The Australian Newsagents’ Federation has announced today that it will not renew its relationship with Bill Express. While they announced this some weeks ago, Bill Express had another crack at a relationship. This was rejected. Newsagents will applaud them for this.
Here’s part of what the ANF said to member newsagents today:
Bill Express has recently approached the ANF with fresh proposals for our two organisations to continue working together past the termination date of the present channel agreement which ends on 31 May 2008. Over the last several weeks the ANF has been in discussions with Bill Express and has been evaluating those proposals. The ANF has concluded that those proposals do not merit a continuing relationship beyond the present arrangements.
Hundreds of newsagents are trying to quit their contracts with Bill Express – all because Bill Express removed a long standing financial subsidy paid to newsagents which, for most, was the difference between loss and break even.
Bill Express is so swamped by newsagents wanting to quit that they are not responding to newsagent request to terminate their agreements.
Today’s announcement by the ANF is a material change to Bill Express’ circumstances and I’d expect an ASX announcement to follow.
And what is ANF doing to help the newsagents, and why did ANF allow it to go this bad?
Walking away doesn’t sound like it helps any newsagent. The newsagents got on board because of their trust in the ANF didn’t they?
I hope you have a story real soon about what ANF are doing in a positive light. Walking away, big deal. Get something done for the poor old newsagent.
Newsagents will not trust any deals that the ANF come up with in the future. Best the ANF uses their kickback money for their members. Don’t just walk away and leave the newsagents in high stress.
Unbelievable, absolute rubbish.
Clem, The ANF Board which approved this relationship early in 2003 is where I would be focusing my attention. The decisions of that Board have controlled what the current ANF Board and executive team can and cannot do about this. Mark
Newsagents should stop using Bill Express. Turn the machin off. It is the only way they will learn.
we have definitely scaled down the phone recharge business to the point of just achieving the dialtime rebate of $85 to offset the mthly charge at the moment and selling alternatives.
we are looking into the ezipass deal now.