5 money-saving secrets for shopping at Ace Hardware

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All year long, Clark.com‘s Michael Timmermann is sharing quick and easy ways to save money as part of our Michael Saves series. Check in every Monday as he puts new and familiar savings strategies to the test. Sign up for our newsletter to have these stories delivered to your inbox! 

With more than 5,000 independently owned and operated stores worldwide, Ace Hardware is known as “the place with the helpful hardware folks!”

From paint to tools, the retailer says it has everything you need for your DIY projects around the home and office.

Read more: Here’s how easy DIY pest control can be

Ace Hardware is #1 for customer satisfaction, study says

But customer service is what really sets Ace apart from the competition. It ranked highest in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction ratings among home improvement retailers.

Excellence in these three areas have made Ace #1 in the survey for 11 years in a row:

  1. Availability and knowledge of sales staff
  2. Availability of desired merchandise
  3. Availability of product information

Recently, I stopped by my local Ace Hardware after wandering through the aisles of a big-box retailer and never finding what I needed or anyone who could help.

The experience I had at Ace was entirely different from start to finish.

Not only did an associate greet me at the door, he asked me what I was looking for and walked me to the shelf where it was located. This is the type of customer service that keeps people coming back.

5 ways to save money at Ace Hardware

And what about the prices? I’ve discovered there are a few money-saving secrets you need to know about Ace…

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1. Moving soon? Get $10 off at Ace

When you change your address with the USPS, you may find one of these coupons in the mailbox. This offer may not be available in all parts of the country, but it’s good for $10 off regular-priced merchandise.

Read more: Save hundreds with these 21 housewarming discounts

2. Look for house brand products

Ace has its own private label that can save you big money compared to the national brands. These rolls of painter’s tape are the exact same size, but the Ace brand cost $2 less than Scotch.

3. Ace Rewards

Sign up for Ace’s free rewards program to earn 1,000 bonus points right away, plus 10 points for every $1 you spend. Get a $5 reward for every 2,500 points. Look for the “Instant Savings” logo for special values around the store.

4. Check the weekly ad

Want a really great deal? Start with Ace’s monthly Red Hot Buys, which are featured online. Keep in mind that many Ace specials, like these $3 Craftsman tools, are for Ace Rewards members only.

5. Free paint samples

When you purchase a color sample pint at Ace, you’ll get a coupon for $5 off a gallon of paint. So that means the pints are essentially free if you head back to Ace and buy more paint.

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Read more: These 7 paint colors will increase your home’s value

Since Ace Hardware stores are locally owned, some merchandise will vary by location — and your store may have unexpected items in stock. Mine even sells sunglasses, barbecue sauce and handmade soaps!

How do you save money when shopping at Ace? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

Check out more from our Michael Saves series:

How to remove carpet stains using an iron

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