Brockport Bill 2,002 #1 Posted August 26 most everyone here on RSq has purchased both new and used parts at various sources -- of course prices vary as with all commodities with many variables and factors -- So yesterday i needed the little tiny clevis pins ( pn # 9321204 ) that go in the latching plates for a Rear Axle Bracket - it's about 1 inch long that has pin hole in it for a clip pin to be installed. So i went to one of the well known online parts companies many of us use -- $5.49 EACH - omg -- So my hardware store didn't have the size i needed so went to local 50 yr old locally owned Fastener Supply house -- bought 4 at only 34 cents each. Similar I wanted the link bar for the Rear axle bracket that goes on top of the axle the 2 bolts go through -- checked price at the national supply parts group it's $38 -- so i sent p.m. to one of the RSq vendors and only $12 including shipping. I certainly believe in people making a profit and capitalism -- but it's a lesson my Dad taught us at early age -- shop around !!!!!! 9 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,323 #2 Posted August 26 There is two sides to this story...if I may. The story that you went through is one learning lesson that is worth $1,000,000. It is pretty easy to know when you are getting "hood-winked" with the prices that you ran into. I want to talk about the guy that will drive 20 miles to save $2 on an oil filter. That is not you Bill, but we both know someone that fits this profile. 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,222 #3 Posted August 26 Do shop around. Also buy in bulk for known future usages. 13 minutes ago, stevasaurus said: 20 miles Steve my Ole Man @Qball was mildly obsessed about gas prices. He once drove that same 20 miles outta the way to save a few cents on fuel. For a Suburban. With a big block... We figure he saved a good strong $2 and spent around 5..... 7 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,584 #4 Posted August 26 12 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Steve my Ole Man @Qball was mildly obsessed about gas prices. May BIL was infamously obsessed with the price of everything, but specially gasoline. My inlaws went to visit for a week, Sunday on the way to Church he drives 2 towns out of his way to "save" 2 cents per gallon..... That station was closed on Sundays...... He ran out of gas getting to Church... No Sunday Services for them...... 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,584 #5 Posted August 26 Bill - I visit my local Ace Hardware for any onesey, twosey fasteners. Oddball styles I get from either McMaster or Bolt Depot. I do not need parts with a pedigree for any of my Workers.... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brockport Bill 2,002 #6 Posted August 26 5 minutes ago, ri702bill said: May BIL was infamously obsessed with the price of everything, but specially gasoline. My inlaws went to visit for a week, Sunday on the way to Church he drives 2 towns out of his way to "save" 2 cents per gallon..... That station was closed on Sundays...... He ran out of gas getting to Church... No Sunday Services for them...... gotta admit that was the funny of the day --- absolute belly laugh!!!!!!!!!! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brockport Bill 2,002 #7 Posted August 26 2 minutes ago, ri702bill said: Bill - I visit my local Ace Hardware for any onesey, twosey fasteners. Oddball styles I get from either McMaster or Bolt Depot. I do not need parts with a pedigree for any of my Workers.... actually went to my ACE - - family owned business are wonderful community citizens and supporters of local groups etc so i try to buy there when possible versus big box or online - but they had every size but the little ones i needed - - however found pins at the locally owned Fastener store - i especially try to go to local business where i can $$ reward those with caring customer service employees -------- which sad to say some places that's not their culture. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,584 #8 Posted August 26 Agreed - I try to avoid any "Helpfull" salesfolks that reply "eight thirtyseconds fasteners are over here..." When I ask where the #8-32 socket head capscrews are located. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 1,265 #9 Posted August 26 2 hours ago, Brockport Bill said: actually went to my ACE - - family owned business are wonderful community citizens and supporters of local groups etc so i try to buy there when possible versus big box or online - but they had every size but the little ones i needed - - however found pins at the locally owned Fastener store - i especially try to go to local business where i can $$ reward those with caring customer service employees -------- which sad to say some places that's not their culture. Actually, ACE is a big box franchise. Low stock and high prices in my area. I avoid them when I can. I miss the Mom and Pop hardware store. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylyon-(Admin) 8,089 #10 Posted August 27 I will always go to my local hardware store, if I can’t get it there then I check other places. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,222 #11 Posted August 27 You folks are lucky to HAVE a local place that's decent for hardware..... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MainelyWheelhorse 1,700 #12 Posted August 27 (edited) @ebinmaine I guess you’ll have to come visit me.😁 Hussey’s General Store is where I get my hardware. They are under ACE, but they are a family owned local store. Their store slogan is “If we don’t have it you don’t need it”. They are more expensive than a place like Home Depot but the service and expertise is much better. Edited Friday at 03:49 AM by MainelyWheelhorse 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,890 #13 Posted August 27 19 minutes ago, Wayne0 said: Actually, ACE is a big box franchise. Low stock and high prices in my area. I avoid them when I can. I miss the Mom and Pop hardware store. I find quite a difference between Ace Stores. My local Ace is about average in the stock they keep. Just a few days ago I was out of my area and stopped at an Ace for 8 different small items in quantities of 2 to 12 each. They had 2 items and a very drunk employee "helping" me. My favorite store is PaulB but it is 38 miles one way. I did make the trip a few weeks ago because I couldn't find grade 5 carriage bolts for my snowblower. Their employee wasn't drunk and pointed to them in milliseconds. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brockport Bill 2,002 #14 Posted August 27 19 minutes ago, Wayne0 said: Actually, ACE is a big box franchise. Low stock and high prices in my area. I avoid them when I can. I miss the Mom and Pop hardware store. our ACE store is multi generational local family ownership ( actually they own 5 locations ) -- hardware and lumber -- I understand there is an ACE umbrella -- of course in today's world even many "mom and pop" stores of different products are part of a huge "buying" co-operative or some other affiliation - my point was referring to buying from my local owned neighbors versus international or national conglomerates that are owned by some hedge fund or Wall St. group -- whereas our ACE I can say hello to the owner on first name basis - - and they return their $ back to the local library, United Way, Little League, Youth soccer, Food Bank, etc. They are actually our "mom and pop" hardware store. Sounds like perhaps your Ace has different ownership or ( franchise ) culture and strategy???? 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,994 #15 Posted August 27 They are probably like a Napa. Some owned by a local person and some by corp. The local owner has to "buy" his inventory whilst the corp owned store just puts in what they want and how much of it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 1,265 #16 Posted August 27 Well, I have to issue an apology to the ACE people. I had to go there today and It wasn't ACE, It's "Do it Best". Rarely have what I need and expensive. Charged $1.05 for a 5/16 X 1 1/4 GR5 bolt! Really? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,222 #17 Posted August 27 5 hours ago, Wayne0 said: Well, I have to issue an apology to the ACE people. I had to go there today and It wasn't ACE, It's "Do it Best". Rarely have what I need and expensive. Charged $1.05 for a 5/16 X 1 1/4 GR5 bolt! Really? WOW! 23 cents at bolt 🔩 depot.... And now we're reminded of why I buy in bulk and keep things in stock. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,323 #18 Posted August 27 @ebinmaine Hey Eric !! I wonder if they still have "Frankenstein's Country Jambore" in Milbridge, Me. Now that was the hardware store you always dreamed about. Around here, the 7 ACE Hardwares, in tthe area, are owned by the same family. One phone call and they can tell you if they have what you need at another store or they can get it tomorrow. I always go there 1st, even if it is a touch more. Knowledgeable people and great to work with. Not having to walk a mile any more to find what I want is well worth it to me. 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RED-Z06 2,609 #19 Posted August 27 On 8/26/2025 at 3:29 PM, ebinmaine said: Do shop around. Also buy in bulk for known future usages. Steve my Ole Man @Qball was mildly obsessed about gas prices. He once drove that same 20 miles outta the way to save a few cents on fuel. For a Suburban. With a big block... We figure he saved a good strong $2 and spent around 5..... I watch amazon sales and HF sales for E clips, roll pins, hair pins, cotter pins, clevis pins, if i need 4 ¼-20 lock nuts ill order 50 off amzon...because ill need them again. When I rebuilt by 702 in 2023 i didnt have to order many bolts because i had everything from prior projects, and that was really handy. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,572 #20 Posted August 27 2 minutes ago, RED-Z06 said: didnt have to order many bolts because i had everything from prior projects, and that was really handy. My wife thinks I am crazy to "HORD" old bolts, nuts, pieces of steel and parts and pieces from many projects. Saves a lot of time and money if you don't have to drive to the hardware store several times a week. The bins on the right side are nuts, washers and bolts sorted by size and length. 2 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 10,212 #21 Posted August 28 (edited) @953 nut About 15 years ago I purchased a nut and bolt assortment. 1/4”-1/2” up to 4” long, grade 8 with the bins. It wasn’t exactly cheap but I knew I wasn’t going anywhere and would come in handy over the years. And yes it certainly has! I’ve restocked some of 1/4” and 5/16” hardware and will continue to do so. I’m like most of us here, when I need it the hardware store is closed! Apparently my brother thinks it’s a hardware store in my shop because I’ve caught him red handed shopping in the bins! Edited Thursday at 05:07 PM by c-series don 1 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 14,208 #22 Posted August 28 I’m fortunate that my wife knew before she said “yes” that I would always have tools and parts--more and more of each as time went on. She was, nonetheless, amazed when I came up with a couple of tiny plastic and metal washers to return her favorite electric stapler to proper function. Where did they come from? Beats me, but they were in the “small washers” jar! 1 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 312-8 192 #23 Posted Thursday at 11:55 AM Ah, the days of wooden floors creaking when you walk into your favorite hardware store are all but gone. I always like to support local businesses first but have succumbed to HD and Lowes. I did find a new to me hardware store about a year ago or so, "Paul D Hardware" in Clay, PA. I too was looking for the small clevis pins for the rear axle bracket, yep they had them, I bought 4 of each with the hairpin, had change left out of $2.00, and got a free t-shirt to boot! It's a small chain, but love the store. It's close enough if I need the really hard to find items, but far enough that I don't go for GP items, a good thing, because I would probably have a 1/4 of their inventory in my bins... 3 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 52,033 #24 Posted Thursday at 12:45 PM 48 minutes ago, Dan 312-8 said: days of wooden floors creaking when you walk into your favorite hardware store are all but gone. Ain't that the truth Dan ... like the places you went into and parts were pre-dirtied by the proprietors hands. 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,890 #25 Posted Thursday at 01:00 PM Sensenig Hardware is another old school store in Pennsylvania. You might find obsolete items unavailable at the modern stores. For example; I was using the new gray plastic electrical boxes of a certain type and found them so weak that they broke upon installation, Sensenig had a stash of the good old blue ones. I am convinced that we need to cross to the eastern side of the Susquehanna River for anything that isn't common. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
