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February 2024 by Nicole H.
Today, I received exceptional customer service from Damion at the Rockridge Cole Hardware. He went out of his way to be helpful, kind, caring plus extremely informative about what I was looking for. It reminded me of how every employees has been towards me since Cole Hardware established itself in the neighborhood in 2016. Yes, you probably could get some of their items a few dollars cheaper on Amazon but great in person customer service is priceless. There's an energy to it that is really extremely special these days. Please support this local business and its fantastic hard working employees. Next time you need to get that random item, call or text Cole Hardware at 510.230.0145 to see if they have it. I prefer text and usually someone will get back to me fairly quickly, no matter what time of the day!
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January 2024 by I J.
Huge shout out for excellent care, guidance and service from Dave and Ryan! I undertook projects which involved installing a new outlet, repairing sheetrock damage and wood floor gouges, and creating and anchoring an anti-tip shelf for a large fridge. Over the course of several visits they answered my many questions and made appropriate suggestions on which materials to use. They both went over and above not just supplying me with items on my DIY shopping list, but also suggesting other items that I didn't even know I needed but that in hindsight were essential to the project (for example, a non-standard bit for driving the larger screws). When screws kept breaking on my project, Ryan saved me at the Nth hour on Christmas Eve even though he was just about to go off shift by diagnosing that I was using an undersized drill and got me set up with the right one for the project, allowing me to reinstall the fridge on Christmas Day --what a save over and above for the Holidays. Thank You!
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December 2023 by Joseph N.
My favorite hardware store in Oakland. Everyone's always friendly and helpful, from the cashier to the hardware experts throughout the store. I appreciate how friendly, patient and gracious they are whenever I ask what I think are dumb questions. I've gotten expertise on everything from drywall anchors to plant pots. They take the time to explain things, and I feel I always learn a lot. Parking kinda sucks since there's no dedicated lot and it's in the heart of Rockridge. But overall it's an awesome store with great staff, inventory, and with a lot of character. I even find the creaky floors to be charming :) And it's bigger than you think -- there's a downstairs. Even if Home Depot or Amazon prices are slightly cheaper (and often they're not), I would 100% rather go here for the expertise. These people know what they're talking about, and they're friendly and gracious.
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December 2023 by Ray U.
Always the best. They have everything in stock, from fans to Christmas lights to flowerpots. My husband is obsessed with us their first floor, down the stairs, where they stock endless tools and supplies. Once he goes in, I know he won't be out for at least an hour. The people who were here are incredibly friendly and helpful. We come here to get keys cut, screens for the windows, even reading glasses. And did you know they now stock frozen PIES...??
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November 2023 by Emily L.
Dave at Cole is the best! Our kid wanted a bow & arrow set for Halloween that looked good but couldn't hurt anyone. My feeble DIY skills got us as far as picking out a dowel. Dave carefully added eye screws for us and wisely counseled us to soak the dowel to make it more flexible. The bow was perfect and my kid was so happy. Online ordering can never replace this kind of expertise. We're so grateful to Dave!
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November 2023 by H R.
Every single time I choose Cole Hardware (usually after having no luck at other hardware stores or options) someone is there to help willingly and in a super friendly way. Elliott today helped us find the perfect size gas hose connector/adapter (the lingo for these things are beyond me and don't even get me started on the sizes) in such efficient and helpful manner - it literally saved us time and headache. Thank you Elliott (I hope I am spelling this right) for today's help - I am so grateful for people like you and a business that is so present and approachable.
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November 2023 by Jim B.
Rip-offs!! I usually like the Cole Hardware stores in SF. Today, I went to Cole's in Rockridge to get seven different keys copied. I went to use the seven keys at two apartment buildings and one didn't work. I went back to Cole's and they redid one key and it worked. Tonight, I was looking at the receipt and Cole's overcharged me on my credit card!! It turns out they round off your charges up to the next dollar without telling you - the customer, even if you are using a credit or debit card! In other words, they are ripping off every customer that buys something. In my case, it was $.81! Not a huge amount, but they don't even tell you. The receipt labels the overcharge, "Spare change 1 EA." Below it, the receipt says, "Spare change charitable donat." WTH! There is no sign, no verbal notice, nothing!! So they are taking hundreds of dollars everyday from unknowing customers! I don't give a crap if it's supposedly going to charity - it's an unauthorized charge on my and everybody else's credit/debit card. I even made a comment to the clerk about how high the cost of the keys were compared to other Coles. And he didn't ask if I wanted to donate my change or tell me about the extra charge! NADA!
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October 2023 by kelly d.
Shout out to Damion for being a great help and personifying the ideal customer service. I had a loose pedal on my bike and needed an Allen key/wrench. Since it was parked outside, there was an issue of trust in letting me try it out to see the right size. He kindly showed me where the Allen wrenches were, I told him my situation and he said: "Let's go take a look". I love that. He came out to by bike, came back inside and said try these. I found the right size, again with trust that I wouldn't take off with the goods. A great transaction and why I love hardware stores with a community feel and employees that go the extra mile. Thanks Damion! (Sorry if I spelled your name wrong). Cole is awesome!
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September 2023 by Sharon Takamoto Hasegawa
Always friendly service here. Company tries to fit into the community. Senior discount offered. In addition to typical hardware merchandise, there is a good selection of household, BBQ, and garden products.
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September 2023 by Brianne Sherman
So friendly and helpful. Every person you talk to will do their best to solve your problem. Love going in here.
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August 2023 by Richard K.
Cole Hardware has been a godsend to the Rockridge neighborhood. Hats off to all the wonderful employees, too many to name. This past week I lost my phone somewhere and since I had been in the store earlier that day, I checked back to see if anybody had found it. No luck! I went home and tried to locate it using different methods. While doing so, there was a knock on my door, and it was Ryan personally delivering my phone to me while on his way home. Ryan went the extra mile! Much relief and many thanks! Richard
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July 2023 by Katie C.
They have a lot of different items aside from tools and hardware! The workers are nice and helpful too. This spot always comes in handy and will continue doing business there! :)
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July 2023 by Robert Wright
Super happy with the services here. They had the bolts I needed for my car and I could buy the exact number I needed. They usually have what I’m looking for and the basement area is a real treasure trove. Nice neighborhood hardware store.
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July 2023 by Lee Brenner
Good place on College Ave for neighborhood misc. household needs and contractor last minute, last mile pick-up.
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July 2023 by Jennifer K.
I love this store but they are really understaffed and the staff is really inattentive. Like 20 minutes waiting downstairs for help and then 15 minutes upstairs to cash out. One cashier and ten people in line and one staff chatting while making keys.