A system and method are provided for the comprehensive provision of maintenance related information and products to a client. By one approach, item information is received from a client regarding at least one of a plurality of disparate items. The method also includes receiving manufacturer information regarding the plurality of disparate items from information from manufacturers of the items. A selectively accessible database is created that includes at least in part the item information, the manufacturer information, and maintenance information derived at least in part from the manufacturer information relating to servicing at least one of the disparate items and/or to a product relating to at least one of the disparate items. The client is provided with access to the maintenance information stored on the selectively accessible database. The maintenance information can be accessed from brick and mortar hardware stores as well.