The guy at Lakewood Ace Hardware fixed my leaky faucet with a $3 part

I spent like 45 minutes trying to find the right washer at Home Depot last weekend and came up empty. Stopped by the Ace on Detroit Ave on a whim and the older gentleman behind the counter knew exactly what I needed from just me describing the drip sound. He walked me to the aisle, handed me a little brass washer for $2.89, and it fixed the leak in 5 minutes. Has anyone else had good luck getting actual help at a smaller hardware store around here?

3 comments

3 Comments

rivera.keith3d ago

Gotta love places where they actually know their stock.

lucas633d ago

$2.89 for a washer that actually fit? Thats insane lol I spent like $12 on a whole pack of assorted washers at Lowes and none of them worked. The Ace on West 117th is the same way, theres this old guy there named Jerry who pretty much rebuilt my lawnmower carburetor from memory while I stood there like an idiot.

chen.phoenix3d ago

That Jerry guy sounds like a legend honestly. I mean, the big box stores just hire whoever walks in the door and nobody knows anything about what they're selling. But the old timers at the local hardware stores grew up fixing things themselves, so they actually understand how a carburetor works or what size washer you need. It's like having a free mechanic or plumber just by walking in the door. Idk maybe it's just me but I'd rather pay a little extra per part and get that kind of help than gamble on a random bag of washers from Lowes. Plus you're supporting a local business instead of some corporation that doesn't care if you come back or not.