Acme Tools Review 2026: Is It Worth Buying From Them?
With 77 years of experience in the business and a catalog of more than 100,000 products, ACME Tools is a major player in the tool distribution industry. But does this family-run business still provide the “hometown” service it was known for when it opened in 1948, or have recent problems with logistics made it less reliable? We looked past the marketing to see what real users and experts thought to give you a clear answer.
This review aims to give a clear and fair evaluation of ACME Tools by putting together information from several reliable independent sources. Our research gives more weight to primary sources, verified customer reviews, and expert analysis.
Review Platforms & Customer Feedback Sources Analyzed
Trustpilot (172+ verified customer reviews) – Independent review platform with strict verification protocols
- Company Rating: 1.7/5 stars (“Bad” rating)
- Review Status: Multiple pages of documented customer feedback spanning 2024-2025
Yelp (23-32 verified reviews) – User-submitted review platform with identity verification
- Average Rating: 2.3-2.7/5 stars
- Location-based reviews from customers who visited physical stores
Real Reviews.io (36 independent reviews) – Third-party aggregation platform
- Rating: 1.5/5 stars
- Analysis Type: Detailed customer experience narratives
Professional YouTube Vloggers, Content Creators & Blogger Sources
VCG Construction (June 28, 2025) – Professional tool reviewer and YouTube content creator
- Format: In-store visit vlog and comprehensive legitimacy assessment
- Content Length: 34+ minute detailed video walkthrough
- Location Covered: New Acme Tools location in Egan, Minnesota (grand opening)
- Methodology: Direct observation, product demonstrations, pricing analysis
Pro Tool Reviews (November 2024) – Industry expert blog covering tool retailers
- Focus: Company history, operational analysis, retail strategy assessment
- Format: Long-form written analysis with detailed company background
Community & User Experience Sources
Reddit Communities – User-generated, unmoderated discussion forums
- r/Tools (general tool discussion)
- r/MilwaukeeTool (Milwaukee Tool professional users)
What You'll Gain From This Review
This comprehensive analysis provides:
- Direct Quotes from Multiple Verified Sources – Unfiltered feedback from real customers, professional vloggers, and industry blogs
- Comprehensive Pros & Cons Analysis – Both positive and negative customer experiences documented with citations
- Vlogger & Blogger Insights – Professional assessments from content creators who visited locations or analyzed the company
- Community Discussion Analysis – Real user conversations from Reddit's tool communities
- Decision Framework – Clear guidance on whether ACME Tools is suitable for your specific needs
- Suitability Assessment – Detailed profiles of who should (and shouldn't) buy from ACME Tools
- Transparent Methodology – Full disclosure of sources, platforms used, and data collection approach
About Acme Tools
ACME Tools is one of the best places in the US to buy professional-grade and DIY tools, equipment, and supplies, both online and in person. George Kuhlman started the company in 1948 as a small shop in downtown Grand Forks, North Dakota, that fixed electric motors. Now, it is a huge tool distribution company.
Acme Tools Meta Review - Insights and Highlights
Discover firsthand opinions about Acme Tools. Is it a hit or miss? We’ve aggregated user and pro reviewers feedback for you. below are the key takeaways:
Pros:
"They have not only an online presence, but they have brick and mortar stores that are backing them up."
"There's a full full staff of people to help you like all day. They have demos for the weekends going on."
"If you're a contractor... you don't necessarily have to worry about if the tools break. They service the tools."
"Acme Tools offers an extensive selection of products from over 300 of the top brands that pros use. This includes names like DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Festool, Bosch, Husqvarna, and so many more."
"All of their sales staff members attend training sessions with manufacturer reps twice a month."
"They will match competitor pricing including shipping/handling charges."
"If you place your order by 11:00 AM Central Standard Time, Acme Tools will get that shipped out to you on the same day."
"Acme Tools will gladly replace an item or refund your money if you're not completely satisfied."
"Absolutely! They provide fantastic options and frequently have discounts available. ACME ranks among the top three online retailers for tools, my friend."
"Poop McNugget says that he bought a hammer drill kit had a couple batteries. One of the batteries was was bad. So, initially he was like, 'Maybe they're not legit.' He said, 'But it took an email and a phone call and they replaced the battery.' And he was made whole. Reconfirming the fact that they are indeed legit to buy tools from in case you're wondering."
"I buy a lot of tools, and have plenty of options where to buy them. Before this experience, I thought [ACME] offered prices that were competitive if not better than Home Depot and Lowes on most items."
"Ordered on March 2nd, received on March 6th. Would definitely do business with them again."
"Tools arrived in four days just as their email and the tracking number said."
"Experience was flawless... They gave me free delivery and it was here within three or four days."
"The sales staff are very knowledgeable about the products that they sell."
"The associate went to work and found us a special deal on a charger and batteries which saved us a substantial amount of money."
"So, I jumped on a sale for a jobsite table saw from Acme, even though I'd never heard of them outside of cartoons. I was a bit skeptical, but the price was too good to pass up, especially since Lowe’s was out of stock."
"I was really shocked to see all the bad reviews for Acme Tools on Trustpilot. My experience was completely different, and I have to share it. I needed some hard-to-find DeWalt nails for a big project – about 300 pounds worth. Not only did Acme Tools have them in stock, but they also offered me free delivery. The nails arrived in just three or four days, and the company kept me updated throughout the entire process. Everything was smooth and hassle-free. I’m definitely going to be using Acme Tools for all my future construction needs. Honestly, I couldn’t be happier with their service."
"I decided to give Acme Tools a shot, ordered some Dewalt tools. They sent me tracking info straight away, which was cool. The tools actually showed up in four days, exactly when their email said they would. Placed the order on March 2nd and got everything by March 6th, so pretty speedy. The whole thing went really smooth, no hiccups or anything. I'll definitely be buying from them again, the process was simple and quick."
Cons:
"Their stated lead times are BS. They 'bundle' items and then can't deliver. I am still waiting on a Dewalt Miter Saw Stand that I can buy anywhere else."
"At one point before the deal even went live, I had to email 'please call me' and threaten to pull the deal just to get them to succinctly explain the deal terms."
"The lady replied saying they wouldn't honor the price match. I requested a refund and said that I'd be taking my business elsewhere that honors price matching and their customers. Neither I or any of my coworkers will be purchasing from acme again. All for a couple bucks."
"When I spoke to our contact later by phone, he told me Spencer immediately kicked me back down to him. Despite me leaving a message on Spencer's voicemail that he/I needed to talk...The call never came."
"Poor us, we took a loss" math, against the same and better prices by their competitors industry-wide. Industry insiders about Acme feedback ranged from 'business trying to grow, punches above their weight' to 'pretty arrogant' and 'bunch of frat bros' and 'drinks their own Kool-Aid' to 'cocky and overconfident' and 'arrogant."
"They broke their own deal and made a huge stink to save themselves like $15."
"Fraudulent company. Never received shipping info and never received items."
"Took my money and said they shipped the item. Nothing was shipped. Nothing was delivered."
"Received an email Dec 3rd stating that now the item was on backorder... Today, Dec 19th received another email saying now there is an unknown delay."
"Received used/returned item... The Gearwrench hood light was in used condition. It looked like someone had used it for a week and returned it. I did not pay for a used item. Send me a heavily used and damaged hammer that I had paid for and ignored my emails when I reached out to them about their poor service. Take your money elsewhere."
"After 18 days, no shipped, no response in 5 days from CS (which must be the worst service in the entire world) I cancelled the order and refunded through PayPal. Customer service still has not responded even with another 6 days."
"Both reps I spoke with were annoyed at me immediately... and made me feel stupid for even calling."
"Their site doesn't connect my user to my orders so to look it up I have to find the original PO to get the order number to plug into search. And when I do, nothing comes up!"
"Confused, I called them up, and they dropped the bomb that it wouldn't actually ship for another two months. I felt totally misled."
"Shipping information mysteriously reverted to an old address during checkout... A $600 order... vanished."
"Confusing instructions, dismissive attitudes, and zero real help. They seemed more interested in dodging responsibility."
"Dealing with ACME Tools was a masterclass in frustration... Two months for an item that was supposed to come way sooner, and when it finally arrived, it was damaged beyond use. Infuriating!"
Final Thoughts:
"Here's the deal. If you're wondering if they're legit, yes, they're legit... So go ahead, feel confident."
"In a world where online shopping seems to either be big box stores or some fly-by-night guy that set up a shop on eBay, Acme Tools finds a pretty interesting niche. Their combination of Upper Midwest hometown retail stores and online sales, both fully staffed with knowledgeable people, bucks the trend these days."
"The feelings of the community are very divided. Users often warn others about the "gamble" with shipping speeds, but they always praise the low prices and "glitch" deals. The platform data shows that ACME is very useful for saving money but not so good for meeting tight deadlines."
"Most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Customers express widespread dissatisfaction with the company, especially concerning their orders. Many consumers report issues with delivery services, such as delays and items not arriving at all."
"Reviews here show that there is a big difference between the customer experience in person and online. People who shop in stores often say they have good experiences with staff who know what they're talking about. On the other hand, customers who only shop online give low ratings because they can't reach customer service and their order problems aren't being fixed."
"People who give feedback on this platform mostly talk about problems with the system's infrastructure. The aggregated data shows that there are ongoing technical problems, like incorrect "in-stock" indicators, website glitches regarding shipping addresses, and a return process that is too strict and hard."
"ACME Tools is a real company, but it has a lot of financial and project risk because of its ongoing service problems. The company is not a scam, but their customer service and order fulfillment are not always reliable.
People Who Should Buy From ACME Tools:
- Professional contractors in the Midwest who can get to physical stores.
- People who want to do it themselves and stay on a budget are looking for things that cost less than $100 and have flexible deadlines.
- People looking for hard-to-find brands that aren't sold at big stores.
Who Should NOT Use ACME Tools:
- Projects that need tools in 2 to 3 days because they are time-sensitive.
- Purchases of $500 or more where not getting the item would mean a big loss of money.
- Customers who live outside the Midwest and rely on shipping for everything.
The Bottom Line: Buying ACME Tools is a "high-risk, high-reward" choice. The fact that the reviews are split shows that the company has trouble keeping things running smoothly, not that it is trying to cheat people. Use them carefully and only when you need to, call ahead to make sure they have what you need, and don't use them as your main supplier for urgent needs."
Is Acme Tools a legitimate and authorized retailer?
Yes, Acme Tools is a legitimate, long-standing retailer and an authorized dealer for major brands like Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita. They operate both online and through physical stores, and are frequently recommended by industry experts and tool communities.
What is Acme Tools’ shipping policy and how fast is delivery?
Acme Tools offers standard and expedited shipping options, with free shipping on orders over $199.
While some customers report fast delivery, others have experienced delays, especially with backordered items.
What is Acme Tools’ return and refund policy?
Acme Tools offer returns and refunds through Returns Portal. You have to provide your seven-digit order number and order-related email address.
If you are not satisfied with your product, they replace the item or refund the money you spent.
How do I track my order or check order status?
Order tracking is available via your Acme Tools account and email notifications.
What should I do if my order is missing items or parts?
Contact customer service (Customer support hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm CT) over phone: (877) 345-2263 or email them (via contact form on their website) immediately with your order details and photos if possible.
What types of tools does Acme Tools offer?
Acme Tools offers power tools, hand tools, outdoor equipment, and accessories for professionals and DIYers alike.
Is it safe to buy from Acme Tools online, and how do I avoid scam sites?
Yes, as long as you shop at the official site (acmetools.com). Beware of lookalike scam sites (e.g., acmetoolsonline.com). Always verify the URL and look for secure payment options.