What Is Do It Best and What Should You Know About Shopping There?

Do It Best is one of North America's largest hardware store cooperatives—a network of independently owned and operated stores that operate under the Do It Best banner. If you're wondering whether this is a store you should visit for your hardware and home improvement needs, it helps to understand how it works, what sets it apart from other hardware retailers, and what factors might make it the right fit (or not) for your shopping habits.

How Do It Best Operates as a Cooperative

Unlike national chains owned by a single corporation, Do It Best functions as a cooperative, meaning member stores are independently owned but benefit from shared purchasing power, marketing, and operational support. This structure shapes everything from product selection to pricing to the shopping experience itself.

Each Do It Best location is run by a local owner or small business operator. They decide what products to stock (within a framework of core offerings), set their own pricing, manage their store layout, and hire their own staff. The cooperative provides a backbone: bulk purchasing that can lower costs, access to the Do It Best brand and marketing, training and support systems, and a shared supplier network.

This model has real consequences for how you shop there. Because stores are independently operated, the selection, prices, and customer service quality can vary meaningfully between locations—even within the same city. One Do It Best might carry an extensive paint selection while another focuses more on tools. Prices on identical items might differ. Staff knowledge and friendliness depend entirely on that store's hiring and training choices.

Where to Find Do It Best Locations

Do It Best has thousands of locations across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Most are in smaller towns and rural communities, though they've expanded into suburban and urban markets as well. You can locate nearby stores through their website, which typically includes store finder tools with addresses, phone numbers, and hours.

The footprint matters because availability shapes whether Do It Best is a practical option for you. If there's a location near your home or workplace, it becomes a genuine alternative. If the nearest store is 45 minutes away, you're likely to shop elsewhere for routine needs—though you might still visit for specialty items or bulk purchases where the cooperative's pricing advantage shows.

Product Selection and Categories

Do It Best stocks the core hardware, tools, and home improvement categories you'd expect: lumber and building materials, fasteners, plumbing and electrical supplies, hand tools, power tools, painting supplies, lawn and garden equipment, seasonal items, and cleaning and maintenance products.

The depth of selection in each category depends on the individual store's size and local market focus. A larger Do It Best in a suburban area might have 40+ paint colors in stock and a full range of electrical breakers and switches. A smaller rural location might have a solid but more limited selection, with options to special-order items.

Brand availability also varies by location. Do It Best carries national brands (Makita, DeWalt, Kobalt, Benjamin Moore, and others) alongside some exclusive or cooperative-owned brands. The specific brands and models available at your nearest store depend on that store's purchasing decisions and what the cooperative negotiates for member access.

Pricing and Value Considerations

As a cooperative, Do It Best can leverage group purchasing power to negotiate wholesale prices with manufacturers. This often translates to competitive pricing, particularly on bulk purchases or items ordered through the cooperative's supply chain.

However, pricing is not uniform across the network. Because each store sets its own prices, you may find the same item costs more or less at different Do It Best locations or compared to national chains in your area. Some stores run aggressive promotions; others keep steady everyday pricing. Local market conditions—what competitors charge, local demand, store overhead—all factor into final prices.

The value proposition for Do It Best shoppers often comes down to:

• Local ownership and accountability: You're supporting a business owner who lives in your community and is directly responsible for service quality.
• Personalized service potential: Smaller stores sometimes offer more attentive customer service and staff who know their regular customers.
• Bulk and commercial discounts: Do It Best caters to both retail and contractor customers; if you're buying in volume, the cooperative structure can yield real savings.
• Convenience: If it's the closest hardware option, the time and fuel savings matter.

What Distinguishes Do It Best from Competitors

Understanding how Do It Best compares to other hardware retailers helps clarify whether it fits your needs:

Key Variables That Shape Your Experience

Several factors will determine whether Do It Best makes sense for your specific situation:

Distance and convenience: If there's a Do It Best within a reasonable distance of your home, work, or projects, it becomes a practical choice. If it requires a special trip, you'll likely only visit when you need something specific.

Type of shopping: Do It Best serves both retail homeowners and contractors. If you're a contractor or handle frequent projects, the bulk pricing and account options might offer clear value. If you shop occasionally for home maintenance, you might prioritize convenience over savings.

Specific product needs: Some Do It Best locations specialize in categories relevant to their community. A store in a farming area might have excellent outdoor power equipment; one in a residential suburb might excel in paint and finishing supplies.

Comfort with variation: Some shoppers prefer the consistency of a national chain. Others value—or don't mind—that each Do It Best store is a bit different based on local ownership and market.

Customer service preferences: If you value in-depth product knowledge and the ability to develop relationships with staff, a smaller Do It Best might deliver that better than a large national chain. If you prefer quick, efficient shopping with minimal interaction, results vary by location.

How to Get the Most From Do It Best

If you decide to shop there, a few practical steps help:

Visit in person or call ahead for availability on specific items, especially specialty products. Because inventory varies by location, confirming stock before making a trip saves time.

Ask about cooperative member discounts or programs if you frequent the store or make bulk purchases. Many Do It Best locations offer loyalty programs or contractor accounts with volume pricing.

Build a relationship with the store team. Independent hardware stores often reward regular customers with better service, special orders, and product advice.

Compare pricing on major purchases. Because Do It Best stores set their own prices, calling ahead to confirm prices on big-ticket items can reveal savings—or alert you to better deals elsewhere.

The Bottom Line on Shopping at Do It Best

Do It Best is a legitimate and sometimes excellent hardware option—especially if you live in a market where it has a presence, value local business ownership, or need bulk pricing for projects or work. The cooperative model creates real advantages in purchasing power and personalized service potential, but also means consistency varies by location.

Your best experience depends on which specific Do It Best store(s) you can access, what products you typically need, how much convenience matters to you, and whether the local pricing and selection align with your budget and preferences. Visiting your nearest location and comparing it to other hardware options available to you—both in selection and price—gives you the clearest picture of whether it works for your needs.