I was having a tough time finding the right cam locks for an executive desk I ordered from Wayfair…read moreand was feeling completely lost in the store. Chris noticed I needed assistance and immediately jumped into action. Luckily, I had taken pictures of the desk and parts, which Chris used to guide me directly to the exact hardware section I needed. He was exceptionally attentive, knowledgeable, and patient; especially compared to a frustrating experience I had previously at another big-box retailer. Even though a wood glue recommendation we tried didn't end up working for my specific fix, his willingness to share his knowledge and problem-solve with me was outstanding. Chris provided top-tier customer service, and I truly appreciate his effort and dedication to helping me out.

NEVER AGAIN Yesterday's visit was so horrible. I will not go…read moreback to the store. A couple years ago I went there and it was bad but OK. Yesterday was an inexcusable. I went in and asked where I could find batteries for my gate remote. I was instructed by the girls at the counter to go back and take a number. Unfortunately, that old lady in the back was not helpful as usual. She said she couldn't help me with it. She showed me where the batteries are so I could buy them. I had to buy a screwdriver in order to open the remote. The owner was at the back counter behind the cashiers drinking his coffee and eating. He was glaring at me and I don't know why. He used to be so friendly and smiled and was very helpful. What the hell happened?!?!? if I wanted this kind of treatment, I would've went to Home Depot.

I am upgrading my review from several years ago. I have had many positive subsequent experiences at…read morethis hardware store. They don't have the best selection or the best prices, but they are convenient if you live off Arlington Avenue in the Kensington-Berkeley-El Cerrito area.

Every time I call. Every time I go in. The staff at the store is always so helpful, friendly, and…read morehuman! I so appreciate the homie feeling I get when I walk in the store... Not something I get from any other Ace Hardware store! Thank you for excellent customer service!

Garth that's is the name of the guy you have to look for, if you go shopping at Oliver's Hardware…read more His knowledge about his work is outstanding. He will make you questions about what you need and give you advice, about what you have to buy. The customer satisfaction is his best attribute! Selection they have everything, the value of good too.

Olivers in the best. The exceptional, kind and knowledgeable staff is incredible, and the sheer…read moreamount of inventory they somehow keep inside this store is mind boggling. Everything from little garden do-dads to real tools and hardware. Highly recommend them. If you aren't sure if they have what you want, give them a call and more times than not, I assure you they will stock what you are looking for!

Whale Point--part chandlery, part hardware store--remains a rare gem. Their selection of boat gear,…read morehousewares, and hardware is incredibly broad, and the staff consistently know their stuff. With so few truly great independent hardware stores left, this one stands out for both its expertise and its character. Highly recommend stopping by, even if you don't think you need anything yet.

This is a wonderful hardware store with service that is absolutely exceptional! Chances are,…read morethey'll have what you want, and they'll take the time to really talk over any problems you are having (so unusual!) My latest dealings have been with Steve, who is a "jewel" to find and work with (that term is used by other businesses around here - for the Whale Piont ACE generally, the owner, and all employees. I really recommend it as a wonderful alternative to the other ACE nearby, not to mention Home Depot and others.

Ace is the helpful place! A hardware store that's actually fun to go to. Downtown Berkeley lost the…read moredollar store but has Target but not many craft stores. It was nice to grab odds and ends for an art project, volunteer activity and church, etc. The kitchen supplies are plentiful and they always carry decent cleaning supplies. I've bought everything from batteries, card games, handkerchiefs, and toy. The hot sauce shaped like a grenade was delicious. I tried the original spicy flavor. Nice treats and candy at the checkout. Grab some!

Hardware stores are fun in SF bay area...Ace hardware and home Depot and mill valley Depot haha…read moresame thing mill valley Ace Depot hahahha

I really want to support local businesses like Cole Hardware. In a world dominated by big-box…read morestores and Amazon, it's great to have an independent hardware store serving the community. Unfortunately, this visit was frustrating. I placed an online order that was estimated to be ready in 15 minutes. I intentionally waited an hour before coming in, but I still had to wait while my order was put together. It honestly would have been faster to walk the aisles myself, grab the item, and pay at the register. What disappointed me even more was the customer service at the front counter. The staff I interacted with came across as dismissive and unfriendly, which made the experience feel less welcoming than I expected. I genuinely want to keep supporting Cole Hardware because local businesses matter. I just hope they can improve the online pickup process and provide a friendlier customer experience. Those two changes would make a big difference and would keep me choosing them over the convenience of Amazon.

OMG. What a gem. A hardware store with everything you could need, laid out in charming, organized…read morefashion. The staff went above and beyond. And I struck up a neighborly conversation with the people in line with me. Support this place. In a world of heartless Home Depot's we need to keep a gem like this alive.

I just received my new Weber grill. It not only was on sale, but included delivery and setup. I…read morecouldn't be happier with it. My only complaint would be to shorten the delivery window. 9-6 is way too long to have to wait. This Ace Hardware is by far the best one.

If I could rate. "0" I would. SHOP AT YOUR OWN RISK…read more I am a working professor like everyone else. I'm a nurse and I ordered a lawn chair to pick up same day. They sent me an email said it'll be ready in 35 minutes. just to watch my grandchild's game. I went there in an hour and Eddie working at the front told me that they had none in stock even before I showed him the order. I told him we'll just cancel it. He stated that they don't usually do that and he called his manager on the speakerphone and his manager stated tell her we'll ship it. I told him I don't want it shipped. I have a game this afternoon. That's why I ordered the same day. The manager sent an African-American gentleman up who explained to me that Eddie was new. I told him what does that have to do with anything? Just cancel the order I've made an hour ago. He said that there are procedures that need to go through, but it will be canceled. THE NEXT DAY I RECEIVE AN EMAIL THAT IT'LL ARRIVE ON TUESDAY AFTER I TOLD THEM TO CANCEL. IT WENT IN THE STORY. The next day I called on Sunday at 12:32 MELISSA, WHO THEY TOLD ME WAS A REGIONAL MANAGER. I asked to speak with her. They put me on hold for 12 minutes and 56 seconds. And every time I call back both times they put me back on hold for five minutes. NEVER SHOP HERE IF THE REGIONAL MANAGER HAS NO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DOESN'T CARE WHY DO YOU THINK THE STORE EMPLOYEES ARE INCOMPETENT? MONEY wasn't a factor CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS INADEQUATE AND NONEXISTENT IN THIS STORE

I had an amazing visit to Hida Tool in Berkeley for master knife sharpening with Kou! My prized…read moreJapanese chef knife I've had for decades, that lives carefully dried and wrapped in towel when not in use - nonetheless over the decades, had small imperfections here and there and needed sharpening. Claude AI led me to Hida! Kou educated me about the hand forged knife I had, translated it's inscriptions, and maybe because I had my beloved Japanese Akita with me, invited me to watch the process - it was amazing to see his adroit flow of steps to remove almost invisible fine pits and barely visible rust, straighten a slight bend (and now I know NOT to cut hard winter squash with this fine knife!) and used sequence of fine whet stones and water to finish the polish over a special sink basin that felt like a small pond in a Japanese temple. It is new and happy again! My hand wrought knife restored for just $20, so very worth it - and the drive to Berkeley and the experience and learning in person was priceless. You can't have a knife in more appreciative hands, and your appreciation of your knife will grow too. Yes, they sharpen European knives and all sorts of fine tools too, and sell an amazing array of fine tools and knives too. My knife, well cared for like this, is an heirloom - and I now know can literally last hundreds of years! Check out their website for their dazzling array of speciality knives and tools. Very worthwhile - make an appointment to see Kuo and take the drive to Berkeley and be sure to stop after at the nearby also famed Monterey Market - the original that helped launch Chez Panisse and the California Cuisine movement decades ago - always rare and wonderful produce there, as a lifelong chef myself, it is truly one of the best unique private fresh artisan produce and food stores on earth!

A great little store for all of your Japanese joinery, sharpening needs. Lots of neat tools to cut…read morewood, branches, paper and more.

I stopped by this location today to find a replacement part for a furniture project I was working…read moreon. Hardware/fasteners can be tricky to navigate, so I asked an associate stocking and organizing in the fasteners aisle for help to confirm if a specific cam screw would work as a replacement. Unfortunately, she was completely uninterested in helping. Instead of taking a moment to answer my question or point me in the right direction, she acted like I was an inconvenience for interrupting her work. Good customer service means prioritizing helping customers in the store over organizing shelves. While I eventually found the hardware I needed on my own, the encounter left a really bad impression. I hope management reminds their floor staff that assisting customers should always come first.

I came here and I found what I wanted. However this is my issue. First, I was looking for…read morelightbulbs. I found the lights and the fixtures, but no bulbs. The bulbs are in an entirely different spot. A spot I never would've looked at except that someone who worked here told me where to look. It never would've occurred to me to look there. All in all, and I found someone eventually he told me where the lightbulbs were. This should not be so hard.

Great customer service with Paul who went to great lengths to help me with a relatively small…read moreproject

TAP Plastics in El Cerrito CA has done many custom jobs for me over the years. They have always…read moreturned out precisely what I've specified, including with professional clean assembly. They are also an excellent source of freely given advice on plastic materials, adhesives and methods. For me they are the go-to place for custom work as well as for selection of the best plastic materials for any job. Rob Firmin, El Cerrito