True Value Hardware

I sense a problem here. Very poorly stocked and very few people available to help. This never was a problem before and I only hope that this isn’t a sign of things to come. Love our local stores, the few that there are. I will continue to try and support this store but 2 of 2 items that I needed, they no longer carry.

Always very helpful.
Part of the awesome mom & pop vibe is train set and rocking chairs out front. Where on earth do you find that anymore! Of course prices will be a little higher I am willing to pay for the vibe and location.

We inadvertently came into True Value as we were walking by and saw the really cool train set in the window. My son insisted going in and taking a look.
He had such a great time playing with the train set. Its a great place to stop by with kids if you are in the area. We also sat on the rocking chairs out front for a few minutes to people watch.

I’ve had to return to items here, and have had a problem each time. The first time I was specifically told that I could return a tool I was purchasing if I didn’t use it. When I tried to return it the manager gave me a hard time but in the end gave me credit. This last time I was sold an item that was incompatible with my intended use, based on an employees recommendation. We had had the packaging apart and when I returned apparently a part was missing. Since I had not opened the packaging between leaving the store and returning to the store it had to have been missing from the start, or fallen out while I was in the store. This time the manager refused to issue a refund. I will never shop here again.

This place was great. Excellent customer service, decent selection, and a model railway that the kids could play with while I got my shopping done.

I have found the staff invariably helpful, and the stock plentiful. Shopping here is a pleasant experience.

Product stock used to be better under previous ownership. Management is very unprofessional (his name is oggie). This guy threatened me. Staff is a mix of experienced and very unexperienced. I shopped here for years, but now I shop at ACE Lafayette or Moraga.

I am always greeted attentively by the staff at True Value and they seem to truly care about solving my varied hardware problems. It feels more like a locally run business than a chain and that is a good thing. Thanks for all the help!

I am an Orinda resident, and this is my favorite HW store. The service is fantastic with about half of the staff being very Knowledgeable and helpful. I have always been able to find someone good quickly. They are not a big store, so selection is not as good as a place like Home Depot. But, for a neighborhood store, it is great.

I must respectfully disagree with the previous reviewer in all regards. Except in the case where they had what appeared to have been a developmentally challenged adult working there, I have always received prompt and attentive service. There have been two cases where a young man took it upon himself to try to solve a design problem and recommend appropriate parts. One time he really came up with a clever fix that I would have never thought of. When I call to see if an item is in stock or on sale, the attendent always checks happily and without giving off that feeling that I’ve put him or her out by asking.
Regarding prices, they are generally exactly the same or close to any of the local hardware stores except giants like Home Depot. If you take advantage of their weekly sales, you can often find terrific bargains.
I remember the old days when this was the old Orinda Hardware Store. Of course we can never return to those innocent days, but the staff here has really made an effort to maintain the small-​town feel at the store without being hokey.

Don’t know what Chris’s experience was, but we’ve never experienced anything like that and we’ve been shopping here for seven years now. Great service and competitive prices! What more can you ask for? I buy all my paint and lawn and garden supplies here. A small old-​fashioned service oriented store (free peanuts/​popcorn/​coffee) where they will help you with anything. Some come in just to play with the trains. The locals ask for Bonnie or Josh. If they don’t have it, they’re willing to special order it for you or help you find another place. They have a low-​price guarantee too — unheard of for a small store like this especially in an upscale town like this. I guess Chris missed the huge banner stating that in the front window. Their recent remodel makes the layout great. Tara just spent over a half hour helping me with deer problems. Best service I’ve ever had.

I try to avoid this place like the plague unless its an emergency.
Things you may find here are: no customer service and high high prices!