I have been going here regularly since 2012 when I moved to SF--and they almost always have what I…read moreneed for my various home projects. Plus, everyone that works there is friendly, helpful and pretty knowledgeable (and they offer dog treats!). Probably my favorite local business after Golden Natural.

I've been coming regularly to this store since they opened twenty or so years ago, and the…read moreemployees have always been courteous, knowledgeable and professional. Lately though, the some of the young women/men who work there have been rude, unknowledgeable, and and have bad attitudes. While I want to support local businesses, and have for years without issue, I've vowed not to frequent a business where my business doesn't seem to be appreciated -- no matter how convenient the location is. Which is too bad, because I like the owners. But people with poor communication/people skills should not be working with people. There are other places to shop, like Cliffs. Kudos to the nice people who work at this location, but adios because of the ones who aren't. See ya.

As a renter, my needs are simple since the landlord fixes most things…read more Today I needed a kitchen sink basket, a drain opener- and yeah, let's try this snake gadget to see if I can use chemicals as a last resort. This is the kind of independent hardware store I prefer to support: Buy what you need, get a key made, support a neighborhood business. Open every day except Sunday.

Third update: It has been almost two and half years since my last review, a pandemic has come and…read moregone, SF Hardware closed up shop completely for most of it, and then, after putting on a pretty good show of reopening, they went right back to never having predictable hours and being all locked up when you get dressed and leave the the house for the first time in a week because you need a screw during totally reasonable daytime business hours. Two out of the last three times I showed up there, during afternoon hours that they'd previously been open, they were locked up tight. At least today they put the sign up saying that they now close every day at 4:30 (because obviously I'm going to take off from work early if I need a screw, right?), last time there wasn't even a sign. I said in my original review that one of their primary appeals was "They're there." But if they're not open when you need them, then they're not there. And very frequently, they aren't. I think I'll just order replacement screws from the internet from now on.

Talk about "above and beyond," I am so entirely grateful to Max, who went out of his way to help me…read morewith a repair. I walked in with two compression cylinders from an old rowing machine. The part was an obsolete one, for which I'd purchased a comparable replacement online. However, I hadn't realized that the part didn't come with bushings. When I tried to get the bushings out of the old cylinders, they were stuck. After a tremendous amount of time trying to dislodge them myself, I thought I'd need to find replacement bushings. I'd already struck out at a different hardware store prior to going to Discount Builders. Similarly, Discount Builders also didn't have what was essentially a specialized bushing designed just for the old obsolete cylinder. Most employees would've just stopped at nope we don't have it. However, Max was incredibly resourceful and skilled, and took the cylinders to a work area in the store and spent perhaps the next half hour getting the bushings out. Miraculous! My rowing machine is now reassembled and working great. Thanks to Max! That is truly above and beyond customer service! Love this store!

I stopped by Discount Builders Supply for a tricky plumbing issue, and Miguel was incredibly…read morehelpful. He took the time to understand the problem, walked me through the parts I needed, and made sure I left with a solid solution. Great service and knowledgeable staff -- really appreciate Miguel's expertise and patience. Highly recommend this place for any hardware or plumbing needs.

Now I don't go to hardware stores often, so I can't compare to other stores, but I love it here! A…read morelot of it is because of the service. No one is afraid to help you and everyone is so friendly! A very welcoming environment :) I had to get some things to caulk the bottom of a toilet the employees were super helpful with their recommendations. Left feeling less anxious about the job I'm about to do at home!

Me: Hi, can I please use one of your store screwdrivers just to open my dog's urn? I am spreading…read morehis ashes today. Karla from Cole: You will need to buy one I bought a flat screwdriver, used it to open the urn lid and returned it to the store without requesting refund. Hopefully if another neighbor stops by and needs a screwdriver they will be nicer and allow them to use the one I paid for. Thank you Cole hardware neighbors. I couldn't forget this day even if I wanted to.

I was desperate and needed to get into an apartment vacated by our tenant right away. I believed…read morethat I had the right key, but wasn't 100% sure bc it wasn't unlocking the deadbolt. (Turned out I had the right key, but the ancient lock was broken). I got a recommendation to use Cole and called them. I had to leave a message and Marc called me back, as promised on the greeting, within the hour. He was wonderful and patiently listened to my sad tale of desperation and woe. Just the calming response I needed. I won't detail all of the back and forth I subjected him to. I will just say he was extremely responsive and helpful and scheduled an appt for me that worked with my schedule. It turns out that I didn't need to use Marc's services - I was able to get in and replace the deadbolt without the need for a locksmith. HOWEVER - if I ever need the services of a locksmith, Marc with Cole Hardware will be my first call.... without hesitation.

I rarely leave reviews unless I have the most positive or a very negative experience. I'm giving…read morethis review 2 stars because whenever I come into this store, I usually have no issues. However on October 2nd around 400 pm, I went there to buy some plumbing material (piping) and had some questions before I made a purchase. I first went to the plumbing section and didn't find exactly what I was looking for so I tried looking for a staff member. I waited and looked around, found a employee but he was running around the store which I'm assuming he was helping people. So I went to the cashier to see if he can help me. I approached the counter, Christian was the cashier. I informed him that I was not ready to purchase, i couldn't find anyone to help me in the sales isles and i had questions on a item. I asked about the fitment regarding a pipe and he answered "I don't know what that means" so I explained to him again but with more detail, he responded "I don't know what you're talking about, do you need help with sales?" I responded "yes" and he paged one of his colleagues. I then went back to the sales floor with no results, no one came and the same employee just keeps walking past me when I approached him. Subsequently, i witnessed a older gentleman tried to follow him to ask him a question but kept on getting ignored. I heard him say "look I just have 1 question please!" At this point I knew I wasn't going to get any help and went back in line to pay for my item. subsequently, That same older gentleman was asking Christian for the owners email so he can make a compliant and in the isles ANOTHER customer was yelling "I need a manager or Supervisor please!" I then approached the cashier and informed Christian that no one came to help and I'll just take a chance on a pipe I picked out. He casually shrugged his shoulders and said "will that be all today" then,I paid and left. I don't know what happened that particular day. There was 3 staff members i noticed. 1 cashier, 1 sales floor and 1 person where the key section is. The store wasn't incredibly busy or anything. Maybe 10-12 people in the store. Because of this experience I will NOT be coming back here again. I live in the area and I want to support local bussiness and dont mind paying a few dollars more. I'll take my business elsewhere from now on. Please do better guys.

A Japantown GEM!!!!!…read more Been going there for years! Amazing family owned business! You can spend a lot of time discovering treasures throughout the store. My kitchen is filled with their products...from rice bowls, chopsticks to my rice cooker. Love this place

Nice little hardware store with a lot of Japanese items in Japan Town the owners were super…read morefriendly and we talked story about how they had relatives in Hawai'i on both Oahu and Maui I would love to visit them again

Robert's is a Haight Ashbury institution. The more my partner and I shop here the more we find…read moreourselves coming back. We moved to the neighborhood shortly before the pandemic and didn't have a need to check out Robert's. This quickly changed with the onset of closures. Of course, Robert's is considered essential and for very good reason. You can find SO much here. Yes traditional hardware items but lots of small odds and ends that otherwise would be a search to many other stores. Plus they have things like toilet paper (the good kind!), masks, hand sanitizer, wipes, and all your sanitary and safety needs. However, we probably come back most frequently to pick up more plants or plant items for recently purchased plants. They have a great selection of fertilizers, pots, succulents, and much larger plants. And happily I can say their plants tend to thrive very well. So glad to have them in the neighborhood and hope they are here for many decades to come.

When Taking A Walk Around The Hagiht Asbury District I Always Make A Stop At This Hardware…read moreStore!!!! They Have Alot Of Interesting Gadgets And Tools Nightlights!!!!! During The Happy Holiday Season They Have Chiristmas Lights Which Is My Favorite Thing To Look At!!!!! If You Yelpers & Yelpettes Like Going To A Hardware Try Going To Roberts Hardware Store At The Haight Ashbury Area In San Francisco Ca USA!!!!!

I love this neighborhood hardware store. You're such a small footprint. They seem to have…read moreeverything you could possibly need. They are my go to place. I highly recommend this hardware store. Everyone that works there is helpful and knowledgeable.

Pretty good prices given the location. I usually come here for convenience and actually expect…read moreprices to be higher. They have a very good selection of anything you could need around the house. Service is fine. I'm annoyed that they let this couple cut in front of me (however part of the onus is on me--I could've spoken up as well, I was just shellshocked.)

Amazing pies/cobbler Nice counter guy too who gave us the tip to cook it extra…read more Also add some butter to the top of it about 1hr 20min in

Before moving to Russian Hill, I don't think I ever have had a favorite hardware store. That all…read morechanged my 1st weekend here after a big move from Miami. I had dozens of boxes, and no box cutter! My poodle and I traipsed down the hill to this delightful store. There are so many things to love about Cole Hardware - it's kind of like a Hallmark store meets Ace Hardware. I've had keys copied here AND I've bought a SF-themed deck of cards. I've bought cookie sheets AND light bulbs. I've bought Christmas lights AND cute dishtowels. The customer service here is fantastic, the people who work here are kind, you can ask questions via text, and they give back to the community in both vibes and with give-back programs to support local. Why would you shop anywhere else?

I love this store! I am new to DIY and like to take my time with learning about tools and the lady…read morein the store is always very helpful and patient with me. Great selection of products, I always find what I need there.

Knowledgeable, and extremely nice couple who run this store. Not your usual surly service but…read moreattentive and smart. Highly recommend.