Carmel Ace Hardware

I am a general contractor who just moved to carmel to semi retire. Went into
the carmel store and was totally impressed with this stores organization.
cleanest and most organized hardware store that i’ve ever been in and in
40 years in the construction business i’ve been in a lot of them. The staff was
really friendly and helpful and way above what i’m use to. I would recommend
this store to everyone.

The best! Lots of stuff, packed to the ceiling, nice folks who work there… and a garden store also on the other side of the pet store. Will go again.

Hands down, the best hardware store on the Monterey Peninsula. The store is kept spotless and well organized. Staff is excellent and always very helpful. They have an absolutely beautiful selection of items, including a rather extensive tool section for a hardware store. They also have a great selection of difficult to find stainless steel nuts and bolts, including metric and Allen head cap screws.
The store is actually setup as two stores, which I originally didn’t know. If you walk next door, they also have a very nice garden center, which includes a Stihl dealer in the back. The first time I ventured next door, I was surprised to see what a nice selection of Stihl chainsaws and blowers, etc. they had on hand. They also appear to stock repair and service items for Stihl back at the back counter.
I normally don’t get over to the cross roads too much, but this hardware store is reason to make the trip. Just a fantastic selection of items and a great hardware store. Very professional and well run based on my frequent visits and always a joy to browse the isles.

i had a serious problem with a power tool that malfunctioned in an unbelievable way and the owner/​manager solved it to my total satisfaction. I understand that the store will probably have to bear the complete cost of my dissatisfaction but she preferred to accept the cost than lose a customer. I want to laud her decision and promote her business sense. I will take all my future hardware and garden/​grounds needs to this store for the foreseeable future. Thanks!

Nothing new from me, the staff here is extremely helpful and friendly. My experience with Ace stores has been uniformly very good.

Their service is EXCEPTIONAL.
This Ace is one of the best. I have been to almost all of the Ace Hardware stores around the Monterey Peninsula at various times… and this one is clearly the best.
When I did the math on how much better their service is, and how much time (read ‘money’) that saves me, I almost stopped going to Home Depot entirely.
This is a family-​run operation, with fantastic organization, customer service, and prices. Definitely go to the store if you need anything related to hardware, paint, garden, craft etc.

I really miss Brinton’s:-(
I was very happy to hear that the Ace would be opening up and save all Carmelites the agony of getting over Carmel hill on a Saturday when we needed a couple of screws. I have gone in a number of times and been able to find whatever I need, but I have had two issues:
First, for quite a while I was being charged a much higher sales tax rate than I should have been. When I figured it out, I brought it to their attention, they said — thanks! The next time it happened, I mentioned it again and they referred me to the manager. She researched the reason (still not completely sure how it was connected to my Ace card), and that it wouldn’t happen again. I have now made at least 5 different purchases and there was never a suggestion that I should be reimbursed for the extra $$‘s I paid in sales tax (which they get to keep).
The second issue happened yesterday. I went in to get a few small paint brushes for an art project, gave them my Ace card and a couple of coupons I had hanging around (possibly expired?). I wasn’t sure if they would take them, but the cashier said that she would scan it and see. Voila, $ 5 was taken off my total. When she asked if the other one might work, I showed it to her, and when she saw it was expired, she told me no, then reversed the one she had already scanned and charged me the full amount.
Not only have I been paying more for sales tax than I should, but the reversal put me over the edge — this is not how you build client loyalty. You may be convenient, but if someone else has it, I’ll go there first.

Love Love Love this store. This has to be the cleanest/​best decorated hardware store ever. I love their garden section. The employees are very friendly and helpful. I’m glad to see the addition in Carmel!

Totally dog friendly. I took the poodles along with me to buy superglue and glue sticks for a last minute craft project. I was worried that I would have to drive to Monterey but Carmel Ace had everything I needed. Not just one glue stick but several sizes and lengths to choose from.
They were grilling hot dogs outside the day we visited and the nice man gave me an extra dog for the dogs.

Back in today to buy some fluorescent light tubes that go under the cabinets in my kitchen. Needed three 12 inch cool whites. They had about six in stock. Got what I needed, paid about $ 30 and came home and installed them. Nice to know I can get oddball stuff like this here at this store. It will be my first choice as a hardware store from now on.

I guess I posted this review for the incorrect location, hopefully, Unilocal will fix the check-​in link to this location…
This is a newer location, so everything is nice and organized and clean – and the lighting is awesome. PLENTY of close parking.
The staff in this location are the best. I needed a padlock for my luggage, and wasn’t well versed on what kind I needed. I LOVED how the youthful clerk (forgot her name) helped me find the locks that they did have, and «schooled» me on what I really needed (even though they didn’t carry them)! She told me I should seek a «TSA approved» lock because if the TSA decides to randomly search my bag, they’d cut any conventional padlock at MY expense. However if I had a «TSA lock», they have the master key, so they could conduct the search (which they will do regardless) and my padlock would be spared!
Oh, and yes, I did go ahead and purchase three conventional locks from ACE due to her great service – I patronize those that patronize me, that’s how I roll.
Thanks ACE for hiring such knowledgeable and helpful staff members, I WOULD NOT have gotten this same personalized service at the CVS next door!!!
Unilocal Yourself!

I just purchased a Weber gas grill & a number of accessories from the new Ace Hardware in Carmel. They assembled and delivered the grill two days later. My cost
was less than if I had purchased the same grill in a box (!), w/​o the accessories (!), from Home Depot.
They in-​store customer service is way «old school”-everyone is acknowledged when they come in and thanked when they leave, whether they purchase anything or not. It is so good that I often feel «off-kliter»…this type of customer awareness and service just isn’t found many places anymore… I realize that I have gotten used to there not being any real customer awareness and service in most retail settings.
anyway…this a place that I shall return to again & again.

Finally a hardware store to replace my beloved Brintons! No — it isn’t «remarkable» as Brinton’s called itself. Ace is just a hardware store — nothing more. But how wonderful to have one conveniently located near the Safeway at the Crossroads at Highway 1 and Rio Road! This hardware store is divided into 2 sections which is a bit disconcerting, because you have to shop in one section for hardware, and then go outside to the other side of the building for garden. I guess they couldn’t get a retail space large enough to house everything together. Hopefully they will eventually expand and take over the space between the two sections. But regardless — I plan to save gas (not driving to Home Depot in Seaside) and shop at our new Ace Hardware store!