Tradie baffled by ‘bizarre’ sight in Bunnings

Bunnings has responded after a video went viral showing “dangerous” items behind security screens.

A tradie was left baffled after he went to Bunnings to pick up some tools and noticed some were locked behind security doors.

Shane, a mechanic known online as @procheck_automotive, visited the Caloundra Bunnings on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to buy a garden hoe on the weekend.

But as he showed his TikTok followers, the common gardening tool was behind a perspex screen covered in warning signs alerting customers about new rules.

One said: “The sale of knives and other controlled items to minors is prohibited.”

Below this, another sign read, “Dear customers, please see a team member for access to these products.”

“They’re all locked up, and we need to talk to the customer service team about getting one,” Shane explained in the clip.

“So I went to the customer service member, and he comes and tells us he can’t give us one of those (garden hoes) without taking what we want to the counter when we go there.”

He was also told that he wasn’t allowed to hold the tool as he browsed the store, but instead, be escorted to the checkout by an employee and purchase the item straight away.

“I thought it was a bit bizarre. I’ve never seen that before,” he said. “The new knife laws mean we aren’t allowed to touch them.”

Shane said he was confused because, in his opinion, more dangerous products like shears and saws weren’t behind a screen.

You can go and buy saws, but you can’t go and buy a pick. It’s weird,” he concluded.

He acknowledged that the new knife laws were a “serious thing” and said he wasn’t trying to “take the p**s” but he just thought they were inconsistent in what they determined was a dangerous item.

Commenters called the new rule “weird” and “ridiculous”.

“The world has gone mad,” one person declared.

“Seems illogical,” someone else replied.

New knife rules have been implemented in Bunnings stores. Picture: TikTok/ProcheckAutomotive

New laws from the Queensland State Government came into effect on September 1 this year and mean that knives and other items are considered controlled items.

The laws were enacted in response to a rise in reported offences involving purchased or stolen bladed items, especially committed by minors, according to the National Retail Association.

These laws changed the way Bunnings sells knives and other bladed items in its Queensland stores.

Knives and other bladed items cannot be sold to minors under 18 years and some products are now required to be securely stored.

A tradie has been left confused by the new knife laws. Picture: TikTok/@ProcheckAutomotive

Some items were behind a perspex screen while others he considered more dangerous, were not. Picture: TikTok/@ProcheckAutomotive

Marg Walford, Queensland Bunnings General Manager of Operations, said the hardware chain worked closely with the local community to ensure customers’ needs were met while also protecting the safety of team members and shoppers.

“We worked to become fully compliant with the new laws around knives and other bladed items, which came into effect on September 1 this year,” Ms Walford told news.com.au.

“We’ve implemented several changes to our Queensland stores to ensure we’re supporting the new legislation’s requirements, including secure storage of certain products and prominent store signage.

“Our stores will continue to require customers to prove they are at least 18 years old before they can purchase bladed items, in line with our existing policy.”

She said Bunnings will continue to follow the advice of regulatory authorities across Australia to ensure the safe and proper sale of its products.

Customers must prove they are at least 18 years old before they can purchase bladed items. Picture: NewsWire/Andrew Henshaw

The new laws apply to all people, businesses, and locations that sell affected items outside Queensland and/or to residents of Queensland.

This includes a wide range of retailers, such as supermarkets, hardware stores, sporting goods shops, outdoor and fishing supply stores, craft outlets, discount stores, convenience stores, kitchenware retailers, and others.

The laws also extend to members of the public or non-business organisations that sell controlled items.

This includes sporting groups, online sales, second-hand sales, market sellers, and events.

Originally published as Tradie baffled by ‘bizarre’ sight in Bunnings