Labor's plan to install Set Top Boxes for an average of $330 is crazy.

Today I decided to test how long it would take me to install and configure a HD Set Top Box. I decided to purchase a brand new unit so I had no knowledge of the product in advance. I am assuming that those who get the $330 (an average I’ve read) will know the equipment and be very experienced in setting up the Set Top Box, so should take less time than I did.

I checked the Doncaster East store for Target and Dick Smith. They didn’t have the model I wanted so I went to Dick Smith Shoppingtown. I decided to go with the Dick Smith HD Set Top Box GHP5926 which was on special for $10 off at $59.98. I liked this unit over cheaper units as it also has the ability to record to a USB drive (memory stick). Although that was outside of the scope as the main purpose of the government subsidy I think would be to continue enabling pensioners to receive free-to-air TV. This is fair as it isn’t the pensioners’ fault the government is closing down the analogue service and in all likelihood, the government is making money in some form by moving to digital and so it is fair to reimburse the needy.

The average cost for a basic and quite reasonable HD Set Top Boxes was around $59-$79 so they aren’t that expensive. Spending more may not be a good idea because if you do, you really need to consider your requirements better.

I arrived home, unpacked the Set Top Box and had it set up and tuned into the stations in 13 minutes. To be fair I was removing an older SD Set Top Box PVR so the configuration was similar. But given I’d never seen or used one of these units, there was a slight learning curve for me, I suspect this will balance things out with the experience installer.

For the government to spend an average of $330 per site is not justified. Why can’t the government just provide a voucher for a reasonably price Set Top Box that people could then use to purchase a unit. Most people will have a family member who can set it up. If they don’t, then give these people additional assistance.

The problem is the technician who is installing the Set Top Box will probably make very little and the large company who gets the contract will  make a killing at our expense.

I recently had to install a Set Top Box for a home user which took about an hour. The problem is Optus had come along and removed their service and left the client with all their equipment, DVD/VCR/Set Top Box not working and a pile of cables in a total mess. But in the situation where a Set Top Box would normally be installed it should be relatively easy.

There are two issues which could complicate the situation. The reception may be weak and in that situation additional technical help will be required. I expect those situations to be the exception rather than the norm. The other is that you should also provide some basic training.

The problem with the Set Top Box approach is it makes it more complicated for people. I’ve seen a number of elderly people struggle with the multiple controllers. A better option for most people would be to put the money towards a new digital ready TV and keep things simple. Old analogue TVs were seldom bigger than 26” and a suitable replacement would be a 32” LCD. The money for a lot of people would be better spent on a new TV and not a complicated Set Top Box set up. I’m sure many people would love the option of using a voucher for the Set Top Box towards part payment of a new digital ready TV.

If anyone in the Templestowe and surrounding postcode area requires their Set Top Box to be set up please contact me. Being local there is no call out fee. Just the time it takes to install the Set Top Box and if you want some basic instruction the time involved shouldn’t cost too much.

This is an opportunity where the government could have provided some better options in my opinion. By allowing people the option to purchase what they need, those people are more likely to use the services of local people and instead of the money going to big business, it could have helped a lot of smaller businesses across Australia. Even Dick Smith and other retailers I’m sure will offer an installation service if required at a much better rate.

 

I just hope the elderly amongst us don’t end up being greedy rather than needy. Yes if the government is giving something back it is hard to say no since it doesn’t happen that often, but is it right. The cost of all those low energy light bulbs was $10 per bulb for something that could have been done for a dollar or two and now we are all paying with higher electricity charges. What looks like a bargain may in fact cost you or your children more down the track.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au  

Getting out of the car park at Shoppingtown needs improvement

I don't have a problem leaving Greensborough Plaza or Eastland, shoppo just doesn't seem to have been designed right.

It is a Sunday shortly after 5pm. I get into the car to exit via Williamsons Road from the car park at the Myer end. At 5:06pm I hit the queue of cars. It's 5:21pm. Free at last;-) A good thing it wasn't a busy day. It actually took two and a half times longer to get out of the car park than it did to get home.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Daiso or the $2.80 shop open at Doncaster Shoppingtown

My girls mentioned the $2.80 shop at shoppo so I decided to check it out.

There were 20 people in the queue to get in when I arrived, but it only took a few minutes to get in.

Not knowing what to expect, once in I realised the shop has a Japanese feel about it. It is like a $2 shop but with lots of neat items I'd not seen before and some I wish I'd seen in the past when I was looking for something, such as an insulated bag for my cans of drink.

Certainly worth a look see, but keep in mind it is packed at the moment. It will take you longer to get out then in.


Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Small businesses closing down. Don't be next.

I thought I’d share the following article which appeared on the News site. Whilst it is expected the a certain number of small businesses will close up each year, equally new business start up. In this article there is no mention of new businesses starting up, so if we factor new businesses in, to lose over 10,000 small business a year incredible, but what’s even more incredible is it understates the real number of businesses closing down.

SMALL shops are still badly wounded from the global financial crisis, with exclusive analysis for news.com.au showing that more than 30,000 of the most vulnerable small businesses disappeared between the 2007 and 2010 elections. ... Read More

 

If you read many of the comments on the article by people you would get the idea it is all the government’s fault. Yes there is too much red tape, yes we are over governed, yes people prefer to buy at large department stores, but ultimately we are businesses and we have to work out how to survive. No one asked us to start a business. It was our choice. Should we really be putting our hand out to government. I don’t think so. If we do the government simply needs to take the money off us in the first place and by the time it comes back to u,s it is a fraction of what they’ve collected.

To me one of the biggest problems for small business is being seen by people in their area and for locals to support the businesses. But equally how many small business give preference to locals to supply them with products and services. Certainly none of the local businesses in my area ever ask me what I do, or give me business. With that approach how can they expect any loyalty from locals. Most businesses simply take from their customers in the form of profits and rarely see their customers as potential suppliers. Personally I look at my customers as the first people I call if I want a service. I look for ways to refer business to my customers if I can. If more small businesses stopped just taking from the local community and actively looked for ways to spend their expense dollars locally I believe they’d make a huge difference.

As small businesses we only have ourselves to blame. Look for ways to help other locals with your purchasing power and you’ll get more loyalty from locals. If you don’t, your business may be the next business they’ll be looking to online stores to provide your product or service. Loyalty is a two way street. You can make it happen but not if you only take and don’t give back.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Single lane in Tram Road near Shoppingtown

Just got caught in traffic in Tram Road heading North just before Shoppingtown. Construction has blocked one lane leaving one lane open. May get worse as traffic builds. Still moving. May be worth avoiding.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Templestowe College and Doncaster's Birralee Primary School missed out.

Templestowe College principal Peter Hutton and Birralee principal Ashley Ryan told Leader they would feel more comfortable if they had something in writing.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Doncaster Apple store a bit disappointing with iPad 2

I've been interested in getting an iPad 2 but have been fence sitting because there are quite a few serious limitations with the device. Nearly two weeks ago I checked with the Doncaster store and they said to go to a particular site and reserve one. If you're lucky you might get one.

I've been checking for nearly two weeks and no stock has been available. I decided to find out from the store if there is a trick. The problem is there are a lot of staff there but you have to wait for a long time to talk to someone and when you do, they don't know and you then have to wait again. For a company known for it's great customer service I'm not impressed.

Now after all this waiting I get to talk to a staff member who knows what is going on. They've stopped using the online site for reservations as they've had problems. They could of course have updated the site to let me know, but instead chose to waste my time. I'm totally unimpressed.

If you now want to know if there is stock, you have to call the store between 11-11:30am to find out if stock has arrived. They won't hold it for you so you have to turn up and hope it is still there.

Overall I'm over waiting for an iPad 2 and will now wait for the new crop of tablets coming out.

I can handle the limitations. I can handle the stock shortage. But I can't handle beimg treated like I don't matter. Once that happens those many limiations of the iPad 2 are no longer so easy to overlook.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Borders at Doncaster Shoppingtown clearance

We were at shoppo last night and noticed the Borders clearance is now down to 50-70% off, so we decided to check them out. Whilst the books I was looking for were gone, we did find a couple of good buys.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au