It’s disappointing to see people complaining on social media about the increase in the cover price of the Herald Sun from $1.10 to $1.20. The cover price has gone up by 20% over something like 13 years. The minimum wage has gone up by way more than that in the same period. One guy with his own business complained about the ten cent rise this week and said it was different when he put his hourly rate up by more.
I told our regular customers leading up to the price rise (as it also impacts on their home delivery accounts), but held my signage back until the Monday the paper increased in price to avoid confusion.
I’d sort of hoped that the Herald Sun were going to inform their readers before the price rise though. As it happens, according to the customers, there was no mention of it in the newspaper until the day of the price rise, so many people were still caught unawares.
Still, the Herald Sun said that it was the first increase for 6 years. The increase was less than 10%. Overall, I don’t think it’s unreasonable.
No customers fazed here, a rise has been expected for a long time.
On a different note, “Our Girl” Lauren Jackson is carrying the flag for us at the Games this weekend, so we have the staff in our lurid yellow and green at the counter this morning selling off a few more $2 scarves – can you tell we’re in Albury !! So pleased she got chosen….
Try the Telegraph in NSW still only a dollar. At least they will put up the price in Melbourne even if it as you say it had a Disappointing response. (Though I do sell both).
A few grumbles but nothing serious. We just point out that its the first rise in our income from the Herald Sun in 6 years. A whopping 1.16 cents per paper for us (sub-agents rates) Won’t but half a coffee to get the morning going. They soon see its not an issue at all. The papers are just something we do as a service, the revenue is pitiful.
The good old tele is still a dollar in NSW yet the Hearld Sun is $1.90 on the South Coast. Can someone explain how the same publisher can publish essentially the same newspaper (same stories) at 2 different cover prices in 2 states. The Tele has been the same price for years.
Had a few gripes but not to bad. I said to one old codge, gee you must give the publican a hell of a hard time every time beer goes up…. and then another, that I feel for the attendant at the petrol station… that if you carry on like that every time petrol goes up, that they must hide from you every time you come in.
All in a bit of fun!
Probably a good reason for FWA and Assoc. to call for a general wage increase…
The only customers who complained in our store were the ones who would also complain if the price went down.
You know the type, they come in with the exact change every week to pay their account. They’re actually and genuinely aggrieved anbd affronted when you tell them the amount is different.
The have this undeserved and unrealistic sense of entitlement that nothing about their boring, mundane, safe and secure existence should ever change. And when it does they shoot the messenger,
Mark Fletcher complains about people complaining about a 20% increase in price in 13 years for the Herald Sun. Perhaps he would now like to comment on Murdoch’s 38% increase in three & a half years since July 2012 for their rag! I don’t believe the minimum wage has increased by a quarter of that in that time frame! Seems to me that they (Murdoch press)are ripping everyone off!
Paul I think the products were under priced for too long. Recent price rises indicate the publisher now thinks that is the case. Every business now faces 5% annual labour cost increases, higher freight and landlord increases. These all impact on the cost of goods. The consumer, ultimately, had ti decide if the price of an item is worth it.