Service at Bunnings.

[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.

[RufflyRustic]

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

[Wood Borer]

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.

[RETIRED]

Bloody wooss Rob.

[Stuart]

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.)

[Wood Borer]

Bloody wooss Rob.

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?

[BobL]

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

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.

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.

Sorry I don't get paid to do that

[RufflyRustic]

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?

Winner gets to put the kettle on, Loser gets to make the cuppa I'll get the royals

[Wood Borer]

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

[Ivan in Oz]

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

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

[Stuart]

Guess I'm in the wrong thread here.

[The Bleeder]

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

[Toyboy]

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.

[Toyboy]

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

[The Bleeder]

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