[AMA] I Am The Operation Manager at MSY Head Quarter, Ask Me (Almost) Anything

Lbeetran on 17/11/2017 - 11:31
Last edited 20/11/2017 - 17:20

[UPDATE] 5:18PM 20/11/2017: Due to no more post coming in, AMA is officially closed now.

[UPDATED] 11:43AM 18/11/2017: There are a few accounts in this thread marked "Associated". User name "beetran" is the only MSY account with OZBargain. The rest of other users are not associated or related to us. Guys, I am just doing the AMA to bring MSY closers to everyone. Please do not mess around like this.

Hello everyone,

I've been a OZBargain follower for many years and I thought it is the time for me to contribute back.

A bit about myself:

  • I am the Operation Manager
  • I am based in Melbourne head quarter office
  • I am a male

Disclaimer: all my reply here express my personal opinion only, not representing MSY.

Let's start !

Introduce Yourself

closed Comments

  • shanakatak on 17/11/2017 - 11:39
    +84

    Despite previously being fined by the ACCC , why has MSY still continued to misrepresent consumer rights?

      • Amaris on 17/11/2017 - 11:46
        +44

        You personally may know your ACL right but most people don't. They may now know what a company prints on a poster is not correct but may believe the statements. That's why it is important for the ACCC to act.

        • ajdlinux on 17/11/2017 - 12:27
          +63

          @0blivion: Anyone who runs a major national retail vendor can access the internet too. I don't have much sympathy for companies who are too lazy to look up their ACL obligations themselves.

        • Symbiotic on 18/11/2017 - 21:10

          @0blivion: What is this “who’re” you talk of?

        • CalmLemons on 19/11/2017 - 20:22
          -1

          It's unfortunate these are ALSO the same people that don't know how to buy suitable parts or install their parts, or break them and then blame it on the retailer. This is 95% of people who go to MSY unfortunately.

    • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 12:15

      Dear Shanakatak, due to the complexity of the law, I'm unable to discuss this topic over here. Any formal publication will be announce on MSY website.
      MSY Technology have made modifications to the structure of our business to provide faster, more accurate services.

      • bobbified on 17/11/2017 - 16:04
        +25

        I am the Operation Manager
        …will be announce on MSY website.

        Did you do the wording for those posters/ads? :p

        • dangerdanger on 17/11/2017 - 21:25
          +14

          Grammar Nazi?
          Take a chill pill, dude. I'll bet you didn't score 100% in your HSC English subject, or have a PhD in English Literature either.

        • dangerdanger on 17/11/2017 - 22:23
          +33

          @bloobat:

          You'd expect all Straylian's to speak good Oz-glish as well. But guess what - they don't.

          You wouldn't hire someone great at their job - just because they don't score top marks in English? I think you'll find very few Aussies are employable by your books then.

          And the country of the 'mother tongue' (UK) shouldn't hire Aussies because I'm sure they're laughing at our grammar.

          Maybe he's first generation immigrant. Who cares. If he's a good person, he runs a good business / branch, doesn't rip off customers, and works hard - then his grammar isn't crucial.

        • bobbified on 18/11/2017 - 01:00
          +1

          @dangerdanger:

          You wouldn't hire someone great at their job - just because they don't score top marks in English?

          If someone was hiring for a relatively high position, such as an Operations Manager, and someone sent through a CV with lots of spelling or grammatical errors, that CV will more than likely go straight into in the bin beforE anyone even talks about whether they're good at a job or not.

          …then his grammar isn't crucial.

          What would you think of a company who sent you letters and correspondence that is littered with spelling and grammatical errors?

          I think most people would agree that it would make the company sound quite unprofessional

          Not saying that there's a need for perfect english, but at least a level that's good enough to communicate in a professional manner.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/11/2017 - 08:42
          +1

          @bloobat:
          I'm sure there are plenty of members of highly successful multinationals operating in AU that don't speak a word of English.

          Most of Aldi Audi staff in Germany probably don't speak English well despite the company operating in AU

          More specifically onshore through the years quite few businesses were started by Greek and Italian immigrant,
          lately Chinese and Indian immigrants,

        • Fybre on 18/11/2017 - 08:56
          +4

          @bobbified: Sure… If their role is corporate comms. This guy, however, is the ops manager with english likely a second or third language. I speak only one, and probably not all that well at that. How about you?
          Senior management where I work are mostly expats and have varying levels English, I don't for a minute confuse that with unprofessionalism though.

        • bobbified on 18/11/2017 - 13:07
          -5

          @Fybre:

          I speak only one, and probably not all that well at that. How about you?

          I do speak my another language other than English but that other language doesn't really matter. You could call the other language a bonus, but it's the local language in the country you live or do business in that's important.

          Senior management where I work are mostly expats and have varying levels English, I don't for a minute confuse that with unprofessionalism though

          I'm not referring to verbal communications where there's a person standing in front of you or you're talking amongst staff that know each other. When you stand in front of someone and talk, it's not just the words in the conversation that are used to judge. There's also body language, tone, speed and a whole lot of other things.

          When it comes to written communication, there's nothing other than the written words, so it has to be as correct as possible to make sure the correct message is conveyed. Companies recognise this and they spend lots of money on corporate communications teams.

          So what would you really think if you received a really poorly written letter from a large company filled with spelling and grammatical errors? Then you try call up to make sure you understand the contents of the letter, only to be connected to an overseas call centre where the operators doesn't speak fluent English.

        • MrFrugalSpend on 18/11/2017 - 18:56
          +10

          @dangerdanger: in fairness, we are talking some fairly commonly used plurals here, not a PhD in English! I shop online from sellers from various parts of Asia frequently and I always feel tempted to offer free editing of their ads to help with English grammar, but wonder if it will be taken the wrong way…

          However, to be more constructive about it, OP, if you want to improve your English, I would write:

          • Operations Manager (not Operation Manager)
          • Headquarters (not Head Quarter)
          • bring MSY closer to (not bring MSY closers to)
          • all replies here express (not all reply here express)
          • will be announced (not will be announce)

          I hope this helps you :)

        • Blitzfx on 18/11/2017 - 20:47
          +3

          @bobbified:
          At work, I've seen emails flying around from senior management with some typos and grammatical errors every now and then. Unless it's a formal announcement being sent out to stakeholders, I wouldn't think much of the errors in this informal AMA on ozbargain

        • bobbified on 18/11/2017 - 21:33
          -1

          @Blitzfx:

          At work, I've seen emails flying around from senior management with some typos and grammatical errors every now and then.

          There's nothing wrong with those types of errors in internal communicatios. It only matters when the intended audience is outside the company walls and those errors could potentially impact the company's image.

          I wouldn't think much of the errors in this informal AMA on ozbargain

          I do agree with you on that and it doesn't bother me at all. My original comment was a actually tongue-in-cheek one. lol

      • [Deactivated] on 17/11/2017 - 16:10
        +7

        Australian Consumer Law is actually very simple. It's a mystery why you guys still can't grasp it

        • Olokun on 17/11/2017 - 16:54
          +16

          Apple is close to the worlds richest company and they still got it wrong.

          edit. on 2 separate occasions as well.

        • dfaktz on 17/11/2017 - 21:22
          +2

          @Olokun: Well, there's reasonable argument here for knowing it was wrong and doing it, or being completely ignorant to it all anyway.

          We are talking apple here, a place where they try to cut corners even while in some of the worst labour markets in the world.

        • Olokun on 17/11/2017 - 21:36
          +7

          @dfaktz:

          My point was that the ACL isn't as straight forward as taylorn8r was making it out to be by demonstrating that even very large companies occasionally fall foul of it. Especially the 'Misleading and Descriptive Conduct' provisions. Some more examples off the top of my head:

          • Telstra
          • Optus
          • TPG
          • Zamels
          • Harvey Norman
          • Coles
          • Woolworths
          • JB HiFi
          • Kogan

          Just to name a few.

        • dfaktz on 17/11/2017 - 22:08
          +1

          @Olokun: Oh right, well I basically fully agree. albiet I would accept some of them to retort if it was put to them, that the ACL's laws/guidelines feel like blanket generalizations in a lot of places where it should be more specific.

          In the end, the fact its like a blanket probably helps us 9 times out of 10 cases, but yeah.

          Excuse my reply if it makes no sense, I'm quite deep into friday night cold beverages.

        • Fybre on 18/11/2017 - 08:59
          +1

          @Olokun: Which is also why organisations such as the one I work for have specific training courses around the core tenants of the ACL in regards to this.
          Looking at the MSY website in reference to the representations they were guilty of, there were some pretty obvious ones that should not have been made.

        • tik tok on 18/11/2017 - 21:03
          +1

          No its not. Can you tell precisely, how long the warranty is on an iphone, per ACL ?

        • CalmLemons on 19/11/2017 - 20:27
          -3

          @Olokun: Apple got it wrong when it didn't understand Australain consumers are pack of whingers and when they drop their phone and shatter their screens or drop it in the water, that you have to give these people a brand new phone otherwise the ACCC gets too many complaint phone calls. ACCC doesn't want to pickup these phone calls so ingeniously handballs it back to the retailer/manufacturer to go deal with this shit. ACCC probably also things these guys make enough money, so just go deal with these people otherwise we will make up bullshit rules like when your english isn't good enough and make a crappy sign we will fine you.

    • Hogg on 18/11/2017 - 08:54

      What did they do?

  • 87percent on 17/11/2017 - 11:40
    +10

    I can sense an EA Games type situation happening here…

    • StrayfireX on 18/11/2017 - 11:42
      +16

      Well at least MSY doesn't sell you a motherboard without the capacitors and ask you to pay for loot boxes to restore them.

  • HighAndDry on 17/11/2017 - 11:43
    +3

    How does MSY determine what products to put on sale and when? (Especially ones that go on sale for what must be below-cost prices)?

    • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 12:21
      +1

      Dear 0blivion, products on sale is set by our PM team, many factors need to take into consideration, including but not limit to the price we get from our supplier, etc. MSY Technology aim to have regular promotions every week. For our latest promotion, please subscribe to our newsletter by registering your email address with us.

  • decryption on 17/11/2017 - 11:44
    +3

    Heaps of stuff MSY sells is often listed for sale under the cost price of what many smaller computer shops can buy for from the same distributors like Synnex or Ingram.

    Is MSY's business model basically sell volume and make money off rebates?

    • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 12:28
      +23

      Dear decrytion, MSY Technology operates similar to other large retail chains, we buy in bulk in order to lower the unit cost and pass this savings to customer.

  • Looking4Bargians on 17/11/2017 - 11:47
    +1

    Do you sell Franchise Business?

    • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 12:22
      +1

      Dear ozyboy, sorry, we currently don't offer franchise business, but will mention to our management team regarding this.

  • Savas on 17/11/2017 - 11:52
    +6

    I wanted to read "I am the Ozbargain manager"

  • [Deactivated] on 17/11/2017 - 11:55
    +1

    Best out of warranty return excuse.

    • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 12:39
      +4

      We face it, no excuse. We will fix all these issues as soon as possible.

      If you still have any warranty return issue, please send me an email to [email protected] and I'll sort it out for you

      • Gina Rinehart on 17/11/2017 - 15:57
        +50

        I think Frugal Rock worded his question poorly.

        I assume he meant "what is the best excuse someone has had for an out-of-warranty return?"

        • Gina Rinehart on 17/11/2017 - 16:18
          +45

          @Frugal Rock: i do, you just bad at.

        • Gina Rinehart on 17/11/2017 - 16:19
          +72

          @Frugal Rock: oh, the irony.

        • BlazinPast on 18/11/2017 - 16:32
          +36

          @Frugal Rock: It's a little sad you have to write your comment like it's a Harvard thesis to overcompensate and justify your point.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/11/2017 - 16:34
          +18

          @Frugal Rock: me love mashed potato you come cook me eat.

        • allegiance86 on 18/11/2017 - 21:55
          +6

          @BlazinPast:

          (profanity) nailed it XD

        • Cyphar on 19/11/2017 - 10:11
          +3

          @Frugal Rock: Did you tip your fedora after submitting that comment?

        • arlennnn on 20/11/2017 - 10:02
          +3

          @Frugal Rock: oh god, r/iamverysmart is leaking

        • [Deactivated] on 21/11/2017 - 13:57
          -2

          @Cyphar:
          Thanks for asking. No, but I doffed my fitted "Make this sentence comparatively more understood, for the very first time, ever!" red trucker cap in humble exultation when Alanis Morissette's Sentence Magic 2.0 Clarity Edition drew sweet, sweet fresh air from the rep. Nothing but "I've got this" faceplant. Negative net understanding FTW. Just one pixel away from CS!

        • Cyphar on 21/11/2017 - 17:32

          @Frugal Rock: Dude, your neckbeard is showing

        • [Deactivated] on 21/11/2017 - 17:42
          -1

          @Cyphar:
          More or less than your Encino High uniform, Moon Unit?

        • Cyphar on 21/11/2017 - 18:07
          +1

          @Frugal Rock: My apologies, I hadn't realized I was talking to somebody on the spectrum.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/11/2017 - 18:09
          -1

          @Cyphar:
          You should Dymo your Commodore 64. Again.

  • retiredfeline on 17/11/2017 - 12:04
    +2

    Is your order system centralised or do branches run their own?

    Background: I put in an order to be paid on collection a couple of years ago and never heard back re collection or stock. Attempts to confirm or cancel were unsuccessful. My order may still be in the system for all I know. So I have abandoned it, and also abandoned shopping at MSY.

    • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 12:33

      Dear greenpossum, branch orders are sent directly to the store and handled by the staff there. May I know which store you place the order with and we'll check into this?

      • retiredfeline on 17/11/2017 - 12:54

        Auburn. Think it was like 2 or 3 years ago in December for a Samsung monitor that probably isn't made now.

        • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 13:40
          +3

          Dear greenpossum, thank you for the reply. We will be centralising the system to make ordering process more simple and easier to to manage. We hope this move will provide a better experience to all customers shopping with MSY Technology.

        • dfaktz on 17/11/2017 - 21:26
          +13

          @beetran: The more and more I read of this, the more and more it sounds like PR scripted answers. I mean, were you already centralizing the ordering system, did this comment alone cause it to happen..? This goes for many many replies here..

          .. and don't get me wrong, you guys are common recipients to a bunch of my money.

    • rooon on 18/11/2017 - 17:35

      I had same prob at Hurstville.

  • whirlpool_guy on 17/11/2017 - 12:12
    +5

    Do MSY keep an archive of all the PDFs ever published?

    • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 12:24
      +3

      Dear whirlpool_guy, to my best knowledge, we do keep archive of the published materials

      • whirlpool_guy on 17/11/2017 - 12:38
        +1

        There must be many GBs of PDFs! :) How old is the oldest PDF?

        • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 12:40

          Need to check with the IT guys on this one. I only have 10 records on hand now

        • fezzo on 18/11/2017 - 14:11
          +11

          Check this out, all PARTS.pdf links from 2003 till now!

        • 811b11e8 on 18/11/2017 - 18:29
          +5

          @beetran: The PDF for parts list is awesome!

          All prices listed easily to scan and price up a new machine..

          Never remove the PARTS.pdf

      • chiko on 20/11/2017 - 11:37
        +1

        It would be great if this was made available for download.

    • MathNerd on 19/11/2017 - 12:58

      Ah, PARTS.pdf, the holy grail. You've just got to have that thing bookmarked permanently. Never ever remove it.

  • OverburdenedWarrior on 17/11/2017 - 13:00

    Any plans to introduce Afterpay or ZipPay as a payment method in the future?

    • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 13:07
      +8

      Setup for ZipPay is underway. ETA is Feb-18

      • OverburdenedWarrior on 17/11/2017 - 13:08
        +1

        Awesome news. They're great services if used responsibly.

        • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 13:12
          +41

          Hard. I believe most of us in OZBargain buy first think later and the ZipPay will make it even worse

      • AustriaBargain on 19/11/2017 - 10:25
        +2

        Please consider Afterpay as well. The fees are only a little higher than ZipPay. ZipPay is what scummy little retailers seem to use, AfterPay has a lot of mainstream appeal like Target, Big W, Officeworks, etc.

  • Chirpy on 17/11/2017 - 13:02
    +23

    Why does the msy website look so terrible? Is it really because it makes it look cheaper?

    • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 13:08
      +36

      A whole new website is underway. Beta is out for internal testing now (no bugs so far, just need some more stress test). Final version will be released really soon.

      • Gina Rinehart on 17/11/2017 - 16:26
        +8

        I hope it sticks somewhat to the iconic MSY "style"

      • scrimshaw on 17/11/2017 - 17:01
        +44

        I'm happy as long as there is a Parts.PDF to be honest

        • cheng2008 on 18/11/2017 - 01:39
          +13

          I'd be happy if they just remove the rest of the site, and make the home page parts.pdf.

      • tik tok on 18/11/2017 - 21:06
        +9

        You know a good way to stress test ? Get a product ozbs like and list a deal only for ozbs.
        Depending on the deal, I can bet your site will be stress tested in a matter of minutes.

      • Demos on 19/11/2017 - 23:22

        Currently MSY web doesn't work on my Android tablet (Pixel C). Love to see it works on the new website. :)

    • Davo1111 on 17/11/2017 - 23:58
      +1

      Is it really because it makes it look cheaper?

      Considering the REP has dodged the question, i knew an ex employee who said this was the reason, and to discourage newbs. Things might have changed now.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/11/2017 - 08:55
        +4

        Bunnings is the master at the psychology of it, msy is participant in the same promotional style.

        The technique to make you believe the lowest possible price because
        we don't spend much on our brochures, shop fittings, website, use old equipment. Don't spend on signage

        Lastly the presentations of prices.
        Bunnings use 37c here and there it makes you believe that efforts made to bring down as far can go.

        Msy, similar with whole dollar amounts most items won't end in 0 5 or 9 to create the perception there is not markup to the nearest 5 or minimal profit.
        $ 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 are regular on most items.

      • CrankyCarrot on 19/11/2017 - 21:32
        +2

        I have been wanting to know what's up with the crap, text-dense looking MSY site for years.

        Love the idea it's done intentionally to discourage "newbs," by being user-unfriendly. Just like the staff at the Ultimo store.

        I swear it's like Soup Nazi service in there. Or like buying computer parts at a funeral. Grim yet amusing. A free FU with every purchase - now that's a bargain.

    • imahapyboy on 19/11/2017 - 22:42

      designed by their CEO lol

  • badger1000 on 17/11/2017 - 13:04
    +2

    Hello - what level of education/career path led you to become the operation manager? Cheers

    • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 13:09
      +18

      Bachelor of Business :)

      • jordanlaa on 18/11/2017 - 11:02

        I have a masters in commerce, can I join you guys? XD

        • 0031nek on 19/11/2017 - 00:25
          +5

          i think yes, and you can be his boss ;>

  • cr00ker on 17/11/2017 - 13:04

    I have noticed recently that your PC Parts List is not stocking the latest parts.. For example; The AMD Threadripper 10 Core CPU and also the RX Vega line of AMD Graphics Cards.. When do you expect us to see these available in-store?

    • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 13:09
      +3

      We are going through a major review in stock level at the moment. Hopefully everything will be in place before Christmas

  • crazywedman on 17/11/2017 - 13:04
    +1

    why doesnt msy provide bags?

    • beetran on 17/11/2017 - 13:10
      +69

      Save cost and save the enviroment

      • jaypick on 18/11/2017 - 16:28
        +25

        save cost really though

    • porleng on 17/11/2017 - 14:52
      +6

      They provide boxes.

      • snappy1234 on 17/11/2017 - 15:09
        +8

        I prefer Boxing gloves when shopping at MSY ;)

    • Gina Rinehart on 17/11/2017 - 16:27
      +4

      It's not a supermarket.. how much stuff do you need a bag for?

      • joelmuzz on 17/11/2017 - 18:23
        +1

        You do need a box when picking up a kit.
        They might have one, but anyone buying 10+ items from a discount warehouse would be sensible to take their own.

  • Zeebob on 17/11/2017 - 13:05
    +1

    What sort of deals can we expect for Cyber Monday from MSY, and will we see more stores out west in sydney? Thanks

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