The strange rule at Bunnings that you need to know about

"We're not allowed to touch them!"

Going into a store to buy gardening tools is generally pretty easy.

But, after attempting to buy some items from Bunnings, a Queensland man has shared his shock at some unique signage, and the hoops he had to jump through to make his purchase.

However, it seems this may be becoming the norm.

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Image: TikTok / @procheck_automotive.

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“We’re not allowed to touch them”

A Queensland business owner, on TikTok as @procheck_automotive, has taken to the app to share his surprising find at Bunnings over the weekend.

“I was here on the weekend getting something for my garden at home… one of these - a hoe, a pick,” he said.

“They’re all locked up, and we need to talk to the customer service team about getting one, so we did.

“We went to the customer service member, and they come and tell us that he can’t give us one of those without taking what we want to the counter when we go there, making sure we buy it and walk out with it. So, we can’t just go to the counter ourselves, we can’t wander around with it, we have to buy it at the counter with him or her there, and then once we’re outside we’re free to do what we want.”

@procheck_automotive

New laws? Who comes up with these laws? @Bunnings #procheck #caloundra #sunshinecoast #knifelaws #bunnings #hoe #pick #gardentool #gardening #wtf #law #laws #rant

♬ original sound - Procheck_Automotive

The man clarified that the restrictions were due to the new knife laws in Queensland, implemented on September 1.

The new rules are an extension to Jack’s Law, and ban the sale of knives to anyone under 18.

They also require retailers to securely store items such as double-edged knives, machetes, tomahawks and axes, with clear signage to be displayed regarding age restricted items.

“The new knife laws are out and we’re not allowed to touch them,” he said.

“But, if you want to do some forking, you can buy some forks, no dramas. If you want to buy some big shears, you can buy a plethora of shears.

“The axes are locked up as well, so you can’t go axing, but you can buy any of these saws - they don’t come under the knife laws.”

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“It’s weird!”

The man said that though he didn’t have any issue with Bunnings obeying these laws - as retailers who break them risk up to 420 penalty units, or a fine of up to $67,746 - he did have some questions around its specifics.

“If you’re walking to the tool aisle, there’s plenty of things you can do damage with,” he said.

“I know the knife laws are a serious thing, I’m not taking the piss out of that, I was just going to buy a pick from Bunnings and you can’t because of the knife laws, but you can go buy a saw and you can buy shears. It’s weird!”

“That’s ridiculous”

Commenters on the post were shocked at the new rule.

“The world has gone completely mad! 🙄” one said.

“That’s ridiculous,” said another.

“I thought the exact same thing when in Bunnings yesterday 🤦‍♀️” a third added.

Others agreed with the original poster, saying that whilst they understand the laws, they’d like to see the same restrictions in place across the board.

“I had the same experience. Yet you can go to the bbq section and buy a knife off the rack..🤷🏼‍♂️” one commenter said.

“But you can buy a circular saw or jigsaw without id,” said another.

“You could do a lot of damage with the shears😳 I fully support Jacks law but it needs to be looked at, imagine some whack job running around with a saw,” a third agreed.

Originally published as The strange rule at Bunnings that you need to know about