Random discussion thread.

[Messenger]

Was the MV what you were expecting?

I have (had) an agreed value policy. Given the car had done 183000, the payout was miles above MV.

 

[Henry Jr]

I have (had) an agreed value policy. Given the car had done 183000, the payout was miles above MV.

So the golf balls you bashed the car with paid off then Mess!

 

[grizzlym]

So, last night Grizzlym Jnr asks his mother, "what's a village idiot?"

She replies quick as a flash, "ask your father."

I was impressed.

 

[The BIG X]

So, last night Grizzlym Jnr asks his mother, "what's a village idiot?"

She replies quick as a flash, "ask your father."

I was impressed.

Griz - what is a village idiot??

 

[go hawks!!!]

Pretty disturbing state of affairs in greece:

Greece's financial crisis has made some families so desperate they are giving up the most precious thing of all - their children.

One morning a few weeks before Christmas a kindergarten teacher in Athens found a note about one of her four-year-old pupils.

"I will not be coming to pick up Anna today because I cannot afford to look after her," it read. "Please take good care of her. Sorry. Her mother."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16472310

 

[The BIG X]

How sad is that.

Sincerely hope these kids are in safe hands.

 

[grizzlym]

That's horrendous. The world is all fracked up right now.

 

[grizzlym]

Fascinating BBC Magazine article about how the digital camera has changed us.

"Photography firm Kodak has run into hard times, with critics suggesting it has failed to effectively adapt to digital. But four decades ago Kodak was credited with building the first digital camera, an innovation that has changed the world."

link

 

[go hawks!!!]

Fascinating BBC Magazine article about how the digital camera has changed us.

"Photography firm Kodak has run into hard times, with critics suggesting it has failed to effectively adapt to digital. But four decades ago Kodak was credited with building the first digital camera, an innovation that has changed the world."

link

Good link Grizz, I read this the other day. Its the same story with Borders, who did not adapt to the ‘digital’ age, whoever was their innovation/ marketing lead should be shot. Its commonsense to change with the times and establish an internet sales distribution network.

I went to the shops yesterday and looked at the clothing prices, they were ridiculous. I can’t see retailers in Australia surviving when the age group, lets say 18-35 buy almost exclusively on the internet. Doom and gloom for these guys unless they can respond/ adapt.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Good link Grizz, I read this the other day. Its the same story with Borders, who did not adapt to the ‘digital’ age, whoever was their innovation/ marketing lead should be shot. Its commonsense to change with the times and establish an internet sales distribution network.

I went to the shops yesterday and looked at the clothing prices, they were ridiculous. I can’t see retailers in Australia surviving when the age group, lets say 18-35 buy almost exclusively on the internet. Doom and gloom for these guys unless they can respond/ adapt.

Problem is you can't try clothing on if it's online. That's the only thing really saving it. The savvy bastards still try on in a shop THEN order over the internet.

Internet sales still only make up about 5-10% of retail sales in aus, and only about half of those are overseas. It has hit critical mass yet so you'll see lots of Gerry Harveys clinging onto the old business model for a while yet. Lots of consumers still stuck on the old model too - comfort zone stuff.

Trying to deal with it myself at work. Red ocean! Red ocean! Need to find some clear blue waters.

The thing that annoys me about Borders going down is that they had a few things right that other retailers didn't - like their service! Always got rippingly good service from them. Also had a huge range on everything (of course this added to the massive overheads that contributed to their demise). They also have an online store, but they should have innovated - such as giving you an free ereader version of any book that you bought a hard copy of.


As much as I love the local feel of Readings and Brunswick St bookshops sometimes I'm just like "shit- these guys don't have ANYTHING like what I'm after".

I get a bit sentimental about bookshops. I was hoping, like cinemas, that there was enough love for the old fashioned experience for it to continue.

 

[grizzlym]

Agreed.

Borders was a ridiculous business model in the first place. Unfortunately, I can no longer buy in Australia. I love bookshops, and enjoy nothing better than browsing through somewhere like the Paperback, but can't justify buying anything there. I can buy a current release paperback book through the Book Depository for around $10 (free shipping), which will be delivered to my door within a week, compare that to Australian prices. Can't do.

As for clothes, what a joke. Yes, a pair of Carhartt jeans is like $40 delivered to your door. Compare that with the outrageous prices that the shop at Melbourne Central charges... Everything is significantly cheaper, the range larger and hassle free.

Harvey Norman makes my blood boil when he comes out with his little tirades, especially that ridiculous PR campaign he did with Lew. He never adapted, he had a retail model that saw him get amazingly rich. Now he's crying 'not fair' because he refused to innovate and change. Then he came out a few months back and basically insulted the customers that made him rich by saying they'd regret spending so much time in front of tvs and with technology.

Yes, the horse has well and truly bolted in regards to retail. The landscape has changed forever, and will continue to do so at a great pace and those who don't adapt fast will die.

On a side note, the taxes on things like books are just stupid too.

 

[grizzlym]

Oh yes, one of the key barriers in regards to consumer uptake of online ordering has well and truly been busted now - trust. 'are my transactions safe?' 'what if?' etc

And that widespread perception will ensure a much quicker take-up for online ordering. It used to be a huge barrier, but the research is now showing that even if people don't buy on the internet, they still believe it's safe. Key insight that one.

It's also true that when people start ordering from places like america they find a system in place that's entirely geared towards catalogues and mail order. The yanks have been doing mail order for billions of years. And doing it well. Plugging into that system, and the service that surrounds it, is amazingly comforting for a consumer.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Oh yes, one of the key barriers in regards to consumer uptake of online ordering has well and truly been busted now - trust. 'are my transactions safe?' 'what if?' etc

And that widespread perception will ensure a much quicker take-up for online ordering. It used to be a huge barrier, but the research is now showing that even if people don't buy on the internet, they still believe it's safe. Key insight that one.

It's also true that when people start ordering from places like america they find a system in place that's entirely geared towards catalogues and mail order. The yanks have been doing mail order for billions of years. And doing it well. Plugging into that system, and the service that surrounds it, is amazingly comforting for a consumer.

The one thing that the Internet can't do is offer instant gratification that the offline stores can. That's an emotional consumer experience that many are willing to pay for, even if they won't admit it.


You're right about payment security, nobody gives it a second thought now. Just wondering what the next chapter is?

Do we hate Apple yet? Are they a tall enough poppy? I just lost my entire iTunes library due to a software 'upgrade'. These guys have cornered the market and are starting to ruffle some feathers.

 

[Tassieboy]

Ah, I've never heard of Book Depository and it looks fantastic. Thanks Grizz.

 

[grizzlym]

The one thing that the Internet can't do is offer instant gratification that the offline stores can. That's an emotional consumer experience that many are willing to pay for, even if they won't admit it.

Yes, and shopping as destination too. Those are emotional aspects of shopping that are difficult to replicate. Although Ebay and the general notion of finding a bargain does provide that rush. But, other factors are kind of becoming far more important in my mind - practical things. Like price and range and convenience.

 

[TAITA]

Yes, and shopping as destination too. Those are emotional aspects of shopping that are difficult to replicate. Although Ebay and the general notion of finding a bargain does provide that rush. But, other factors are kind of becoming far more important in my mind - practical things. Like price and range and convenience.

Getting a car park puts this little black duck off.

 

[grizzlym]

Ah, I've never heard of Book Depository and it looks fantastic. Thanks Grizz.

No worries. There's a UK and American site. Prices can vary between them both. Picked up the new Umberto Eco for like $18.00

 

[grizzlym]

Getting a car park puts this little black duck off.

Me too.

I've never bought shoes online - anyone done that? Like trainers.

 

[TAITA]

Me too.

I've never bought shoes online - anyone done that? Like trainers.

Geez, that's a good point GM - I rate the personal service and fitting I get from my footwear store akin to the advice I receive from my doctor, dentist and optometrist.

A great poster whom we don't see these days all that much and is a very successful realtor in Big Ronnie once told me that the most important part of your wardrobe is your shoes.

 

[grizzlym]

Well, you have a look at Converse all stars. Easy, kick around shoes. You can buy them on Macy's Ebay site, including shipping, in any size or colour for under $70. That's full retail in America, whereas here it's like a bargain price.

As for shoes maketh the man, I'm wearing Blunderstones...

 

[TAITA]

Well, you have a look at Converse all stars. Easy, kick around shoes. You can buy them on Macy's Ebay site, including shipping, in any size or colour for under $70. That's full retail in America, whereas here it's like a bargain price.

As for shoes maketh the man, I'm wearing Blunderstones...

What concerns me about the whole thing is - for a start we are running this two tiered economy where many are making a squillion out of selling the farm and the rest of us in the south and east struggle along - losing jobs to the Orient.

Fine - but what is the plan - the big picture?

We can't all be life insurance agents.

Kevin Rudd's finest moment was when he actually pointed out 'we don't want to be a country that doesn't make anything anymore'.

 

[grizzlym]

What concerns me about the whole thing is - for a start we are running this two tiered economy where many are making a squillion out of selling the farm and the rest of us in the south and east struggle along - losing jobs to the Orient.

Fine - but what is the plan - the big picture?

We can't all be life insurance agents.

Kevin Rudd's finest moment was when he actually pointed out 'we don't want to be a country that doesn't make anything anymore'.

There is no plan. No big picture thinking from our pollies. It's all about the politics of staying in power and the party. Has been for ages.

Personally, I think we're in a lot of trouble which will take a few years to eventuate. Look at the middleclass of today compared to their parents. Same kind of jobs but comparatively poor. The cost of everything is insane.

Anyway, back to your point and the one i made about our pollies. To think you have all of the public service brain power, and there are some extremely good people, dedicated to policy and the like, but the half-witted morons who actually decide the outcome are the party animals.

 

[grizzlym]

When media placement fails.

Right click to view.

 

[TAITA]

When media placement fails.

Right click to view.

Bwhahahaha!!

 

[grizzlym]

I actually hope Spearmint planned it not just a random 'happy accident'.