An Aussie Inspired Challenge

[Jen_Sprogs_n_Him]

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.

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

[Bird]

I like Dick Cheese, but cant find it anymore...

[Marschy]

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.

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

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.

[paul.o]

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.

[DannyG]

I like Dick Cheese, but cant find it anymore...

We had heard that................

[Bird]

We had heard that................

not

[DannyG]

not

Oh Ok I must have misunderstood

[Bird]

Oh Ok I must have misunderstood

love his cereal and tomato sauce though
http://www.dicksmithfoods.com.au/product-range

[Marschy]

Dick Smith has always been about selling himself as a brand and making a profit, mainly for Dick Smith.

[Bird]

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?

[ScottT]

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)

[Marschy]

BRW has an article on him, he's trying to sell his food products line while it is still making a profit. Hmmm, sounds a lot like the way he sold his electrical goods store to me.

[Jen, Sprogs n Him]

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.

[Marschy]

Due diligence by prospective buyers of his product line have probably forced him into this position. He was trying to sell it while it was making a profit, but from all accounts it's not so profitable now.

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.

[Homer_Jay]

His matches were good..... Dick-heads!

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.

[RobM]

"Since it began, Dick Smith Foods has given all of its profits to charity – some $6 million so far.  "

http://www.dicksmithfoods.com.au/lets-give-it-all-away-all-profits-charity

[briann532]

Either way, wouldn't you prefer the "profits" to stay in Australia rather than off shore?

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/

then try JBhifi online: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/

[Marschy]

Apologies, I stand corrected

[Rumpig]

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.

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.

[oldmate]

I buy his Tom sauce when I see it.

Does he do popcorn?  Myswag could do a bulk buy and share around the threads lol.

[Jen_Sprogs_n_Him]

Perfectly said Briane532 :-)

I'm buying everyone a gift basket of Dick Smith Products,  bought from IGA for Xmas ;-)

Marschy,  will you now go buy some Dickys? :-) :-) :-)

[Jen_Sprogs_n_Him]

We own a small hardware store,      still surviving after competing with the big boxes after 30 years,  thanks to our loyal local customers :-D

[gronk]

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..

[Homer_Jay]

Time to revive this thread.

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.

[briann532]

Thanks Homer-Jay,

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.... 

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