Ace Hardware & Paint

Great selection of hardware items, but I dread going to this location because of they continually allow salespeople to set up shop either outside or in the vestibule. I get tired of hearing about all the sales and special promotions(than never seem to expire) going on. Have some class, Ace Hardware Store owner.

Extremely friendly people. It even feel like your mom and pop shop. Found a great variety of spices. Would come here again. I definitely felt welcomed, and right from the moment that I entered was asked if I needed help for anything to go ahead and ask any of the staff members for help, and that was a lady behind the register who greeted me. The lady very politely interacted with my child gave her a sheet of a coloring book, asked for my daughter to color it and bring it back for it to be hung amongst others.

I used to really enjoy going to the Ace Hardware in Apple Valley. It was my go-to place whenever I needed advice on tools or help with a project. Over the big box stores, I always preferred shopping here. But now, I actively avoid going there because I hate being stopped by Anderson Windows and Doors every time I leave. I don't need a fourth encounter with their annoyingly pushy salesmen, who stand right next to the exit door as I try to leave the store. Anytime I want to shop there now I stop in the parking lot and look to see if Anderson is there or not and leave if they are. Always a great store otherwise.

I have been a long time customer of the Uptown Ace Hardware store in Lakeville. They have taken great care of me over the years; very knowledgeable, wonderful service and products. Unfortunately they no longer have their mechanic so that work has been shifted to the Apple Valley store. So when I called Apple Valley Ace, I ended up speaking with the manager, Cam. Unfortunately, I could immediately tell he had had a long day. He sounded tired and irritable. When I described the problem I was having with my snow blower, gas leaking like a sieve, Cam was much more interested and explaining why they would not stand behind the tune-up and work that had been done in December of 2023, for the same issue, than assuring me that they could help me get my snow blower up and running again. I was not worried about paying for the work, I was focused on getting the 7 inches of snow out of my driveway. Cam said it would be at least a week before they could come pick up the snow blower! Needless to say, I found someone else to help me. Ace has now lost a long-time customer and strong supporter of a local businesses.

Oh my goodness, has this place really nosedived in customer service! It used to be the gold standard, but lately, with whomever is in charge—because we do not know—it’s really suffering. I’d rather go to Menards, Home Depot, or Amazon, where even though you can’t find any help, at least no one insults you verbally. Two weeks ago, I brought my snowblower in for a tune-up. I did what I always do: I brought it around back, expecting help unloading it because, look, I am 70 and can’t do what I used to as a younger man. Well, no one was around, so I unloaded it myself, brought it inside, and told a young man I needed it repaired and explained what I wanted. He directed me up front to leave a deposit, which seemed odd since it is only $40, and they already had my $300 snowblower. It felt unnecessary, but I left the deposit and headed back to my car. It is not like I would not come back to get my machine. As I was leaving, the young man who had helped me earlier scolded me for not going to the front first when I brought it in. I just looked at him, and he said, "That's the way you need to do it next time." I thought to myself, "If there's a next time," but I let it go. A few days later, I was called and told my snowblower was ready for pick-up. Great! I went in yesterday to get it and needed a gas can as well. I approached the front counter and told the gentleman there I was picking up my snowblower. He spread his arms wide and said, "Does it look like I have a snowblower up here?" I informed him that, during my last visit, I was instructed that all business was done up front, so I assumed that was the process. Clearly, I was wrong. I went to the back, got my paperwork, grabbed the gas can I wanted to purchase, and headed back to the front. I had a $5.00 coupon for the gas can. The cashier rang up the snowblower, no problem, but then processed the gas can as a separate transaction (why two transactions, I have no idea, but okay). When I asked why the coupon was not applied, he told me he could not get it to work. I pointed out that the coupon was valid until 9/30/2024 for any purchase over $25, for which this qualified. He simply shrugged and said, "Sorry, what do you want me to do?" I told him I wanted my $5.00 discount, but he just shrugged again. Frustrated, I asked if it was worth stealing $5.00 from a senior. While I was trying to explain this to him, they brought my snowblower up. I thanked them since I didn’t have to pull around and asked for help loading it. The guy just walked away and I was stunned. He may not have heard me, but still, there was the day when they could not wait for you you to help them load it, seriously, those were the good days. I left the store upset, struggling to load the snowblower into my car, when a kind stranger (not an employee) came over and asked if I needed help. He helped me load it. I tried to tip him the $5.00 I would have given the employees if they had helped, but he kindly declined. I went back on Monday because I decided to return the gas can, the lady that helped me was nice, said she was the assistant manager. She said she had to refund the original purchase price, then re-ring it with the coupon for $5.00 off. She could not get it to work either. The register said it was supposed to be a 50.00 purchase but the coupon clearly said 25.00 She said she would get it corrected and get my credit. Well now I have been charged for 2 gas cans and gotten a 8 dollar credit when I only was supposed to get a 5.00 and I never received a refund that I was supposed to get as the were trying to fix this mess. I called in on today (Wednesday) to see where my credit was. I was told I had to come in and they would gladly help me. I am the one that they are trying to screw and I have to waste time and gas to come back and get it resolved. I do not want to set foot in this store again. It is a miserable experience and I will never come back. that’s my story. Yet another reason why Gen Z and some millennials have made online shopping so popular—you don’t have to deal with them.

Have had riding mower serviced there several times with great results. Recently contacted them because of a repeat issue from the previous season. Repair department was backed up for 2-3 weeks, the repair Director came to my house after his shift and fixed my issue the same day and would not charge me for the service. Very impressed with the level of customer service.

Thank you so much Sarah for all of your help and guidance with online orders and delivery. Sarah was so helpful with going out of her way to contact customer support and help complete my order and get delivered! She went above and beyond to help rather than making me figure out myself like most places these days. I will definitely be coming here for everything possible!

That's what I love about my local Ace Hardware and not so much Menard's or Home Depot. The daytime cashier recognizes me and as time allows we keep each other up on the TWINS. I always go to Ace when I need something specific as no matter how small. The sales help will find it and ask about what it is I'm working on. Sometimes they will have good advice or just friendly conversation. I had a supervisor at my old job who always said, "it's the little things that matter."