The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

Hi there,

I'm wondering what the quality of goods are like from these places. Is there something you can compare it to in the UK? For example, clothes from these places...are they better or worse than Primark for example?

The reason I ask is that I want to buy a cheap bike. Not for serious cycling or commuting. Just for leisurely rides every now and again, which is why I don't want to spend serious money. Bikes at The Warehouse and K-Mart or so cheap, but I'm wondering if the thing will fall to bits a month after buying it.

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

If you're much of 70kgs almost defintely.

I reckon you'll get more longevity and value out of a $500 bike from a specialist bike retailer or outdoor sports shop than you will from a >$100 bike from one of these places

I say value because if the thing doesn't fall apart every 5 minutes you're more likely to stick to you plan of riding for recreation, rather than scrapping the idea because the bike is so crap it's not worth the palaver.

Think about the cost of repairs and the intangible downsides of delays and you trying to fix the problems.

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

being a lover of both of these shops I can give you my view

Kmart
Cheaper than the warehouse for household goods and clothes. Clothes I wouldnt say are any better than primark. The household items are very good for the price.Kids toys also very good.

Warehouse
Again clothes are not better than Primark. I find both brands shrink in the wash.Toys very good but household items have broken a few times. good gardening tools. not broken yet and im on year 2.

In regards to bikes the warehouse does have some suprisinging good makes of bikes but i would go to a bike specaliset like Bike barn and spend the money as mentioned above. They have a great 1/2 sale on at the mo so you could get a resonable bike for $250-$400.

hope this helps

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

Have a look around the auction sales.;)

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

"The Warehouse, Where everything you buy is broken."

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

I shop for clothes in Warehouse and K-Mart with decent success. Quality wise I would say on par with Primark. K-Mart is good for home stuff and kids toys.

As for a bike I'm not so sure! I would probably have a look for a decent second hand one on TradeMe. Look for a good second hand brand rather than a new not so good brand. I've got a feeling the bikes in Warehouse and K-Mart will not last very long. They may look decent but the frames and parts are cheap and poorly constructed meaning the bike will not hold up long term. The likelihood is the bike be uncomfortable after cycling for a short period of time.

Good luck!

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

Do your research on bikes. Bikeradar is an amazing forum and I think there is an Oz section. The brands are different here than the UK so it's hard to get your head around. I picked up the malvern star in auckland for around 500 I think and it kept me going until my bikes from the UK were shipped over:
Budget mountain bikes - our pick of Australia's best - BikeRadar

Vorb is another good bike forum so you could ask there - might even find someone selling an old bike. Be careful with 2nd hand bikes - bargains to be had but also duffers with parts well worn.

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

There's a big difference in cycling experience between a cheap bike and a good quality one. When I first started cycling I bought a very cheap bike which was difficult to ride. After some months I visited a specialist bike shop where the guy let me try out a couple of bikes which were far superior in experience and yet not too badly priced. If on a budget I would buy a second hand quality bike over a cheap one.

Don't forget, helmets are compulsory here.

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

I wouldn't even think of buying a bike or owt like that from Warehouse or K-Mart etc. I bought a battery charger for my car when suffering battery problems and it only took four charges for the wires to break. Repco it was then and have had no issues with the new one (although the cause of the battery fault has been identified)

However

They do, do some fabulous bargains. I bought a plain purple shirt from the warehouse for a dollar 2 years ago. It's still in excellent condition after many washes, many tumble dries and plenty of usage. We tend to get clothes from Warehouse or K-Mart if Farmers, Just Jeans, Cotton On or Glassons don't have offers on. In terms of general house stuff, we go to Briscoes or Farmers as 99% of the time, there'll be a sale on.

I wouldn't put them in the bracket of Primark. I'd say they're more a Matalan style shop.

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

Ha, ha. The place that had the cheek to make you pay £1 to sign up as a member.

I had completely forgotten about them!

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

What Tommy said. I am slightly biased, being a regular commuter cyclist, but you are far, far better off paying a little more for a lot more in terms of quality, comfort and safety. Plus bike shops will often give you deals on maintenence and gear if you ask when you buy from them. And they can fit the bike for you. This is important! You cannot ride a bike that is set up badly without it being a. uncomfortable and b. risking cumulative injury

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

:rofl: Yup, bought an office chair there and it managed to last a year! Definitely wouldn't buy a bike there.

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

K mart - where things are cheap and gaudy

Warehouse - where things just keep getting worse

Re: The Warehouse and K-Mart
 

The warehouse is good for plates kitchen wear ect. Kids toys.
Clothes are prob uk market quality or worse.

I wouldn't buy bikes ect from there


Get a good quality second hand bike. My husband got one for 80bucks and in great condition. Not from warehouse lol