Post by: Jen_Sprogs_n_Him on November 05, 2014, 11:25:18 PM
I challenge every forum member to buy 3 Dick Smith Products, and post the evidence here!
Our mate Dicky is in trouble, and it would be an enormous loss for this country for this company to fold..
If your local store doesn't stock it, tell them to place an order immediately!
There is also a FB Page called I Bought A Dickies if you care to like it..
Xxxx
Post by: Bird on November 06, 2014, 11:18:23 AM
Post by: Marschy on November 06, 2014, 11:42:30 AM
I know there is always some debate on buying Australian made campers versus cheaper imports. And I know that not everyone is in a position to be able to afford a good quality Aussie rig, but this is something I know we can all do to support Australian made.Your kidding right? Buy a Dick Smith product that is probably sourced from China that I can probably order directly from China myself for a lot less. Sorry I'm not in the habit of throwing my money away.
I challenge every forum member to buy 3 Dick Smith Products, and post the evidence here!
Our mate Dicky is in trouble, and it would be an enormous loss for this country for this company to fold..
If your local store doesn't stock it, tell them to place an order immediately!
There is also a FB Page called I Bought A Dickies if you care to like it..
Xxxx
Post by: paul.o on November 06, 2014, 11:45:21 AM
Post by: DannyG on November 06, 2014, 11:53:11 AM
I like Dick Cheese, but cant find it anymore...
We had heard that................ ;D
Post by: Bird on November 06, 2014, 11:59:00 AM
We had heard that................ ;D
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3039/2810855456_b96b9316e5.jpg)
not
(http://home.comcast.net/~steve.savino/cheese.jpg)
Post by: DannyG on November 06, 2014, 12:06:19 PM
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3039/2810855456_b96b9316e5.jpg)
not
(http://home.comcast.net/~steve.savino/cheese.jpg)
Oh Ok I must have misunderstood ;)
Post by: Bird on November 06, 2014, 12:12:48 PM
Oh Ok I must have misunderstood ;)love his cereal and tomato sauce though
http://www.dicksmithfoods.com.au/product-range (http://www.dicksmithfoods.com.au/product-range)
Post by: Marschy on November 06, 2014, 12:18:03 PM
Post by: Bird on November 06, 2014, 12:19:00 PM
Quote from: Marschy
Dick Smith has always been about selling himself as a brand and making a profit, mainly for Dick Smith.Didn't he make his original name/money in the early days from selling cheap imported electronic bits? or were they aussie made?
Post by: ScottT on November 06, 2014, 12:21:02 PM
I'm thinking it may be aimed at his food product lines. Pretty sure Woolworths bought the electronics side of things a few years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Smith_(retailer) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Smith_(retailer))
Post by: Marschy on November 06, 2014, 12:22:55 PM
Post by: Jen, Sprogs n Him on November 06, 2014, 02:30:52 PM
Your kidding right? Buy a Dick Smith product that is probably sourced from China that I can probably order directly from China myself for a lot less. Sorry I'm not in the habit of throwing my money away.
Yes I'm talking about his food line.
Using Australian companies, who use Australian produce, paying Australian wages, and donating profits to charities.
"At its peak, Dick Smith Foods had a turnover of $80 million per year.
Today the range has halved and profits are shot."
Often cheeky but always upfront, Dick now concedes he can't compete because he pays Aussie wages and supports Aussie farmers.
“He can't continue to not make profits, so he has to close,” radio host Alan Jones said.
“If the consumers chooses not to buy that and it's a little bit extra because it's Australian then there is no future and it's very sad.”
The reality is Australians aren't supporting Dick Smith Foods.
Dick says only one in 25 shoppers buy one of his products and that is no longer enough to keep the brand alive.
“Virtually no one supports us because it's 30 cents dearer,” he said.
Post by: Marschy on November 06, 2014, 02:47:34 PM
I know he gives to charities and supports Australian business. I do the same where I can, but I don't have the sort of coin he earns from his enterprises.
Correct me if I am wrong, but Dick Smith Foods is not a 'Not for profit' organisation, he created it to make himself and others money, and that is what drives the man.
Post by: Homer_Jay on November 06, 2014, 02:52:14 PM
But redheads took him to court and had to change the name I think..... Spoil sports!
I don't buy redheads anymore. Lol
I buy his stuff when I see it, but woollies doesn't seem to stock much, and it's always on the top or bottom shelf. Dick obviously won't pay them for prime real estate on the shelves.
I was of the understanding that his food company any profits were returned to charity or something? Kinda like that Paul Newman foods. But I might be wrong.
He does donate a lot of money though, so I don't think we can be too harsh on the guy for making a few dollars while trying to give a few Aussies a job.
Post by: RobM on November 06, 2014, 03:14:36 PM
http://www.dicksmithfoods.com.au/lets-give-it-all-away-all-profits-charity (http://www.dicksmithfoods.com.au/lets-give-it-all-away-all-profits-charity)
Post by: briann532 on November 06, 2014, 04:35:01 PM
The best way to support Australia is to buy Australian.
This Christmas why not consider using a local business for a christmas present?
Perhaps gifts vouchers for a mowing service, call a local tradie to fix something you've been meaning to get around to.
Even by going to the local markets and supporting local craftsmen, producers etc can make a huge difference.
Something as simple as changing to to IGA grocers, even if its just for your christmas stuff.
The benefits to the community are huge.
We can't be perfect, and most people can't afford to shop Australian all the time, but if we all make an effort for christmas it can help.
Back to topic..............Yes Dick Smith is in the business of making money, but aren't we all?
Like all of us he's not perfect either, but he's having a go.
By the way, just for fun check out Dicksmith online http://www.dicksmith.com.au/ (http://www.dicksmith.com.au/)
then try JBhifi online: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/ (https://www.jbhifi.com.au/)
???
Post by: Marschy on November 06, 2014, 04:36:07 PM
Post by: Rumpig on November 06, 2014, 06:58:28 PM
last year i tried buying a gift voucher from the local Landscape Nursery place for my brother as a present, i didn't want a Bunnings voucher for him as i thought i'd support the smaller local place instead of a huge company like Wesfarmers. Sadly this wasn't an option at their business, but the lady who i spoke to on the phone liked the idea, so hopefully they have introduced it for customers now.
This Christmas why not consider using a local business for a christmas present?
Perhaps gifts vouchers for a mowing service, call a local tradie to fix something you've been meaning to get around to.
Even by going to the local markets and supporting local craftsmen, producers etc can make a huge difference.
Something as simple as changing to to IGA grocers, even if its just for your christmas stuff.
The benefits to the community are huge.
Post by: oldmate on November 06, 2014, 07:03:47 PM
Does he do popcorn? Myswag could do a bulk buy and share around the threads lol.
Post by: Jen_Sprogs_n_Him on November 06, 2014, 07:07:03 PM
I'm buying everyone a gift basket of Dick Smith Products, bought from IGA for Xmas ;-)
Marschy, will you now go buy some Dickys? :-) :-) :-)
Post by: Jen_Sprogs_n_Him on November 06, 2014, 07:09:16 PM
Post by: gronk on November 06, 2014, 08:15:32 PM
We own a small hardware store, still surviving after competing with the big boxes after 30 years, thanks to our loyal local customers :-D
And I think you are probably lucky they didn't try and squeeze you out..
It's a shame loyalty is almost dead, but there is still hope...
It doesn't take much effort to at least buy a few things that are made in Australia when out shopping.........my cupboard is 1/2 filled with tins from Edgell and SPC....and sometimes the price difference is only 10 or 20 cents ( I'm currently unemployed, so the can't afford it line doesn't wash with me ).
I shop at woolworths and dickies stuff is very scarce , but I have bought some of his products, but most is stuff I don't usually use..
Post by: Homer_Jay on December 15, 2015, 06:18:18 PM
Watched ACA last night (yes I know, there was nothing else on), anyway, Dick Smith (from the food company) gave $1,000,000 donation to help support the struggling farmers.
Time for everyone to go and buy some Australian made foods, and some Dick Smith food products when you see them.
Post by: briann532 on December 15, 2015, 06:45:13 PM
A good idea to revive this one.
I'm far from perfect, but I can honestly say, I have done my bit this year to support local.
Especially the Royal Hotel at Dalton!!!!! I reckon I doubled their profits this year.... :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
On a serious note, we have been trying to buy locally for everything down at the farm and I also bought an Aussie made caravan. Although we haven't actually got it yet..... :'(
I'm using local tradies for all the work on the new house when it starts in the new year and have been buying all our produce and meat from Aldi, selecting the local stuff.
I'm also proud of my wife who bought a large proportion of her Christmas gifts from a small shop near the farm too.
Ok some of it is imported, but a lot is locally made and either way its supporting a local business.
I've even started buying some wholesale products (again imported - I know but still a help) from a small aussie owned company for my solar business.
They can't compete on price or volume with panels yet, but at least I'm trying to do what I can.
To sum it up, I'm trying to buy my kids a job.
Hope you all have a safe Aussie Christmas and visit a small town somewhere, get to meet a local and see Oz.
Happy swagging all.
Brian
Post by: tk421 on December 16, 2015, 07:15:42 AM
We try and shop local and when out on trips we try to visit local shops/bakery's etc rather than maccas etc. we don't always manage it though. Don't forget though that if you buy from a local maccas/Woolworths they are at least employing Australians to work there and those wages go into the local economy. Buying online direct from Hong Kong and China bypasses that aspect completely.
Post by: krisandkev on December 16, 2015, 07:50:29 AM
Then just now I looked up Wikipedia and it states,
Distinction from peanut butter
A number of peanut paste products have been used over the centuries, and the distinction between peanut paste and peanut butter is not always clearcut in ordinary use.
The term has been used in rural Queensland, Australia, as a synonym for peanut butter. This followed pressure from dairy farmers who did not want peanut butter competing with butter for market share.
The product was known in Western Australia for many years as peanut paste because, by definition, 'butter' is a dairy product. The same product was available in other states - presumably Queensland excepted - as peanut butter. Manufacturers complained about having to produce different labels for different states and the Western Australian government changed the rules on the use of the word 'butter' to allow for one set of labels.
So maybe it has always been me :-[ Kevin
Post by: J.R on December 16, 2015, 08:00:49 AM
We own a small hardware store, still surviving after competing with the big boxes after 30 years, thanks to our loyal local customers :-D
And I think that is the answer right there.
If more local business supported their customers, provide a customer service (great customer service costs a company nothing), a lot more Aussie companies would still be alive now.
Unfortunately, a lot of companies gone tits up only have themselves to blame.
Post by: J.R on December 16, 2015, 08:04:37 AM
If you want to help out local farmers get your groceries online via Aussie Farmers Direct. 100% Australian sourced and locally where possible
We try and shop local and when out on trips we try to visit local shops/bakery's etc rather than maccas etc. we don't always manage it though. Don't forget though that if you buy from a local maccas/Woolworths they are at least employing Australians to work there and those wages go into the local economy. Buying online direct from Hong Kong and China bypasses that aspect completely.
Living in Toowoomba, we have access to a lot of fresh produce. We attend the PCYC markets every Sunday to buy our fruit and veg. So much cheaper.
A bucket of apples, $5.00. picked fresh from the trees off the Darling Downs.
Post by: DannyG on December 16, 2015, 09:10:26 AM
Talking about Dick Smith, please clear up something for me.... I have been trying to get our grand kids to talk Australian. I mean they tend to use American terminology and concepts now days. (Halloween etc) Case in point they say Peanut Butter. I think here we have always called it Peanut Paste. Then I was shown a jar of Dick Smith Peanut Butter? So am I completely wrong, we have always called it Peanut Butter.. ???
Then just now I looked up Wikipedia and it states,
Distinction from peanut butter
A number of peanut paste products have been used over the centuries, and the distinction between peanut paste and peanut butter is not always clearcut in ordinary use.
The term has been used in rural Queensland, Australia, as a synonym for peanut butter. This followed pressure from dairy farmers who did not want peanut butter competing with butter for market share.
The product was known in Western Australia for many years as peanut paste because, by definition, 'butter' is a dairy product. The same product was available in other states - presumably Queensland excepted - as peanut butter. Manufacturers complained about having to produce different labels for different states and the Western Australian government changed the rules on the use of the word 'butter' to allow for one set of labels.
So maybe it has always been me :-[ Kevin
Ive only ever known it as Peanut Butter.
Post by: Bird on December 16, 2015, 09:18:53 AM
Quote from: krisandkev
So am I completely wrong, we have always called it Peanut Butter.. ???Yes.. your wrong.. peanut butter paste is American for it!
Post by: Homer_Jay on December 16, 2015, 09:37:07 AM
And I think that is the answer right there.
If more local business supported their customers, provide a customer service (great customer service costs a company nothing), a lot more Aussie companies would still be alive now.
Unfortunately, a lot of companies gone tits up only have themselves to blame.
A big problem with service is the staff, I have usually found when dealing with the owner it's a different story.
Trying to teach staff the importance of 'customer service' is a huge problem that I am sure any business owner on this forum would agree.
Although, if a person buys something online then expects to walk into the local shop when you have a problem with it, then I guess customer service might be a bit hard to expect.
There is very few benefits to being a small business owner now days, too much risk for little reward. Many think it's just a better option to close the doors and go work for the 'big guy'. I have friends who have done this, and are so much better for it. Less stress, 9-5, similar money and a better life.
Unfortunately the more that go this way, the less jobs there will be for the next generation.
Now day's there is little in the way of tax breaks and support from the government for the 'little guy'. And then the multinationals seem to get away with blue murder, and the government turns a blind eye.
Just imagine if they cracked down on the 'Ikea's' and 'Apple's' that shift profits offshore, and then gave small business a leg up, how much better would the whole country be in another few years!