More Bunnings

[AlexS]

I don't like self checkouts either but given a choice of waiting in a line behind a customer with 101 irrigation fittings, and a self check out, I will use them.

I choose not to. I can go to a small independent store which is a little further away, but quicker than waiting in line at Hardware Hell.

[AlexS]

I don't like self checkouts either but given a choice of waiting in a line behind a customer with 101 irrigation fittings, and a self check out, I will use them.

I choose not to. I can go to a small independent store which is a little further away, but quicker than waiting in line at Hardware Hell.

[Chris Parks]

When the checkouts are busy at the exits, I go to the tools checkout, usually a lot quicker.

I do this also though I will use a self checkout if one is available.

[Simplicity]

They also seem to be cutting staff early morning,when’s there’s dozens and dozens of tradies.
Who just want to get in get out.
It can be frustrating when your there at 7 am an need to be on site by 8 am to meet clients before they go of to work.


Cheers Matt,

[pker]

We are being trained. At the Morayfield store ,there could be 10 to 12 people waiting at the only manned checkout , while they have an operator standing there telling everyone in the line that the self serve checkout is open .This is between 10 & 12 am. chris

[Drillit]

I classify them as the Store of last resort. The problem is where else to go for things for urgent little jobs. They have a terrible monopoly and the advice is the first thing that comes out of their green and red lips. Drillit.

[poundy]

the sad news is that this is all a "convenience" play and an opportunity to drive profit margin - they are a corporation who are driven by shareholders, and to gain margin you control the labour costs down (if I was a shareholder, I'd want them to).
The pity is that there really are less and less options because of their buying power. There used to be two Mitre10's in my area but both are gone. I can only see the competition that Bunnings drive as an eventual nail in the coffin of some of these smaller businesses, which is a genuine pity...

[Beardy]

the sad news is that this is all a "convenience" play and an opportunity to drive profit margin - they are a corporation who are driven by shareholders, and to gain margin you control the labour costs down (if I was a shareholder, I'd want them to).
The pity is that there really are less and less options because of their buying power. There used to be two Mitre10's in my area but both are gone. I can only see the competition that Bunnings drive as an eventual nail in the coffin of some of these smaller businesses, which is a genuine pity...

I don’t think it is that bad and the competition can easily survive around them if they play a different game.

I can tell you that Bunnings is not good at working with trade and the majority of them deal with the smaller guys who can offer better service and they do compete on price quite well in most cases.
Bunnings is convenient though with their long operating hours and focus on retail handyman trade, they struggle with the trade sector though.
Mitre 10 eat Bunnings in the regional areas but in places like Sydney you will struggle if you are chasing the mum and dad retail trade, you need to focus on trade.

[Sir Stinkalot]

There is a lot of negativity about Bunnies, but in my opinion they do a fairly good job overall.

I can't recall a time where I went to Bunnies and found it was out of stock on a particular item - their stock management seems to be fairly good.

Their website, whilst not ideal has enough information to enable research and the preparation of a "shopping" list before going to the store - it could be much better (particularly the search function) but is still reasonable - M10 by comparison is useless and their is no chance of telling what they stock, if its in stock or at what price.

Staffing can be hit and miss, but to be honest I do my research before buying so don't need their feedback - if I can't find something they seem to know where it is.

Operating hours - even in SA with our crazy trading restrictions - is very convenient.

Quality and range isn't the best - but I much prefer dedicated tool stores for tools, dedicated woodworking suppliers (such as our forum sponsors) for specialty items.

The key for the smaller hardware stores is diversification or trade, offer something that Bunnies doesn't have - don't try and compete against them. We have Stratco in SA and I have found that they offer certain items that Bunnies do not. They also carry a lot of similar items, but their prices are much higher. I go their to grab the odd things that I can't get from Bunnies, but cant come at paying 50-100% more of regular items that Bunnies stock. There is another huge Bunnies opening up on South Road in SA not far from one of the few remaining Stratco stores - I think the writing is already on the wall for them as they do not offer enough difference to Bunnies. We used to have a Hills Store here - the clotheslines people - it had a great range of odd stuff, cut to length steel etc - it was great to hunt around in - unfortunately it closed

As for self checkouts - I try and avoid them at all costs (Bunnies and Supermarkets). It is just another way for a store to cut staff numbers and operating cost - passing on the work to the customer without reducing the cost.

Disclaimer - I do own Westfarmers shares - but not enough to influence my buying.

[rrich]

One thing that has changed is self checkout and most of the large stores I go to have self checkout facilities but they are not always open. I asked a checkout staff member if there was any pattern as to when the self checkouts were open but she said she didn't know.

Not much different at Home Depot here.

When they were very busy on weekends and I HAD to purchase something I would also purchase an 8 foot (2.5 M) 2 x 4 and go through the self check out. (It gets better) HD uses barcode labels on about everything they sell. The labels are usually glued or stapled to the end of the 2 x 4. Here I am going through self check out and as I raise the 2 x 4 to a vertical position and pass it over the scanner, several HD employees come running over to assist. I usually get reprimanded for bringing a 2 x 4 through self checkout. I usually respond with, "You need to have more check stands open so that I don't have to bring a 2 x 4 through self check out."

Actually it has worked. Now there are usually 3 or 4 checkout registers working all the time.

[Lappa]

Thornleigh Bunnings is the pits. A search on the Web says they have it in stock, go there and they either don’t have it, they only have one left and you want four or they no longer stock it. Their stock lines are decreasing daily, staff have no idea or are rude or stand around talking and when you ask for help they say “ that’s not my section”. Bolt section is a mess. The only helpful section is the paint section.
I also use the hardware in Hornsby or, if I must use Bunnings, I now drive to Belrose.

well that’s better - got that off my chest

[KBs PensNmore]

I used to have a small factory in Salisbury South, about 5 minute drive from their Parafield Warehouse. I was after 12 of each of 60 and 80 grit flap discs, all I could get was 3 and 4 respectively, I asked if it was a per customer limit, the reply was thats all we've got. I went to the local M10 and asked for the discs and was asked if I wanted boxed lots of them. They were cheaper there also.
The low stock numbers has happened on quite a few occassions, the only times I go there for myself, is if the other stores are closed. Our local bunnings is a store not a warehouse, if you want something that's not a stock item, but is available at another store, they want you to pay up front to get it there about a week after it's been ordered.
Their next nearest is at Mt Barker about 3/4 hour drive each away.
Kryn