Pini Ace Hardware Inc

Went in to figure out why my shower handle fell off. Took in the pieces and photos. But the minute Greg saw the piece I didn’t even have to say a word. He knew immediately. Pulled out the part and away I went blank said Greg was the plumbing wizard and he was right. Next challenge — Try to stump him! Thanks guys. I live cling to pini! Judy

Love these guys! Not like Home Depot where you can’t find anybody they find you!

Truly 4.5 Unilocal Stars. Great Selections, Specialty items here too. This is a Fun Shop Hardware and Home store.
Whatever you looking for_​_​_​_​You will have much more here to choose from. And so many things You Never Seen BEFORE!

Service is the word here. Home Depot is cheap this place is good. Their pricing is competitive their selection is good for their size. Obviously they don’t have the selection of HD or Lowes but they are local and can offer actual expert advice for normal household «honey — do» type projects. Feels right to support this local store as well.

A breath of fresh air compared to Home Depot. This store is always well staffed with knowledgeable people who are willing to help. I can not walk more than 30 feet into the store without being greeted and asked if I need help. The store has pretty much everything you would need for most home repairs and improvements. I feel I’ve saved so much money with their expert knowledge, I have been walked through various repairs including plumping and electrical work. The staff are experienced in many fields, paint, garden, construction, plumbing, etc… Can’t say enough great things about this hardware store.

I’m sorry to say that today was the worst customer service experience I have ever had at pini ace hardware. It was at the key counter. I was greeted when I entered the store and ask if I could be helped. I said thank you but just getting a key made today. As I approached the key counter the gentleman was cleaning the equipment and said just a minute. I prepared my keys. I had to special order a key from the auto dealer for a vintage car. The key came to my home. Before I could say anything he grabbed the keys and said oh this is an online key I can cut
It but it will be $ 3.49 and I’m not responsible if it doesn’t work. I said I understand your not responsible for the key since I didn’t buy it from you but it’s from a dealer but I said I had the same type
Of key cut on Friday and the gentleman didn’t
Charge me since he could guarantee it would work. He said doesn’t matter it’s still gonna be $ 3.49 and I’m not responsible if it doesn’t work and if you don’t like it speak to the owner. I was taken back by his attitude because I was willing to accept that fact that they weren’t responsible for a key I brought in but I felt like he didn’t care enough about it to even attempt to cut the key. So I ask for it back and told
Him no thank you. I try to support the local stores as much as possible and usually their customer service is great but this guy must been having a bad Monday. I Diego e them 2 stars because 2 other people greeted me while entering and again while
Exiting. But I wouldn’t let this particular person even attempt to cut a key for me.

Katherine was very helpful and the owner accepted the Unilocal coupon even though they no longer participate!
The owner needs to contact Unilocal and update their offer.

Everyone here is always kind and ready to help! I’ve grown up going to this store (at its various locations around Novato), and it is still one of the best places for your home needs. And now they have all kinds of kitchen gear too! Le Creuset for really good prices, I’m impressed. We picked up some canning lids here the other day, and they also have kids crafts from time to time.. .there is something for everyone here. :)

Super friendly staff that is very helpful and knowledgeable. I can go in here and ask any home improvement question and not feel dumb. I get accurate advice and directions on what I need to buy and what I should avoid (never feel pressured to buy any unnecessary items). People who work here seem happy to be at work, too, which speaks to how they are treated. They have ample workers at the checkouts (never wait too long) and are well-​stocked. I get my Christmas tree here each year and it stays fresh and beauty for over a month. I also shop here for to augment to my gardening/​building gadgets, to have keys made, and to get paint. Just a lovely place with a warm atmosphere.
On a side note, I also love their humorous march during the Novato Fourth of July Parade.

Always friendly and knowledgable staff with lots of experience in home improvement. Their recommendations are always top notch and knowledge of the product is incredibly useful. Reasonable prices and supporting the local businesses is always a good thing. Highly recommended to go here for any of your home improvement needs

Love. Love. Love this store. Great location. Great selection. Oh, and the assistance cannot be beat. Whenever I need something I head here. The big stores are toooo big and no one around to help out. Will always return here.

The Store carrys generic products, often very poorly made that leave you returning to the store for a refund. Here’s where the fun begins. A receipt isn’t good enough. You must bring the packaging, it has a sku number that they insist upon.
I don’t think they understand the power of the internet, as I often find myself using it, rather than pay their prices.

John the General Manager was very helpful and knew about the lightbulbs we needed. Super friendly excellent service. Beats home depot on passion for hardware.

Very friendly and helpful employees. And dog friendly to boot. Unlike a number of other hardware stores I’ve visited in Marin, there’s always someone ready to help you find what you need at this place.

I love this place I really do. They ALWAYS make shopping easier… BUT, whatever you do don’t buy one of those colorful patio umbrellas. First of all they fade in 3 – 4 weeks and then you have a GREY umbrella. Then they fall apart. I bought two and I took one back and got another one and it broke again. Now they’re both in the junk pile.
Pini’s: Don’t sell crap like that.

Yes they are five start establishment in all areas but one… price. they cost a lot but thats the only bad part. You get expert service and amazing results. They have everything you’ll need other than milk and eggs. Love this place. Oh, and they always have whiffle balls. Its a must buy everytime.

If Linda hates her job so much that she has to act like a blow hole while at work, maybe she is too bitter and worn out for customer service work.
Everyone else I’ve ever run into there is very nice, helpful, and even lively and enthusiastic.
Linda has the dead on arrival personality of a rabid skunk.

I LOVE this Ace!
The selection is great, the people are great, the parking is easy.
The employees here are seriously the best around. They have real interest in lending help and guidance unlike some stores where my awkward gazes for help are avoided like the plague.
Thank you Pini Ace!

Their hours are so-​so, their selection mostly limited by the fact that they are an ACE affiliate and not independent, and their prices are crazy-​high. What kills me is how so much cheap stuff made in China can cost so much!!! Really!!! Head down the road to Jackson’s Hardware in San Rafael. Or, if you don’t mind cheap stuff made in China, head across the highway to Target and get it for half the price.
Examples:
A 2×4 is $ 5.99 at Pini which is 53% more than at the local lumber yard which sells the same 2×4 for $ 3.92!
I tried to order some air duct caulking once and the lady told me it «wasn’t in her catalog» so she couldn’t get it. (Home Depot and Jackson’s stocks it, I just didn’t want to burn 3 gallons of gas getting it.)
The ACE hoses suck and alway need new ends put on them. They stock either hella-​crappy plastic repairs or so-​so brass repairs for a ton of dough. They say «It’s the only way to fix a hose.» Well, across the isle in plumbing they had some more robust parts that the guy spaced out on apparently.
I got into a verbal spar once with another employee that was trying to help me in electrical. He insisted that 10 gauge wire would get too hot on a 20 amp circuit and I should use 12 gauge… He kept telling me: «It’s too thick, it will get too hot!» Wow. Just wow… I wonder how many fires in Novato are caused by bad advice at Pini? I shouldn’t have even told him what I was doing!
Then, they put «Impulse Alley» at the cash registers with tons of incredibly junky toys made in China for a penny and sold here for a dollar. It is merchandised at kid height and if you shop with your kids this causes terrible contention and unneeded stress. What a cheap shot at more profit Pini! Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!!! Seriously, how many parents cave in and give Pini a few more bucks of sheer profit for some petroleum landfill. Yes, that’s what plastic (technically «polymers») is, it is petrochemical garbage!!!
I just bumped them from two stars to three because they have improved their fastener section a bit.

As a contractor sometimes I’m in a hurry or it’s a Sunday so I have to stop in here and grab a few items only because Novato only has 2 places to get things for repairs or building. As all ace hardwares are they are overpriced because they can be, as there are no other options in the area.
What irritates me about this place is the customer service, it’s great to have someone there to help if you need it but to be asked «can I help you find something?» 10 – 15 times during a short visit to the store is really irritating especially if your trying to think about what might work for a repair. Sometimes 2 – 3 times from the same person following you around. Many times there are more people standing around asking if people need help than there are customers in the store.
Novato really needs a Friedman brothers or something of that sort.