Hecht H & Son

Poor service. I asked for items on separate visits because someone asked if they could help me. Each time I was told they did not have it, when I looked I found what I was looking for. The hours are inconvenient and while it says it is wheel chair accessible that does not mean a wheel chair can go down most of the aisles. They have all kinds of items making access to most of the store impossible for wheel chairs to pass.

I initially liked this store due to its close proximity to my house just a few blocks away but have been quickly turned off by the owners «I’m better than you» attitude. He doesn’t seem to appreciate the fact that people give him business and is very short with people who are supporting him. This last visit has now put me over the edge when I’d gone down to get some keys made. He quickly told me that removing them from the ring was not necessary. After handing him the ring of keys I informed him that there was more than one he needed to copy. Standing with the keys in his hand he asks me which one as if now I’m being difficult or something. I informed him that this was why I was going to remove them so as to make things easier. So I then went through the keys and identified the two which needed to be made and off he went to make the copies. He returned with the copies and one of them looked nothing like the top of the original. I’d figured it was just a different shaped top and all was well. I’d left and gone home only to find out that the key not only didn’t fit my lock but didn’t even match a key on my ring. I’m all for supporting small businesses but I refuse to deal with someone who treats you as if you are below them and also does a crap job in the process. I can just as easily go a few blocks away to Sears, get what I need and not get an attitude. Save yourself the bother and uncomfortable interaction. He seems to be doing ok with or without his customers.

Mayer, the owner, is both helpful and a real mensch. He keeps this fabulous local (not big box chain) hardware store open on Sindays, and today I called at 3:58pm asking what time he stays open until. He replied, «well I usually close at 4pm, but I’ll stick around for you of you’ll come right over.» And it’s not like Mayer and I know each other … I think I’ve shopped there only a half-​dozen times since he took over the place. But that’s just the kind of home town service you’ll get at Hechts.

Hecht’s Hardware is one of the few remaining mom and pop hardware stores left. And this is a great one with lots of items you always need but never know where to find. And the staff is always helpful and ready to spend time instructing customers how to repair things themselves.