad, very rude and a bit racist. I was overcharged by double the average price and when I showed them the price of the competitor, they charged me a restocking fee to refund even though I had just bought the items and hadn't left yet. I wouldn't dare to ever go back there and I advise others not to. read more

In terms of sheer rudeness, this place sucks monkey balls. Last year, my wife went in there to pick up a couple of odds and ends. Mind you, she is a really handy person, given how she grew up in a house where they fixed everything. So she strolls up to the counter and asked the clerk a fairly straightforward question. The clerk, who evidently has a terminal case of Aspergers, replied, "Why don't you send your husband in next time?" My wife doesn't take crap off anyone, so I was surprised she didn't immediately emasculate the knuckle-dragging halfwit with a spoon she sharpened on the sidewalk outside. And this wasn't an isolated case. Seriously. With Lowe's and Home Depot out there, you'd think a dinky hardware store like this would kiss the posterior of any customer who strolled through the door (Not to mention a few other body parts). Instead, this waste of oxygen heaps abuse on people. So I'll happily spend my money at a locally-owned hardware store where the guys are actually appreciative of your business. In fact, here are three hardware stores within 10 minutes of Five Points Hardware that are much, much better: Little Hardware in Mountain Brook Village, Huffstutlers in Homewood, and Cahaba Heights Hardware (These guys are GREAT). But please don't spend a dime with Five Points, because your business won't be appreciated and they'll treat you like the scum of the earth. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the hardware biz was nothing but a gigantic front for a numbers running operation. Because there is no conceivable other explanation for the treatment customers get in this place. read more

If you need a hardware store where you are greeted with a warm smile and a friendly hello... you should probably find another hardware store. If you need a hardware store where they know everything there is to know about plumbing sans friendliness, this is your place. The fortunate thing for me and FPPH is that I was warned ahead of time. So I knew what I was in for. But any time I have some type of plumbing need that I don't know off of the top of my head, these are the guys to come see. They have a lot of items the big box stores don't. And they have the knowledge to go along with it. I haven't really used them for much else besides plumbing. So I can't speak to other areas of expertise. But I will keep coming back as I continue to educate myself on plumbing procedures through the joy of home ownership. read more

We were searching for a hard to find part to the bathroom sink in our older home. The plumber told us that if anyone would have the part, it would be Five Points. The staff searched through their large stock and didn't give up until they found what we needed. They went the extra mile that you would not find in the chain stores. When we got home, the parts worked perfectly and we didn't have to purchase a whole new unit for the sink. Thanks read more

If I could, I would give them NO STARS! I've lived in Southside for nearly 50 years and this place was a good, go-to source for all things "hardware" up until about 20 years ago. The owner is rude, condescending and apparently could not care less about a customer's needs or making a sale. Avoid at all costs and go to Cahaba Heights Hardware. I needed some wood epoxy to fill some 1/4-1/2" woodworm holes in a persimmons walking staff I'm carving. They didn't have what I needed and the owner told me, rather coldly, to leave the holes in, they improve the value of the staff. Hey! I didn't come in for advice, I came in for some JB Woodweld! The place is full of stock and looks like a great resource, but the asshole in the safari vest ruins it. I was told, sarcastically, "Good luck on finding that." I told him I had already found it. Online. read more

Rude as h*ll. Don't go here unless you enjoy being insulted and ridiculed. Used to be great neighborhood place but bitter employees/owners ruined it. I asked if they make keys and the man said no, "We duplicate keys". I'm not a 5 year old. You can keep your keys! Very insulting. read more

Rude, insulting, chauvinistic, etc... These might begin to describe the attitude of the owner. Good news, he doesn't discriminate. He's equally rude to men and women. No customer is ever right or knows what they are talking about. If you read many of my reviews, you know it's rare that I give anyone a lonely star. In fact, I think there was only one in my first couple of hundred reviews. I just think bad customer service, especially by the owner, is unforgivable. If you are looking for a small business idea, open a hardware store downtown. You'll have this place's business in a heartbeat. read more

Don't let one interpretation keep you from supporting local business. Sure they have an abrupt (should I say not so typical southern approach), but the owner has experience. It might not be in accordance with the way you want, and he might tell you about why that's a bad idea, but he has a solution. And from my experience a good one. I get his delivery can be stark, but if you don't take it personal you can usually find another way. And.. if you want it your way, he usually has what you're looking for. My experience was a clogged drain. I went in for some highly aggressive drain cleaner. Because I live in a house built in the 1920s, he advised against such cleaner and suggested a "balloon". My ignorance asked "like a party balloon? I don't get it". The owner was like, well kind of the same idea. I asked him to show me. The part was $12-$15. About x2 the aggressive stuff. But it's reusable and won't eat away my metal piping. And to top It off better for the environment. Point being... I never would've known this to be a thing had Wayne not so abruptly suggested it. Go in with humble conference and walk out with a new approach! read more

Amazing they are in business. Convenience is nice but just the rudest staff I've ever dealt with in a customer service store. If you know what you need its all good, just don't ask them any questions if you don't want to get talked down too. Convenience is great people suck read more

I was referred to this store by another seller bc they didn't have what I needed. There were two older men (can't refer to them as gentlemen). One or both was likely the owner. The other maybe the store manager. As I was trying to tell the one I assume to be the owner, he kept interrupting me, didn't bother to look up at me and was very rude. They found the item I was looking for but I needed a lot of them and they only had a few. They could have ordered them but I had already decided I would not buy anything from them. They were bathroom sink handle cartridges. They had them priced at $21 but I later found them on Amazon for $8!!! I would have paid Amazon $25 to avoid them just because they were so rude! I have 5 sinks so needed 2 for each...they would have charged me over $210 but I got them for a little over $80! The store is nasty and so unorganized, it's hard to even walk thru. Don't buy ANYTHING from them! They don't deserve or appreciate your business. I'm calling Ace Headquarters to let them know and Ferguson Plumbing who referred me (they were very nice). I recommend everyone report this to Ace. They don't deserve to use the name! He apparently hates his life and takes it out on would be customers. read more

This is my favorite hardware store in the region. If I need something obscure, I know they'll probably have it. I usually wind up finding other bits and pieces to buy while perusing their selection. Are they the cheapest? No. Friendliest? No. Is it the best damned independent hardware store around? Yes. If I'm working in Birmingham and need something quick, I don't care if it costs a little more and I don't need them to smile at me while I'm there. Also, I take comfort in having seen them refuse to sell parts to people that were going to do work on gas lines for apartments that obviously had no clue what they were doing. read more

The staff is incredibly rude and basically ushered us out the door after being told they dont have or make the plumbing part we were after. We were also not allowed to look in the plumbing section for other options that could solve our problem read more

I went to Five Points Paint & Hardware from a recommendation of a plumbing supply house after unsuccessfully trying to find a cartridge for my shower. My fear was I tried everyplace else I could think of and was looking at a very expensive repair in putting in a whole new fixture... I spoke with Michael who took the time to measure my old cartridge, he went beyond in his effort to find the right replacement part, ordered it and within two days the correct part arrived. He then verified the part with the old one and it was a perfect match! Thank you so much for going the extra mile in finding the correct part! read more

In the 27 years of living in Birmingham I have found this place to have had the worst customer service ever. I was talked 'down to' the last time I was in for I 'had no clue' about how a door knob works. I suffered through and bought the parts after being told some unasked for political rant. The part I bought of course did not work. I went to Harbison Lock & Key in Homewood and got 100% what I wanted with a smile... There are better choices than this place. Never again. read more

This is my "go-to" hardware store when you need someone to help you get what you need (especially if you're uncertain). They are EXTREMELY knowledgable with each item they stock. Good luck trying to get someone that's knowledgeable and that will be able to help find what you need at Lower or Home Depot. They are a good team to get the customers served in a quick 1st come 1st serve fashion; I never have to wait more than 3 minutes before I am helped. It is always polite to wait your turn before asking questions. They even have sleds, so next time we get snowed/iced in here in Birmingham, get there early before they're sold out! read more

I haven't shopped in this store in over 6 years, due to the absolute rudeness, and complete willingness to insult a customer who ask for assistance. Evidently, judging by the recent reviews, nothing has changed, except they've put up a new "we have sleds" sign after the old one faded into illegibility. read more

I will add to the list of abuses this place does to it's Birmingham and Southside neighbors by reviewing. When I lived several blocks away, this use to be my go-to spot for hardware odds & ends and home repair supplies. So, over the 6+ years that I frequented the store, I always recognized dude was a jerk, but they were way closer than Home Depot and I liked the idea of supporting an independent business in the city. So after multiple years of patronage & hundreds of dollars spent (I'm not even sure if the owner would even recognize me w/ his ape-like social skills), I go in w/ some old hardware I forgot to return prior to our move that still had their price tags on them and were in pristine condition..hoping, naively I could swap out the $10 worth of goods for a few keys. I mean, I wasn't running some sort of hardware scam to swap bootleg hardware for specially made keys and for $10 worth of stuff, it didn't seem like it would be a big deal. WRONG! Jackass told me I needed a receipt and it had to be within 30 days for any return as he mumbled something about "this is a rough neighborhood". Compared to the other reviewer's experiences, I guess that appeared to be an apology. I just left the crap on the counter since it wasn't worth the hassle of moving w/ it. If it is such a tough neighborhood to run a business in, then pack up all the dusty, "been sitting on your shelves since Eisenhower was in office" goods and move out to some pristine, gated community in the burbs where you can have "good" customers as opposed to the primordial Southside scum who support your business if we are such a GD pain in your ass. Chris G, please send me a video of your wife stabbing the owner w/ her sharpened spoon! :) read more

It would be great if the only thing wrong with this store was the horrible attitude of the guys who work here. They're rude as hell and hate their customers. The bigger problem is they are also incompetent. They'll give you the wrong tool, part, screws, etc., and when you return the item they'll give you another wrong tool, part, screws, etc. I can accept that they're all total angry assholes but incompetence is so much worse. It will be a great day when these assholes close their store. I love that J.D. says "don't let one interpretation keep you from supporting local business." My "interpretation" is one of SIXTEEN that have given this business 1 star and talked about how rude the employees are. THERE ARE 15 1-STAR REVIEWS, BESIDES MINE. See the ones written by B.C., Matt M., Tip L., Liz T., Scott O., Brock O., Bill T., Will L., Jaqueline R, Chris G., Branda G, Alex K, Adam F., Taylor S., and David C. So we've got sixteen 1-star reviews, one 2-star review, and then we have J.D.'s "one interpretation". Obviously, J.D., despite all of his purported humbleness, can't count. read more

Started off by calling the business to ask for wall putty to patch some holes from some nails and screws. The man on he phone rudely said "we have wall spakle". I said thanks and sent my boyfriend to pick it up. The man was very rude and unhelpful. Doubt we will ever go back here, we live so close but I'd rather go to Home Depot or another home store for these products. read more

This establishment is probably one of the worst I have ever dealt with. The customer service is HORRIBLE. They sell faulty products and when you let them know it is faulty they will not do anything about it. I highly suggest NEVER using this shop. read more

I have never been treated in a manner to which I want to leave less than one star. The condescending prick behind the counter could have made a big sale today. I moved to Homewood 5 days ago and wanted to support a local small business. I will continue my search to find a local hardware store that will treat me as a knowledgeable handy human being. Besides, they close at 5pm. read more

I don't know why I ever go back to this place. The service is terrible. The owner seems to hate everyone and everything. Why bother if you are just going to be miserable. Save yourself some time and go anywhere else. read more

I assume he is the owner of the manager I've been in the store three times I'm usually the only black person in there and every time this man is real rude and shrewd he is a racist because he doesn't talk to the white people in there like that I have to go back to work I will comment on this more and go more into detail but I'm asking any people of color if you're being treated like this please let me know because I don't want to assume he's one way and he's not but he's just always made me feel like he doesn't like me or want me in the store and he's quick to always ask me to leave. When I first go in there he always stare me down like he looks at me with nothing but hates in his eyes like he's thinking I'm coming there to Rob him today I went in there there was a white couple in there he was waiting on I was waiting for him to finish with them but all of a sudden he quickly asked me can I help you and I said yes I'm waiting for you to finish with them I needed some screws he saw you can't tell me what kind of screws you need to get the hell out of here he didn't even give me an opportunity to tell him what kind of screws I need advantest I guess assisting A co-worker comes from the back and I asked him I see y'all must be racist and don't like black people in here the first thing he shells out as usual I'm married to a black woman what difference does that make a lot of people think black people but they don't want black people to date their people or be around black people read more

Yes, people are rude and not welcoming. Just because one has knowledge, doesn't mean one should be that way. People will support local business, if they get good customer service and feel welcomed. Not all things are cheaper than HD/Lowe's. And if you want to return without being hassled, don't go here. I still wonder, how this store is still surviving in spite of such a bad service and attitude. read more

Wow, I'm floored by the negative attitude towards Five Points Hardware. I have an old 1925 house and anytime I need an old part to something, I always come here!! Always, always, always!!!!! If you go to Five Points Hardware expecting Home Depot, then don't go there. Those guys are SO KNOWLEDGEABLE about all kinds of stuff. It's amazing. If you go there with a good attitude and smile on your face, they'll help you out. They are a little rough around the edges but the guys that are always there have ALWAYS HELPED ME OUT. They are a one of a kind store and I hope they NEVER, ever, ever go away. read more

I have no relation or business interest just to be clear, but that "rude, old curmudgeon" is the same man that let me in after hours to help fix a problem that I had. The sign said 74 years. That's unbelievable, and if you've ever done any real remodeling or new building work, everyone knows that's exactly the man you need. It's a hardware store. I can guarantee he is not a life coach, nor would I imagine he follows the path of Gandhi, but Gandhi wasn't known for being a hardware expert. Remember why you are in the store. 74 years says everything. Excellent knowledge, respectful people. read more

Gave this store a second chance and needed a hard to find plumbing part for a shower. I brought in the whole part from the shower ( do not bring in a picture or a description --- that will be a mistake .. lol ) and they told me how to install it. They have an abrupt nature but they are very knowledgeable. I would compare the experience to the Soup Nazi episode on Seinfield ! read more

I AM DONE WITH 5 POINTS HARDWARE! I try to shop local when I can but every time I go to that place it is worse and worse. The guy who owns the place is a bitter, angry old man who makes you feel like an idiot. I asked him if he had any valve stems for a faucet that I needed. I showed him a picture and I knew exactly which one I needed. He said he wouldn't know which one it was unless he had the old one in his hands. I asked him if he could show me where they were (I already looked around but couldn't find them, that place is a mess with junk everywhere) and he told me he was too busy and couldn't waste his time helping me look through them. He wouldn't even show me where they were. Oh and by the way, I was literally the ONLY person there. So from now on it's Lowes, Home Depot or online unless anyone knows of a good local hardware store close to me where their customer service is at least a 3/5. I usually don't write reviews like this but I have had it with this place. I don't know how he even stays in business. There's never anyone there and that property value has to be pretty high. I don't wish bad things on too many people but I wish he would go out of business and have something else move in or someone else buy him out and operate the store. I really like having a hardware store so close to my house but it's unfortunate how bad it is because of the owner. I won't be going back. The hours there are ridiculous too. I have to rush home from work to make it before his close time. read more

I'll pile on with the other recent negative reviews. It's convenient. It always has what I need. I'd much prefer to give my money to a place like this one than a Home Depot or a Lowe's. But an older man who works there was extremely rude to me not long ago. When he had his back turned a younger employee who witnessed it came over - clearly very embarrassed - and apologized. I said thank you, I left, and I've not been back. If I want to be treated like crap I have family that will do it for free. I don't need to pay for it. read more

This place has rudest staff I have ever encountered in any kind of business. Every single time I have gone there, they look at me like I'm a fool and show no respect whatsoever. I think they forget who the customer is. Stay away! read more

The rude older man is unfortunately the owner. Everyone else there is nice.

I had a leaky faucet on a jacuzzi. Three different plumbers looked at it and could not fix it. They said I needed to replace the matching faucets which would mean knocking a hole in the wall. Total cost maybe $750. The owner of Five Points Hardware said all I needed was a thing called a seat and he had the part in stock. He has a vast inventory of parts, much more than other places. He put Teflon tape on the seat and sold me a special tool for only $6. He saved me a lot of time and money. I would give 5 stars but although the sign says open at 7:30 a.m. the store was not open until 8 a.m. Five Points Hardware is a valuable asset for Birmingham. read more

I needed key copies made and 5 Points Hardware was the closet hardware store to my location. After reading reviews I was pretty nervous about going. The two employees I encountered were not super friendly but I definitely wouldn't say they were rude. They seemed more like cut and dry no nonsense people. The younger employee ended up helping me. He didn't go out of his way with small talk, which I guess is what we're used to with people in customer service these days. I'm pretty sure he said maybe 3-4 words to me the entire time. It was unusual, but I wasn't bothered by it. The older employee was helping someone out next to me. The customer kept asking questions and the older employee answered. It wasn't drawn out responses more like concise straight to the point answers. No more, no less. It could have been a good day for them but based on my experience, I'll be back should I need anything else. read more

If you are looking for hugs and kisses, go somewhere else. If you are looking for for hard-to-find plumbing parts and sound advice (NOT looking at you, Home Depot and Lowe's), this is your place! A real, old-time hardware store. read more