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(43 posts)

RANT- Alki Lumber

Started 3 years ago by cjboffoli
Latest reply from sun-e

cjboffoli
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I've lived in West Seattle for 2 years and never had a reason to go into Alki Lumber. But after going over last week to have a couple of screens repaired I'll never go back. The people behind the counter were disinterested and surly. The place was a scrambled mess. And they ended up charging me double what they quoted. $50 for two small screens is a ripoff. I guess I learned my lesson.

Posted 3 years ago #
transplantella
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Sorry to hear that.....but I can suggest a better place.

I needed to buy a wooden screen door. True Value and McClendons don't handle them. Lowe's had one that was perfect, for $27 and an 80 DOLLAR delivery fee! Um no.

So I started calling around and ended up getting it at Stewart Lumber and Hardware on Rainier Ave. They were patient and helpful, dragged out all kind of supplier catalogs, and delivered the $27 screen door today.....for 5 bucks.

Yeah, I will absolutely positively do business with them again. Great experience. Good folks. Give a try.

Posted 3 years ago #
cjboffoli
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transplantella: Thanks for the tip!

Posted 3 years ago #
swthistle
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CJ
Alki lumber is for the contractors, and they have great quality wood products well worth the price...if you need screens call White Center Glass they do a great job, and if they aren't right they will fix the problem. Super nice people!

Posted 3 years ago #
seattlegolfer
Member Profile

Alki Lumber goes down as the worst maintained business in the Triangle area. Really, if you're in the construction business couldn't you fence in the blight, paint your buildings and consistently remove the garbage and wood pallets so people can walk down the sidewalk past your business?

Posted 3 years ago #
mellaw6565
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CJ - as with other posts like this, I always try to encourage people to talk with management before posting; it gives the business a chance to rectify the situation.

Obviously you are under no obligation to do so, but I think it's only fair before you post the Rant about a business on a public forum. If management doesn't respond, then by all means...

Posted 3 years ago #
Sue
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I don't know what type of screens you were having repaired, but we had a window screen done at True Value in the Junction. They did a very good job for a reasonable fee.

Posted 3 years ago #
condodweller
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I agree with wsgolfer about the poor appearance of the Alki Lumber site. While it may be for contractors primarily, it has a front and center location for greeting all newcomers to West Seattle.

A new business of that nature could not get away with the exposed lumber and lack of landscaping, etc. Alki Lumber has been in that location for decades and it seems that if they were inclined to clean up their business, they would have done so long ago.

While I am certain they are grandfathered into the lack of restrictions as to the look of the property, a sense of respect for the surrounding businesses and residences should surely motivate them to provide decent fencing and shields around the unattractive side of their business.

I have only visited there once even though I live nearby. It was so jumbled up and they obviously were targeting contractors. I have not returned.

Posted 3 years ago #
JimmyG
Member Profile

Alki Lumber is completely contractor-driven.
The individual retail customer doesn't much matter to their bottom line. 15 plus years ago I tried to order a screen door from them and was treated like crap.

I complained to the manager and he was very up front with me that they aren't set up to serve small individual orders. He was nice enough about it and from then on I understood their business model and that I wasn't going to receive great service there.

Posted 3 years ago #
cjboffoli
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mellaw6565: Your suggestion is completely fair and reasonable. However, I had two successive bad experiences, when the screens were dropped off and when they were picked up. So that was two chances for them to treat me fairly and professionally, even if I'm a small potatoes retail customer. And they failed on both occasions. It seems to me that the management of Alki Lumber has already demonstrated to me their level of service and no complaint to their management is going to do me much good at this point.

Posted 3 years ago #
mellaw6565
Member Profile

Fair enough - I just hate the blanket business bashing that goes on here sometimes without giving the business a chance to fix it. Sorry you had such a bad experience. I've never been there - always go to McClendon's or Dunn Lumber.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
Member Profile

on the other hand.. when i moved here i desperately needed some lathe strips cut to complete making our balcony safe for inquisitive little dogs with no fear.

the fellows at Alki treated me with respect.. stayed late. and cut my strips to length so that all i had to do was go back and tack them up...

i have been back more than once.

Posted 3 years ago #
DavidF
Member Profile

Alki Lumber is by far the best lumberyard I have dealt with in the last 25 years. It is for Contractors, and the owner and management are wonderful people, who live locally, and add a tremendous amount to our community. I agree that they can be a bit rough at times, but who isn't? Luckily, there are many oher choices nearby.

Posted 3 years ago #
ellenater
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I actually prefer the surly people...like at Sunfish Cafe.

Posted 3 years ago #
FullTilt
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When not making ice cream, I am a boat builder and wood worker by trade. I have found the folks at Alki nothing but wonderful. They are not a hardware store. I understand it can be frustrating to go into a place and not receive the service that you expected, but imagine their frustration when people walk in expecting a level of service that they do not offer. It would be like going to Costco and wondering why some one is not helping you out with your groceries.

As the far as the charging you double what they quoted you, that is just wrong. I don't care what you business is, if you give me a quote for something it better end up close there or you better have a good reason why not.

I like that they are a bit rough around the edges. The rest of WS is starting to look a little to Bellevue anyhow.

Posted 3 years ago #
cjboffoli
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Let me just qualify that I did not go in there looking for white glove service. And I can certainly appreciate the potential charm in a bunch of ornery old guys. I've been in my fair share of hardware stores and lumber yards. In fact, the disordered jumble of Alki Lumber reminds me of a place called Spag's Supply that I used to frequent back East. I only went in because my builder told me they repaired/replaced Milgard screens. My problem was the way they ignored me (in favor of watching TV) when I walked in. And then they said they'd call me about the screens and they never did. They quoted me a price on screens and said the frames would be remade. And then when I went back in there to retrieve them I saw that they were the same old frames and they were double the price quoted. I'm happy to hear that others in West Seattle have had good experiences at Alki Lumber. After this experience I'll be taking my business elsewhere.

Posted 3 years ago #
condodweller
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As far as the rough appearance goes, it would not hurt our gateway to look a little more like Bellevue and a little less like Aurora.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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i have to admit, i kind of like that little scruffy business district where the emphasis is on doing things right and not on appearances. Bellevue appearances have to be paid for... and i would far rather pay for quality work than a shiny showroom.

That said, that area is doomed eventually anyway.. the land is becoming far more useful for development and the businesses that are so conveniently located now will likely move...

i am not sure that is worth having an attractive gateway.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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my neighborhood finally has a name: "The Gateway Neighborhood"... I love it.

Posted 3 years ago #
condodweller
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The unattractive appearance may seem charming passing by, I am not sure why. If you live by it, and experience the murky after-hours activities there, it is quite another matter.

I do not propose we look like Bellevue, but a place should look as though the merchants and residents care enough about the area to maintain it in an orderly manner. It does not take a lot of money, just a caring attitude.

A hardware/construction supplier need not be a blight on the surrounding area, Copeland Lumber in Rainier Vallery is testimony to that.

Posted 3 years ago #
perfessor
Member Profile

I've had great experiences with Alki Lumber--from the first time I stopped by 25 years ago!!
As mentioned, it's not a general hardware store, but I've relied on their assistance for a number of home projects.

The first time I stopped by (25 years ago), I needed some lumber and posts to build a fence for the back yard. I didn't have a truck, just an old ford falcon. They helped me load up the car with half of the lumber, and then sent me off without paying even one dollar --I was told I could pay for everything "when I got back" for the second load.

Find me anyplace like that and I'll have a hard time saying anything bad about them!

Posted 3 years ago #
mellaw6565
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That was 25 years ago - I wonder if they would do that today? Nice if they do.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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i don't know..

they were that good to me just last year.

Posted 3 years ago #
julie s
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I just came across this thread after purchasing most of the materials to build a shed from Alki Lumber, and I want to say that I had an excellent experience. I'm not a contractor and I designed the shed and figured out the quantities myself, having had a small amount of experience with other projects. They were helpful, respectful, they had everything I needed, or ordered it and had it right away. Their lumber is way better than most hardware stores (it is a lumber store after all).

Posted 1 year ago #
KBear
Member Profile

Um, wouldn't you be paying them a better compliment by starting a new topic called "RAVE - Alki Lumber!", rather than drawing attention to a customer service failure that happened over a year ago by resurrecting this old thread?

Posted 1 year ago #
Carson
Member Profile

I never saw this thread before either and I will have to say I would have both Rants and Raves about Alki. We bought our house a little over 2 years ago and they were they first place I went shopping. They had a reasonable delivery charge and decent prices, and for me, same day delivery. I couldn't have been happier. I soon realized I needed my own truck and went there to grab a few dozen 2x4. When I went to pick them out, they were some of the worst lumber I had seen. The guy helping me commented that a real carpenter could make them straight. Really? So I didn't go back for a while. Slowly I went back for a few things here and there, all good. This past spring I need some custom Trusses and 7 squares of cedar shakes so I called them for a quote. They were about 25% higher on the shakes (Bought from Issaquah Cedar) and more on the trusses (Bought from Tri County Truss). So while I would go there in a pinch, they are never my first option any more.

Posted 1 year ago #
villagegreen
Member Profile

Had a terrbile customer service experience at Alki Lumber as well. I'm just one guy and was only looking for one piece of wood. Obviously, not their client base.

Anyway, ordered decking from Stewart Lumber down on Rainier and had an awesome experience.

@JoB - as for the scruffy appearance, as condodweller said, try living by it. I'm all for a little scruff around the edges - definitely prefer that to a sterile Blahvue look - but their appearance goes well beyond scruffy. It's downright sh*tty. They're like the crappy neighbor on your block that has multiple disused cars out front up on blocks and trash overflowing into their yard. There's a difference between having 'character' and just being a nuisance.

Posted 1 year ago #
europeancardriver
Member Profile

My issue with Alki lumber is they sell to a known scam artist ( i will not give is name or think of calling him a contractor or plumber or engineer; hint hint) that has ripped off many West seattle and Washington residence in general. They only seem to help the contractors but not the little guys.

Posted 1 year ago #
phil THE BIG KAHOONA
Member Profile

alki lumber is a bunch of honest hard working stand up guys if you feel like you got over charged they would most likely refund all your money & let you keep the screens. Oh & do you check the history of every customer that comes in to your buissnes i dident think so and you have no idea how hard it is just to keep it scruffy I think you were looking for the bellview blog .And further more how would you know what goes on there after hours???? Alki lumber has been in west seattle since before any of one on the west seattle blog was born.Those guy do nothing but give west seattle 150% all week and they deserve nothing but respect!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 1 year ago #
Garden_nymph
Member Profile

pHiL,

I'm not quite sure what you are saying since my vernacular to English translation device is unavailable. Might I suggest buying a capital letter, or possibly more punctuation? The redundant use of question marks and exclamation marks is intriguing, if not overwhelming. By the way, the red lines under many of your words mean they are incorrectly spelled. Just thought I'd help...

Posted 1 year ago #
Carson
Member Profile

I am not the smartest guy in the world, but how do you give 150%? If 100% is just that, 100%, ie, all you can give, how can you give 50% more than that? Doesn't that make 150% actually just 100%? Please, correct me if I am wrong Phil, I was never very good at that new math stuff...

(psst, Garden_nymph, the red lines are because you are using Firefox probably, with a built in spell checker, phil is probably an ie kind of guy)

Posted 1 year ago #
PDieter
Member Profile

for a real good time go in wearing a jane fonda t shirt.

Posted 1 year ago #
WSB
Member Profile

Nobody flagged this but please refrain from criticizing people's spelling and grammar. Another one of the rules we don't have - is perfect spelling/grammar. Idyllic as that would be, it's not possible for some, and I'm just glad to see people here communicating ... long as they follow what rules we DO have ... Thanks.

Posted 1 year ago #
mrhineh
Member Profile

Well, if we're going to flag rules, how about the one that states Rants need to be directed to management of the establishment and a solution pursued before blowing them up here? "Alki Lumber has already demonstrated to me their level of service and no complaint to their management is going to do me much good at this point." doesn't really seem to demonstrate an attempt at having managment resolve the issue.

If you haven't noticed, the trick is to pile on after the first rant with your own rant, even thought the following ranters haven't tried to contact the management of the business to resolve their issue. Its a free ride, really.

Posted 1 year ago #
acemotel
Member Profile

criticizing spelling and punctuation only serves to make the person doing the criticizing look petty, small, insecure and insignificant.

and Alki Lumber rocks! it's a lumber yard, not a day spa.

Why not "clean up" the waterfront too, get rid of those big cranes and all that machinery and plant some nice landscaping, make a pretty park? It makes West Seattle look trashy and uh.....working class..... bwa ha ha ha

Posted 1 year ago #
WesCAddle
Member Profile

Is Alki Lumber vegetarian? Because if it's not it should be. Or at least offer some vegetarian dishes. Also, I am tired of all those dogs off leash at Alki Lumber.

PS- The Blue Angels are too loud and scare my cats.

Posted 1 year ago #
phil THE BIG KAHOONA
Member Profile

ace motel rocks! as for you garden nymph the only thing that intrigues me is why when i put your blog name in my vernacular translator it translates as bridge troll any way im leaving to go surfing in Indonesia im shure it will be overwhelmingly enjoyable have fun under your bridge talk to you in 2 months PS you can be shure il be giving 150% on every wave! by now did i miss any grammer???!@#$%)*

Posted 1 year ago #
Joe Motor
Member Profile

I have been going to this place for over 20 years. When I wanted an account for my drywall business(when I first started doing business with them), the deal was set on my word and a hand shake.The people there are real, the place has been there like 80 years. The owner, Jim Sweeny, is a stand up guy and treats his people better than any giant corporation. They could make the place look nice for all the YMCA yuppies driving by. But why, it is a lumber yard, they have been here longer than anyone in town. Jim paid his dues, and runs the place the way they always have.
They take care of local contractors, the guys that build and remodel your homes and businesses. If Jim ever throws in the towel and I have to go to Home Depot, I will raise my prices (time is money), it takes forever to get anything at these big stores. At Alki L. the guy that waits on you, rings you up and loads your rig. And these guys actually know construction, what a concept. Just my 2 cents.

Posted 1 year ago #
Zenguy
Member Profile

Well, if the converstations I have had with the employees on my way to work are any indication, they are not treated as well as you might think. As far as making it nice for the YMCA yuppies, how about making it nice for the average person that just does not like looking at overgrown bushes, garbage and a run-down premises.

Posted 1 year ago #
Zenguy
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And seriously, why are we bringing up a topic from five moths ago?

Posted 1 year ago #
Clifford
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I just love WSB and strongly feel that it is West Seattle's premier hyper-local news-gathering blog but this thread concerns me. Usually posters (and sometimes even WSB honchos) jump all over ranters who do not contact management regarding their complaints - in this case it seems that this rule is only being selectively enforced.

especially wacky is this comment "I'm just glad to see people here communicating ... long as they follow what rules we DO have ..." - seems odd to go after the grammar police when the OP clearly is also flaunting the rules.

and seriously zenguy - questioning someone for posting on a stale thread just moments after doing that yourself? gotta love that humour!

Posted 1 year ago #
Zenguy
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Clifford, there is a non-written rule that when something is months gone by that a new thread is started. I only commented because Joe Motor brought it up again after all this time.

Posted 1 year ago #
sun-e
Member Profile

Only because Joe Motor brought it up I must reiterate: I truly don't see any negatives about Alki Lumber making some very much needed exterior improvements to their business.

Posted 1 year ago #