Dear Customers,
We've decided to cap the number of pods for the time being,
as we'd like to work on the background functionality of the pod system before taking it further.
New members are welcome to join existing pods,
but no new pods will be set up until further notice. A list of active pods can be found in our
online shopping cart, on the right side of the page, below the cart summary.
We've been talking to many existing pod members and
managers recently about what we can do in order to improve how the pod system flows. We'd like
to implement some changes before continuing.
Thank you for all your enthusiasm and patience as we bring the
pod system to life!
Click here
to register and join.
Update on recent developments:
When we started developing the Pod System we focused on making freight cheaper for our rural and
remote customers, by linking them into a pod Manager, located in their nearest regional centre.
The Mackay pod, our ‘Test” pod, has shown us that most interest was from people
living in the suburbs in and around Mackay itself, as opposed to the outlying and more remote parts,
as we initially thought it would be...
We then had to rethink how to run a pod and still create financial benefits for the members,
even if they were from the same courier ‘zone’ as the pod manager. We decided to try it
a bit more ‘co-op’ style.
Many members only wanted a few kgs, but getting it delivered to them as individuals, meant they
copped the big base charge alone. However, if we packed all the smaller orders together to make up
the 25kg box limit, the base charge could be spread amongst all pod members.
This meant that someone from Mackay, who only wanted 5kg, and who was previously paying $19
freight, or $3.80/kg, could reduce their freight to $1.18/kg.
This system created a little extra work for the pod manager, as the individual orders were not
packed into their own little boxes, but we were able to adjust the pod manager’s reward system
to make it worthwhile.
So now what we see is that even people in cities and major towns can benefit by joining a pod.
In fact, the per kg freight rate could drop by half once the pod is going reasonably strong, but
even the first order could drop by at 45cents per kg, or more, depending on where you live.
To find out more email: newsantos@santostrading.com.au or phone 1300855534 or 02 66855685.
How it works:
People from outlying areas of a town on the ‘grid’, or those from within the town
itself, join a pod, so as to be able to have their goods sent to the pod manager’s house
within the town. This saves money on freight for those off the grid and for those within the town
too...
All orders for said pod will be dispatched at the same time, and then on a set day, people go to
the pod manager’s house and collect their orders. We’ve set it up so that each pod
member places their order individually, pays for it directly with Santos and each pod member’s
freight is calculated as per usual, automatically online.
The key difference, and what makes this system work, is twofold.
- Outlying pod member’s freight will be calculated based on the pod manager’s
address, within the town, not their own address, thereby giving them better freight prices.
- For those that live within the town itself, you save because the base charge is spread over
the entire pod.
If individual members want to order outside of the regular monthly pod order, and have it sent
to their actual address, this would be at the more expensive freight rate.
You can also choose if you want to be known to the group or not, allowing for contact between
members and managers or not. (Obviously, some contact is required between members and manager to
organise pick up.)
And there’s more:
We feel that there is huge potential for this system to bring like-minded people together and to
create and strengthen communities all around the country.
We hope that these strengthened communities have a positive impact on their neighbours, friends
and Australia in general!
Tips on setting yourself up as a Pod Member:
1. Set up your ‘login’ account online. Click Here
2. An email will be sent to you once you’ve completed the process.
3. Activate your account from that email.
4. Log in to your account online, and go to ‘My Account’ (top menu bar) –
‘My Details’ (from the drop-
|
