2 tins per customer clearly not working, my Coles has empty shelves and I see at least one article a week at a different place where they record people shameless Chinese buying baby formula in bulk. I'm bloody sick of it and I don't even have kids.
Is there anything we can do to stop it? Name and shame?
Depends on the supply. We should look after locals before worrying about internationals.
No. It's unregulated. The manufacturer/supplier/wholesaler/store have right to sell to anyone that wants to buy.
So then it should be regulated.
I would rather Australia not turn into mainland china.
@Ughhh: So you don't want Australia to turn into mainland China.
Yet you are ok for our government to dictate who can buy and sell things in our free market.
Yet you are ok for our government to dictate who can buy and sell things in our free market.
I don't recall saying that?
We, as Australians citizens (if you are) should look after each other instead of having a dog eat dog culture. I don't mean controlling via political means, but rather as one human being helping out your literal next door neighbour.
I guess being selfish isn't a crime.
We, as Australians citizens (if you are) should look after each other instead of having a dog eat dog culture.
We decided against that a long time ago (or perhaps more accurately our Politicians who bought us off with a few $).
@Ughhh: "I don't recall saying that?", well you said it:
"We should look after locals before worrying about internationals"
How do you possibly achieve that without government dictating/regulating the market?
@field1985: Was the tin limit a legal requirement by the government, or was it a response to the pressure from the community working together?
@Ughhh: The "tin limit" achieved bugger all.
Like I said, the only way to "look after locals" is for the government to intervene with regulation, which would likely breach our free trade agreements and the TPP.
@field1985: It's an example of what a community has achieved, and an indication of what further pushing could do. Unless you believe Australians are completely useless animals without a big nanny?
I don't mean controlling via political means, but rather as one human being helping out your literal next door neighbour.
Do you have trouble reading? I never mentioned the word regulating. I even said not via political means.
People should understand laws don't cover every aspect. It's just common sense and decency mate. It's people like you who like to take advantage of loop holes or lack of laws and screw others over since whatever is not written in law is 'right' to you.
It's pretty easy to talk when it's a product you don't use.
It's just common sense and decency mate.
I get what you mean but that's wholly subjective. Different cultures, races, ethnicities, whatever, have different attitudes towards what is 'common sense and decent'. What may seem obvious to you or I may not be to others. Doesn't mean they're wrong/right, just different interpretation.
@[Deactivated]: people breaking the law are hardly on the top news.
while people doing the legal shopping (at least for now, it is legal )are on the top news every week.
Another reason why laissez-faire free-market capitalism is evil. Markets need to be regulated by the state in the interest of the citizens (and by citizens I mean the poor majority, not the rich capitalist minority).
If only the housing market took the same approach ;)
Yeh, though you can't really rent baby formula. Home ownership Is a luxury, necessitys like baby formula for struggling mothers or same sex fathers isnt.
@Ughhh: Baby formula is not a "necessity". If it was, humanity would have died out long before its relatively recent invention 150 years ago.
@Ughhh: You could rent baby milk producers, they were called "wet nurses" and worked fine for many thousands of years.
Home ownership should not be a luxury. Over 70% of Australian's owned their own home in the 1960's. Hardly a "luxury".
@field1985: A wet nurse on demand sounds expensive and a luxury, especially in this day and age with no slavery and minimum wage compared to thousands of years ago.
So home ownership is a necessity like food?? Those poor renters, must be doing it tough without owning a house.
@Ughhh: I did not say it is a necessity. I said it "should not be a luxury".
It is not a case of one or the other.
Depends on the supply. We should look after locals before worrying about internationals.
What about internationals who are Australian citizens? Should you need to provide passport as proof of nationality whenever purchasing milk? What about Australians who don't have passports?
Agree however it seems that the recipients OS purchase it cheaper than our locals lol …
It seems common practice for many of our commodities .. sell cheaper to the foreign markets and we get shafted for the offset …
They don't purchase it cheaper, having been there recently in the dodgier areas the Chinese pay a fortune for it, the cheapest tin was $95 AUD.
Seriously, those diagou do provide business for CW,Woolies,Coles, etc. Without them the shelves will be oversupply and there is no way Australia population will never ever consumed that many infant milk powders.
Yup think of it as importing foreign dollars into Australia. It's a good thing
Welcome to the free global market, my boyo.
i'm white, aussie born, and have kids, i do this to help pay my mortgage.
become and entrepreneur.
the supermarket chains won't do anything to stop it as they'll lose profits.
I wanted to clear the shelves myself and sell them at the same price to actual parents
what if the only parents that line up to buy from you, are asians. lol sucker.
Its django, the d is silent hillbilly.
@Seedy seed: i have! but i dont believe in silent letters. they make no logical sense. its like putting in extra ingredients when cooking which actually do nothing. wasteful and inefficient!
@DiscoJango: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=why+does+english+have+sil…
I was curious so i googled
@Seedy seed: interesting. i get why some words have it, eg: in vs inn. one is to go into something and the other is a hotel pub establishment. or night and knight.
however what about the word knife. or if your in melbourne, knox shopping center, pronounced nox. that k is completely redundant.
@DiscoJango: Idk check the word origin? The article i read said when words come into english sometimes the originating language has sounds that go against the rules of english so letters are made silent. Like tsunami
They will need to put in place some type of limit per customer.
Who do you think are buying these in China? You don't drink it as an adult.
you have an idea for business already!
The people in China who buy them are actual parents…
Any advice on how to get into that?
you need to know someone in china
I have twins that for a while could only keep down particular brands/variants of baby formula. With the two of them, we were going through a tin every day or 2. It was incredibly difficult to find some when we needed them, and it's not like we had hundreds of dollars spare to stock up when we found some.
Seeing dozens of Chinese people swarming the shops to take out of our babies mouths and sell for hundreds to overseas was incredibly frustrating. So happy I don't need formula anymore.
yeah I see these stories all the time. I don't understand those who support it or just say 'it's legal'. I find it troubling.
You’ll find it’s people without kids or have not had a need for formula that make such statements.
They will quickly change their tune if a need ever arose that they suddenly depended on it.
And / or people who are profiteering from the antics or feel they need to back up their country….
This whole concept of its not illegal so its fine is quite messed up, shows how much the culture and society has changed in australia, IT used to be a lot more about looking after your fellow aussie.
Btw I am a migrant who came here about 30 years ago and the reason my parents chose this country is because of its attitude and friendliness as we had lived in a few countries before (mainly in asia) and encountered far too much racism.
be a lot more about looking after your fellow aussie.
I got negged for basically stating that!
Perhaps it's time to change.
What tin of formula only lasts 2-4 days for one child?
Premature babies, that throw up as much as they drink, but still need to bulk up.
Ah, this makes sense.
Ours lasted just shy of a week so I was thinking it must be a small tin!
Had a similar problem years ago when this first started happening, but then came to an agreement with a local chemist to just order in my exact needs every week. It isn't hard to solve these problems if you put a little work into it.
I don't have a problem with the whole free market aspect of what is happening, I do think it is a little rude when guys buy 2 tins at a time and come back in 5 minutes and go to a different check out to buy another two (over and over).
And it on tape. It is just like in HK. Same old routine.
having seen this happen at my local supermarket in the last few months, its a not a good thing to see in society.
The clear Woolworth, then go to Coles and clear it, in a group. its bad look, and seeing them snatch stock off staff trying to fill shelves.bad.
Poor families going to the store to do there normal shop, cant find formula for there babies.
these people could set up a business and buy direct from the manufacturer or distributor, but hey, do you think there paying tax on this?? i doubt it…
Yeah exactly
its called a zerg rush. just replace zergling with asian female and terran base with coles supermarket.
I’ve never been able to beat the asians. They seem to have Zerg in my base before I’ve even loaded in.
I can see why Australian mothers are getting upset
@Hughesyboy: you would have to be a super gaming champion koren asian kid to win a game starting of with zerg in your terran base!
I have been buying formula for 1.5 years, never had any problems getting it. It does make it hard to get it on special (supply and demand). But that is life I guess, I don't really let it worry me.
They ought to take this seriously and make it illegal to export it in the same way other substances are illegal to export.
It seems typical in our country for issues like this to go untreated.
If you think of it, why would they? Baby formula companies businesses are booming, people gets job, more taxes from manufacturer, supermarket, job created, even postal profits.
Because the next generation of Australians don't have a reliable food supply.
I think at this stage, it's more of an annoyance than problem. Govt will not act until some tragedy happens. That's the nature of the govt, they react to something rather than proactively prevent something bad happens.
Don't they? Mate Avocado's are dirt cheap at the moment! Relax!
It's not really that bad.
I have a 4 month old and low milk supply so need to top up with formula once a day. I haven't had that much trouble getting the milk. Yes it isn't something I can just go and grab off a shelf, but with forward planning and ordering online, I think it's okay.
Personally I don't mind that they are buying our milk formulas. If I was in their shoe and faced with so much uncertainty with their local sources (read up on 2008 Chinese milk scandal where 54,000 babies was hospitalised and 6 died), I would probably try to do the same. Mothers just want a safe food source for their baby.
No one is saying to stop companies from exporting, it's the people clearing shelves. You don't honestly think they pay taxes do you?
more taxes from manufacturer, supermarket, job created, even postal profits.
why company can export not individual. A2 company export more baby formula than individuals.If A2 stops export local market will have more than enough. Why not one complain A2 company?
I see Baby Formula as the same as any other item on Supermarket shelves, whoever wants to buy them can buy them. It should make no difference to Coles whether you are buying to profit or for feeding your infant.
Here are my reasons.
1) It's legal.
2) There is normally breast milk from the Mother. Yes I understand some don't produce enough or milk hasn't dropped yet or mother is experiencing Mastitis.
3) There is NEVER ZERO formula on the shelves, these daigous 'normally' go for the premium brands, other ones like S26 seem to be largely ignored by these shoppers (in the supermakrets that I frequent). Shoppers are free to purchase those ones.
4) If getting that one and only baby powder that your child will take is so important to you, you too should be getting up at the same time as Daigous to purchase said stock with the same level of gusto. No…
I am not a daigou, I repeat I am not a Daigou, but they aren't doing anything wrong other than offending the Sense of Entitlement Australian parents have. I was also a parent to infants, I know how important formula is at certain times, I refer you to Point 4).
But there's a shortage.
Of some brands maybe.
The shelves are NEVER absolutely empty for the several supermarkets in my area.
They're not all the same, and you can't always just swap and change to different formulas. A lot of babies stomach's are quite sensitive for the first few months or so.
Changing formula like that because your normal one doesn't work can cause babies discomfort and issues with settling. Definitely not something you want as a new parent. When you find a formula that works for you and your baby, you don't want to stray from it.
I can't say we experienced a lot of issues with sourcing the formula that worked for us, it only took us to visit a few stores to find tins.
You are right
1) it's legal doesn't make it right
2) that's not the point
3)so parents should just settle for second rate brands because daigous want to make money?
4)I don't think they should be forced to get to Safeway/Cole's at 6 in the morning just to purchase baby formula because it's being sent overseas
I'm sorry but these points are ridiculous. It's not having a sense of entitlement just to be able to get baby formula.
3)so parents should just settle for second rate brands because daigous want to make money?
Do you listen to yourself? My little Johnny simply must have 'first rate' powder.
It's strange that so many infants only like one or two brands. The rest somehow taste so bad that they can't keep it down.
Like I said, I don't have kids but it should be available for those who want it. Just because they shouldn't be picky, doesn't mean we should just be able to clear it off the shelves. Do you listen to yourself? Kids shouldn't be entitled so let all the chinese have the premium stuff for their babies.
@[Deactivated]: Many industries in Australia is heavily regulated. Just a few days ago someone wanted to drum up support on ozb to regulate another industry because they didn't like the way they operated. Australia doesn't need another one. Australians should be allowed to live as freely as possible without the Federal, State or Local government breathing down our necks.
Australians should be allowed to live as freely as possible without the Federal, State or Local government breathing down our necks.
Too late, the bill already passed. Now they just need to label those backdoors in apps with " Authorized hackers only"
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/dec/12/encryptio…
I also need first rate powder racks up
Jesus I wouldn't want to be your kid lol
They already told you that you can't just switch formulas any old time
3)so parents should just settle for second rate brands because daigous want to make money?
What exactly do you think the diagous are doing with it? They are selling it to other parents. Why should the other parents have to settle for second rate brands?
It's a parents' responsibility to look after their own kids as best they can. It's worrying if that isn't obvious to you.
second rate brands
Is there such a thing as a first and second rate brand?
The alternatives aren't "second rate" brands, they simply are not internationally known brands. Most are as good or arguably better. I find it amusing the brand snobbery that exists in Australia around this. It is like saying your child has to go shoeless because there were no GUCCI shoes left on the shelf.
So what do you do when your wife can't produce milk and your child can only drink one type/brand of formula because their stomach can't handle other types? Just suck it up and let your kid starve? Feed them another Formula they can't stomach?
There is no sense of entitlement here, more a sense of fairness. How is it fair that I can't source food for my child because someone has stripped every supermarket shelf to flog it overseas for a quick profit?
So what do you do when your wife can't produce milk and your child can only drink one type/brand of formula because their stomach can't handle other types? Just suck it up and let your kid starve? Feed them another Formula they can't stomach?
I was wondering how long before someone used emotive words like 'starve' or 'suck it up'.
Refer to my point 4.
There is no sense of entitlement here, more a sense of fairness. How is it fair that I can't source food for my child because someone has stripped every supermarket shelf to flog it overseas for a quick profit?
Take away the element of profit taking for a second and pretend that the item you want is also wanted by all other Australian Mothers for consumption by true blue Dinky Di Aussie infants. It's the same, you'd still bitch.
I care nothing about the profiting, this is something in high demand, if I absolutely needed it I would get my ass up at the required time to compete with the Daigou.
The sense of entitlement IS there. You want something in high demand to be available for you whenever YOU FEEL LIKE IT.
At least meet the market and do what is necessary to get the item.
If this was a supply problem in Australia then it would be fair to say wake up as early as the others. The problem is that the shortage is due to people from other countries buying the products and shipping it to overseas. It's a shortage brought upon by greed. You don't go into someone else's country and cause a shortage of a product just to make money.
There's a big difference to if my sister stole from me than if my neighbor did.
@[Deactivated]: What drives this reselling market?
It is parents in other places who have trouble getting formula that they trust.
Does an Australian child have a right to specific brands of food products made by a private companies, over a child in another country where there are fears of adulterated products on shelves?
Is it more important than more Australians having jobs making these products?
What did these kids do in Aus before those specific brands they only like existed?
Keep in mind that multiple methods to get sufficient formula have been provided in this thread (arranging with your local pharmacy, emailing the company directly)
Why do Australians think we need to regulate EVERYTHING?
Would there be the same outrage if the people buying the product didn't look foreign? I suspect not.
You have obviously never been in the situation where you couldn't find food for your child, lucky you. If you think it is morally justified to literally take food off the shelves that our children need to make a quick buck them good for you, I hope you're never in a situation where you can't feed someone you love because of the selfishness of others. Good day to you
@tassieeagle: I have left morals out of the equation as it doesn't come into it.
I have provided several options above, the last of which is to get to the Supermarkets when it opens and get your formula before the shelves are emptied.
You don't seem to want to do that.
¯_(ツ)_/¯
That is purely a stocking issue with certain retailers. There is no shortage, if anything many producers have had to leave the market due to the overproduction and low prices. Personally I am surprised the producers don't take advantage of the situation and provide online selling direct to the consumer at a slight markup to avoid competing with the retailers.