Visiting the Flinders Rages? make sure you stock up well before you arrive.
Santa said
06:32 PM Sep 26, 2017
Just spent a week in the Flinders, yes! it's a delightful area at this time of year.
However, I strongly suggest you purchase provisions well before arrival, in either Port Augusta or Port Pirie, similar with fuel, the less you have to spend whist up there the better, prices are exorbitant, I suspect traders in the area have strong genetic ties to Ned Kelly.
Dunmowin said
09:09 PM Sep 29, 2017
C'mon Santa, have you forgotten how remote the area is. They have to pay freight to get their product there.
If you are going to these areas, you need to spend some money in the area. IMHO.
Santa said
09:59 PM Sep 29, 2017
Evening Dunmowin,
Not remote at all, Port Augusta and Pirie both only a stones throw from the Flinders, Wilpena only 460 KM from Adelaide.
As for spending money in the area, as little as possible.
Dunmowin said
04:41 PM Sep 30, 2017
With freight coming in probably to Adelaide, then on-forwarded to the Flinders, you are as you say, looking at a further 460km. Does that not warrant extra freight charges. When we were working in the Prairie Hotel in Parachinla, our "local" shop was in Leigh Creek. If we did not travel up to Leigh Creek (I think it was about 60k there, 60k return) our only alternative was a few hours drive back to Port Augusta.
I think the fuel bill would have been larger than the difference in grocery prices. I stand by what I say, tourists and travellers need to inject their funds into these outback services. With out our funds, they will disappear.
Santa said
05:43 PM Sep 30, 2017
Yep, and I stand by what I said, stock up with supplies and fuel on the way through Pirie or Augusta and save yourself a hand full of cash.
rockylizard said
07:09 PM Sep 30, 2017
Dunmowin wrote:
SNIP~~~ I stand by what I say, tourists and travellers need to inject their funds into these outback services. With out our funds, they will disappear.
Gday...
I stand wif ya Dunmowin ... I do try to keep some "base stock" in the van ... but ALWAYS make sure I spend a few $$$ at the 'out-of-town' places that I visit.
They may be dearer on most things ... but hey, better to pay for a bit more for items from time to time rather than turn up and find the store/outlet has closed.
Cheers - John
dazz49 said
07:21 PM Sep 30, 2017
I suppose if you broke down out there and needed assistance for your sleigh Santa you wouldn't use a local, better off to call for help at pirie or port Augusta .. they might be a bit cheaper.
Dunmowin said
08:16 PM Sep 30, 2017
dazz49 wrote:
I suppose if you broke down out there and needed assistance for your sleigh Santa you wouldn't use a local, better off to call for help at pirie or port Augusta .. they might be a bit cheaper.
Thanks RL & Dazz, we just spent 5 weeks up the Cape, if we had taken supplies and fuel to counter the prices up there (considerably more expensive than the Flinders Ranges) we would have been grossly overweight.
Santa said
12:51 PM Oct 1, 2017
Forgot to mention, alcohol also much cheaper along with a much bigger range in the Woolies/Coles stores in Pirie and Augusta.
TheHeaths said
05:42 PM Oct 1, 2017
The area is probably no worse comparatively than any other country area in Australia.
jules47 said
08:04 PM Oct 1, 2017
Or some of the roadhouses, crossing The Nullarbor! Happens in towns and cities as well - here in Perth last Friday one small garage had unleaded and diesel for $1.19l - about 10k down the road, one of the supposedly discount stations was $1.34 for both!
TowBall said
02:56 PM Oct 23, 2017
Hi Santa,
Everyone gotta make a living, My old man use to say " If you dont use them, You will loose them".
Santa said
10:53 AM Oct 24, 2017
TowBall wrote:
Hi Santa, Everyone gotta make a living, My old man use to say " If you dont use them, You will loose them".
Retail businesses fail for many different reasons, for every one that falls by the wayside another will take it's place.
rockylizard said
11:06 AM Oct 24, 2017
Santa wrote:
TowBall wrote:
Hi Santa, Everyone gotta make a living, My old man use to say " If you don't use them, You will lose them".
Retail businesses fail for many different reasons, for every one that falls by the wayside another will take it's place.
Gday...
Theoretically correct Santa.
However, in a small town, the one that "takes its place" is very unlikely to be in the same small town.
When denigrating these small town businesses, with low stock turnover due to amount of trade/traffic, think how much it cost you to buy the products in the "big town/big store" and then to transport it to the area/store you refuse to patronise.
Cost your fuel, wear & tear, labour (your time) etc etc etc and reduce it from the 'savings' you enjoyed from buying in the "big town/big store".
I know I would prefer to support the local, small and often struggling, businesses and help ensure they can remain for the next time I visit.
Of course, their continued existence is not just good for MY convenience, but also for those locals who often have little option but to rely on their availability.
Cheers - John
jules47 said
04:15 PM Oct 24, 2017
We try and support the small stores - buying the necessary items that you need to buy regularly - as RL says - add your petrol for another 50k journey to the "big town", and the fuel back, plus the lunch, coffee and "bargains" you will purchase.
Cupie said
10:06 PM Nov 1, 2017
I've got a foot in both camps.
SWMBO likes to do a weekly shop just like at home, so who am I to argue. Consequently, we fill up at major towns' supermarkets & then top up at the smaller shops as necessary along the way.
If the locals produce fruit, veges, seafood etc. we always pick up some. As well, I much prefer local killed/butchered meat too & don't stock up at Supermarkets. Perhaps one 'emergency' steak & sausages meal is kept in the freezer, just in case.
I always keep on hand an adequate supply (about 1 week's worth) of reasonably priced & acceptable quality wine. (ie $15 - $20 from Dan Murphy's et al.) If the local pub doesn't have an acceptable bottle at a reasonable price, I just abstain or perhaps have a beer with SWMBO at the bar.
edit ... Oops, forgot to add that if we are in a place for more than a week, we just suck it up & buy what we need at the local store.
We like to browse the country clothing shops too & sometimes pick up some interesting stuff ..... just like in the second hand/antique shops.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 1st of November 2017 10:10:42 PM
brickies said
11:08 PM Nov 1, 2017
And we kept getting story of how important the grey nomads are to outback communities with all the money they spend and how they should supply us with free camps to thanks us for all the money we spend there , Tell them they are dreaming .
dazz49 said
11:41 PM Nov 1, 2017
Three pubs have been shut in recent times in the Flinders hawker blinman and Copley. But Santa wouldn't care. He got his cheap booze in pt Augusta. Hope he takes powdered milk as there won't be anywhere left to buy fresh or a loaf of bread in the Flinders if we keep up this attitude. I have been in a small business ( pub).and let me tell you it is not easy to make a quid and no tradie or public servant would put in 80 hours a week for a pittance whilst risking his investment in a business . sorry. Had to get it off my chest. Daz
jules47 said
12:58 AM Nov 2, 2017
Dazz49 - good post mate. We need to support these small towns, or we lose them completely - had a great schnitzel night at Copley pub one time, it was packed, we sat with a couple from Victoria somewhere - nicer than dining on our own, they thought the same thing - so we joined up.
The caravan park down the road used to have 10am morning teas, homemade scones, pikelets, etc.
Took half an hour for one of the mine trains to pass us by - daily pastime - count the carriages, and see how long it takes.
Santa said
08:54 AM Nov 2, 2017
dazz49 wrote:
Three pubs have been shut in recent times in the Flinders hawker blinman and Copley. But Santa wouldn't care. He got his cheap booze in pt Augusta. Hope he takes powdered milk as there won't be anywhere left to buy fresh or a loaf of bread in the Flinders if we keep up this attitude. I have been in a small business ( pub).and let me tell you it is not easy to make a quid and no tradie or public servant would put in 80 hours a week for a pittance whilst risking his investment in a business . sorry. Had to get it off my chest. Daz
Well done Daz! hope you feel better for it.
Tony Bev said
01:03 PM Nov 2, 2017
I have two opinions on this post I do not have any facts and figures at hand, so I could therefore be way off the mark
I try to look at things with a signtific mind By looking at the signs, that I see
More of us are retiring More of us are travelling More of us are richer than our parents were More of us are just as poor as, or even poorer than our parents were
Santa has helped some travellers, by pointing out the higher cost of a certain area, so that they are forewarned Others pointed out that if we do not patronise the shops in the smaller towns, we will lose them In my opinion, both the above statements are applicable
As we are all different, I can only speak for myself I would prefer to see small towns put an area aside, for self contained vehicles to free camp, on the provision that the free campers Keep that area clean, and patronise the local shops
On the other hand, I forget the name of the town, but in 2013 I passed through a town, near a coastal border between VIC and NSW They had turned an unused caravan park, into a free camp without power, but with water, flushing toilets, and cold showers available Talking to some locals, not many free campers patronised the shop I can only say, more fool us, for ignoring the hand, which was trying to help us
Cupie said
06:52 PM Nov 2, 2017
As you say we are all different.
We don't free camp, but I am just finishing putting in a new 12v system that includes Solar, so we will have the ability to free camp in future.
It is good to be forewarned of high grocery prices so that we can make the decisions that suit us.
We patronise some but not all of the small town shops, but like most, we have a finite budget & make savings where we choose.
If I see a reasonable mark up then I accept it, but if I see what I consider is a rip off then I keep my coin & sometimes give feedback.
I don't see it as my role to subsidise unprofitable businesses and nor do I see it as the role of the local rate payers to provide me with free accommodation. Maybe we should look harder for the middle ground.
jules47 said
12:57 AM Nov 3, 2017
We were near a small town on the coast of WA recently - the " grocery/newsagency/just about everything shop" had sausages in the freezer, that they put in there when almost out of date - cost was a bit cheaper than original - so rather than throw the goods out, they sold them at a reduced price. Enterprise.
aussie_paul said
05:46 PM Nov 3, 2017
jules47 wrote:
We were near a small town on the coast of WA recently - the " grocery/newsagency/just about everything shop" had sausages in the freezer, that they put in there when almost out of date - cost was a bit cheaper than original - so rather than throw the goods out, they sold them at a reduced price. Enterprise.
Love it Jules.
Aussie Paul.
Santa said
06:12 PM Nov 3, 2017
jules47 wrote:
We were near a small town on the coast of WA recently - the " grocery/newsagency/just about everything shop" had sausages in the freezer, that they put in there when almost out of date - cost was a bit cheaper than original - so rather than throw the goods out, they sold them at a reduced price. Enterprise.
Ah yes, small business and penny pinching, lived in a small far Northern SA town for many years, the local store owner was a very (frugal) lady, the girls that worked in the deli section were required to wipe the age slime of the ham every morning with a cloth dipped in vinegar, could quote other instances in the same business, needless to say, no more meat purchases from that place.
Tony Bev said
06:44 PM Nov 3, 2017
Santa wrote:
jules47 wrote:
We were near a small town on the coast of WA recently - the " grocery/newsagency/just about everything shop" had sausages in the freezer, that they put in there when almost out of date - cost was a bit cheaper than original - so rather than throw the goods out, they sold them at a reduced price. Enterprise.
Ah yes, small business and penny pinching, lived in a small far Northern SA town for many years, the local store owner was a very (frugal) lady, the girls that worked in the deli section were required to wipe the age slime of the ham every morning with a cloth dipped in vinegar, could quote other instances in the same business, needless to say, no more meat purchases from that place.
I am sure that this happens elsewhere, Santa
I shall not mention the shop, (a large supermarket in Bunbury WA)
Daughter was employed stacking shelves, the procedure was, (on some occasions)
Remove old stock Wipe shelf down with, (a cleaning product from another shelf) New stock to rear Old stock to front Replace cleaning product, from where you got it
Perhaps the shelf stackers were employed by outside contractors, who were suppose to have their own cleaning product
Just spent a week in the Flinders, yes! it's a delightful area at this time of year.
However, I strongly suggest you purchase provisions well before arrival, in either Port Augusta or Port Pirie, similar with fuel, the less you have to spend whist up there the better, prices are exorbitant, I suspect traders in the area have strong genetic ties to Ned Kelly.
C'mon Santa, have you forgotten how remote the area is. They have to pay freight to get their product there.
If you are going to these areas, you need to spend some money in the area. IMHO.
Evening Dunmowin,
Not remote at all, Port Augusta and Pirie both only a stones throw from the Flinders, Wilpena only 460 KM from Adelaide.
As for spending money in the area, as little as possible.
With freight coming in probably to Adelaide, then on-forwarded to the Flinders, you are as you say, looking at a further 460km. Does that not warrant extra freight charges. When we were working in the Prairie Hotel in Parachinla, our "local" shop was in Leigh Creek. If we did not travel up to Leigh Creek (I think it was about 60k there, 60k return) our only alternative was a few hours drive back to Port Augusta.
I think the fuel bill would have been larger than the difference in grocery prices. I stand by what I say, tourists and travellers need to inject their funds into these outback services. With out our funds, they will disappear.
Yep, and I stand by what I said, stock up with supplies and fuel on the way through Pirie or Augusta and save yourself a hand full of cash.
Gday...
I stand wif ya Dunmowin ... I do try to keep some "base stock" in the van ... but ALWAYS make sure I spend a few $$$ at the 'out-of-town' places that I visit.
They may be dearer on most things ... but hey, better to pay for a bit more for items from time to time rather than turn up and find the store/outlet has closed.
Cheers - John
Thanks RL & Dazz, we just spent 5 weeks up the Cape, if we had taken supplies and fuel to counter the prices up there (considerably more expensive than the Flinders Ranges) we would have been grossly overweight.
Forgot to mention, alcohol also much cheaper along with a much bigger range in the Woolies/Coles stores in Pirie and Augusta.
Everyone gotta make a living, My old man use to say " If you dont use them, You will loose them".
Retail businesses fail for many different reasons, for every one that falls by the wayside another will take it's place.
Gday...
Theoretically correct Santa.
However, in a small town, the one that "takes its place" is very unlikely to be in the same small town.
When denigrating these small town businesses, with low stock turnover due to amount of trade/traffic, think how much it cost you to buy the products in the "big town/big store" and then to transport it to the area/store you refuse to patronise.
Cost your fuel, wear & tear, labour (your time) etc etc etc and reduce it from the 'savings' you enjoyed from buying in the "big town/big store".
I know I would prefer to support the local, small and often struggling, businesses and help ensure they can remain for the next time I visit.
Of course, their continued existence is not just good for MY convenience, but also for those locals who often have little option but to rely on their availability.
Cheers - John
I've got a foot in both camps.
SWMBO likes to do a weekly shop just like at home, so who am I to argue. Consequently, we fill up at major towns' supermarkets & then top up at the smaller shops as necessary along the way.
If the locals produce fruit, veges, seafood etc. we always pick up some. As well, I much prefer local killed/butchered meat too & don't stock up at Supermarkets. Perhaps one 'emergency' steak & sausages meal is kept in the freezer, just in case.
I always keep on hand an adequate supply (about 1 week's worth) of reasonably priced & acceptable quality wine. (ie $15 - $20 from Dan Murphy's et al.) If the local pub doesn't have an acceptable bottle at a reasonable price, I just abstain or perhaps have a beer with SWMBO at the bar.
edit ... Oops, forgot to add that if we are in a place for more than a week, we just suck it up & buy what we need at the local store.
We like to browse the country clothing shops too & sometimes pick up some interesting stuff ..... just like in the second hand/antique shops.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 1st of November 2017 10:10:42 PM
The caravan park down the road used to have 10am morning teas, homemade scones, pikelets, etc.
Took half an hour for one of the mine trains to pass us by - daily pastime - count the carriages, and see how long it takes.
Well done Daz! hope you feel better for it.
I have two opinions on this post
By looking at the signs, that I see 
I do not have any facts and figures at hand, so I could therefore be way off the mark
I try to look at things with a signtific mind
More of us are retiring
More of us are travelling
More of us are richer than our parents were
More of us are just as poor as, or even poorer than our parents were
Santa has helped some travellers, by pointing out the higher cost of a certain area, so that they are forewarned
Others pointed out that if we do not patronise the shops in the smaller towns, we will lose them
In my opinion, both the above statements are applicable
As we are all different, I can only speak for myself
I would prefer to see small towns put an area aside, for self contained vehicles to free camp, on the provision that the free campers
Keep that area clean, and patronise the local shops
On the other hand, I forget the name of the town, but in 2013 I passed through a town, near a coastal border between VIC and NSW
They had turned an unused caravan park, into a free camp without power, but with water, flushing toilets, and cold showers available
Talking to some locals, not many free campers patronised the shop
I can only say, more fool us, for ignoring the hand, which was trying to help us
As you say we are all different.
We don't free camp, but I am just finishing putting in a new 12v system that includes Solar, so we will have the ability to free camp in future.
It is good to be forewarned of high grocery prices so that we can make the decisions that suit us.
We patronise some but not all of the small town shops, but like most, we have a finite budget & make savings where we choose.
If I see a reasonable mark up then I accept it, but if I see what I consider is a rip off then I keep my coin & sometimes give feedback.
I don't see it as my role to subsidise unprofitable businesses and nor do I see it as the role of the local rate payers to provide me with free accommodation. Maybe we should look harder for the middle ground.
Love it Jules.
Aussie Paul.
Ah yes, small business and penny pinching, lived in a small far Northern SA town for many years, the local store owner was a very (frugal) lady, the girls that worked in the deli section were required to wipe the age slime of the ham every morning with a cloth dipped in vinegar, could quote other instances in the same business, needless to say, no more meat purchases from that place.
I am sure that this happens elsewhere, Santa
I shall not mention the shop, (a large supermarket in Bunbury WA)
Daughter was employed stacking shelves, the procedure was, (on some occasions)
Remove old stock
Wipe shelf down with, (a cleaning product from another shelf)
New stock to rear
Old stock to front
Replace cleaning product, from where you got it
Perhaps the shelf stackers were employed by outside contractors, who were suppose to have their own cleaning product