Ace Hardware

I no longer shop at either of the big box hardware stores, if Rick’s does not have it on the shelf (which is rare) I can go to
and they ship what I need to the store at no additional charge.
I like the fact that this is locally owned and managed. All of the folks who work there are friendly and know their business. It is hard not to love a store that provides great service.

I went today to replace two floodlight lightbulbs of different size and different wattage. I made one selection in the «specialty lighting» section, but needed help with the other one.
Looked for an associate. Found no one who wasn’t already with a customer. Went to the cashier. She sent the kitchen lady down, who was so friendly and personable, but she knew as much as I know about floodlight lightbulbs.
She snagged Mark for assistance. HE KNOWS HIS STUFF. Looked around and grabbed one that would work.
I had specific needs. Wattage, lumens, voltage and size.
The one he chose would have been perfect, except it was an indoor bulb, which was pointed out by the kitchen lady. He put it back on the shelf and said, «Do not do this. If it gets any kind of water or extremes, it will blow.» He sent me to Batteries Plus. Ace did not have the floodlight I needed.
As long as Mark was there, I asked him to examine the floodlight lightbulbs in my basket, as I had chosen them, and I’m no expert.
The packaging was different — each box to the next, even — and way different from the box I brought in. But the words were the same. He looked, opened one box and examined the bulbs, and said they were fine.
At checkout, I had my Ace Rewards card and two long-​expired $ 10-​off coupons. I told her they were expired, and she made them both work in one transaction. So, I got 4 floodlights for $ 40, instead of for $ 60.
You can’t go to Ace Hardware without getting a bag of popcorn. After my purchase, I returned my cart and snagged a bag of popcorn. Put it in my purse.
While I was getting popcorn, the kitchen lady came over to ask me the difference between indoor and outdoor bulbs. I just repeated what Mark had said, but it made sense. And it’s valid to pay attention to whether the bulb is meant for indoor or outdoor use.
When did buying floodlight lightbulbs become so difficult and expensive?
TIP: Get the Ace Rewards Card. You do not have to go often. You may not think it is worth your while. But it is. I have saved a lot with online coupons and coupons sent through mail, plus email heads-​ups on sales.