Document:

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4-X

                                 FIRST AMENDMENT

      THIS FIRST AMENDMENT dated as of December 30, 2002 (this "Amendment")
amends the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 11,
2002 (the "Credit Agreement") among TruServ Corporation (the "Company"), various
financial institutions from time to time party thereto (the "Lenders") and Bank
of America, N.A., as agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Agent").
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective
meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

      WHEREAS, the Company, the Lenders and the Agent have entered into the
Credit Agreement; and

      WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Credit Agreement as more
fully set forth herein;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

      SECTION 1 Amendments. Effective on (and subject to the occurrence of) the
Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), the Credit Agreement shall be
amended as set forth below:

      1.1 Addition of Definitions. The following new definitions are added to
Section 1.1 in appropriate sequence:

            Designated Sale-Leaseback Transaction means the sale by the Company
      of the regional distribution centers listed on Schedule 1.1(c) and the
      concurrent lease, as lessee, of such properties by the Company and/or one
      or more Subsidiaries pursuant to documentation substantially in the form
      previously delivered to the Agent.

            First Amendment means the First Amendment to this Agreement dated as
      of December 30, 2002.

            Special Company Account has the meaning specified in the Security
      Agreement.

      1.2 Amendments to Definitions.

      (a) Clause (a) of the definition of "Adjusted Cash Flow" is amended by (i)
redesignating clause "(vi)" as clause "(vii)" and (ii) inserting a comma
followed by the following new clause (vi) in appropriate sequence: "(vi) for the
period ended December 31, 2002, $7,500,000,".

      (b) The definition of "Asset Sale" is amended by (i) redesignating clause
"(v)" as clause "(vi)" and (ii) inserting a comma followed by the following new
clause (v) in appropriate sequence: "(v) any sublease of, or assignment by the
Company of its interest as lessee in, properties sold pursuant to the Designated
Sale-Leaseback Transaction, provided that any such
<PAGE>

sublease or assignment, as the case may be, shall be on an arm's length basis,
shall have reasonable and normal commercial terms, and shall provide for no less
frequent than quarterly payment of rent."

      (c) The definition of "Business Plan" is amended in its entirety to read
as follows:

            Business Plan means the business plan of the Company which was
      delivered by the Company to the Agent on December 18, 2002; provided that,
      with respect to financial reports relating to the periods prior to 2003,
      "Business Plan" means the Business Plan of the Company dated March 20,
      2002 which was delivered by the Company to the Agent.

      (d) The definition of "Intercreditor Agreement" is amended in its entirety
to read as follows:

            Intercreditor Agreement means the First Amended and Restated
      Intercreditor Agreement dated as of April 11, 2002, among the Agent, the
      Collateral Agent and various other parties, substantially in the form of
      Exhibit N, as amended by the First Amendment thereto dated December 30,
      2002.

      (e) The definition of "Security Agreement" is amended in its entirety to
read as follows:

            Security Agreement means the Security Agreement among the Company,
      various Subsidiaries and the Collateral Agent dated April 14, 2000, as
      amended by the First Amendment thereto dated as of April 11, 2002 and the
      Second Amendment thereto dated as of December 30, 2002.

      (f) The definition of "Unusable Amount" is amended in its entirety to read
as follows:

      Unusable Amount means the following amounts during the following periods:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Minimum Unusable
         Period                                        Commitment
         ------                                        ----------------
<S>                                                    <C>
         12/31/02                                      $70,000,000

         1/1/03-6/29/03                                $         0

         6/30/03                                       $25,000,000

         7/1/03-7/31/03                                $15,000,000

         8/1/03-8/31/03                                $15,000,000

         9/1/03-9/29/03                                $ 5,000,000

         9/30/03-11/29/03                              $         0

         11/30/03-12/30/03                             $10,000,000

         12/31/03                                      $45,000,000

         1/1/04-6/30/04                                $         0
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>

      1.3 Amendment to Section 2.4.2. Section 2.4.2 is amended in its entirety
to read as follows:

            2.4.2 Mandatory Reductions of Commitments.

            (a) The Commitments shall be reduced by an aggregate amount of
      $5,000,000 on each of June 30, 2003, September 30, 2003 and December 31,
      2003.

            (b) In addition to the reductions described in clause (a) above,
      upon any required prepayment under Section 2.5.2(b), (c) or (d), the
      aggregate Commitments shall be reduced by the amount of the required
      prepayment, even if such reduction is in excess of the outstanding amount
      of the Loans prior to such required prepayment. Upon the effectiveness of
      the First Amendment to this Agreement dated as of December 30, 2002 and
      the repayment related to the Designated Sale-Leaseback Transaction, the
      Commitments shall be reduced permanently by the amount of such repayment.

      1.4 Amendment to Section 5.5. The second parenthetical phrase set forth in
Section 5.5 is amended in its entirety to read as follows: "(other than
properties and assets disposed of (x) in the ordinary course of business, (y) in
connection with the sale of the Brookings regional distribution center or (z)
pursuant to the Designated Sale-Leaseback Transaction)". Schedule 5.5 is hereby
amended to state as set forth as Schedule 5.5 hereto.

      1.5 Addition of Section 6.17. The following new Section 6.17 is added to
the Credit Agreement in appropriate sequence to read as follows:

            6.17 Amendments to Financial Covenants. If the sale-leaseback of the
      regional distribution center located at 333 Harvey Road, Manchester, New
      Hampshire (the "Manchester RDC") does not occur by February 15, 2003, the
      Company shall cause the financial covenant levels set forth in Article VII
      to be amended to reflect the exclusion of the Manchester RDC
      sale-leaseback from the Business Plan in a manner satisfactory to the
      Required Lenders in their sole discretion, and such financial covenant
      levels will be established in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the
      Required Lenders on the basis of the same methodologies used in preparing
      the covenant levels incorporated in the First Amendment.

      1.6 Amendment to Section 7.1. The table set forth in Section 7.1 is
amended in its entirety to read as follows:

                                       3
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Fiscal quarter ending on or about           Minimum Fixed Charge
         ---------------------------------             Coverage Ratio
                                                     --------------------
<S>                                                  <C>
         December 31, 2002                                 0.70 to 1
         March 31, 2003                                    0.70 to 1
         June 30, 2003                                     0.65 to 1
         September 30, 2003                                0.65 to 1
         December 31, 2003                                 0.90 to 1
         March 31, 2004                                    0.90 to 1
         June 30, 2004                                     0.90 to 1
</TABLE>

      1.7 Amendment to Section 7.2(h). Section 7.2(h)(ii) is amended in its
entirety to read as follows: "(ii) a lease entered into as part of a sale and
leaseback transaction (other than the Designated Sale-Leaseback Transaction
provided that such interest or title attaches only to the property being leased
in connection therewith)".

      1.8 Amendment to Sections 7.2. Section 7.2 is amended by (a) deleting the
word "and" at the end of clause (l), (b) redesignating clause "(m)" as clause
"(n)" and (c) inserting the following new clause (m) in appropriate sequence:
"(m) Liens in favor of BofA on the Special Company Account with respect to
services provided by BofA, and".

      1.9 Amendment to Section 7.11. Section 7.11(h) is amended in its entirety
to read as follows:

            (h) (i) maintain the Special Company Account; provided that as of
      the close of business on any day on which the Total Outstandings are
      greater than zero or during the existence of an Event of Default after the
      commencement of an Enforcement (as defined in the Intercreditor
      Agreement), the amount maintained in the Special Company Account shall not
      be greater than zero; and (ii) maintain other deposit accounts with
      financial institutions in the ordinary course of business; provided that
      the amount maintained in deposit accounts with financial institutions
      other than the Lenders shall not exceed (x) in the case of any one such
      account, $200,000 for more than three consecutive Business Days; and (y)
      in the case of all such accounts in the aggregate, $600,000 for more than
      two consecutive Business Days.

      1.10 Amendment to Section 7.14. The table set forth in Section 7.14 is
amended in its entirety to read as follows:

                                       4
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Fiscal quarter ending on or about             Minimum Interest
         ---------------------------------              Coverage Ratio
                                                       ----------------
<S>                                                    <C>
         December 31, 2002                                 1.75 to 1
         March 31, 2003                                    1.75 to 1
         June 30, 2003                                     2.00 to 1
         September 30, 2003                                2.00 to 1
         December 31, 2003                                 3.00 to 1
         March 31, 2004                                    3.00 to 1
         June 30, 2004                                     3.00 to 1
</TABLE>

      1.11 Amendment to Section 7.15. The table set forth in Section 7.15 is
amended in its entirety to read as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Fiscal period ending on or about                  Minimum Amount
         --------------------------------                  --------------
<S>                                                        <C>
         December 31, 2002                                 $1,975,000,000
         January 31, 2003                                  $1,820,000,000
         February 28, 2003                                 $1,780,000,000
         March 31, 2003                                    $1,740,000,000
         April 30, 2003                                    $1,725,000,000
         May 31, 2003                                      $1,740,000,000
         June 30, 2003                                     $1,720,000,000
         July 31, 2003                                     $1,715,000,000
         August 31, 2003                                   $1,710,000,000
         September 30, 2003                                $1,700,000,000
         October 31, 2003                                  $1,715,000,000
         November 30, 2003                                 $1,695,000,000
         December 31, 2003                                 $1,700,000,000
         January 31, 2004                                  $1,700,000,000
         February 29, 2004                                 $1,695,000,000
         March 31, 2004                                    $1,690,000,000
         April 30, 2004                                    $1,690,000,000
         May 31, 2004                                      $1,680,000,000
         June 30, 2004                                     $1,670,000,000
</TABLE>

      1.12 Amendment to Section 7.16. Section 7.16 is amended by inserting the
following phrase immediately before the sentence set forth below the table
therein: "; provided that the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made
during any fiscal year ending after December 31, 2002 may be increased by an
amount equal to the lesser of (a) $2,000,000 and (b) the excess of the maximum
amount of Capital Expenditures permitted to be made in the prior fiscal year
over the actual amount of Capital Expenditures made during such prior fiscal
year. Such increased permitted Capital Expenditures may be made in any fiscal
quarter or fiscal quarters of such fiscal year."

                                       5
<PAGE>

      1.13 Amendment to Section 7.17. The table set forth in Section 7.17 is
amended in its entirety to read as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Fiscal period ending on or about                Minimum Adjusted
         --------------------------------                      EBITDA
                                                         ----------------
<S>                                                      <C>

         December 31, 2002                                 $100,000,000
         January 31, 2003                                  $ 95,000,000
         February 28, 2003                                 $ 95,000,000
         March 31, 2003                                    $ 90,000,000
         April 30, 2003                                    $ 90,000,000
         May 31, 2003                                      $ 85,000,000
         June 30, 2003                                     $ 80,000,000
         July 31, 2003                                     $ 75,000,000
         August 31, 2003                                   $ 70,000,000
         September 30, 2003                                $ 70,000,000
         October 31, 2003                                  $ 70,000,000
         November 30, 2003                                 $ 70,000,000
         December 31, 2003                                 $ 70,000,000
         January 31, 2004                                  $ 70,000,000
         February 29, 2004                                 $ 70,000,000
         March 31, 2004                                    $ 70,000,000
         April 30, 2004                                    $ 70,000,000
         May 31, 2004                                      $ 70,000,000
         June 30, 2004                                     $ 70,000,000.
</TABLE>

      1.14 Addition of new Schedule 1.1(c). A new Schedule 1.1(c) is added to
the Credit Agreement in the form of Schedule 1.1(c) hereto.

      SECTION 2 Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and
warrants to the Agent and the Lenders that, after giving effect hereto, (a) each
representation and warranty set forth in Article V of the Credit Agreement is
true and correct as of the date of the execution and delivery of this Amendment
by the Company with the same effect as if made on such date (except to the
extent such representations and warranties expressly refer to an earlier date,
in which case they were true and correct as of such earlier date) subject, in
the case of the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.2 and
5.12 of the Credit Agreement, to the matters disclosed in the waiver letter
dated October 3, 2002 executed by the Lenders, and (b) no Event of Default or
Unmatured Event of Default exists.

      SECTION 3 Effectiveness. The amendments set forth in Section 1 above shall
become effective on the date (the "Amendment Effective Date") when the Agent
shall have received the following:

      (a) to the extent then billed, all costs and expenses of the Agent in
connection with this Amendment (including reasonable attorneys' fees and charges
and all costs, expenses and charges for a field examination);

                                       6
<PAGE>

      (b) counterparts of this Amendment executed by the Company and the
Required Lenders;

      (c) a Confirmation, substantially in the form of Exhibit A, signed by the
Company and each Guarantor;

      (d) an executed amendment to the Security Agreement substantially in the
form of Exhibit B;

      (e) an executed amendment to the Intercreditor Agreement substantially in
the form of Exhibit C;

      (f) evidence that the Designated Sale-Leaseback Transaction has occurred
and that the proceeds thereof have been applied in accordance with the terms of
the Intercreditor Agreement; and

      (g) evidence that the Company shall have entered into amendments to the
Senior Note Agreements and the Shelf Note Agreement (each as defined in the
Intercreditor Agreement) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Agent, including an agreement by the applicable Noteholders (as defined in the
Intercreditor Agreement) (i) to waive payment by the Company of the Make-Whole
Delta Amount (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) in respect to any
payment made with the proceeds of the Designated Sale-Leaseback Transaction and
(ii) that the remaining Make-Whole Amount (as defined in the Intercreditor
Agreement) shall be payable in two equal installments on January 10, 2003 and
June 30, 2003.

      SECTION 4 Miscellaneous.

      4.1 Continuing Effectiveness, etc. As herein amended, the Credit Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed in
all respects. After the Amendment Effective Date, all references in the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents to "this Agreement", "the Credit
Agreement" or similar terms shall refer to the Credit Agreement as amended
hereby.

      4.2 Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the different parties on separate counterparts, and each
such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original but all such counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same Amendment.

      4.3 Governing Law. This Amendment shall be a contract made under and
governed by the laws of the State of Illinois applicable to contracts made and
to be performed entirely within such state.

      4.4 Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall be binding upon the
Company, the Lenders and the Agent and their respective successors and assigns,
and shall inure to the benefit of the Company, the Lenders and the Agent and the
respective successors and assigns of the Lenders and the Agent.

                                       7
<PAGE>

      4.5 Consents. Notwithstanding any provision in the Credit Agreement to the
contrary, the Required Lenders consent to (a) the amendments to the Financing
Agreements set forth as Exhibits D, E and F hereto (b) the consummation of the
Designated Sale-Leaseback Transaction and (c) the release of collateral by the
Collateral Agent to the extent subject to the Designated Sale-Leaseback
Transaction.

      4.6 Further Assurances. Upon the request of the Required Lenders, the
Company agrees to provide and cause its Subsidiaries to provide to the Lenders
such additional amendments, consents, reaffirmations and ancillary documentation
as is necessary or advisable, in the sole reasonable discretion of the Required
Lenders, to ensure that the Collateral Documents are in full force and effect in
all respects.

                                       8
<PAGE>

      Delivered at Chicago, Illinois, as of the day and year first above
written.

                                    TRUSERV CORPORATION

                                    By: /s/ DAVE SHADDUCK
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Senior Vice President & Chief
                                           Financial Officer
                                          --------------------------------------

                                    BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Agent

                                    By: /s/ RONALD PRINCE
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Senior Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

                                    BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender

                                    By: /s/ RONALD PRINCE
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Senior Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                    BANK OF MONTREAL

                                    By: /s/ JACK J. KANE
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       10
<PAGE>

                                    BANK ONE, NA (Main Office Chicago)

                                    By: /s/ RICHARD BABCOCK
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title: First Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       11
<PAGE>

                                    PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                    By: /s/ GARY A. BEST
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       12
<PAGE>

                                    WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.

                                    By: /s/ JAMES BARWIS
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Director
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                    THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY

                                    By: /s/ OLGA GEORGIEV
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       14
<PAGE>

                                    ABN AMRO BANK N.V.

                                    By: /s/ STEVEN C. WIMPENNY
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Group Senior Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

                                    By: /s/ WILLIAM J. TERESKY, JR.
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Group Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                    NATIONAL CONSUMER COOPERATIVE BANK

                                    By: /s/ MARK W. HILTZ
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Managing Director
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       16
<PAGE>

                                    UMB BANK, N.A.

                                    By: /s/ TERRY DIERKS
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Senior Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       17
<PAGE>

                                 SCHEDULE 1.1(c)

                          REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPERTY               ADDRESS
--------               -------
<S>                    <C>
Allentown              7058 Snowdrift Road
                       Fogelsville, PA 18087

Atlanta                7600 Jonesboro Road
                       Jonesboro, GA 30236

Corsicana              2601 East Highway 31
                       Corsicana, TX 75153

Kansas City            14900 US Highway 71
                       Kansas City, MO 64147

Kingman                4005 Mohave Airport Dr.
                       Kingman, AZ 86401

Springfield            2150 Olympic Avenue
                       Springfield, OR  97477

Woodland               215 N. Pioneer Aven.
                       Woodland, CA 95776
</TABLE>

                                       18
<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 5.5

                                   REAL ESTATE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPERTY                       TYPE                                      ADDRESS                                    OWNERSHIP
--------                       ----                                      -------                                    ---------
<S>                            <C>                                       <C>                                        <C>
Allentown                      Distribution Center                       7058 Snowdrift Road                        Lease
                                                                         Fogelsville, PA 18087

Allentown                      Garage                                    Hickory Lane                               Lease
                                                                         Wescoesville, PA

Allentown                      Storage Facility                          6829B & 6829C Ruppsville Road              Lease
                                                                         Allentown, PA 18106

Allentown                      Storage Facility                          7072 Snowdrift Road                        Lease
                                                                         Upper Mac Township, PA

Atlanta                        Distribution Center                       7600 Jonesboro Road                        Lease
                                                                         Jonesboro, GA 30236

Blackhawk                      Manufacturing Facility                    823 W. Blackhawk St.                       Own
                                                                         Chicago, IL 60622

Butler                         Administration                            One TruServ Way                            Own
                                                                         East Butler, PA 16029

Cary                           Manufacturing Facility                    203 Jandus Rd.                             Own
                                                                         Cary, IL 60013

Cleveland (Westlake)           Distribution Center                       26025 First St.                            Own
                                                                         Westlake, OH 44145

Cleveland (Westlake)           Storage Facility                          1400 Lowell St.                            Lease
                                                                         Northern Ohio Industrial Park
                                                                         Elyria, OH 44035

Corsicana                      Distribution Center                       2601 East Highway 31                       Lease
                                                                         Corsicana, TX 75153

Denver                         Distribution Center                       11275 E. 40th Avenue                       Lease
                                                                         Denver, CO 80239

Fort Smith                     Unoccupied                                8503 Highway 45                            Lease
                                                                         Fort Smith, AR 72916

Greenville                     Garage                                    Greenville, SC                             Lease

Hagerstown                     Distribution Center                       16500 Hunters Green Parkway                Lease
                                                                         Hagerstown, MD 21740

Harvard                        Distribution Center                       306, 308 & 320 S. Division St.             Lease
                                                                         Harvard, IL 60033

Kansas City                    Distribution Center                       14900 US Highway 71                        Lease
                                                                         Kansas City, MO 64147

Kansas City                    Storage Facility                          624 NE Jones Industrial Drive              Lease
                                                                         Lee Summit, MO
</TABLE>

                                       19
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPERTY                       TYPE                                      ADDRESS                                    OWNERSHIP
--------                       ----                                      -------                                    ---------
<S>                            <C>                                       <C>                                        <C>
Kingman                        Distribution Center                       4005 Mohave Airport Dr.                    Lease
                                                                         Kingman, AZ 86401

Kingman                        Storage Facility                          Farner/Orr LLC                             Lease
                                                                         7050 Government Way
                                                                         Kingman, AZ 86401

Manchester                     Distribution Center                       333 Harvey Rd.                             Own
                                                                         Manchester NH 03103

Mankato                        Distribution Center                       2415 3rd Ave.                              Own
                                                                         Mankato, MN 56001

Mankato                        Storage Facility                          1329 North Riverfront Drive                Lease
                                                                         Mankato, MN 56001

Parkesburg                     Garage                                    R. D. 2 Hammond Drive                      Lease
                                                                         Parkesburg, PA 19365

Peachtree City                 Unoccupied                                Hwy. 74 South                              Lease
                                                                         Peachtree City, GA 30269

President's Plaza              Administration                            8600 West Bryn Mawr Ave.                   Lease
                                                                         Chicago, IL 60631

Springfield                    Distribution Center                       2150 Olympic Avenue                        Lease
                                                                         Springfield, OR  97477

Springfield                    Garage                                    955 A Street South                         Lease
                                                                         Springfield, OR 97477

Woodland                       Distribution Center                       215 N. Pioneer Avenue                      Lease
                                                                         Woodland, CA 95776

Woodland                       Storage Facility                          280 N. Pioneer Ave.                        Lease
                                                                         Woodland, CA
</TABLE>

                                       20
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                  CONFIRMATION

                          Dated as of December 30, 2002

To:   Bank of America, N.A., individually and as Collateral Agent, and the other
      "Benefited Parties" as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement referred to
      below

      Please refer to: (a) the First Amended and Restated Intercreditor
Agreement dated as of April 11, 2002 (the "Intercreditor Agreement"; capitalized
terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed thereto
in the Intercreditor Agreement) among various creditors of TruServ Corporation
and Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent; (b) the First Amendment dated as
of the date hereof to the Credit Agreement; (c) the First Amendments dated as of
the date hereof to the Senior Note Agreements; and (d) the First Amendment dated
as of the date hereof to the Shelf Note Agreement.

      Each of the undersigned hereby confirms to the Collateral Agent and each
of the other Benefited Parties that, after giving effect to First Amendments
referred to in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding paragraph and the
transactions contemplated thereby, the Guaranty and each Collateral Document to
which such undersigned is a party continues in full force and effect and is the
legal, valid and binding obligation of such undersigned, enforceable against
such undersigned in accordance with its terms.

                                  TRUSERV ACCEPTANCE COMPANY
                                  TRUSERV LOGISTICS COMPANY
                                  GENERAL PAINT & MANUFACTURING COMPANY
                                  MARYGREEN, LLC
                                  TRUE VALUE.COM CORPORATION
                                  COTTER CANADA HARDWARE & VARIETY COMPANY, INC.
                                  ADVOCATE SERVICES, INC.
                                  SERVISTAR PAINT COMPANY

                                  By:___________________________________________
                                  Name Printed:_________________________________
                                  Title:________________________________________

                                       21
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B
                     FORM OF AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT

Please see attached.

                                       22
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT C
                  FORM OF AMENDMENT TO INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

Please see attached.

                                       23
<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBITS D-F
                       AMENDMENTS TO FINANCING AGREEMENTS

Please see attached.

                                       24<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4-Y

                   FIFTH AMENDMENT TO PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

      THIS FIFTH AMENDMENT dated as of December 30, 2002 (this "Amendment")
amends the Participation Agreement dated as of April 30, 1998 (as previously
amended, the "Participation Agreement") by and among MARYGREEN, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company, as the Lessee (together with any permitted successors
and assigns, the "Lessee"); TRUSERV CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, as the
Lessee Agent, Construction Agent and Guarantor (in its capacity as Lessee Agent,
the "Lessee Agent"; in its capacity as Construction Agent, the "Construction
Agent"; and in its capacity as Guarantor, the "Guarantor"); TRUSERV 1998 TRUST,
a Delaware business trust, as the Lessor Trust (the "Lessor Trust"); WILMINGTON
TRUST COMPANY, a Delaware banking corporation, individually as set forth herein
and as Trustee under the Lessor Trust ("Owner Trustee"); BMO GLOBAL CAPITAL
SOLUTIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation formerly known as BMO Leasing (U.S.),
Inc., as a Certificate Holder (together with any permitted successors and
assigns thereto, each a "Certificate Holder" and collectively the "Certificate
Holders"); BMO GLOBAL CAPITAL SOLUTIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation formerly
known as BMO Leasing (U.S.), Inc., as Agent Certificate Holder for the
Certificate Holders (in such capacity, the "Agent Certificate Holder"); BANK OF
MONTREAL, a Canadian banking organization ("BMO"), and the other various
financial institutions as are or may from time to time become lenders (the
"Lenders") under the Loan Agreement; and BMO as Administrative Agent (in such
capacity, the "Administrative Agent") for the Lenders and as Arranger (in such
capacity, the "Arranger"). Terms defined in the Participation Agreement are,
unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, used herein
as defined therein.

      WHEREAS, the Lessee, the Guarantor, the Lessor Trust, the Owner Trustee,
the Certificate Holders, the Agent Certificate Holder, the Lenders, the
Administrative Agent and the Arranger have entered into the Participation
Agreement; and

      WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Participation Agreement
and Appendix A to the Participation Agreement as more fully set forth herein;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

      Section 1. Amendment to Participation Agreement and Appendix A. Effective
on (and subject to the occurrence of) the Amendment Effective Date (as defined
below), the Participation Agreement and Appendix A shall be amended in
accordance with this Section:

      Section 1.1. The definition of "Existing Credit Agreement" appearing in
Appendix A is hereby amended by inserting the following phrase at the end
thereof: ", as amended by the First Amendment thereto dated as of December 30,
2002".

      Section 1.2. Administrative Agent and each of the Participants hereby
approve, for purposes of Section G of Appendix A, the new definitions and
amendments to definitions set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement and such
new definitions and changes to definitions shall be incorporated in Appendix A.
<PAGE>

      Section 1.3. The second parenthetical phrase set forth in Section 8.2(g)
is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

            (other than properties and assets disposed of (x) in the ordinary
            course of business, (y) in connection with the sale of the Brookings
            regional distribution center or (z) pursuant to the Designated
            Sale-Leaseback Transaction).

      Section 1.4. Addition of Section 10.1(q). The following new Section
10.1(q) is added to the Participation Agreement in appropriate sequence to read
as follows:

            (q) Amendments to Financial Covenants. If the sale-leaseback of the
            regional distribution center located at 333 Harvey Road, Manchester,
            New Hampshire (the "Manchester RDC") does not occur by February 15,
            2003, the Lessee and Guarantor shall cause the financial covenant
            levels set forth in Section 10.2 to be amended to reflect the
            exclusion of the Manchester RDC sale-leaseback from the Business
            Plan in a manner satisfactory to the Required Participants in their
            sole discretion, and such financial covenant levels will be
            established in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Required
            Participants on the basis of the same methodologies used in
            preparing the covenant levels incorporated in the Fifth Amendment to
            Participation Agreement dated as of December 30, 2002.

      Section 1.5. The table set forth in Section 10.2(a) is amended in its
entirety to read as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Fiscal quarter ending on or about          Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
                ---------------------------------          -----------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>
                December 31, 2002                                       0.70 to 1
                March 31, 2003                                          0.70 to 1
                June 30, 2003                                           0.65 to 1
                September 30, 2003                                      0.65 to 1
                December 31, 2003                                       0.90 to 1
                March 31, 2004                                          0.90 to 1
                June 30, 2004                                           0.90 to 1
</TABLE>

      Section 1.6. Section 10.2(b)(viii)(B) is amended in its entirety to read
as follows: (B) a lease entered into as part of a sale and leaseback transaction
(other than the Designated Sale-Leaseback Transaction provided that such
interest or title attaches only to the property being leased in connection
therewith).

      Section 1.7. Section 10.2(d)(ii) is amended in its entirety to read as
follows:

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

            (ii) in connection with (A) the sale and leaseback of distribution
      centers owned by the Guarantor of any Subsidiary and (B) any sublease of,
      or assignment by the Guarantor of its interest as lessee in, any
      Designated Sale-Leaseback Transaction, provided, that any such sublease or
      assignment, as the case may be, shall be on an arm's length basis, shall
      have reasonable and normal commercial terms and shall provide for no less
      frequently than quarterly payment of rent

      Section 1.8. Section 10.2(k)(viii) is amended in its entirety to read as
follows:

            (viii) (A) maintain the Special Company Account; provided that as of
      the close of business on any day on which the Total Outstandings (as
      defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) are greater than zero or during
      the existence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Existing Credit
      Agreement) after the commencement of an Enforcement (as defined in the
      Intercreditor Agreement), the amount maintained in the Special Company
      Account shall not be greater than zero; and (B) maintain other deposit
      accounts with financial institutions in the ordinary course of business;
      provided that the amount maintained in deposit accounts with financial
      institutions other than the Lenders under the Existing Credit Agreement
      shall not exceed (x) in the case of any one such account, $200,000 for
      more than three consecutive Business Days; and (y) in the case of all such
      accounts in the aggregate, $600,000 for more than two consecutive Business
      Days.

      Section 1.9. Section 10.2(b) is hereby amended by (i) deleting the word
      "and" at the end of Section 10.2(b)(xii), (ii) substituting the word ";
      and" for the "." at the end of Section 10.2(b)(xiii) and (iii) by adding a
      new Section 10.2(b)(xiv) to read as follows: "(xiv) Liens in favor of Bank
      of America on the Special Company Account with respect to services
      provided by Bank of America."

      Section 1.10. The table set forth in Section 10.2(n) is amended in its
entirety to read as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Fiscal quarter ending on or about          Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio
                ---------------------------------          -------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>
                December 31, 2002                                      1.75 to 1
                March 31, 2003                                         1.75 to 1
                June 30, 2003                                          2.00 to 1
                September 30, 2003                                     2.00 to 1
                December 31, 2003                                      3.00 to 1
                March 31, 2004                                         3.00 to 1
                June 30, 2004                                          3.00 to 1
</TABLE>

      Section 1.11. The table set forth in Section 10.2(o) is amended in its
entirety to read as follows:

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Twelve Month Period ending on or about               Minimum Amount
                --------------------------------------               --------------
<S>                                                                  <C>
                December 31, 2002                                    $1,975,000,000
                January 31, 2003                                     $1,820,000,000
                February 28, 2003                                    $1,780,000,000
                March 31, 2003                                       $1,740,000,000
                April 30, 2003                                       $1,725,000,000
                May 31, 2003                                         $1,740,000,000
                June 30, 2003                                        $1,720,000,000
                July 31, 2003                                        $1,715,000,000
                August 31, 2003                                      $1,710,000,000
                September 30, 2003                                   $1,700,000,000
                October 31, 2003                                     $1,715,000,000
                November 30, 2003                                    $1,695,000,000
                December 31, 2003                                    $1,700,000,000
                January 31, 2004                                     $1,700,000,000
                February 29, 2004                                    $1,695,000,000
                March 31, 2004                                       $1,690,000,000
                April 30, 2004                                       $1,690,000,000
                May 31, 2004                                         $1,680,000,000
                June 30, 2004                                        $1,670,000,000
</TABLE>

      Section 1.12. Section 10.2(p) is amended by inserting the following phrase
immediately before the sentence set forth below the table therein:

            ; provided that the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made
            during any Fiscal Year ending after December 31, 2002 may be
            increased by an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $2,000,000 and (b)
            the excess of the maximum amount of Capital Expenditures permitted
            to be made in the prior fiscal year over the actual amount of
            Capital Expenditures made during such prior fiscal year. Such
            increased permitted Capital Expenditures may be made in any fiscal
            quarter or fiscal quarters of such fiscal year."

      Section 1.13. The table set forth in Section 10.2(q) is amended in its
entirety to read as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Twelve Month Period ending on or about                Minimum Adjusted EBITDA
                --------------------------------------                -----------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>
                December 31, 2002                                          $100,000,000
                January 31, 2003                                            $95,000,000
                February 28, 2003                                           $95,000,000
                March 31, 2003                                              $90,000,000
                April 30, 2003                                              $90,000,000
                May 31, 2003                                                $85,000,000
</TABLE>

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
                June 30, 2003                                               $80,000,000
                July 31, 2003                                               $75,000,000
                August 31, 2003                                             $70,000,000
                September 30, 2003                                          $70,000,000
                October 31, 2003                                            $70,000,000
                November 30, 2003                                           $70,000,000
                December 31, 2003                                           $70,000,000
                January 31, 2004                                            $70,000,000
                February 29, 2004                                           $70,000,000
                March 31, 2004                                              $70,000,000
                April 30, 2004                                              $70,000,000
                May 31, 2004                                                $70,000,000
                June 30, 2004                                               $70,000,000
</TABLE>

      Section 2. Representations and Warranties. The Guarantor represents and
warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Participants that, after giving
effect hereto, (a) each representation and warranty (as amended hereby) set
forth in Section 8.2 of the Participation Agreement (except for those set forth
in Sections 8.2(j), 8.2(l), 8.2(q) and 8.2(t)), is true and correct as of the
date of the execution and delivery of this Amendment by the Guarantor with the
same effect as if made on such date (except to the extent such representations
and warranties expressly refer to an earlier date, in which case they were true
and correct as of such earlier date), provided that the representations and
warranties contained in Section 8.2(n) shall be deemed to be made in light of
the letter dated August 26, 2002 by the Guarantor to each of the Benefited
Parties (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) and (b) no Event of Default
or Unmatured Event of Default exists.

      Section 3. Effectiveness. The amendments set forth in Section 1 above
shall become effective on the date (the "Amendment Effective Date") when the
Administrative Agent shall have received (a) to the extent then billed, all
costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with this Amendment
(including reasonable attorneys' fees and charges and all costs, expenses and
charges for a field examination) and (b) each of the following documents, each
in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

            (a) counterparts of this Amendment executed by the Guarantor, the
      Lessee and the Required Participants;

            (b) evidence that the Designated Sale - Leaseback Transaction has
      occurred and that the proceeds thereof have been applied in accordance
      with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement; and

            (c) an executed amendment to the Intercreditor Agreement acceptable
      to Administrative Agent.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

      Section 4. Miscellaneous.

      Section 4.1. Continuing Effectiveness, etc. As herein amended, the
Participation Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and is hereby
ratified and confirmed in all respects. After the Amendment Effective Date, all
references in the Participation Agreement and the other Operative Documents to
"Participation Agreement", or similar terms shall refer to the Participation
Agreement, as amended hereby.

      Section 4.2. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the different parties on separate counterparts, and each
such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original but all such counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same Amendment.

      Section 4.3. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be a contract made under
and governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.

      Section 4.4. Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall be binding upon
the Lessee, the Guarantor, the Lessor Trust, the Owner Trustee, the Certificate
Holders, the Agent Certificate Holder, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and
the Arranger and their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the
benefit of the Lessee, Guarantor the Lessor Trust, the Owner Trustee, the
Certificate Holders, the Agent Certificate Holder, the Lenders and the
Administrative Agent and the respective successors and assigns of the Lessor
Trust, the Owner Trustee, the Certificate Holders, the Agent Certificate Holder,
the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

      Section 4.5. Participation of Guaranty. By execution of this Amendment,
Guarantor hereby restates, ratifies and reaffirms in full its obligations under
the Guaranty.

      Section 4.6. Consents. Notwithstanding any provision in the Operative
Documents to the contrary, each signatory hereto hereby consents to (a)
amendments to the Financing Agreements set forth as Exhibits D, E and F to the
First Amendment to the Existing Credit Agreement, (b) the consummation of the
Designated Sale-Leaseback Transaction and (c) the release of collateral by the
Collateral Agent to the extent subject to the Designated Sale-Leaseback
Transaction.

      Section 4.7. Further Assurances. Upon the request of the Required
Participants, the Guarantor agrees to provide and cause its Subsidiaries to
provide to the Participants such additional amendments, consents, reaffirmations
and ancillary documentation as is necessary or advisable, in the sole reasonable
discretion of the Required Participants, to ensure that the Collateral Documents
are in full force and effect in all respects.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

      Delivered at Chicago, Illinois, as of the day and year first above
written.

                                    TRUSERV CORPORATION, as Lessee Agent,
                                      Construction Agent and Guarantor

                                    By: /s/ DAVE SHADDUCK
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Its Senior Vice President and Chief
                                        Financial Officer
                                        ---------------------------------------

                                    MARY GREEN, LLC, as Lessee

                                    By: TruServ Corporation, its sole member

                                    By: /s/ ROBERT OSTROV
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Its Corporate Secretary
                                        ---------------------------------------

                                    BMO GLOBAL CAPITAL SOLUTIONS, INC., formerly
                                      known as BMO Leasing (U.S.), Inc., as
                                      Agent Certificate Holder and as a
                                      Certificate Holder

                                    By: /s/ MICHAEL P. JOYCE
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Its President
                                        ---------------------------------------

                                    BANK OF MONTREAL, as Administrative Agent,
                                      Arranger and as a Lender

                                    By: /s/ JACK J. KANE
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Its Vice President
                                        ---------------------------------------

                                    WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, not in its
                                      individual capacity, except as expressly
                                      provided herein, but solely as Owner
                                      Trustee

                                    By: /s/ CHARLOTTE PAGLIA
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Its Senior Financial Services Officer
                                        --------------------------------------

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

                                    TRUSERV 1998 TRUST, as Lessor Trust

                                    By:   Wilmington Trust Company, not in its
                                            individual capacity but solely as
                                            Owner Trustee

                                    By: /s/ CHARLOTTE PAGLIA
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Its Senior Financial Services Officer
                                        ----------------------------------------

                                      -8-

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