Hi Everyone
Whilst I sympathise with Trackabouts owners (JT & Rae), and hope they come through the process with their health and sanity, I wish to raise a point - and please understand that this is not a criticism personally on the owners.
When we hear that "My business failed due to the GFC and Cheap Imports" we need to consider more factors. The GFC is not new, occurring for the most part from 2008 onwards, banks tightened up, consumer sentiment fell, and as pointed out by the owner, people weren't considering luxury items - at least in the same volume as before.
This strikes me as an inability (whether forced or otherwise) to change gear, change tact or otherwise mould new business plans. Perhaps some trailers could have been heavily de-specced, ranging could have involved tent/canvas products separate from the trailers, camper gear or niche camping items that Aussies buy (heated showers, fully wired electrical boards for plug and play into existing trailers). Perhaps service around 'fixing' and up-speccing the cheap Chinese imports - i.e. Bought an eBay Camper? Need some help/extras/repairs? - whilst these strategies probably ran at a tangent from the Owners original business plans - all things need to be considered in a tough retail environment.
Any number of these these things could have been considered - with the main aim of the game being to get back to the Luxury supply of Campers at a future date - which will happen eventually. Its the same argument that Gerry Harvey extols about people buying overseas because they don't have to pay the GST - which is rubbish - because like many here - if my local retailer/trader can get to within 25-30% of an internet price, I'm more than happy to keep the cash local - simple fact is for many technical items they either can't or won't - and thus the money is spent elsewhere.
This is where service based mentalities are lacking in Australia - and whilst the Owner from all reports had excellent customer service skills, sadly many do not. Walk into your local motorcycle establishment, and get treated like a nupty by a 16yo with no product knowledge and a suite of products retailing at 200% margin...what do they expect.
My point is, for Australian suppliers/retailers/traders to remain competitive in the global market, without the assistance of subsidies or tariffs, they must evolve with the customer, who is infinitely more savvy - than even 10 years ago, and sadly - approaching the market with a 10 year old business plan, is likely to have only one, sad result.
My best wishes to the Owners, it is sad to see good Aussie businesses hit the wall. We as Consumers have the power to ask for, or even demand service and niche technical services, solutions and products - if the retailer doesn't know - then it is our duty as Consumers to ensure they are informed.
