The totally off-topic thread

[anat0l]

That slot/space on the RHS is for a trolley lock .... get ready to go shopping with coins.

Kind of funny here with shopping. Given that I use public transport all the time and you need to BYO bags (or purchase them from the supermarket), I get used to shopping more often than I do in Australia, but many small shops rather than a few or one very big shop. Indeed, there are not many trolleys at all to be seen in several shops; most of us simply use baskets.

The prices are fairly stable here, with not many daily / one-day specials abound except for some items being marked down near the end of the day to move them quickly. Also, there's no loyalty programme here where you need to spend at least $30 to make one point, or what not. (In fact, there's not really a loyalty programme here at all, although I've been told if I can join this loyalty programme for this supermarket chain - no English directions - I can get 1% back in a voucher once in a while).

I remember I had a souvenir from a FF do in Europe once. It was a "fake" one Euro coin which is contained in a small metal case (a bit like a card case, but thinner), and can be carried on a key ring. The idea was that it was an ideal substitute for use at supermarkets where a coin deposit is required to unlock a trolley (and of course is duly recovered when you return the trolley).

 

[anat0l]

The best device I've seen was when living in Christchurch my local Countdown (part of Woolworths) was just down the road from the Uni and so there were plenty of uni flats in the area and the students tended to wheel their shopping home. I even ended up with a trolly up a tree outside my flat once :shock: Eventually the Countdown installed wheel locks on the trollys that would lock one wheel when it reached a certain radius from the store. So you could get to about the end of the carpark. No pesky coins needed and the supermarket doesn't have to go looking for their trollys.

Coles have that at a number of locations in Brisbane now (I can't remember which ones, but they are certainly there). I guess it uses some sort of wireless technology, or GPS or something. Someone may know how it works here.

Of course, you can still flog the trolley by picking it up rather than wheeling it, but that'd look way too suss and quite impractical unless you were hell-bent on p*ssing someone off.

 

[erkpod]

One of my local Coles has the trolley locking system.


The Woolies I normally shop at has the coin system. They gave out tokens when the store opened. I have a token on my car keys.

I can remember my local Super K Mart stores had the coin slots that used to take 20c coins.

 

[amaroo]

Australia is a funny place. Years go WOW trialed (IIRC local council induced decision) trolley locks at their Dee Why store - business dropped 30% overnight .... the trial didn't run the course.

The major retailers (Coles/WOW) haven't been gamed enough to introduce unless the local council force it upon them. Aldi (German owned) have locks on everyone of their trolleys and doesn't have an issue!

 

[suze2000]

Our local Woolies gives out keyring tokens. I have a few now because of forgetting/not having my own car/life etc. Whenever I ask for a trolley to be unlocked because I don't have change/a token, they give me another one, which is great service IMO. I find them to be more valuable (emotionally) than the dollar coin they are made to replace.

Interestingly, the Coles (about 100m away) introduced locking trolleys but withdrew them after a backlash, while the Woolies always had them. I can only assume that they got away with it because it's a new supermarket. Consequently though, the only trolleys you see in the wild are Coles trolleys.

 

[whatmeworry]

The renovated Footscray Kmart has introduced the trolley locking system. You can't take them out of the plaza. Only problem is, the upstairs carpack closes at like 6 or 7pm, whereas the Kmart is open till 10pm on weeknights. I saw a woman last night who couldn't take the trolley to her car. I suspect when the Coles reopens later this month, that's when we will really see the chaos.

 

[Katie]

Coles have that at a number of locations in Brisbane now (I can't remember which ones, but they are certainly there). I guess it uses some sort of wireless technology, or GPS or something.

Toombul has them ...

 

[Buzzard]

I don't usually catch the bus to work but did this morning as I'm going to the AFF ADL Dinner and Drinks.
Quite an experience. The entire trip the two girls behind me were discussing their breast reductions :shock:
I think the entire bus load of passengers are now knowledgeable on the subject.
Mind you, the discussion could have been somewhat shorter as I think about 25% of the words spoken was the word "like".

 

[blackcat20]

JT concert last night was phenomenal; performed for 2.5 hours without skipping a beat.

 

[Princess Fiona]

JT concert last night was phenomenal; performed for 2.5 hours without skipping a beat.

I saw him in SYD on his last tour and also loved it

 

[blackcat20]

I saw him in SYD on his last tour and also loved it

Me too. I was lucky enough to score a few high fives from him last time. He's a very skilled performer. Good mix of old and new songs too.

 

[RAM]

Perfect result for Manly.

Could still be a Manly vs Roosters grand final!

Go stand in the corner!

 

[RAM]

I don't usually catch the bus to work but did this morning as I'm going to the AFF ADL Dinner and Drinks.
Quite an experience. The entire trip the two girls behind me were discussing their breast reductions :shock:
I think the entire bus load of passengers are now knowledgeable on the subject.
Mind you, the discussion could have been somewhat shorter as I think about 25% of the words spoken was the word "like".

Since punctuation and grammar became words that most at school cannot spell, 'like' is the new punctuation.

Nearly as maddening as "Yes, no" was in the 90s and early 00s.

 

[erkpod]

I don't usually catch the bus to work but did this morning as I'm going to the AFF ADL Dinner and Drinks.
Quite an experience. The entire trip the two girls behind me were discussing their breast reductions :shock:
I think the entire bus load of passengers are now knowledgeable on the subject.
Mind you, the discussion could have been somewhat shorter as I think about 25% of the words spoken was the word "like".

Did you offer your opinion on the subject?

 

[Princess Fiona]

bugger, that means the pound will probably start to rise against the $.




Only joking, before someone decides to give me a Glasgow kiss...........

Doesn't bother me now
I bought a new bag at Chanel LHR T3 earlier this week and got a third off the cost price here in Australia.
Can't understand why Shrek can't see what a bargain it was

 

[RAM]

Doesn't bother me now
I bought a new bag at Chanel LHR T3 earlier this week and got a third off the cost price here in Australia.
Can't understand why Shrek can't see what a bargain it was

I have the same opinion with chocolate unfortunately it has worse side effects!

 

[TomVexille]

Doesn't bother me now
I bought a new bag at Chanel LHR T3 earlier this week and got a third off the cost price here in Australia.
Can't understand why Shrek can't see what a bargain it was

I feel like I've been on his side of that conversation

 

[Princess Fiona]

Deleted ....

 

[blackcat20]

Doesn't bother me now
I bought a new bag at Chanel LHR T3 earlier this week and got a third off the cost price here in Australia.
Can't understand why Shrek can't see what a bargain it was

It's about how much you saved, not how much you spent, right?

 

[medhead]

or maybe Perth from the rest of Oz

Only once they pay back all the subsidise they got from the rest of Australia.