ACO Hardware Joins the BBB Military Discount Directory - Discount in All 66 Stores!

kidcat24 September 29, 2012 at 03:22 am

Very impressive, start carrying more Made in the U.S.A. products and that would be even more impressive.

DJG September 29, 2012 at 10:28 am

Could not agree with you more kidcat. While I admire their dedication to our men and women in service, I can't help but feel like I'm walking into a dollar store when I visit Aco.
While it is a true to Michigan company, I'd bet more than half it's products are not made in the US.

Lianne Mathie September 30, 2012 at 08:42 pm

I agree with you DJG, I was just in there to day and could't find anything.More useless junk and not enough hardware.

canseeallsides September 30, 2012 at 10:55 pm

Thanks for the inflationary "mark-up" for every other shopper there that covers the loses in these types of promos. How about a straight donation instead of these "fake" gestures that are really about PR and increasing sales. And no I have nothing against making a buck, just pointing out if they can drop a price by 15%, how much do you think the mark up is to start and where do you think they make that up?

Glenn September 30, 2012 at 11:58 pm

I would like to present you will the most ridiculous post of the day award. Thanks for playing. You're a real humanitarian canseeallsides.

canseeallsides October 1, 2012 at 04:20 am

I respect your view of my point. Like it or not, you will be thinking about this issue now. And your dig will give me another opportunity to speak, thank you.
I just asked, if they (businesses that can afford it) really wanted to "help", and if they can take a 15% hit for any reason then why can't they lower the prices across the board. Don't kid yourself, these decisions are made for one reason only. The same reason for every business decision, to benefit the stock/profit. On a more personal note, I support the people that serve. I just question who they are serving. I do not support corporations that "use" the service for PR. Do you think war is humane? You're a real... wait... I don't know you from a few posts and only an obtuse sycophant would "play" the game you're playing. You go play, let's leave the talking to the grown-ups. ;-) I would rather direct our energy to the topics than the people posting.

Dibbleville Resident October 1, 2012 at 07:42 am

Canseeallsides - I think the side you are not seeing is the how some businesses view their social responsibility to the surrounding community, i.e their market. I am not familiar with ACO's CSR program but will assume for the sake of this discussion that they have made a conscious decision to participate in this program to fulfill our expectations as consumers that they be ethical contributors to our community. Much to do has been made in Fenton about supporting our local merchants (and rightfully so) and in exchange, I believe we should expect them to give something back. Programs such as these recognize and support the people they help, encourage new business, and increase brand awareness. Retail margin are usually greater than 15% so don't worry about them not making money on what they sell at the reduced prices. I would recommend that you see this not as a crass PR stunt but instead a method of supporting the community and improving its business fundamentals simultaneously.

John Proulx October 1, 2012 at 10:15 am

What sickens me as a prior service member that is looking for work is that, many of these organizations wave the "Patriotism" flag with support our troops PR campaigns, but then they show no preference for hiring veterans or they allow no place on their (online) applications to indicate "military service" like applications a decade ago had.

John David October 1, 2012 at 10:23 am

ACO's on line application specifically asks about military service.
http://www.acohardware.com/custom//_online_form/index.php

John Proulx October 1, 2012 at 10:57 am

John David, thanks for pointing that out, I don't think I came across in my post as I was pretty much generalizing. Having looked for work for over 4 years now, I find most these automated sites don't give you a section to indicate. The University of Michigan is one site that doesn't seem to value military service. Just sayin.

Haulin T Male October 1, 2012 at 01:34 pm

I understand there are a lot of conspiracies out there. I would like to believe and trust, when a company puts out a Campaign such as ACO's, it is on the level, for if it wasn't and word got out that they had pre-raised the Retail price, they would be toast. All retail, try to make what is called Key-stone, aprox. 3 times cost of product to the store.
Having said that, with today's ecom. I am not sure too many stores can do that, for the average product. Most promotions like this geared to a segment of the market, is hoping to make up loses (paper loses) on Volume, E. G. sell 100 widgets for 4.00, ToT = 400.00, (key stone) cost = @ 100.00. 1.00 each) (leave taxes etc out of this (KISS it, Keep it simple __ _ _ _ _) "Same time frame" & widget, they run a "Promotion" (sale) 15% OFF (sale is buy coupon or a ""Veteran"") They sell, 200 "same widgets" (200.00 cost ), @ 4.00 --- .15% = 3.60 = 720.00 all ACO is trying to do, is increase foot traffic. Can a store make it on the 4.00 price yes of course, they can exist. comfortably. Can the store with cheaper prices, but greater vol. bottom line, make it, yes and Live. See the cost for store and labor is static, same tot hr's.. the same widget, @ 100.000 (100 pc's) cost brought in a greater profit per pc. BUT, @ 200.00 cost (200 pc's) brought in a Greater Bottom Line, (instead of just trading paper, they saw some serious $ for expansion for benefits,for salary? expand product base? or just plain pocket change.

Better Business Bureau October 1, 2012 at 02:06 pm

Thank you all for your spirited discussion. Just as a point of clarification, we at the BBB created this Military Discount Directory as part of our Military Line of Services because we wanted to help our troops and veterans. Many of our accredited businesses have stepped up to join this with no fanfare - just to help. We approached ACO - one of our long standing accredited businesses - and we did not mention PR or an announcement in any way prior to their generous offer. Once we saw the offer, WE asked ACO if we could publicize it as a way to get the word out to the military that this was available to them and to again point out the discount directory.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Director of Community Relations, Lisa Dilg at ldilg@easternmichiganbbb.org or 248.799.0326.

Bryan Bentley October 1, 2012 at 03:44 pm

Thanks for clearing up the issue. I really did not think that it was a "fake" gesture as one reader pointed out. I also support programs that help our veterans in any way possible. Kudos to all businesses that participate in the MDD.
On another note, I go to ACO for a lot of my hardware needs. I understand that for some things they are a little higher in price for some items, not all, than maybe Home Depot, but many times I am willing to spend a little more to save the longer drive, and get in and out quicker. I have always found their employees to be helpful and friendly as well.

Haulin T Male October 1, 2012 at 05:17 pm

Bryan: what you have found out, many of us have. A C O is more, but if any thing, they smother you with Pre-help. at Big Box Brutus, hard to find any one, when you do, it's not their section....... lol. As some one has said, ACE has turned into a Glorified Dollar store, will go when I want a brand name, or like Natural Fert, for the lawn. etc. varnish, they do carry the light bulb I need for my Garden terrace Light house ........ I see quite a few Fixed incomers in there, so there is a need, for all the stores, they just have to find their niche ........ page or list of all stores who has Discounts for certain groups would be nice .............. so we don't come by them by happen chance ............

DJG October 1, 2012 at 05:33 pm

T Male, if you're referring to Home Depot as Big Box Brutus (and if you're not, my apologies) I'm often very, very smothered with help. And anyone I ask...their department or not, knows where and at what spot in the aisle something I need is. And 50% of the time, they'll walk me to it, again, their department or not.
Recently buying a new house and doing quite a bit of rehab to it, I can easily say I was at the Roseville Depot 20 times a week, easy. They knew our faces..."back again, lol"... Sorry, Aco has it's place, but I'll choose Depot...given the choice, any day.

GP For Life October 1, 2012 at 05:45 pm

Haulin T Male, ACE is very expensive, which makes sense to me because their Village location can't turn too much inventory compared to some of their other locations. Go to Pointe Hardware, they're cheaper and smarter. I will also tell you, they're clsoe or better on prices compared to the boxes with regard to most items.
By the way, great name.

Mark October 1, 2012 at 06:40 pm

DJG please tell me where to find this mythical Home Depot because I can never find anyone within 20,000 square feet of me. And when I do they don't know their a$$ from their elbow.

DJG October 1, 2012 at 07:35 pm

Mark,
13 and Little Mack. Roseville, as mentioned in my post. Morning, noon and night....and weekends.

Haulin T Male October 1, 2012 at 10:08 pm

Patch seems to have made a decision to make blogs district / regional wide, or further. We are not talking to others in our own city. this post started in B'ham, does B'ham Even have an ACE or ACO? Now Roseville is heard from, which is O K. but becare full, when you feel your talking apples to apples. This blog started over Veteran Discount. Ace & ACO are 2 very distinctly different stores. In my area, ACO is a step above The dollar stores, For those familiar, they are closer to Gibraltar Trade Center. A coupon fanatic type. place, I live equal distant between the two, ACE is brand new. I now hear "MY ACO -CE" are for rainy day activities, it takes a down pour to get me to go in them, and then I walk each and every isle. lol... (get a life I know) well ACO is getting a gutting, make over. Aco by me is just so much cheaper, and if I can say "Nick Nackey " " trinkets & trash" type. a place where young blue collar or fix incomers end up going....... ACE, is priced higher, a place where if you had Sat. B'fast, you would say while I am here I might as well run in...... ever say that?
G P , I am sorry I had them back words, AcE is the higher priced one, If I am there (out of the rain) if I stumble across a find, I never say lets go to Brutus, by the time you burn the gas.............

Haulin T Male October 1, 2012 at 10:38 pm

New guy in town: Coming to Warren (van dyke) old sports complex and restaurant, 250,000 building, "Menards" their practice use to be, to build in the outer areas, Warren and Livonia, will be their first in Mich. in heavy populated areas, Toe to toe with Brutus twins Blue and Orange. my neighbors go to Clio, Flint.
I like nothing better, then to start out the drive to toledo 0300 sat or sunday, get there when they open (Alexis rd exit, first) why go so far, they have so many Different items, diff taste, then what you see around here. after done we go down town, to tony Packo's for some hungarian heart burn......lol DJG, I suggest to (lol) you 20 trips a week is just poor planing, lol. HD started out that way, but so many of their emply. orig. have become very rich, (stock) mang. now has tried to cut corners, by making sure no one had full weeks, 32 and less hr's, trying to get them to transfer, etc. that way they fall in the seniority ladder. So attitude has suffered....... also, different prices at different locations.......... I was told at Troy, (they don't hide it) cause the Taxes are so much higher...... If roseville smother you with TLC, stay there, cause it's more like trying to find a teenager when there's work to be done....lol, they hide in pairs.......... I have been a long timer, and ................ has told me some of the reasons why......... Lowe"s seems to be scarce also.............

Bryan Bentley October 1, 2012 at 11:15 pm

I'm looking forward to seeing what menards has to offer. I've heard of them, and heard good things as well...

Mark Itall October 2, 2012 at 12:15 am

Are you the least bit surprised that U of M doesn't value military service? I am not and I doubt many others are.

Mark Itall October 2, 2012 at 12:19 am

Hooray for Frentz Hardware in Royal Oak. A true old time hardware store.

Haulin T Male October 2, 2012 at 06:39 am

Yes Yes yes yes yes, goes w/o saying, a one of a kind.
I do the same in my daily routine, I go to all the others, then I go there, and kick my self all the way home, when I should of gone there first of all........... Yes yes yes...... for Frentz & Sons Hardware, a true throw back, including creaky uneven floors., your so right.

DJG October 2, 2012 at 07:12 pm

LOL...trust me, it wasn't my idea for the 20 trips. But that being said, I know just about enough to be dangerous. Which means I need help from Big Orange. And they've been great. I can't tell you how many of those trips were for a fitting, wrong one...return, right one...no...wrong one, etc. And when I need/ask for help, it's been great.
We just bought a new house and basically redid everything inside from paint, to drywall repair to carpet, lights, switches, outlets, you name it. Little projects also add up to many trips....:)

Haulin T Male October 3, 2012 at 02:50 am

DJG ............ THAT'S FUNNY, been there and done that.......... I was prepping you for your next house and to use your memo sect of your cell.....lol