Letters to the Editor
WILLIAM HARRIS: Re Poor service: the real reason we shop online, (InDaily, 12 November 2013), the problem is the manufacturers who flood consumers with a range of models, update the model each year even though the new model performs no better than the preceding one, and then cannot maintain a supply of spare parts for such a wide range in this country years later. The retailer is left to deal with the resulting poor customer service. The retailers in response should do exactly what your correspondent did – if the manufacturer cannot supply a spare then source it online. In this way the customer gets their item, the retailer maintains their business, and the government gets the GST. However, this will require new thinking and capability on behalf of retailers.
SUE-ELLEN CAMPBELL: I’ve just returned from Queensland where we are selling an investment unit. This unit is a short stay holiday let. I went to see what had to be done to present it for sale. I rang three carpet suppliers and got two out within four hours to quote; ordered the carpet and it was installed two days later. I had a curtain maker out in the same four hours – he needed 10 days and then he would come and hang them and call me to be paid then (no deposit). I organised a cleaner (the second one I rang) to come the next day for a full clean. The painter came, quoted and for an extremely reasonable amount he completed a range of jobs within three days. A tiler to replace two kitchen porcelain floor tiles cost us $100. I stayed over two nights and then left them to it but it was all done (bar the curtains) in five days.
When we bought this unit we furnished it: all delivered the day after ordering. This furniture was reasonable quality and they took stuff from another person’s order because they could replace it before the other purchaser needed it delivered. I have had a similar experience in Victoria with another property.
Try doing any of that in Adelaide. To get a quote for anything takes a few days at least. To actually get something done takes weeks. The prices for painting and other jobs are ridiculous.
And don’t get me started on the service in shops…
B. CULLEN: Kathy Rossini asks why can’t Michelle Grattan say something nice about Mr Abbott.
The reason is simple -he is not a nice man.
I was appalled to hear Mr Abbott at a short Press conference after the “installation” of Parliament refer to the leader of the opposition as “Electricity Bill Shorten” – and say “may he have a light bulb moment”. I sat there thinking here we go again, this is what Julia Gillard put up with day after day, only she suffered a lot worse from him. Not a sensible word, ever. Just nastiness. I hear that the Foreign Minister was thought “rude” by the Indonesians, they had better brace themselves for a lot worse when they deal with Abbott, he will stop at nothing, and rarely “repent”.
JUDY MELBOURNE: Thank heavens for Dr Philip Nitschke and people like him (Euthanasia clinic for Adelaide, InDaily, 12 November 2013). I strongly believe people should have this option available (after some form of checking the reasons for their preference to die at a time of their choosing, etc.)
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After experiencing some close people going through long, drawn out and impossible to help illnesses, one can only hope this program gets off the ground in South Australia and that the associated Bill is passed in our State parliament.
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