Newsagents have again been dudded by the Queensland Government. Last year, it was poor supply of free light bulbs. Today, it is a coupon in the Sunday Mail which can only be redeemed at Australia Post outlets for a free CPR sign. The government should support small business ahead of a government owned monopoly.
Already had many disgruntled customers…………..
Govt has a lot to answer for.
Email to News in draft form…
i hope all my customers line up at the post office today to experience some unique AP customer service. The manager there is not the happiest person on the best of days, can only imagine what he will be like today
Not got a lot to lose.. will prolly cop something for it:
First, thanks for being the messenger re this virtual sell-out of newsagents
to Australia Post. We received the message from you, so there is no recourse available to us except to respond to its source.
It’s a pity our representatives were not asked to convey this news. I can
see why that was, however, as that would have given agents an opportunity to engage on the topic, inviting various levels of hostility, no doubt. I certainly don’t condone that kind of possible response, however it is understandable that newsagents would not appreciate such a betrayal by a major supplier. Again.
For the record, let it be noted that I consider your last-minute (EOB Friday
6.11.09) fax message regarding free pool signs contains poor justification
for the action, amounting to a cop-out and a kick in the guts. Further it’s
a cowardly action on News’ part.
Your sentence regarding Government’s decision that QNP should work with a
Government – run agency speaks volumes of your lack of loyalty to the
newsagency sector, and unwillingness to engage with anyone on the topic.
A company of your size and power could easily have resisted this arrangement, however you chose to go with it. News would also be well aware that Australia Post has been operating in a manner that is detrimental to the newsagency sector for some years now.
This is a real kick in the guts for the newsagencies – your primary customers – and small business as a whole. Thank you for further sanctioning Australia Post’s assault on newsagents Australia-wide. It is further affirmation of News’ view of its agents. And, unfortunately, the fax, and
the way it was delivered, has eroded further any faith so many agents have
in the company.
Sincerely….
Sent it this morning. Don’t care.
An extract from my letter to our State MP on the issue
Two questions come to mind from this issue…………..
Firstly, if the Queensland Government is anxious to get this new sign into as many homes as possible, then why is it making collection of the sign awkward? They could have given us the poster to distribute free with the paper rather than making an alternative address essential as well! After all, we are the agents for the Sunday Mail – not the Post Office.
Secondly, why is the Qld Govt crawling to Australia Post by giving them a free kick like this? What is the tit for tat?
Y&G, if you cop something it’s got to a positive….
I’ve explained it to the paper guys before. Newsagents can handle that type of thing better than post offices. I think their ears are painted on, lets hope their eyes aren’t and they read your letter.
Oh, they read it alright.
I think Lance summed it up the best – Why not have it in the paper in the first place?
Keep It Simple Stupid.
From what I can tell, the execution of this promotion was dumb from the outset. The poster should have been handed out at newsagencies. Blind Freddy could see that. Indeed, Blind Freddy would have said as much to the QLD government.