Back Bay Hardware

i’ve only gone to back bay hardware to duplicate keys, but this is enough for me to give an excellent rating. the key service is quick, affordable, high-​quality, and the keys always work great. not all key makers are created equal and back bay hardware gets the job done. it is also worth noting that the staff is very efficient, straightforward, and really moves the line of people along quickly.

I have mixed reviews on the place. I was immediately asked if I needed help when I came in. The person was very helpful since getting around the store is confusing. Someone else rang me up for the three items I purchased. As I was looking at the receipt 3 seconds after leaving the store, I realized he rang me up for 4 of the same items when I only had 3. When I went back, they tried to make it seems as though there was a fourth item. No apology for the mistake.
I only went here because I didn’t know of any other hardware stores close by. As I am now learning from another review that there is a «no return» policy. I will definitely not be returning to the place again.

Wonderful and helpful. I came for a replacement part which was not available, but they restored my broken part by removing a stuck elbow joint for NO CHARGE! Saved me a very difficult hunt for the part.

Small store that amazingly seems to stock whatever I need. I often stop in on my lunch break because the hardware stores near my apartment are a little too out of the way and would require an extra long walk home at the end of an already long day. The staff consistently greet me when I enter the store, ask me if I need help finding anything, and make sure I’ve found everything I need when I approach the cash register to pay. It’s a tiny bit more expensive perhaps, but the convenience is well worth the small output of cash. I like supporting neighborhood businesses and steer clear of Home Depot at all costs. Thanks Back Bay Hardware, for being a dear little lifesaver!

My most recent check-​out experience sums this place up well in line with my prior review:
Cashier: «Why didn’t you get a lightbulb? I saw you looking at them.»
Me: «Honestly, because they’re overpriced and I’m going to look around elsewhere.»
Cashier: «Oh.» *rings me up*
…as I’m heading out the door…
Cashier: «Wait, are you a student?»
Me: «Not anymore.»
Other (male) customer: «I am though. Is there a discount?»
Cashier: «Not really, that was the pretty girl discount.»

I go here for every little thing I need, and the guys working here have never been anything but top-notch.They are so helpful and kind, and will always go the extra mile– Googling a lamp to make sure i got the right type of bulb, looking in their stock room for something not on the shelves, and even giving customers’ dogs a treat! I’ll never go anywhere else as long as I live and work in the area– I know that I can trust them and that they’ll always help me out.

Love this hardware store! Go in all the time but today was sweltering hot! Please put on air conditioning for customers I do not like waiting around in the heat ! Please fix ASAP! Thank you

$ 22.30 is how much extra it costs for a girl to buy something there (vs a guy). My bf dropped off an appliance for repair. I picked it up; I asked about an extra charge threw on the invoice but they assured me it was standard. When I got home I asked my bf if he’d agreed to the extra charge. He went back to BBH and called their bluff. They refunded the extra charge.

I cannot say enough great things about Back Bay Hardware! Every experience has been a great one, but today took the cake. The battery on my spare car key/​remote in one died, leaving me unable to enter or drive my car in these frigid temps. The folks at the dealership miles away were willing to help for $ 80/​key, hardly an attractive option. The gentleman at BBH spent THIRTY minutes removing the screws from both of my keys (both were stripped), replacing the battery, and putting the keys back together. When all was said and done he charged me for the batteries only, saving me $ 150! (2 keys @ $ 80 each). You cannot find service like this in one of the big box hardware stores. Thanks BBH!

Though not completely unhelpful, staff were more than a little condescending; aloof at best. They had only one option of the tool I needed, priced more than I wanted to pay, and only after it didn’t work out, were they glad to point out the «no returns» policy. Yeesh.
My usual hardware store (Gartner’s, at W 72^nd St. in NYC, not exactly Grover’s Corners) is always understanding when a purchase needs a do-​over. At a time when hammers, nails, and power tools can be picked up at Walgreens along with the milk, only the rarest of household jobs requires a visit to the hardware store. Sadly, while Back Bay Hardware may be where you locate that odd-​sized drill bit, what you won’t find here is customer-​first service.

Great store! They are small, but manage to fit in a good selection of products. They are also very helpful. A real old-​school, classic hardware store!
One of my favorite departments at this store is the unfinished furniture. I got a really nice, solid wood dresser here for $ 200.00. They helped me pick out the paint to finish it, and gave me tips. It came out very nicely! It was between that and a dresser from Pottery Barn, and believe me, this was cheaper. I also have two bookcases I bought here. Good stuff!

(score 1 – 100) — 93. This is the TINY engine that could.
Looking for de-​Icer? they have it. A ¾ inch wrench… they have it… Looking for the style 134 mauve paint, they have it… break a window paine… they’ll cut it for you… wow!
Could possibly be the tiniest Hardware store you will ever walk into… but it has everything. I’ve stop going to Home Depot because I’m constantly surprised that they always have what I’m looking for…
The staff are fantastic, always helpful as SOON as you walk through the door. The prices are incredibly reasonable considering location and savings of not having to leave the city!
This is one of those privately owned businesses that you want to see survive. they offer great service and a even better product… Long Live Vulcan. er I mean Back Bay Hardware!

I love this little store! The variety of selection keeps surprising me. Whatever it is I might need (from gardening tools to stove replacement, and key sets) I can find there. And the service is just great. Staff is always in good spirits and ready to help. A couple of months ago I was desperate looking for a decent lockbox for my key. Amazon failed me, and as last stop I turned to this place. Sure enough they had a selection of lockboxes and the staff was very nice and helped me set it up. When the box broke (GE model flaw) a few months (!) later and I came to the store hoping to fix it. The manager spent nearly 20 minutes attempting to find the core of the problem, and then even offered a complimentary replacement. This was a very nice surprise and definitely recommend this place for its great service and offered assortment.

I like this place for four reasons. First it is close to my apartment in the back bay. Second the people are always friendly and helpful. They know their stuff and can always get you answers for your questions. Third, they have a small space but seemingly everything you could ever need for your apartment/​house. I have never left empty handed when I needed something. It is a true hardware store. Fourth, the prices are somewhat high but not crazy.

BEST BOSTON HARDWARE STORE!
STAFF: 5 STAR… Greetings & Constant Help.
STOCK: 5 STAR… They have a little bit of… everything.
THE DEAL: You might pay an extra $ 1 for something,
to cover the rent on their prime Newbury st location,
but, the TIME & GAS MONEY YOU SAVE is worth it!

Needed help with hangers for paintings.
The gentleman (short, balding, glasses) was SUPER helpful and walked me to the back of the store and gave me a lesson on hanging EVERYTHING. He showed me the different styles of fasteners, hangers, anchors, etc for all of my picture hanging and mirror hanging needs.
The stuff I purchased was reasonable, but I can imagine that some of the stuff in here would be on the high side to make up for the fancy Newbury Street Location but the knowledge of the staff makes it worth it!

It’s a little store with a lot of personality, thanks to the sweet cashier who can help you find what you need AND recommend take out dishes at the same time.
I bought a stove gas connector for $ 40, probably paid a little more for the Back bay location, but as long as it works, I’m happy.
I was told if the connector isn’t the right model, I can return the connector as long as it is NOT opened. Guess I gotta wait for the installation guys to come! :)

Moving to Back Bay and giving up our car would be very difficult without places like Back Bay Hardware. It’s very tiny but they cram as much in there as they can, and there’s really nothing else like it around. The people that work there are extremely helpful. When we moved into our apartment, my boyfriend must have gone there a few times a day for a few days in a row. They were great at giving advice on anything we needed, and did their best to provide the right supplies.
Always ask for help as sometimes it’s hard to find exactly what you need, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.
And they let us bring our dog inside which is great!

Easily my favorite hardware store east of Ohio. I wander the aisles in awe of the design team who managed to cram a full hardware store into the cardboard box of a space that they inhabit and once I get over the amazement I ask one of the unbelievably friendly and helpful employees where the specific thing I need is, he takes me right to it and the five variations that they have, rattle off the differences, and help my make the right decision.
It really is a weird feeling walking out of there, turning around, and realizing that everything just went down ina space about the size of my kitchen.
Kudos to you Back Bay Hardware, I’m a shopper for life.

When we moved to Back Bay, Back Bay Hardware was a lifesaver. They carry all the odds and ends you inevitably need in your new home: lightbulbs, screws, dustpans and brooms, wall hooks, and cleaning supplies. We bought a stepladder here to help us reach high shelves and a wheeled cart to help with grocery shopping. I don’t think there’s anything we needed that Back Bay Hardware didn’t have.
As other reviewers have mentioned, this is also a great place to get keys made. They make the keys quickly and for a low price. All of the keys I’ve had cut here worked, too. I know this seems like faint praise, but it’s not that uncommon for a new key to be just a bit off, so kudos to Back Bay Hardware on this one.
The staff is also very friendly and helpful, and will quickly help you locate what you need.
The cons of Back Bay Hardware are few, but worth mentioning:
1. It’s a bit expensive. You pay for the convenience and the neighborhood.
2. The store is tiny, which means it can get crowded quickly.
3. The tiny store also means the merchandise is arranged vertically and some items can be hard to reach or find. As previously mentioned, the staff is great at helping you find things, but if the store is busy, you may find yourself on a wild hunt for shower curtains or lightbulbs!