The Hypothetical Hardware store.....

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:28 am

I'd call it Cunnings Warehouse, where staff do not wear the same colours as pallet racking, so do not even think of hiding, alone or in packs. I'd even have a multi level job interview which should make it impossible for staff to be hired possessing little or no customer focus. So an opthalmologist will also be on hand to undertake a thorough examination to ensure the staff will have a customer focus and retain an average 20/20 (see 20 customers within 20 feet) to keep the employment contract. For staff to keep up with their colleagues daily social movements there will be a lunch roster so you choose who you eat with and that will be outside noon to 2pm. Unlike some other hardware stores with a staff person to surprise you from behind as you enter, I will have one or more to ask before you leave as to whether you found what you were looking for (helpful staff and product in stock). My shelf packers will be identified as such and will still be expected to lead you to what you are looking for or introduce you to a staff member who can. And it won't only be the shareholders who are happy

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:32 am

pisses me off too mate. i miss the old hardware stores where the guy running the show actually knew something about hardware..

that said, dulux paint is cheaper from bunnings than trade price from dulux.... so what choice do you have!

Outback bloke · Post by **Outback bloke** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:46 am

Don't get me started. I am a tradie and absolutely hate going there. 100% useless.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:16 pm

I've been in there a fair bit recently myself getting stuff to finish off my renovations. Surprisingly I've been very happy with the service (mostly in the plumbing section). The two older guys who've helped me out with advice and exactly which fittings I need have both clearly been plumbers for a fair bit of their lives as you can tell they are talking from experience. Of course there are heaps of other people who clearly have no idea....but I'm not surprised really. They obviously earn minimum wage and are only trained to do just a few tasks.
I also had to wait probably about 20 minutes at the service desk for an exchange when I choose the wrong thing once, there was only 1 girl on duty.

But honestly, you can't expect too much in the way of service from a discount warehouse. For better service you really have to go to smaller outlets and be faced with less range and higher prices.

Vincent you should get bunnings to live up to their "we'll beat it by 10% price garantee", although I dunno if they do that for trade.

Guys also FYI you only need an ABN and anybody can get a bunnings trade card.

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:29 pm

interesting... I have an ABN. what discount do they give you for trade?

The thing that shits me is they call themselves a discount warehouse but very little of what they sell is cheap. All they offer is after hours convenience

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:28 pm

the trade discounts aren't very good from what I hear, but sometimes they can be alright with quantity. heaps of things don't count as trade though - it's mostly just for things like paint, wood etc.

I think tradies use Bunnings as a "last resort supplier" haha.

Post by **Captain Obvious** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:48 pm

im lucky the hardware around the corner from me has still a family run thrifty link and even on a sunday they have 5 people working and within 1-2mins of being there someone is asking if you need a hand!!

also bunnings in most cases aren't any cheaper!! only when they have a cataloge sale...

bryan

p.s trick is to know a builder with an account with paint and hardware store and get stuff for trade price!!

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:24 pm

mmm.... i agree above, i miss McEwens hardware store, these people knew what they were talking about & TotalTools is the same. Bunnings is a place where you gotta know what you're getting, I often find it hard to find someone who actually KNOWS what they're talking about... not "maybe/might" will work etc... it pisses me off and time wasting... Loves going after 630pm to get bargains and lie at them with a price for same product somewhere else that they cant call the place up to compare the prices... then I get a discount - thats the only way to do it!
Cheers
AP

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:51 am

Bunnings? Who said anything about Bunnings? Bunnings are a warehouse and as such likely employ people as warehouse staff to restock shelves and let customers help themselves and make the right decision themselves, next they will have self serve cash registers like Wolworse have done. I like the price comparo time advantage AP.

I find staff, whether restockers or retail assistants are most helpful for the last 15 minutes of trade

. I struck one fella twice in a day, both times observing some OH&S rule about keeping hands clear (in his pocket) clearly unwilling to initially get his attention, advice then momentary assistance. I did feel like asking him if he stole the uniform and was just lurking or was he getting paid to do something and if he was on some sort of personal break 'koff and go hide out the back out of my sight.

Bumpty · Post by **Bumpty** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:04 am

We've got a Mitre 5 that only has half the stuff they claim to have.

Post by **Captain Obvious** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:45 pm

Bumpty wrote:We've got a Mitre 5 that only has half the stuff they claim to have.

dont get me started on the one we have in town, more like mitre who give a **** what you want we will keep plates and bowls not nuts and bolts!!!

Willie · Post by **Willie** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:10 pm

The Bunnings here in Mascot (Syd) is also not real flash. I finally found an assistant to ask some questions of the other day, and the language barrier was so wide that she just walked off with a blank look on her face.

I finally found another, who was in coversation with the first. #1 assistant said to #2, "this is the man I couldn't understand - I'm not sure where he's from, I can't understand his accent".

Once I finished telling her in no uncertain terms both my parents, their parents, their parents and their parent were all born in Australia and in fact it was she that had the foreign accent, assistant #2 told me I shouldn't be so rude and #1 was just as much Australian as I was. I asked where she was born, to which she answered "Iran".

I left without what I went there for .....

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 9:36 am

Probly got a job in retail to improve English skills