Butcher’s Block

Great prices on the most essential home repair needs, good selection, the customer service is not really the best. When we first called in to check if they carry screen doors and get a price quote, the lady told me they’re too busy to help find out the price of the screen doors they carry and that we’ll just have to come in-​person. I was already ticked off by her attitude. When we got to the store, not only was there no one at the cash register nor was there a ‘busy’ feel. We asked for some help with the items we were interested in and they said they have to call someone else from the back. Finally that guy came over and he wasn’t able to help us much, told us that the item we were looking at just came in today and there’s no price yet. He has to go check the system and ask some people. We also picked up some halogen light bulbs, good thing I checked it before we drove off, as one of them had a crack in it, hardly visible but I was able to see it in time. It just didn’t seem like they were very organized nor friendly/​helpful.

I did a quick trip to this «friendly» hardware store on August the 8^th, 2015.
I was the second customer in the store. The two workers were grumbling about being open, already. My husband had asked me to pick up exterior nails and a piece of wood.
The young guy at the register took it upon himself to discuss that there is NO such thing as exterior nails. The customer he was checking out along with an older guy had a complete stupid conversation about NO exterior nails. Then, the nice man in the yard gave me the wrong size piece of wood. It’s a shame that grown adults that apparently know their job completely have to make an attempt to show of their knowledge. LOL. No, I won’t shop here again. I will take my business down the hill.

Granted it’s busy this Saturday but I waited over 30 min. for help and had to walk out. A couple of the isles were blocked with cardboard boxes, seems restocking the shelves should have been completed before the weekend. Very dissappointed. Went to DIY and found them very helpful.

I have been making purchases at Butcher’s Block for 27 years now and am very glad to have them in town. As a general contractor, I find that their prices are usually better than the big box stores off the mountain. Better yet, I don’t have to spend half a day driving off the mountain, loading up, driving back, etc.. .. Butcher’s Block happily delivers for free!
It’s also very nice to do business with a friendly, helpful, local staff that knows me, knows their products, and always offers a pleasant greeting (unlike the new corporate giant DIY where rudeness and lack of knowledge /​concern are the rule).
I am a big proponent of shopping locally and keeping the local economy strong, and Butcher’s Block is a good place to do so!

This store is just like the hardware store I grew up with! Well organized, stocked and clean. Stock includes a little bit of everything you could ever need to repair/​improve your home or project — a lot in a little place. Staff is always friendly and eager to help — specifically Mitch and the attractive tall blonde woman Bonnie. Our family believes in supporting the independent, small business owner — we love this store and wouldn’t think of shopping anywhere else for hardware needs.

This store has everything you need. The staff is helpful, quick to help you find what you are looking for, if you can’t find what you are looking for they will order it for you. Prices are low, and great customer service. I would definitely recommend this place for all your home and hardware needs.

Second best hardware store in Big Bear

Our kitchen sink had been leaking and I went to Butcher Block to find a Price Pfister cartridge. The gentleman in plumbing took a look at the old cartridge and asked if I checked the seat. This immediately put the job beyond my area of expertise. (Okay, stop laughing.) He told me how to use the Seat Wrench, showed me the kit for replacing the seat and seals, and talked me through it.
When I got home, the job went smoothly and quickly and the faucet no longer drips.
I know it sounds like a simple job. In fact, now that I’ve done it, it is simple. But without Butcher Block taking the time to walk me through it, I would have given up and called a plumber (which really isn’t in the budget).
I’ve been going to Butcher Block for many years and I always find the help I need. (I should have written a Unilocal review many times in the past, in fact.) They’re nice people and it feels more like an old style hardware store than a corporation.
We live down the hill and only get up to our cabin a few times a year but they treat everyone like old neighbors they’ve known forever. Good people.

I can not believe that this is the first review for this Big Bear institution. They have been open for decades serving the area both building trades and general public. The service is fantastic. One example, several years ago I needed a really specific part for a plumbing repair. The employee showed me what they had and said it would work, but I would be better served by picking up a higher quality part at Riffenburgh (no longer in business).
The employees generally know what they are doing. In a full service hardware store that is not an easy task as your plumbing guy may have to fill in for the paint guy. The electrical expert may be doing lumber, etc., but they always seem to have the right answers.
A few months ago I made the mistake of having several new keys made at another large chain hardware sore. Of the 10 keys, I had to take 7 back and have them re-​cut. Of the recuts, I still had 4 bad keys. I just gave up and went to Butcher’s. Today I bought a new entry lock and had several keys made (13 extra to be exact) and all worked perfectly.
Yes, you can buy low quality junk cheaper on the hill, but don’t complain when it does not work or breaks quickly. Patronize the local owned store and you will be happier in the long run.