Shopping Guide: Canberra Diamond Blade Suppliers (CDBS Construction Centre)
Shopping Guide for CDBS - An Informed Visitor's Perspective
Based on my experiences and observations, here's what you need to know before visiting CDBS:
Why You Should Visit
- Expertise and Knowledge: You'll find staff who are knowledgeable about machinery, particularly regarding Husqvarna products. They seem to know the details of their products, as noted by Patrick, who could walk customers through the pros and cons of equipment.
- Repair Services and Pre-Loved Machinery: The location offers machinery repair services. Based on reviews, expect skilled repairs at a fair price. They also offer pre-loved machinery.
- Helpful Staff: Shoppers can expect friendly and helpful customer service. Some staff members, like Alex, are praised for their patience and assistance. Specific examples include staff who can provide prompt, clear advice on chainsaw issues and staff who go above and beyond to help with product setup.
- Fair Pricing and Prompt Shipping: In some cases, the prices are considered competitive, especially on specific models. The company seems to be able to ship items quickly, as evidenced by a diamond blade order that shipped the same day and arrived with no issues.
- Problem-Solving and Order Substitutions: They try to resolve order issues and have been known to contact customers to offer a substitute for unavailable items rather than simply canceling the order.
- After-Sales Service: Positive reviews highlight the after-sales service, with one staff member even going to a customer's rural property to set up equipment and provide advice.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
- Warranty Issues: Be aware that there are reports of problems with warranty registration. Some customers reported that the company failed to register their warranty, which resulted in the warranty not being honored by the manufacturer. This could be a serious issue for larger purchases.
- Inconsistent Pricing: Some customers have experienced a price discrepancy between the price quoted over the phone and the price at the point of sale. Be sure to clarify the final price when purchasing and have any agreements in writing.
- Order Fulfillment Issues: There are multiple reports of problems with order fulfillment, particularly for parts. Some customers have reported waiting for weeks or months for parts or items that were never delivered. There is at least one account of an order paid in full but the part being given to someone else.
- Communication Problems: There have been reports of unanswered emails and difficulty contacting the store, particularly through the website contact page. Tracking numbers and email replies might not be provided in a timely fashion.
- Potential for Unfair Charges: Be aware that some customers have been charged a fee for a service (e.g., mower inspection) without being informed beforehand.
- Belt Replacement Issues: Some experiences involving repairs of equipment, such as Husqvarna mowers, are negative. In one case, a new belt was charged for but an old belt was installed and subsequently failed.