I’ve been negotiating with a major radio station to place a series of commercials in the lead up to launching my newsagency under a new brand. While the cost is high for my type of shop, it’s necessary to get the brand name out in the ether. Listening to the same station today to get a feel for their format I heard an ad for “Post” – promoting Lexmark printers and some stationery deal as well. Their campaign is slicker than I can afford. The deal they have for Lexmark product is better than I can negotiate. The rate they pay for advertising is better (I bet) than I could negotiate. Why? Because of their size. They are the size they are because they are the Post Office and because they have the mail monopoly at the heart of their operation – it’s the life support which keeps them going.
Whereas a business like mine has to survive on its own, the Post Office directly opposite my shop has the mail river of gold keeping it afloat and delivering customers to the mail counter and past their shelves of cards, printers and stationery.
I wish I had access to such an exclusive river of customers.
That my government is in competition with me makes me angry. That the government cannot see the damage this does to their credibility among small business owners is appalling.
The Australian government should sell off each of its government owned retail Post outlets – not to a chain, but individually.