How Bunnings Took Over Australia - Page 2

**DFB FGXR6** · 12-01-2025, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzvtil

What have I missed? Have you quit the nursery? I thought you were on LSL.

Was on LSL, but I've decided not to go back for a variety of reasons.

MDS69 · 13-01-2025, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

We had an ex-Bunning's admin employee work with us for about 3-months. The stories I was told regarding warranty and replacements was mind boggling. In nearly all cases, items were replaced no questions asked, even plants. Again, how does a small business compete with that. Of coarse, we would replace plants and other products as needed to look after our customers, but not when someone was blatantly flaunting the system.

Again, this is another area in which Bunning's have created a new norm, it just fuels entitlement and unrealistic expectations.

I am not 100% on this but I had heard that Bunnings do not own the stock on the shelves. If an item is stolen no skin off their nose. If an item is returned for warranty "sure go get another one" not coming out of their pocket and let the brand owner take the all the hit with paperwork and returns etc.

Citroënbender · 13-01-2025, 05:19 PM

It’s the customers who spoiled everything. Too many people have become so weak; greedy, impetuous, unable to prioritise or filter. They swallow complete nonsense disseminated online as if fact. Reality is whatever they believe it is. And damn near any transgression can be “undone” via almost negligible consequence, from indebtedness to murder - there are no incentives to plan or have discipline.

**DFB FGXR6** · 14-01-2025, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

The other problem with Bunning's is the inappropriate plants they would stock. As in tropical plants that look lovely in a magazine or sitting on the shelf that immediately turn to black in our frosty winters. We wouldn't stock those plants, and of the ones we did, a staff member would clearly outline the risk and where best to locate such a plant. Palms, bromeliads and the like just don't work here, and yet I could go out and buy them right now if I wanted and kill them all within seconds this coming winter. And all that does is set customers up for failure, not set them up for success. So, those customers then return to Bunnings, or come to us, disgruntled with gardening instead of returning to fuel a new passion.

Case in point................

At the green shed today in the irrigation isle, I noticed a guy with a plant I have never seen in person before, Sturt's Desert Pea. Actually, it was the lady next to me who noticed the plant and remarked how beautiful it was, and I chimed in as well.

Sturt's Desert Pea, a notoriously difficult to grow flowering annual "native to all continental states and the Northern Territory of Australia, with the exception of Victoria. Now, just because a plant isn't native to Victoria doesn't necessarily mean it won't grow here. But in this case, these plants require total drainage and only need water once a month, meaning you need to make sure the plant won't be subjected to rain. In my area, the soils are mostly deep, thick, heavy clay. This means growing in a pot, but even then, you still need the right blend of soil (50% sand, 25% stone, 25% potting mix free from any fertilizer). And when you do water, it must be from the bottom, and you must avoid getting the foliage wet.

The average Bunning's customer won't know any of that, or even that the plant is an annual, so it's going to die anyway. I didn't take note of the price, being a specialty line it would have been something like $15 for a 140mm pot.

I'll admit, the plant looked stunning. I didn't go into detail, but my advice to the guy was to make sure it has very good drainage.

Tonz · 14-01-2025, 08:29 PM

can you imagine whats going to happen (if it hasnt already) all the house renos/paint jobs that have been done using inferior products. all brought on and encouraged by bunnies and home reno tv shows

BENT_8 · 15-01-2025, 10:19 PM

I just go for the cafe, never had a bad pie or coffee.

**OneMadMan** · 15-01-2025, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENT_8

I just go for the cafe, never had a bad pie or coffee.

And if you go to the Caff after 3pm the pies are half price.. well here in Adelaide anyway..

Cheers,

One Mad Man

BENT_8 · 17-01-2025, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneMadMan

And if you go to the Caff after 3pm the pies are half price.. well here in Adelaide anyway..

Cheers,

One Mad Man

Curtis Rd?

EBSXR6 · 17-01-2025, 01:07 PM

Some Bunnings Cafes sold National Pies made by Tasmanian Bakeries in Hobart. I don't know if they still do.
National Pies are available at some Supermarkets depending on where you live. Some Woolies have Meat and Chicken Pies and Sausage Rolls in the Freezer Section as well as a selection of the Gourmet Pies in the Refrigerated Section.
Some Coles stores have a selection of Gourmet Pies in the Refrigerated Section.
Also available at some Ritchie's and Foodworks Supermarkets.

**OneMadMan** · 17-01-2025, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Curtis Rd?

Correct

**FTE217** · 17-01-2025, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBSXR6

I think Woolworths made a bad strategic decision with Masters by trying to be different.
If they had have taken Bunnings head on the outcome may have been different.
A mate was a Carpenter would not buy from Bunnings. To many problems with the wood he missed out on some work due to price he would only buy from Timber yards.
He told me Bunnings also have some name Bunnings only models from name manufacturers and you cannot get parts for a repair eg. Power Tools, Mowers etc.

A very good point your chippy mate made.
Parts for power tools they sell their mainlines re Ozito/Ryobi and other mainline price pointed power tools.
Sorry its horse's for course's - as OMan mentioned, my living isn't a Landscaper gardener but my property is near on 2,000msq and Ozito/Ryobi just do not cut it !
I got a gutful of them not powerful enough for starters, and I had a Ryobi petrol blower prob went to the local mower shop and they said we dont' repair them, we can't get the parts from the supplier because they are Bunnings main brand and the suppliers won't sell to Independants.
So stuff them that ended it for me long ago.
As far as I'm concerned they have product for small properties/ground floor apartments.
Other products are cheap quality again even if I use it twice a year I want good quality and happy to pay for it.
Someone posted about losing faith in buyers, I agree as long as its cheap.
Same as it was when I was in the mechanic game, I worked at pedders later long ago, buyers if they can avoid getting out of it as cheap as poss even though they know they have to go back again soon enough to do the job they could have done right in complete the first time.
In my current business we have consumers calling our office for replacement shock bushs.
They failed because you over torqued them and not torqued up at ride height 9 times out of 10, read the instruction sheet ! thats pre mature failing comes from.

Bunnings have ruined the hardware game.
Having to buy pre packed screws/nuts/bolts when I just need a couple, packs galore sitting in the shed.
Now they are out to ruin the pet food game.
I avoid em like the plague when I can.

**DFB FGXR6** · 17-01-2025, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTE217

A very good point your chippy mate made.
Parts for power tools they sell their mainlines re Ozito/Ryobi and other mainline price pointed power tools.

I got a gutful of them not powerful enough for starters, and I had a Ryobi petrol blower prob went to the local mower shop and they said we dont' repair them, we can't get the parts from the supplier because they are Bunnings main brand and the suppliers won't sell to Independants.

For similar reasons, this is why I don't recommend buying traditional/petrol driven lawn mowers from a hardware store. That mainly centres around the gastly Chinese crap such as the following...............

https://www.bunnings.com.au/cheetah-...mower_p3381027
https://www.bunnings.com.au/cheetah-...-inch_p0585079

That also includes the Bunning's only Victa's, which are in no way a Victa but a rebadged generic mower made from the cheapest, nastiest parts.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/victa-16...92076_p0643342
https://www.bunnings.com.au/victa-18...mower_p0643343

Now, if the unit is fitted with a Briggs engine, then a repair shop will probably work on it for you. But if its anything other than the Briggs engine, they are not going to be able to get parts. On those Cheetah's, they are going to be complete scrap if something breaks, and as mentioned, a repair shop is not even going to look at it let alone attempt a fix.

Even the real Victa's sold at Bunning's, they are specific to Bunning's and can't be price matched at a dealer or vise versa. For the most part, the only difference is the product name and model number, and the blue paint on the deck. Even still, if something goes wrong, you will be sent to a Victa dealer anyway. So, just buy it from a Victa dealer in the first place, at least they will assemble it for you and get it oiled, fueled and started prior to you taking it home.

**randel** · 17-01-2025, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTE217

....
In my current business we have consumers calling our office for replacement shock bushs.
They failed because you over torqued them and not torqued up at ride height 9 times out of 10, read the instruction sheet ! thats pre mature failing comes from....

Lol, 99 out of 100 times I reckon Maurice ...

Did it all on the hoist/jack

**OneMadMan** · 18-01-2025, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randel

Lol, 99 out of 100 times I reckon Maurice ...Did it all on the hoist/jack

I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but...

+1 for me on that one...

I bought a Nissan Maxima A33 to flip some years ago. Needed a lower front control arm bush. Ya can't buy a bush, you can only buy the control arm (from Nissan). So I did.
Fitted it while up in the air on the floor jack (didn't have access to a 4 poster), and maaaate, she drove like perfect for the 1st 30 seconds or so, then, clunk ed dee clunk clunk. AGAIN!!! Bugga! probably not what I actually said... But a $350 lesson learnt... THE HARD WAY.

All suspension parts must be torqued at ride height! NO EXCEPTIONS.

Won't do that again... bit like the sump plug fail.. we've all done it.. unless you had the misfortune (one job I do not want to add to my resume) of doing it for a job and being told how to do it right the 1st time...

Hindsight huh..

Cheers,

One Mad Man