Legit, locally-owned hardware store with knowledgeable staff. The cashier was really young, but he…read moreknew what he was doing. I picked up some gardening stuff: plants and potting soil. Turned out to be a few bucks cheaper than what you'd pay at Bunnings. Quick access from the city along North Terrace. Takes about 10min by car. Booyakasha! Will be back.

I know for a lot of people, Bunnings is synonymous with hardware. In the same way that people who…read moreshop at woolworths and think that they are getting the best price possible just won't visit a foodland, a lot of Bunnings customers are loyal to the point of self-punishment. I on the other hand, would prefer to spend my money at somewhere like Banner Mitre 10. The first reason is that like Woolies, Coles and Dan Murphy's, Bunnings are owned by one of those dominating behemoths (in this case Wesfarmers) which squeeze their supply chain, their staff and everyone else involved in the process. Like Woolies and Coles, what you end up with is not the best products, but rather products with high margins that can be bought in bulk, and if they break it just goes in the bin and you get a new one, and a new one, and another new one. Don't get me wrong... Bunnings has its place. It's a good place to go for say Stanley tools, Hills products etc, but if you want a good chainsaw, like the Stihl I bought on the weekend, there's no way you going to get it at Bunnings. What you're going to get is a piece of crap Ozito or something for $100 less which you can only cut 2x4 pine with before it craps itself. Now, onto my Banner Mitre 10 review... I used to work for these guys about 9 years ago while at uni and they are a great family run business. They treated us well as staff and had great discounts for staff and end of year parties. I felt like I was part of the family. After a few years living too far from the store, I've moved back fairly close to the area, so I popped in to look at ladders. They have a great selection of Bailey ladders and don't stock the cheap crap that Bunnings do. They also price matched a quite ridiculously low price I had for the chainsaw from one of my work's suppliers, so I'll definitely be back. They have a great trade section and friendly staff. What I'm trying to get at here is that there are other options apart from Bunnings for hardware/tools and home improvement products. Give these guys a go because they know their stuff, have better brands and service and are family run.

Did you know Tru Value is associated with Mitre 10 Ltd and all the Tru Value stores are…read moreindependently owned and operated plus there are over 80 Australia wide. Every hardware store has it's place in the community, what one place doesn't have there's always another up, down or across the road who does. Each of these stores don't have everything under the same roof as one may specialise in a certain area. For instance BBQ's may the focus besides all the regular hardware requirements people need and want, another is all about painting and interior colour schemes and so on. This particular hardware store has alot of outdoor gardening and power tool focus for the home handyman or handywoman, and let me tell you I love to wield my power tools about the house! Their prices are reasonable and there is a large variety of items for your perusal and purchase.

As someone who feel moderately overwhelmed by more than one aisle of hardware, this place is…read moresurprisingly easy to navigate. The handful of times I've been in here, the staff are aware enough to offer assistance when required without being super pushy. Seeing as I'm not one to browse a hardware store, I often spend a few minutes looking for something before taking up the staff's offer of assistance. Aside from that, the showroom is tidy and well maintained with that comforting layer of hardware store dust over slow moving products.

For it's size this place is incredible. They manage to cram so much in, but not quite to the point…read moreof overwhelming the customer. And 9 times out of 10 they have either what I'm looking for, or at least something close enough to what I'm after that it'll do the job. On the occasions they don't have what I need, they are more than happy to suggest the closest places that might. The service here is really good. Being in a popular area for older residents, you'll often see staff in the car park helping load potting mix into cars, and with a smile too. Also, I'm not sure if it's a clear cut policy but often if I come in twice on the same day, I'll get a discount. It's a really nice gesture, especially for people like me who all to often forget a few key items on my first visit. The only downside to this place is it just isn't quite big enough to have the extra stuff that hardware stores have these days. But of the two in the area, Stirling trumps Aldagte 100% of the time.

A behemoth of a structure started sprouting just off South Road at St Marys - I turned and said to…read moremy husband I bet that'll be a hardware shop. Well, yes of course it is - the Stratco Big Shed, but I would have named it the 'Red Shed' because it's red but that's too obvious and not 'manly' enough I suppose. And BIG it is - containing a well-laid out hardware component that has enough stock to have the other red shirts a bit concerned, as well as the bonus feature of not having a separate tool department with it's own register (my husband's bugbear!). It also has a beautifully set out display area for all the stuff that has made the Stratco name famous in South Australia, namely sheds, pergolas, verandahs and fences. It also appears the outside kitchen must-do renos are still going strong and yet another selling point to buy even more stuff - is an outdoor bathroom! All we need now is the outdoor toilet - hang on that's already been done, oh well, everything old is new again remember - and an outside boudoirs! The Stratco Espresso Cafe is a great option if the sausage sizzle doesn't cut it (but who can ever resist?), and the range of goods within appears to be expansive. The only area where the red boys down the road have it over The Big Shed is in the Garden department, where the range of stock isn't there and navigation is tight. Oh, and I didn't see any flat tray trolleys either - lifting a few bags of cow poo into the shopping trolley was a struggle but not compared to lifting them out again, another job for hubby. Still, the staff were just as friendly as the other red shirts and let's hope the car park is adequate as well. Overall, this is a good addition to those in the inner south bitten by the reno rescue bug and don't want to drive round in circles or fighting over car parks over at the red shirts territory.

VERY FRUSTRATED WITH STORE. ADVERTISED ALL MORNING 16/5/12 RE LAWNMOWER FROM ROCKWELL AT $69.00…read moreAPPROX. AD SAID AVAILABLE UNTIL 7PM. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF UNTIL SOLD OUT. DROVE FROM OUTER HARBOUR TO ST.MARYS AROUND 2.30 PM ONLY TO BE TOLD NONE AVAILABLE. I FEEL THIS WAS FALSE ADVERTISING AS NO SUGGESTION RE AD OF LIMITED AVAILABILITY. SO WOULD NOT BE RECOMMENDING ANY STRATCO STORE IF THIS IS YOUR METHOD OF OPERATION.REGARDS SIMON ALLEN ( sadecor@adam.com.au) 0411423173

Home Hardware is a great store for grabbing up a few screws, bolt, bits and bobs around the place…read morefor home renovation. It has a decent range of supplies and offers a wide range of services, however I still feel as though Bunnings offers both more range and bang for your buck. The store is set out neatly with aisles that have different products to suit your home project needs, however getting staff advice can be occasionally difficult. The last time I went though, the staff seemed more friendly and polite than usual with quite large smiles on their faces. Gas bottle refills for $20 are probably the main reason why I come here as I do like doing a bit of barbecuing. The gardening section is also rather nice, however I still like Bunnings more for some of the quality of the plants and flowers. Screws and bolts are well priced here with a decent range too and if I ever need timber or wood, I would definitely consider coming here. Overall, a decent hardware store. Depends really on what you want as to whether this is the right store for you however for me, Bunnings is probably a better choice for most home projects.

This is a nice place to visit, well set out and staff who actually help you and know what they are…read morespeaking of. I always come here in preference to other places. Recently refurbished looks amazing. I happily pay more to get good service and not be overwhelmed by the dizzying array of choices. Parking is easy and you can always find one close to the store.

Mighty helpful? Mitre 10. I'm not sure if this is still the tag line, but it's certainly still…read moretheir attitude. Mitre 10 on Unley Road is my closest hardware store and while small, it offers most of what I need for jobs around the house and garden. The main thing I come here for is the bags of sandpit sand - 30kgs for $8.50 (I think). The drive through at the back mean I can pull in and they'll put four bags directly in the boot of my car. (Pity they can't carry it to the backyard at the other end). In the garden section there is lots of greenery, herbs and plants suitable for gifts. You'll also find to accessories and other bits and bobs such as things to do with weather, umbrellas and outdoor furniture. This is a small store, but parking is easy and the service is great. I do a lot of my shopping at Bunnings due to the one stop shop nature of the superstore, but when I need helpful advice, I support my local Mitre 10.

This is my local hardware store unfortunately. I pass it on the way to Bunnings. The reason I avoid…read moreit is because almost every time I have been there the staff are more interested in talking amongst themselves rather than asking if they can help me. Whenever I give them another chance I am amazed, it is like I am invisible. When I have approached them and asked for any advice I get blank looks. Besides that the place is soooo expensive, I can find the same product at Bunnings for half the price.

Doesn't look big from the front but once inside it goes all the way back to the end of the garden…read morepath on a gently sloping block. The majority of the shop is plants but they also have a good selection of pots, statues, etc outside and an excellent range of giftware inside the shop. It's worth venturing right down the back of the garden and having a look at their reject or damaged section. I picked up an absolute bargain...a garden angel statue of a little boy sitting with knees up to his chin, resting his head to one side over folded arms, posed looking down eyes closed. These statues look aged and retail for over $250, I found the purchase of the year paying only $50 because he was damaged, to me I didn't care...he's beautiful as he is. This is not to say it'll happen often but when and if it does...you're in luck. The garden centre is well maintained and well stocked for all you need to plant out your garden, patio, etc, also great for garden orientated gifts.