[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

        • netsurfer on 24/11/2017 - 17:38
          +1

          @maurice: Just use efpos if surcharge is an issue. The staff there remind you about it and they warn you. For people who don't mind, they will proceed. I've seen quite a few cases where people elected to use efpos instead. I did see one customer queuing in front of me decided not to buy and walked out.

          I doubt those government organisations just charge you exactly what they were charged. I am quite sure they round up at least (and quite likely charge more as well). I don't get why people whinge about these. Most people I see at MSY pay by efpos or cash.

        • maurice on 25/11/2017 - 14:02

          @netsurfer: Oh.
          Sorry, given that you mentioned the Paypal 1.95% I thought you were giving a solid example from your experience, not speculating wildly.

          Yes, Paypal Here has pretty high surcharges, but anyone who does a bit of volume gets better rates. Take Aldi's 0.5%, for example.
          https://www.paypal.com/au/selfhelp/article/what-fees-are-ass…
          https://www.aldi.com.au/en/about-aldi/customer-information/p…

          You may doubt it, but cash or credit, what you pay here is what's on the pricelist:
          https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/fees-rates-and-ins…

          The ATO card fees are clearly close to cost, as low as 0.15%:
          https://www.ato.gov.au/general/paying-the-ato/how-to-pay/oth…

          Funny you mention Qantas - the airlines were some of the worst of the bunch and a primary reason why these rules came in. Tacking on an arbitary fee here, rounding-up there and a "convenience" surcharge on top - significant above-cost amounts - is anti-competitive. It mean you don't know if a thing worth 100 advertised list-price "MSY dollars" is better/worse value elsewhere.
          https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-takes-action-agai…

        • netsurfer on 25/11/2017 - 15:53
          +1

          @maurice: Um… for ATO, 0.15% is for the cheapest domestic MasterCard debit card transaction. VISA credit card is about 0.8%. So, if you compared that fee to ALDI, even ATO isn't really close to cost. I don't think Coles and Woolworth currently have credit card surcharge.

          Airlines are really bad, especially ones here.

          MSY is charging 1.2%. If you happened to use a MasterCard debit card type of credit card, the fee is probably too high. But honestly, if I were to use a debit card at MSY, I might as well use efpos coz there is no fee. Would be good if MSY charge the exact amount of processing fee. Paying by efpos is fine for most people I reckon.

  • hamwhisperer on 20/11/2017 - 08:32

    When will you do a decent online store? Even if the prices are a bit higher? PCCG, Scorptech and Amazon (coming soon….) gonna need some competition.

    • payton on 20/11/2017 - 09:15

      PCCG, Scorptech

      These two are at different league with MSY price wise. They're noticeably more expensive.
      MSY more comparable with Umart or IJK in Sydney

      • Murpha on 20/11/2017 - 09:56

        PCCG used to be fairly competitive, but I think their pre-built systems must cost a bit to build in terms of a salary.

      • hamwhisperer on 20/11/2017 - 13:20

        That's not the point, the point is, Amazon is coming. Even if MSY prices go up a full 5%, doesn't matter you need to raise the game with online sales.

    • ChaLuo on 20/11/2017 - 10:44
      +2

      If you prefer PCCG's shopping experience and don't mind to pay +5% then by all means
      I would say MSY is doing great in what they are doing. Rock bottom prices, but you pay by perhaps standing in the line a bit more, etc. Don't change anything
      It's the OZB's ultimate store

    • SquareTofu on 20/11/2017 - 13:32

      Feb 2018

  • Kapinny on 20/11/2017 - 11:41
    +1

    The white guy with the deep voice in the Balcatta store needs to sharpen up his customer service skills!
    Nice guy but comes off a bit standoffish at times, also pls vaccum the store it looks like bomb shelter.

    • beetran on 20/11/2017 - 13:54
      +1

      I know this guy. Will pass the message to him. Thank you :)

      • [Deactivated] on 21/11/2017 - 01:30
        +1

        Just putting in my 2c. I've interacted with him more than I have with other staff members. I think he is fine, he just seems a little bit socially awkward. He has given me helpful advice and I enjoy being served by him.

    • C0nn0r42 on 20/11/2017 - 21:47
      +1

      That guy in Balcatta has partially led me to avoid MSY Balcatta entirely. If somethings not in stock I'll go to PLE where the store is actually clean, and they generally price match anyway. Cannington store on the other hand is great, the Asian guy at the desk is super friendly and polite and the Caucasian male is also nice. MSY Cannington is way better than their Balcatta counterpart (aside from their stock levels but we won't go there….)

      • MiniMoo on 20/11/2017 - 23:20
        +1

        Perhaps the low stock at Cannington is due to everyone trying to avoid that Balcatta guy. :)

      • Make it so on 24/11/2017 - 17:10

        Agree, always get good service at MSY Cannington.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/11/2017 - 12:06
    +1

    Please open a store in Cairns, there is NO competition here.

    • ronnknee on 20/11/2017 - 12:22
      +4

      Which could possibly mean not enough demand there either.

      • [Deactivated] on 21/11/2017 - 18:34

        We have 2 of them locally that do parts sales but the majority of money is in services not sales.

  • mochariffic on 20/11/2017 - 12:50
    +1

    Can you guys move the address list to the bottom of the last page instead of the top of the first???

    • beetran on 20/11/2017 - 13:55
      +1

      Thank you for your feedback. Wow, really good, haven't thought about it. I'll let the boss know

      • netsurfer on 20/11/2017 - 20:42

        I like the address list at the top of the page. Easier for me to check the office hours and the address. I do visit different MSY stores.

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 20/11/2017 - 13:15
    +3

    With the PDF, it would be great if you could lightly shade each alternate line to make it easier to read and follow prices

    • beetran on 20/11/2017 - 13:55
      +2

      Noted. I'll check with the IT guys to see if we can do this or not. Thank you for your feedback

      • matt-ozb on 20/11/2017 - 22:25
        +1

        It is Excel .. I can confirm that it is possible.

  • Murpha on 20/11/2017 - 14:17

    Any new stores opening further east than the Mitcham store? I would shop at MSY more often, but the 45 minute drive does not make you guys my first choice (granted it is closer than the Box Hill store was). Perhaps in Kilsyth, Bayswater, Mooroolbark or Lilydale?

    • beetran on 20/11/2017 - 17:04

      Currently don't have plan to open more store in Victoria, but will pass on the message to management team. Thank you for your feedback.

  • hybridex on 20/11/2017 - 14:28

    There has been a shopfront in Greystanes NSW for over a year now, but it appears to have been closed the entire time. What is happening with this store?

    • beetran on 20/11/2017 - 17:09

      Due to some legal reasons, Greystanes store will postpone until further notice. Sorry about this.

      • kev98 on 20/11/2017 - 18:18

        What legal reasons?

  • biozet on 20/11/2017 - 18:40

    Love your prices and no frills service. I've found staff to be very helpful when questioned

  • C0nn0r42 on 20/11/2017 - 21:48

    Do you have any plans to expand the Cannington store or open another store in WA? I find the stock levels can leave a bit to be desired at times leaving no option but to drive nearly an hour to Balcatta or PLE Wangara.

  • jikijiki on 21/11/2017 - 00:31

    I would like to let you know that I've called the Kingsford branch on multiple times during business hours and it goes straight to voicemail.

  • omgitzrick on 21/11/2017 - 13:58
    +3

    Why won't your company spend more than $3 on web development? Your site is genuinely atrocious.

    • AlienC on 02/05/2018 - 03:11

      To bring bestestest prices to YOU we save on delevelopmentational costs to our site construction web creationist module product

  • neonlight on 21/11/2017 - 19:58

    Is it true that you have to build a PC within 30mins else you will not be considered? That was the question I got asked 17 years ago when I attempted for a MSY interview. My answer was 40 mins apparently too slow?

    What is the minimum hourly pay you pay to teenagers as newbie these days?

    What makes you want to keep working with MSY?

    Do you get special staff discount?

    Do you get to reserve stock for yourself before customers?

    Do you get people try to do price match at your store at all?

    Who does the price negotiations with the bulk buying? How much do you pass on the savings in terms ratio?

    Any funny stories to share? Thanks

  • isidore12 on 23/11/2017 - 17:25

    If it is not too late, I have a question.

    Few years back, we bought a LG monitor from MSY Ultimo. On the pick-up, we noticed that the monitor was a grey-import. It was an Indian version with cheap plastic. My wife being an IP lawyer, we knew how dodgy it was.

    After that, we didn't buy anything from MSY for years

    As MSY representative, I'd like to ask you:

    Is the short term benefit worth the long term damage to your reputation?

    • matt-ozb on 24/11/2017 - 23:13
      -1

      "My wife being an IP lawyer, we knew how dodgy it was."

      So you actually spent the time to check the ownership of the LG trademarks in India and Australia and confirmed they were no owned by different companies and confirmed that there was an infringement?

      Not all 'grey imports' are illegal as you would know.

  • petry on 24/11/2017 - 14:25

    there reputation is crap already.
    This sort of interaction don't deal with the dishonesty.

  • matt-ozb on 24/11/2017 - 23:11

    Looks like an easy week at MSY for this guy in his fast new car with no responses here!

    4 days off work by my assumptions!?

  • neonlight on 28/11/2017 - 14:03

    No replies or response I guess MSY had it

  • bdorring on 03/12/2017 - 22:24

    Please accept american express at more stores (pascoe vale in particular). At the moment, I go on shopping benders when I travel to canberra. Doesn't matter what surcharge you charge to cover your additional costs.

  • maurice on 13/12/2017 - 12:03

    Rather than wait for a new website, would it possible to tweak or add an additional sort-order?
    e.g. http://www.msy.com.au/viconline/233-stock-clearance?n=48&id_…
    The productsSortForm/selectPrductSort dropdown has:
    * Price: lowest first
    * Price: highest first
    * Product Name: A to Z
    * Product Name: Z to A
    * In-stock first

    However, the "In-stock" sort has never been very useful because the items are jumbled on every other criteria.
    (Also, pages and pages of the default "Price: lowest first" are filled with items that have been long out-of-stock)

    If "In-stock" sorted by In-stock then price, that would be useful.

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