If you’re of a certain age, you probably have fond memories of the time when most towns had one or two small, family run hardware stores. If you needed anything from a seed packet to light ballast, these local gems not only carried them, but they were happy to help you learn how to actually install the items you were buying.

But over the years, big box retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s replaced those hometown hardware stores. These massive stores carried huge selection of everything from Gatorade to industrial lights and CFL light bulbs. And pretty much everything they sell is sold at deeply discounted prices. But are they really such a great deal? It depends on how you look at the situation.

Big box retailers can definitely provide low prices that smaller stores simply can’t compete with. But these massive stores can’t deliver service the way a smaller store does. And the employees at big boxes will never know their customers first names.

If rock bottom prices are the most important aspect of shopping for you, a big box retailer is a great deal for you. But if you need something a little more personal, try your neighborhood hardware store.

Last 5 posts by matrix