What Do It Best membership covers
Do It Best is a hardware store cooperative owned by its member retailers rather than by a single corporation. When you shop at a Do It Best location, you are shopping at an independently owned store that buys inventory through the Do It Best network. Membership in Do It Best is for store owners and managers, not for individual shoppers — but understanding how the membership works helps you see why prices and product selection vary between Do It Best stores.
Member stores pay annual membership fees and agree to stock a minimum amount of inventory from the Do It Best catalog. In return, they get access to the cooperative's buying power, which means they can purchase products at lower wholesale prices than they could negotiate alone. Do It Best also provides member stores with marketing support, training programs, and access to their point-of-sale systems.
As a customer, you do not join Do It Best directly. You shop at individual Do It Best retailers in your area. Each store owner decides which products to stock, how to price them, and what services to offer — so two Do It Best stores in different towns may look and feel quite different from each other.
Key Takeaways
- Do It Best is a cooperative of independent hardware store owners, not a chain with centrally controlled locations.
- Store owners pay membership fees to access Do It Best's wholesale pricing and support services.
- Individual shoppers do not have a Do It Best membership — you shop at member-owned stores in your area.
- Prices, product selection, and store hours vary by location because each store owner makes those decisions independently.
- Do It Best member stores compete with both national chains and other independent hardware retailers in their local markets.
How Do It Best stores set their own prices
Because Do It Best stores are independently owned, each retailer sets their own prices. One Do It Best location might price a hammer lower than another Do It Best store across town. This is different from a chain like Home Depot or Lowe's, where prices are set centrally and are the same everywhere.
Store owners use the wholesale cost they pay through Do It Best as their starting point, then add their own markup based on local competition, rent, labor costs, and how much profit they want to make. A Do It Best store in a rural area with little competition might price items differently than one in a city where multiple hardware stores are nearby.
This means you cannot assume all Do It Best locations offer the same deal. If price matters for your purchase, it is worth calling a few Do It Best stores in your area to compare, or asking if they price-match competitors.
Do It Best's product categories and inventory depth
Do It Best's catalog includes tools, fasteners, paint, plumbing supplies, electrical products, lawn and garden items, and seasonal goods. Member stores order from this catalog based on what they think their local customers need. A Do It Best in a cold climate might stock more snow removal equipment, while one in a warm area might focus on cooling and outdoor living products.
Inventory depth varies significantly by store size and location. A large Do It Best in a suburban area may carry hundreds of SKUs (individual product variations), while a smaller rural location might stock a more limited selection. If you need a specific item, calling ahead to confirm the store has it in stock saves a trip.
Do It Best also operates a special-order system for items not in stock at your local store. If your nearest location does not carry something in their catalog, they can often order it for you, though this takes longer than buying off the shelf.
Comparing Do It Best to national chains and other independents
Do It Best competes in a market that includes Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, and local independent hardware stores. Each has different strengths. National chains typically have more locations, wider selection at any single store, and centralized pricing. Do It Best member stores often emphasize local service, relationships with regular customers, and knowledge of community-specific needs.
Ace Hardware is also a cooperative of independent retailers, so it operates on a similar model to Do It Best — member stores set their own prices and inventory. The main difference is size: Ace has more locations nationwide and a longer history. Both Ace and Do It Best stores tend to have smaller footprints and more personalized service than big-box chains.
Price competitiveness depends on your location and what you are buying. A Do It Best store might beat a national chain on a specific item because the owner negotiated a good deal, or it might cost more because the store has higher overhead. The only way to know is to compare for items you buy regularly.
How Do It Best membership affects what you pay
Do It Best's wholesale buying power means member stores can purchase inventory at lower costs than a single independent store could negotiate alone. This savings is passed along to customers through lower retail prices — but only to the extent each store owner chooses to pass it along. Some owners use the savings to undercut competitors; others use it to increase their own profit margin.
You do not see a membership discount as a shopper. There is no membership card, no special pricing tier, and no way to "unlock" lower prices. The wholesale advantage is built into the store's everyday prices. If a Do It Best store is cheaper than a competitor on a particular item, it is because that store owner decided to price it lower — not because you got a membership benefit.
This is why two Do It Best locations can have different prices on the same product. The store owner's business model, local market conditions, and personal pricing strategy all affect what you pay at checkout.
Regional differences in Do It Best store networks
Do It Best has member stores across the United States, but the network is not evenly distributed. Some regions have many Do It Best locations; others have very few. The Midwest and South have denser Do It Best presence than some coastal areas, where national chains and local independents dominate.
This matters if you are considering Do It Best as your regular hardware store. In some areas, you might have three Do It Best options within 20 minutes. In others, the nearest one could be an hour away. Checking Do It Best's store locator on their website shows you what is available in your area.
Regional variation also affects product availability. A Do It Best in one state might stock items that another state's locations do not carry, based on local demand and the individual store owner's ordering decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Do It Best membership as a regular shopper?
No. Do It Best membership is only for store owners and managers who operate retail locations. As a customer, you shop at member-owned stores but do not join Do It Best yourself. You pay the retail prices the store owner sets.
Do all Do It Best stores have the same prices?
No. Each store owner sets their own prices based on their costs, local competition, and business strategy. Two Do It Best locations can charge different amounts for the same item. Calling ahead or comparing prices is worth doing for large purchases.
How do I find a Do It Best store near me?
Do It Best's website has a store locator tool where you can enter your zip code and see member locations nearby. Results show the store's address, phone number, and hours. You can also call a store directly to confirm they carry a specific product before visiting.
Is Do It Best cheaper than Home Depot or Lowe's?
It depends on the item, the store, and your location. Do It Best's wholesale buying power can result in lower prices on some products, but national chains sometimes undercut on popular items to drive traffic. The best approach is to compare prices on items you buy regularly at stores near you.
What happens if a Do It Best store does not have something in stock?
Most Do It Best locations can special-order items from their catalog. Call the store to ask if they can order what you need and how long it will take. Some stores may also help you find the item at another retailer if they cannot get it themselves.