Godwin Ada Village Hardware

I had a terrible experience with their service department. The employee was rude and short with me when he checked in my mower to be fixed. I was close to taking it elsewhere, but I gave this guy the benefit of the doubt, assuming maybe he was having a bad day. But he went on to service my mower without calling with an estimate first (which is standard practice), and tried to charge me for way more than was originally requested.
We negotiated the final price, and I was given my mower without a single thank you or have a nice day. Just handed the bill.
This was really disappointing. I support local businesses first, but this is not how you treat customers.

As a long-​term Ada resident and believer of shopping local, I went out of my way to use Godwin to repair my lawnmower and snowblower. I called ahead of time to verify how long it would take for the work (as the grass was growing!), they indicated 4 days.
Each week that passed I grew more concerned. I didn’t hear from them, so I called. Each time I called, they indicated it would be done within a few days. I requested that before they worked on my equipment, that they call with a quote — that never happened.
After a month without a mower and no outgoing calls from them to me, I finally made an in-​person visit. When I got there, repairs had been done, but at an incredible rate. What was originally ball-​parked to be a $ 35 repair, my bill came to over $ 200. What a surprise, given that they agreed to call with a price before doing any work.
As I read the other reviews that this is a ‘local’ place, I wonder how they can treat customers this way and remain in business. Yes, the the employees are nice, but to be honest, I’m not a customer because they are nice — I am there because they fulfill the commitments they make. Honest prices and realistic lead times are critical to my loyalty as a customer, to which they fall far short of.
My expectations of a local business like Godwin should at least be equal to that of a big box store if not exceed. In this case, they fall far short of minimum expectations.

There used to be town or neighborhood hardware stores like this all over the Midwest. Although much smaller than the DIY megastores, the advantage these stores had were truly helpful and knowledgeable staff (though maybe that was just the owner all by himself). This quaint throwback still seems to be thriving, midst an implausible number of pottery and similar artsy-​fartsy shops in the tiny downtown of tiny Ada. Unlike the helpful hardware stores in the mid 20^th century of the South Side of Chicago where I grew up, this small town hardware store is remarkably clean, and by little hardware store standards, relatively roomy. There were three very helpful workers here, they quickly made copies of housekeys for us. They have an excellent selection of glue, flashlights, burglary tools and… I’ve said too much already.

First of all, I’d like to say that Godwin Hardware in Ada has always been very helpful to me. Last weekend, I realized that I needed to make a last minute adjustment to a marching drum for a wedding I was performing in. The part I needed to stabilize the drum on my leg is no longer made. After a disastrous rehearsal, I knew I needed this part. I flew into Godwin Ada less than 4 hours before the wedding in a panic and they helped me out. (UNDERSTATEMENT.) I showed a picture of the drum part and described how it was to be used. After thinking a moment, the gentleman (that is always helpful) starting pulling pieces, describing options, and worked out a game plan for us. He even cut the metal for me as I did not own the tool to cut it. All of this for $ 12.88 and they wouldn’t accept a higher payment despite my request. Godwin saved the day and my friend’s wedding march. Really. Not exaggerating. It would have been a train wreck without that part. THANK YOU!!!

no reviews for godwin? come on, gr, this is a gem of a hardware store! right in «downtown» ada, across from the speedway with the excellent gas station (ie high octane) coffee, next to ada bike.
all in all, a really great place. the treatment you receive is a long lost (and greatly missed) relic of a day when the hardware store didn’t merely sell you wares, but helped you with projects, gave liberal helpings of advice, and treated you like a friend (or at least a human being– try getting that at megabox store). from a three pack of baby stick on thermometers for a few bucks to awesome stihl kombisystems, and everything in between, godwin is a great little shop.