What follows is the text of an fax sent to all newsagents this morning:
With more than 300 electronic voucher / recharge products available today, eziPass a great offer for newsagents. Commission on many products is higher. There is no long contract to sign and no extra equipment to install. All you need is broadband in your shop and a current model thermal receipt printer.
SIGN UP NOW! Go to www.ezipass.com.au and click on retailer sign up button. Complete your details and follow the advice on the form. This is the fastest way to get eziPass running in your newsagency.
HOW YOU USE EZIPASS. For the 1,500 Tower Newsagents, eziPass is available from within the point of sale software. For non Tower newsagents you will be given free stand alone software to run on as many machines as you want. The commissions and other financial arrangements are the same for Tower and non Tower newsagents.
EXCLUSIVE ST. GEORGE BANKING DEAL AVAILABLE NOW. We have negotiated very competitive terms with St. George Bank / Bank SA for newsagents. These terms are available for the integrated point of sale solutions as well as the stand alone terminal. To establish St. George as your Eftpos banking provider please call them on 1300 137 524. Tell them you are a Tower newsagent  – this will ensure you get the negotiated rates.Â
OPTUS AND VODAFONE. We are being inundated with calls from newsagents asking when we will have Optus and Vodafone recharge on eziPass. Today, we cannot answer that question. We are working on getting Optus and Vodafone to eziPass on several fronts. The larger the eziPass network the stronger our negotiating position. The best help you can provide is to sign up today for eziPass.Â
TELSTRA. Telstra recharge products are available now through eziPass. The newsagent commission is 8%.
FREE WEBINAR – FIND OUT MORE ABOUT EZIPASS. Book now for one of our free webinars – Friday May 2 at 11am and 2pm. Each webinar will run for about  45 minutes. You will need access to a phone (for a toll free call) and broadband for your computer to see us and what we present. Book your free place by emailing bookings@towersystems.com.au.Â
EZIPASS CONTACTS: General support: 03 9524 8000 or email support@towersystems.com.au; Director: Mark Fletcher 0418 321 338 or mark@towersystems.com.au
SIGN UP NOW! Go to www.ezipass.com.au and click on retailer sign up button. Complete your details and fax the form.
This isn’t a blog – it’s a thinly-veiled trade promotion for the benefit of one man’s company.
I agree with Thomas – I do not trust Mark’s motives and therefore I treat everything he writes with suspicion.
This last “blog” is basically an ad.
John, out yourself and let’s have a debate. This hiding behind a fake name leaves you looking like someone with a chip.
Tut tut Mark. Always calling for debate (which you never have), and seeking identities of people who disagree. But you never cope well with criticism, and rather than ‘debate’, you attack the person. Can’t change your spots.
Umm, did I miss something? Doesn’t the post clearly state that what followed was a fax sent to newsagents?
So Mark publishes a post of an advertisment sent to newsagents … and somehow he’s now untrustworthy and suspicious … even though it is clearly labeled (and easily identifiable by its content) as a announcement that was sent to newsagents.
Clearly I must have missed something. Someone please enlighten me as to the problem.
Mark
I am an investor in Bill Express – I had $100k in shares when I first inherited them – I now own a fraction of that and I am of the view I should have sold a long, long time ago – now I hang on because it’s basically not worth selling them anymore.
So now you know some more about me.
What about you?
Perhaps not all the members here realise that this blog is actually owned/run by Tower Systems – the very same people who you work for and the same people who sell Ezi Pass. I suspect many of the members here didn’t actually realise that important fact.
In my view you are conflicted here – but its not a problem as long as there is disclosure.
I certainly welcome debate and I am certainly not saying that Bill Express are a wonderful company – clearly they have some issues, and given (as I understand it) Dialtime is their only profitable product line the issues are big and immediate.
Jarryd: Not all of us of members of the Mark Fletcher cheer squad. Every one of your comments on this blog seems to blindly cheer his every latest pronouncement. An ASIC search on Mark’s Tower company shows his company, that once had an application to be wound up (later dismissed). There are a number of charges applied against property (then released), no doubt all above board. There are plenty who would urge due diligence before blindly signing up for a financial services package, being repeatedly promoted on this site. Does Mark’s company have an Australian Financial Services licence, for instance? Frying pans, fires, you know the rest.
WHO KEEPS DELETING MY COMMENTS ON BILL EXPRESS????
I REPEAT IS IT TRUE THAT NANA HAS RECEIVED PAYMENTS FROM BILL EXPRESS DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS????IF SO ,WHERE HAS THIS MONEY GONE??.PLEASE DO NOT DELETWE THIS COMMENT
BEFORE SIGNING AN OFFER FROM NANA ON A GROUP ACTION WE ALL NEED TO KNOW THE ODDS OF WINNING THE CASE FROM THE SOLICITORS.THIS NEEDS TO BE IN WRITING.OTHERWISE IT WILL BECOME A BOTTOMLESS PIT!!!!!
John, no deletes comments posted here. Mark
Thomas if I could not cop criticism I would not allow your comments here. It is fair that I call for you to out yourself as I suspect once you do this your motives will be revealed.
As to your comment about your asic search on my company, good for you. the asic records are available for anyone to check up on anyone. You know who I am and can do that.
john (Bill express investor): My ownership of Tower Systems is well disclosed here.
We do not sell eziPass, we give it away to any newsagent who wants to run it regardless of the software they use. But this is not news – it is disclosed here.
Do you have an Australian Financial Services licence?
i’d like to see more company like optus withdraw from bill express after the treament they have given newsagents. this would ensure bill express failure.and its time to let us turnoff dialtime machine.
Thomas, no.
geez, can’t help myself but maybe I can help set some things straight???
First of all, I am not of a cheerleader squad of Mark nor am I the opposition.
I accidentally found this blog myself while looking through Ezipass material and I do know that this site is supported by Tower systems/Mark Fletcher.
Yes the material here can be about Mark himself blowing his own trumpet but that’s his right bcos at the end of the day, it’s his website after all.
As for me,I am just interested in facts/figures and the best way/s to fight BillExp. and if I can glean some info out of here or need to use it as a vehicle to voice concerns, I am grateful enough.
I am just disappointed though in this BillExp fiasco, there still seem to be not enough people responding to comments made etc, either bcos of lack of time or language barrier. Whatever it is, I hope everyone who is in the same boat do something in one way or another to achieve a just outcome.
John (of deleted comments and maybe of NANA comment/perhaps also BillExp investor??),
where did u hear of NANA getting paid by BillExp? Are u sure u got the name/facts right?
In an email dated 12Mar08 Bill Exp stated they have paid ANF $600k over 5yrs but no mention of NANA was made.
If you can substantiate your claim that NANA is also involved with BillExp, then you had better provide the proof NOW!!!
The latest letter dated 22nd Apr08 we received from BillExp states that they have been unable to get ANF to participate in discussions to develop workable solutions. They also said they are now seeking to enter into dialogue with “your State associations”, this I take to mean NANA and other non-ANF in other states.
Before this letter, I did hear of BillExp approaching NANA but beyond that, no details. The fact that NANA is trying to help organise a class action should speak for itself.
AGAIN I SAY IF YOU HAVE PROOF OF NANA’S INVOLVEMENT WITH BILLEXP, YOU NEED TO REVEAL THEM NOW B4 THINGS GO FURTHER.
I am sure we all know from the beginning that there are always kickback involved in a business transaction in one form or another, hence why ANF was involved in the marketing campaign to put a face/legitimate front by BillExp when presenting the scheme to the newsagents.
However what is so wrong is how it was presented, that we would never be out-of pocket or at worst breakeven.
When asked about termination of contract, the word was that it’s easy to break, no costs involved which we know by now is not true due to the varying clause being embedded into the contract minefield.BillExp have abused their right to use this varying clause to their utmost advantage and not treated their agents rightfully.
There was just no disclosure of material concerns made to the newsagents, ie termination of contract cost/possible future removal of subsidies/rebates and payments to ANF for their endorsement.
NEWSAGENTS HAVE PUT THEIR TRUST IN ANF BUT OBVIOUSLY THAT TRUST IS TOTALLY MISPLACED.
About comments being deleted as such, what could happen is this:
all I know is that if I take too long to compose a message and try to submit it using the code reflected, most times I could not send properly and did indeed lose what I wrote or thought I sent but didn’t see in the blog. So what I do is go to the “arrow back” a few times to recall what I wrote and resend using new code. I can then confirm immediately in the recent comment blog that it got through.
If not I do the above procedure again until successful, although I have to admit I did still lose a couple of messages so retype again.
John, so perhaps a really simple explanation of what really happened if you thought that your comments was deleted.
Heard a rumour that Telstra is next!! Good on Telstra… hopefully vodafone follow suit!!
Congratulations Helen you have hit the nail on the head lets all get on with this issue of being able to get out of this very unpleasant situation that has arisen between Newsagents and Bill Express.
BE has stopped trading again in ASX till next Monday. The closing share price as of yesterday is 4 cents (not worth the paper it is printed on)!!!!
Thomas,
I appreciate what I get out of Marks activities – whether it be knowledge or a direct business benefit. I don’t agree with everything Mark says.
I sometimes disagree with Marks thoughts on shop design, philanthrapy, Australia Post, magazine merchandising, etc – but I express my difference in opinion/ideas through my position in other comments and through my blog. I don’t start attacking with baseles and irrelevant criticisms.
NANA NEEDS TO GIVE A WRITTEN STATEMENT TO THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE OR HAVE NEVER RECEIVED MONEY FROM BILL EXPRESS.IF THEY DO NOT DO THIS THEN YOU DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS.I AM NOT SAYING YES OR NO,BUT UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES THIS QUESTION NEEDS TO BE ANSWERED.IF IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE ANSWERED THEN WHY NOT??????/
EVEN IF BILL EXPRESS GOES TO 0.001 CENTS IT CAN STILL TRADE
CAN YOU IMAGINE, SAY 3 ,4 ,5 FORMER EMPLOYEES OF BILL EXPRESS NOT TALKING BUT RATHER TAKING ALL THE BLAME THEMSELVES-LOYALITY??????
Gee, why doesn’t every publisher and every second person on the street have to put out a statement saying they were not paid by bill express? Nana needs to give a written statement because you accuse them of kickbacks? I think it has been quite clear that the deal was with ANF.
I enjoy learning about looking at your own business and trying new marketing ideas and products. Mark is quite clear about his involvement in lots of things. He is a busy man!
CLEM A DEAL WAS MADE WITH ANF I REPEAT A DEAL .WHY WOULD BILL EXPRESS STOP THERE?I AM NOT ACCUSING ANYONE .I REPEAT I AM NOT ACCUSING ANYONE-BUT I AM CURIOUS.ARE THERE ANY OTHER CURIOUS PEOPLE OUT THERE????
John,
With respect, your query is best put to NANA and the people who can answer you. I don’t know and judging by responses here, no one here can.
mark
john, we know the answer but obviously no one here can convince u otherwise. So if you need the answer desperately I suggest you call NANA/BillExpress/ANF up and get the answer out of the horses’ mouth. I am sure they will be willing to clear the cloud in your mind.
LETS WAIT FOR THE COURT CASE!!!
Like Helen, just found the blog looking at Ezipass site. Not interested in the name calling. But, how or what can be done about this fiasco. Does anyone know what NANA has? last letter from BE has 15 months @$495. Their not getting it without a fight. Any factual info would be great.
How can Ezipass offer financial services without a financial services licence? (These licences are compulsory not optional for those providing a financial product or service.)
Thomas eziPass is not offering financial services. But you knew that.
Mark, you are negotiating rates with St George Bank on behalf of others. That is a financial service, and you need a licence to do that. And you know that. And so now does ASIC. Newsagents need to be VERY careful.
Thomas or whatever your real name is you are ignorant of the facts.
Thomas, the way I see it, Mark negotiates these rates for his company, and then he tells people here that these rates are available for them also. He is not negotiating for the other people, and not representing the other people to the bank he is dealing with.
That is just the logical not paranoid way I see it. A bit like you might see a special on bread at the supermarket. You tell someone, but you still aren’t a bread trader.
Clem: Mark’s language is very clear: “We have negotiated these rates.”
Mark denies, if it suits him. The law sees it differently.
ASIC agrees: despite Mark’s personal insults to me on this blog. It matters not to me; his insults are cheap.
The advice is that Mark has flouting the law – and he knows it. You need a financial services licence to do what he is doing.
(When Mark is under pressure on facts, he calls for people to ‘out’ themselves, debate, or reveal. The truth is that Mark is the one lacking on doing the right thing by newsagents here.)
Mark’s quote: “We have negotiated very competitive terms with St. George Bank / Bank SA for newsagents.”
You can’t negotiate financial rates for other people unless you have a licence. No ifs or buts.
Thomas, if my call for you to identify yourself is an insult I am guilty as charged. Otherwise I have no itdea what you are on about.
I have negotiated rates. I am not offering them. That is a matter for St George as anyone who calls their toll free line will find out.
You clearly have an axe to grind with me and are doing all you can to play this game from the cover of anonymity. people will see this for what it is.
Mark, you need a licence to negotiate rates on behalf of others. It is called the L-A-W. People will see that you have no intention of complying with the L-A-W. Too smart by half, mate.
Thomas is you are so sure of your facts as to what I did and the law why not take it to the authorities. Let me know how you go.
You guys it’s totally two issues, the current pressing issue is dealing with BXP, court or otherwise
As for Mark’s ad for his deal well it’s his blog isn’t it?
I think newsagents after BXP will exercise their due dilligence in dealing with phone rechargers now… so no need to worry there 😉
Just a clarification – John the investor (me) is a different guy from the other one who has a penchant for using caps.
To his credit Mark has demonstrated he is prepared to publish criticism of himself on this blog so he has earnt some of my respect for that.
I will be interested to see what Bill Express have to say on Monday – they may have patched things up with Optus.
John,
A take away from today is that the ground is shifting fast.
Newsagents were told to expect a major announcement today on an alternative. It did not eventuate. Some were also told that Bill Express had lost Telstra. It has been confirmed as being untrue. Some were told earlier this week that Vodafone would ditch Bill Express. This has not happened.
You are right to remind people that the relationship with Optus could be resolved.
That said, I expect next week to be as active on this topic as this week.
Mark
no matter what BXP says, they are actually providing a service at very little cost and actually does not have much value.
Ie, before BXP we have a lady here to peddle physical phone cards, those did well if you can sell to customers ‘lower price for international calls’
BXP came, installed a bunch of devices which consume MY electricity and MY space and they charge at rates Greater than the margin I used to get from physical cards.
Their software is nothing special, as demonstrated by Mark, any software house with sufficient talented programmer can do it.
Added to this is their questionable contract and now the bait-switch tactics.
On purely financial ground those people do not deserve to use my shop as a front for their business
Jk,
You and I signed contracts with them. We believed their pitch and the pitch and the strong endorsement by the ANF in 2003. That said, no one forced me to sign the contract. I had misgivings but still signed it as I thought due diligence had been done.
Mark
Now the contracts needs to be contested in court, and no contract should be given a free pass if its questionable ie misleading
I will be very interested in seeing the summoned BXP employee and sales staff reactions on hearing.
I know a few former BXP staff and they are not happy with the situation and being bombarded with calls from angry newsagents
There’s also the issue with many Sydney newsagents who has a shaky grasp of English and the hard-sale tactics used by BXP
ie. ‘no out of pocket expense’
Is it true Bill Express owe Optus 100million and are struggling to pay?? I truly do wonder how much longer they can trade
Mark, I don’t need to take your financial touting to the authorities. They are already monitoring your shaky conduct. Let me know how you go.
Thomas T.
I think it it can be fairly said that St. George Bank is a reputable company. I would also think the Telco Distributer that Mark is dealing with is also a reputable company given their list of Companies they supply to. I would think that one if not both of them would know what is required by L-A-W before they even commenced dealings with Mark’s company.
Thomas T,
You have no idea of the processes gone through, the legal advice received and the advice being provided those who inquire about the ST George relationship.
Your comments here are enough to demonstrate that your mission is not as you would have us seem for if you were wanting us to trust you and believe that your motives are pure you would be public about who you are.
As for your comments about me being monitored – I don’t jump at shadows, do you?
Mark
Stamp your little feet, and throw your handbag at me, Mark. You often dismiss the views of others, as if you are the only one in the universe who has done their homework. The question is how can we trust YOU, when you have little regard for your legal obligations. It matters not who I am (Thomas Michael John Thompson of Sydney), but the way you conduct business. YOU are the one touting for us to join you.
Thomas,
I am not touting for you or anyone to join me. Newsagents wanted an alternative to Dialtime. I funded the development of a platform through which this could be achieved.
My credentials with newsagents have been established over 27 years. 1,500 newsagents using the Tower Systems software demonstrates trust.
As for your name, I don’t believe you. For all I know you could be a Tower competitor, or player i the recharge space or someone who has a personal axe to grind with me.
Your puerile contributions here add little to the issues at hand for newsagents.
Mark
Thomas T,
couldn’t agree with Mark more on this matter , it’s high time to stop this unnecessary ranting. It’s become more of a personal attack rather.
You have made your point, we who have read them will go away and decide for ourselves whether we want to take Ezipass or the St George eftpos deal.
I have rung St George as well as other banks myself to check on their eftpos/telephony deals.
Details are pretty much similar with standard terms and conditions for termination, the only difference being the charges obviously.
Again on this score as per my questioning to the St Geo rep, there is no absolute guarantee that negotiated rates will stay the same throughout the 3yr contract. This is the same scenario for the others as well, there’s always a varying clause built into the contract.
However what’s different compared with BillExp is that we know exactly what we need to pay should we want to opt out b4 contract expiry date, and that’s definitely not the full charge remaining on the term of contract!
I see BXP as an opportunity, as after BXP we as a group of newsagents can collectively bargain with the banks for a better EFTPOS deal. High time for this too
What, you think the Shell and BP chains pay the same percentages as little business owners? 🙂
Thomas T has lost all his respect by lowering the debate on billexpress to personal attacks on Mark, I was reading with interest his comments but as he strayed from the issue into ranting he looks the fool not Mark, I agree with helen, cut your loses Thomas and leave this battle alone for now you are losing more support then you are gaining
Im not in the newsagency game as you can see from my website, i do howevver have friends and family involved, hence i follow with intrest.
Thomas T, in my opinion your a fool. May i ask what your business with newsagencies is? are you an owner, employee or investor or are you just here to stir shit?
I have looked over the St George rates and they look like a good deal.
Thomas an AFSL is only required when the party is offering the product or taking a commission in the procedes, neither of which i can gather from Marks Disclosure.
And as for this being an ad for tower/ezipass, whats wrong with that. This is 2008. The internet is the go to place. I have a blog that advertises for me, its successful. If you want go to blogger.com and get your own, you can make it on whatever you like!!
Dan