Unhelpfulness of staff at Builder's Express

I have shopped a lot at Builders Warehouse in the past. I have a Builders Warehouse card and I have shopped a lot at the Builders Express on Malibongwe Road in Robindale, Randburg.

Yesterday a frustrating incident repeated itself and gave me the impression that the frontline employees are unhelpful and are not interested in my business.

I have always in the past exchanged my gas cylinders at this Builders. This winter repeatedly I have been turned away to go to the MIAS next door. About two weeks ago I spoke to a lady manager at this Builders Express about my frustration with it. She then conceded that there was a problem with supply at one stage and she then helped me to do the exchange. Yesterday I wanted to exchange the other empty cylinder at this Builders Express. It was around 3 pm. I needed to get home before 4 pm as the loadshedding affects the security gate at home and then I cannot get inside.

I had to explain the situation to Puleng, the very lady who turned me away from Builders Express to MIAS the first time. I explained I was assisted by the manager the previous time. She did not believe me and called a certain Martin. He wasted my time wanting a long explanation, which he did not seem to understand. When I realized I was not going to make it home in time, I left the store and did the exchange at MIAS in a few minutes. For a change their cylinders were sealed. When I got to MIAS I found none other that the Martin there talking to them about my issue. This was done behind my back. He left saying he is "awaiting a call". I find this irregular and strange.

It is frustrating shopping at Builder's Express when you have to deal with people that do not seem to have the ability to really understand your problem and assist you. They find reasons not to sell to you and they frustrate you and waste your time. Some of them are unhelpful. The manager was helpful, but not the people I dealt with yesterday.

I was wondering, is Builder's express wanting my business? MIAS's price is R 20 lower than that of Builder's Express. You get assisted in minutes. There is no long arguments about what you cannot buy. The attitude of some the employees at Builder's Express make no business sense. The original cylinders I had were from Builder's Express.

I made it home just in time for loadshedding to begin and could get inside before the gate shut down.

I will think twice about shopping at this Builder's express in future. They are not interested in my business.