Praise - PB Tech Auckland stores not opening immediately

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#290410 10-Nov-2021 07:08

I received this in an email just after 5pm yesterday:

PB Tech store showrooms in Auckland won't open right away at Level 3 Step 2

Hi Mike,

We’d like to take this opportunity to advise our Auckland customers that our store showrooms in Auckland won’t open right away as the city moves to Alert Level 3 Step 2 on Wednesday 10th November.

We’ve made this decision as the change in Alert Level Steps has coincided with our biggest sale of the year, Black Friday, and we believe keeping our showrooms shut is the right move to prioritise the health and safety of our customers and staff during this busy time.

As many of you will be aware, PB’s Black Friday sales can get crazy busy, and we are very concerned about large crowds forming during this time. Focusing on click & collect in Auckland during this busy sale period gives us more control over the crowd build up outside of our stores while still offering an efficient way to get our awesome Black Friday deals into our customers hands quickly!

For customers with returns, warranty issues, or in need of repairs / services we are still recommending filling out either the returns / warranty form or service quote form online in the first instance rather than dropping your goods off at our Auckland stores.

Thanks in advance for your understanding and rest assured our Auckland showrooms won't be closed for too much longer and we will update you as soon as they open again.

The PB Team

I would like to applaud this decision by PB Tech.

Retail stores (and particularly malls) are likely to be chaotic and potentially unruly over the next few days. I'm concerned for retail workers over the next few days, partly because stores may already be jam packed with excess stock that has arrived over the lockdown period and because of potential unreasonable customer frustration with items being out of stock.

I've also heard murmors of potential panic buying due to potential delays in some retailers Christmas stocks. I've heard one online store of a bricks and morter retailer had their best ever day on Monday and this was suspected to be due to this panic buying.

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#2810185 10-Nov-2021 07:32

Very good move. PB were also a leader early in the pandemic moving to a limited entry counter service model in some stores.

Nate001

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#2810193 10-Nov-2021 08:22

To be fair even before covid I mostly used click and collect with their stores simply because most things are either hard to find or in cabinets etc.

hsvhel

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#2810195 10-Nov-2021 08:29

Nate001:
To be fair even before covid I mostly used click and collect with their stores simply because most things are either hard to find or in cabinets etc.

Same here, it was less time in store and I could look up product specs and price comparisons

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#2810200 10-Nov-2021 08:46

Nate001:

To be fair even before covid I mostly used click and collect with their stores simply because most things are either hard to find or in cabinets etc.

It seems I always want to buy things that aren't in the retail stores. Hopefully they'll bring back Head Office pick-up once things are back to normal.

ResponseMediaNZ

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#2810204 10-Nov-2021 09:00

SirHumphreyAppleby:

Nate001:

To be fair even before covid I mostly used click and collect with their stores simply because most things are either hard to find or in cabinets etc.

It seems I always want to buy things that aren't in the retail stores. Hopefully they'll bring back Head Office pick-up once things are back to normal.

Even as a Wholesale Customer I have not been able to do head office pickup. But if email the web team or if you have an account manager they are really good at transferring stock between head office and manakau. I have done that more times lately.

jen1001

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#2810224 10-Nov-2021 09:46

Good move from PB Tech! Bought a couple of things via click and collect recently and it works well so might as well continue.

I remember they were very strict in implementing the "no QR code scan no entry" policy at their Auckland CBD store last year during one of their sales with a security guard at the door. Glad they're doing everything to avoid crowds.

wellygary

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#2810237 10-Nov-2021 10:08

jen1001:

Good move from PB Tech! Bought a couple of things via click and collect recently and it works well so might as well continue.

I remember they were very strict in implementing the "no QR code scan no entry" policy at their Auckland CBD store last year during one of their sales with a security guard at the door. Glad they're doing everything to avoid crowds.

If you can just hold off going to stores for another 2.5 weeks, you will have more safety with the requirement of needing a Vax certificate to get in.

For the next 3 weeks, non vaxxed people are going to be out in force Christmas shopping, Because retail doors will close for them at the end of November when Auckland moves to the Traffic light system...

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#2810249 10-Nov-2021 10:26

Good move! I see computer lounge have just said the same thing - click n collect only

Seen some crazy big crowds online this morning at various other outlets

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2810303 10-Nov-2021 10:29

wellygary:

If you can just hold off going to stores for another 2.5 weeks, you will have more safety with the requirement of needing a Vax certificate to get in.

Vax certificates are only required for large, high risk events. No way I'm showing that to retailers given the QR code data contains your full name and date of birth.

Oblivian

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#2810317 10-Nov-2021 10:42

Only mandated for high risk events. However it'll be available and as such opt-in for the rest. As a private estate/establishment they can choose to add it as a part of condition of entry if they wish. And many likely do so.

Name and DOB is on licence and passport - Those who have lost them to general public (vs retailer) have had less concerns.

elpenguino

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#2810321 10-Nov-2021 10:48

SirHumphreyAppleby:

wellygary:

If you can just hold off going to stores for another 2.5 weeks, you will have more safety with the requirement of needing a Vax certificate to get in.

Vax certificates are only required for large, high risk events. No way I'm showing that to retailers given the QR code data contains your full name and date of birth.

There's more about you (and me) on the electoral roll which anybody can ruffle through at the public library.

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wellygary

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#2810322 10-Nov-2021 10:48

SirHumphreyAppleby:

wellygary:

If you can just hold off going to stores for another 2.5 weeks, you will have more safety with the requirement of needing a Vax certificate to get in.

Vax certificates are only required for large, high risk events. No way I'm showing that to retailers given the QR code data contains your full name and date of birth.

Yes, but regular H+S rules require firms to minimize hazards and risk to staff...

Unvaccinated people walking in the door must be pretty high on that list.... it will start with big retailers, but will quickly spread....

jen1001

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#2810350 10-Nov-2021 11:38

wellygary:

jen1001:

Good move from PB Tech! Bought a couple of things via click and collect recently and it works well so might as well continue.

I remember they were very strict in implementing the "no QR code scan no entry" policy at their Auckland CBD store last year during one of their sales with a security guard at the door. Glad they're doing everything to avoid crowds.

If you can just hold off going to stores for another 2.5 weeks, you will have more safety with the requirement of needing a Vax certificate to get in.

For the next 3 weeks, non vaxxed people are going to be out in force Christmas shopping, Because retail doors will close for them at the end of November when Auckland moves to the Traffic light system...

Absolutely, looking forward to having more safety measures in place when the vaccine pass kicks in. I don't particularly miss going to stores anyway so it won't make a huge difference to my day-to-day life until the certificates become commonplace.

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#2810495 10-Nov-2021 15:02

dt: Seen some crazy big crowds online this morning at various other outlets

What is the reason for this - is it special prices or just a desperate need for retail therapy? I don't understand.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2810501 10-Nov-2021 15:14

gzt: What is the reason for this, is it specials or just a desperate need for retail therapy. I don't understand.

Are there even specials? I've not seen much in the way of promotion for anything (other than PB).

I have a shopping list of little things I need, mostly low cost items where it doesn't make sense to have them shipped, or which I knew would be much cheaper once certain stores opened up again. Even so, I'm staying well away from the shops until next week.

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