Newsagents are about to receive a letter reminding them about the importance of the accuracy of returns claims. Network Services has increased the number of newsagent returns being audited. This has resulted in some breach notices being issued and several newsagents having their contracts terminated.
Based on my recent experience on behalf of another newsagent, I am concerned that the Network process for resolving a dispute about a returns discrepancy is not structured fairly. There are various reasons there could be a discrepancy and newsagents need certainty that all of these have been fully considered before any breach notice is issued.
I wish that Network would apply the same vigilance to the supply side of the magazine transaction. Too many non ACP titles are supplied at quantities not justified by sales data. I consider this breach to be as serious as a breach by a newsagent in over claiming on returns. Unfortunately, Network appears to not see it that way. A higher sell through as a result of a more accurate scale out model would result in fewer returns and therefore fewer problems with returns discrepancies.
Having said all that, fraud cannot be tolerated so if newsagents deliberately make false returns claims they can suffer the consequences.
i can honestly say i have never tried to get any extra returns but yet just about every month they try to pull a swifty and say i am doing an over claim so no credit given so then the paper trail begins and i have to prove myself to the supplier . i have never had any dramas with GG only with network and NDD . Every time i have had to prove myself i have been correct but it is just a shame i have to wste my time looking at invoices and old return forms
Your right; deliberate fraud is unacceptable, however people do make errors because we are human beings. and the reasons as you said can be various.
As Shaun indicated it was up to him to prove he was “innocent” that would irk me know end but what other course of action can you do to receive the correct credits.
The question is how do you distinguish straight out fraud and say a typo?
On that subject, I have only 4 years with Magazines, how long has Cleo been returned as a TOPS ONLY, my latest returns form has Cleo as a FULL RETURN, how many newsagents will be caught out by this as many do preparation for returns before they see the returns form. My hope is Network in this instance overlook the Newsagents who return TOPS.
Once again we are at the short end of the stick. If they are wrong, nothing, if we are wrong we are ‘fined’. How is that building on a business relationship?
As a new newsagent, I have come to realise that Magazine companies have a lot to answer for, particularly Network. Not having done a return before, I had to guess how to do the first one. Needless to say, I received a very abrupt and very rudely worded letter making all sorts of threats about stopping supply etc, if overclaims happened again. (the amount was approx $50). Network were not interested in the fact that some returns were not credited at all. I was told “thats not my dept, its my job to make you pay your bill, thats all” Repeated phone calls for assistance go unanswered for 40 minutes at a time, emails are ignored, when I finally do get a human on the line I am told “there must be something wrong with your software” Returns submitted on the 20th May were credited on the 3rd July, 6 weeks later. My last return submitted on 15th July contained approx $1500 worth of credits, Network have acknowledged $50 worth of returns. Again, I cannot get anyone to answer the phone, let alone fix a problem. I can see the July invoice once again being a lot higher than it should be. In the 3 months since I started, I’m sure I have paid Network a heck of a lot more than the value of the Magazines that have actually been sold.
THAT IS NETWORK AT ITS BEST ,TRYING TO RIP OFF THE AGENT .JUST KEEP ON THERE BACK SHAYNE . MY ACCOUNT GOT STOPPED AFTER THE FIRST MONTH OF TRADE BECAUSE SOME CLOWN IN THERE OFFICE LOST THE CHEQUE AND THEN IT TURNED UP 2 DAYS LATER BUT IT STILL TOOK A FULL WEEK FOR ME TO START GETTING MAGS AGAIN
has anyone noticed that this month we have a week 31 week 32 week 33 and a week 35 to send back for NETWORK services .. . i asked if i could put off from sending the first lot of returns and send 2 lots at once to save money on frieght they said no it has to be there on time . my question is why do they have to be there so early when the returns don’t come through till the end of the month and besides that they do not look at every return box they have our edi file to go through . maybe i am just a winger but i get pissed off when they run my business and i have all these mags sitting there doing bugger all .
i have just received an audit notice from the clowns at network and apparently i have over claims ,i scan every item i send back so how can i prove that i am right and they are wrong ? has anyone had to deal with this yet ? it is a bit hard to prove anything on my end when they have the final say because they have the phyisical returns
Shaun,
They will have to have kept the returns should you wish to challenge their check. Might be worth taking up this option to keep them honest. If they do not provide you with this option, I’m certain they cannot then debit your account.
With Network, there is no proving anything in your own favour. AND they will take your payment in full, thank you very much, OR ELSE your supplies will stop (we had this very warning!).
It’s a case of just suck it up for me.
The way in which returns are treated is appalling. I would encourage anyone who is interested to visit the warehouse in Victoria and see for themselves what really happens.
More often than not, bundles and cartons containing returns are carelessly thrown onto pallets which are then left outside exposed to the elements. There is no real designated area for stock returns and the site is typically littered with pallets of returned stock.
After seeing first hand the way in which stock returns are treated, I find it difficult to understand how the practice of physically checking returns could ever be completed in the first place… let alone with any kind of accuracy.
Shaun
The best way to pay them is via bpay. Pay it on the last hour of the last day, I do as a matter of principle.
I’m sure they post out their nasty little threatening letters even before the 20th of the month. They get mine on the 30th, minus the wholesale price of certain over-supplied/unwanted publications. They can wait longer for that.
Some crowds are just thieves & donkey handlers.
Funny how the Network account is later and later during this time of year. By delaying the statement Network must be banking on the fact that we all have too much to do to check returns and pay on time.
Speaking of returns the dump that followmont has in Brisbane is not much better. Yes they have the seperate pallet for Network, Gotch and NDD but have they can accurately check audits is a mystery. Was also told there that if you use a certain transport company to deliver returns you will get audited anyway.
I am happy to get audited i don;t really care about it but if it is out i want the oportunity to explain before getting one of those letters .I emailed them requesting they get sent back to me at there cost so i can do my own audit .Wishfull thinking