Let me start out by saying I never thought that I would be writing a review for an Ace Hardware. That being said, the customer service and attitude of two employees that I just experienced was so atrocious that I am now writing this review.
My sister has being going through a difficult time recently, one of those periods in your life where it seems like everything is just going wrong. When she called me today for help because her car key has snapped in half while she was trying to turn on the ignition, I rushed to where she was parked (at the Farmers Market) to help her out because I knew she did not need another bad thing happening to her. I picked her up and headed to the island ace hardware-- I always go there because the employees are so nice and helpful. They quickly informed us we would have to go to the US-1S Ace because they did not have the proper equipment. No problem, they were nice as usual and I was willing to go anywhere to try and make this day even a little less stressful for my sister.
When we got to the US-1S Ace, I took the lead because my sister could barely hold it together as it was. We went in and were directed to he keying department. I told them we needed a Honda Civic key, and without looking an older man told us they didn't carry that key.
So, just to be sure because he was so dismissive, I googled the key to see which one we would have to get (they were all hanging up in front of us). Sure as can be, I found the key hanging right there within less than a minute. The employee is still standing at the key station, so I turn back to him and ask if the key that says Honda Civic is indeed the Honda Civic key we need. I'm thinking maybe he had forgotten they carried it, but either way happy that we have the key in hand. The employee confirms that it is indeed the correct key, but sighs and THROWS HIS HEAD BACK and says he'll have to "figure out the machine." Ten minutes later, while my sister waits anxiously because her job shift starts in only an hour, another older male employee approaches to seemingly help with the key cutting.
The newly appeared employee then tell us the machine is broken. Although this is not good news, I try to remain hopeful because the Honda dealership is across the street-- and I understand that sometimes machines break. I ask if there are other Ace Hardwares that have a machine we could take the key to, or if he would recommend us taking it to the dealership.
Now I understand that we are two 25 year old women alone in a hardware store, and maybe this is a question that had an obvious answer to this employee, but his attitude was so snarky and vile. My sister started tearing up so I tried to keep the situation calm so she would not start crying, and even though I was bothered by his attitude I politely informed him that we were just asking because we had no idea what to do and maybe he would have some helpful advice. The employee then tells us "The Machines broken. I don't know what to tell you besides come back when it's not."
Then he walked away quickly, perhaps tending to the other non-existent customers in the empty store.
Perhaps that was the only answer he had, but his terrible attitude was not necessary. You shouldn't treat people like that, especially those who are clearly already out on their luck, and ESPECIALLY when you work in customer service.
I think this story should speak for itself about what an experience at this store is like. Luckily I was able to get the car started on my own by rigging the key to some pliers with glue, but stopping at this store made my sisters bad situation so much worse. He could have at least been decent to us. read more