Organized inventory--going through the narrow aisles and labeled drawers of hardware feels a little Miyazaki-esque. Employees are patient and don't make me feel dumb (even if I don't know the names of things I'm looking for). Not sure how the prices compare to other options, but the convenience and friendly, no-nonsense staff make it easy to come back. read more

Nicest people work here. They always help you find stuff. And they have lots of gardening supplies. Lovely place!

This is a nice friendly service oriented hardware store. When you walk in they ask if you need any help and direct you to what you need. I went in looking for a dryer hose clamp and they had a good selection even though they are pretty tight on space! read more

I work and live in Central Square. This hardware store has most everything you could ever need for urban living! The staff is very friendly, always asking how they can help the minute you enter the door. After a while they even know you by name. You can't beat this place! read more

They are really helpful. I needed to do some DIY work at home, and they had great solutions, in advising me to use one form of adhesive over another. They are cheerful, and kind and didn't try to sell me other crap. I never knew hardware shops could be as fun! They are also local, I heard, and i'd definitely be trying to get my hard wear stuff from there next time! read more

Pill's hardware is the greatest. I visit my daughter, son-in-law and grandbaby every few months to help out - and usually need to stop in at Pill's. The inventory is amazing in such a small space. I can usually find what is needed, plus get good advice. The staff is helpful and patient- especially to a "mechanically challenged" "out-of-towner", (not regular customer) with a baby stroller, that can easliy cramp the aisles or cause a traffic jam at the register. Give this great "neighborhood merchant" your hardware business! read more

I have to rate this super low just to make sure people see it. Think of it as a Hugo Black style dissenting opinion. I think the selection definitely covers the usual bases, and the prices aren't bad. The location is awesome for me since I live in Central Square. Onto the bad parts: The staff just work there. I find them pretty aloof in general. It doesn't bother me to ask them to come from behind the counter to help me with something, but I can tell they don't really like to do it. So disagree with folks saying they're friendly. As for helpfulness, I don't agree with that either. Helpful would be, if, when I showed them a nut, if they could tell me what pitch it is so I could go match it up. Or at the very least, if they even knew if they carried Grade 8 bolts and nuts. That sort of in-depth old school hardware knowledge ain't here. I live with it because it's so convenient. But what finally pushed me over the edge: Today I needed to get some needle-nose pliers. Can't find my old ones. I opt for the Ace branded one. Generally, Ace guarantees all their hardware for life. It's just a bit of peace of mind. But for the price point, I don't even care. When I'm checking out, Tashi (whom I'm never seen before, but whose attitude slots right in) goes out of his way to say that they won't accept returns on it. So I ask him, "but you will honor the lifetime guarantee, right?," pointing to the wording right on the label. He says no. I run through my understanding of the Ace policy, noting that I should be able to get a replacement if it's defective. Tashi picks the pliers up and squeezes them once, saying, "they're not defective, see? It'll last for the lifetime." Well no shit they're not defective right then. At no point did he try to apologize for their not honoring the policy. I'm aware Pill isn't an Ace franchise, so I dunno how they handle simply stocking Ace brand items. But Tashi's even wearing an Ace vest, for chrissake. I have to admit I basically stalked off after I got my receipt -- I was that pissed about whole exchange. So: - go here if you can put up with lackluster service and knowledge, and if you know pretty much what you need. - go here if you need your keys cut. - don't go here if you have a more convenient location, or if perks like lifetime guarantees are gladly honored and you want to use them. - don't go here if you have extensive automotive needs. read more

Once I bought something at Pill's and handed over a tewnty-dollar bill and the clerk gave me change for a ten. After arguing that I gave him a twenty and going back and forth, he agreed that he would take my name and phone number and call me at the end of the day if the cash register didn't balance. Well, he actually called me and returned the ten dollars he owed me, and I have repaid their honesty by being a loyal customer. read more

When I moved into my current apartment last year, I ran into the Pill hardware store almost daily for whatever random item I suddenly realized I needed. The staff there is always helpful, and I could just go and ask about whatever it was. They interpreted my inevitably very non-technical descriptions and found the stuff, with advice if needed. I have yet to look for something there and not find it. Granted, I'm not doing anything too exciting in terms of home-repair, but this place suits my needs quite nicely. read more

Great hardware store. Surprisingly good selection for a small store. Very friendly and helpful staff.

The guys who work in here are SO nice - I'm pretty sure the four times I have gone in there, they have probably thought to themselves . . this one's a bit of a hardware/fix it ditz . . . and quite frankly I wouldn't argue with them! But they always immediately ask if any help is needed and they seem to have everything for the urban do-it-yourselfer . . . and those of us not so inclined. The only small gripe is that it's a very overcrowded layout - but I guess that's a small price to pay for the convenience of having pretty much everything you're looking for. read more

Great local business with a surprisingly wide variety in stock.

This is a truly atrocious business. They have decent stock and not horrible prices for the area, but the people running it are neither conscientious, competent nor upstanding. By and large, the employees are sullen and overworked, and neither have time nor requisite training/knowledge of the store's contents to help customers. This seems to me a fault of management, who is equally unhelpful, but hostile to both workers there and customers. What's more, the orally-stated return policies (which are rather flexible) in no way correspond to the posted ones (very restrictive), and the sketchy owners are only willing to honor the former in contradiction of what any employee might state. Better to hike up to Inman than patronize this business. Central Square deserves better - Pill sucks! read more

I went to buy an item from Pill and chatted with the cashier when I was at the front of the line to check out. I spoke with him about a product that I purchased earlier upon his recommendation which turned out to be the wrong product for my needs. I brought this up casually just with the hope that they will learn from the experience and perhaps give better product recommendations to customers in the future. However, he immediately became very defensive and rude. He was unable to carry on a civil conversation and had to leave and ask his manager to check out my items instead. There are so many hardware stores in the area, so I won't be shopping at this one anymore. Their customers don't deserve that kind of attitude. read more

The only real hardware store in Central Square. I went a few times to Economy Hardware (before it shrank in size) and encountered staff people who didn't know hardware basics - like - what a Phillips screw driver was. The staff at Pill seems to be ever changing, as does ownership, but the store stays basically the same, it's a real old fashioned hardware store with practical stuff, not filled with "fluff" Employees are really nice for the most part, only a couple of experiences in 25 years with individuals who were unpleasant or unknowledgeable. Need 500 screws or 1? Pill has them, as well as paint supplies, garden supplies, just about everything. This store is a real asset to Central Square, hope it stays around for years to come. read more

They resell returned merchandise, even if it has been used. Just make sure whatever you buy is actually new.

Pill Hardware is your archetypal neighborhood hardware store, with an always friendly, pleasant and helpful staff, with practically everything you need, be it for an emergency repair or a more substantial project. Conveniently located on Mass Ave at Central Square. All in all, a pleasant shopping experience for something of a practical and useful nature, the kind of experience I don't find at these other large chain hardware stores. Heartfelt recommendation recorded here. read more

I have been doing a lot of home renovation on my own. I quit going to Home Depot for the convenience, courtesy, and knowledge of the folks at Pill. If I make a mistake and buy the wrong thing, returns are easy and the advice, even better. A bonus, I can stop in with my dog if we are out on a walk and I need something! read more

Had exactly what we had been searching everywhere for --amber shellac! In two sizes! And reading glasses for $3.99. I'll be back to stock up. Love the fact that they are a small, old school hardware store in an urban setting, where you can find a huge variety of stuff. read more

The staff is friendly but they aren't exactly home improvement gurus. The selection is good given the space. Maybe they could reduce the overlap with the star market (pans, brooms, brushes) to make room for more "real" hardware. read more

Love this place and try to support it whenever I can. So much more pleasant than going to a giant hardware chain.