The ceaseless conundrum. Just a day in the life.
 

I need a supply line for my washing machine. As much as I want to, I can't justify paying over twice as much cash for the only option at the local mom & pop hardware store (in a length that isn't optimal but I can make-do) when I can select from a couple of dozen options in the length I want from the comfort of my home and delivered to my door tomorrow.

Neither option is optimal, and this happens more and more often for various reasons.

I guess one day I'll just shut down unable to make the decision, never leave the house, live on tuna and coffee and be "that guy" in the neighborhood.

My wife decided to move to some generic ass neighborhood I hate. A limited upside is a local mom and pop hardware store within a bike ride distance, where they will still spend 40 minutes picking out the exact pitch thread for a 30 cent bolt you need. Even then, they are still quicker than the online stuff, and cheaper in gas than a trip to big box, so in my case, it still works.
I get it though- it's a dying breed.

As for the big box stores- I am getting old. My legs are tired, I just can't muster the energy to walk across one of those sons-of-*****es and hear "assistance needed in the flooring section"

....."Flooring section"
....."Flooring section"
....."Flooring"
"Damnit Mike, get to the...
....."Flooring section"

I love my local Ace. They're my first stop every time.

I wish this was an Ace or True Value franchise. It's "Do It Best" and it's decidedly third tier in the mom & pop hardware franchise wars.

^and it has STIHL :)

DIB most assuredly does NOT have Stihl.

Our closest ACE is across the mountain. I go there occasionally to bask in the beauty of Stihl orange, and dream of specialty tree saws and hedge trimmers.

Do they carry the "Steal" brand instead?

I suggest StarKist and Peet's ... delivered of course :D

Just wait until every easy front door delivery takes months and a dozen phone calls reversing an automatic 'charge' banking obligation to pay for something out of thin air.

Mom-n-Pops hire people and pay local property taxes supporting the area.
Where else are ya gonna get that 1.25" 5/16th bolt in stainless at 6:30pm?
Paradise into a parking lot.
Wasted empty parking lot or justified usage is the next question.

Old men forgot the essential skills of griping without insult:
"I need this. For that. Or give me a better solution if you got one. I need it down because I'm in a hurry to get home. If you don't know then please find someone who does "