Pintchik

This is a classic Brooklyn Hardware store that hates their customers — this was a «Thing» in Brooklyn for a long time and this store is just left over and left in the dark from the old days of Brooklyn lore.
For years I went in here to get things for my brownstone and always felt like I was annoying them or could not find someone to help me or the prices were just so high on piddly crap.
I decided never to go there again,…ever again and I didn’t, until recently I had to get paint mixed.
Chris who works there is so helpful, he is really the saving grace of this store — as I asked my questions about low voc vs. other options — he was really patient with me and entertained my concerns — thank you Chris!
Formerly, the owner, I think, a small man with receding hairline would reprimand me about what I needed and had such this old school Brooklyn attitude — he drove me away never to return — just so ridiculous like a schoolboy — he should be fired.
Chris who works there and a really nice woman who rings you up (she knows a lot of everything there) I love her — she is the most vocal person there and organized — if she and Chris ran this place, I would go back and if they priced things reasonably — I mean come on — I would not drive to Lowe’s.
For those of us with Brownstones literally 3 blocks away — most of us prefer to go to the Indian guys on 5^th avenue because they are nice, are helpful and give advice, their prices are normal — I always walk out of there satisfied and ready to do my job.
Pintchik needs a makeover and get with the times — the Old School Brooklyn bad attitude has left town and is not working for you.

The staff made this old gal feel like a capable handywoman. I walked out through their automatic doors, paint in tow, feeling confident that I can take on the task of painting my own apartment. I felt bad-​ass. And for a moment I was Bob Villa.
In this age of technology when you can conveniently order everything online and have it delivered to your doorstep, the brick and mortar placed must respond with great customer service. They will not only stay in business; they will thrive.
The staff is not only courteous, they are also knowledgeable and helpful. They are eager to share what they know and and let you know what you need for your home project, which in my case was painting a room and a few window frames. In addition to knowing their stuff, an employee also called a cab for me when I was ready to go.
I cannot comment on all the inventory as I was very quickly in and out, even though my paint was mixed while I picked up painting materials. They don’t have tiles and directed me to Home Depot in the city, but I’ll be going back to Flatbush for my paint projects.

These guys are super helpful! I can in to get a copy of keys made and I had gone back and forth 4 times to different hardware store because the key wouldn’t work no matter how many times they re-​copied it. So when I get to Pintchik and get not only a copy of keys that finally actually WORKS but they give it to me on the house, I couldn’t believe it.
Great neighborhood store that’s been there for 103 years, how can you hate on that? Will definitely be back for any future hardware needs I’ve got.

Very helpful staff. They advised me as to which products I needed for a particular task and where to find them.
Great selection for a small hardware store; I’ve been there at least 4 times and every item I’m looking for is in stock and a reasonable price.

Unilocalers, this is not the 7^th layer of hell. It is an air conditioned hardware store where the staff is a bit matter of fact… don’t you want that more than the fluffy fluff sometimes dished out at the big box places?
I walked in, asked to get 3 keys cut. Waited for 10 mins while the cutting happen. Handed over around $ 4.50. Walked out. I said my please and thank you’d, and the man who did the key cut said you’re welcome.
Now how bad was that?

I have only been here a handful of times, but I have always left with something that would work for what I needed (not exactly what I wanted, but it’ll work). A little messy, but the staff is helpful. I’ll come back here for small things like nuts and bolts.

They have everything, and their staff knows everything. I have lived in the neighborhood 15 years, and been there more times than I can count. They always have good advice, and get me set with the right tool or item.

I can’t believe this place gets such a low overall rating from you Unilocalers! Thus I am going to weigh in with my own review. Long-​time customer (10 years or so).
One of the first times I was in Pintchik, years and years ago, I was walking through the aisles, browsing hammers or whatever, and suddenly I hear, over the P.A. a somewhat amateur live version of «Don’t Stop Believin’» Could it be? I thought to myself. Live music in Pintchik — yes, sir, it was a live Pintchik karaōke contest right there randomly in the middle of the day at my local hardware store. For me, that cemented a lifetime five star status right there.
And — let’s not forget the Pintchik Oracle! Yes, the sign for a time would answer random questions from people in the neighborhood. Rumor has it that novelist Jonathan Safran Foer manned the controls at one point. True? Not sure but for the Pintchik Oracle, they doubled down, and are up to TEN stars by my count.
Yes, I do actually do some shopping in here. Yes, they are pricier than Home Depot. Yes, I think the service can be inconsistent. But I’ve gotten GREAT service at times at Pintchik, from knowledgeable old timers. Try finding that at Home Depot or Lowes. And where else can you get random afternoon karaōke and/​or advice from a sign. Pintchik rules.

In addition to owning a hardware store, the Pintchiks are becoming landlords of more and more properties. When I was looking for apartments in NYC I researched the landlords and there was no info on the Pintchiks as landlords, which made me nervous. The broker told me the Pintchiks were his landlord (you will probably have the same broker!), and assured me they were great, but, of course, he has a conflict of interest with respect to telling me if they suck. Anyway, in case anyone else is in this situation, I wanted to provide a review of them as landlords, and I’m not sure where to do it besides here.
Honestly, I love the Pintchiks and all the guys that work for them. Arguably, I have reasons not to — we were told we could move into our apartment in January of 2012 and the place ended up not being ready (it was being gut-​renovated) until 6 months later, which caused all sorts of problems. Then, after we moved in, there was still work that needed to be done on our place, so we had dudes doing construction on our back balcony and coming in to do other things now and then. Once that was done, they began work on the lot below our apartment, as a new restaurant was going in there. Shortly after that was done, they started work on the apartment above ours, so there has been construction going on all around us for the 2 years we have lived here. I should be so fed up… but I’m not. Because these guys are GREAT. When we couldn’t move into our apartment right away, they put us up in a lovely apartment temporarily and let us move into it early — before our lease even started. It didn’t have A/​C, and we didn’t want to buy window units because our new apt has built in wall units, so when it got hot we told them about our dilemma and they lent us a box unit to use. While our place was being renovated, asked them if they could modify the plans for the new place by putting in hook-​ups for a washer/​dryer. They worked with us to make that change, which was amazing. The apartment is beautiful — no detail and no quality was spared in anything — appliances, windows, cupboards, counters, light fixtures. Everything was exactly as we’d been promised — some things were even better. The place is gorgeous and it was worth the wait. These guys really seem to take pride in their work. When it was time for us to move, they sent their staff and truck to move us for free, and they were wonderful and careful and quick. There were a few quirks when we moved in — some outlets that didn’t work, little things. But, if we have ever had any issues with anything, we call them and they respond immediately, IMMEDIATELY. and happily fix the problem. The ongoing construction has been a minor frustration, but we expected all of it, they don’t start work until after 9 or 10 every day, so they don’t wake us up, and the workers we run into are always super friendly and courteous. And it will be done soon enough!
In a city like NYC where nobody seems to make exceptions for the customer, the Pintchiks have done so much to make us feel like they really care about our needs, and make us feel like we are still part of the old Brooklyn where people cared about and looked out for their neighbors. The Pintchiks have been in the neighborhood for generations and are buying up a lot of property along Flatbush. They told us they really love this area, and take very seriously the fact that they are getting to play a role in shaping what the neighborhood becomes, and they think carefully about what businesses to give leases to. I have seen lots of small, independent businesses open up on the street just since I’ve been here, things that make the neighborhood nicer to live in, like fitness studios and unique restaurants.
The reviews I read about other landlords make me feel very lucky to have these guys as landlords. Everyone we’ve dealt with has been great, honestly, though I have to give a special shout-​out to Sal, who we’ve dealt with more than anyone else. He is an incredibly nice and honest guy and has helped us so many times!

I’m not going there anymore, the moment I put my foot in there this tall african American man said to me what do you need… with an attitude, so I kept walking and said no thanks I know what I want!
He didn’t like it when I said no thanks so he kept mumbling I had to ignore him.
I end up spending $ 200 and this is the last time I will go there.
Stuff like this bad for business next time I will go to my favorite place Lowes.

Each time I’ve been in here the staff have been courteous and helpful. It’s a big place with good variety. It’s our go-​to hardware store in the neighborhood.

I love Pintchek! They have been my neighborhood go-​to for 20 years. The staff is kind, professional and ever so helpful! On top of that, I recommend when you go to speak to Tommy, he will hook you up with any items and help you save.
Pintchek is so much better than Home Depot or Lowes where no one has the expertise on anything.

As another reviewer wrote, «What IS the problem with this place? The staff seems to go out of its way to make customers feel like they’re a bother.»
Mystifying.
Let me be clear: I like having a local hardware store. I like that it’s not Home Depot. I like that they’ve been here forever. Not a chain. Mom and Pop feel.
BUT…
I DON’T like their attitude, simply awful customer service, their being very slow to help, and reluctant to do so when they do get around to it. Looking up at you and grudgingly asking, «can I help you?» when you’ve been back there about 300 times is not cool. The only time someone was decent to me, he was hitting on me. Not cool either.
I’ll take the cheerful guys across the street any day: no surprise Flatbush Hardware gets 5 stars. They’re friendly and chill, but efficient. You can be in and out of there in no time, including to have new keys made, and such. Not so Pintchik. Sad but true. In this day and age, in a cold New York full of rude people, if you can’t rely on your local hardware store to show minimal courtesy, then to heck with them.

Very helpful staff who have been there forever. This is my first stop for hardware.

I actually love these guys (& gals). I have been here enough times that they recognize me (I am just a normal young woman who is handy around the house — not a contractor btw) and always ask how I am. And that’s not just the owner but even the counter staff. Do they have everything? No. But they are not a huge Home Depot and I don’t expect them to have everything. I usually try here first esp for paint and paint supplies, window shades, general tools, cleaning and garden supplies.
Did they bend over backwards to help me the very first time I went in a few years ago? No, but they gave me advice that was useful and over a few months I was a regular. (And seriously, try asking anyone for real advice at HD or Lowes). They have a customer loyalty program that gives cash credits toward purchases btw, so ask about it if you think you will go there often.

Others have covered some of the downsides to Pintchik very well so I won’t repeat them.
One item of note is that they carry mason jars in stock, one of the few places in Brooklyn or NYC that I have found that have them in stock reliably. And they are priced much better than I have found elsewhere.
They do stock essential items, which is nice. But they don’t have everything. You can order anything from the
website, and pick it up for free. It’s nice to be able to have additional access without paying extra shipping.

This place is pretty darn bad. You can reliably get paint, attachment hardware, and cleaning supplies here. Everything else, throw a dart at the wall and try your luck. The staff is aloof at best, and the prices are 2 – 3 times what you’ll pay at Home Depot. This is the place to go if you *need* Benjamin Moore paint, or if you are in a terrible rush for something very basic. Otherwise, avoid, avoid, avoid.

I would rather go here than to Home Depot any day. Small, helpful staff, stocked with everything you need, and a great paint selection.

What IS the problem with this place? The staff seems to go out of its way to make customers feel like they’re a bother. I’ve pretty much stopped going here after umpteen unpleasant, time-​wasting experiences over more than 15 years, but every now and then I really need something and find myself back inside the hallowed halls of this annoying hardware store.
This morning was a case in point. Because my preferred hardware store (R&A at 109 5^th Ave., across from the Key Food) had not yet opened (it was around 9 a.m.) I stopped into Pintchik’s to purchase some A/​C filters.
On my way in, I passed the elder of the two owners and said «good morning.» He did not reply – only sort of acknowledged my greeting with a nod.
The shop was empty. The lone worker at the cash register was studying the nail polish on her fingers with every ounce of her concentration. She looked annoyed when I politely asked her where the air-​conditioner filters could be found. She pointed to the back of the store and said «the guys in the back can help you» before returning to the important business of her nail-​polish meditation.
I walk to the back of the store. Not a soul. After a minute or two, one of the regular staff appears. I ask him where the filters are. But then the phone rings. He answers it. He gets involved in the call (even though my query preceded the call). He assigns my case to another staffer who happens by. The staffer says he can’t help me, he’s busy doing something else. The two debate about who will help me. Precious moments pass. Finally, the second guy, making exasperated sighing noises, acquiesces and tells me to follow him. We walk back to the front of the store. He checks the shelves. No A/​C filters there. He then remembers where they are – back out by the front cashier who sent me to the back of the store in the first place. An unfrienfly, ineffecient, time-​wasting run-​around for an A/​C filter on one of the hottest days of summer. In an empty store. Pathetic.
I kindly mentioned to the cashier, while paying, that the filters were three feet away from her, plain as day. She looked at me like I was crazy and went back to pondering the eternal beauty of her fingertips.
Earth to Pintchik Owners: Please train your staff to do something other than sneer, procrastinate, ignore, and annoy your ever shrinking customer base.
Meanwhile, for the rest of us, I recommend using the decidedly non-​fancy but friendly and competent R&A hardware store in the blue building at 109 5^th Avenue.

UPDATED 02÷25÷08
Okay, so the paint was great. Service was good. Prices were too fucking high. $ 40/​gallon for this paint… but I must say, it was worth it!
Cool ass store.
ORIGINAL POST
I am about to experience it myself. My brother uses their British Brown paint for some of his restaurant and I think it’s so hot, that I am going to use it for my own apartment!
Let’s hope it’s as great as he raves about!