Butters Ace Hardware

Lately I've been hunting for bargain screws and that one weird replacement part, so I've gotten pretty good at tracking where my local Butters Ace Hardware posts their current sales. The most reliable place is the store's own page on AceHardware.com — search for the Butters location and you'll usually find a 'Weekly Ad' or 'Promotions' section that lists current deals, circulars, and special buys. I bookmark that page and check it before any big project.

If I want more immediate or behind-the-scenes notices, I follow their Facebook page and Instagram. Small stores like Butters often post flash sales, in-store specials, and photos of clearance racks on social media before anything gets uploaded to national pages. I also get on their email list and signed up for the Ace Rewards app; between those newsletters and the app notifications I've snagged markdowns that weren't obvious on the website. If all else fails, a quick phone call to the store save me a wasted trip. It's comforting to know where they put their deals — I can plan a weekend build without breaking the bank.

I get a little giddy talking about local hardware places, so here we go — the short version from my weekend projects: yes, Butters Ace Hardware does rent tools. I’ve used their rental desk more than once when a home job ballooned into something I didn’t want to buy for a single afternoon.

They usually carry the heavy stuff you don’t want cluttering your garage: pressure washers, tile saws, carpet cleaners, small diggers, generators, and the occasional compact excavator. When I rented, I had to show ID, sign a rental agreement, and they noted fuel and cleaning policies — so expect to refill or pay a cleaning fee. Rates were hourly, daily, and weekend packages, and they charged a deposit for pricier items.

My tip: inspect the tool together with staff, check attachments and safety gear, and ask about late fees and what constitutes normal wear. The folks there were practical and helpful; I left feeling like I’d borrowed from a neighbor rather than a faceless chain, which made finishing the job actually pleasant.

If you've ordered from Butters Ace Hardware online, here's the practical breakdown I usually follow when dealing with returns.

First, check the confirmation email or your online account for the return policy tied to that order — independent Ace stores like Butters often follow Ace's general guidelines but can have local variations. In most cases you can return online purchases within about 30 days if the item is unused and in its original packaging. For damaged or wrong items, take photos immediately and contact the store; they tend to be helpful with prepaid return labels for things that arrived defective.

If you want the fastest resolution, bring the item, the packing slip or order number, and your ID into the store. In my experience, in-store returns are accepted more quickly than mail returns and the refund posts back to your card in a few business days. For mail returns you may need to print a label from your account and drop the package off with the carrier specified. Overall, it's straightforward but keep receipts and photos handy — it speeds everything up and keeps me stress-free.

I've stopped by a few Butters Ace Hardware locations over the years for grill supplies, and yes — most of the stores in that family do carry propane tanks or run a propane exchange service. Usually what I see on the shelves are the standard 20 lb BBQ cylinders (or they’ll have the exchange kiosk for brands like Blue Rhino or AmeriGas), plus the small 1 lb disposable cylinders for camping stoves. The tanks themselves are often kept outside near the garden/BBQ section for safety and quick swaps.

From my experience, not every Butters corner will refill a tank on site — many will only do exchanges — and some locations vary by local ordinance. If you need accessories like regulators, hoses, or a refill instead of an exchange, those items are generally available inside, and staff are usually helpful pointing you to the outdoor tank area. I like how convenient it is to pick up a couple of accessories and walk out with a fresh tank; it saves a grilling night more than once.