Check out the magazines I saw available for $2 each out the front of a business branding itself as a newsagent ten days ago. Click on the image to see the detail.
These are magazines that should have been returned. My suspicion is that they are from a retailer not required to physically return stock in order to claim return credits. I am told that some major supermarkets are not required to return some magazine stock.
A staff member could process the returns and then remove (steal) the stock from the business for (illegal) on-sale rather than trashing it as would be required.
Too many publishers are represented on this table for the supply of these titles to have been arranged through them. The price of $2 is too low and they would not want their brands treated in this way. This looks like stolen property to me.
None of the magazines has a price sticker or barcode label from the retailer, not even any residue of such labels. This suggests that the stock is from a retailer who would not price or label their stock.
The only way this promotion makes sense is that the magazines are stolen as described above. The retailer offering the stock today would have to know this given that they carry full price magazines inside their shop and would therefore understand the supply chain for magazine product.
I hope that magazine distributors run spot audits of retailers permitted to claim returns without actually returning the stock. Given what I have seen recently and earlier this year I have my doubts.
Footnote – this business is not a newsagency business. It is a convenience store with the shingle newsagent above the door. The business does not have direct supply of magazines.
I have heard of this happening in Wagga Wagga about 100m kms from me. Will keep eyes open and check it out next time I am in Wagga Wagga.
some are even still in bags so it seems very odd , could even be one of the uadit members grabbing them while doing the audit and looking for a little side cash
This is also very common at cheapie markets in Vic.Laverton trash and treasure has had someone selling current titles including weeklies for a very long ti,e.It has been reported but still continues.
This morning one of our convenience store subagents came wanting to increase his supply of magazines because he cant get his alternative supply from Melbourne – we are in QLD. We had questioned the suppliers before about this but no outcome. Maybe the same place this con. store got his mags.
Mark, it may also be that these are from the special deals provided to the personal care industry (hair care etc.), who are offered deals to get stocks of current magazines at ultra cheap rates, supposedly to give to clients. Whilst I am sure most participants would honour the deal, I wonder if some dont?
Should have asked them where they get them from
Simple fix everybody has to return tops or fulls just like we and im sure you all do
One of our bigger subagents puts his returns out near his back door for us to collect at around 5am . Last week they were stolen. This could be a gang working. But according to the comments above it it seems the most secure way is for all returns to be topped. This process of requiring full returns is wasteful and risky. Another case of Network being blind to reality and having their heads up their you know whatsits.
Ricky
How did the distributors react to this are they going to accept the returns without any physical evidence or are they making you wear it.
Steve, I didn’t even consider going back to the distributor. Based on the attitude the show on everything else it was beyond my imagination that they would even consider being helpful. At this stage we are working with the subagent’s insurance co.
Mark,
Just seen the same think outside a newsagent in a nearby regional town. I did a double take then realise what the sign said. Old mags $2 each or 4 for $6. On closer inspection the titles they where bonus mags from recently returned titles.
Is this koscher?