The main reason why I use Tags is their location in Porter Square. I find that the staff are friendly and try to be helpful. However, the pricing is extremely high compared to some other big box stores or ACE hardware locations outside of the city. I highly recommend using their order online for in store pickup for the best pricing since the store will follow the online pricing vs the shelf sticker price. Online orders come with a paper bag that has a handle which makes it nice and easy to carry out. There are two floors to the store, with the majority of home improvement things being on the lower level. read more

They're friendly but not helpful--in fact, "incompetent" is the word I'd use. Here's what happened on my last two visits to Tags: I brought in a screen door to be rescreened. It took two weeks, and the screen fell off the moment I reinstalled it. I also had a key copied. It didn't work. I ended up taking both the door and key to Inman Hardware. They fixed the screen and made a key that actually worked. Buy stuff at Tags if you want, but don't count on them for even basic jobs. read more

Arrived at Tags in Porter Square, Cambridge Massachusetts, late one Saturday - - March 15th - at 7.50pm (closing time 8.00pm!). Instead of snarls, dirty looks and key shaking I was received with great courtesy and efficiency. Got my stuff, got some good advice about timers, left a very satisfied customer. Thank you! read more

This IS the best Ace Hardware store in the city. Its a little more expensive, but its worth it. Plus? They really, truly are knowledgeable & nice. It's worth the extra money... read more

Super-friendly and helpful, Tags is different from the big box. They have most hardware items or can get them for you. Staff was quick to make keys and to answer questions. The store also has housewares that are on the top floor. read more

****update to my recent review. I went in initially to get some retractable shades and they were terrific. They cut the shades to the exact lengths that I provided. The problem is I gave them lengths that were all 1/4 inch too long. Totally my error. I brought them back, hat in hand, and they graciously cut all 10 again. That was time consuming but they didn't make me feel like the idiot I am. I love this place! read more

Hardware plus kitchenware plus the friendliest service around. Tags is our go-to for all things home-related.

Feels like a throwback when friendly knowledgeable people are ready and willing to help with any question you may have. It's a hidden gem and can usually find items there that I would need to go to 2-3 other stores to get. They also have a knife sharping program so I'm looking forward to it. They are truly a cut above ! read more

I've shopped at Tag's for the last 4 or 5 years, at times multiple times a week. It's been convenient and I'm always for shopping local. On occasion however, I've been disappointed by some things. Some of them are things people on here have already complained about...the prices, the crowdedness, returns, etc. But, what has added up to a way too high amount, has been issues with their staff. Some of their employees are AMAZING, but they have some that are just horrid. I've let things go and not reviewed or complained in the store. But that is now changing because of what I've witnessed recently up to today. To begin, there is a guy (don't know name, but wears glasses and back brace??, older) that is just..I don't know- strange. In my time shopping, he's been standing around writing in something and staring at me or others. He approached me once when I was looking at glassware and made me feel super uncomfortable when I said I didn't need assistance...he stayed and kept insisting, then picked up some heart-shaped item and put them on his eyes, exclaiming "come on, smile...laugh- I know you want to." I even was in the store on a day he was yelling his head off at other employees...I don't know what was going on, but I quickly left. What leads me to today is that I was kept waiting in line for forever. This employee (again don't name, but it's a lady, has short hair, maybe reddish-brown?) was like sweeping and it appeared like she just would not help check people out. It seemed very unnecessary. Standing and waiting today and it being made worse by this lady, just made me think of s*it she's done that is just not ok. I was horrified while shopping recently when she argued with some customer over buying a reusable bag....that person came back to give her the money (HILARIOUS), but then this employee actually picked up the money and threw it at her as she left the store...?!?!? I mean what the actual f*ck?! Finally, there is no way for me to say for sure what this lady thinks about anything, but I've seen her give ugly looks, and then conveniently talk with other employees, toward people that appear to be LGBTQ. As a member of that group, I can say I do not feel comfortable around her. And that's sad...in Cambridge, of all places. This is a long review, but it needed to be said. I don't know how they can fix it, but they have a major problem with staff. After today, there is no way I can go back. read more

Tags Hardware, to me, is the greatest, old school, iconic hardware store, in the Boston area. I've always found whatever I was looking for, at Tags, and I've always received exceptional service at Tags. I find the store easy to navigate, and immaculate. An absolute blessing of an alternative to Home Depot and Lowe's. read more

Friendly, attentive staff. They know their stuff, and are happy to help you. Everyone is so nice!!

I've been a loyal Tag's customer for 15 years... but when I was in need, they failed - SPECTACULARLY. I am a contractor, but disabled. I rode my electric conveyance toward the store in Porter Sq., from Union Sq. My batteries died halfway and I had to push it the final mile and a half. It was 95 degrees and humid - I nearly stroked out. It was near closing time, I didn't have my charger with me. I begged them to let me bring it inside, if only for the night, even just into their entryway. They refused x10. I had a $3000 electric conveyance stolen that night - because they weren't "neighborly" enough to let a disabled person secure his transportation INSIDE - and, oh, BTW - they're too cheap to even put a freaking security camera up - but I'll bet they'll sell one to you. I WILL NEVER SHOP THERE AGAIN - EVEN IF I WAS DYING AND THEY WERE THEY LAST PLACE ON EARTH. EITHER YOU ARE HUMAN - or you ARE NOT. They are not. read more

Would not recommend getting keys cut there. Didn't quite meet my needs or minimum expectations.

Used to be a terrific hardware store. A little pricier than Home Depot for certain items, but considering the convenient location and convenient size (no acres of aisles), was worth it ESPECIALLY since the staff were above and beyond the call of duty HELPFUL. NO MORE. The personnel are scarce and unreliable, clearly not interested in being helpful as folks were before. Often unfamiliar with their own stock, impatient, occasionally rude or weird. If the new owners would get it together with staffing and staff management, that would be great. But with the captive local market, they are appear unmotivated to do anything but cash in. Shattuck Hardware on Mill St., in Arlington, a good alternative. read more

I'm usually able find exactly what I need here. It's great not having to get into the car and drive to Home Depot or Lowes. I have had zero issues with returns. Also, the staff has always been helpful and kind. If you live nearby you should start here before wasting time in traffic. read more

It's so funny that whenever I come here I buy chocolate, not that I need any more chocolate but who cares. They have all kinds of treasures here, things you really need & things that are just fun. There are two floors so make sure you check them both out or you may miss something. The downstairs is less spacious so be prepared for all the stuff. read more

Not only is this local hardware store overpriced many of the attendants especially in the hardware section no nothing about their own inventory or it seems anything about hardware at all and are surely and insulting to boot. I have lived and traveled around the world and Tags Porter Square is the worst . read more

Totally inaccurate website, few items in stock, they cancel orders for items they list as in stock in store. Just a crappy place

Overpriced with an extremely limited inventory. Purchased a batch of paint and it turned out they mixed the wrong color for me. Haven't realized that just when I got home. When I came to the store to return it they said that do not do returns and this is my problem, apparently I had to babysit the customer rep and check that he mixed for me. Was not offered an alternative solution such a gift card or an exchange. The manager reprimanded me in front of Saturday shoppers. Will never go to that store again. Better drive a mile extra to Home Depot! read more

They were super helpful and patient with us as we tried to determine the best new shower head for low water pressure!

I came here with my father who barely speaks English and neither of us have a background in carpentry or painting and so this was a bit challenging communicating with the sales representative. However, Amber was very helpful and kind in providing product recommendations for paint colors and choices. She was also willing to get the 6 odd buckets of paint mixed even as the store was closing. The other staff members also waited on us to get rung out and to retrieve the shopping cart. Wonderful service provided! read more

More of a homewares store with a hardware component than vice versa. Staff are hardly knowledgeable about hardware. I'm old enough to remember actual family owned hardware stores where people really helped you out with toilet repair kits, electrical outlet specs, by-the-foot wire cuts, etc. No more... if you don't know what you need and you don't see it on the floor, it isn't likely they'll carry that item. Some good selection of Wustof cutlery and Yeti-wear and some decent home goods a bit higher end than Walmart, but otherwise pretty close to useless as a hardware store. If Home Depot (Agent Orange) wasn't such an awful, miserable experience 10 times worse than Tag's, I would likely never go into that store at all. read more

I received some awesome customer service last week! I *believe* the staff member's name is Mike. I'm an elementary school teacher and I was looking to buy some supplies to create lockboxes for a math activity. Initially, I wanted to buy 10ft of chain and a few padlocks. Mike advised me to go to Michael's to get my boxes. I returned and he suggested that I used some screw eyes and much smaller locks. He even took the time to open the screw eyes and show me where/how to put them in my wooden boxes. He could have easily cut some chain for me and sent me on my way. I would have ended up with a pile of useless materials and an incomplete project. I had 4 other interactions with staff there. Including one man who showed me how to use Aero Props, which I also ended up buying for my kids! Thanks! I'll definitely be back! read more

This place is truly like a trip back in time, about 40 years perhaps, in that long-lost PRE-Walmart/Amazon Era. It's a relatively small space not some cavernous aircraft-hangar sized box store where instead of being left to your own devices and wandering around helplessly until you find your bearings, you get friendly, solicitous staff who cheerfully walk up to you and ask how they can help you as if they actually mean it, and who...(gasp!) actually ARE ABLE to, and actually DO, help you find whatever you're looking for! Catch is---and of course you knew there was going to be a catch, right? Catch is that you do end up paying pre-Walmart prices. As in, 2-3 times as much as what you'd pay at Walmart or Home Depot. So, if you're rich and/or philanthropic and/or gung-ho want to "support local businesses in the community," by all means come here as often as you can. May they continue to prosper, even if I'm neither rich nor generous enough to shop there. :) read more

As someone else wrote, Porter Square is SO lucky to have Tags/Ace Hardware. It is a great store and has most everything you need and anything they don't (which you can find on the online Ace Hardware website) you can order and it will arrive in 2 days. The staff are helpful. Only downside is closing at 8pm.. they should be open 2 more hours, but I will still give 5 stars! If you are cold in winter and you do not wish to remove your air conditioners or compact window fans, cover your windows with a .5 mil, 1 mil or 2 mil thick "Plastic Drop Cloth" (clear plastic tarping) using duct tape or packing tape around the outer edge of the window indention, and get a space heater (convectional or directional) from companies like Lasko. read more

See all

Tags has been a favorite of mine for decades. The variety of products is great; they sell window shades, paint, cleaning supplies, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, seeds and fertilizer and light bulbs. Tags can copy keys, sharpen knives, scissors and gardening tools. And that's just on the lower level. At street level, there's always an attractive window display. They carry a full range of household items for kitchen, storage, laundry and bathroom. If they don't have it at Tags, you probably don't need it! read more

I took my elderly mother shopping there for a cover for 2 tables, a toaster and a steam pot to steam vegetables. The assistant manager there was extremely knowledgeable and helpful . He took the time to explain the various products to me. It took Me back my childhood when that Kind of great customer service was common everywhere read more

I have been a regular customer at Tags for decades and always found the staff helpful and the inventory well selected, particularly certain housewares. Recently however I have felt uncomfortable in the store and have concluded that I am being racially profiled by a particular older male staff member. I hope this is not the case but my gut feelings have always served me well. I've drawn exceptional attention and been overly watched and questioned in the store in the past year. The tone of these encounters is all wrong and I just get a bad feeling being there. At this point I have no intention of returning to Tags read more

It's great to have a place like Tags so close to my house, because I'm often in the mood for DIY project and am pretty self-sufficient in fixing small things in my apartment. I've been going here for nearly a decade, and I leave irritated nearly every single time. I don't know if it's because I'm a girl, or if the dudes downstairs just have attitude problems, but don't just assume I have no idea what I am doing. If I ask a question, then I want your help. So, to clear things up, gentlemen: Yes, I know the proper size of my A/C filter, I didn't just randomly choose one. Yes, I know that paint has to be mixed BEFORE I buy it (You mean I can't just whisper, "Orange You Sweet" into the lid of one of the identical cans and bring it home?). Yes, I know what kind of screw I need to replace the knobs on my dresser, that's why I am holding one I brought from home in my hand. And yes, I know this bag of potting soil is going to be heavy. Yes, I do still want it. read more

Stopped into browse yesterday before my bookclub. There are two/2 levels the upper level is kitchen and homewares, everything from candles, mason jars/canning, thermos/lunch toting, linens and a curated selection of teas and also soap/lotions Beekman and a few other high end lines, toward the back more kitchen/accessories, small appliances and outdoor furniture covers they cut by the yard. I did not make it to the lower level, I'm figuring that is where they have more tools and hard core hardware/supplies. Two/2 staffers were friendly said hello asked if I was looking for anything and when I told them/just looking around, they both nodded and smiled friendly back. I ran out of time or I would have went downstairs to check that out as well. read more

Very busy but pretty quick service. The staff are pretty all over the place here. I heard one particular guy swear multiple times while he was getting frustrated building a barbecue. They have a lot of stuff in here and very convenient. It's usually clean. Not too bad. Hopefully the staff cheer up soon! read more

Definitely very cool and very useful. Can find almost anything in terms of housewares here. And the day I went, they gave free popcorn! Weaknesses: 1) Overpriced, and 2) Could not find a metal soup ladle. Wouldn't you expect plastic soup ladles to melt on first use? read more

It's just big enough and has just enough random non-hardware things to justify its role as an anchor of the Porter Square Shopping Center. I find myself in there from time to time to get PVC pipe or a pile of nails or some grilling utensils, and I never have a bad experience. The prices are good, the help is good and you can't beat the location. Overall, not a bad place. read more

Everything in the Porter Square plaza feels overpriced. BUT, this hardware shop has pretty much anything you could need in a pinch, especially toilet plungers around September first, which, trust me, is helpful. They also offer a senior/student 10% discount, and honored it for me even though I didn't have my ID on me. So, win! Nice local business. read more

i broke a part of my circus performing toy and needed to replace the screws... i ended up getting a wrong size and one of the associates, randy, helped me out both times (as i ended up coming back 10 min before closing) and i was able to finally fix it! i truly appreciate the help to and how nice everyone is here :) read more

This is a great place for fortune tellers, palm readers and anyone with a crystal ball. Unfortunately I don't have such talents . . . for now. Unable to tell the future, I bought something that turned out, I didn't need. I then tried to do something quite odd: return it. Why would they possibly want to take pack a package with the original packaging, in good condition, with the receipt, when they could just keep the money? Hmmmm, maybe because they might want a loyal repeated customer? I guess the owners don't need repeat customers and don't care about their review on yelp. If you're still curious, my story: Bought some rope, it was in the original packaging, with a receipt- BUT they wouldn't let me return it because I didn't have the original credit card that I bought the rope with. So I finally found the card, finally made it back to the store, but it was 30 days after I bought it so no refunds, not even store credit. Not even a 10% off coupon. Next time I'll go to Home Depot or Amazon. I tried to support my neighborhood hardware store, but their 1950's era return policy is not worth it. Anyone need some extra rope? read more

Bought three 8' long planks of wood last summer for my garden bed. The planks weren't individually labeled, but an employee told me they would be 45 dollars total (15 each). I decide that its pricey but okay. I decided to have the wood cut to fit in my car and continue shopping. When I get to the cashier, I was told that the planks would be 75 dollars total. I told the cashier that was the wrong price, but the hardware manager was called and confirmed that the price was 75. Moral of the story: don't trust the employees to give you an accurate price on products. Most items here are overpriced to begin with. read more

Awesome store like it always was. Still going strong with excellent assistance and customer service.

This may be my favorite store of any kind. I have been to Tags many, many times. I am consistently impressed with how supportive, intelligent, knowledgeable and helpful the staff are. Oh, and it's almost always easy to find staff when you need them. That includes the cashiers. Given the large variety of items in the store, it's generally straightforward to find what 'm looking for. read more

Useful​ if you need something in a pinch, but prices on most items are 25-50% higher than your big box hardware store. Some nice specialty items like Miele and Yeti. read more