Just dropped into a Chemist Warehouse after work to get some documents certified and was asked by the pharmacist to make a donation.
Only had a $50 note on me but she insisted that I make a gold coin donation to proceed.
Has this happened to anyone else and should I be outraged?
should I be outraged?
Yes
Go be outraged, because someone on the internet told you to be.
I went to a different Chemist same request .
@ in conspiracy and who carries gold coins nowadays ?
If this is NSW and you were asking them to perform JP services it is a a breach of the JP terms for them to ask for a fee, gift, or donation.
If you are using them as a designated profession “Pharmacist” not a JP then they can do whatever they want.
Im not so sure they can do whatever they want,
You still have professional obligations as a Pharmacist,but we dont know the exact circumstances eg they were suggesting a donation for the charity tin or whatever rather than themself
Go to your local Post Office - it will cost not only a gold coin, but also a silver coin (50c), and that is per page!
I did and the PO said they don't do it and guided me to the Chemist in Vic .
News to me, but regardless, go to your local Police Station and they will do it for nothing
The one i went to charged $1 per page to be certified. I would be glad if i only had to make a gold coin donation
Were you getting them certified from a JP? Technically they can't charge a fee for it. What was the gold coin donation going to, did they say?
https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/justices
"Fees and charges
Justices of the Peace cannot charge for their services"
However, a person currently licensed or registered to practice in Australia as a pharmacist can charge a fee or ask that a donation be made:
Information for authorised statutory declaration witnesses: Charging a fee:
A Justice of the Peace is not permitted to charge for witnessing statutory declarations, however the law does not prohibit other statutory declaration witnesses charging a fee or asking for small donation to a charity in lieu of a fee.
They don't even have to do it.
Go to police stations, most of the time if they're not busy they'll do then on the spot. But if you have a lot, they'll make you come back when the JP is on
Can be a very long queue though, when the JP is in attendance at my close-by police station. It is free - so not complaining, just glad it is available. In the past (before being aware of police station), went to some place where they charge by the sheets. Can get expensive if more than just a few sheets.
Outrage. This situation highlights all that is wrong with society. Please debate, while i grab some popcorn….
If anyone should be outraged, it should be the poor pharmacist who spent 5 years at pharmacy college, then gets a $24/hour job doling out drugs at a chemist warehouse. Then in walks an OUTRAGED "customer" who DESERVES to get their document stamped immediately and for free. Yeah, go complain to the ACCC, the police, your mum and anyone else who cares.
Blame someone else for your life choices. Didn't read up on the job description.
Pharmacy is a very messed up profession here.
Between medicare and PBS, the profession is so restrictive and it just gets worse. Completely out of control of some poor graduate.
The job description was misleading. It should read - get yelled at by patients for doing due diligence, get yelled at by pharmacy board if not, get blamed by the doctor if you missed a drug interaction…
It's like an anaesthesiologist except with crap pay. Just there to take the blame.
Could always quit and get a Jim's mowing franchise.
@[Deactivated]: Point is there is a choice. Don't hang in there to wind people up. If going to uni was an entitlement you wouldn't have FIFO workers making 6 figures.
@netjock: I'm not a pharmacist. I just know what their job has become. It doesn't follow any trends or rules such as supply and demand.
Mine workers can sort of predict the direction of their jobs. Pharmacy is a wild ride. Retail pharmacy should be extinct but they are still churning out graduates to do the job of a vending machine, seemingly to introduce human error (which is advantageous to certain parties).
Every other occupation evolves to become more efficient, pharmacy (in Australia) is one of the exceptions.
Do chemists also certify photographs? What do I give them, $2?
Coppas do it for free
Coppas get paid by tax payer. Pharmacist doesn't.
Thanks
I am a JP in Western Australia and we certainly do not charge. About a third of people ask if there is a charge. Be kind to JP's we get nothing for performing the service.
So what are the benefits of becoming a JP, if any?
"hey there pretty lady. Want to go back to my place and I'll certify your documents. Certify them all business hours long."
Sorry, let me phrase it differently: What motivates you to be a JP, despites all of the time and efforts need to be spent? Good karma?
The folks at my local council offices always have one or two people who are also JPs. They've certified all my stuff over the years, even when I had a pretty thick collection of paper. Always did it with a smile too.
My pharmacist does it for free but only between 09.00-10.00 & 14.00-15.00 which I think is more than reasonable. If you are a regular customer and he isn't busy he'll make an exception.
He's a good bloke.
Isn't document certification supposed to be free?
Why? They're giving you a part of their time and effort - why should that be free?
A JP cannot ask for anything in return
If you want a document certified for free, seek a JP.
If you want the convenience of another authorised affidavit taker or statutory declaration witness, such as a pharmacist, they may request a fee or charity donation for their service.
Government employees, health professionals, accountants and others from certain professions can certify documents for you - if you know someone you could ask them for free.
Here's a google search for a more definitive list:
https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/C…
If you had a gold coin, would you have been annoyed?