Retail woes

With retailers recently voicing their woes in the media and certain individuals trying to curb overseas imports giving unfair advantage, you can feel sorry for them but at the same time wonder whether some of the blame is not their own.

It would be difficult to beat Myers or DJs with the quality and display of their merchandise. On the other hand I went the other day to try and buy a new suit and wasn’t buying to a budget. I walked out without making a purchase since I couldn’t find anyone to help me. This is the third time for Myers.

On Saturday I went to Harvey Norman at Auburn to but a table setting and couch for the kids’ room and my wife said she needed a new TV in the lounge. Having found what we wanted, we tried to say that we just wanted to check the dimensions for the TV screen table so asked if they could book it up and I would phone in and say go ahead and deliver. Not possible. I was told that customers have to come back and physically sign the invoice. I was told a number of different stories about how this was for security of customers etc., none of which made any sense since I can buy anything on line if money is in my account. I was not driving back from Wahroonga to Auburn so went elsewhere for my complete order.

So while I might feel sorry for Messrs Myer and Harvey Norman on the one hand, on the other they should read my book, Make it easy for people to give you money.

Peter Nelson