ACO Hardware has graciously offered a 15% off discount on any purchase (excluding sale items) to military members and veterans through the BBB Online Military Discount Directory. This offer will be honored in all 66 stores in Michigan.
The BBB Online Military Discount Directory features discount offers on products and services from more than 50 businesses that are accredited by the Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. These businesses have offered the noted discounts to military members and veterans through December 31, 2012.
ACO Hardware is a Michigan based company serving its valued customers for 65 years at 66 locations. The company specializes in paint, lawn & garden, home décor, housewares and hardware products to help customers with their do-it-yourself projects. ACO has been a BBB Accredited Business since 1989.
Any BBB Accredited Business in Eastern Michigan or the Upper Peninsula interested in participating can sign up to be added to the directory by following this link to complete a brief questionnaire: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RXW2W9P.
If you are interested in accreditation with the Better Business Bureau or have any questions about this directory, please contact Lisa Dilg, Director of Community Relations, at ldilg@easternmichiganbbb.org or (248) 799-0326.
kidcat24
11:22 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012
Very impressive, start carrying more Made in the U.S.A. products and that would be even more impressive.
DJG
6:28 am on Saturday, September 29, 2012
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
4:42 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012
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
6:56 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012
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
7:58 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012
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
12:20 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
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.
Haulin T Male
9:34 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
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.
Dibbleville Resident
3:42 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
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
6:15 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
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
6:23 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
ACO's on line application specifically asks about military service.
http://www.acohardware.com/custom//_online_form/index.php
John Proulx
6:57 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
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.
Mark Itall
8:15 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Are you the least bit surprised that U of M doesn't value military service? I am not and I doubt many others are.
EMIbbb
10:06 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
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
11:44 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
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
1:17 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
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
1:33 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
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
1:45 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
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
2:40 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
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
3:35 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Mark,
13 and Little Mack. Roseville, as mentioned in my post. Morning, noon and night....and weekends.
Haulin T Male
6:08 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
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
6:38 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
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
7:15 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
I'm looking forward to seeing what menards has to offer. I've heard of them, and heard good things as well...
DJG
3:12 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
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
10:50 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
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
Mark Itall
8:19 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Hooray for Frentz Hardware in Royal Oak. A true old time hardware store.
Haulin T Male
2:39 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
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.