Bunnings price match with... Bunnings?

I went in to Bunnings today to buy a relatively large stack of things ($1500) for some Christmas projects and took a very specific shopping list (Bunnings SKUs etc) of things in with me.

When I got to some of the larger items I found that the prices were well above what they'd had on their website. I asked if it was an error and got told that the prices I was looking at were for a different store (Which their website had defaulted to, but was about 60km away). I naturally assumed that they'd match the price and even joked that they should beat it by 10% because that other store was clearly a competitor to them.

Not only would they not give the 10%, the guy straight up said they wouldn't even match the prices from their own stores. Given the price difference was going to add up to over $300, I pushed him and eventually, after 3 calls to various managers, they agreed to match it as 'customer goodwill' but I had to push. They only gave in after I said I would happily jump in the car and drive to the other store to save $300.

I just found it both stupid and amusing that apparently as a matter of policy Bunnings refuse to price match with even themselves.

Related Stores

Bunnings Warehouse
Bunnings Warehouse
Marketplace

Comments

  • +13

    So lowest prices aren't just the beginning?

    • +5

      It appears they're somewhat in the middle

    • +1

      They are the beginning, the beginning of the conversation that you have with Bunnings. Then you realize that they won't price match themselves or online deals so you end up walking out (smashing a snag to the car in anger) going home and buying online.

  • +7

    Very interesting post, thanks OP. It looks like the marketing department doesn't communicate with the profit department or the common sense department.

  • +1

    This is standard, have a look at Dan's in multiple locations in the same state. If there's no first choice liquor nearby things like Melbourne cans are $7 a slab more expensive.

    It's quite possible the Bunnings store you were on has a specific competitor that are matched for those prices that the one you went to does not.

    • This is more the opposite. The lower price seems to be the standard one for virtually all the stores online (and is the price the manufacturer lists as RRP). The high price is only showing for a couple of regional stores from what I can see.

  • +3

    I agree this seems to be stupid when the price differs where you can see the prices “online”. However, I can see there might be differences between stores for their “spot” specials. If you are looking for cheaper prices for fruit, and veggies, in Woolworths go to Docklands. The bananas are current $1.99 because there is a cheapie fruit/veggie place in the same place. Although, personally, I would go to the fruit/veggie place to keep up the competition.

  • is this inception?

  • Most people know by now that price-match guarantees are bullshit. Surprised that the Govt still allows companies to outright lie about this. When you try to take them up on a price match, they'll come up with a bunch of ridiculous stipulations to wriggle out of it.

    EB Games used to advertise a price match on their website and on all their marketing materials, yet when you ask them they'd say it has to be from a store in the same shopping centre. Not only that, but when Target or Dick Smith had massive discounts going, they'd also refuse because it's not their regular price.

    If a company is advertising a price match its because they know their prices are already a massive rip-off to start with. Just don't shop there.

Login or Join to leave a comment