Shopper shares lesser-known money-saver rule at her local hardware store!

Navigating the cost-of-living crisis is no small feat for Australians, especially for those on a fixed income.

Every penny counts, and when it comes to making purchases for our homes, we expect quality and longevity.

That's why the story of one shopper's experience with a faulty product offered a valuable lesson in consumer vigilance.


West Australian local Kat Dumont purchased a lock box from Bunnings back in May 2023.

She believed that it was wise to invest in a weatherproof lock box for $44.69, which came with a 'lifetime warranty'.

However, the box succumbed to rust, even affecting the keys inside.

'It is so rusted out, even the keys inside are rusted,' she recounted as a frustrated consumer.


compressed-Bunnings (1).jpeg
Bunnings is Australia's top hardware and home improvement store. Image Credit: Bunnings


'I'm like, "What the hell? This was not cheap."

Dumont's disappointment was a sentiment many shoppers could relate to.

However, Dumont's story did not end with the rusted lock box.

Instead, it served as a testament to the importance of receipts.


Armed with a nearly two-year-old receipt, Dumont returned to Bunnings.

'I walked in with my lock and receipt, showed them the listing, and they exchanged. Very simple,' Dumont recalled.

'The lady said she was surprised that the brand was good and that she was also impressed that the receipt hadn't faded.'

'In and out in five minutes. A seamless experience,' Dumont shared.

This story underscored the value of Bunnings' customer service, including a straightforward returns policy.

A Bunnings spokesperson highlighted the importance of keeping receipts to facilitate an easy returns process.


Bunnings' policy, which also complements consumer rights under the Australian Consumer Law, lets customers receive a replacement, refund, or repair for faulty products.

'Our Team Members will be able to advise you whether a refund, exchange, repair or replacement is available, and may record your proof of identification when processing a return without proof of purchase,' the Bunnings spokesperson noted.

In a previous article, a Bunnings shopper was able to return her plants to the hardware and home improvement giant.

Bunnings Warehouse has a policy that allows customers to return dead plants for a refund within 12 months.

Watch Kat Dumont's story here:

Source: @katdumont/TikTok

Dumont's experience, which she shared online, resonated with many Aussies who chimed in with their own stories of receiving free replacements from Bunnings.

It's not just about getting what you paid for; it's about asserting your rights as a consumer.

So, keep those receipts in a safe place because you never know when they might save you a significant sum.
Key Takeaways

  • A Bunnings customer replaced a rusted lock box nearly two years after purchase, which highlighted the importance of retaining receipts.
  • The lock box, which cost $44.69 and was marketed as weatherproof with a lifetime warranty, had rusted significantly.
  • Bunnings emphasised their commitment to providing customers with the best experience, including an easy returns policy.
  • Bunnings' returns policy allowed replacements, refunds, or repairs on faulty items.
Have you had a similar experience with a product or a store's returns policy? Share your stories with us in the comments below!
 

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Another thing about Bunnings is if you purchase a plant & it dies if you have the receipt you get a refund regardless of why it died. This is for indoor & outdoor plants
Ok, can l take my evergreen frangipani back that blew over in the cyclon? Probably not as l don’t have the receipt.
🤣
 
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I have 2 files. One is a lever arch file (showing my age) and another on Gmail. Both are marked as "Permanent". These are where I store all my purchases that come with guarantees. Having all in one spot makes it easy to find when needed. I periodically clear out those that have expired.
grumpyoldman
 
I throw all my receipts away but not until I've either scanned them or taken a photo, stored on the computer I can print them out at anytime. I do this because receipts have a habit of either fading or getting last it has saved me many times over the years being able to supply proof of purchase and date of purchase
 
Once again plain simple logic..
Keep the receipt of anything with a warranty for at least the period of the warranty.
Scan or take a photo of the receipt and print it out, file it in a safe place.
Then again logic doesn’t seem to be an asset that many have these days..
 
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Reactions: DLHM
My advice? Always keep your receipts for the length of the warranty.

For lifetime warranties, you really shouldn't have to keep receipts. But better safe than sorry.

I have had a pen replaced and filing cabinet repaired free of charge. No receipts, because they both had Lifetime warranties. I took the pen to an upmarket shop that sold them. The filing cabinet was fixed at my premises.

That was a long time ago.

I'm still alive, so I'm keeping a close eye on those Lifetime and other warranties....LOL!
I guess I have to agree... 😅

Also, photocopy your receipts so they don't fade.

FYI, the ATO has equipment that can read faded "treated paper" dockets/receipts.
 
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I learnt the lesson on not to save important files on external drives when the drive crashed and I lost everything :(
Save on two drives, so if one crashes you still have another with the info. That’s what we do - one external drive backed up once a week with all the computer info & the other is the computer’s own drive.
 

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