Came here on a hunch the other week because the Target that was a little north of this location was out of the camping propane canisters for portable grills, so my review will be somewhat limited in context.
Location: 3.5 out of 5
From the 3rd Ward, this is the closest big box hardware store as I find that the National Ace Hardware can be hit or miss in terms of availability and customer service. Jumping on the highway makes it a quick'ish 5 minute drive or so. There is ample parking and the contiguous complex is shared by Pick n Save, Jimmy Johns, and a hair cut place. Starbucks and Applebees are in the same shopping complex as well in case you're in the mood for a coffee drink or um..."fine dining."
Customer service: 5 out of 5
It was quite remarkable how consistent the customer service was going from point to point. Out of habit, I tend to park in the area by the plants/outdoor garden area because I enjoy walking through and looking at things (seeds, implements, potted plants, etc.) that I might like. From the moment I entered through the "side" gate, I was greeted with a smile followed by a "How are you doing today" and "Is there anything that I can help you find?" Being convinced I could find the propane canisters myself, I chose to walk around the stationary grill area for a little bit before being puzzled by the absence of the 1lb tanks. Finally, I approached to gentlemen, who directed me to Aisle 17 (may not be the right number, but they just knew off the top of their heads). After making the short trip down to said aisle, lo and behold, glorious glorious Benozmatic brand camping propane in the requisite mass needed! As I walked back to the checkout, one of the same guys said, "Hey, glad you found what you needed!", and two other store employees gave me the same, "Hi, glad you're here - did you find everything ok?" Honestly - the guys and gals working here made me feel like I was their #1 or only customer, even though for all intents and purposes, I was making a very small purchase.
Cleanliness of store: 5 out of 5
One of the cleanest I've ever been too. No errant "stuff" just sitting around, the aisles were clean and free of any debris, and this location was very well-lit and organized.
Prices: 4 out of 5
This is a somewhat biased metric, but as I was looking through the outdoor garden area, it seemed like the prices I saw were commensurate with other Home Depot (and competitor) establishments. For my particular needs, the Benzomatic brand propane tanks were 3.50 each compared to a about 2.65 each at Target for a national store brand (Coleman). However - given the fact that Benzo is a trusted name in multiple industries, I was more than fine paying the slight upcharge. And the gas burns super nice in my grill!
Overall: 5 out of 5
I know I usually employ conventional rounding with my reviews, but the customer service I received here bumps the 4.375 stars to a 5 star review. I do wish that this store were just a teeny bit closer to where I live so I could go there more often just to kill time/check the scene, but I'm sure I'll be back regardless at some point. read more