Independent retailers boycott Vodafone top-up cards |
| Friday, 11 July 2008 | |||||||||||||
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Some 5,000 independent retailers around the UK are today refusing to sell Vodafone products in protest at the mobile phone company’s decision to cut airtime commissions paid by 1% from 1 August 2008. The campaign against the change in the commission scheme is being co-ordinated by Kevin Hunt, a Spar retailer with 28 stores in the North-west of England He has set up a website for retailers to lend their support by signing a petition that will be sent to Vodafone. Other independent retailers supporting the campaign include Botterills Convenience Stores in Scotland, Gillett's Callington in the South-west of England and Henderson Retail in Northern Ireland. Chris Lewis, trading director of Spar UK, backed Hunt's campaign. He said: “There has been an overwhelming response from retailers around the country in response to Kevin's website. In the first few hours of its launch over 500 retailers had joined the petition. We are offering our support to Kevin in protecting the profitability of all retailers. “Vodafone is making record profits whilst retailers face lower margins and are bearing the brunt of corporate cost cutting, over which they have no control. The situation is unacceptable.” Related Articles
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Comments (3)
Clive Frear
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Its a great pity tha... Its a great pity that, in true British tradition, we allow large organisations and government policies to erode our liberties and income and yet we do nothing more than a token wave of a disapproving finger. Vodafone know full well we retailers will roll over and that's just what's happened, paving the way for every other phone company and utility company to follow suit. Rather reminds me of the fuel protests when the tanker blockade brought the country to a halt. But when the government ignored the action, it was "OK folks, back to work then and we'll pay what you ask!" It's a shame Kevin has backed down. Full credit for the initiative. I supported the action and am undecided as to how I should proceed. If I make an admin charge to customers, Vodafone will still have won. If I stop selling Vodafone top-ups but nobody else does, other mobile phone companies will still reduce their commissions duly and I will have gained nothing. Funny old world! |
c mistry
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I am a independent r... I am a independent retailer who support Kevin on this matter. |
Amit Patel
said:
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I have contacted the... I have contacted the NFRN and 3R Telecom and advised them of Kevins website. Both organisations have committed support Kevin. The Fed have set up link from their website to Kevins and 3R will be sending out a bulletin to all their retailers. Finally Costcutter retailers will be boycotting Vodaphone on Friday, 18th July. |
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