True Value By Ideal

I have never been one to Unilocal — but after my experience with this store, I came home and created an account.
I live about ¹⁵⁄₂₀ minutes from true value and was short 2 door hinges. I called ahead to make sure they were still open and that they had the hinges I was looking for. After being told yes to both, I headed on down.
I arrive and the nice kid at the desk walks me over the appropriate aisle. In the aisle, there were 3 salesmen standing around. After asking where the hinges were, I was told «they were doing inventory» and that I’d «have to come back tomorrow, they cannot sell anything in that aisle.» I simply stated how my contractor was about to leave for day and that I was desperate. One condescending salesman said again with a higher tone «COME BACK TOMORROW!»
I will just conclude by saying I will never go back to that store again. They had the hinges in stock, but due to «inventory» during store hours, they refused the sale.

Was delighted to find a really large hardware store so close to home, thereby avoiding the trek to Home Depot. Although a pretty large place, the selection for many things is very limited and the prices considerably higher for the privilege of not having to go to a mega hardware store. But the annoying part of shopping there is the fact that there are many, many salesmen roaming the store but very little real help. They’re often standing around talking to each other but once you actually find one to speak with, they barely offer any information or assistance. If that were Costco, they’d be better suited to giving out free samples. So when you’re there, a salesman might vaguely point you to a section but that would be the end of any interaction. I’ve decided that convenience of location is definitely not enough.

This store is owned by a local Waltham family so although it is a new, modern building staff makes you feel like you are in an old time hardware store. They don’t sell lumber, but they have just about everything else you need. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful and gives you the kind of service you just won’t get at one of those big box stores. This is also a great place to get your propane tank refilled. If you want to shop local this is a store you should check out. Ample free parking in rear.

True Value was an absolute lifesaver for me to have nearby as I moved to the area in March. I was in need of various things, from lightbulbs to a screwdriver and various other household items for the bathroom, the kitchen and our bedroom. Oh and I also needed some items for my Weber grill.
While it’s not as big as a Home Depot, or possibly as cheap, they do makeup for it with their excellent customer service. I found their selection of things, from tools and grilling things, to cleaning products and lawn products to be fantastic. From fans and AC units, to charcoal, outdoor furniture and paint, they have you covered.
So why go there instead of Home Depot? Well first off, you find things way quicker there. You won’t get lost in aisle 135A trying to look for superglue. The store is big but not huge and is very well maintained, is clean and well organized as well. I’ve been a repeat customer of theirs and have not hesitated to go there even for one or two minor items.
Every single time I’ve needed help everyone was very courteous and very helpful and for those grill fanatics out there, they’re an official Weber retailer and carry a ton of things from charcoal to wood chips and all kinds of spices and parts. Best of all, they have a large, private lot and are conveniently located right on Lexington Street, just a minute or two away from Waltham’s Common.

1. Prices are marked up considerably compared to other places in my experience
2. Customer service is attentive, they ask if you need help, but for there on out, they’re weirdly aggressive and not helpful (example: «I TOLD you where the battery is» despite the fact he didn’t actually listen to the type I wanted and I had to go back and explain to him again)
3. I drove out there w/​the fam after calling ahead for a specific item that he claimed was in stock. It wasn’t. Totally unprofessional– he said it was a mistake, but that’s not a mistake, that’s a deliberate falsehood.
4. Closed on Sundays, of all days.
Never going back.

I thought the locally owned store was supposed to have the best customer service. On a recent visit this summer, I decided to buy a bag of grass seed. Not just grass seed, but that fancy brown stuff that fluffs up when you water it. That stuff was close to $ 40 for the bag, but I figured, what the heck.
A week later, after I put the seed down, I am in Home Depot. I happen to be in the seed section and I notice the same bag of seed, same size, is $ 28. Seriously? No sale price, no clearance. Regular price was $ 10 less than True Value. True Value’s price on the seed was 30% more than Home Depot. I was pissed.
So I decide to go back to True Value and ask if they price match the other retailers. The girl at the register says, uh, no I don’t think we do. Seh said she would call a manager to ask. I hear her talk to the manager on the phone who says that they don’t price match. She hangs up and tells me so. So I ask to speak to the manager wishing to question him on if this was company policy. She rings him back up and he tells her that no, he would not speak to me and would not come to the front of the store.
I could not believe what I heard. A store manager would not come to the front of the store to speak with a customer.
Furious, I tell her that I was not leaving until I speak with the manager. Still no dice. I tell her I would find him myself, and walked to the back of the store over by the contractor counter asking for the manager. I was pissed and I wasn’t leaving until I heard from him that the company policy is not to price match, and furthermore, not to grant a good will exception and offer some kind of a credit or coupon, or anything to keep the customer happy.
Finally after a few minutes the manager comes out of his hole and asks if I am the one who wanted to speak with him. We have a relatively civilized conversation where he tells me that they do not price match for any reason. So I say that this would be the last time I shop at this store on principal alone and he says, fine, that’s your choice, good bye.
That’s customer service? No thanks. I am practically on a first name basis with half of the Home Depot staff. Why would I shop T.V. when they just don’t care if you shop there or not, and get to pay 30% more for the privilege?
And the hours? Are you kidding me? A hardware/​home goods store closing at 6PM every day and CLOSED on SUNDAY? WTF?

They have pretty much everything u need, if not they can «special order» it 4 u :)

I was trilled to learn that my arduous treks to Mt. Home Depot in Waltham might be over, and I was right… this place IS my new hardware store. This True Value is family owned and operated and has the hometown charm that the big-​box stores seriously lack. Within minutes, I found exactly what I needed in plumbing and the clerk on staff was friendly and helpful. Definitely check this place out… it’s much larger than it looks from the outside… the selection of home improvement supplies and tools is excellent.