Guess what company is a new member to not only the BusinessWeek top 25 Customer Service Champs, but the top 10 on the list… you guessed it, ACE Hardware. None of the other home improvement chains made the list of course. Here is a link to the BusinessWeek video featuring ACE Hardware’s #10 finish.

http://feedroom.businessweek.com/?fr_story=FRdamp250708

Well, in case you didn’t hear it as the lead story on NPR the other morning like I did, ACE Corporate really screwed up. See ACE Hardware is Cooperative… the majority of stores are individually owned and operated and ACE Hardware Coporation is all of our stores’ largest supplier. The store owners all hold stock in ACE Hardware Corporation so the store owners own the company. Well, as part of that arrangement, we were very disappointed to hear that ACE Corporate made a very big error in their accounting. Very long story short, they significantly overstated inventory on the balance sheet meaning the company has a much lower book value than expected.

At this point there are many more questions than answers for corporate but it looks like it is going to hurt a little. The good news for Orchards ACE Hardware (and our customers) is that we are in a strong position and will have no problem weathering the storm. We are confident everything will turn out fine and even if there were any problems with ACE, we will get our product from somewhere else, and continue on… business as usual. This is what we did over 10 years when we switched to ACE during Coast to Coast’s problems.

Most we hope going forward that our biggest supplier keeps a little closer eye on the books. Mistakes happen and I’m sure they’ve learned a valuable lesson!

Guess what ACE fans… Talked to the boss today, and he said he wants to start doing specials particularly for our online visistors and blog followers! So, soon to come are special discounts/coupons just for visiting our website and our blog.  I think it’s a great idea and am looking forward to the first special. Looks like the first special will be in early April, after the boss decides what he wants to do.

-Dan

Well folks, we had our management meeting tonight on IT.  Among the topics was the new blog.  Everyone bought off on the Helpful Hardware Blog so it looks like we really are going to give it shot.  I am so psyched!!  Should be interesting to see what happens… Clark and Mike to come soon.