Last year when newsagents were encouraged to order Darrell Lea Dad’s Bags for sale in the lead up to Father’s Day this year they were told Australia Post would have the products including in corporate stores. What they were not told is that Australia Post would promote the Dad’s Bags on the front cover of their August catalogue.
I am certain there are newsagents will be shocked to discover the government is competing with them for what is an important retail season.
Why is this government protected post office monopoly selling Darrell Lea confectionery products including the Dad’s Bags? These are post shops. They should be selling stamps and packaging specifically for posting. That’s what they exist for. Darrell Lea products are outside the scope of what is allowed in the Act under which Australia Post operates in my view.
Every Dad’s Bag sold in a government owned post office is one less sale for a nearby small business newsagent. It would also be one more attack on small business by politicians of all sides who prefer to protect Australia Post than deliver on their claimed support for small business and competition.
Shame of Darrell Lea for dealing with the government owned monopoly. Shame on every politician who supports Australia Post competing with newsagents and other retailers through their corporate stores.
I’d like to see Australia Post corporate stores more tightly controlled in what they can sell – no cards, gifts, picnic sets, sewing machines, books, stationery or Darrell Lea
Bloody glad I ignored Darrell Lea Father’s Day Bags as I thought something like this would or may happen. No doubt they will go on special 1 or 2 weeks before Fathers Day at a price that will be below what I would have paid a bag should I have brought any.
I will email my MP asking the question. This will bring to the forefront a question hopefully in each politicians mind.(Do they have a mind or is it just a party machine) I dont deal in Darrel Lea but do deal in other stuff.
Correct me if I am wrong but is Darrell Lea not a stock item at GNS now?
I understand the approach by the new owners and that is to get the product out there through as many channels as possible. I think there is something of wanting to cash in on the brand that has been through some tough times but which consumers now find is available from more channels than before. I can understand their belief i that approach but feel that it takes the shine of the Darrell Lea name and makes the product more a Cadbury or a Nestle type item. Perhaps their strategy in these first few years but I think the wrong one in the longer term.
why do we worry about confectionery that isn’t were our expertise should be.For the record if any of us owned Darrell Lea would we be upset if Aust post or any store for that matter stocked our products-doubt it
I have just received an email from Brisk Books where they are selling dads bags from Dolci Doro at $13.50 each with RRP of 20.00 (contents value 26.5), buy in lots of 12. This is interesting and I mat go for it.
Off topic I know, however is anyone aware of Post Offices charging for a Justice of the Peace signature for certification or witnessing? I am told our local Corporate Aus Post store charges $5 per signature. I’m a JP and was under the impression that it is illegal to charge for this service and I’m sure that is pointed out in the JP handbook. Perhaps there is a loophole just for Aust Post?
While I disagree that Aust Post is operating outside the Act, the corporation has become an abomination of its original intention.
It should be forced by politicians to curb its extra-curricular retail activities outside the provision of postal services. This downsizing should include a more to smaller format non-retail focused stores, a commitment to not engage in large scale marketing campaigns outside of those related to postal products and services and a minimisation of product ranging that competes directly with pre-existing retailers.
Such a move should be coupled with a transition to fewer fully fledged Aust Post store-fronts and the introduction of more self-service kiosks, pickup lockers and other small-footprint services.
Angelo, its not for a JP certification its for ones that a Postal Manager can certify. As a postal manager I certify a lot of true copies etc, and it can be time consuming, hence why Aust Post have a charge for it. That said, I personally don’t charge as I feel its a service to the community, but don’t tell my area manager or I’d be in the sh*t
Vicki I’m told it is $5 per signature. Is that right?
I am going to give these bags from Brisk Books a go this year (as well as the Darrell Lea ones) – better margin, better chocolate, just not sure how they will sell to the die-hard Darrell Lea Dad’s Bag buyers.
Hopefully the DD dad’s bags don’t go into Big W as that would affect our sales. If our local PO has them they will be just stuck in a dump bin with all the other trash they sell so hardly a threat.
It was less than that Angelo from memory. I *think* about $3.50 though they may have hiked the price.
I simply don’t do them as if I did I’d spend half my day doing them and get nothing else done.
The LPO next door did charge $5 per certification but has since changed hands so not sure if they still offer this service. My wife is a JP but we insist that people just can not pop in with a heap of paper work to certify. They must make an appointment on a day and time that suits her, if they are not prepared to do this there are several other JPs in town, if they can get hold of them.
I am glad certain post offices sell Darrell Lea. I live in Metung, Vic and was so pleased to be able to purchase my fav chocolate there.
May I add that Darrell Lea is one of the few industries that is Australian owned. We should support them…. even at a post office. Are there not bigger issues in parliament to worry about!!!
Where do you buy your Darrell Lea from?
what lines are the best and worst sellers?
I don’t Daniel, not since they went to the majors.