Company Store

Prasanna Vijayaragavan

5 months ago

I visited 4WD Supacentre Ravenhall to purchase recovery gear for my Subaru Forester before an upcoming trip to Lerderderg State Park. I chose to visit the store specifically to get expert advice rather than simply ordering online. Unfortunately the experience was extremely disappointing. One staff member questioned whether I was planning to “wreck my car” by taking it to Lerderderg and suggested that recovery gear was unnecessary. The tone was dismissive and came across as belittling simply because I drive a Subaru Forester rather than a large 4WD. This attitude was particularly surprising given that Lerderderg has a wide range of tracks, including many that are suitable for AWD vehicles like a Forester. Customers should not be discouraged or made to feel inadequate because of the vehicle they drive or their budget. I then asked for advice about connecting a three-way tyre inflator to my existing inflator and was told that it would work. After leaving the store and testing it, I discovered this advice was incorrect – the product only works with an air compressor. When I returned to explain the issue, I was told that a refund was not possible and that only store credit could be offered. The response felt abrupt and dismissive despite the fact that the purchase was made based on the advice provided in store. I went to the store expecting knowledgeable guidance to prepare responsibly for an off-road trip. Instead, the experience left me feeling discouraged and misinformed. I have contacted customer support at 4WD Supacentre and hope this situation is properly reviewed, particularly regarding how customers are spoken to and the accuracy of product advice provided in store.