Who Has The Right to Handle The Merchandise While You Are Paying for It?

frugalftw on 26/09/2023 - 18:42
Last edited 26/09/2023 - 22:26 by 1 other user

Hi OzB,

I had an experience at Bunnings today, just want to know what was the right thing to do.

So I had some timber picked out in a trolley, while the cashier was trying to figure out the length to ring it up, another customer started handling my timber to help out. It was uncalled for, but the cashier didn’t raise an eyebrow, so I thought maybe it’s someone they knew. But he wasn’t wearing the uniform, so I asked if he worked there, he said no. The cashier still didn’t say anything and just went on and pretended it’s not happening. That customer proceeded to remove it from the trolley, hold it in his arm, and returned the trolley to the bay. He then handed it to me when I finished paying. I had to carry it out of the store in my hands.

My question is: who owns the item at this stage? Is it still considered store property so it’s fair for anyone else to do whatever to it? I mean, it’s mid-transaction, does the store have a responsibility to make sure it’s protected from other customers?

Home & Garden Bunnings

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Comments

  • Muzeeb on 26/09/2023 - 18:44
    +220

    Lol. Forums have peaked this week already and it's only Tuesday.

      • smartazz104 on 28/09/2023 - 08:24
        +5

        It's all downhill from here.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 26/09/2023 - 18:53
      +11

      Peak of the month

      • capslock janitor on 27/09/2023 - 20:44

        humpty dumpty's day

      • Drakesy on 28/09/2023 - 15:30
        +1

        I would say year, but @hellopam/@Screensaver is still lurking and with 3 months to go i still think there's a potential for improvement.

    • Scrooge McDeal on 26/09/2023 - 21:49
      +4

      If I start posting what happens every day at work, you guys will freak out and forum posts will then certainly peak 😄

      • Sammy2000 on 26/09/2023 - 23:46

        I will await your forum topic on 27th of September.

    • HeWhoKnows on 27/09/2023 - 07:40
      +11

      Yep
      Another ridiculous time wasting post and time wasting Bunnings Customer.
      Pls dont waste our time OP

    • newjerseydamo on 27/09/2023 - 13:14
      +3

      This week sure has been full of people who seem to have to ask for help in every step of their daily lives.
      You wonder how they survive in the world at times.

    • Mill House on 28/09/2023 - 01:31

      You guys gotta do something. There's this guy Nasty Nate who's after his cocktail fruit, and everyone here likes fresh fish..

    • Serapis on 29/09/2023 - 21:06

      Peak of this quarter I think, though lucky it's September.

  • Dowhat on 26/09/2023 - 19:04
    +20

    Wtf.

  • pegaxs on 26/09/2023 - 19:17
    +2

    *sigh*

  • hasher22 on 26/09/2023 - 19:17
    +27

    That is effing weird

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 26/09/2023 - 19:22

    @brendanm

    • brendanm on 27/09/2023 - 07:41
      +9

      This post just left me exhausted and in a state of despair 😔

      • Kangal on 27/09/2023 - 14:54
        +5

        You were just trying to help, and instead of gratitude you get called a weirdo….

        • RTX9090Ti on 27/09/2023 - 20:50
          +3

          The way I see it OP wanted to use the trolley to carry the timber to his car/ute, but the other customer being gung-ho decided to 'force' OP to carry it by hand and return the trolley prematurely.

  • deme on 26/09/2023 - 19:25
    +2

    Wtf?

  • RockyRaccoon on 26/09/2023 - 19:34
    +11

    Just grab the lumber back, swing it around to help and apologise if you accidentally bump the helper. Problem solved.

    • frugalftw on 26/09/2023 - 19:39
      -5

      Lol I was not experienced enough to react at the time.

      • digitalbath on 29/09/2023 - 08:14
        -2

        Can’t use your words in public?

      • chocolatelover on 30/09/2023 - 06:59

        Not experienced enough for what? To use your words and speak???!!!!

  • Nugs on 26/09/2023 - 19:37
    +146

    So a stranger handled your wood in public without invitation?
    .

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 26/09/2023 - 19:39
      +9

      handled wood

      You shake it once, that's fine. You shake it twice, that's okay. You shake it three times….

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 26/09/2023 - 19:56
        +2

        Wouldn' hurt!

        • Kangal on 27/09/2023 - 14:55
          +7

          "Wooden squirt"

          FTFY

      • Gunnar on 26/09/2023 - 20:31
        +1

        I now have Good Charlotte stuck in my head

      • RTX9090Ti on 27/09/2023 - 20:51

        Don't shake it, peck it.

      • therooftop on 28/09/2023 - 18:46

        One shake is all it takes

    • frugalftw on 26/09/2023 - 19:40
      -7

      😂😅
      Strange, right? I’d expected the store to say something about it at least.

      • CBrads4 on 27/09/2023 - 16:09
        +3

        Poor shop attendant probably had no idea what was going on either or thought you were together. That was full on weird.

      • Montyjpm on 28/09/2023 - 15:31

        So she didn't want to handle your wood?

    • drewbytes on 27/09/2023 - 08:28
      +8

      Was it hard wood or soft wood?

    • tooblue on 28/09/2023 - 18:29

      So a stranger handled your wood in public without invitation the OP's objection?

  • elgrande on 26/09/2023 - 19:45
    +2

    Should have asked him to pay for it at the end or told him to f off.

      • SBOB on 26/09/2023 - 20:25
        +75

        called up the store this afternoon and told the manager about it

        Oh, you're one of those customers….

      • John Kimble on 26/09/2023 - 20:29

        What did the manager say?

          • mhz on 27/09/2023 - 08:11
            +36

            @frugalftw: Now I know this has to be a p*sstake!

          • p3nf0ld on 27/09/2023 - 23:04

            @frugalftw: I have to know whether he calls you back …

          • surg3on on 29/09/2023 - 13:20

            @frugalftw: If you believe that he's going to bother with that I've got a bridge in Sydney for sale

            • JayM on 30/09/2023 - 08:08

              @surg3on: I'd like to buy said bridge. If you have 2, would you do a discount?

      • pegaxs on 26/09/2023 - 21:42
        +18

        Christ, could you be any more petty?

      • Serapis on 29/09/2023 - 21:09

        I'm like 80% convinced you're trolling at this point

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 26/09/2023 - 19:58
      +7

      Should have asked him to pay for it

      Could have at least offered to chip in.

  • Stopback on 26/09/2023 - 19:52
    +17

    You must construct additional pylons

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 26/09/2023 - 19:52
    +1

    Perhaps the guy was a secret shopper, trying to hurry you along.

      • John Kimble on 26/09/2023 - 20:43
        +10

        I think it's fine to disclose at this point? 😂

        • frugalftw on 27/09/2023 - 09:00
          -3

          This is precisely why I left it out. People are easily distracted by their imagination and internalised trauma.

      • KBZ on 26/09/2023 - 20:44
        +5

        Huh you're leaving out details that would explain why?

        • frugalftw on 26/09/2023 - 21:11
          +20

          When I got to the counter, I said to the cashier that he’s need a tape to measure the length because it’s sold per LM. The guy jumped in and started to guess how long it was. “3 metres” he said and the cashier agreed, without actually measuring.

          (I was at the yard and had it cut to around 2.9m. The bits that was trimmed off had a lot of cracks in it. The cutting person agreed that I can pay only for the part I take home. It was a nice gesture so didn’t say anything, but it bothered me how casual the cashier was.)

          The customer then said to me “you don’t need a trolley for this”. I said “I’m sure I know what I needed.” And turned to talk to the cashier to sort out the gift card purchase.(Yes, I’m an honourable member of this site lol)

          (The cashier had a bit of an amused look on his face at this stage, which convinced me at this point they have some good rapport going on.)

          Sensing that he’s holding my timber, I turned and asked if he worked here, he said no. I then asked in a raised voice “Why are you doing this then?” He said “Because you are beautiful, I want to help you.”

          (Dude in his 70s, probably has a few generations of grandchildren… )

          I had no idea what to say, turned back to finish the payment, while the man put away the trolley and came back holding the timber in his arms. He said something about helping me when I took the timber off him and rushed out of the store.

          It’s only when I got home, I started to process the whole story and thought to call the store.

          • xuqi on 26/09/2023 - 22:40
            +11

            @frugalftw: This makes zero sense. Was it really sold per LM, or did you take a 3M precut, then ask for 5CM to be cut off each end, then being a tighass OZB'er didn't want to pay for the 10CM's?

            If you already knew it was 2.9M, why didn't you simply say to the cashier that it was cut to 2.9M, and that you wanted to pay for only 2.9M?

            When I got to the counter, I said to the cashier that he’s need a tape to measure the length because it’s sold per LM.

            (I was at the yard and had it cut to around 2.9m. The cutting person agreed that I can pay only for the part I take home. It was a nice gesture so didn’t say anything, but it bothered me how casual the cashier was).

            Was it as below?

            https://www.bunnings.com.au/70-x-35mm-outdoor-framing-mgp10-…

            • frugalftw on 26/09/2023 - 22:44

              @xuqi: Lol you don’t have to believe any of it. It’s just random texts on the internet. Someone made it up to get attention. There.

              • xuqi on 26/09/2023 - 22:48
                +3

                @frugalftw: I find it had to believe ~10cm of wood $ value is worth anyone's time, let alone calling a store and speaking to a manager about it….

                It's something you wanted to buy. If someone else decides to take control of it, or otherwise interfere with your purchase, assert yourself and tell them to mind their own business.

                • frugalftw on 26/09/2023 - 22:51

                  @xuqi: You really care about the 10cm of wood, I don’t, and I have actually said that.

                • Hangryuman on 28/09/2023 - 10:53

                  @xuqi: only 10cm - of Norwegian Wood - wasn't it good - ah !

          • EmployeeEmCKay @ Bunnings Warehouse on 26/09/2023 - 23:11
            +3

            @frugalftw: Isn’t the minimum cut 30cm?

            • frugalftw on 27/09/2023 - 00:40

              @EmCKay: I don’t know the rules lol It was a 80cm cut.

            • Domingo on 27/09/2023 - 23:27
              +8

              @EmCKay: I had a guy tell me he wouldn't trim a 20cm section off a 90cm length of merbau. But he said no problems when I asked him to cut 70cm off of it.

              I still don't quite understand that interaction, but I got the cut I wanted done.

          • RTX9090Ti on 27/09/2023 - 20:53

            @frugalftw: Is there by any chance that you're an Asian and the 'helper' dude is Caucasian?
            Coz that's probably makes sense being that kind of stereotype gung-ho style trying to teach other people they way he wanted it to be.

          • Hangryuman on 28/09/2023 - 10:52
            +1

            @frugalftw: 'I then asked in a raised voice “Why are you doing this then?” He said “Because you are beautiful, I want to help you.”
            (Dude in his 70s, probably has a few generations of grandchildren… )            '

            OK - NOW we get to the nub of the question. Guy showed interest in the OP - OP wasn't attracted to them, so regarded them as creepy.

            Oh dear - life's daily question - how do you deal with people who like you when you don't like them - who try to express interest in you - call the police ?

            My first-year law studies told me picking up and carrying goods inside a store is called asportation - treating as your own property - which is an intermediate state before the purchase transaction exchange of payment for goods, whereafter they become your property.

            So if someone else 'tries to help' by 'picking up a length of wood' imagining that this might help a female (or gay male) as a way to maybe show interest in a potential mate or desired friendly contact, that would be more in the category of social interaction, which I would hope an adult has learned something about by the time they reach adulthood.

            • John Kimble on 28/09/2023 - 12:28
              +1

              @Hangryuman:

              that would be more in the category of social interaction, which I would hope an adult has learned something about by the time they reach adulthood.

              🤦

              So why hasn't the old man learnt proper social interactions in the first place, he's been around longer!

          • CalmLemons on 29/09/2023 - 00:45

            @frugalftw: Sounds like an old man who doesn't give a fk anymore and just wants to help out, doesn't care what society thinks, just wants to keep things moving.

            I'm probably half his age and sometimes I am starting to feel the need to just push things along and interject because I cbf waiting while people stare the ceiling.

            Sounds like he also has a bit of that old fashioned he is the man and he's here to help the 'woman'.

            Leave him be, no point arguing with seniors like that.

            Don't think too much of it. He is also probably old and bored and frequents the store, one of the fundamental tenets of human desire to feel the need to belong to a community and as he is most likely a regular it is basically his 'house'.

            Wouldn't be suprised if he cooked you some calamari.

          • subroc on 29/09/2023 - 01:26
            +2

            @frugalftw: Sounds like he wanted to slip you the missing 10cm of wood.

          • tooblue on 29/09/2023 - 09:34

            @frugalftw: If the OP had phased her title more accurately and include this episode in the main topic, she would've received less negs.

          • Ciderfizz44 on 30/09/2023 - 10:03

            @frugalftw: Otto?

  • plmko on 26/09/2023 - 19:58
    +11

    R U OK?

    • frugalftw on 26/09/2023 - 20:32
      +1

      Thank you. I’m processing it still.

  • Flying Ace on 26/09/2023 - 19:59
    +22

    A simple

    "Hey mate, can I help you with something?"

    or

    "Hey mate, thanks for your help, but I'm fine with it thanks"

    or

    "Could you leave my purchases alone please?"

    Would have put an end to whatever shenanigans was going on.

      • johnno07 on 27/09/2023 - 13:25
        +17

        As a person who lives in QLD and has bought timber from Bunnings, I can confirm the etiquette is exactly as described by Flying Ace.

      • Flying Ace on 27/09/2023 - 18:35
        +3

        This isn't anything to do with the geographic location of the interaction, more to do with basic standards of human decency and etiquette. But from reading your comments further down, it seems that it wasn't just a case of another customer handling your purchases, but a more complex situation that transpired.

  • AndyC1 on 26/09/2023 - 20:01
    +1

    Give'm the 4x2 to the noggin.

  • SBOB on 26/09/2023 - 20:24
    +9

    There is definitely some missing details in this story telling, which could possibly make it less perplexing than it currently is.

    • rehan770 on 28/09/2023 - 01:41

      Maybe the guy had a deja vu 🤣.He also commented before leaving the store & had a crush I believe being in his 70's.Personally I feel he is young by heart & would love to deal with a 25 years old I bet.

  • Daabido on 26/09/2023 - 20:30
    +5

    This sounds like a fever dream. Were you also naked, but no one seemed to notice?

    • frugalftw on 26/09/2023 - 20:34
      +3

      Hahaha no way, splinters!

  • try2bhelpful on 26/09/2023 - 20:34
    -1

    Just when you think this place can’t get any weirder. So what is the male equivalent of a Karen?

    • onetwothreefour on 26/09/2023 - 21:25

      A Kevin

    • bohn on 26/09/2023 - 21:26

      Greg.

    • spackbace on 27/09/2023 - 11:42
      +7

      OP is female, fyi

    • smartazz104 on 28/09/2023 - 08:27
      +3

      OP is female and was being hit on by someone's grandpa.

  • JimmyF on 26/09/2023 - 20:47
    +1

    LOL! Move on with life… or next time handle it yourself so the cashier life is far easier and not let another customer do it.

  • bohn on 26/09/2023 - 21:24
    +2

    How can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

  • Benoffie on 26/09/2023 - 21:37
    +7

    Im totally lost. Apparently granddads are hitting on people in Bunnings by touching up their timber (not their timber, their timber). Only in QLD. Cause things are different up there.

    Must be the humidity 🤷‍♀️🤣

    • smartazz104 on 28/09/2023 - 08:27
      +1

      Grandpa handled wood for the first time in a decade probably.

      • Hangryuman on 28/09/2023 - 10:56
        +1

        it was the way he held it between his legs and stroked it suggestively while making eye contact with the OP that disconcerted them … ;-)

  • garetz on 26/09/2023 - 21:53
    +7

    This would not happen if you knew how to interact with other people, if i was in this situation i would ask the person why the eff are you touching my lumber, and ask him to kindly stop and get his own. You should know how to prevent this kind of thing happening to you by not being passive.

    • frugalftw on 26/09/2023 - 22:24
      -1

      Why do you think I’m asking? You come across as if you are condemning me for not knowing how to eat a durian because I haven’t had it before.

      • garetz on 26/09/2023 - 22:49
        +5

        Social interaction is the basic of the basics of living your life, most people are prepared for things that happen in their lives.

        Its usually just logical, if someone touches your stuff you dont just stand there slack jawed and let them do it, every situation you have where there is a social interaction should be fight or flight in a certain sense. In this case it looks like you were so stunned that your higher brain functions did not process what was happening.

        There is no way anyone on the forums could know what caused this, could be iq being an issue either logical or emotional, or you just had an off day.

        Next time an interaction feels wrong, stop and take 5-10 secs to think what the appropriate action is, don't just assume something is right cause someone is doing it.

        Most people know this stuff inherently, and don't need to consciously think about a response, its automatic. Someone touches your stuff, you say excuse me, stop touching my stuff and move on with your life.

        • frugalftw on 26/09/2023 - 22:56

          I wasn’t sure if it was my stuff, hence the confusion. If it were my phone he was holding, that’s a clear cut and needn’t any persuasion.

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