Exchanging Leaf Blower at Bunnings

strawberrybug on 12/02/2023 - 11:18
Last edited 13/02/2023 - 13:13 by 2 other users

My husband bought a leaf blower at Bunnings a few months ago and despite my advice to get a straightforward & simple one to clean up our tiny deck area weekly he insisted we needed an inbuilt mulcher and random other features. So he bought a big bulky corded blower.

Naturally the effort of plugging it in and bulking around with it means it's been used 2 times in roughly 3 months. I'm still fuming and would love to exchange for a cordless one even if its costs more but now he can't find the receipt.

TLDR. Will Bunnings allow an exchange with credit card statement as proof of purchase? We still have the box etc. And am I wrong in my approach in wanting a cordless i.e. easier to use item? Not having to plug in each time is a core benefit in my mind.

Home & Garden Blower

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closed Comments

  • BugsBunnyAUS on 12/02/2023 - 11:24
    +38

    Why do you think you can exchange a used product for a brand new one?

    Solution: Purchase new cordless one, sell old one on Marketplace/Gumtree.

    How you solve the problem with your significant other is more difficult.

    • blitz on 12/02/2023 - 22:52
      +3

      Let's be honest. This isn't about the leaf blower, is it.

  • KaTst3R on 12/02/2023 - 11:34
    +2

    You dont even have the receipt. Your credit card statement wont say what product is purchased.

    Suck it up, buy a new leaf blower and get a new husband in the process.

    • altomic on 12/02/2023 - 17:23
      +5

      Suck it up

      well, the big bulky blower has that function luckily

    • bamzero on 13/02/2023 - 10:05
      +2

      Credit card statement can be used as proof of purchase (though I imagine the intention is for when returning a faulty product)

      Returning a used leaf blower for change of mind after 3 months, no.

  • derrida derider on 12/02/2023 - 11:43
    +6

    "Yes dear, you're right that we needed a blower that does it all for the big yard cleanup. But we also need something small cheap and light for the weekly clean of the patio. Let's buy one of the cheap little battery ones for the daily quick cleans and you can bring out the big gun for the big leaf cleanup."

    And the small ones are cheap and very handy - eg see https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-one-18v-cordless-200cfm-je…

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 12/02/2023 - 12:06
      +1

      Unless it’s a really small area the 2.0ah battery is pretty lacking…

      Source: I had to buy the 4ah one after my 2.0ah proved to be insufficient :(

  • bobbified on 12/02/2023 - 11:43
    +1

    Sell the used one on gumtree or facebook marketplace and use the money to buy the 'simpler' (and assumably, cheaper one).

  • SF3 on 12/02/2023 - 11:46
    +2

    am I wrong in my approach in wanting a cordless

    Cordless all the way.

    Whole point of have a blower is convenience, too much pain to be spending more time to get blower and setup and pack away (particularly the cord) than the job itself.

  • pegaxs on 12/02/2023 - 11:54
    +4

    Pretty sure you cant do a return based on "I think my husband is an idiot for buying a blower I didn't want"… Although, not explicitly worded this way in the T&C's, it may fall under "change of mind…"

    • Nugs on 12/02/2023 - 14:47
      +1

      Imagine how many times that would happen if they allowed it
      .

  • AndyC1 on 12/02/2023 - 11:59
    +11

    So
    * no receipt
    * used product
    * product works as specified
    * expect Bunnings to wear the cost of the product sold as it cannot be sold as it's used.

    Any you want a refund/exchange……no.

    • Downvoter on 12/02/2023 - 12:47

      They’ll still refund after all that anyways

  • [Deactivated] on 12/02/2023 - 11:59
    +5

    I'm amused that you're also getting relationship advice based on your post

    • SF3 on 12/02/2023 - 12:13

      I'm still fuming

      First thing to tell Bunnings staff on OP’s husband making things too complicated.

      • [Deactivated] on 12/02/2023 - 12:32
        +3

        Having worked in retail, the crap that some people prattle on about when they're bare-faced lying just to get a refund/credit note was cray-cray

        • bamzero on 13/02/2023 - 10:07

          Do go on…

  • tsunamisurfer on 12/02/2023 - 12:13
    +4

    Be careful what you wish for.

    I have both corded and cordless.

    The corded one is much stronger , lasts longer and if you have accessible power points it's not a problem. The vacuum feature is useful.

    The cordless one is also useful for smaller quick jobs, but less powerful.

    Both have their use.

  • Davo1111 on 12/02/2023 - 12:48
    +1

    I hear the neighbours battery one die slowly as he tries to blow the path.

    I love my cordered simple blower.

    RE return: no. It's a "you" problem

  • George Washington on 12/02/2023 - 13:02
    -6

    You can always try to refund it.

    Bunnings is a big company so they take a leaf blower hit.

    Should you do it morally no but who cares….

    Ive seen some Tradies managed to return a used jackhammer because "its too small for the job" when the jackhammer was covered in dust and dirt.

    Ive seen some people try to unsuccessfully try to return a water pump. They fell for the trap. did you manage to finish the job.

    So what I am trying to say is…….. if you can refund it you can if you cant well buy a second blower

    • RotundPolarBear on 12/02/2023 - 15:10
      -3

      No harm in trying, I agree. They might get a nice staff member that will refund it.

      You are getting downvoted because strangely enough the people on here seem to love large corporations for some reason and tend to stick up for them. They can definitely take the hit.

      • George Washington on 12/02/2023 - 15:58

        I know or goody goodies.

      • Euphemistic on 13/02/2023 - 08:36
        +3

        You are getting downvoted because strangely enough the people on here seem to love large corporations for some reason and tend to stick up for them.

        No, it’s more that the down voters think you don’t get to make someone else pay for your mistakes. Returning a functioning item that’s been used just because you don’t like it eats into profit margins which in turn drives up prices for everyone.

  • freefall101 on 12/02/2023 - 13:14

    Honestly ask yourselves, is it the hassle of plugging it in or would you use a cordless one twice in three months as well because blowing leaves is simply a job you don't want to do?

  • nubzy on 12/02/2023 - 13:17

    Sell on Gumtree and do what you should have done in the first place, get a Stihl BG56 or BG86. Don't waste your time with junk.

  • randomusername2017 on 12/02/2023 - 13:50
    -1

    despite my advice….he bought a big bulky corded blower.

    obv not used to gettin blown properly

  • djsweet on 12/02/2023 - 14:17

    Best option is to just be less lazy and use the one you have more often. This seems like a really odd thing to be fuming about months later. Are you sure this is what you’re really angry about. Maybe you need to work on some stuff personally or together. Like see a counsellor or something.

    • strawberrybug on 13/02/2023 - 11:37
      -1

      every time i have to look at it (almost daily) taking up the limited space we have in that particular area and then look at the messy leaves everywhere, hell yeah i'm irritated
      "just be less lazy" lol

      • djsweet on 13/02/2023 - 11:41

        wots so funny m8?

  • ihbh on 12/02/2023 - 14:25

    What do you think Bunnings will do with your used blower? Sell it as new?

  • Rako on 12/02/2023 - 15:45
    +7

    Bunnings return policy
    Change of mind returns/exchanges

    We are pleased to offer change of mind returns or exchanges.
    With a receipt or tax invoice:

    We can provide a refund
All returned goods must be unused, in original packaging and in saleable condition
Receipts and tax invoices must be valid and intact
  • strawberrybug on 12/02/2023 - 16:50

    Thanks all, got a good variety of advice.
    It's definitely still annoying months later cause a small cordless one would be much more convenient and would have been used much more often.

    • Sunshines bright on 13/02/2023 - 07:31

      Bunnings has looked up receipt for me in similar situation. Think I needed approx date of purchase and the card I used. I did an exchange and had difference put back on card.

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 13/02/2023 - 09:45
      +1

      $99 for this solution?

  • payless69 on 12/02/2023 - 17:30
    +5

    Bring your husband back to the wedding celebrant.
    Get a FULL refund.
    Use money to get a slave.
    Sell all the fume to the fumigation company?

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 12/02/2023 - 17:33
    +1

    Bunnings sharpened their returns policy a few months back… They used to return products months afterwards, but now they have a limit and require a few more hoops.

    It's still a flexible policy and generous, but I would say you are out of luck here.

  • Austaurean on 12/02/2023 - 18:25

    Bunnings can 'reprint' a receipt when at the store of original purchase, with info on what the date and amount was, this helps them limit the search criteria.. i know, i have done it..

    Also.. on a different item.

    I bought the Ryobi 36v HP hedger. It was winter/autumn when bought and was only at that store, the other 4 local ones did not have it.. so 3 months later, spring came and after i had used it about 3 times, i took it back. The issue was the trigger system was so fine, that if you didnt always have a tight grip it would switch off, and i mean clenched tight grip. In stark contrast to the corded Ryobi i had which was fine, you could have a relaxed grip.. So under that description of an issue they accepted the return with full refund..

    Plus i have seen numerous other peoples returns on a clearance sticker saying used, but 2 or 3 times, so they do refund itens for the reason of 'Customer Satisfaction'.

  • RotundPolarBear on 12/02/2023 - 18:45
    +1

    Some years back I went to return a non functioning whipper snipper to Bunnings and the old lady at the customer desk wouldn't refund. The manager just took her side, implying it was used. The person that checked it even said it was unused. It never worked. I just went back the next day, and a different staff member immediately refunded. Sometimes it's just dependant on who you get.

  • NevC on 12/02/2023 - 20:48

    Keep the blower/vac and buy another cordless. Corded for the bigger jobs when you have time and the cordless for a quick blow job. I actually have six different blowers. All shapes and sizes corded and cordless.

  • JIMB0 on 13/02/2023 - 09:12
    +1

    The real question is can you return the cordless blower when you find out your husband was right in the first place.

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