Thread: Carba-Tec Victoria Update - Location

the explanation from Carbatec re the choice of Springvale makes perfect sense.
However I would ask them to seriously reconsider extending their operating hours on Saturday.
I like most of us that work would find it absolutely impossible to shop there during the week.
Whilst I understand that staff also like weekends off the question is who are they running the business for -staff or customers?
Retailing is a service business and I believe sales would compensate if they stayed open until at least mid-afternoon.
Many of us would remember how busy the Richmond store got on Saturdays because of the short time it was open. I must admit I walked out many times in frustration without buying anything.
Staffing could surely be worked out with rosters.

regards
Dereg

Originally Posted by nic

btw, who are this GUSTEC bunch ?

ex employees ?


Nic

The ex-franchisee of carbatec as far as I know.

CT have you considered opening all day Saturday, and closing Monday? A lot of small stores do this in Vic. As for location, anyone complaining about going all the way to Springvale, spare a thought for those that live on the peninsula. A store north of CBD would be impossible for me. Cant wait til new store opens to add to my nearly full workshop of CT machines (purchased from previous Melb incarnation and Qld), but will miss the 10% disc, and free delivery, but tradeoff of being able to see, touch, feel in store is worth it.

I have already vented my thoughts, in another thread, on the location of "major" dealers in the other side of the Yarra and I'm a little disappointed in receiving the confirmation that CT is opening in Springvale. It may be only "less than 10 k from the geographical centre of Melbourne", as has been quoted, but in travel time from the North & Western suburbs it might as well be 20 or 30kms.

As a result of this localtion and the store trading hours, I will continue internet shopping which gives me the wider options of dealing with CT as well as the other mobs (including the "orange people" from the west ).

Onya Mulgabill, us North-Westerners need to stick together.

Dunno what you guys are complaining about! My nearest Carbatec is a 100km round trip.

Got to agree with the comments about Saturday trading though. Seems to me the market Carbatec services is more and more going to be the hobbyists and we need to do our shopping either online or on Saturdays. If it's too hard to get to a store, we're much more likely to go online - and that means lots more competition for our dollar.

I understand the issues with staffing on Saturdays - but hey, the department stores have all realised they don't have a lot of choice if they want to make a buck, so they staff up on weekends and down in the early part of the week, and I think you guys need to do the same.

Either way, good to see Carbatec filling everyone in.

Staffing on saturdays shouldn't be a problem. Just about all retail outlets are open all day saturday, even the local centres, not just Chadstone etc. I agree, they would be much better served running 9-5 saturday. Lokk at the reatil furniture factory/shop outlets just past Dandenong - open 7 days and doing very well. Sundays i'll give you, it's too much.

Springvale...ok. Bayswater.....better. Rowville.....perfect.

Originally Posted by Gumby

Staffing on saturdays shouldn't be a problem. Just about all retail outlets are open all day saturday, even the local centres, not just Chadstone etc. I agree, they would be much better served running 9-5 saturday. Lokk at the reatil furniture factory/shop outlets just past Dandenong - open 7 days and doing very well. Sundays i'll give you, it's too much.

They are also going out of business.

Originally Posted by

[/B]

They are also going out of business.

Yeah, but that's because people are starting to finally realise they don't need all this chinese made crap they buy on credit !
And instead of spending time in the friggin, shopping centers are spending more time in the park with the kids or in the shed building stuff (for a select few )

I can't see the same happening with specialist shops

The few times I went to richmond store on a saturday I spent at least 30 minutes waiting to be served. :mad:

Nic

Just wanted to add to the weight of opinion re the limited trading hours on a Saturday. Like a number of members of this board and countless other unregeistered woodworkers I live in Gippsland which means I typically don't make it to Melbourne before late morning. On the occasions I did make it to your old Richmond store I too was frustrated by the mad rush and inability to discuss my needs with an available staff member let alone make a purchase. It sounds to me a reasonable proposition to close on a Monday (or other weekday) to allow greater access to the non-professional woodworker whom it would seem constitiute a significant proportion of your business.

Cheers
Alex

Originally Posted by Mulgabill

I have already vented my thoughts, in another thread, on the location of "major" dealers in the other side of the Yarra and I'm a little disappointed in receiving the confirmation that CT is opening in Springvale. It may be only "less than 10 k from the geographical centre of Melbourne", as has been quoted, but in travel time from the North & Western suburbs it might as well be 20 or 30kms.

If you want everything on your doorstep, you better move a bit closer to the middle of town. You can't live out in the boonies and then whinge about having to go too far to get to the shops. My nearest CT (when it opens in Melb) will be about 300k's away. But I won't whinge because I chose to live here. I will still shop there if the deal is right and I will mail order as well. I really can't see what the issue is.

Dan

I dont think that the real problem is why aren't CT opening on my doorstep .... just really an enquiry into why they picked Springvale, which I think has been answered well and honestly by CT.

As for Saturday trading hours I do think that this is an issue ..... what is wrong with opening all day Saturday and closing on one of the slowest weekdays? This would still give the "professional" woodworkers 4 business days to get their goods and also the full time working, non "professional" time to get there on a weekend. As for the staff I think it is good to see the store looking out for its workers but as long as they get two days off in a row who cares when it is? I would like to work Sun-Thu and that way I can get to all the stores that dont open on the weekend on the Friday.

Thank you CT for finally getting on board and answering some questions .... I think it is clear to see if you ask a reasonable question, without trying to start an all out public **** fight .... you may get some good answers.

Stinky.

What happened to the good old days when shops only opened 9-5 monday to friday and 9-12 on a saturday.
Everyone did there shopping in these times and did not complain.
Footy was only on the saturday arvo and everyone got to the game and spent more time with the family.
We all want access to all the goodies in our own time and the larger retailers open for this but it comes at a cost with higher prices to pay for higher wages.
If you choose to close on a monday or any other day you deem quiet then you will still upset those that have that particular day of and want to go shopping. I know as we get some very amusing messages on our answering machine.