Local community groups expect local retailers to support them but, too often, their members to not support the local businesses.
One newsagent I spoke with recently told the story of the local community group president who was aggressive in seeking financial support for their group but when asked about stationery and other suppliers for the group they said they bought from Officeworks because it was cheaper.
A price comparison showed Officeworks is not cheaper.
The newsagent declined to support the group as the years of support of the group has resulted in ignorant disrespect of the newsagency.
This is not an uncommon story – local groups expecting newsagents to support them without any commercial support for the support of the group.
these community groups need to understand we are businesses. We are asked daily to support this or that group or event or fundraiser. We can only support is we are supported. This is what being part of a local economy is all about. It is frustrating when fundraisers and local groups do not get this, when they ignorantly expect your help with no surety that they will help you fund them.
My opinion we newsagents should not support local community groups unless the support is reciprocated.
I support community groups all the time.
I give them my business branded gift certificates in five dollar denominations that can only be redeemed in my store. I have found that they will often use them as door prizes and that usually results in 10 new customers coming in for an outlay of $50.
I also request that I get an acknowledgement in there newsletter.
I think supporting community groups is smart business.
I generally have a good relationship with most local groups that ask for support for a cause though you are right to mention this as it is important. There are always the small groups wanting a small donation of something for their local group like the ladies annual golf game.
Stretching this idea further is that of local businesses seeking your business yet shopping somewhere else. In my case the local radio station has been pushing me to advertise with them at the rate of $660 per month. When I had a visit by the station sales manager and his rep trying to sell me their wares I asked them where they buy their stationery from and was met with a blank stare and some fumbled response mentioning we don’t look after those sorts of things. Even after showing how much cheaper we are than their current supplier they would prefer to spend their money out of town. Needless to say they have stopped the push for advertising with me but it makes you wonder why it has to be this way.