Employees were Courteous to customers. I informed the manager, I frequent business with good service. read more

Now if you are a contractor or a trades person you probably already know about GEM. But if you are a homeowner or handy person who likes to try and fix things at home yourself, you should become acquainted with GEM. This is an electrical supply house that has a large showroom of fixtures and all things electrical, and a parts supply house tacked on to the north end. For the handy person, its the parts supply that shines. There seems to be fewer and fewer electrical supply places where a homeowner can go and find parts these days. I am only familiar with two really fine places on the south side: Helsel-Jepperson in Chicago Heights and GEM in Alsip. Now understand, there are many more supply houses around, but these two make homeowners (non-professionals) feel right at home. For the D-I-Y person, Lowes or Home Depot cannot carry everything you might need. Sometimes you need a specialty item ... for example, if you are repairing some older stuff ... and a place like GEM can save the day. I was fixing an old floor lamp where the socket was broken from years of use. It was not a regular socket, but one with a larger base opening ... called a mogul. The big box stores did not have it, but GEM took care of my need. I could have gone on Amazon and found it, but I didn't even know what it was called (GEM enlightened me: a porcelain 3-way turn knob mogul socket with hickey). I brought the broken part into GEM and they had one for me two days later. All to say, when you you need a part that is a bit out of the ordinary give GEM a try, and they can usually get one for you. They can also offer any advice on install that you might need. Recommended. read more

Gem Electric Supply - Four locations... - Lighting Fixtures & Equipment Near Me - Alsip, Illinois

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Dave is amazing! Gem's selection of lighting is top notch! You gotta ask for Dave! He gave me such good advice. I even purchased lights for my closet that have motion-detectors. read more

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I recently had a good experience shopping at Gem Electric Supply in Alsip IL. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable staff that made the entire process enjoyable. They offer a wide variety of styles, from modern and sleek to classic and ornate, catering to all tastes and preferences. The displays are thoughtfully arranged, allowing customers to visualize how different fixtures might look in their own spaces. The lights are very beautiful! read more

You walk into this establishment and you will see a luxurious array of ceiling fans and lighting. I was greeted by everyone that came within feet of me, which is not something I am use to whenever I enter most places. This is a place that is doing something right. Customer Service. I browsed the place there is so much to Ohhhh and Ahhhh at, there is a upstairs there you find more fans and lighting some bar stools and paintings. I just could not make up my mind on what i wanted even though they were having somewhat of a sale, They do have several books you can look through and that was even more frustrating, because of all of the different options. The prices I must admit was $$$ I only needed lighting for my family room and I still walked out not making a purchase, even though it was so hard to do, because they have so many nice and beautiful things. I would highly recommend Gem Electric Supply. read more

Gem Electric Supply - A variety of ceiling fans and lights. - Lighting Fixtures & Equipment Near Me - Alsip, Illinois

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Terrible men working there. I am a female and they looked at me and where rude as if I don't know what I am talking about.

Very helpful manager, Dave, and showroom saleswoman, Kathy. They were very enthusiastic and helped us find exactly what we needed. Because Gem is a small family business, sometimes you may have to order certain things to your home or the store but the quality is worth the wait. Trust me, give this place a visit! read more

so almost every time I want to go they are closed or the door is shut and they say sorry we are closed !!! I went there once and basic fans were maybe 5 times the price I would think ... upside the woman advised about a style problem and there's a lot of silver brush modern pieces I would repeat to browse .. Has a beautiful inventory .. Need to get there EARLY read more

I am in the market for a new kitchen light. I saw this business on Cicero Ave & decided to stop here & give them a try. I was highly disappointed. The customer service was awful. I walked in and was not greeted by anyone. After walking around aimlessly for about 10 minutes and being completely ignored, I decided to leave. Yes, there were employees there. No one said good morning or I'll be with you in a moment or even bother to ask what I was looking for. This was by far, one of the worse shopping experiences I've had. I have a few friends who are building homes, I'll be sure to tell them to avoid this place of business. read more

While doing a kitchen renovation I needed a 4-pole toggle switch. In gray. At Home Depot and Menards, that item is a special order that takes anywhere between 2-3 weeks to arrive. That wasn't going to work as I had an electrician at the house and the wires were already exposed. I took a chance and called Gem. When I asked for the 4-pole toggle the man said "almond or white?". I replied, "gray" and he laughed a little and said it was a long shot but he'd check. Came back two minutes later and said, "You're in luck!!". The price was competitive with the big box stores as well. I'm happy to support a local business, especially in these times. Thanks, Gem! read more

I am very pleased with my experience at GEM I have passed the store in Alsip - always brightly lit with hundreds of fixtures shining through the windows. So one day I went in. At first I thought they were expensive. Then I went to a few other hardware and lighting stores and found out I'm just old . Prices at GEM are correct NOT high and the selection is very varied. I went back after shopping and the clerk, Carmela, remembered me! We chose the two chandeliers after sending pics to the wife who approved. Carmela made sure I had the accessories, chains, wires, bulbs, etc. that I would need - and then had a guy bring everything to my car. What service! I felt like I was getting celebrity treatment. The next day my lighting was installed - I have to say they look so much better than even how good they looked in the store. Absolutely an outstanding place to shop and buy your lighting !! read more

My living room table lamp needed a new cord. I am very fond of this lamp. It took me quite a while to chose just the right one for my 'decor'. They were very professional about the repair. It took a little longer.than I thought it would, as they had to order a part. The kamp is now home- lighting our way. Price was very reasonable read more

The store has a wide selection, not many really good sales/discounts, but the regular prices seem fair. I'll have to agree with the others that said the service is poor. I was in the store for maybe 30 minutes before the associate said hello. There were very few customers in the store (I only recall seeing three other people and they were together), so no reason for her not to be more helpful. read more

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This is not the place to go looking for answers to your questions. The staff there(is any) rude, and condescending. Better off going to the one in Evergreen Park, or in the city on 103rd and Michigan. The people there will school you on whatever you need, and will answer questions. They are like someone I had read "teach you like you were in college" read more

Very helpful staff. I called and ordered a vanity light fixture I saw on their website. A few weeks later my order was ready for pickup at their store. read more

SO RUDE!!! I bought a light fixture here and ended up finding a different one that fit my space better. I asked if they could get it and they said they didn't work with that brand. So i had to return the fixture. I had the manager come out and yell at me and say i am going to pay the restocking and freight charges. Geez ive never had a worse experience trying to return something i never even picked up!! Get some manners and while you're at it update your store. read more

I just get back from GEM Alsip. Terrible experience. Woman behind countertop- carmela- extremely rude person. She makes rude comments about me at the front of other customers only because I had questions. I wanted to spend there $400 but I don't want to have anything to do with this place. Unprofessional, rude staff. Definitely don't recommend this store to spend any money there. And I just see more similar experienced as I am. read more

Great selection of lighting and fans. Seeing the items in the showroom is much better than online. read more

I'm sorry to write this review but I must explain my past 2 experiences here. Their prices seem to be decent, especially on the pendants & art glass, when compared to online. But I do NOT understand the customer service, or lack there of. We went there 2 times, 1st time was to browse, 2nd time was more serious and we wanted to buy a pendant. I don't know if I have to pin $100 bills to my shirt to get their attention, but they just don't even treat you like a customer. They walk right past you without saying "Hello, do you have a question?" nor even a "Hello." The first time we had to wait in line to ask a lady a simple question. Then she referred us to look on online websites, not what I want to do when I come to a physical lighting store. And we noticed a LOT of fixtures had either broken bulbs or the pull switches wouldn't turn them on. How am I supposed to buy a $200-300 fixture without seeing it on in person? Guess? The 2nd time we waited patiently for about 30 minutes looking at fixtures waiting for someone to be freed up to help us, nothing. We just ended up leaving. No one noticed that either. They even greeted someone that came in AFTER us and helped them first. Ironically, the people they helped also asked for a light to be turned on, they had to get the ladder, new bulb and waste time installing it. How about fix this stuff as it breaks? This is part of maintaining a lighting store. It's very unprofessional to me to have to turn on lights, as a customer, and nothing lights up! You can have great prices, a great show room (without a lot lights turning on that is), but if you don't have customer service, you have nothing in my book. There aren't many lighting stores around here and we haven't found what we want at the Big Box Stores, so we were hoping this would work out, but so far it hasn't. Update 12/2012: We got our fixture at a big box store and experienced way more customer service than at this place. I won't even be back to look at this location's stock! On the flip side the Evergreen Park GEM is a much better store, though it is much tinier, and the person who helped me was very, very friendly. So please, go elsewhere! read more

I just want to start off by saying I NEVER write reviews. This is my first review and it isn't a good one unfortunately. My husband and I went to GEM electric on 114th and Cicero a couple weeks ago. We parked the car and got out with our face masks and gloves on. On the front door, there was a sign that said enter through the door on the North side of the building. Once we got there, we see a sign that says please call, with a phone number, from your car to order. I said to my husband "I don't know what I what to order. I have to see the light fixtures first." He said just go in and we will see. I opened the door and an extremely rude man said you have to order from your car. I couldn't believe the way he spoke to us. Made us feel terrible. We had shopped and purchased there before and were never treated this way. I apologized for walking in the store and he said nothing. No, It's ok don't worry about it, the sign can be confusing, nothing. If they don't want people coming into their store, why the hell would you have the door opened and not locked? Makes zero sense to me. So, we left the store and took our business elsewhere. This company had better reevaluate how they talk to and how they treat their customers. We will not be going back! read more

The lighting and fan selection is ok. My issue is more with the lack of customer service. There were two women at the counter. One, whom I believe was named Katie, has a a serious edge to her. She's not what I would call friendly. The other woman sat at the counter looking up recipes on her IPad the entire time I was in the store. During my 2nd visit I had to return an item and got an attitude and a very obvious cold shoulder from Katie. It was very clear she was upset that I returned the item. The other woman again sat at the counter looking at her IPad while customers walked through the store. The only positive was the nice gentleman that helped carry the item I purchased initially to my car. He was a sweetheart. I went here 13 years ago for the first time and was much more impressed with this place. My how times have changed. I will never step foot in this store again. I ended up getting what I needed at Menards. read more

I was promised my fixture would be in by a certain date. It is over two weeks late. When I expressed how disappointed I was my service representative was extremely rude to me. I don't recommend this place at all. read more

I've been to gem and purchased items many times,EVERYBODY at that store was extremely helpful and attentive. This is a family business that has been here for a long time ,they take time with their customers ,making sure that they are completely satisfied with their purchase. I have redecorated 2 complete houses with gem electric and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a wide updated variety of fixtures ,unbelievable customer service, and the fairest prices around. All of you complaining .... get a grip...did u ever think they run a short staff to keep their prices down,have u ever been there on a saturday..... u can't get in the lot their so busy ,must be doing something right. Thank you gem electric staff for your excellent customer service,u can always count on my business. read more

They had a great variety, but the woman was so rude. I came in with my son so I thought maybe she was mad my baby was there in a stroller and I look young or something? Well, I found a few lights I loved there but couldn't bring myself to deal with her anymore, so I bought my 5 $100+ fixtures elsewhere.. read more

I would definitely recommend !! These people (including the owner) went above and beyond my highest expectations. I am in the process of opening a business .I was given a list of items to purchase from the electrician I had hired. I had no clue as to what I was buying! The owner took the time to explain everything I was purchasing Some of the items I needed where very difficult to match, They spent several days locating some items and giving me alternatives as to what I could use. They really cared about my dilemma and the fact I needed to open my business on time. I even got a follow up call to see hoe everything came out! I have dealt with a lot of companies during my venture and have not seen this level of customer service. There are not enough words to express my gratitude!!!!!! read more

Truthfully I have no idea what these other posts are referencing because I would absolutely recommend Gem electric... We were just in Gem a week ago buying replacement coach lights for the house and garage. The service was nothing but friendly! Greeted walking in the door, directed to the outdoor lights, all our questions answered... will definitely be back!!! read more

I can't say enough about Katie and the customer service she provided I came into the store overwhelmed with what I had to purchase and she guided me through the process and helped me select lighting and ceiling fans for my home - offering suggestions but never pushing Really taking an interest in what I was trying to accomplish. Thanks Katie and I would definitely recommend GEM. read more

I went to Gem to buy a rare toggle switch that they had in stock. The service man at the counter was helpful and gave me tips on how to install this awkward switch. He answered my questions and I left with lots of information that saved me an abundance of time and vulgarities. I did visit the store on a weekday morning when they were not too busy. All the employees were friendly and attentive. While waiting for service, I took a look at the ceiling fans and they had a pretty good display. I am not sure of the prices but what they had was nice. read more

The people here are so rude and not helpful. We went to get some lighting fixtures and no one assisted us as we walked thru. When we asked for help, one lady sighed and acted like she thought we were not going to spend any money. Too Bad for the company, due to her bad attitude we left out and purchased about 12 light fixtures on LAmpsplus.com - and they were actually less expensive. I would never go there again or recommend anyone visit this place. Go online and save your hardearned money and get better customer support over the phone. read more

I stopped in their store with a rough drawing looking for landscape lights and was rebuffed immediately because i had a drawing of the layout. i was going to buy close to $1000.00 worth of fixtures and was looking to gather a little research before spending that kind of money. The customer service was rude. Plain and simple. They told me they don't design for customers. That I should go find a professional. I told them i wasn't looking for someone to design anything. I informed them that I am a design professional (architect, mid to high end residential) and just needed some info. This made no difference to them. I left with no information and a very bad feeling. i will not return to GEM nor I will I send my clients to GEM. Not a smart business model. read more

We are giving our current home a face lift and wanted to replace some lighting. After selecting our fixtures I scoured the internet to find the best pricing I could. I often find pricing online is better then retail stores however this was NOT the case with Gem Electric! I called their Alsip location (they have a few in Chicago) and spoke to Katie who was able to locate the exact fixtures I was looking for (based off a texted picture). She provided excellent customer service and in my opinion went above and beyond with helping us locate the right items and keeping in contact the entire time. Besides the great service she was also able to provide a nice discount as we ordered 10 fixtures. I should note that even before the discount Gem's prices were less than anything I found online - I couldn't believe it! We placed our order in store and she called to let me know the items had arrived. Yes it took a about a 10 days but the savings was well worth the wait. If you are looking for lighting give Katie a call and see how she can help! read more

I won't be back. I was not even acknowledged when I walked in the door, and the 2 women at the counter were very unfriendly. I didn't like the attitude, that's enough to send me elsewhere. In all fairness, the pricing was very competitive, and the staff was frank about the mediocrity of the $200 piece I was looking at, but I also get the feeling because of what I was looking to spend I wasn't worthy of courtesy. See ya later... read more

I have to agree with other reviews. The customer service stinks! I think they may be guilty of prejudging their customers. I would rather purchase from a big box where you're treated better. read more

Called today to see if they had an item in stock, they did. Went to pick it up and there were two counter guys and two customers. One guy was actually conducting business, the other guy had finished but was just shootin the breeze with the customer he was done with. Saw me waiting and it didn`t matter. I stood there for about 5 minutes and he looked at me several times but was bound and determined to just keep on socializing rather than help me. The other counter guy actually said quite loudly, " we`ll be with you in a minute " as he looked at his partner, trying to give him the message that there was a customer waiting. Made no difference to this guy at all. I finally just turned and walked out. Have used them many times and they are usually pretty good. Sign of the times.?? Two stars only because of prior service and the attempt to get me helped by one of the guys. If you take a minute to read a bunch of the reviews of this store, you will see a definite pattern in them as far as the lack of service is concerned. Selection and price are only going to get you so far today. I`ll never go back. read more

I love this store! Every time I go there looking for a particular type of wall fixtures, light fixture or piece of accent furniture, exit lights (for my business), Gem Electric does not disappoint! Today I went in there to find a colored wall switch plate and they had those too. The guys in the room are great, patient and work well with their customers. This is a family owned business who has served the community for many years. And it makes the world of difference in their commintment to service and quality. read more

I went to Gem Electric because they have a great selection of hard to find lighting supplies. I am not happy with their customer service. Like other reviewers, I wandered around their showroom for quite a while before I asked someone for help. No one approached me, I was not acknowledged, until I initiated contact. The woman who did help me after I asked for help did do a fair job helping me locate a fixture that fit my taste and requirements. That's where any part of my encounters stopped being fairly good. I was told that my order would take a week "most times less time than a week". 20 calendar days and 12 business days later I had not heard anything regarding my order. I traveled to the store to find out- maybe it came in and they forgot to call me. The woman looked up my order and said my order had not yet been shipped, offered no other explanation, no apology, just, "Call tomorrow". After talking with my contractor, we realized we needed my fixture the next day or I'd have to delay installation of all my fixtures. I called Gem Electric to cancel my order that next day and I felt I was getting the run around. "But your order may have shipped today, wait until I find out. Call me back."- was the only response I got until I firmly stated that I wanted to cancel my order and when it shipped at this point was not my problem. She told me I had to come in to the store to cancel, so I did. She wouldn't look me in the eye, she never apologized, she never offered any explanation. Clearly, Gem Electric needs to work on customer service. Their prices are a little high, but their selection makes up for that. I don't think I'll ever go back to this location again. I might try another location, but this encounter left a really bad taste in my mouth. read more

I had a really good experience. The staff WAS a bit slow to acknowledge us but once we connected with the sales person service was EXCELLENT. prices were great and selections extensive. Salesperson spent a lot of time helping me make selections and giving advice and appropriate direction. My large order goes in tomorrow. Will write another review following delivery. read more

Do NOT use Gem Electric in Chicago for recommendations of electricians to install light fixtures!!! First and foremost, they do not stand behind their recommendations. The electrician I contacted based on their recommendation was not a licensed electrician according to the City of Chicago. The recommendation was hired to install a number of fixtures and only installed one - basically complaining about issues the entire time. It took him several hours to install one fixture and said he would come back the next day to finish. The next day, he ran into a problem and ended up disconnecting the electric in four rooms (kitchen, bath, dining and living room) and said he needed to rewire the unit. He left without reconnecting the electric and said he would come back in a week after he finished another job. Since the electric worked fine prior to his arrival, we did not rewire the unit and had to hire someone else to reconnect the electric because we were not going to continue the work with him. The Gem recommended electrician also seemed to want to take "souvenirs" from the work site. The first day he was there he took a chandelier extension which I was able to get back the next day since it was still in his work bag. On the second day, it appears he may have taken a glass shade. To date, I haven't been able to find the glass shade he removed and he hasn't responded to my text inquiring about the shade. Total nightmare. read more

I agree with the other reviews, customer service is awful I had to make the associate speak I won't be back large selection but not worth spending my money at such rude place read more

A typical case of a once great business. As a contractor I used to rely on this place for parts & fixtures but lately it seems they don't stock anything. The help is not that helpful & the last 2 times i ordered fixtures ( & paid in full up front) the wait time was over 2 months . No returned phone calls, up charges & insults from Phil the owner were the last straw. If you want to see fixtures in person great go there, but then go to the internet for fast reliable service( Belacor or Lighting Direct) read more