Goyer Ace Hardware Blog

2012-01-24T11:33:00.000-06:00

Good Day

Our store now offers fluorescent light bulb recycling. Bring in your burnt out bulbs and we’ll make sure they don’t end up in the land fill. We accept both compact (CFL) and tube type fluorescent bulbs.

We also accept rechargeable batteries. These include cell phone, camera, power tool, and lap top batteries.

Another service we offer is UPS shipping. If you have packages with a prepaid label just drop it off and we’ll be sure the UPS driver gets it. These labels will have either “RS” or “ARS” printed on them. Or if you need an item shipped, put in a sturdy cardboard box, tape it up, and bring it on in. We’ll generate the address label and ship it out. UPS picks up from our store Monday thru Friday usually around 4 p.m. We will accept packages at anytime during our store hours though.

We are THE SERVICE PLACE. Stop in and see.

Waiting to serve you!
Jim

Happy New Year!

2012-01-13T15:57:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year! My resolution is to do a better job at keeping this blog more current! I will also be trying to give everyone advanced notice of upcoming specials and also post some web-only specials.

I often get asked about the challenges of competing with Wal-Mart, Menards, and other large merchants. It’s a huge challenge and it’s something I think about and deal with on a daily basis. I think what it comes down to is service. Sure the staff is friendly at those places, but do they offer you service?

Our business is based on helping you to maintain and improve things in and around your home. We do that by asking questions and helping you decide what the best options are for you to do that. It may be selling you a new kitchen faucet or just explaining to you how to fix your old one. Our staff is made up of professionals with the knowledge to recommend and explain what products may best fill your needs. This saves you money. We do our best to be sure you have everything you need to complete your project, thus saving you time.

It is our hope that you may find value in our service and choose to patronize our business to help us compete with the marts and boxes out there.

Here is something special just for reading my blog. Print this page and bring it to the store and receive a 20% discount on a bag of water softener salt. Just about every home has a water softener; and it uses salt. So come in and save a couple bucks. Oh… and we’ll even carry it out to your car for you.

It’s good to be here.
Jim

Be ready for winter!

2011-11-16T14:13:00.005-06:00

We have enjoyed some very nice weather so far this fall! Many of you have taken advantage of that and have gotten some outdoor projects done. Now that the temperature is cooling off it’s time to weather proof your home for the winter.

Our staff can help you find the things you need to winterize your home, saving you money on your heat bill and making your home more comfortable this winter. Window film kits offer insulation and will help stop drafty air leaks. Also, when installed correctly, they offer a crystal clear view through the window. You should also consider an automatic set back thermostat. This will enable you to turn the heat down at night and also while you're at work. You can also use caulk or expanding foam to plug holes where drafts may come in. And don’t forget to check the weather strip around your doors.

We’ve got snow shovels and ice melt now in stock. We also have roof rakes and snow blowers. While you’re here, check out the Snow Blower glove, one of the best outdoor work gloves I have seen. We also carry Yaktrax. These slip onto the bottom of your shoes or boots and help to prevent slipping on snow or ice. Yaktrax make a great Christmas gift!

Be ready for winter! The staff at Goyer Ace is here to help!

Jim

2011-10-04T10:40:00.000-05:00

Where did summer go? It seems like it was just July 4th and now we're looking at Labor Day. I would like to get in some more golf and put a few more miles on my motorcycle before the weather turns cool.

Mid September is the time to put down the last application of lawn fertilizer. Fertilizing in the fall will help your lawn green up faster in the spring. Fall is also a good time to aerate or over seed your lawn.

It's not too late to seal your blacktop driveway. The temperature needs to be 65 or above with no rain for 36 hours. It's also a good time to wash your windows so you don't have to look out of dirty windows all winter.

Joyce, our paint manager just informed me that the fall Pottery Barn color books have arrived. Stop in the store and pick one up for free.

Jim

Time for Weed and Feed!

2011-06-06T16:12:00.000-05:00

It’s not too late to achieve a lush green lawn this summer! Right now is the time to apply weed and feed and timing is everything when it comes to application. For best results weed and feed should be applied to a damp lawn at least 1 day after mowing when there is no rain in the forecast for 48 hours.

The key points are 1) Damp lawn and 2) No rain for at least 24 hours after application. No matter when you apply you will still get the benefit of the fertilizer. An alternative for killing just the weeds is a spot treatment or a whole lawn treatment with a lawn weed killer like Ortho Weed-B Gon.

Some other tips to help achieve a healthy lawn include; when mowing try not to cut more than 1”or 1/3 the length of your lawn, if you have clippings lying on top of the lawn when you’re done mowing make sure to rake them off, do not water after 5 o’clock and don’t water in the heat of the day. Follow these tips and your lawn will look great in no time!

Stop by and talk to any of our helpful staff about ways to make your lawn look great.

May is grill month!!!

2011-05-09T11:31:00.003-05:00

May is grill month at Goyer Ace. Stop in and check out our selection of grills. We stock a full line of Weber charcoal grills, along with the Spirit and Genesis gas grills. If you’re thinking BIG we can order Weber Summit grills also. All Weber gas grills are available in propane or natural gas versions.

For the outdoorsman, we have the Teton Wildlife Grills. On display we have the Whitetail Classic model with a mural of a whitetail deer etched into the stainless steel lid, a deer antler handle and rifle shell control knobs. The grill is also available in a duck hunter version. This would make a great Father’s day gift for any hunter!

For the serious barbeque fanatic we have The Big Steel Keg. This kamado style grill lets you sear, roast, and smoke.

**Assembly and delivery are always free. Don’t forget to print the coupon for a free cover.

**Goyer Ace will have grilling demonstrations every Saturday in May, make sure to stop by!

As always,

Thank you for shopping Goyer Ace.

2011-03-22T13:15:00.003-05:00

GET YOUR GREEN LAWN AT GOYER ACE

Now that the snow is gone many of us are daydreaming of a lush green lawn. And right now is the time to start! As soon as your lawn dries out, the first thing that should be done is to pick up any branches or debris that the snow may have left behind, then rake to get up some of the dead grass. You don’t need to get up all the dead grass, raking lightly will be sufficient.

Crabgrass was unusually bad last summer which means you’ll need to treat for it this spring. When the weather warms up and the low temps are consistently in the 50s apply a fertilizer with crabgrass preventer. This will help green your lawn and prevent crabgrass from germinating. It will also help to prevent some early season weeds from germinating as well.

You may want to consider purchasing a 4-step annual fertilizer program. The 4- step program includes:

1) Crabgrass Preventer w/ Fertilizer
2) Weed and Feed
3) Mid Season fertilizer
4) Winterizer

By purchasing all 4 steps now you’ve got them on hand when you need them. There are also some great rebates available now.

I will post on my BLOG when the time is right for each application. Check back often.

Happy Spring,

Jim

SUNHEAT Heaters

2011-01-07T13:01:00.010-06:00

Goyer Ace is now an authorized dealer for SUNHEAT infrared heaters. I’m sure many of you have seen the infomercials or ads for different brands of infrared heaters. Manufacturers are making claims about comfort and saving money on your energy bill. These claims are true, within reason.

I’ve been using an infrared heater in my home for several years. That said I have researched many different brands of heaters before becoming a SUNHEAT dealer.

First let’s talk about comfort. True infrared heat is very comfortable. It doesn’t dry the air and the heat is distributed evenly throughout your room.

Now let’s talk about cost savings. Cost savings is achieved by using zone heating. Zone heating means only heating the areas of your home that are occupied and letting the rest of the house remain cooler. Keep in mind, this type of heating doesn’t work for all life styles. If your children are in their rooms doing home work, your spouse is in the family room, and you are in the living room, you are better off using your furnace. If your family spends most of their time in one area of your home and you are willing to let other parts of the house cool down you could realize some energy savings using an infrared heater.

The last thing you need to consider before buying an infrared heater is service. A good infrared heater will cost $300 or more. What happens if it stops working? Because we are a SUNHEAT dealer all repairs are done right in our store. Convenience is key.

You can learn more about SUNHEAT infrared heaters at http://www.sunheat.com/

Jim

Let's Melt Some Ice!

2010-12-15T15:22:00.002-06:00

Now that we’ve had our first snow, and the second… you’re probably looking for something to melt the slippery ice that remains. I often get asked, “Do you have ice melt that’s safe to use on concrete?” First to answer the question, YES we absolutely do! Although you must avoid using any ice melt on concrete that is less than 1 year old. Ice melt used according to the package directions should not damage sound concrete. Also, I think that most of us figure that if a little bit is good, more is better. But that isn’t so. Ice melting products that say they are safe for concrete will typically state the same thing about use on new concrete in the directions on the bag.

Most damage to concrete is caused by the thawing and refreezing that is accelerated by using ice melt. When the ice melts, the water gets into the small cracks in the surface and then refreezes and expands causing the crack to enlarge. It is best to use ice melt early in the day when the sun is shining so the water can evaporate off the surface. It's also a good idea to shovel slush off the surface.

Different ice melting products will work best in different temperatures. It should say on the bag what the temperature range for melting is. Less expensive products tend not to work as well in colder temperatures. When the temperature is below zero, traction sand may be a better option. (Which we also carry)

We carry an ample supply of different ice melting products to fit your needs. And we will even carry it out to your car for you! Stop in for all your winter weather supplies, and experience our “award winning customer service”.

Jim

Fall Lawnmower Care

2010-10-15T10:35:00.001-05:00

Despite the recent warm weather we’ve been having, many of us have mowed our lawns for the last time this year. Servicing your lawn mower now will make it easier to start in the spring, plus our lives are usually a little busier in the spring. The first thing to do is change the oil; I don’t like to leave dirty oil in my machine all winter. Next, drain the gas and then start the mower on choke to get all the fuel out of the carburetor. If you choose not to drain the fuel tank, make sure to fill the tank full with fresh fuel and treat with a stabilizer like STA-BIL or Seafoam. Clean or replace the air cleaner and spark plug. Lastly, remove the blade and have it sharpened and balanced.

We stock all the supplies you need and our award winning staff is here to help you.

Thanks for checking in,
Jim

Where did summer go?

2010-09-01T13:43:00.002-05:00

Where did summer go? It seems like it was just July 4th and now we're looking at Labor Day. I would like to get in some more golf and put a few more miles on my motorcycle before the weather turns too cool.

Mid September is the time to put down your last application of lawn fertilizer. Fertilizing in the fall will help your lawn green up faster in the spring. Fall is also a good time to aerate or over seed your lawn.

It's not too late to seal your blacktop driveway. The temperature needs to be 65 or above with no rain for 36 hours. It's also a good time to wash your windows so you don't have to look out of dirty windows all winter.

Joyce, our paint manager just informed me that the fall Pottery Barn color books have arrived. Stop in the store and pick one up for free.

Jim

Thank You

2010-08-09T12:09:00.003-05:00

For the third year in a row Daily Union readers voted Goyer Ace “Best Customer Service” in the area. Customer service is how we set ourselves apart from our competition. We have a GREAT staff and we spend a lot of time training so we can help you solve your problems correctly.

During the next few weeks we will be featuring our staff on this site because we would like you to get to know us better. So visit our site, or better yet stop into the store and experience award winning customer service first hand.

Jim

2010-07-06T14:47:00.001-05:00

Hope everyone enjoyed their Independence Day!

Summer isn’t quite half over so don’t forget about your lawn just yet. Right now is a good time to apply another round of fertilizer. Fertilizers today won’t burn your lawn and are safe to apply anytime during the growing season. If you have clover, creeping jenny, or other types of broad leaf weeds in your lawn you can apply a weed and feed to help control them. We have regular fertilizer as well as some “low grow” fertilizers that will green your lawn without excessive growth. Stop in and talk to our staff, they are prepared to answer all your lawn care questions.

Jim

Take back your yard!

2010-06-22T10:28:00.006-05:00

I hope all of you have been able to get outside and enjoy the beautiful summer weather! In between rain showers that is. It was nice to be outside… before the mosquitoes showed up. You don’t need to suffer inside because of mosquitoes; we have many options from repellents to traps that will help keep them under control. Stop by and let our friendly staff show you how to take back your yard!

Jim

2010-05-19T15:04:00.006-05:00

It’s spring, again. After a cool start to May spring is back! With night-time temperatures warmer it’s a good time to think about staining your deck. We often get asked “do I need to wash my deck before staining?” Think of it this way. Would you wax a dirty car? Proper preparation is important for good looking and lasting results. I do not advise pressure washing your deck. Also, don’t use a “home brew”. That may harm the wood and prevent adhesion of your finish. Use a good deck wash product and a scrub brush or stiff broom. Your deck needs to dry for at least 48 hours after washing or rain fall.

Although the prep work might not be much fun, proper deck care will protect your investment. When done right you should achieve beautiful long lasting results. Stop in and let us recommend the right products for your best results.

Jim

2010-04-27T15:10:00.002-05:00

After last week’s rain I’ve noticed that dandelions are popping up. It’s best to kill them before they turn white and spread more seeds. Now is a great time to use a liquid lawn weed killer. You can spray your entire lawn or spot spray just the weeds. For best results use at least 2 days after mowing when there is no rain in the forecast for at least 24 hours.

With spring coming early this year many of you want to get a head start on refinishing your decks or sealing your driveways. Although the air temperature may be warm the surface temperatures are not. I do not advise applying any outdoor coatings until nighttime lows are consistently above 50 degrees.

Happy Spring
Jim

2010-04-13T14:16:00.001-05:00

What should I do with my lawn?

We get asked that a lot this time of year. Spring is the best time to take care of crabgrass issues before they start. Right now is the prime time to apply a fertilizer with crabgrass preventer. Although not its primary function, this will also help to prevent some early season weed growth.

If crabgrass is not a concern and you already have some active weed growth you may want to consider applying a weed and feed. Weed and feed does not prevent weeds rather it kills active weed growth. Weed and feed works best when applied to a damp lawn such as in the early morning and needs 48 hours of no rain. Timing is everything.

Our staff at Goyer Ace is well trained to recommend the right product for all your lawn care needs.

Jim