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Although the grammar nazi in me shouts "that should read 'locally".
Right ... To start with, I should say that I agree with this in principle. I have shopped locally for decades; in Kaikohe when I lived in the Hokianga, or in Kerikeri, or in Whangarei now that I live down here.
… View moreAlthough the grammar nazi in me shouts "that should read 'locally".
Right ... To start with, I should say that I agree with this in principle. I have shopped locally for decades; in Kaikohe when I lived in the Hokianga, or in Kerikeri, or in Whangarei now that I live down here.
BUT! There is a big, stinking problem here, and that is that in so many instances we are being - there is no other way of putting it - ripped off.
I'll give you an example: years ago I was on a dietary supplement. At my local health food store: $47 a bottle. Purchased on the internet, and airmailed from the USA: $17 per bottle, *including postage*. Nearly 3 times as much. So when I hear retailers jubilation that we customers now have to pay more GST on the goods we get overseas, and how that will help local business, I can only laugh: 15% on that 17 dollar bottle is not going to change my mind. Get real.
I can buy books in England and have them shipped that cost me 12-15 dollars landed in my letter box, and they would cost $30 if I bought them locally.
And no, not for a moment am I accepting the favourite argument that it's transport cost. The transport cost for a trade paperback book in a container would be mere cents. Somebody, be it the importers, or be it the distributors, are making a killing.
That is nothing to say about the attitude I encounter in many shops.
Used to go into the Kerikeri New World, ask at the deli counter about some exotic sausage meat - "we don't have any in, but I can have it for you by Tuesday, what is your phone number please". My experience at the Regent when asking for a product in their weekly catalogue? "We don't do that (blue cheese) here". Not apologetic, just snooty. Guess what - I am feeling inclined to take a good deal of my custom elsewhere, even if it means I have to pay for shipping.
We have a couple of hardware stores who declare they will drop their price if someone else has the product cheaper. I went to the first one, B, but they didn't have that drill press I wanted on the shelf. I went to the second one, M, they had one, but more expensive - some piffling amount like 20 or 30 dollars. I asked if they would drop the price to that of the competition. They had to ring up, found out the competition didn't have one on the shelf and refused to drop the price. So I went online at home, and got one sent up freepost from Auckland at a lower price the next day. They missed out on a $425 sale because they would not drop the price by $20. Does that make sense, business wise? I think not. Does that make sense in terms of 'happy customer'? Not At All. They blew my good-will.
Buy locally? Yes, with all my heart - I want to support local business. But you need to make an effort at service for starters, and it would help if you would not grossly overcharge us on some product lines as well. I'm actually prepared to pay 10-20% extra locally, but not 200-300%. Maybe someone should explain that to some of the local retailers.
Too often we think that picking up litter is someone else’s job - but collecting rubbish is such a simple way we can help our community, the environment and our own health and wellbeing.
This is why Resene is proud to sponsor the “Walk & Collect Weekend” on December 7 and 8. Take a … View moreToo often we think that picking up litter is someone else’s job - but collecting rubbish is such a simple way we can help our community, the environment and our own health and wellbeing.
This is why Resene is proud to sponsor the “Walk & Collect Weekend” on December 7 and 8. Take a walk over the weekend and collect a bag of rubbish in your community - it's simple but with a collective effort can make a big difference.
It's free to participate and there are prizes to be won - including a $200 Resene Gift Card! Simply head to their event page and register your interest.
A caring community is one that’s there for us in good times, and in our times of need. That’s the community Hoko and Glenda found at Diana Isaac Retirement Village in Christchurch.
“The staff are absolutely amazing,” explains Glenda. “They go out of their way to speak to you, to make … View moreA caring community is one that’s there for us in good times, and in our times of need. That’s the community Hoko and Glenda found at Diana Isaac Retirement Village in Christchurch.
“The staff are absolutely amazing,” explains Glenda. “They go out of their way to speak to you, to make sure you’re ok.”
Hoko and Glenda feel very fortunate for the support they received when Hoko experienced some health issues. It wasn’t just the village staff who provided support, the whole community rallied around them.
“When I got sick the community itself looked after me,” Hoko explains.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the staff here,” Glenda says.
Right now in the Pacific there is a life-threatening measles outbreak, and children are most at risk.
Outbreaks have been declared in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Thousands of people have been affected, and many thousands more are at risk as health authorities and medical professionals race to prevent … View moreRight now in the Pacific there is a life-threatening measles outbreak, and children are most at risk.
Outbreaks have been declared in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Thousands of people have been affected, and many thousands more are at risk as health authorities and medical professionals race to prevent the spread and impact of this disease.
Red Cross volunteers are working closely with Ministries of Health to support both response and prevention activities. Hundreds of people have already visited the mobile vaccination site at Samoa Red Cross.
You can help too. Donate to the Pacific Disaster Fund now to support this emergency response.
Bought in July 2019 for $1250 from Noel Leeming. Comes with a chrome cast attached.
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