Reel Lumber Service

I went for the first time this week looking for some exotic woods. Their selection was outstanding! Their prices also seemed very reasonable (though I must admit I am not a wood pricing expert). After looking around for a few minutes I engaged the first person I saw (Tom) and asked for help. Tom was very informative and walked with me for a solid 15 minutes discussing the different pricing and the types of wood. I did not expect much in the way of customer service based off of previous reviews but I went there hoping for the best, and the BEST is what I got!!! Thank you Tom for really taking the time to explain to me the qualities of the different kinds of wood with me to find the right kind of exotics for my project! I did not get the chance to engage anyone else but I have many projects coming up and I will definitely be going back.

Why would a company allow such miserable customer service. I walked around for 30 mins and tried to get some help. No way. Spent my money somewhere else.
They should fire everyone on the floor and start from scratch.

Reel Lumber is not only a place for contractors. There are times when the employees do get busy and they do so because the lumber are all great quality and cheaper than the other local lumber yards. I teach woodworking in Corona at The Corona Heritage Park and I send all my students there for their solid hardwoods and plywood goods. Tom, the manager at Reel, have always made the shopping experience for all new woodworking students a good one for years. If your experience is less than what you hoped for then speak up while you are there. By the way, Larry E’s statement… everybody do usually carry out their own lumber. The employees does help customers with lumber and large sheets of plywood. Just mention it at the desk when you are paying for it and they will help.

I do scroll saw work and intarsia for a hobby and this place has a massive selection of the types of wood i use every day. They also will cut my ply wood for me for a buck and that’s pretty sweet. Their service is total sh! t though. Their younger employees don’t have a clue about how to be friendly or inquisitive to really understand their customers and I would suspect this hurts their business. Go for the wood and stay for the service would be a good slogan but it just isn’t true. Go for the wood and then find any good pieces yourself, carry it to the counter yourself, haul it out to the car yourself, etc etc etc. Get to work on this Reel lumber!

Love the lumber here. Hate the customer service. As a homeowner, I have had to go here to pick up stuff for various contractors working on my house. Every time– without exception– the staff is condescending and rude. They must believe only contractors go there. Be forewarned– the products are great. The staff– terrible. If there was another place in town– I’d go there.
Maybe they figure they are the only ones around so they don’t have to be courteous.

I called them up because I want framing lumber; they don’t do construction lumber, just hardwoods and related.

This is the place to go for exotic woods and hardwoods.
Rockler is for wimps and ninnies.
If you need an 1/​8″ piece of Coco Bolo or Purpleheart, then Rockler may suffice, but if you need a 20′ BEAM of wonderful wood, then head to Reel Lumber. It is basically a dark and dingy warehouse full of very beautiful and very expensive wood. And you can buy as much as you like. I guarantee that you will find a kind of wood that you have never heard of in this place. Try it. They also have huge rolls of exotic veneers, so if you are wanting to face all of your cabinets in Zebrawood, head their way.
The staff is a bit standoffish at first, but they warm up and get talking after a bit. Try talking about what their most expensive wood is and they should loosen up (I think it was Tulip Wood?) although they still won’t be too helpful. These guys sell a lot of wholesale, so they are not huge on customer service, especially to the customer coming in wanting 2 board/​feet of something rather than their usual 2000 board/​feet.
There are no prices on the boards on the floor, so you basically find a piece you like, take it up front (I know, it is a pain to take up a 20′ beam of Walnut Wood) and they will give you a price and cut it down for you if want a piece smaller than 20′.
They price the wood by the board/​foot. You’ll have to ask them how much of the particular piece you are holding that will amount to.
They have some limited finishing products, but may have what you are looking for. They also have exotic and hardwood trim if you need some Cherry crown molding.
There is parking BEHIND the building, so don’t be afraid if you just see a large warehouse with only a busy road to park on. Go down the alley to the south of the building and park in their parking spots.
Fun place if you enjoy woodworking. Boring place if you do not. I do.