• Lee Valley Tools

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Overview

Lee Valley Tools has a rating of 2.8 stars from 15 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Lee Valley Tools ranks 135th among Tools sites.

  • Service
    6
  • Value
    4
  • Shipping
    5
  • Returns
    4
  • Quality
    4
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 33.3%
Positive
1
Neutral
0
Negative
2
See all photos
How would you rate Lee Valley Tools?
Top Positive Review

“Excellent customer service/ Return policy”

Richard F.
2/25/22

I ordered a Gränsfors Bruk Scandinavian forest ax. It was some thing that I didn't like about in the eye of the axe. I called and spoke to Hal at lee valley tools. Very good customer service no problems they're sending me a new one right now that Hal personally picked out and sent me pictures beforehand to make sure it was up to my standards. There service is reason alone to deal with them.

Top Critical Review

“Customer service is very poor”

Paul M.
4/7/22

I ordered two dividers from Lee Valley. I opened one and set it aside on my bench while I opened the second one. It sat there about a minute, and then the spring broke, all by itself. The dividers were priced at $30 apiece, but they don't seem to me to be worth that much money. I had to sharpen one of the points on the divider that didn't bust. I have sent three emails to Lee Valley, but so far have received no response. The net effect is that they have scammed me out of $30.

Reviews (15)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Thumbnail of user paulm3480
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 7th, 2022

I ordered two dividers from Lee Valley. I opened one and set it aside on my bench while I opened the second one. It sat there about a minute, and then the spring broke, all by itself. The dividers were priced at $30 apiece, but they don't seem to me to be worth that much money. I had to sharpen one of the points on the divider that didn't bust. I have sent three emails to Lee Valley, but so far have received no response. The net effect is that they have scammed me out of $30.

Thumbnail of user jacquelinem1175
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 18th, 2023

Went to the store and saw European clogs for 64$, below it says 10$ off until May 2nd, I first had to stay in line in customer service there you fill out with a pen your name etc etc, only then you go to the cash register so waited about 15 minutes until I got my receipts which stated that the clogs were 74$ and not 64$, so this is a total marketing scam as it has to show the original price, the manager just referred to their headquarters and that he cannot do anything about it. Going online, first it says also 64$ only after you open the item it says 74$,but in store it says in big letters 64$ nothing that the real price is 74$. But again this is a big chain and that is how they screw up people, I had to wait another 20 minutes before the manager came..., first and last time in this store.

Products used:
Shoes

Service
Thumbnail of user donitap4
3 reviews
0 helpful votes
November 6th, 2020

I ordered fruit fly trap lids that screw onto regular jars. The fruit flies just walk in and out of the holes!

Since I didn't need to use them until recently, I am just past the 90 day refund window but less than 120 days. So the response is "too bad"!

I hope that the $13 that they kept is worth the bad publicity?

Thumbnail of user patrika12
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 16th, 2023

Good morning everyone. After an ordeal that lasted from August 2022 to today, I feel like sharing my terrible experience with this company. I placed an order for $5,000 and only received little clarity from them, constant referrals, vague answers and unbelievable justifications, which forced me, after all these months, to have to cancel the whole order.
I wasted my time with them and I won't do it again.
Trust me, my experience was really bad. For a simple purchase of a few planes, I've seen incredible behavior. They made me want to buy from them. I am waiting for the refund and I will also update you on this aspect, because it is right that this very bad experience of mine does not go unnoticed.
It's fitting that Lee Valley gets my review too. Because a little more seriousness and attention on their part would have been enough and they would have satisfied a customer.
I really felt like I was being teased. Generic, circumstantial, unclear answers, in which we deliberately do not talk about what is important to fix a situation. Practically useless emails. And meanwhile I waited and waited confidently. Trust that after all this time it's gone.

Products used:
hand plane and other items

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user claireg177
1 review
2 helpful votes
November 19th, 2021

Terrible service. Was told to leave the store because I wasn't " masked", even though I have a valid medical exemption from a doctor! I was then told I could wait outside & be served like a second class citizen. I told them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine. Hope they go bankrupt. Disgusting & disrespectful.

Tip for consumers:
If you believe in freedom for ALL. Don’t shop here.

Products used:
Nothing

Service
Thumbnail of user calvina52
1 review
0 helpful votes
May 12th, 2021

I drove out to Kelowna to get some rare earth magnets only to be told my mask wasn't medical and had to leave, worst customer service I've dealt with in a very long time.

Tip for consumers:
Don’t use it , just order else where , they stick their noses in the air when you ask for a refund , shipping is horrible and they are the most incompetent people I’ve ever dealt with , all they could talk about was my mask when I was asking them about what I needed . Do not use lee valley

Products used:
I tried to buy some magnets from them only to be told that my “non medical “ mask was not good enough to be in their store . I was wearing a mask how many more mask do they want me to put on my face

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user richardf1636
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 25th, 2022

I ordered a Gränsfors Bruk Scandinavian forest ax. It was some thing that I didn't like about in the eye of the axe. I called and spoke to Hal at lee valley tools. Very good customer service no problems they're sending me a new one right now that Hal personally picked out and sent me pictures beforehand to make sure it was up to my standards. There service is reason alone to deal with them.

Tip for consumers:
Call them directly, ask for the item to be hand picked and multiple pictures sent to you. You can verify the actual item.

Products used:
Axe

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user winetemp55
1 review
0 helpful votes
November 17th, 2023

If you like waiting for things be a great place to order from. Did not arrive as promised and was a simple order.

Shipping
Thumbnail of user edwiny31
1 review
0 helpful votes
November 17th, 2023

I have bought many products from Lee Valley and I have never been disappointed in their quality or workmanship. Recently I was looking to buy a carrom board online and I saw one was offered by Lee Valley. Knowing the quality of Lee Valley tools, I assumed the quality of the carrom board would be assured. Was I ever wrong. The quality of the carrom board is terrible. The pocket nets have no depth and will not catch the carroms. The sides are made of some type of soft wood that absorbs the carrom hits. Also, on the board I received one of the wooden side boards had a knot that had fallen out leaving a hole. I know this product was not a Lee Valley tool, but rather a product from a third party. Nonetheless, I relied upon the quality control of Lee Valley to make sure I received a product worthy of the Lee Valley name. That was a mistake. I will never buy another third party product from Lee Valley and I cannot recommend that other people do so.

Thumbnail of user rh665
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 1st, 2021

I puchased a flagpole from lee Valley. The knob at the top didn't screw on properly. I called them and the service person said we'll send a new knob, just put the bad one in the same box and return it to us.
I thought that is good. Then the service person contacted me and said they would send me the whole thing, flag pole and everything. He went into their warehouse and decided each pole was a slightly different thread.
So they sent the whole thing no charge, apologized at length. Worked out great!
I have had a few service interactions with this company over the years and I can tell you they are with out doubt the best company for service and response (you call their number a LIVE person answers!) I have ever dealt with.

Thumbnail of user gr3464
3 reviews
6 helpful votes
November 10th, 2014

Been ordering from Lee Valley for years and no complaints in that time, including multiple orders per year. The prices are generally fair and if you can be patient they have free shipping events several times per year. Their print catalogs (separate hardware, woodworking, and gardening versions) are comprehensive. Only quibble I have is no feedback on items like most other vendors. Otherwise one of my favorite vendors.

Thumbnail of user carola9
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
July 23rd, 2011

Anything having to do with woodworking, DIY, or gardening... go to this site first. Excellent customer service, prompt deliveries, and fair prices. Have used them for more than a decade...

Thumbnail of user ronm102
4 reviews
6 helpful votes
May 21st, 2023

I have been buying from Lee Valley for many years - in store and recently online.
They are one of the best retailers i have dealt with. Service is always good and i get what i pay for in quality - usually quite good for the things i buy.
I bought some cheap flashlights once that i wasn't happy with. I mentioned it and the guy told me to bring them back, but wasnt worth the gas to make a trip for a $5 item.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user billm41
4 reviews
7 helpful votes
December 5th, 2012

Here's another web-site for woodworkers to order from, excellent quality, I've ordered
From here several times an always received my order on time, no problems

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