Marty’s True Value Hardware

An old fashioned family owed hardware store that puts customer service first. Forget about wasting your time at some big box store staffed with rookies. Experts that will make sure your project is done right. Real jem in the Northside neighborhood of Schenectady. Big supporters of other local businesses and Union College. If you want the project done right the first time go to Marty’s first.

Hmmm. I am a big supporter of the local independent hardware store, but this one is maybe a little bit too independent and too local.
I had substantial difficulties with communications on a repair, which resulted in the thing being repaired being returned in parts, in a non-​functioning state needless to say, after nearly two months.
During this time I tried on multiple occasions to leave a message for the repair guy but was either told to call back or that he was waiting on a part; every time I called back at the time I was told to call back, I was told to call back another time. Would not take a message. The first time I stopped by to check on it I got, to be polite about it, a gruff rebuff about how they didn’t have any control over the repair department.
I gradually got the vibe this is a locals-​only store, despite being an authorized repair center for the brand in question, and I was not welcome there, a vibe that became explicit when I had to wait 45 minutes to get my non-​repaired item returned in pieces.
I’m sure it’s just me, since my polite «sirs» and «ma’ams» and non-​confrontational inquiries, as well as excessive patience with the whole affair, marked me as an outsider. I’ve only ever been asked to leave and not return an establishment twice in my life, and the first time was when I was 19 and roaring drunk in a sailor’s bar and thoroughly deserved it. This was the second time.
Which, in all seriousness, gave me a fit of the giggles since coming back was the furthest thing from my mind. i count myself lucky that this is by far the worst interaction I’ve had with a local establishment, so that means it’s a truly exceptional place. And all that this term implies.

I also love this place, questions always answered and I don’t have to run back a second time due to getting the WRONG answer! Very fair pricing and its family owned. Win win.

I love this place. They are so helpful and honest. They have fair prices and it is a pleasure to shop in my neighborhood and support a locally owned business. So much more personal than the big cavernous big box stores… I hope they never close!!!