Shafer’s Ace Hardware

Extremely rude staff. Even the supervisor gave me attitude after his employee lied to me about a product. Also every time I go in I get stalked by staff and called in on the walkie talkie because I have dreadlocks. I’m not a thief, I’ve been purchasing over a $ 150 of supplies there each month, you would think that they would not harass and humiliate their customers. Do not go here and support this business.

This is for the new store at Harris & Harrison. I’ve been in here twice. There are more employees strolling through the store than customers, but oddly enough, none asked if they could help me even though I was wandering about the store unsure where to look for the one item I was seeking. I finally asked a very unfriendly woman, who tilted her head in the general direction I needed to go and said «Aisle 2». I couldn’t see any aisle numbers anywhere so I made my best guess and actually found it. On to the checkout. Only one register, staffed by the unfriendly woman. She took forever to serve the one customer ahead of me in line. When it was my turn, she said «hello» as though she were seeing me for the first time, rather than asking me if I found what I was looking for. She asked if I was in the rewards club. I said no. No response from her. I paid and left. Never so much as a smile or kind word from her. My first experience in the store was even worse… again no help of any kind, and the item I wanted to purchase rang out at much more than the price tag on the shelf said. I left without making a purchase. It’s only a few blocks from my house, but I’ll never go there again unless it’s an emergency and that’s the only option.

This review is primarily for the new Ace on Harris. It’s unfortunate that as you walk in the front door you can see that some idiot has placed a bunch of dead animal heads that are staring out in wonder… wtf.
You know, not everyone wants to see the remnants of these once beautiful and docile animals. I don’t care if people hunt for food, but this need to nail their heads up on the wall is a pathetic attempt to compensate for your tiny… brain. Of course, the other Ace on Henderson, has a host of dead animal heads, too, though not quite as visible. (Hell. I just need to shop at Pierson’s.)
Nice job, Ace, of making a statement that you’re just catering to a bunch of neanderthal yokels. I just wanted to buy a very nice and expensive kitchen faucet. My first and last time at this Ace. Ugh.

I’ve been shopping here for years. Not sure why so many people are whining about their experience here, but I’ve never had a problem. Staff is friendly and fairly knowledgeable, prices are generally reasonable, and they usually carry what I’m looking for. Your basic neighborhood hardware store.

Screw this place. The other day I went in for a screw. I went down the right isles with all the screws, but couldn’t find one to fit my hole. After trying to find it for about 10 mins I decided to ask someone. That was a complete disaster. He looked and looked, called for help, then told me that he couldn’t help me. He also said that it might be in electronics, but the guy who could help me wasn’t there. He also told me that I probably wouldn’t find it anywhere else so I should go to the jewelry store. I ended up going to Peirson’s and getting superior service. The guy even GAVE me the screw for free! In the end, I will NEVER go back to Ace– even though it’s closer.

I like Mark S.‘s first line of his review of Shafer’s, «The more I go here, the more I wonder why.», and until today, had been my general take for the 2+ years I’ve patronized them.
It’s a basic hardware store, with emphasis on the word basic. They’ve no depth of any particular product type– little choice– and though well stocked with what they carry, there is very little variation. It very much comes across as they don’t really want to be a hardware store, so instead of improving that focus, let’s sell guns, and ammo, and crab traps, and fishing gear, and stoves, and anything that has to do with Duck Dynasty, etc., etc.
There are a few pleasant employees, but the people at the registers have always been a dour, if not sour, bunch, with extremely few exceptions– not a smile, a personable comment– certainly nothing to indicate that I was familiar or a regular customer, which I have been, as it was the closest such store to our previous place, and our current home.
Generally the younger employees have been at least pleasant, though rarely helpful, truth be told. The middle-​aged and older people seem nearly aloof, or too good to mix with the riff raff of customers. This a generalization, so is problematic, at best, though this is the feeling I’m left with as a result of my interactions at Shafer’s.
It’s well lit and clean, but is not personable, friendly or inviting. The ONLY thing it has is location, and as Jon A. say’s in his review «Go to the Ace in Arcata…», with which I agree, strongly.
Today I had an extremely unpleasant encounter with «Steven», seemingly a go-​to person and/​or manager. From the outset I felt as though I was suspected– that the assumption was made that I was trying to get away with something. He didn’t understand the situation, but proceeded to act on what he thought he knew, and the more I raised logical, specific questions, the more defensive and antagonistic he became.
This encounter assured that I will spend no more money at Shafer’s Ace Hardware, and avidly encourage others to do the same.

Other then the cashiers… the staff is terrible. They are either not interested in helping, or not knowledgeable. I am forced to go here sometimes, just because it is easy… but when I have time, I go elsewhere. There are many other stores nearby that have a far more friendly and knowledgeable staff. The old men who work at this hardware store are essentially worthless, and should work at Rite Aide or CVS.

I live a few blocks away from Shafer’s Ace Hardware and consider it a real asset to the neighborhood. I don’t recall ever going there and not finding what I needed. I’m always surprised that so much can be offered from such a relatively small building.
They have a pretty complete selection of all hardware needs: Paint, plumbing, tools, hunting and fishing gear. Their garden section is remarkably complete and even includes a large selection of plants. About the only thing I’d stay away from is their very small selection of lumber. You’ll pay a premium for wood there.
It’s a busy place, so sometimes staff won’t be able to spend much time with you. Yet I’ve always been able to flag one down and have them point me in the right direction for what I need.
I’ll give them four stars for having pretty much everything I’ve ever needed in a very convenient location.