Montecito True Value Hardware

For over thirty five years I’ve been utilizing this fine establishment. Great people, great location and a good line of wares. Don’t bother driving across town to the bigbox store, visit your Rincon Valley True Value.

What is your time worth???
The previous reviews mention great service but you pay a bit more.
You can go to the depot store and get no service and maybe pay a few nickels less but remember it’s farther away (more gas) plus LACK of service. So, really visit this locally owned conveniently located neighborhood store to solve your hardware solutions. This place is ‘Maron-​derful’

I like to support local stores, even when that means paying a little more to support the little guys. I’ve shopped at True Value in Montecito shopping center for years, which is why they get the 2 stars. Today I returned an item that was purchased a week ago. I didn’t notice that the packaging was damaged at the time of purchase, it wasn’t until I opened the package that I realized the tarp had cuts in it (that matched up to the cuts I then found on the package). Without opening up the tarp I put it back in the package to return to True Value. I honestly didn’t think it was going to turn into such a big issue. I was told by one person that they couldn’t accept the return because the tarp was wet. Yes, it was wet because the package sat outside when it rained and it got wet because there was cuts in the packaging. I asked to talk with a manager. Another person came over to give me a hard time about trying to return the item, acting like I was trying to pull one over on them by returning the damaged item. He reluctantly told me that they would let me exchange for the same amount. When I returned to the counter to get rung up the same man was again talking about the tarp and that it was a «convenient spot that was damaged» implying again that I was somehow at fault. Overall it was terrible customer service. Why would you make a customer feel badly over a $ 20 tarp that was damaged at the time of purchase instead of just returning and/​or exchanging the item. Way to make a consumer feel bad.

Little hardware stores like this are gems! When you walk in you are greeted by an employee who asks if you need help finding anything. I said, «Yes, I am looking for surge protectors and power strips.» «That will be aisle 3C, sir,» replied the clerk.
At places like Home Depot the employees barely acknowledge your presence.

For a small local hardware shop, these guys all the necessaries for your house. I know you pay a little more sometimes when you shop at small stores, but that gets made up for with the excellent customer service and willingness to help. How many times does one have to walk into home depot and search aimlessly for some guidance for rudimentary questions. I’ll get off my soap box, but if you’re looking for something simple or taking on a project and want to bounce your ideas off somebody with more experience this has been the place to go.

Smaller True Value, but they make up for the more limited stock and very slightly higher prices than the big box stores with solid customer service. Can’t remember a time I’ve ever walked in here and not gotten a polite greeting with an offer to assist, and when I have a question they’ve always been right on top of it. Nice array of plants out front in the warm months too.
Perfect place for small household stuff, espc. if you have minor questions about it.

God blessed me with two left hands when it comes to repairing stuff. Each time I’ve attempted to fix something electrical or mechanical, I usually break something else in the process so it ends up costing me twice as much to repair it.
I’m thankful I have a good job that pays me enough so that I can pay a professional to do the job right the first time. I’ve learned my lessons.
However … there are a few things I can do around the house, like change light bulbs, install dimmer switches, connect hose bibs, unclog a toilet … you get the picture. So when it comes to odds and sods, I always go to the True Value Hardware store at Montecito Shopping Center.
This is not one of the larger True Value stores, but they have usually had everything I need, and if they don’t have something, they will give me recommendations where I can get it instead of trying to sell me something that won’t work.
The store employees are pretty amazing — they are quick to assist, give great advice and even show you how stuff works! It’s an old-​fashioned kind of feel-​good store. We need more places with this kind of business ethic.
Thanks True Value!