General gripe about Supercheap Auto.

xb50gs
Community Member

So Supercheap auto recently opened up in my town and I went for a wander, not really wanting aything in particular, just having a browse and a stickybeak to see how 'cheap' they really were.



As some of you know, I've worked in spares for about 20 years now and although not currently working due to an injury, I keep up to date with the industry with the hopes of returning one day.



Now first off, in my town there are 4 established auto part stores which have been in town at least 20 years each. Excluding Repco, the 3 other privately owned stores have staff who own modified cars, have all raced at one point or another and all live locally. Repco is the typical Repco who caters more for trade and is too expensive. However, Repco is right next door to Supercheap.



So, anyway, I have a look around and immediately notice things are not cheap! shock horror. Sure, their own brand stuff may be cheap, but its also crap. (I bought a jump starter for my ride on, so far its been returned 4 times in 6 months and it was $179 so not a 'cheap' one)



Example, I needed a battery for my 4wd. I noticed they had a Century N70ZZ and looked at the price. $229. I bought one from the local spares shop for $175 fitted. Supercheap quoted another $15 to fit it. My fanbelt for a Territory was $79.95. I picked up the same brand, same belt for $34.95.



They also didn't carry a common filter (Z115) for my Nissan and wouldn't supply one without me paying freight on it. Great, local spares have a Wesfil on the shelf for $8.95 which was less than the freight SC wanted to charge. Even in a Ryco SC was $49.95 and the local guys were about $22-$29.



They do have a good returns system, which is basically no questions asked, however, if you go to a shop that has knowledgable staff and you're supplied the correct item the first time, you don't need to return an item. I returned a drill to SC as it was faulty and basically I walked in said 'Hi, This doesn't work, its only about 6 weeks old' and I was told to go grab another one! I wonder how many people abuse the returns process!



Anyway, my point is if you do live in a town that has a Supercheap, don't believe the hype, or the name. Fact is, on a LOT of parts, they AREN'T cheaper and most of the staff don't know one end of a car from another. I was pointed in the direction of the catalogue when I asked for filters, and even when I asked if they had a Z115 they didn't know what it actually was.





Going Ford is the Going Thing.
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Re: General gripe about Supercheap Auto.

Went to Super **bleep** in Maryborough this afternoon to get a set of wiper blades for the daughters Yaris, coundn't find a set of 3, the so called shop assistant,( looked like something out of a horror movie) assures me the set of 2 long ones that sayes yaris on the wrapper will do the trick, just cut the long one to use for the short front one and the rear window, not convinced but he said no worries if they don't fit bring them back, well about an hour later guess where we are, yep thats right back at SC, I tell the girl at the counter the story and ask for money back, well thats when the fun started, she calls the tattooed zombi to get his side of the story and of course it is totally different to what he told me, after a very short but very heated exchange with zombi, manager decides its probably not a good idea for me to be in the store any longer so gives money back, I go 3 doors up the road to REPCO, a very nice, very young lady serves me, in no time at all we have 3 wiper blades fitted for nothing and $3.00 cheaper than Super **bleep**.  REPCO al the way from now on.

Message 41 of 56
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Re: General gripe about Supercheap Auto.

Are you almost 80 percent full of it? Yes. Why? Because I work there. We do not keep belts the cost anything over $40. We do not and never have installed batteries due to insurance reasons. So where did you get $15 from. We stock at least 30 z115 at anyone time . And god forbid we are employing young ones and giving them a chance to earn and learn. I mean they are only our future
Message 42 of 56
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Re: General gripe about Supercheap Auto.

We dont fit toolboxes. Ahder
Message 43 of 56
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Re: General gripe about Supercheap Auto.

last time I was in there, none of them knew what a timeing gun was. I had to find it myself and explain what it does because the staff was that young.
Message 44 of 56
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Re: General gripe about Supercheap Auto.

I went to super cheap at Coffs Harbour to redeem 4 gift cards that i got from doing online surveys. I had been saving the cards till I had enough to make the 3 hour round trip from my home worth the effort. When I got there the "Blond" girl behind the counter informed me the cards had been used???? I assured her they were all brand new but she was adamant they were invalid??? I contacted the web site the cards came from and was informed by them they will be replaced and apologised for the trouble. Going back to the same store, armed with the new cards, the same "blond" girl asked me if these cards were stolen as well??????? I was MORE than PI**ED off and asked this "Blond" is that the sort of question you ask everyone that presents these cards? I then asked to see the manager so she could ask me that question again in front of her boss! She declined but because of silly girls like this as well as their prices, I will NEVER be back! Bursons Spares in Coffs are infinitely better and have far more knowledgeable staff.

Message 45 of 56
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Re: General gripe about Supercheap Auto.

i had the same problem with gift cards, useless things.

supercheap used to fit batteries until a fire from one shorting out. i know the person. $3 to fit wipers,

most staff in supercheap are nice and will look stuff up. they actually get stuff from bursons.

you think they are rude you want to see some of the customers. filthy old men perving on young girls. how low can you be.

abusive, dont know what theyre after, calling things the wrong name. i could go on. customers are so rude and theyre not always right.

 

Message 46 of 56
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Re: General gripe about Supercheap Auto.

This thread still going? Smiley Very Happy

One other point I can make, in SA we have a similar franchised setup, Sprint Auto, have at least 2 very knowledgable veteran parts interpreters in each store, backed up by trainees (future experienced interpreters) who aren't afraid to ask questions if they need to.

Parts ordered in have NO delivery charge, and usually available in a few hours. They acknowledge they have 4 delivery runs per day, regardless how much is on it, so costs them no extra to order another item.

They stock quite a decent range of proper parts for most makes and models, so that ordering in thing is not all too frequent anyway.

____________________________________________________________

Yes, I have an opinion. No you don't have to agree with it. Yes I do have a right to it.
Message 47 of 56
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Re: General gripe about Supercheap Auto.

A lot of what you guys are saying is sooo  close to the bone, read Rocca Bros mentioned, yes, they did have the edge, you want it, they had it, awesome service, and even if stuck would show you the schematic, (broken into parts pictures).

 

Can remember reading in an old street machine once, about the release of the gen 3, all alum block, it went something like " it will be a long time before us guys with dirty fingernails and no bank balance get our hands on one of these"

I have dirty fingernails and drive a Grange, since 2008.

 

Another great quote was about the parts jockeys, " It will be no good fitting headers the guy said would be right, when you cant even get the bolts started, and your 100 klicks away from the shop with no wheels"

 

SC would rather sell seat covers or car stereos than car parts, Adelaide boys are well cartered for, Vanloens, Sprints, and many a performance shop, Outlaw, O.G speed etc

 

Message 48 of 56
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Re: General gripe about Supercheap Auto.

"

Firstly Super **bleep** Autos,  have a right to open as many stores as they like in any area they like as long as it complies with council regulations.  Its a free country.

 

 

 

 

 

Secondly  If you dont like them dont go there they will soon make there decision if its viable to stay.

 

 

 

Thirdly They always open next door to repco or as close as they can it makes business sence.

 

 

 

 The rest is irrellivant and is just a load of hot air."

 



agree'd whole heartedly, but the bit about hot air? wrong. sharing your experiences of a business in order to counteract misleading advertising is just good commonsense, and an essential part of a freemarket

Message 49 of 56
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Re: General gripe about Supercheap Auto.

 

 

Supercheap auto makes a galactic target for itself, for good and bad reviews.

 

Yes the prices can vary, compared to the competition, BUT this is a free market, and its up to you the customer to decide between convenience, etc, compared to price AND they PRICE MATCH most stocked products.

 

Yes, the staff are young, frustrating at times, maybe without much knowledge, but everyone has to start somewhere, HOWEVER if you want a knowledgeable answer from Supercheap Auto, ASK for the Manager, they will find a solution.

 

And what type of reception do you get from an old fashioned, Full-on, hardcore performance/spare parts shop? Complete and utter contempt if YOU dont know the exact name of the part. Inexperienced, non motor-head types, retired grey nomads, mothers or young customers, get easily intimidated at these stores...hell, ive had my nose 'put out of joint' by fcckking arrogant know-it-all parts guys occasionally!!! 

 

just my 2cents...

 

 

 

 

 

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