Service at Bunnings.

I have just completed another 1,020 kilometre round trip to Bunnings in Toowoomba. Now I know they (Bunnings) get bagged a lot, but I have to say that the service I have received each and every time, is second to none.
Every staff member I have encountered in all departments I have visited, has been very helpful and friendly.
Any time I need 'stuff', I have no hesitation in travelling the 12 hours and 1020 kilometre round trip for the outstanding service they provide.
There are a lot of businesses that would do well to emulate their style.

I second your experiences, especially re the staff at Bunnings Toowoomba. I especially appreciate some remembering me and asking what project I'm working on at present.

cheers
Wendy

:2tsup:

Well said, I too have enjoyed good service at Bunnings. I will take your word about the Toowoomba store - it's a bit of a drive from here.

Bloody wooss Rob.:D

Sure there are good, and less good experiences.

Rang Bunnings myself today - needed some galv nails for the nailgun, and wanted to know if they had any 50mm or so, to save me a pointless trip.

Got the store, 2nd ring and someone answered. Asked to be put through to the Trade Desk (the one right next to the nailgun nails by the by). 2nd ring, someone answered. By this stage I was becoming quite impressed.

Asked about the nails - girl replied that there were hundreds of different types, and I'd be better off coming down and looking myself. At this stage she would have been standing within 4 feet of the rack, but no - too hard.

She then opted to transfer me to the tool shop (?), and also said if a girl answers don't bother asking her, and ask for a guy to answer my query.

By this point I gave up, drove down and luckily found that in the range of "hundreds of types" there was only one box that was even close to what I wanted.

Simply, if you don't like hardware, don't work in a hardware shop. If you choose to work there, have at least a vague idea of what you sell - open your eyes about the things you walk past every day, and ask questions.

And finally, what is with not being able to ask females an answer to a question about products in the store they are working as sales staff, in the tool shop or trade section? I felt like I'd be transferred back to the 50's. (Don't actually remember the 50's, but you get my drift.)

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Originally Posted by

Bloody wooss Rob.:D

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I'm a bit busy at the moment Ian, but when I am not so busy, I'll give you a two hours start and we can have a race up to there - non stop apart from fuel stops and nature calls.

Problem being, do we know anyone we could visit when we get there?

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Originally Posted by Stuart

. . . . . .
Simply, if you don't like hardware, don't work in a hardware shop.

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Being actually interested in the job, rates as a low priority these days. It's about the money, or the team you work with, or the conditions or . . or . . or . . first.

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If you choose to work there, have at least a vague idea of what you sell - open your eyes about the things you walk past every day, and ask questions.

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Sorry I don't get paid to do that :wink:

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Originally Posted by Wood Borer

I'm a bit busy at the moment Ian, but when I am not so busy, I'll give you a two hours start and we can have a race up to there - non stop apart from fuel stops and nature calls.

Problem being, do we know anyone we could visit when we get there?

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:DWinner gets to put the kettle on, Loser gets to make the cuppa :D I'll get the royals :D

I'm in and then we can all visit Bunnings just to make sure you Toowoombeans are not spinning us a yarn.:2tsup:

I'm with you Wendy, on this one, for Toowoomba anyway.:2tsup:

I have found the Staff most Polite and reasonably helpful.

As for some of the ****** Customers:(
NOW!!
They're are some to complain about, but, to whom:?:?:doh:

:no:

Guess I'm in the wrong thread here.

Hi,

Stu, not the 50's but the 60's that's what I remember (service with a snarl) cause your'e asking the wrong person.

Now for all concerned there are no staff at Bunnings.

They are team members. If anyone of them calls another one a staff member then they are in 'big' trouble. How do I know. I attended a 5 day 'Negotiation Skills' course with an Area Manager of Bunnings (great guy by the way).

And yes some of these 'TEAM MEMBERS' should not work there if they are not prepared to learn what products they sell and offer customer service so the customer is satisfied. (my rant) finished now...

Steve

Yeah ya big skirts, do the drive.

I have had that experience with female staff at Bunnings as well, Stuart, but not over the phone. Although they have been pretty straight and found a person (male) who has been able to help.

Please don't read this as a sexist remark, because it's not meant to be. I don't actually have a problem with this situation as the girls/ladies I have dealt with have been very helpful nonetheless and they don't pretend to know about the products. So, no allusions on my part, but I agree that they should at least make themselves familiar with the stock lines in their department. Product knowledge is another thing, but let's not go there. That'll just cause more problems.

Now, as for the trade desk, I would expect and demand product knowledge from this section and so far I have not been disappointed.
In fact the other day I was there, a bloke was asking for "a plastic thing with a rectangle piece at each end with a bendy bit in the middle for joining a pipe" of some sort.
This is fair dinkum.

The guy at the desk then asked another staff member to grab the "50cm flex joiner with 50x30 quad ends (or something like that), for this gentleman". There was no put-down or smirking on the part of the staff member. The customer was happy and I was impressed.

I then apologised to the staff member in advance, because I also had a weird request and his response was, "Mate, no need to apologise. Without you and every other customer who turns up, I wouldn't have a job. That's what I'm paid to do, and I've got clean hands and I don't work up a sweat."

All in all, I am very happy with the service I get.

Oops....I just read your post Bleeder.
Replace 'staff' with 'team members' in my post.:B
Apologies to Bunnings staff.:doh:

Ooops ToyBoy. You cannot call them 'female team members' either. Everyone is a 'Team Member' although some done know has to play as a team.


Steve

Small local bunnings with rodger the paint wizard and lady manager that let me help myself to the skip contents in the back yard :2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

One year later rodger has gone, and the shop is staffed by vague young things who can't cut anything straight. The manager told me we can't get enough staff let alone anyone that is half interested. Too many jobs around - it never satisfies everyone.

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Originally Posted by Toyboy

I have just completed another 1,020 kilometre round trip to Bunnings in Toowoomba. Now I know they (Bunnings) get bagged a lot, but I have to say that the service I have received each and every time, is second to none.
Every staff member I have encountered in all departments I have visited, has been very helpful and friendly.
Any time I need 'stuff', I have no hesitation in travelling the 12 hours and 1020 kilometre round trip for the outstanding service they provide.
There are a lot of businesses that would do well to emulate their style.

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Maybe they should teach the staff at Morwell as they are hopless i have gone in for something and waited and got stuffed around for an Hour:o. I run a carpentry business and can't waste time like that.:~ So I don't deal them I got to the local Home hardware where you get real service.:U
Also quotes come back to me with items not as i described so you can't compare prices. :no:

Regards
Jamc

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Originally Posted by Toyboy

The guy at the desk then asked another staff member to grab the "50cm flex joiner with 50x30 quad ends (or something like that), for this gentleman". There was no put-down or smirking on the part of the staff member. The customer was happy and I was impressed.

I then apologised to the staff member in advance, because I also had a weird request and his response was, "Mate, no need to apologise. Without you and every other customer who turns up, I wouldn't have a job. That's what I'm paid to do, and I've got clean hands and I don't work up a sweat."

All in all, I am very happy with the service I get.

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:2tsup:That's the sort of service I was hoping for, especially when I asked to be put through to the trade desk.

It is the trade desk - they at least should know about things like nail gun nails (don't tradies use them? - Oh wait, tradies would know what they want, and wouldn't have to ask! - Guess I should have read the thread about insider tradies closer!):doh:

Hey Stuart. I wonder if it's because they are not busy enough. The Toowoomba store is massive and the staff are always on the go.
I reckon the quiet stores might give people time to 'think' and as soon as they're interrupted, they get all ????ty. Just a thought.

By the way, why are you up so early?

I have three Bunnings stores within driving distance and
have found the staff at all of them very helpful - if you
can find them.

In my experience, I tend to find bunches of them having
team meetings or whatever they do in groups.

Hey Barry,
C'Mon ;-)

ALL stores are within "DRIVING" Distance.

Just depends on how long one wants to drive for.
My 2nd nearest one is over 2 Hours away.

I now tend to combine a number of things to do into the One trip....

Centrelink and Gov have a lot to do with people working where they work these days as well as Employment Agencies. The companies hire especially if they are getting gov $$$$ to take them on.

2 Bunnies stores to choose from 15 min drive to each or further 20 min drive and another 2

2 Mitre 10's

1 Home Hardware,

Blackwoods 20 mins. :roll:

trouble is :no: $$$$$ cash

Well Im glad some people are getting service out of Bunnies because I was at my local Bunnies last week trying to get some info on some doors, after noticing the special orders desk was unattended , I went to track down a staff member to see f they could help me, I eventually found one hiding in the isle pretending to be busy,and deep in thought ,after waiting patiently, for what seemed like an eternity...I was just about to flick him on the ear to wake him up or to see if he was alive ,I then inquired about the special orders desk and he said that "so and so" was sick today and no special orders would be taken, now if someone called in sick at my work things dont just stop`!! people cover their positions its called multi skilling.... I have never had great service from Bunnies ever!!! the only time they make you feel welcome is when the lady at the front door greets you and says "hello sir rah rah rah" and the same when you are leaving and walk out the door" never during the visit!!!

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Originally Posted by Toyboy

Hey Stuart. I wonder if it's because they are not busy enough. The Toowoomba store is massive and the staff are always on the go.
I reckon the quiet stores might give people time to 'think' and as soon as they're interrupted, they get all ????ty. Just a thought.

By the way, why are you up so early?

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Could well be - perhaps she was painting her fingernails or something girlie. Couldn't possibly have been looking at any grimy boy things like product range.

Up early as have to take my labourers (aka my parents) to the airport for their return to NZ. Don't know why I'm letting 'em go - my shed isn't finished yet!

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Originally Posted by Barry Hicks

I have three Bunnings stores within driving distance and have found the staff at all of them very helpful - if you can find them? In my experience, I tend to find bunches of them having team meetings or whatever they do in groups.

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Hey Barry - we must be going to the same one.

It's a bit like the tram saying here in Melbourne. In that you don't see any for a while then they all come past at the same time!!. However, I don't know if it is dangerous working at Bunnings given they go around in at least pairs:?. The other week I went into the local branch and I went to seek some advice off a couple of them (who were chatting to one another at the time) after a minute of waiting by the side of them (whilst they had been slagging off a colleague) I said I am sorry to interupt your little chat but could I have some advice on........ You should have seen the look on one of the guy's faces. I told him I was an investor in both the Bunnings Warehouse fund and Westfarmers and I expected a bit more courtesy towards the customers, especially given that it appears from reading many blogs on the internet that there is a perception in the public eye that customer service standands are not that high (good) at BUNNINGS. I acted on his advice and not only spoke to the (acting) manager but I sent an email to branch manager from whom I am still waiting a reply. Hopefully it won't be too long, or I will have to seek one from the main office:wink:.

MH

Service ? What service ? :?

I used to be a Bunnies addict when they first appeared and since then , slowly but surely," service" has been made redundant. Bunnings aprons will be valuable antiques very soon I'm sure.

Needless to say if I want advice, I dont waste my time any more by going to the big green shed . I only go there if I know what I want , and if I know where it is and that they normally have it in stock.

I went to my local Mega Mitre 10 today ( I dont normally go there ) for some bathroom fittings and wait for it - 3 times I was asked if they could be of assistance within 15 minutes in different departments. I told the guy what I wanted and he took me to exactly what I wanted now thats what I call service. :2tsup:
Neil.

Thank god someone is having the same problems with Bunnies as me I was starting to think all the best Bunnies Shops were North or south or even west of the Borders of NSW!!!
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Bunnings +Service = Oxymoron

Jerry

War does not decide who is right. War only decides who is left.

Isn't Bunnings Called "Bunnings Warehouse", not Bunnings retail?

I would expect little to no service at a warehouse as compared to retail.:)

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Originally Posted by Buzzer

Isn't Bunnings Called "Bunnings Warehouse", not Bunnings retail?
I would expect little to no service at a warehouse as compared to retail.:)

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I am not sure if that is right, I buy materials from a local warehouse in the way of framing and matt boards and although I buy only a few items at a time I couldn't ask for better service than what I get from them. The staff are most helpful and friendly. Local Bunnings are not too bad mostly helpful and friendly staff but of course, you will always get the odd one.

Whenever I buy something at the local Bunnies I get reasonable service, at times quite good service. They have a good range of hardware tools and a million other things. People must like shopping there, the carpark is always full.

I think you have to keep things in perspective, you can go and buy a pair of trousers at your local KMart or BigW, you get to try them on and take them to the checkout, service is virtually non-existent, but the prices are very competitive.

Or you can go to Fletcher Jones, get measured and the sales person expertly selects the right trouser size to match your waist and leg length etc. Service is excellent, and the price you pay reflects that.

In other words, you get what you pay for..................

the last time i went into bunnies was quite a few years ago. ( at least looking to buy something not just in there with the old folks ).

i was looking at a GMC lathe and one bloke came up to me ( yep, came up to me ) and said to me and my parents - "your better off going to this website and spending the extra cash, it will be much better and safer" * hands us a peice of paper saying carbatec and timbacon.

hows that for excellent advice from bunnies employees:2tsup:. best advice i could have hoped for:cool:

bunnies in wollongong btw ( about 5km east of unanderra...think it starts with a W:? )

Just yesterday I was at Bunnies and on the way out I was given a Questionaire on the Whole Bunnies Experience and What not and was I satisfied with the service yadda yadda ...... i Couldnt help but have a chuckle to myself and was about to refer him to this Site for some real honest answers.......Bloody should have when I think of it!! Do we have any Bunnies Spies in our Midst????

tips for shopping at bunnies.....

seek out a mature aged staff member, they pay more attention to their job

smile even if you are not having a good day...its not their fault

dont settle for second best

dont have great expectations ....just looking at the size of these operations, should tell you that your going to be disappointed.

before opening your mouth to complain, just imagine your on the recieving end of endless impatient customers every day, and the type of mood you would be in going home......you just may try being patient with them.

and lastly ......you too were wet behind the ears once, so it seems like a never ending cycle doesnt it:doh:



havva nice day now :U

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Originally Posted by ss_11000

the last time i went into bunnies was quite a few years ago.

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You have probably missed a few bargains in that time.:)

Actually some of the stuff you get at Bunnings is top quality. I bought a hammer from them about 5 years ago and its as good as the day I bought it. Only replaced the shaft 3 times and the head twice.

Totally agree Man of Talent I could never work in the retail world with the general public some just have no idea what they want and the stupid questions would drive me crazy!!!

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Originally Posted by ss_11000

bunnies in Wollongong btw ( about 5km east of unanderra...think it starts with a W:? )

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Warrawong, there young Stirlo. Not to bad, if the Wollongong shop doesn't have an item in stock, some of the Customer Service will ring Warrawong to see if the item is in stock, if the answer is yes, then it's a 10 minute zip down the expressway:U

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Originally Posted by Pat

Warrawong, there young Stirlo. Not to bad, if the Wollongong shop doesn't have an item in stock, some of the Customer Service will ring Warrawong to see if the item is in stock, if the answer is yes, then it's a 10 minute zip down the expressway:U

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thats it:2tsup:. i knew it started with a W:cool:


hey pat, i just noticed your at towradgi. i'm down around that area a few times a year. we usually stay at the surf leasure resort opposite the pub. then make the trip into hockey at unanderra. wollongong seems like a nice place too!

Yes, been in the area all my life. I work in Sydney so I can see the differences. The SLR is a good place, having organised a few "boys weekends away" staying there and across the road:U

When ever your down this way next, feel free to have a look at the dump (shed). PM me before hand for details.