Rubenstein Supply

I have been going to the store on San Pablo for about 25 years. I always hated the «old school assholes» from the trade stores and was relieved when home depot opened so that I could see the parts and understand the costs. But,
The crew at Rubensteins has always been helpful with very little attitude. If you need lots of advice then try Ace hardware on Grand. Ruvbensteins generally have everything I need in stock or can order within a few days. John is exceptional in his ability to go out of his way to respond to me and follow through, either by phone or e-​mail. He always ensures that I am getting the trade price even though I am an architect.
As a professional in the business, Anna is more than helpful in putting together orders, working with clients, and giving me feedback on different items. I am always specifying unusual fittings and get no complaints from Anna. I have priced plumbing with multiple suppliers in the bay area and have found Rubenstein’s pricing the best with the best level of service.
Rob Kelly

I truly can’t say enough about the staff of this company! I come to promote my own water damage business and everyone there is excited and happy to see me every time. Not only do they make me feel welcome, they are kind to their customers and get things done fast. I also have to say, the owner, Mr. Rubenstein is great as well! Such a personable guy and whenever I am there, he always says hello, asks me how I’m doing and how business is. I really can’t say enough about everyone at this branch. They make me feel so welcome, that in turn I feel a part of the Rubenstein Family!

They had the parts I needed and patient people to explain the great unknown world of bath fixtures to someone having to deal with an emergency loss of hot water.

Excellent customer service! The guys behind that desk are all knowledgeable, kind and efficient. They have an incredible supply of plumbing supplies and fixtures. I did not get the name of the guy who helped me but he made a huge effort to find the exact fixtures I needed to replace a toilet seat. He didn’t even ask if I purchased the seat from them (which I did!).
I inquired about their vanity offerings and worked with Anna – who is the bomb. She was very patient not only by answering all kinds of questions (our first bathroom remodel!) but she also took the time to offer advice about our remodel. She was efficient, smart and friendly. Love that there are still awesome family-​run businesses out there.

Has almost everything you need in stock here. If not in stock they can order it.
They can beat anyone’s prices in the bayarea and near the prices at online stores. In fact a couple dollars less than I could find online.

Been shopping at Rubies for 25 years plus.
It’s a family owned business with many long term dedicated employes. There are strong on the plumbing and heating for contractors.
I shop there because of the customer service and knowledge of the trades. They are not a hardware store. But they do have a showroom and sit down sales people work on special orders.
Safe parking. Bad coffee. – Update! Coffee has gotten better:)

This place is Legit, nice people tons of stuff.

Knowledgable friendly customer service. Carry Toto brand toilets, simply the very best. Have always had what I needed.

Great customer service. We are doing a big remodel and needed to coordinate and purchase fixtures throughout the house. Staff were patient, knowledgeable and helpful during the 3 times we shopped. Thank you!

Summary based on several transactions:
— while oriented to the professional trade, patient and helpful with others (my experience is difference than some, it appears)
— better advice on replacement part strategy than some in the area, especially Berkeley
— ok prices
— takes credit cards
— good parking in the rear
Worth a drive.

I own an auto repair shop and know about cars but when it comes to commercial heating I need some help. When a contractor offered a bid that seemed very high I looked around and couldnt find the right heater. I had purchased a furnace at Rubenstein’s a couple of years ago (picked out by a contractor) so I called and showed up to talk to a sales rep. They answer their phone on the first ring, by the way. I got great service at the store and followup service on the phone and by email. When I had a problem with the installation I got more support and the unit is working fine now. Go to Rubenstein Supply and tell them you need help figuring out the best course of action and they will do their best to help you.

This is the only plumbing supply house for professionals that is open on Saturday mornings. I can’t tell you how many times that has helped our company out. It’s not always the fastest service, but it is always friendly and the prices are reasonable.

Very helpful and friendly staff, have gotten lots of free advice from them over the phone so when it came time to buy a new kitchen faucet for a remodel I went here even though I probably could have saved a few bucks by buying online.

I needed a good quality sewage ejector pump. Not the everyday item I admit. They did not have it at the San Pablo store. So they did find it at one of the other branches and got it there with one day.
It is a contractors supply. However, most of the time if you just fess up at these places that you don’t know what you don’t know they are pretty good. Also … timing is everything. If you show up at 8:00 — 9:00 when the phones are ringing service will be worse than at 6:30 when they open.
I’ve had the pump now for going on seven months of regular service and it’s working great. It’s a Meyers pump.
With Home Depot dropping things they consider «commercial» places like Rubenstein are going to be needed. For instance, I need some test plugs now for a bathroom remodel I’m doing. Home Depot doesn’t carry them anymore. I’ll be at Rubenstein Saturday most likely to get some.

First of all, this is a store for contractors, not for the general public. Second, this is not a showroom. Third, you have to wait for counter service. Re-​stocking fee? Well yes, it says so in writing in the waiting area. See item «first.» This is not set up as a store for the general public. So if you are the general public, treat the guys and gals with respect. Now, even as a member of the general public, Rubinstein is my go-​to place for bathroom fixtures and faucets. They know what they are talking about and are willing to teach me what I need to know. Their products meet California environmental standards (some on-​line don’t) and are all good quality. I have been in several times — sometimes just to ask questions — and have always been treated with respect. Maybe you just get what you give.

An essential resource but customer service can be slow — depending on who you get.

I have to give these guys at Rubensteins 5 star rating because 98% of the time they have what I am looking for or need. I can at times when they are busy with other customers grab my parts and have them ready for the counter person to write me up. I get a good morning or a good afternoon depends on what time I get there.
As a Contractor it is hard to get materials in a expidite manner. It feels good to be called by name.
I do not know who the other people are that says you guys do not care or have to look up prices to special order but they also do not know that you mostly deal with Contactors. So all you people who are whinning get over it. Home Depot sells crap and cant even remember where the plumbing isle is.
You guys keep up the good work at Rubensteins.

The guy i had was helpful. I do not know all the terminology either, but the guy helped me out. I do see what you are saying about them being a little condescending maybe and definitely no one asked me if i needed help for 10 or so minutes, but they were busy. So i waited. I guess i’m saying, if you are going to go to a construction supply place in Oakland maybe you should not be so sensitive about them not wanting to listen to you drone on about your project that no one cares about. Anywhere you go you will be profiled and categorized and dealt with appropriately. You probably looked like a whiny pretentious douche and they knew you would be writing a 1 star review before you even opened your mouth. Is that abrasive? sorry.

I was giving my home repair project one last try before I was to call a plumber. Like others I started at Home Depot and was told they didn’t have a part I needed and I might try Rubenstein.
I get to Rubenstein and present the sales rep with a cobbled together mass of pvc and steel pipe which drew shock and ridicule from both the staff and some of the plumbers, contractors and handymen that appear to make up the bulk of Rubenstein’s business. I would have left right there except that my threshold for embarrassment goes up proportionately to the amount of water leaking on my bathroom floor.
I hand over the leaky pipes and say that I want an exact copy.
The clerk disappears and returns with a brass pipe set up that is much better quality and has less connections (therefore less chance for leaks) than my old configuration. The guy who helped me disclosed he wasn’t a plumber but said he knows parts having worked with them for 13 years. He sure did. This guy even told me how to make adjustments if the pipes didn’t fit just right.
Long story slightly less long — no more leaks, I’m happy.

Hi;
I always seem to get to a point where Home Depot does not have «something» and I have to drive down San Pablo to have a «DMV Experience» at this «supply shop». I have been to this place 4 times, and it is always a horrible experience. I always get the feeling this shop is for pros, and anyone off the street is viewed as not being a rocket scientist, like those folks working there seem to think they are.
I learned to use the Internet or go down to Hayward from now on. I thought it was me, but when i spoke to one of the guys in the Emeryville Home Depot, he seemed to agree most people report back a similar feedback, these guys are just not happy over at Rubensteins…
This last visit I had to walk around behind this guy, to nearly beg for a flue brush, while he played 20 questions with me. The body language and feeling you get in this place is horrible. They should try a couple blind tests and get rid of those happy people.
Stay away from this place!