Yelp review -- 0 star Title: Open on a holiday, but terrible…read morecustomer service and a threatening confrontation I stopped into South Bay Industrial Hardware today (Nov 11, 2025) because they were open on the holiday and I needed a can of Fix-A-Flat. The owner, John, completed the sale but the can I bought had a leak at the top of the hose -- something I've used before and never had an issue with. I explained that the tube looked tightly packed and might have been damaged in packaging, and asked to exchange it. Instead of listening, John stared at the can suspiciously and acted as if I was being dishonest. He reluctantly let me exchange it but warned that if the replacement didn't work I wouldn't receive a refund. He grew rude and condescending during the interaction, which was upsetting. After I left the register I said, while still in the store, "Thanks for not trusting me." He laughed. I regret that I used a bad word once I was outside. What followed was alarming: he came running out of the store and tried to grab the exchanged can out of my hands. He threatened to call the police and -- while I was recording from about nine feet away -- said into the phone, "she's right next to my face." At one point he would not state what he thought my ethnicity was, which felt explicitly hostile and discriminatory. I have video of the incident and plan to preserve it and report what happened. I'm sharing this to warn others about the poor, confrontational customer service and the intimidating behavior I experienced. I will not recommend this business based on how I was treated today.

Helpful employees at the store, ample inventory and good selection, parking lot and street parking…read moreavailable. Stopped by to get some putty, paint, small brush and spatula to fix a small messed up on a set wall

This hardware store is amazing. Small, but seems like they have anything you may need. I was…read moresurprised at the amount of merchandise they had. Went in there for a specific shut off valve, got exactly what I needed and the gentleman that helped me was very knowledgeable about the part I was looking for. I will be coming back to this store to find the things I need. Nothing but industry professionals here. Customer service at its finest. Couldn't be any happier with the experience I had today inside this store. 5 stars all around.

It breaks my heart to have to give such a bad review because I love to help the little independent…read morelocal businesses, but the way I was treated by one person here (every time I come in over many days) is just inexcusable. And I fear he may be the owner which is a shame because the only consequences he will have to experience are some bad reviews and loss of business. First of all, there are other guys that work here who are wonderful and are helpful. One guy has long gray hair and is helpful. Another older gentlemen who has more gray hair, and genuinely likes to help. Then there there is an awful guy with salt and pepper hair, not as much gray as the other guy. You can't miss him because of the scowl on his face and cloud of negative energy that surrounds him. He seems to truly hate his customers! A few day ago I came in to get some screws & I didn't know what I was looking for & needed some help. He pointed to an aisle with hundreds of drawers with various nuts bolts and sizes and said "It's over there". We were literally the only 2 people in the store. I went over and was immediately overwhelmed and confused and asked him to help me. With all the passive aggressive energy inside him he came over, pointed to a couple of drawers and said "you can find it in these drawers. This is why I set this up so you can find it yourself" (there were 8 different sized screws in each drawer) He didn't even look at me to see if I was okay or still needed help but immediately turned around and almost made an exclamation as he blew me off and walked away without ever looking back at me. I also didn't have my glasses because I'm used to the guys who help me grab exactly what I'm asking for without me having to check them. Needless to say, I had a challenging time finding what I needed. After struggling for about 10 minutes I found the very small nut and screw and took them up to him at the counter. I later found out that these run about .35 cents apiece, but he rang nothing up and said "that will be $2". I didn't say anything, but I was astonished and thinking "Wow! a dollar apiece for this tiny screw and nut - they don't need a gun to rob you these days." I got no receipt either. A few days later I came back because I was installing a ceiling fan and didn't know what size a few of the screws were, so I had to get multiple sizes to see which size worked. The gentleman with long gray hair helped me grab 5 bags of different sized screws. (and surprising, the receipt verified that they were, in fact $.35 cents each - I knew it!) I called before coming in and asked and then asked again but I explained my situation and asked if I could return the screws I didn't need and both times it was confirmed that I could. So later I brought back the ones I didn't need and wanted to grab a few more of a different size to try. The other older gentleman with mostly white hair was about to help me when the angry man said "I can help you, it's over here". So he never once looked at me, led me back to the same aisle, opened a drawer, turned and walked away from me without saying a word or giving me the help he offered. And then I went to the counter to check out and I set my bags of screws down and said I needed to return these and in a very snarky and condescending tone he snapped "We do do partial returns!!" I said, "What? You don't do returns?" And he said "NO - you can't return these" and then smirked. I then said "I was told twice, that if I got these to see which ones work that I could return the rest. I called, and I think I actually talked to you. And then I was told again when I bought these." He shook his head with smug anger and disbelief, never looked me in the eye after that and didn't say another word as if to silently scorn me and shame me for having the audacity to challenge him. He set my money down without ever looking up at me, turned and again walked away as if to say "I'm not even gonna look at you". Ok, first of all sir, I come here to your store because I believe in supporting small local businesses. I also come because of the friendly, helpful service of the guys who have been working here for so many decades and genuinely want to help people! I can go to Home Depot and get ignored or helped by people who have no knowledge of what I'm asking about just as easy as I can here in your store. But at Home Depot, I won't pay near as much as you're charging and they will at least treat me with respect, dignity and at least pretend to care about me and what I need. So if you wonder why your business is dwindling? It is because of your seething anger at the world in general and your sour demeanor, your inflated prices and your propensity to gouge people who look like they don't know any better. But is especially because of your arrogant, condescending lack of care and compassion, and for trying to make people feel stupid and insignificant. NO THANK YOU!! - I'd take Home Depot any day of the week over your abuse!!!!!

They are very equipped with many gardening tools. The gentleman that helped us was very friendly…read moreand helpful. Prices were better than I have seen at other places. They do have parking on the side just a little tricky to get to. It's kinda hidden that you can drive right past it.

RJ's is my go to for gardening supplies. Soils, fertilizers, tools and plants and my usual items I…read moreshop for but there is much more available.

Impressive service. My wife and I stopped by to find materials for a small project. Seers Lumber…read moretreated us with great respect and patiently answered all questions. Even though we are first time small time customers. Will gladly return for our next project instead of wasting time at Home Depot.

We have been in the roofing business in the South Bay for almost 30 years…read more We purchase and replace a variety of damaged wood on almost every job we are involved with. We were satisfied with this company even though their prices are higher than the other lumber yards like Crenshaw Lumber. We recently purchased some 2 x 10 Classic pre-primed fascia for a project. The product apparently was left out in the rain, because it showed quite a bit of mold or mildew on both sides. Our clients and myself are unhappy with the response from the manager and will now go back to purchasing our lumber from Crenshaw Lumber instead. It's a shame they didn't step up and offer anything to our clients for this $2,600. pile of junk. I will post photos of product as well.

Good Service always have what you need and they don't fallow you around the store but they there…read morewhen needed for assistance

Gus' Hardware Store is the place to be. First of all, the…read morelocation is great. There is a huge parking lot so that parking is the least of your troubles. The building is not hard to find and easily spotted with the huge sign as well! When you enter, you will find a huge selection of items from paints to chains. You'll find everything you need. Because it is a huge store, you might need some help from some of the employees. Be sure to ask because they are more than happy to help you out. They have great customer service and often are stocked up with certain items according to season. During the summer, they made sure to have a plethora of fans and air conditioning to be purchased. You can tell the employees and owners want you to have the items that you need. Also if you have huge orders for business and they don't have enough in store, you can make orders and Ms. Lee will help you out. Overall, it's a wonderful small business that you can tell that the employees really care about you and you getting your items. Appreciate everything that Gus' is doing.

I first went to Emil's when I started working down the street in 1993. Don't work there anymore,…read morebut stopped by again on my way up Robertson and it is still the best for all your Hardware needs. Great people. Chill vibe. Helpful staff. Also, my grandfather used to own and run a Hardware store in Fayetteville NC and this place reminds me of him.

DO NOT SHOP HERE!!! I've never said or thought this before.. but this is a "small business" that…read moredeserves to be shut down. Unethical is vanilla, this is straight up satanic business practices. #1 the cashier didn't tell us that there were no returns or exchanges on ladders. We didn't know how much they cost and my friend is too nice so she just paid. It was EIGHTY DOLLARS for a 4ft ladder. That didn't seem right. That's literally double the price of everywhere else. We did some quick research and realized that Emil is PRICE GOUGING. So 10 mins later we asked if they do same-day returns. Here's the deal.. it's one thing that this happened, but his attitude is the thing that was beyond unacceptable. He conceded that the cashier should've told us, and that they're supposed to say no returns or exchanges on ladders. But even a half-assed "sorry" in there would've done it. No, his response was literally "I WASN'T BORN YESTERDAY PEOPLE USE THEM AND RETURN THEM ALL THE TIME." Please explain to me sir how I could've used a ladder that is STILL in its original packaging??? You think I would risk breaking my neck for a return at your shitty garage store? We weren't even trying to argue to still be able to return it, just letting him know that they should say that at check out and he just kept yelling over us. Beyond unacceptable. We just moved to the area and go to hardware stores all the time. We were looking to support a small local business and loyally (and we had already bought things here before).. but now that I see how they really operate, no wonder they go out of business all the time against the big names. If that ever happens to Emil, he earned it. You don't treat people like this and then yell & talk over them just cause they're women. Thievery & price gouging like this is one thing but the arrogance on top is beyond. Thankful I didn't grab anything else here cause I literally had it in my hand and was gonna come back for it. Never again. (Photo for proof ladder was never used). Jerk.

Mimi's in Torrance left my mashed potatoes off my order that my husband picked up for me and his…read moreroast beef order had no gravy at all on it when he asked for extra gravy. I asked them to totally redo the orders since the food was gonna be cold and they made it right by totally giving us new orders with everything that was left off the first.

Just moved to the area. .. and this will be my go to mom & pop hardware store. From screws to…read morenuts the have it all or can get it

Leave it to Beaver type of supply store! I thought I was walking into my childhood...perfect for…read morehome improvement at a reasonable price. And there is quite a selection of metal supplies...nuts, bolts, parts, equipment etc. My father has been going here for years! He needed to replace the metal wheels on the driveway gate and I thought...where is he going to find those since they are a bit antique?!?! Cal-Aero carries standard size materials for gates! They also have cute little useful trinkets...like back scratchers...which I purchased. Service was pleasant and with a smile...thank you Young Lady at the register!

This place is FANTASTIC! I've bought just about everything…read moreyou can imagine from this place. Ropes, chains, tarps, tools. You name it, they got it. Sometimes I just wander up and down the aisles to see what's hiding in those dark cubby holes. You don't know you need an empty ammunition box until you see it. I love this place!