Bayside Building Materials

This should be Zero stars! Don’t shop here unless you want to be scammed and called an SOB for realizing the scam. Read the other 1 star reviews and you will see a theme. Here are the facts: 1. I purchased 10 cubic yards of mulch for delivery. 2. Less than 10 cubic yards were delivered. By estimation using the volume of a cone, somewhere between 5 – 7 yards was delivered. I am a structural engineer who works in the construction industry and this method, taking into consideration the angle of repose, is commonplace for estimating stock piles. 3. I informed Julio, and asked that someone come out to validate 10 yards. I didn’t ask for more mulch, just for someone to show how this could be 10 cy. Julio said he was insulted to be questioned on the quantity, that he would not believe my calculation (I don’t think he understood it to be honest), that I was a son of a b**** (wow, totally professional!), and that he would send people out to pick it up and void the transaction. So, what does it mean if someone would rather spend 2 man-​hours shoveling mulch back into a truck (which also proved the quantity was less than 10cy) rather than send a guy out for 15 minutes to run through a calculation or estimate to validate a quantity? He didn’t want it proved that they had goofed or they were in the business of shorting people on bulk deliveries. It all worked out because I got the mulch for $ 10/​cy CHEAPER at Oakland Firewood & Landscape. Yay’!!! See the photos.

I have been going to Bayside for the better part of a year. Mostly I buy pressure treated lumber for a retaining wall and fence I am repairing. I have found, (the hard way) that their product is far superior to that found in other lumber yards, and at the Home depot.
Their pressure treated lumber is made from Doug Fir. It is usually straight, fresh and cut to length… The selection is quite vast.
Now, in comparison, the pressure treated lumber from Home depot is NOT Doug fir, It is usually some mix of woods, called Hemlock Fir, (there is no fir species called ‘Hemlock’). Generally, this wood is NOT structurally rated and can only be used for landscaping purposes. Thus, I like the stronger, better defined Doug Fir.
I have always found the folks at Bay Side to be pleasant to deal with, business-​like, but still friendly and knowledgeable. I have had no problem with the office folks nor the yard people, who are very helpful. Not sure why other reviewers have had issues.
The cost of their lumber products is a bit more than at other yards, but it is much better quality.
tom

Our visit lasted the length of three country songs. Mssrs Haggard and Cash played, then a rousing Dolly Parton tune came on. Standing by the lumber aisle, I sort of felt like I had stepped onto the set of Hee Haw. All that was missing was a smiling Buck Owens standing next to a hay bale.
With Bayside, it’s all in the name. This Ace, unlike others, is about the building materials. Do not expect an adjacent nursery. Do expect a quarry out back.
We went in for paint stripping materials and found what we needed. When I’m in need of piping, lumber, screws or nails, I’ll be back.
The older, accented gentleman was nothing but courteous. After reading others’ reviews, it would seem that he’s not always in top form.
For those of us living in the Foster City/​San Mateo area, this Ace is really well-​placed. And I would hope to hear a ‘whole lotta Hank’ Williams on my next visit.

Had one decent experience here the first time to pick up some precut lumber but this second visit was terrible. The guy manning the lumber yard refused to make certain cuts on the lumber even though he clearly could have give the equipment he had and the elderly gent at the counter was extremely rude when we tried to return some too long deck screws. He basically threw the money across the counter at us after we politely explained that the screws were the wrong size. We usually try to frequent local and family owned hardware stores but this is our last visit to bayside and we are off to Home Depot.

I just love shopping at this hardware store! The Italian gentleman at the counter is so knowledgable and nice! He even talked to me about gardening fresh vegetables when I was really only there for some plumbing supplies!
This is the true definition of a small business ran right! Only thing I have left to say and advise to anyone reading this is
HELLO BAYSIDE BUILDING MATERIALS GOODBYE HOME DEPOT!
Keep up the stellar work Bayside!!!

Here is another case where things have gotten a lot better. I still enjoy the Italian man and the women are very nice. I’ve been back about ½ dozen times and will continue to shop there when needed.
They are a bit expense but supporting small shops is important.

We ordered about a cubic yard of sand to be delivered for our backyard sandbox and went in person to purchase it. We asked the owner, Julio, who helped us with the transaction if the sand could be delivered to the back, and he replied «yes».
The next morning, after calling to ask if they were still delivering the sand, they came by and dumped the entire thing in our driveway and left. When I called to ask if he was coming back, because the agreement was to put the sand in the back, Julio, retorted, «Are you out of your mind?» and hung up. My husband then tried calling back and pointed out very politely that even if it was a misunderstanding that this put us in a bind. Julio’s reply was to claim he didn’t remember having the conversation until my husband jogged his memory, and claim that they would never have promised that, that we should go rent a wheelbarrow at San Mateo Rentals and fix it ourselves, and once again hung up the phone on us while my husband was still speaking mid-​sentence.
We wanted to support our local business but will obviously be going elsewhere from now on given the astounding attitude the owner has toward his customers.

Bayside is what every hardware store should be like. If you don’t know the parts you need to get the job done, talk to Bob or Giulio and they will take very good care of you. And I really encourage you not to quibble over the few cents on the dollar you might save at Home Depot.
The past two times I went to Home Depot and asked the worker serving the lighting department which bulb fit the manufacturers specifications for two separate applications (and I had the model number of the bulb and the application BOTH times), he sent me away because he didn’t know, yet acted as though he did. Both times, I acted on my own judgment – in spite of him turning me away – and was correct both times. Here’s my point: many of the individuals who work at Home Depot do not know what they are talking about. And if you are working on your home, isn’t there way too much at stake to leave it to a dude making low wages with minimal training in an orange apron? I don’t care to rip Home Depot without merit: Bayside is just better.
The owners at Bayside are old school and do it the right way. They are generous with their time and will make sure you get the part you need and walk away happy.
Furthermore, the quality of lumber far exceeds any other local competitor (yes, better than Home Depot). We built a deck out of lumber for Bayside, so I can personally vouch for the fact that the quality is the best in the area. I recognize most people will be hung up on price. But do you complain when when a nice steak costs more than lousy one? The problem is, most people see wood as wood; that makes as much sense as saying a steak is a steak.

Overall good selection; even has many items that HD doesn’t carry. And to the point where the owner throws things on the counter; this is something he always does; I don’t find it offensive, he does it in the sort of way a bar tender throws down a coaster in your general direction; at least that is the impression I get when he throws/​slides my credit card back to me. I wonder if he does bar tending off hours? But I digress, when I need drain rock, special cinder block sizes, odd/​long bolt lengths and whatnot, this place gots what I need at a good price.
The owner is a nice guy, but the music over the store speakers doesn’t do it for me… :)
But for my lumber needs, I would look at getting it from OK Lumber if they are open at the time. BBM has good lumber, but I am used to OKL. Nothing wrong with BBM, just prefer OKL.
ok, have fun now. bye.

Quick Summary:
1. Poor quality (at least for Key duplication)
2. Poor customer service
I’ve been here twice to get my keys duplicated, and each time, it was terrible.
The first time I came here to get my keys duplicated, my duplicate key did not work! I should’ve gone back and complained, but I instead went somewhere else.
The second time, I had no choice but to come here because I was under a time constraint, and this is very close to where I live. I was hesitant to come again, but I did.
Anyway, the second time I came in, I went straight to the person behind the counter and asked him to duplicate my keys. Didn’t mention my previous incident, and didn’t say much else. The guy actually seemed pretty annoyed by my request (it was some older guy… can’t remember his name).
When he finished, he took the keys and actually threw it in front of me to the counter! The issue was the manner in which he threw the keys seemed really disrespectful; almost like he was disgusted with me. It’s not like he handed it to me, or placed it on the counter, but rather did a tossing motion like when you’re annoyed with something.
Anyway, I so shocked that I couldn’t say anything. I think I just paid and walked away stunned. I was pretty disgusted, and it left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. I’ll never come here again.
He was pretty crude and rude to me. I doubt I’ll ever be coming back here.

Not a fan… the owners are not pleasant and its like stepping into an old boys club where girls are not allowed. I came here because I thought they would have a more extensive supply of home-​pest control as most Ace Hardware affiliates do but this place doesn’t carry anything for spiders or silverfish.

This is my go-​to spot for home repair items and key copies. Their hours are pretty reasonable (they open up at 7:30 a.m. on weekdays) and it’s super close to my house.
My apartment keys are apparently hard to copy, but the man at the front desk was able to make it happen without any fuss or muss.

This is the best hardware store around. They have all the little stuff you can’t find at Home Depot and a staff that actually knows what they are talking about and are willing to help with a smile. I stopped going anywhere else. I really like the old time mom and pop feel and they’ll even give you a cup of coffee. Really nice place.

So, I’m helping to build a deck and some other assorted wooden structures for some family and I realized we needed more redwood. The last batch had come from Home Depot and it was a hassle. It was cheap and the quality was noticeably poor. With my fingers crossed I headed over to Bayside for the next batch. The wood was straighter, cleaner, and all the proper size. It was definitely more expensive, but the end result is just so much nicer. If I can avoid it I won’t be wasting any more time at Home Depot when I can get my supplies here.

Forget Home Depot, Bayside Building Materials is an old fashioned family run hardware store and very convenient (you park right in front), while the staff is helpful and actually available to assist you.
If you need advice on fixing something, talk to Guilio, the owner – he’s knowledgeable and funny. Sort of like having your own Dad at the hardware store helping you, he’s great!
The place has been around for a million years and is conveniently located near hwy 92 on Norfolk.