Weber Blackstone sign exclusivity deal with Ace Hardware

[AndyK]

I find prices at Ace Hardware to be the highest of all retail hardware stores.
As a guy that builds stuff I only use that store if I have to for hard to find item's.
It’s a shame that Orchard Supply Hardware closed its doors.

That said,
Ace Hardware’s pricing for Weber Performer’s was identical to what Amazon had when I researched prices.
Same with the ash sweeper/blade lower vent adjustment thing and a few other items.

I must has missed that Weber and Blackstone merged.
I think that was a smart idea.
When did that happen?

Hopefully we might see some innovations like the Ranch Performer I have been dreaming about.

 

[John_NJ]

Local mom and pop hardware stores have been disappearing slowly but steadily in my corner of the USA.

The ones still standing around here are in more affluent areas and are patronized by customers who prioritize service over price.

Our local hardware store sells Weber grills and equipment but isn’t associated with Ace.

Does this new agreement mean they won’t be selling Weber?

If yes, Weber looses out because it’s a very nice store and they sell a lot of merchandise made in the USA.

And another nail in the coffin of independent retailers who battle the relentless onslaught of the big box retailers and amazon.

 

[Brett-EDH]

Local mom and pop hardware stores have been disappearing slowly but steadily in my corner of the USA.

The ones still standing around here are in more affluent areas and are patronized by customers who prioritize service over price.

Our local hardware store sells Weber grills and equipment but isn’t associated with Ace.

Does this new agreement mean they won’t be selling Weber?

If yes, Weber looses out because it’s a very nice store and they sell a lot of merchandise made in the USA.

And another nail in the coffin of independent retailers who battle the relentless onslaught of the big box retailers and amazon.

technically, Ace stores are independtly owned and operated. Ace is a buyers group with a distribution hub. our local Ace has two locations now, one in an upscale area and one in what used to be the upscale area. IMHO, this owner does well, and they treat their customers with respect and dignity.

people just want a fair shake, good products and service. so long as the price is fair, most people are reasonable.

those who seek price only, their best deal is a price of zero. and nobody can make a living when the price is zero.

 

[JKalchik]

Small businesses of all sorts, not just hardware stores, have been closing everywhere. They're having a very hard time competing with the big box stores and online outlets. I do try to buy locally as much as possible (I have 2 hardware stores within 2 miles, used to have 3,) the closest box store is 20+ miles away. Then again, I've had good luck with Ace stores, finding things like a 1/8" NPT internal threading tap, and a 5/8"-11 external threading tap. Find those at a box store. Then again..... the local price on boiled linseed oil is high enough that it's worth driving the 20+ miles to get the same <BEEEEP>ed can.

For another example, look at what's happening in pharmacies. I used to have a local pharmacy, it's been bought up and is now part of a grocery store (multi-state chain.) My brother-in-law was a pharmacist, and sold the store out some 20 years ago in the great purge where nearly all of the local drug stores were bought out. And a lot of the resulting chain stores are now closing as well.

I've been buying my welding consumables locally. Surprisingly, TIG tungsten electrodes are just not cheaper online than my local outlet. Refilling gas bottles online just does not work. And MIG wire and I suspect stick electrodes don't seem to be cheaper enough online to make it worth my while along with making sure my local welding shop stays in business.

Getting back to the original topic..... Weber has a definite interest in moving as much product as they can. They're also trying to preserve the customer experience by choosing where their product is available.

 

[LMichaels]

Yeah, the thing I hate about not having a true "Hardware Store" close by is I always seem to get in a bind when I am doing a project here at the house. Always some little kind of fitting, screw, what have you. I've never failed to find what I needed at say Menards but, it takes a lot more hunting then showing someone in the store what I need or describing it and they know exactly what it is, where to find it and have it in stock. And yeah I paid quite a bit more for those products as opposed to a big box store but I did so gladly. Hell I remember when even the Sears store was more like a hardware store.
The company here that tried the exclusive thing is still reeling from that mistake. It takes a lot to unravel that web.

 

[JKalchik]

I've never failed to find what I needed at say Menards but, it takes a lot more hunting then showing someone in the store what I need or describing it and they know exactly what it is, where to find it and have it in stock.

Story time....

When I was living in the Chicago area, I needed the aforementioned 1/8" NPT internal tap. I walked into the local ACE, and went into the tools aisles. "Can I help you find something?" from a very young gent in a blue vest. "1/8" NPT internal tap." I could hear his eyeballs roll back in his skull and go <click>. "Wait just a second, sir....." He comes back a minute later with the oldest guy in the shop, "you're looking for what?" "1/8" NPT internal tap." He reaches directly up to a hook, pulls one down, and says "Here ya go."

That's why I like shopping at the local stores.