Lee Valley Tools

If you’re a homeowner, a handy-​person, a gardener, or a DIY buff you should be familiar with Lee Valley Tools.
They have a fantastic selection of gardening equipment, basic and speciality woodworking tools, time saving gadgets and hardware (hinges, cabinet fittings, drawer pulls). While the range of items isn’t as broad as a «big-​box» store, every item has been tested and specifically selected for quality, effectiveness and/​or value.
Prices on things like work benches and power tools are quite high, but in those cases you are getting the best of the best. Prices on hand tools and hardware are often on-​par or better than a big-​box, with a level of service and product knowledge I’ve never even come close to seeing elsewhere.
The shopping process is a little different, but shouldn’t be that strange for anyone that remembers Consumer’s Distributing. Browse the shelves or the electronic or paper catalogues, fill out an order slip, take it to the counter, and they’ll pull your order. Staff range in knowledge and areas of expertise, but will pass you off to the right person if need be. In a visit last year we had someone very patiently walk us through the differences in pruning shears for almost 15 minutes after they were supposed to be closed to make sure we were getting exactly what we needed.
And that brings me to my only real complaint about Lee Valley Tools, the hours. While they are open until 9 on Thursday and Friday, they aren’t open on Sundays, and it can sometimes take a little planning to make sure I can get there. Still, I suppose that can be emblematic of a business culture that encourages taking your time, planning with purpose, fixing instead of replacing, paying a little more for quality instead of buying junk again and again, and learning, and doing. And all that adds up to five stars for me.

I have been in here 3 times buying a gift for my dad and each time they get ruder. I am pretty sure they just hate their customers. You can’t even beg for forgiveness in this place if you miss a step, fill out the wrong form or get in the wrong line.
I would strongly recommend going somewhere else but if you must get something from here save yourself the aggravation and belittling by the staff and order off their website.