Thread: Carbatec

Would I be right in assuming that most of the unhappy Carbatec customers shop at the Melbourne stores, and that most other stores are OK?

And that most of that unhappieness is due to customer service in one way or another?

Ben,

You may be right, I've never had a bad experience in Bris (I go there a couple of times a year) but have had a couple of wierd ones, which could translate as bad for others.

A few weeks ago, I bought some water stones and a Nagura Stone.

The nagura stone was apparently out of stock with a large number of back-orders- next delivery expected in November. The guy behind the counter disappeared with a puzzled frown on his face, and returned with a Stone.

I assume that it came from a back-order pile somewhere... I was happy of course, but that sort of thing may explain the problems with mail order!

I have also been told some furphys about origins of equipment etc, like Jet stuff is actually made in the same factory as their stuff (we've been down that road before on this forum) and is painted white when it gets here. Why I was told that is anyone's guess, I was buying a band-saw blade at the time, not a piece of machinery, and it makes me doubt the quality of other advice I must say.

So...on balance pleased but puzzled...will probably keep going back till I have a bad experience, but as I get more stuff, have less reason to do so.

Cheers,
P

I have not had any problems with CarbatecWA. I have found them to be friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. If any items are not in stock they order them and orders arrive on time with a phone call notifying their arrival.

#1. I went to Bayswater to buy a Pro Grip system, this was a new add in one of the WW mags. Haven't got any nor has Richmond, will call you when they come in. Two days later I was in Richmond, guess what, they had them in stock.
#2. Finally got my shed up and was in the market for a new 10" table saw, the CT10 whatever with the sliding table.
Got fed up with the infinite 'next week' and bought the identical saw (with a different name) from Hafco in Clayton.

Hafco have a limited range of WW gear as I wanted to get a tenoning jig for the saw, they do not stock one but that's alright, they told me so with no bovine excrement. I'll pick one up at WWW in October.

Woodworking Warehouse is in Citrus St Braeside, they have a decent range of gear and some knowledgable staff (although the young kiwi bloke is a bit pushy but I think he will learn soon enough).
Very helpful and I have bought quite a bit of gear through them.
I got a Kreg jig and a full run down on the setup etc, impressed with the service and follow up.

Originally Posted by ernknot

Who owns Carbatec? If we have so many unhappy customers, we should let the owner know that he has some work to do about his customer relations. Other branches seems to be better organised. Is this a franchise set up?
ernknot

Carba-Tec (WA) is a Licence Holder of the Carba-Tec name in Western Australia. Carba-Tec (WA) commenced business as a woodworking specialist supplier in 1989 trading as Woodstock.
Established by Geoff, Merle, James and Shonna, the business grew steadily as an importer/retailer.

Carba-Tec (WA) continues as a family owned W.A. Company endeavouring to provide a high quality of service to customers in W.A. and beyond.

Our staff of nine show enthusiasm for the sales and service aspects of the business and also participate as instructors for our popular woodturning and router courses. Our weekly Saturday in-store free demonstrations feature different aspects of the wonderful world of woodworking and give local customers the chance to see the products we sell “in action”. Our staff conduct the demonstrations which helps build a familiarity with the products we sell.
We are pleased to be part of the Carba-Tec team and to participate in product evaluation, selection and promotion like the annual Carba-Tec catalogue as well as supporting local woodworking groups.

The Carba-Tec group as a whole has grown exponentially during the past three years and we have seen a growth that many of our suppliers have been hard pressed to service. This situation is continually monitored by Carba-Tec (WA) and with the assistance and co-operation of our suppliers will eventually lead to shorter lead times for product arrival.

We value and service our customers not only in Western Australia but Australia-wide and overseas.
Carba-Tec (WA)

And Carbatec-WA have a great range of timber as well as great service and advice. Call me a satisfied customer.
Interwood

Welcome aboard Carbatec.

I think this answers the question as to whether or not suppliers read this BB.

Originally Posted by

Welcome aboard Carbatec.

I think this answers the question as to whether or not suppliers read this BB.

Now if only Carbatec Vic would read the posts.
There again it would take them a month of sundays to explain what is going on with their ordering system, as Im sure they dont know themselves.
When you order stuff on the net, it can take upward of 3 months before they ring to say the item isnt in stock, in the mean time you have already rang them to cancel the order because you get sick of waiting.

Then items still get sent out to you and charged to your card, after you have canceled your order. :confused:

Just my experiance of them.

Al

Welcome Carba-Tec WA,

Despite negative reports from some states, I have always heard excellent reports about the WA store. Some customers who have given up on the stores in their states order from Carbatec in other states.

Negative comments are always louder than positive ones and none of us are perfect. It is good to see the WA store on this Bulletin Board.

Carba-Tec Vic hasn't moved from Richmond yet and probably won't be moving till sometime in late Nov. However, in the mean time they are advertising on the radio that they are having clearance sales of stock a couple of days a week (or something like that) Tune in to the Melb radio stations for more info - Think it was either Gold or Majic 693 that I heard it last week.

Cheers - Neil

PS Others suppliers do read this BB, they just don't join in and put their point of view across or come up with reasons or answers. However they have contacted me on a few occasions to say they were going to sue. Weak as ............ (you fill in the blank)

In my own business I'm one of two suppliers to a small niche market. I take every opportunity to get some customer feedback and try and improve my service. If I don't I may not be eating next week .

I remember once at a business thingy watching those videos with John Cleese in them. The ones where the internal politicing and procedural running of the business had become more important than the actual doing of business and the customer. I call it bigbusinessitis. Seems to be a popular disease.

I've had a pretty good run with WW outlets in WA. At my local hardware I always tell the guys of my experience with a product, good or bad. They always try and do something about it if things aren't going right. They continue to get my grand or so a year even though I know I can get cheaper elsewhere. They didn't have any 000 steel wool yesterday, just rang to say they had a couple of kilos in this morning. Bless there little steel caps.

Its a shame that people are so sensitive they have to threaten legal action about personal opinions and experiences expressed in a forum. If I was copping some flack I'd rather address the issue and try and keep some smiles on dials. It would be in my best interest. Running off sooky for a lawyer is only going to cost your business more when word gets out. And it does

My two bobs, jeez I like this forum Can we do this again tomorrow??

Cheers

Neils message raises the point that has been common knowledge for quite some time in that one company with one store in one state responds to criticism with legal threats. (That is why I am being vague.)

I have been let down on numerous occasions by this store as have many others. I don't discuss my complaints with them or to anyone publicly for fear of losing my house.

People who behave in this way don't get my business or any referrals.

Perhaps one of the IT people can help me here. I sent an EMAIL to this store with a complaint and an enquiry two or three years ago. I have not heard anything from them, but is there any way I can get this EMAIL back in case they decide to sue me rather than simply answer the EMAIL?

WB, if you use MS Outlook or the like that autoarchives/backsup your email stuff it could well be there. That is if you haven't upgraded the machine, changed harddrives, deleted your back-ups etc. You need a proper Geek who can talk you through it. My backups are saved in;

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\archive.pst

but i have it set for 6 months only. In your e-mail program look for Options and AutoArchive settings or the like to find out where they are, then go to the file and check the properties to see how old they are. This may help but I think you need a real Geek.

Kind of sucks the fun out of things dunnit.

Cheers

Thanks Vsquizz.

I will get onto the IT people here but hopefully the company has just deleted the EMAIL like they seem to do with other EMAILs sent to them. It is 2 or 3 years ago so I am hopeful.