The flooding in Queensland is the only story in Australia today. Plenty of customers visiting newsagencies have comments, others are interested in updates. It’s at times like this that having live in-store radio playing works well. We are kept up to date with news on the developing situation and receive information relevant to newsagents.
Our town is in the middle of the floods – you can’t drive far north south or west without being stopped because of flooded roads. We are very lucky to be in this situation.
The worst that is happening to us is shortages because of the lack of trucks coming into town. Bread and Milk is being rationed…
However, I would like to mention how rude the customers have been. I have been abused several times because we have run out of items. Apparently its my fault that the trucks aren’t getting through with the stock.
I hope that people in this town will remember how fortunate we are and realise that what is happening to us is not a crisis but simply an inconvenience. The crisis is happening in most other towns in Queensland.
Sarah
newsXpress Kin Kora
perhaps take a big breath in and be cognizant of the fact that many people are now dead or missing during this tragedy – running out of stock or rude customers is small cheese in comparison.
one of the best stories i have heard on the news today was that the people on the front page of the Australian have been found and all survived , i even called the wife up to tell her and she had to let all the customers know about it
good luck sarah, and all the queensland newsagents……
No magazines were delivered today to any agent in Qld regardless of location. I wonder about our industry when I see the coffee shop unpacking his fresh produce, the grog shop unboxing their goods and the florist receiving their stores as well. Customers will be cranky, perhaps they have a right to be.
Sarah, it is EXACTLY the same here in Hervey Bay i could have written what you have to the letter. Yesterday bought out a rude and obnoxious side to people and i can only hope they go home and reflect on what is happening in the rest of the state.
people must understand there is more to life than #$%^^ magazines . how can you winge that you didn’t get magazines when there are lives getting lost all over the place .
Shaun,
I have friends I still have not heard from in the lockyer valley, I care about them. It does not however stop me, on this forum, asking valid questions about the industry.
so you must understand that the same truck drivers that deliver your mags also have familys in these areas . i know i would opp to be at home with my family than go to work . home and family first
I am not unsympathetic, far from it, just curious as to why our stock cannot be delivered when all others managed to deliver theirs.
all depends i suppose where there whrhouses are (grog shop) i know the bottleshop next door is still getting all orders but they are comeing from wharehouses in townsville but eventually stock will have to run out . As far as i know magazines are not held in any other wharehouses except in brisbane but i may be wrong
I closed early yesterday and didn’t only opened for two hours today.
Actually, there’s a story behind that…
My shop is in the Western suburbs of Brisbane and will remain high and dry throughout so theres no issue there. I may be cut off from it due to where I live and where alot of the flooding will occur however one of my staff members lives in one of the flood effected areas and was evacuated from her home at 4:30am this morning. They are expecting the lower level of her home to flood today butI got a phone call from her this morning saying “Stay safe at home and I’ll go and check the shop and open for a few hours with my husband as we have nothing else to do” (both are ex newsagents. She has just called me to tell me theyre closing after a busy couple of hours as it appears the server computer has blown up after a power surge.
Personally I’m very proud and fell very lucky to have staff like this. Also worth noting that we’ve had no complaints from any customers so far just people voicing concern that the business will be OK and that I and my family are OK at home. Some of these people will have property of their own in danger so not all people are acting like selfish p#$#ksin the current situation.
Brett,
As Shaun points out it all depends where warehouses are located. It will also depend on who controlls the transport. If a warehouse owns its own transport (or has a contact with a transport company that allows a great deal of flexibility) then they will often re-route their trucks around the flood. Why this didn’t happen with magazines I have no idea. If the warehouse was cut off then they should have made arrangements to move as much stock as possible to a backup location when they received advance warning.
Really galling when Wollies is selling the mags that could not be delivered
Paul S,
Chain that staff member down and never let them leave !
I wish I had staff like that.
Very valuable
Brett what part of QLD are you in . i would be definantly questioning why woolies have theres and you have none
North Brisbane