Thread: Masters no more

Originally Posted by Shedhand

Their problem was that they tried to be everything for everybody with such a huge diversity of stock types and high prices instead of concentrating on the humble D.I.Y.er.

As a big box store, they did want to have a huge range and appeal to many people. So I don't fault them for starting somewhere. What they failed to do was have a plan to learn, adapt and reduce prices before losses got unsustainable. They also failed to have a corporate structure to listen to what many people must have been saying outside the boardroom.

These large companies get run by folk with MBAs, who often have no experience in the industry they are operating in. They do some "modelling" to set some targets and then they make it clear that they only want to be told what they want to hear. Anyone that tells them that they are dreaming in their "modelling" is going to quietly end up without a job. Better to say Yes Sir and look for work elsewhere than tell them what they don't want to hear. In this case, even shareholders were not listened to.

Originally Posted by Shedhand

I enquired about the American Red Oak Masters ( sells at $80+ per 2.4 metre length ) on a luthiers forum I belong to and was told by a number of USA members that it's cheap as chips in that country - about the standard of pine. In the Mornington (Vic) store I don't think more than a few metres has moved since they opened. At one stage last year they had 2 packs of random length 238 x 19 reduced to sell but was insanely priced still. They claimed it was wrongly ordered by a customer ... yeah, right!!
Last time I looked it was discounted by 50% but still overpriced. Their problem was that they tried to be everything for everybody with such a huge diversity of stock types and high prices instead of concentrating on the humble D.I.Y.er.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think American Red Oak is a plantation timber, so comparing cost in US to AUS is probably not a valid comparison. Beside the point really, not sure what the local plantation version of oak is but I would be interested in comparing the costs v pine. I am hoping to source something similar to the 238*19 boards in silky oak soon. I am going to start chasing prices over the next few weeks. Knowing my luck the masters stuff on sale will be cheaper and probably gone by the time I get around to it.

How to loose a customer.

Have a trade card that gives 0% discount.
Have a sales point that takes cash but does not acknowledge it. (Waste time getting a supervisor for a refund.)
Not stock an item that was reasonably expected. Spend 30 minutes trying to get said item only to be told it is not stocked. Go to competitor, walk in, pay and walk out.

Why waste time being disappointed?

I heard that last Friday afternoon, the permanent staff were offered new jobs elsewhere or redundancy [I suspect it's been a long difficult 2months for them all], not sure about the casual/part timers.....

Called in the Pakenham store this arvo. Place was fairly crowded. Spent 197 bucks but discounted to $113 which was pretty good. All stuff I wanted. Got a 2 x 2 pint tins of Minwax Wipe-on Poly, 1 each of gloss and satin at half price. Also a new 150mm sanding pad for the Bosch Pro ROS. $22.00. My mate paid 70 the last time he got Bunnings to order 1 for him.
still some bargains to be had.

Originally Posted by crowie

I heard that last Friday afternoon, the permanent staff were offered new jobs elsewhere or redundancy [I suspect it's been a long difficult 2months for them all], not sure about the casual/part timers.....

The bloke I know who works there is a chippie. He said they have all be offered jobs in fruit and veg. Part of the problem was the joint was run by your local promoted woolies deli operator, knows several varieties of ham, but not hardware.

Anyway, my mate has knocked back the offers of being a checkout chick, and is going back on the tools despite his stuffed back. He has told me a lot of stories about poor in store management, and I totally understand why the venture was a complete failure.

Originally Posted by Pearo

The bloke I know who works there is a chippie. He said they have all be offered jobs in fruit and veg.

Bad management alright. You'd think they would at least be (battered) savvy enough to offer him a job in take away food.

Walked ito the Everton park branch the other day fishing for bits for a kitchen in my home. Nothing useful in cabinets, and nothing left of interest in carousels for corner cupboards. Had a look at the gas hobs as that is the only appliance I don't have. Picked up one for $220.00. 4 burner with flame failure. I'm happy, but unlikely to darken their doors again.

Cheers

Anyone know if masters is open in Vic today or not?

Website says 8 - 6

Tools

ta. it was open.

Only a week to go and discounting is now at 70 - 90%. Pickings are slim as they have moved a lot of stock in recent weeks butt there are some good prices if there is anything there to tickle your fancy.

Tools

HeadsUp!
Just be careful.
A lot of the left overs are missing bits n pieces.
Have a really good look at what you're buying.

I bought 4 $60 each mini floresent lights for <$60 total.
One didn't work.
The sign says "... No returns. No exchanges. ..."
Frak!
But manufacturers warranty applies.
On my way out I did heard Masters tells a customer trying to charm her: "No Exchanges! Receivers don't want the paper work!"

Blinds were 75% off today.
Many be more tomorrow.
Thats pretty good for outdoor blinds.
Just make sure the package has NOT been opened.

I grabbed some stainless cabinet handles this morning at Northland for less than $2 each, originally about $21

Tools