Hey, Just visited Masters in Oakleigh South on Christmas Eve and gotta say - there are differences. Prices at Masters looked a bit cheaper than Bunnings generally.

So first impressions of Masters was I was looking for a replacement globe for my bathroom - first aisle as you enter is the one that has all the globes. Now I couldn't say if the globe I was buying was cheaper than at Bunnings - but that's impressive to have done your homework and placed the one of the most common things you visit a hardware store for right in front of you. So first tick for Masters.

Second impression is that it reminded me of shopping at a US hardware store or Costco which is from the States as well. Just the way some things are packaged - looked a bit like some of the hardware that I saw in Target in the States. The good thing is - the quality is generally better in the States for hardware and clothing than it is here (only thing I can guess is that the US has bigger buying power so can demand better quality and lower prices). Second tick for Masters.

So I was in Masters to buy an assortment of things - globes which I bought with a name brand I'd never seen in Australia before but when I checked out the globe - it looked like it was a quality globe - not a cheapy. Next thing I was after were some metal angle brackets for trolley I was building - found them for about $2.71 each. I could not find the same size angles in Bunning when I visited them later (more on this as it's relevent) but some that I saw of similar size started at about $4 each. So 3rd tick for Masters.

Went looking for plastic wheels next - could not find them. My VIC Market trolley needed replacement set on the back. Could not find them at Masters - they only sold castor wheels. But when I went to Bunnings - they had a huge range of plastic/rubber wheels (which is where I bought my first replacement set) so - first tick for Bunnings.

Also was shopping for a bathroom exhaust fan - Bunnings had the Mistrel ones for $120 and I thought farrk that - is why I put it off for so long (and now getting complaints about it). But at Masters - found one SunAir brand for $18. Yeah okay - not a Mistrel - but it will do the job as far as I'm concerned. So 4th tick for Masters.

Finally, found the people generally friendlier at Masters. Might be because they are the new kid on the block and want to make a good impression - who knows. Just about every Masters employee I met or crossed in an aisle - smiled at me or said hello can I help you. For example, I was looking at some utility tool belts that cost something like $95 and leather. The Masters guy who was working that aisle came up to me and pointed out some that were on special. I ended up buying the ones that were less expensive and on sale as I'm not a tradie and so didn't feel the need to buy the tradie spec ones. How's that!

Anyone else have any thoughts on Masters and Bunnings. Masters get's my tick of approval

Bunnings has more. Masters is for mummy's.

Most new masters have a Macas attached.

And they are popping up everywhere. Opposite bunnings mostly.

I use bunnings every week. Have only visited masters once. Iv yet to compare the two yet.

I just like seeing masters pop up everywhere all of a sudden. Cracks me up. The bunnings near box hill literally has masters right next door ha

Where dafuq did masters find all this land from. Must have been a good 10 year plan from them ey

Edited December 26, 201213 yr by Ford Freak

As far as prices go. Doesn't Bunnings have a "Lowest prices guaranteed" policy. So if you see it cheaper in Masters just tell them at the check out and they'll beat it. Usually only by 5-10c but is handy to get everything you need from the one place and if you take catalogues with you they will beat everyones specials. I like to play this card at Dan Murphy's. Mmmmm Perhaps we should start a Dan Murphy's vs 1st Choice thread.

My mate works for the mob that does the slabs. There's 5+ years ahead of them already so they're going to be everywhere.

I like how they fridges and shizzle on display. Actually they have heaps more displays.

Doesn't bunnings state on there tv ads they'll beat the same advertised product by 10%? Or am I getting confused with office works..

Yeah It's Bunnings but I think it's only 10% of the difference.

I try to stay away from both of them, the timber quality is normally crap, unless I'm building something with bow's and twists in it. haha

and generally the builders hardware is not any cheaper, they are good if you want to buy a broom or a bucket

Where dafuq did masters find all this land from. Must have been a good 10 year plan from them ey

Multi Billion Dollar Conglomerate doesnt care about simple things like land cost and planning laws....

Masters have a planned 150 store rollout over the next few years and have half a Billion invested already in land around the country.

Me I prefer to go to the local little mum & pop store on the corner like Mitre 10...oh wait...

Essentially it's a another Woolworths (part owns Masters with Lowes) versus Coles (Wesfarmers owns Coles and Bunnings) - so yeah lotsa cash backing Masters