First Impression
I downloaded this app because I was building a little storage shed in my backyard and needed a bunch of stuff—lumber, screws, paint, the works. It was a Tuesday night around 8 PM and I figured I could just order ahead and pick it up the next morning before work. The app looked clean enough when I first opened it, lots of pictures and big buttons. I’m not super techy so I liked that I didn’t have to hunt around much. But honestly, the first search I did for “pressure treated 2×4” gave me like six different results that were all out of stock at my local store and I had to tap through each one to figure that out. That was a buzzkill right out the gate. The sign-up process was quick though, just my email and a password, and I was in.
What It Does Well
When the app works, it works fine. I’ll give it that. The store locator is solid—it found the Ace on Main Street in about two seconds and showed me hours, phone number, the whole deal. I also really liked the shopping list feature. I made a list called “Shed Stuff” and added items as I remembered them. That helped a lot because I’m the kind of person who forgets to buy paintbrushes until I’m already home with the paint. The product pages have decent pictures and descriptions, nothing fancy. I saw a how-to video about measuring angles for a roof that actually saved me from messing up. The checkout process is smooth too—Apple Pay worked with no drama, and I got a confirmation email right away. The in-store pickup was easy once I got there, a guy named Dave helped me load the lumber into my car in like five minutes. So for the basic shopping stuff, it’s a solid B.
Where It Falls Short
Here’s where things go sideways. The app is glitchy. I’m not talking about a little lag, I mean it crashed on me three times in one evening while I was trying to compare two different drills. I had to restart my phone once. And the search function? Man, it’s weird. I typed “deck screws” and it showed me bird feeders first. Who thought that was a good idea? Then the worst part—I placed an order for a circular saw and when I went to pick it up, they didn’t have it. The app said it was in stock but the store had zero. The lady at the counter was nice, she said “happens all the time with the app.” So I drove across town for nothing. That made me late for helping my buddy fix his fence on Saturday. And the app doesn’t let you filter by in-stock at your store easily, you have to click each item individually. Super annoying when you’re in a hurry.
Is It Worth the Price?
It’s free so I guess you can’t complain too much. But you also get what you pay for, right? I mean, the app is basically a digital catalog with a shopping cart. It saves me time when it works, which is maybe 70% of the time. The Ace Rewards thing is nice, I got a coupon for 10% off paint after my first purchase, that was cool. But when the app fails—like lying about stock—it costs me time and gas money. I’d rather pay a dollar for an app that actually worked perfectly than use a free one that wastes my evening. So is it worth the price? I guess, since it’s zero dollars. But don’t trust it completely. Keep a backup plan. Honestly I’d give it a 3.5 if I could, but the play store forces a whole number so I’m being generous with 3 stars because the foundation is decent.
Developer & Support
I had an issue with that missing circular saw and tried to contact support through the app. Big mistake. There’s a “Contact Us” button that just opens a form. I filled it out on Saturday morning, got an automated reply saying they’d get back to me in 1-2 business days. Okay fine. I didn’t hear anything until Tuesday night—three days later—and it was just a generic message saying “we understand your concern, please contact your local store.” No apology, no solution, just shifted the problem back to me. The store had already helped me with a rain check so that felt like a waste of time. If you have a real problem, don’t expect the app support to do much. Call the store directly, that’s the better move. The developer clearly put more work into the shopping features than the customer service backend.
Privacy & Safety
I’m pretty chill about privacy stuff usually, but I did notice the app asks for your location right away, which makes sense for the store locator. It also wanted access to my camera and photos, which I blocked because why does a hardware app need my selfies? I didn’t have any problems with weird notifications or spammy emails after signing up. They have your credit card info if you use in-app purchases, but I used Apple Pay so that’s probably safer. I skimmed their privacy policy (I know, nobody reads those) and it seemed standard—they share data with service providers and for marketing. Nothing crazy. But I wouldn’t put any super personal info in the app. It’s fine for what it is. Grade: C for safety, B for basic privacy. Not a dealbreaker, just be smart about it.
How do I use the shopping list feature in the Ace Hardware app?
You can create a custom shopping list, like 'Shed Stuff,' and add items as you remember them. This helps you keep track of everything you need, especially for larger projects, so you don't forget essentials like paintbrushes.
Does the Ace Hardware app show accurate in-store stock for items?
Unfortunately, the app's stock information can be unreliable—one user ordered a circular saw that showed as in stock, but the store didn't have it. To avoid wasted trips, it's best to call the store directly to confirm availability before picking up an order.
Why does the Ace Hardware app crash or show irrelevant search results?
The app can be glitchy, crashing multiple times during use, and its search function sometimes returns unrelated items (e.g., 'deck screws' showing bird feeders). Restarting your phone may help with crashes, but for better search results, try using more specific keywords.
What should I do if the Ace Hardware app says an item is in stock but the store doesn't have it?
This is a known issue—the app's inventory isn't always accurate. If you need a specific item urgently, call the store before heading there. The staff are usually helpful, but you may end up driving across town for nothing if you rely solely on the app.
How does the Ace Hardware app compare to using the Home Depot app for home improvement shopping?
The Ace Hardware app is simpler and has a solid store locator and shopping list feature, but it's glitchy and often shows inaccurate stock. The Home Depot app typically offers more reliable inventory tracking and better search filters, making it a better choice for time-sensitive projects.
