True Value Hardware

I went here a half hour ago to get a copy of a key made. The total came to $ 2.43 I gave the woman $ 5.50 she put the money in the drawer and handed me 7 cents back. I asked for my $ 3 and she looked at me confused I continued to say I gave you a $ 5 and she said oh well. I typed in 2.50 and I gave you your 7 cents. Which was wrong I gave her a 5 because that’s all I had in my wallet to give her. I asked her to ask her coworker the man standing next to her. I asked her to look at the camera. I asked her to count the drawer and she wouldn’t do anything! Not even apologize, not give me my change which was rightfully mine! Worst customer service! I can’t believe how rude she was and that I didn’t get my right change and had to leave.

This place is fantastic. They have the most amazing selection of household kitchen gadgets. I buy my stick-​on thermometers here. They suction to the outside of the kitchen window and are visible inside. This store has stuff it’s hard to find else where.
Terrific owner. He is always extremely helpful with his advise.
I stay as far away from Home Depot as possible and enjoy supporting local quality merchants.

This store has a great selection of odds and ends. However, don’t go here just expecting to browse around. I did that today and I was followed by a store employee in every single aisle I went down. I was looking at pizza stones and trying to decide if I should buy one and one of the employees kept lingering around, and finally came up to me and said «can I help you?» but it was not a sincere «you look like you need some help» type of question, it was clearly a «I have my eyes on you and I want you to know I’m watching you» type of question.
I used to work in retail and so I get it. You think I’m stealing from you. I understand protecting your store. I do. But this store goes beyond that. They treat you like a criminal before you even walk through the door. You have to walk through a turn-​style just to get in for crying out loud.
Not to mention, everything in the store is overpriced and from what I have heard, their return policy is dreadful. Save yourself and go elsewhere.

Bought a shovel here before all the snow storms. Used it twice. The shovel broke in half and in by no means was it me being reckless, I just wanted the snow off my car. Went back and they told me they couldn’t do anything for me, wouldn’t replace it, wouldn’t even give me half my money back even. They just stood there with their hands up in the air while they looked at me like I’m an idiot.
Well I’ll never shop there again, and if they can’t even give me a dollar back then that is just sad.

Always helpful staff who are there to help you with any questions. Love the selection of home items to even school supplies. This store has a bit of everything!

Read the reviews and I agree that customer service is not their strong point. Denying a charge of $ 4.50 when the minimum is $ 5.00…get it. But remember, banks charge retailers a significant service charge for the privilege of having ability to accept credit cards. Wouldn’t return something that had been used and box was torn — noted. If this were a larger «box» store or something other than a neighborhood family-​run gig, I would say all of these issues would warrant a less than 5 star rating.
The fact is — this store has EVERYTHING… I mean, EVERYTHING! If you live local and know this hardware store, can you imagine it NOT being here and traveling into the burrows of Boston for your shopping needs? I ordered some planters from them, I have purchased a light bulb — wrong size — returned with no problems.
Remember this is a family owned True Value franchise and their losses are significant (not to mentioned the high rent district). Take your business elsewhere? WHERE??? Please share the secret of where else to go in the North End… would love to know.
I for one am so thankful that this multi-​faceted, convenient and well equipped store is here. The quality of their products are good… you can set a table with dishes and all, change your toilet seat cover (done), — all kinds of things in this small, well organized store.
A little attitude? Okay — I’ll take it… I was shopping and was told to get off my mobile phone — speaking too loudly — ahhhh… okay…is this a library or hardware store? Okay, no problem — I can make my call outside. BUT PLEASE DON’T LEAVE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD!!!

This place is the absolute best! I cannot say enough great things about it… I go in thinking I just need to pick up one quick thing and end up spending about 45 minutes going up and down the aisles leaving with bags of stuff. They have EVERYTHING! Moving boxes, kitchen stuff, bedroom lamps, tupperware, lamps, bulbs, cards, dog food, garden stuff — everything! The people who work there are great, the prices are reasonable and every time I go in it just feels like a real neighborhood place. My go to spot in city!

This place does have a lot of what you need while in a pinch, however, today while looking in the card section, another customer asked if she could look in the same area that I was. We started a private conversation about cards and I suggested a shop down the street. Just then the «store owner» abruptly jumped into our conversation and said «I don’t like you chasing away my customers.» «I have quality cards!»
With that being said, and after being a loyal customer in this store for over 14 years, I will go out of way to shop elsewhere. I will think twice about who I am supporting.

I usually go out of my way to support local businesses over bigger stores but their customer service is unacceptable. The past few times I’ve gone in here I’ve had really negative experiences — ordered two copies of keys to my apartment and neither set work and then most recently I wasturned away for trying to put purchase for $ 4.50 on my card because they have a $ 5.00 minimum. I live around the corner from here but I will go out of my way to do my errands elsewhere.

If I could give them zero stars, I would. Not only do they really jack up the prices of everything, but they do not stand by their products. Their rule for returns is that they will only take it back if they can resell it afterward. I went in with a friend who was trying to return dog food with maggots in it. He would not take it back because it was not resellable. He is rude, and does not care about anything other than making a buck.

I love this place. They always have the random things I need and most of the time at a decent price. I recently came in to cut a set of keys (great service) and also picked up some office supplies. So, they have a wide variety of services in a city that isn’t too convenient. Staff is always friendly in the «North End», small-​neighborhood way.

I really love this place. It makes me feel like a part of the neighborhood when employees start (or at least pretend) to recognize you. When I first moved to the N End I had no idea where to get basic things I would normally pick up at Target. One day I finally walked into True Value and it blew my mind! Everything was here! They honestly carry about a million items and a lot of really cute stuff too. You just have to check it out for yourself.
A few have mentioned being followed in the store, and I don’t think they’re trying to be creepers. Its just a small, crowded store and a lot of people are working there to help you find things. I’ve learned its much easier to tell them what you’re looking for before getting a headache trying to look up, down, and all over.
I find prices to be pretty comparable. In fact I had ordered a shelf on Amazon and found it cheaper in here the next day. There’s definitely variation, but its not completely overpriced considering the location.

I used to love this place, it is full of odds and ends and I always left with what I needed. However after the last experience I had I will never go back.
I tried to return a drink dispener that simply did not work. I brought back the receipt, instructions, repackaged everything, and after TWO clerks examined it for over 10 min. he would not accept it back… because the box is ripped??? Obviously this was the only reason they could come up with for not accepting the item. It was not his failure to accept the return item but how rudely he treated me in the process. It is a shame they would treat any customer so poorly, but especially a local, regular customer. Target here I come…

They get you coming with the super high prices and polices and then going when you have to bring something back.
Over priced and then strict return policies. On my last visit, I grabbed the wrong paint tray liner because the one I needed was shoved between a bunch of other stuff. Went home to change and then walked over to my new place to find out I had the wrong liner. Walked back and they wouldn’t give me a refund, even though they remembered me. They gave me an «even» (2 lesser priced items for returning 2 higher priced items).
Bad enough you could buy the items from one of the big box stores and make a nice profit selling it at their price, but then they pull the no refunds without a receipt.
Also Credit card minimum– against card issuers agreements

I am forced to come here far more often than I’d like. I have never been welcomed, smiled at, or helped by the staff here. They act as if I should be happy just to be in their very crowded store. North End prices are atrocious anyway, we all pay for the tourists’ spending, but his shop is worse.

Love this place. It’s how a hardware store used to be, full of knick-​knacks and whatever you need around your house. Need a birthday card? Check. Laundry basket? Check. Spray paint? Check.
The people in the store are knowledgable, polite, and helpful. I go here quite often and always find something I didn’t realize I needed! (Kind of like when I go shopping at Gap…)
Just don’t forget that they are closed on Sundays!

This place is the best! It is the most convenient place in the north end to find practically anything you could possibly need. I go here at least once a week, I think.
It’s definitely not just a hardware store. They have everything you need for your home. There is a huge kitchen section, with utensils, glassware, plates, cups, bowls, appliances, potholders, pots, pans, etc. They also have lighting, as well as storage solutions, and even furniture (chairs, shelves, bookcases, dressers, etc) They have bathroom needs as well (trash cans, shower curtains, mirrors, etc), along with paper products cleaners, and much more. They even have a huge school and office supply section, and a nice pet supply selection. This is all, of course, alongside the typical hardware stuff– tools, paints, home improvements, and so on. They also have tons of random items. Anything you can think of that you might need, you are bound to find here.
The staff has always been really friendly too, and they are open at convenient times. I am really glad to have a place like this so close to home.

This place literally has everything you could need. Here in the North End, we’re kind of hidden from the big Wal-​mart type stores that feature your one-​stop shopping needs. There are no big supermarkets, no Targets, no Home Depots, no chain restaurants. Seriously, I’m surprised we have Chinese take out. Welcome to your one-​stop shopping needs store that still manages to fit right in with the small-​town North End attitude.
Pots and pans, pizzelle makers, kitchen knick knacks, bathroom supplies, clocks, gardening tools, storage bins, photo albums, unfinished wood furniture, hallmark cards, power tools, plumbing supplies, mirrors, cleaning supplies, pet supplies, vacuum cleaners, keys. Shall I go on? Does Unilocal give me enough room, is the real question. Anything I’ve ever needed has been here and has been customized for me! They cut shades to measurements, 2×4’s, chains, you name it.
I cannot stress enough the *excellent* customer service I receive each and every time I come to this store. There are always plenty of people walking around looking to help you, to the point that you think they might be overstaffed. Whenever I go there, I have every question that I ever even thought to ask answered in exquisite detail. Even when I have really stupid questions about things I clearly have no idea about, they are answered in such a way that I don’t feel like a complete idiot for bringing it up. The staff are happy to weigh the pro’s and con’s of different products there to *make sure* you are completely satisfied with what you’re getting and that you know exactly how to use/​install it once you purchased it.
The prices here are very reasonable for such a small and customer friendly store. I have never really found anything that I thought was overpriced. The only problem I can think of with this store is their hours. Not that I’m surprised. Stores, aside from restaurants, tend to close early in our quaint little hood. Accordingly, this hardware heaven closes at 7pm during the week, and sadly is not open on Sundays. This is most unfortunate, since I find I do most of my home improvement and cleaning on Sundays. But c’est la vie. As long as I plan ahead, this place is a small slice of Bob Vila heaven.

I’ve always been the kind of gal that likes a hardware store. Not the big box Lowes and Home Depots, although I’ve spent my share of time in those places… but they hardly count as hardware stores.
But rather, I’m drawn to neighborhood places like this True Value in the North End.
For me, this has never been just a place to go when I need a new key made or a box of picture hangers. Yes, it’s good for those things, but this store is a real browser’s delight and in actuality so much more than a hardware store.
It’s like a really excellent hardware store of old. I remember local places like this growing up in NYC.
I was in here yesterday, eyeing the pizzelle makers and the ravioli stamps. I love the kitchen wares area because you’ll find such an array of cool stuff especially if Italian cooking is your thing. There are also espresso machines, pasta machines, demitasse cups and saucers and other dishware like big pasta bowls.
There is a good selection of terra cotta planters as well as some pretty ceramic ones. You’ll find seeds, trowels, and other urban garden necessities too.
I love that they sell aprons since I’m an apron loving fool and have quite a collection of both new and vintage ones, so I’ve always got my eye out for those.
They have tons of glass storage jars which is another favorite thing of mine. I love Mason jars not just for canning but for storing things and in the summer for use as outdoor drinking glasses. Oh yes!
So whenever I’m in the neighborhood, I always stop in and I almost always walk away with a little something special whether for me or some kind of interesting giftie for someone.
No 5^th star because in recent times I’ve not found the staff particularly welcoming and I don’t like the weird turnstile you have to go through just to get in. Other than that, this is a winner of a place… just wished I still loved close by.

This is the best True Value I have ever stepped into. They carry tons of Italian items every household needs, and I could spend hours browsing in here. When I was here last week I picked up a ravioli stamp, and two gnocchi rollers for my mother and grandmother– all were under $ 10 apiece. I could have bought a lot more– they had lovely pots for outdoor gardens, cute aprons and some unique storage cubes I would have liked to grab. Plus, some really cute glassware, very Italian-​looking.
I never realized True Values could carry more than the standard stuff, but this one definitely is more like an old-​school dime store or Woolworths than a hardware store. LOVE IT.