My Protest at the local Woolies

[Doug.b]

We go to the weekend fruit markets to get our fruit and always try do our shopping at foodland which supports local products and Australian products.

Doug

[Swannie]

Our nearest Coles is less than 200m from home, but we use Aussie Farmers Direct who deliver to our door, and the quality of the stuff is SO much better.

I also use aussie farmers direct, food is so fresh

Swannie


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[briann532]

Our local IGA is locally owned and stocks a "fair" amount of good products.

I also know for FACT that IGA sponsors wholly and solely the food supply and run for the Drive for life charity.
It is one of the only charity's where 100% reaches the cause. No money taken for running costs etc.
IGA are brilliant that way.

I also know the owner supports local, especially by putting the money back into the pub (well he buys beer and bets!!!)
Friendly staff, no self serve, if asked will stock a product for you, and no dearer than the other mobs who really only super discount a few items to suck you in. 

Go IGA.

Brian

[DaveR]

I have 2 IGA's near by, but sadly, they don't sell Norco milk, which is the local farmer co-op milk made 5 min drive down the road on the gold coast. They do sell milk from Victoria. I did ask them for it and got a brush of type reply.
I may now go there more often and ask for it also, the nearest branch was owned by a local family but new owners now it has changed a lot.

We get fresh veggies and fruit delivered from a small online firm. It is cheaper and yummier then supermarkets, tomato's taste like tomato's.

[Yimmy]

IGA for us too, it happens to be our local supermarket

The next town has both Coles and Woolies but I prefer IGA.

They don't night fill so at anytime of the day the local kids are up down the aisles restocking 

They can go from 1 checkout open to 4 (total amount) in about 15 secs

Plus I can get a park straight out the front 

[GeeTee]

The sad thing is everyone demands cheaper prices.. theres only one way to do that... and it isn't buying from Australian farmers..
And everytime theres one of these threads, everyone jumps up and down and spits flames and fart solid titanium bullets..  but that's about as far as it goes.

I think everyone is waiting for the Government or ACCC to give a ****... Sadly that wont ever happen - neither have an goolies.

I don't demand cheaper prices.
Ever.
I demand quality Australian made goods. Every product I buy.. every... I turn the package over and determine the country of origin before I decide if I want to buy it or not. If it's imported, it goes back on the shelf until I can find an Aussie made product.

Sometimes there is no Aussie product at a particular store so then I think.. can I do without this product? And can I shop somewhere where there IS Aussie product?

Some of my mates think this is a little extreme but I am happy paying an Aussie farmer for his efforts because one day, in my travels, I will more than likely drive past that bloke's farm and I want him to be there growing produce. Like last weekend, in the Riverina, where I saw lots of yummy oranges 


I refuse to buy biscuits made in China.
I refuse to buy orange juice from Brazil.
I refuse to buy prawns from Vietnam.
I refuse to buy 'baked fresh on-site' bread that arrived from Ireland as dough.

It's the least I can do to keep Australian society strong.

And I encourage others to do the same.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-17/citrus-grower-mounts-campaign-to-change-labelling-laws/4893778?section=nsw

[oldmate]

I went to buy bread the other day, went to Coles, only a few of one of the brands I buy and they were stale, but there they were, shelves of Coles own brand bread.  I left and went to Woollies’ and the same.  Very little what I would call good quality bread, buts heads of Woollies’ brand.  I gave up and went to a Baker’s Delight store. Now I may be wrong and the bread may be fine, but I just don’t like not having a choice.  I still have not bought one single bottle of their own brand milk, no matter how cheap they have been.  And I might add. Went to a K Mart store last week and I went to find a check out and the only ones open were self service! So I found an assistant and said I refuse to use a self service, so she went and opened a check out and served me.  Yes, I have never used a self service one.  But I know I am just an dinosaur and I need to get use to it.    Kevin

Can't remember the last time we bought crap supermarket bread. We always go to the local bakery (not franchise) and get our bread fresh in the morning. There is nothing better than coming home to make sangers to take to work and the bread is still nice,soft and  warm in the middle. Mmmmmm

X2 GeeTee

[dungee]

Last night I tried to get onto Aussie Farmers Direct but unfortunately they don't service our area.  I'll keep trying though and I don't mind paying a little extra for an Aussie product, in the long run if more people do this the prices will balance out.  DaveR, I'm a little concerned that you had tomatoes that tasted like tomatoes.  Are you sure they were tomatoes :-)

As an ex commercial fisherman I understand the pain of being a primary producer and I refuse to buy imported seafood, I know the difference between a local product and the crap we get imported.

[MDS69]

Our local IGA is locally owned and stocks a "fair" amount of good products.

I also know for FACT that IGA sponsors wholly and solely the food supply and run for the Drive for life charity.
It is one of the only charity's where 100% reaches the cause. No money taken for running costs etc.
IGA are brilliant that way.

I also know the owner supports local, especially by putting the money back into the pub (well he buys beer and bets!!!)
Friendly staff, no self serve, if asked will stock a product for you, and no dearer than the other mobs who really only super discount a few items to suck you in. 

Go IGA.

Brian

that local owner also sponsors our junior rugby league club and another in the area.

[D4D]

Last night I tried to get onto Aussie Farmers Direct but unfortunately they don't service our area. 

We get their family fruit & veg box, very good value and always fresh and good quality. My son thinks it is a novelty and always wants to be first to try something out of the box when it is delivered. I can remember getting full cream milk in glass bottles delivered in the wee hours of the morning.

[ozbogwam]

most of it is imported from Europe.

No it isnt

[Bird]

No it isnt

... yea ok then.

[briann532]

that local owner also sponsors our junior rugby league club and another in the area.

Going off track now, but he's a legend.

Several years ago when the boss had just had our first baby, he told me to p1s$ off and go home. Ring with our order and he'd deliver it.
Fresh meat is superb, service is above and beyond and I can always get a parking spot.
A local, and a legend.
This country needs more like him and I'm happy to support him.

Sent from a machine made in China that is of no benefit to our country......
Brian

[robsjack]

I too have noticed that Woolies are steadily replaceing (generally poor) copies of favourite branded products selling at 10-20c cheaper than the originals. How long will it be before Woolies only stocks their own brands. Hopefully the branded companies will get together and open their own distribution stores and stop the Woolies/Coles duopoly in this country.
rob

[Vacation Campers]

My current obsession - finding a can of the good old mushy peas - have searched Woolworths, Coles and all the local IGA's no one stocks them anymore - whenever I ask for them the only suggestion I get is to buy a can of peas and mush them myself - talk about un-Australian - how much longer till the bakery stops selling the good old mushy peas - anyone know where they get them or do I stage a sit in at Yatala pies !!!

[Marschy]

I make mushy peas myself, using dried peas. I'll see if I can find the method.

[AKB]

Another Aussie Farmers Direct - I love their meat! Delivered twice a week, I belong to a co-op for F & V (Although I use to use Aussie Farmers) I now don't have to go to a supermarket for weeks at a time :-)
 
I don't mind their being a coles/Woolworths brand (There is a place for everything) I just think its really sneaky that sometimes the packaging looks so similar to the older brands.  On occasion I've bought coles/Woolworths not realising!

[Bird]

How long will it be before Woolies only stocks their own brands.

as soon as they can. thats been the plan for 25 years.

[KeithB]

A big part of the problem is that Coles and Woolworths now control 80% of the dry grocery market in Australia. Business people visiting from overseas can't believe it! These outfits  are also major players in hardware, petroleum, liquor and poker machines. They have to power to dictate terms to manufacturers, who always seem to drop their pants for the supermarket giants.

A case in point is white milk, where the processors are effectively selling their product to the supermarkets at, or a little less than, cost.  In order to maintain profitability, the milk processors have to charge the independent stores a higher price. This means that the independent stores - grocers, corner stores and so on - a effectively subsidising the supermarket giants.

To make matters worse, the manufacturers hike their prices to the independent wholesalers in order to claw back some profit lost in their dealings with Coles and Woolworths.  The independent wholesalers then find themselves having to deliver products to stores at prices well above what these store operators can buy from the local Coles or Woolworths. So a big chunk of what we buy at local stores, actually comes from the supermarkets.

Yet our grocery prices in Australia are not particularly cheap. Fat grocery margins allow the big two to put on huge petrol discounts - which always happen at the expense of independent service stations.

The system is broken and go Government has the guts to step in and fix it. I think grocery retailing in Australia is an international disgrace.

[Pirate_Pete]

We live near a small tow that only has an IGA so we shop there most of the time. They do stock our local milk & chicken
They only stock the mid size box of weetbix & some things like bulk tins olive oil are only available in the city so we shop at Coles about once every month or so to get those things we can't get at the IGA

The last time I was at Coles I saw a nix box of weetbix like we got when we were kids but it was advertised as being 1/3 more with the Down Down Finger.

I got that box but when I put it on the shelf in the pantry I sat it the same way round as our normal IGA weetbix.

Then it struck me the IGA bix are 33g each but the Coles 1/3 more ones are only 30g each . . . WTF  . . . .

How can that be

[Mace]

I got that box but when I put it on the shelf in the pantry I sat it the same way round as our normal IGA weetbix.

Then it struck me the IGA bix are 33g each but the Coles 1/3 more ones are only 30g each . . . WTF  . . . .

How can that be

All the big players are doin it.

Cadbury chocolate blocks used to be 250g. Now they're 200 or thereabouts.  Don't see a 20% price reduction in them! Same with their mini packs.

Playing us for fools.

[DaveR]

OK, I am Biased, I do like this show.
But. there is a point to this segment from the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Hzd5bh3ko

[Bird]

All the big players are doin it.

Cadbury chocolate blocks used to be 250g. Now they're 200 or thereabouts.  Don't see a 20% price reduction in them! Same with their mini packs.

Playing us for fools.

Yep.. so much it aint funny.
There was a big article on this recently titled something about everything shrinking but prices...

[cruisindub]

I shop Local IGA.
They fully supported my wifes recent cupcake fundraising for RSPCA.

On a price for price basis, Ive been more than happy with the IGA pricing, over Coles/Woolies.

I have also recently found out that our Local Nth road IGA support ALOT of charity/fundraising and local events...............

[Kit_e_kat9]

I ...

- only buy Australian Made & Owned.  It's very easy if you read the labels, but do be aware some labels lie, and it's getting harder and harder to find stuff that doesn't have the old "Australian and Imported Goods" get out of it clause - which could mean 1 aussie peanut and 99 imported peanuts.
- also DO NOT buy pre-made food - sauces are the exception.  I make everything at home.  That way I know what went into it and the end results are always better. 
- buy my bread at a local bakery - their bread is THE BEST!
- used a good butcher, but he's now closed up due to lack of interest.
- shop at IGA.
- buy Dairy Farmers where possible (Aussie Owned / Aussie Made).
- source local fruit and veg ... I know where Gatton is and I support the growers there as much as possible (Mulgowie Corn is so very YUMMO! ... Aratula Carrots ... etc, etc) and I know they haven't been stored for 9 months in some bulk fridge unit.

Australian Made & Owned products using Australian Ingredients are becoming harder and harder to find.  Why? 

SHARE HOLDER DRIVEN PROFITS and consumers who just don't give a rats ...

Our farmers are going broke, China is buying up our farm land (yep only one of the many countries doing it) ... and our government supports it all.

Kit_e

P.S.  Don't get me started on FACTORY FARMING!