Shopping habits

[Rosy]

I read a recent post about our unemployment rate and it made me wonder if changing shopping trends are having an impact.

I try to buy Australian made but can't always justify it. I recently bought a quilt kit online for $85 posted from America. The identical kit in Australia is around $600 (though I couldn't find one in stock at the time). I couldn't justify not buying it online.

I tend to buy books online. They are usually far cheaper but it's mainly a matter of convenience for me. We don't have a bookshop nearby.

White goods, furniture and large household items are always in shop purchases for me but I do tend to do my homework online first.

I buy food in supermarkets. I like to support smaller independent ones but must admit the variety, freshness and convenience of the larger chains more often than not woos me. Also got to admit to laziness and a dislike of shopping. I like to support specialised shops, bakery, butcher, fruit and veg etc but more often than I like to admit I chuck those things in the trolley at the supermarket.

I do try to buy Australian made food and clothing as much as possible. It will be a sad day when our dollar changes and imported tomatoes are several dollars a tin only to find we've stopped manufacturing our local product.

 

[MB78]

I buy at major supermarkets. And look to buy Australian if I can. I also try and buy branded milk as I don't agree with a $1 a litre as in the community I live in dairy is the number one industry and they say the price discount is bad for the industry.

I also try and support the local butcher and bakery over the supermarket.

And I refuse to use self service at the checkout as I want to keep Australian jobs.

 

[Rosy]

And I refuse to use self service at the checkout as I want to keep Australian jobs.

Same here.

 

[Panthera tigris FC]

I do most of the grocery shopping in my house and start my Saturday at the local farmer's market, mainly for fresh produce, followed by a trip to the local butcher and then to Woolies for the rest. It is a bit of a tradition and my 5 year old often accompanies me (and insists on treats!).

 

[tigertim]

I'm a shocker when it comes to groceries, I go to the supermarket every day!

 

[martyshire]

Cleaning products, tinned food, non-perishables, toilet paper: 2 or 3 x $400 trips to Costco each year
Meat: Tasman Meats once a month about $70
fruit and veg: markets or independent green grocers, about $40 every fortnight
dairy, deli and bread: Safeway

We save a packet doing it this way. All up, my missus and I wouldn't spend more than $65 for the whole week (including lunch), unless we eat out. If we shopped at Safeway for everything it would be over $100

 

[Tigers of Old]

The digital age is making life easier but it's killing jobs.

Two men and a warehouse as opposed to rent, electricity, customer service (staff) and maintaining stock in a major chain shopping centre.

It's all changing quicker than most people know. Online will be the only way sooner rather than later.

 

[Rosy]

We try to be as self sufficient in fruit, vegies and herbs as possible, always have plenty of genuine free range eggs . We grow our own meat and have stocked dams. There's nothing like having a meal where everything is homegrown. We have a bit of a barter system with a few friends. We don't exactly swap but we give things like meat, eggs, seedlings, herbs, fruit and vegies and when/if others have some spare we receive wine honey, vegies, plants, cheese, preserves. Also things like photography and professional dog grooming. We still seem to spend a small fortune on groceries though.

I'm not a fan of going shopping and try to avoid it as much as possible. I hadn't thought of bulk buying the basics marty. Never been to cosco but even just stocking up when on special would be a big saving, especially with the prices at our local supermarket. I'd probably struggle to store too much though.

 

[mld]

I don't worry too much about buying Australian, I kind of find buy Australian campaigns to be soft protectionism. As someone whose job is dependent on exports (and many farmers of course would be more dependent on exports than on the domestic market) I don't have any problems at all in returning the favour to people in other countries.

I'm the main shopper in our household, grocery shopping-wise I get most of my basic dry goods from the local IGA or Aldi. I hit the Preston Market for fruit/veg/meat/coffee/deli/asian things, and I'll get around to a few interesting places like the Mediterranean Wholesalers in Brunswick for bits and pieces.

I mostly use online shopping for bike gear. Suppliers and distributers have been shafting the captive Australian market for decades in terms of price and variety. I'm generally into less common gear than the standard high end racing/mountain biking gear that makes up most of our market, so I've pretty much been forced overseas even when I have been willing to pay double to support the few local bike shops that are good for we non-racing/sporting riders. The internet is fantastic for bike gear because it really gives access to things that people in other countries take for granted.

White goods I'll generally research on the internet and buy in person.

 

[Tiger Rob]

I'll come back to the poll shortly, but for me...

I refuse to buy $1 milk.
I shop at Coles/Woolies a lot, but also get 99% fruit/veg from the local independant greengrocer.
I prefer a local butcher, but haven't stumbled upon one since I moved here 18 months ago that's any good and isn't charging way over the top.
Always buy bread from the bakery.
I refused to buy from Subway while they had those American ads. Stores *smile* everywhere and couldn't make a local ad?
Very rarely buy from the multichain take-aways, but thats probably more a taste choice than standing against them in principle.
Generaly buy all my music on CD's at the local store.
Don't generally buy too much other stuff (accumulated too much over the years), but if I need to I'll generally always find an independant (non chain) store to buy from.
Used to buy local beer exclusively, but when you can get mainland beer on special $10 - $15 less per carton than the local, I don't. Seems like a rip off to me - the local brewery is 15 k's from my house, why can't/won't they compete?
I can't say that I always buy Australian made - but I am concious of making the choice where I can.
I'll NEVER go back if the service is *smile*.
I always say please and thankyou.

Kinda related - I've got a shack on the east coast of Tassie (Bicheno for anyone who knows the area) and I never take groceries or grog- I always buy when I get there. I generally fill up with fuel when I leave too. It costs a little more, but with a very small local population, if you don't support them they'll close and then your rooted.

 

[TigerForce]

I hit the Preston Market for fruit/veg/meat/coffee/deli/asian things,

Still difficult to find fresh fish (trouts, silverbreams, kingfish, tilapias etc..) over there.....even from when they open at 8.00am Wednesday mornings.

 

[Tiny S Tiger]

I try to grow most of my herbs and veg. I only buy the cheapest stuff I can find at the supermarkets or Asian groceries like stuff like tinned tomatoes. I try to pay about 59cents a tin. I make my own bread. Don't have any dairy.....unhealthy and expensive. Don't eat much meat, but buy cheaper cuts at the market. Can get fresh fish cheap there too and other veg. Am cutting back on fruit and only buy in season at cheap prices. Use op shops for clothes and furniture. Have hard rubbished some good stuff in the past year like a clothes drier, a desk and chairs. Use old pots and containers for veg. Line milk crates with old newspapers or clothes then grow veg in them. Pet food is mainly cheap from warehouses supplemented with food scraps.

I am cutting back on my electric bill by not using heating if i can help it. I use gas to cook whenever i can, either on the stovetop or on the little bbq on my verandah.

 

[MB78]

Wow that is frugal living Tiny.

 

[Jason King]

I try to grow most of my herbs and veg. I only buy the cheapest stuff I can find at the supermarkets or Asian groceries like stuff like tinned tomatoes. I try to pay about 59cents a tin. I make my own bread. Don't have any dairy.....unhealthy and expensive. Don't eat much meat, but buy cheaper cuts at the market. Can get fresh fish cheap there too and other veg. Am cutting back on fruit and only buy in season at cheap prices. Use op shops for clothes and furniture. Have hard rubbished some good stuff in the past year like a clothes drier, a desk and chairs. Use old pots and containers for veg. Line milk crates with old newspapers or clothes then grow veg in them. Pet food is mainly cheap from warehouses supplemented with food scraps.

I am cutting back on my electric bill by not using heating if i can help it. I use gas to cook whenever i can, either on the stovetop or on the little bbq on my verandah.

Minimalist or one that is wise with money?

 

[RemoteTiger]

I like to shop at the local Woolworths or Coles for our groceries because I always meet a friend or fellow School Dad or Tiger fan.

I shop for books in my local bookshops because I want my son to know that the Internet is not the only form of knowledge transfer.

I shop for my family's and my cloths at various clothing stores here in Queanbeyan and Canberra but do like visiting Sydney and Melbourne clothing stores as the variety is great.

I buy music online through MOG (Music on the Go) as it has the biggest database of music - simply mind boggling!

I buy my software on line as I can download it and start using it immediately.

I only ever shop at places where I get good to great service - that includes on-line.

As a shop owner I recognised about 4 years ago that customers were not being served properly - so I introduced my staff to the customer first philosophy. The annual revenue in my store this year has increase just over 5 times when compared to the year we started that Customer First Project.

We are now measuring every customer interaction through customer optional surveys and have acted upon customer suggestions where possible. I have found that this has increased the "word-of-mouth" referrals as customers say they feel they are being genuinely listened too. We aim to have advocates for our business who will go and tell their family and friends what a great deal and service they got at our shops.

The retail industry is going through a huge paradigm shift and the consequences to the industry to all communities and to Australia's economy will be devastating if we get this wrong. We have to listen to what the customer wants and provide that - even if it means changing our internal processes or stores and getting less profits - the whole industry has to become customer focused.

For without the customer we are doomed - and so are the large plazas - the shareholders in companies that own the large plazas (usually Superannuation Funds - thus it will hurt retirees) - the chances of employment for our youth will decrease (particularly in country towns and cities where retail trade employs a large percentage of the workforce).

Remember - the customer maybe ignorant, maybe rude, maybe aloof, maybe loud and obnoxious, may think they know what they want but don't really - BUT THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT! (sometimes - let me tell you - this is very very very difficult but if you want to stay in business you just have to do it)

A favour if I may - when shopping next time and you feel the service you received was very good to excellent just tell the shop assistant - "thanks for the great service" - it truly lifts their day................cheers RT

 

[tigertim]

Admire your philosophy RT but I can't abide by the customer is always right. I'd rather let a sale from an ignorant customer go than endure their behavior.

 

[caspar]

A friend of mine who has a tea shop in England once said to me "The customer is not always right, but they are 'king'", (not Jake).

So you don't have to agree with or like them, but you do have to do your best with them.

The last time I went into KMart, it was very similar to a warehouse actually. Sure the workers wore shirts and shoes, but they were there to shift boxes around, not actually help anyone. And if you expect anyone to have specific knowledge about the products they sell, you're dreaming.

Businesses like Remote's are very refreshing. People do appreciate helpful service.



PS Australia can sort itself out, but I'd be comfortable paying more for goods or services provided by a Tiger supporter.

 

[KnightersRevenge]

Remember - the customer maybe ignorant, maybe rude, maybe aloof, maybe loud and obnoxious, may think they know what they want but don't really - BUT THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT! (sometimes - let me tell you - this is very very very difficult but if you want to stay in business you just have to do it)

A favour if I may - when shopping next time and you feel the service you received was very good to excellent just tell the shop assistant - "thanks for the great service" - it truly lifts their day................cheers RT

Sometimes the customer is wrong, and allowing an obnoxious twit to walk away feeling right will probably guarantee the next person in their sights a bad day. Good service is not usually subservience, I'm not sure that is great for your staff. That said, there is such a thing as good service and I always acknowledge it. I recently sent an email to the RFC Membership department for just that reason.

 

[tigersnake]

I don't worry too much about buying Australian, I kind of find buy Australian campaigns to be soft protectionism. As someone whose job is dependent on exports (and many farmers of course would be more dependent on exports than on the domestic market) I don't have any problems at all in returning the favour to people in other countries.

I'm the main shopper in our household, grocery shopping-wise I get most of my basic dry goods from the local IGA or Aldi. I hit the Preston Market for fruit/veg/meat/coffee/deli/asian things, and I'll get around to a few interesting places like the Mediterranean Wholesalers in Brunswick for bits and pieces.

I mostly use online shopping for bike gear. Suppliers and distributers have been shafting the captive Australian market for decades in terms of price and variety. I'm generally into less common gear than the standard high end racing/mountain biking gear that makes up most of our market, so I've pretty much been forced overseas even when I have been willing to pay double to support the few local bike shops that are good for we non-racing/sporting riders. The internet is fantastic for bike gear because it really gives access to things that people in other countries take for granted.

White goods I'll generally research on the internet and buy in person.

I miss the Preston market, nothing like it here in Brisbane. I used to love the homemade pasta stall, I miss that ravioli, made it right there and cheap as hell! Half the price of the trendy shops closer to town. When I was living in Carlton in the 90s studying I used to trek out on the pushy and load up the backpack. (also loaded up the stomach on coffee, pizza and canoli).

I agree on the Aussie made thing, a huge portion of our employment is based on exports, mining and agriculture, its wanting to have it both ways basically. But having said that, I do tend to buy Aussie when I can for environmental, community and quality reasons.

 

[tigersnake]

The retail industry is going through a huge paradigm shift and the consequences to the industry to all communities and to Australia's economy will be devastating if we get this wrong. We have to listen to what the customer wants and provide that - even if it means changing our internal processes or stores and getting less profits - the whole industry has to become customer focused.

For without the customer we are doomed - and so are the large plazas - the shareholders in companies that own the large plazas (usually Superannuation Funds - thus it will hurt retirees) - the chances of employment for our youth will decrease (particularly in country towns and cities where retail trade employs a large percentage of the workforce).

Remember - the customer maybe ignorant, maybe rude, maybe aloof, maybe loud and obnoxious, may think they know what they want but don't really - BUT THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT! (sometimes - let me tell you - this is very very very difficult but if you want to stay in business you just have to do it)

A favour if I may - when shopping next time and you feel the service you received was very good to excellent just tell the shop assistant - "thanks for the great service" - it truly lifts their day................cheers RT

good to hear RT, I wish you were the CEO of any of the large corporations I deal with as a consumer. Telstra for example are incredibly bad. Just amazing. Their whole business model is unable to cope with anything going wrong, particularly anything unusual going wrong. I don't bother calling the call centre, this is a communications company remember, waste of time, I just go in to a customer shopfront and talk to a person to sort it out. I've learnt the hard way.

I ALWAYS let someone know if I get good service, always. The sad thing is its always unexpected, so when it happens its a surprise.