Thread: Carbatec loses sale

Go into your desired shop and buy some small products just to judge the sales staff, do it several times so you get to see all the sales staff.
When you find a good one... ask for them by name every time you go there... this can even lead to discounts being a regular customer with the sales person.

Originally Posted by mikm

G'day, Damian.
Conversely, I've found this thread both interesting and useful; I think predominantly due to well thought out opening remarks.
Well done.

I'm flattered but I think your giving me too much credit. The followups have been commendably restrained though

Couple of things:

1. I'm not cranky about this, just a bit bewildered.

2. Every business gets an awful lot of bad customers. I'm constantly amazed when I see the way people behave towards wait staff, counter staff etc. I go out of my way to be respectful and polite to face people, and I'm often remembered and treated well for it. I also get face staff are human and any number of reasons could have them having a bad day, or just had a poor experience and hung over from it. Sometimes a bit of brightening up sees their mood change while I'm dealing with them, and I find that satisfying. Having said that this isn't a one off, and I'm not sure it's good enough.

3. I know sales people don't get well paid but if your really unhappy with your pay you should be scanning the classifieds. I know a lot of the sales people at some of these stores are ex tradies. I can't believe they are on minimum wage. A lot of them seem to get some satisfaction from their work also. A wise man once said to me "if it were all fun they wouldn't pay us". I love what I do but trust me, there aren't enough electrons in the SEQ grid to type up the problems, stress and terror inducing incompetence I have to wade through. I don't spend my days moping around makeing everyone else miserable though. And just every blue moon we have a tiny tiny win. If you can't be shagged you shouldn't be in a face to face position.

2c.

I go to Carbatec in Perth fairly regularly now (Since I found out about this store I'm always trying to find excuses to go there). I'm mainly buying small things (clock parts, router bits, glue and the like) and I'd have to say that the blokes there have always been extremely helpful (Special mention needs to be made for Joe, the Woodturning bloke, he has been excellent). I'm only fairly novice at woodworking and on numerous occasions I've been in there looking for "Something" I know what this 'Thing' does but usually dont know its proper name is. The blokes have always helped me out and i've left with what i went looking for. I've also got a few bigger purchases (jointer, bandsaw, morticer) and the guys have been helpfull pointing me to which model etc I needed, and the next thing i know i'm putting it together in my shed.

But as some of the other guys have said their main letdown seems to be their Stock control, if they have it in stock, No worries - I leave more than happy. But if they dont have it in, thats where things start to go downhill. I was looking at the website, and on the main page was a big ad for a new product, a magnetic angle finder, I figured this would be a handy little gadget have. I was at CT got some other stuff and tried to get my new gadget, they didn't have any left but said they could order one for me. So its been ordered and paid for. That was almost a month ago, even after a couple of visits they still cant give me an ETA.

Even with this problem I'll still keep going there, even if i'm not buying anything (this rarely happens ) I just like to walk around and drool at tools i'd like but cant afford.

Originally Posted by Fireguard

I go to Carbatec in Perth fairly regularly now (Since I found out about this store I'm always trying to find excuses to go there). I'm mainly buying small things (clock parts, router bits, glue and the like) and I'd have to say that the blokes there have always been extremely helpful (Special mention needs to be made for Joe, the Woodturning bloke, he has been excellent). I'm only fairly novice at woodworking and on numerous occasions I've been in there looking for "Something" I know what this 'Thing' does but usually dont know its proper name is. The blokes have always helped me out and i've left with what i went looking for. I've also got a few bigger purchases (jointer, bandsaw, morticer) and the guys have been helpfull pointing me to which model etc I needed, and the next thing i know i'm putting it together in my shed.

But as some of the other guys have said their main letdown seems to be their Stock control, if they have it in stock, No worries - I leave more than happy. But if they dont have it in, thats where things start to go downhill. I was looking at the website, and on the main page was a big ad for a new product, a magnetic angle finder, I figured this would be a handy little gadget have. I was at CT got some other stuff and tried to get my new gadget, they didn't have any left but said they could order one for me. So its been ordered and paid for. That was almost a month ago, even after a couple of visits they still cant give me an ETA.

Even with this problem I'll still keep going there, even if i'm not buying anything (this rarely happens ) I just like to walk around and drool at tools i'd like but cant afford.

I have been waiting for the same thing for ages. Managed to get one of the Lee Valley ones. Doesn't attach to the saw blade but is pretty nifty. I guess CT did lose a sale.

Steve

Originally Posted by Fireguard

But as some of the other guys have said their main letdown seems to be their Stock control, if they have it in stock, No worries - I leave more than happy. But if they dont have it in, thats where things start to go downhill. I was looking at the website, and on the main page was a big ad for a new product, a magnetic angle finder, I figured this would be a handy little gadget have. I was at CT got some other stuff and tried to get my new gadget, they didn't have any left but said they could order one for me. So its been ordered and paid for. That was almost a month ago, even after a couple of visits they still cant give me an ETA.

This is precisely why I won't pre-pay for orders any more.

I don't know about other Carbatecs, but the "system" in CT Melbourne (as explained to me by their staff) is that stock comes in, is then put in the shop, and when staff gets time they do back order picking from that stock in the shop. Of course, by the time they get around to doing the picking, half the time the stock has already been sold.

This explains why I ordered a wooden parallel clamp for my Incra some time ago, and paid for it. Never did get it sent out to me as faithfully promised, then one day I walk in and lo and behold there are the same clamps hanging on the wall.

When I expressed my dissatisfaction with this situation, I got that "you're confusing me with someone who cares" look!

Originally Posted by Big Shed

This is precisely why I won't pre-pay for orders any more.

But what's the alternative?

I bought a chunk of stuff from CT Canberra this year - paid for it in Feb, got some in May, some in July and the last bit today. No big problem for me as I'm not in a hurry. The timing was lousy, the communication from them non-existent (I think I did all the calling), but the staff were apologetic and friendly - gave me plenty of advice about all kinds of stuff, and a couple of gratis wood-turning lessons. This alone is enough to get me back again. I'm not an expert, so it's good to find real people who are cabinetmakers or woodturners and who are willing to chew the crud.

Buying stuff via the web is far more problematic - you still have to pay up front, you don't get to build any rapport with a real person, likely the person you're dealing with is a sales type who can't advise on your purchase, and you don't get any extras (like borrowing a engine hoist so I can unload the heavy stuff).

As I said, I'm not in any hurry, so no contest (also nowhere else in Canberra you can see this kind of stuff or talk to people about it). I am curious to see how you can buy a large table saw without paying up front?

Cheers,
Adam

I've bought from Carbatec, both in store and over the net, and pretty much had consistently good service. But, the big stuff I've bought I've picked up myself rather than having it delivered, and I've had to do the vast majority of the follow up. Which is annoying and frustrating. I've also bought from a lot of the other Australian based suppliers, and there are some that I've had very good experiences with. The place I bulk buy sandpaper sheets from is a surfboard web-site (can't recall the name just now) and they are excellent. Cheap prices, great service, and terrific communication.

Without doubt the best place I've bought from remotely is Lee Valley. Shipping all the way from Canada, so paying through the nose for freight, but the service is fantastic, the quality is excellent, and as long as the AUD is high against the USD, the prices are good value. Unfortunately buying big machinery from the US or Canada isn't realistic. There really doesn't seem to be an Australian outfit in existence that provides a nation-wide presence and excellent service.

I buy from Carbatec in Perth and always get good service without being leapt upon as soon as I walk in.
I tend not to use Timbecon any more as, despite their name THEY DON'T SELL TIMBER!

Bob, can you please find out the name of the sandpaper supplier?

Thanks

Originally Posted by SteveMcM

I have been using CT in Canbarra. These guys almost NEVER have anything in stock. Which means that you can go and look at the goodies on the website but you can't go and buy them. They are licensed to use the CT name but I don't think they really are tied to the company. I think the problem is that they run a very slim business and don't want to sink a whole lot of capital into stock that may or may not sell.

I have had the same experiences there They lost out on a band saw, table saw, dusty, thicknesser. And all of the small items. Now I order from Sydney CT stuff arrives within two days the postage is worth it for me no hassles.
les

As requested:

http://www.shapers.com.au/category65_1.htm

I've bought one shipment from them (it will last me a while because I bought a lot!). They even sent me a free surfboard shaper to apologise for being a bit long to deliver (it was still less than a week). Not sure what I'll do with that...

Just a side note... Fireguard... Joe is a forumite here Gwhalt (or near ) if memory serves... and if you have a search you will find a thread he started on making a harp beautiful job that has from what he told me awhile ago been used by some high end orchestra player...

If Carbetex was closer Id have done a lathe turning course with him... but LUCKY for me its bloody miles away so that means my wallet stays firmly in my pocket!! Seems every time I visit that damned place my wallet miraculously become light as a feather

Experiences?

Timbecon... I refuse to enter their doors... Ive heard theyve changed hands and maybe I should give the new mob a chance but Ive also heard that the same sales people are on the floor so its not going to happen any time soon.

H&F... rude insolent arrogant sales means I walked even though they had what I wanted at a better price... I think the attitude was that in their "estimation" I was just a tyre kicker so bugger him... even when told I had cash and was in the market was still treated with absolute crass rudeness... now maybe the bloke was having a bad day it happens or the chickybabe was uhem that time of the month it happens... but as a customer and a paying one I dont nor does anyone else deserve to be treated rudely or with insolence by young idiots who would prefer to yack to their friends on the phone or chat up the young chickybabe talking on the phone while Im waiting!... stuff them and any other company that has staff like that.

Carbetex... Only one problem one time but that was with their ordering section ordered a measure dial thingy and even though they have my name and address on the computer (have for several years) they sent the damned thing to Victoria!! but once explained by phone they resolved the issue pretty damned quick... last time I was up there got a trainee bloke had no idea what I was talking about so he grabbed another bloke who wasnt sure who grabbed another bloke who did and I was in business... everyones a learner at some stage no wukkers!

PTAMS in Bunbury (Jet dist) I go there when I need bits an bobs but had a bit of "an experience" there with the welder so tend not to buy large items great mob!

Sooo... good an bad mate good an bad

Next time I go for big gear I'll be looking a bit further afield and aim for quality instead of best price. of course that entails my winning lotto which entails me buying tickets which for some weird reason I seem to forget

Cheers
Shane