I have shopped there on occasion and in the recent past. While their prices are usually sky high, they usually will have a wider selection of specialized nuts, bolts, parts, etc. Recently I needed four 3/4" stainless steel machine bolts in a very specific length (3.25" I believe). After being disappointed at Lowes & Home Depot my last resort was to try True Value. They did have them and I paid over $34 buck for 4 bolts, washers and nuts.
I also had a very specific key to make copies of for our mailbox. Both Lowes and H-D could not duplicate it - so I went to True Value. They had the key and charged me more than twice the normal price, but hey I got what I needed.
True Value give you better customer service, has more knowledgable employees, has a better selection and sometimes better quality but this is pretty much a well known thing . People usually shop at True Value onlyy when they can not get what they want at the discount Home Center stores. Unfortunately and because of this they do not do enough steady business to stay financially healthy. At least this is how I see it.
I am an old fashioned Hardware Store lover and could spend hours and hours just looking and shopping in the old stores. They are all but gone as they can not compete with the mega Home Stores now. The Home stores usually carry imported junk, cheap goods and have an all but limited selection. While I have gone and still do go into True Value on occasion, if I am not in a rush I will order what I need from McMaster - Carr, Zoro Tool or a more specialized sellers. I am a person who does not like to settle and want what I want. I am sometimes (many times) willing to pay a premium for that choice of quality. Will I miss True Value? Maybe once or twice a year. It's really difficult to compete successfully with Home Depot & Lowes!
