Lee Valley Stores

[Puckdropper]

I've been thinking about taking a trip to Canada, because, well, my presidential candidate didn't win. I was hoping we'd write in "None of the Above" and not have to deal with Trillary or Hump, but alas that's no good.

(Ok, that's not the real reason.)

Anyway, I noted there are several Lee Valley Stores across Ontario and was wondering if you guys who live in the area would say it's worth stopping in at multiple stores. I see there's 3 in the Toronto area alone, is every store reasonably unique, or is it like going to Lowe's?

Puckdropper

[FrozenNorth]

I have only been in the Toronto North West store (Vaughn actually), The one on King Street looks very different from what I have heard and seen in pictures, but that is more the age of the building, being a much older building and TO NW being in a newer area. TO NW is also a short drive for me, getting downtown is a commitment.

[hubops]

The "bargain/clearance table" items are ~ unique to each store. < sometimes things that have never been in the catalogue > Within a region, ie southern Ontario, the stores are similar in regular stock items. : for large numbers of any item - phone the store. : for the more rare items - phone the store. : some very rare items are not even stocked in the retail stores.

Unless it has changed recently - if they have a partial number of an item in store - they will ship the remainder - free shipping.

If you try to manupulate the online shopping system - - for inventory checks - they will send a brawny checkered-shirted lumberjack to your house to assist in the necessary behaviour modifications.

I have always found their 1-800 customer service to be great. The individual store telephone service is also very good - but might suffer during the very busy retail times.

.. not sure where you are travelling - traffic can be a bugger in TO.

John T.

[blahblahblah]

I have been to the stores in Burlington, Vaughn (Toronto West) London and Waterloo. The showroom displays are a little different based on available size and shape but all the stores carry the same items (with a few exceptions) and you can always ask to look at anything. Not sure where you are crossing the border but a new store just opened in Windsor Ontario. Try to avoid the busy Sastuday afternoon rush. Best time to go is first thing when they open or during a week day not at lunch time or after work. If you are coming to Canada check out Busy Bee Tools as well.

[Puckdropper]

blahblahblah wrote in news:583cad69$0$10187$c3e8da3$ [e-mail]:

I'll keep Busy Bee in mind, thanks! I'll probably have to wander around a Canadian Tire too, just to see what you guys are talking about.

Looks like the shortest path is via Sarnia, ON. (Wasn't that were Robatoy was located?)

Puckdropper

[FrozenNorth]

Yes Rob was down there.

[hubops]

Agree - that it's best to avoid the real busy periods - if you want to do some touchy feely with the fancy stuff. Also - some of the Lee Valley stores are now open on Sunday - check the website for details ...

ps - today's Cyber Monday sale has Gift Cards on sale -

John T.

[FrozenNorth]

I am close enough to the Toronto West store, I order on line for in store pickup, always in and out in a few minutes. Browsing with my wife in the store is a totally different animal.

[clare]

Lewss than a mile from the Waterloo store.

[FrozenNorth]

The Toronto West store moved a few years ago, was a nice easy drive, about ten minutes, it isn't that far away now but is now part of a huge area of big box stores and outlets, just not as convenient.