Wed, Feb 2, 2005, 10:41am (EST-1)
(Patriarch) says:
My local hardware guy runs this kind of place. Smart folks, who pay
attention. Good selection, with answers on what I really need. He's my
first alternative, and not only because he's 4 blocks away.
Lowe's is 20 miles. snip

The local Ace Hardware is great, even the teenagers know where most
of the stuff is, and if they don't they will find someone that does.
That's always my first stop. But, they don't carry well controllers.
It's about a mile. Got 3 Lowes about 8-9 miles each. One HD about 8
miles. Got the first well contoller because it was a Sunday, and no
plumbing supply open. Now keep going there for them because they're
reasonably close, have them, and are open on Sunday. It's rather
surprising how many things go when everything else is closed. But,
anytime I can, I shop in my home town first.



JOAT
The first method of estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at
the men he has around him.
- Niccolo Machiavelli