Thread: Carbatec Canberra

Try some of the other suppliers.My town doesn't have any of the big suppliers.So I email around for best price delivered to me.They can only tell you to P off,But they don't.They want your business.
Let your shop know you bought from out of town because they are too dear and slow.Be nice and say you really cant afford their prices anymore.Maybe they might give you a better deal.
Aussie

Originally Posted by mat

Many Canberra woodworkers will know that Carbatec Canberra stock little and take a long time to get stuff in from the HQ in QLD.

Now they charge a 12% premium on top of the catalogue price.

Originally Posted by mat

Many Canberra woodworkers will know that Carbatec Canberra stock little and take a long time to get stuff in from the HQ in QLD.

Now they charge a 12% premium on top of the catalogue price.

Time for woodworkers to boycot them and let them realise that without their custom the shop will not survive
Wolffie

Your right Wolffie.
kneecap them, Some are a bit too smart or they think (we got it you want it).
At the 12 % thing,WA would be double the price at that rate.Dont think so.
Oh well.
Just checked prices on the net.
Everything I checked was dearer in Canberra Like a $559 bandsaw in VIC,SA, WA,NSW was $569 in QLD and $592 in Canberra .
Whats wrong with that???.Canberra has you running around in circles anyway.Took me 2 days to find my way out of the place a couple of years ago.(Just Joking--It was only a day)

Problem is that only Brissy and Melbourne are REAL Carba-Tec stores, the rest are franchises and, as such, can charge what they want. Brissy has no control over whatever the franchise charges.
That being said, that also means, that it is the owner of the Canberra store who will suffer from a boycott, not the parent store which, I have to admit, I am pretty happy to give my custom any time. I have had nothing but good service from Brissy.
Wolffie

I look in Carbi Canberra about every six months, hoping to be able to either find something I want, or something I can convince myself into an impulse buy on.

Things I want - for example, consumables like epoxy glue - have been out of stock since I purchased the last ones they had about year ago.

As for impulse buys, I have to say that the auto paints store two doors up has had more of my money in the last few years than Carbi Canberra!

When I first got into woodworking, about 18 months ago, I went ordered a few things from Carbatec Canberra. I was surprised after weeks went by and the goods didn't arrive,. But everytime I rang up, they would assure me that they were 'on their way' and 'would be here next week' etc.

After a while, I realised that the goods were NEVER coming. Even now, 18 months later, I'm yet to see them. AFAIK, the orders are still 'live' because they have never been cancelled

Luckily I've found that Fitch Sharpening and Tools stock a lot of Carba-tec products, plus a good range of Jet equipment, so that's where I buy my woodworking supplies from these days.

I expect that Carba-tec Canberra is on its way out, and I don't really mind because they lied to me and lost my support.

most times i drive the 70 ks to carbatec only to fin they are out of stock, they seem to be getting worse,i buy from gary pye instead now, and pay less, as well gary puts it in an overnight bag and its there early next morning.........bob

Canberra has you running around in circles anyway.Took me 2 days to find my way out of the place a couple of years ago.(Just Joking--It was only a day)

Too bad. After a couple of hours going nowhere you should have hired a taxi to show you the way, as I did.

Being a glutton for punishment, I bought from:

Gary Pye in QLD
Carbatec in Brisbane
Carbatec in Adelaide
MIK (now defunct) in Adelaide
Jim Carroll in VIC

In my opinion, all have tried to make the customer (me) happy, and all had their share of hiccups. We have to accept that perfection is not of this world, and give them a bit of leeway. If we moved away at the first disappointment, we would soon run out of suppliers...

i had a similar thing at the Brisbane store i posted on here about it. every item i wanted was out of stock bar 1, in the end i put the order through to them as i couldn't find an alliterative TS .

anyway , the order went through at the end of August ETA is the end of October. there shipping is outrageous but i did manage to negotiate a good price on the items

i wouldn't stop using them but certainly think twice about the availability of items

km

12% on top of the catalog?

I understand the disclaimer that "Prices are subject to change" but a 12% premium - can't find that mentioned anywhere.

Perhaps they need to have a look at their policy if they wish to remain in business as people will vote with their feet if they feel that they are being ripped.

I usually support the little bloke but my local has never looked like 12% more than I can find elsewhere - sometimes a few $$ but that is the convenience I'm prepared to pay for, especially as I have, on occasion seen what it costs him as opposed to what the others are selling for. The supposed bulk buy V's what the little blokes buy.

I haven't experienced the 12% loading of catalogue prices but I have to say every experience that I've had with Carba-Tec Canberra has been very positive.

They're always very helpful and have certainly saved me plenty of time, money and frustration. On more than one occasion they've given me advice that has steered me away from one of their products but saw me get something more appropriate to my needs.

I know they've had some staff issues recently so you may have caught the wrong person on the wrong day (ie. just after they'd been given notice).

Whilst I'm a die hard capitalist and know the market will ultimately determine their fate I'm happy to keep buying my gear there.

I can't see life getting better for Canberra woodworkers if they go under. Whilst they mightn't have a huge range of stock they certainly beat the c%#p out of the other Canberra alternatives when it comes to specialist woodworking gear.

Fitch Sharpening is the only real alternative and while they're great for certain things (I've never seen so many router bits!) they still don't have the range Carba-Tec carry.

Maybe a quiet word or a letter to the owner would be worthwhile.

As a small business owner myself I know I'd appreciate the feedback.

Also as a business owner... I hope that CT are truely looking after their sub-stores. By the sounds of it. the Canberra store either need more turn over or a larger margin.

Freight is killing alot of small business. TNT's fuel surcharge has just hit 18%, Main Freights just hit 16%. Toll just up their rates (but not the feul surchage as well as others pushing consignment prices too!

So if a $550 bandsaw bought for $330 and shipped (with a bunch of other things jambed on a pallet,) for $150 (thats a real price to Sydney not Canberra +$30 or so) a 40% margin can drop to 10% REAL fast. Then the retail customer is a member of the local woodies and gets 5% off! Bam! 5%
But now that freight (in one year up 16%) has gone to $176 Bam! less margin ( i've stopped counting, someone help me...)
You have to sell half your stock each delivery to break even! and trust that the rest turns over quick enough to keep the cash flow positive.

Some Suppliers, Like Sutton and P&N and Carb-i-tool will do Free in store delivery! that's GREAT!
sure the freight is built into the wholesale price but at lest you know what your getting!

I really hope that CT canberra can work through tough times. There is nothing quite like seeing something in the flesh before handing over the $$$ Support your local store!

Steve
The Lumber Bunker

Steve .I checked their prices in each state on just what you mentioned a bandsaw.
See my post above on the 24th.
Perth can sell it as the same price as other states but not canberra.That is what it is about really.
I used to work for myself and supply some local businesses with gear as well.
I wouldnt buy if they only offered 40% discount and freight was cheaper then as well.
That was years ago now .But you have to eat.

I had a complaint about the Adelaide Carbatec store. Now I know that the Adelaide store is a Cabatec "licenced" store or franchise so I sent an email to the head office, Brisbane, and they were keen to hear my dispute.

I won't go into it here but she was very apologetic and explained that they are finding it very hard to get experienced staff. She also explained that they endeavour to get the new staff to Brisbane for training as soon as possible.

Like Canberra, Adelaide is at the mercy of Carbatec as there isn't really an alternative.