Newsletter Prize

Spot the Error

In our current newsletter, we made a simple mistake. If you can call in to Hillvue Road store and tell us what that error was, we'll give you a small prize. Don't look too hard, it's quite simple.

We'll keep handing out prizes while they last or until the next newsletter, whichever comes first.

Just a little fun for our customers.

If you can't find a copy of the current newsletter (#136 August), collect one from our store.

Maxine and Peter

Mystery Customer

Electronic Account Payment

Thanks to all the customers who have promptly paid their account directly into our bank. As we have said, from time to time, some make entries with incomplete or insufficient details for us to allocate the payment to the correct account.

The statements we send out have common amounts for the popular orders and sometimes there are hundreds of customers who pay exactly identical amounts. This can make it impossible to track untagged payments. As a result the payment is not allocated to the customer and they are sent a message with the next account saying their payment is overdue. As you appreciate, this would upset anybody. Please help us to avoid this embarassing situation.

In July, we received a direct payment from account "NICU 55245s10 Customer" and privacy rules don't allow the bank to help. (Another case of big business hiding behind these laws to avoid taking time to resolve simple problems.) If you made this payment, please contact us so we can correct the error for you.

Maxine and Peter

Minor Lotto Changes

Price Changes to Lotto Games

There have been several changes to different games that you should be aware of when placing your next entries. The size of several megapicks has changed so that you will get additional games when you request a megapick. The price per game has remained unaltered.

Some of the system entries have changed price and this will effect their total cost. As a result, we have had to restructure the cost and number of shares in our in-store syndicates.

We are happy to discuss these changes, but bear them in mind if you are the one who organises syndicates for work, friends or family.

Maxine and Peter

Olympic Planning

Here Come the Games!

With about 2 weeks to go before the start of the Olympics in China, we have a number of guides to the games in stock. Each couple of days seem to bring a new publication about this great event in Beijing. Call in and check them out.

Many promotions are being linked to the Olympic games and the publishers will use the event to help promote their products. Use the opportunity to win some of the fantastic prizes on offer. Watch for even more promotions to be announced closer to the start of the games.

Keep up to date with the events, results and viewing through the daily newspapers that will carry special features on the games. The kids will probably have projects about the games, so you could start collecting info for them as the excitement and expectations build.

Maxine and Peter

Holiday Fun at Hillvue Road

School Holiday Customer Bonus

During the holidays, we are giving customers a free gift with their purchase (whilst stocks last). You can select your own surprise from our basket of goodies. Just a bit of fun for our special customers.

We have had a large number of kids in to select a gift so far, but the offer will end when school goes back or when we run out of gifts, whichever comes first.

Call into the Hillvue Road store and join in the holiday fun with us.

Maxine and Peter

Phone Credits and Bill Payments

BillEXPRESS and Dialtime

These interlinked companies that supplied us with the electronic service we offered have gone into receivership and created a major problem for many newsagents. We are working on a solution for our customers and in the interim, have arranged to have physical phonecards available as a substitute.

We had spent several years waiting for them to honor promises including allowing your payments for Tamworth Council and Telstra as well as other significant companies. We had invested a huge amount of time and effort for these companies and now we find it has been wasted. Another corporation strikes at the very heart of small business. It becomes a constant fight to exist because of lack of support and unfair conditions controlled by big corporations and used against small business.

Despite all these hardships we will endeavour to return to our high level of local service in a short time. We appreciate your tolerance and ongoing support.

Maxine and Peter