Update on recent developments 
When we started developing the Pod System we were focused on trying to make the
freight cheaper for our rural and remote customers by linking them into a POD Manager
located in their nearest regional centre. Mackay POD has been our ‘Test” pod
and what has ended up happening is that most of the interest was from small orderers from
suburbs in and around Mackay itself as opposed to the outlying and more remote parts.
We then had to rethink how to do the POD and still create financial benefits for the
members if they were all from the same courier ‘zone’ as the POD Manager
anyway. We decided to try it a bit more ‘co-op’ style. Many members only
wanted a few kg’s but getting it directly delivered to themselves meant they copped
the big base charge alone.
However, if we packed all the smaller orders together to make up the 25kg box limit,
that base charge could be spread further. The difference meant that someone who only
wanted 5kg and who was previously paying $19 freight or $3.80/kg could reduce the freight
to $1.18/kg with this POD method in this region. Plus, they get to get to meet up with
potentially like-minded people in their local area when collecting their order. So, there
was a social networking aspect to it too.
This system created a little extra work for the POD manager as the individual orders
were not packed in their own little box but we were able to adjust the POD manager’s
reward system to make it worthwhile. So now what we see is that even those people in
cities and major towns could benefit from joining a POD. In fact, the per kg freight rate
could drop by half once the POD is going reasonably strong but even in the first order it
could drop by at least 45cents or more depending on where you live. To find out more email
newsantos@santostrading.com.au or phone 1300855534 or 02 66855685. KENDALL NSW POD
STARTING SOON !!!! - click here
to register and join
How it works:
People in the outlying areas of a town on the grid, join a Pod so as to be able to
have their goods sent to the Pod manager’s house in the town, thereby saving money
on freight for those off the grid. 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 that
the Pod member’s freight will be calculated based on the Pod manager’s
address, not their own address, thereby giving them better freight prices.
You can choose if you want to be in the regular POD monthly order or if you want an
individual order to your actual address (this of course would be at the more expensive
freight rate) giving you some flexibility in case something is urgent. 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 and friends, and
even on Australia in general!
Tips on setting yourself up as a Pod Member:
- Set up your ‘login’ account online. Click
Here
- An email will be sent to you once you’ve completed the process.
- Activate your account from that email.
- Log in to your account online, and go to ‘My Account’ (top menu bar)
– ‘My Details’ (from the drop-down menu).
- .Click on ‘Join a Pod’ (top menu bar) and select the POD for your
region, click on ‘Join this POD’.
- Enter your credit card details.
- Wait to hear from the Pod Manager.
- When you’re ready to order, login to your account, and place your order
online.
Simple ~ Affordable ~ Healthy..
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