Disgusting advertising by Destination Roll, Mascot Sydney Next to Hong Ha. Is this even legal?

Ldarkvwilly on 06/11/2019 - 12:14
Last edited 06/11/2019 - 12:39 by 1 other user

I'm not related to either business but I thought I should call out Destination roll for their rather distasteful signage:
https://ibb.co/F05hPBv

Context:
Hong Ha Bakery, Mascot - been around for 30 years - famous for Vietnamese bread rolls

Destination roll - a franchise that sells the same thing - Recently opened(?) next door to Hong HA goes and put out the signage above:
" You have been eating the same rolls for 40 years & nothing has changed. Do not waste your time & money! Our rolls are Bigger, Better & Tastier! …."

Is this sign even legal?

Food & Grocery

Related Stores

Destination Roll
Destination Roll

Comments

      • geoffs87 on 06/11/2019 - 16:23
        +1

        My favourite for about 10 years has been Eddies bakery in Redfern. I might roll down and get one tomorrow actually!

      • firedragon on 06/11/2019 - 16:32

        My fave is King's Hot Bread in Hurstville, on Forest Road.

  • rompastompa on 06/11/2019 - 14:05
    +17

    Hong Ha Bakery needs to put a new sign up saying:

    You have been eating the same rolls for 40 years & nothing has changed.

    Do not waste your time & money on new "Competition"!

    Our rolls have always been CHEAPER, BETTER & TASTIER!

    You can try other rolls, but you'll just find out just how good we really are!

    If you're happy with our rolls, it's money well spent!

    We have had the best Vietnamese Rolls for 40 years!

    • Your final destination to eat Vietnamese rolls @ Hong Ha Bakery
  • spackbace on 06/11/2019 - 14:14
    +31

    The burgers are better at Hungry Jacks

    Are you going to complain about that one?

    • Scrooge McDuck on 06/11/2019 - 14:35
      +8

      I am shocked and appalled!!

    • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2019 - 15:11
      +2

      That would fall under 'puffery' , which is commonly understood as referring to claims that are so exaggerated or fanciful that no reasonable consumer could possibly be expected to rely on them when making a purchasing decision. In that sense, a claim that is a ‘mere puffery’ is not required to be substantiated. Examples of puffery provided by the ACCC include ‘best steaks on earth’ and ‘tastiest food in town’.

      • spackbace on 06/11/2019 - 15:12
        +4

        "Our rolls are bigger, better, and tastier"

        Same same

        • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2019 - 15:17
          +1

          This one is a direct comparison to a competitor's product. Although both "better" and "tastier" are subjective terms. I wonder how many people would actually ask for their money back.

          • spackbace on 06/11/2019 - 15:18
            +4

            @[Deactivated]: The only thing that links it to the competitor is the 40yr comment. At no stage do they name a competitor

            Certainly nothing to get offended and upset about, especially when being a 3rd party to the stores

            • qwerty on 06/11/2019 - 16:05
              +2

              @spackbace: 40 ish years could be when Vietnamese rolls came to Australia

              It might have nothing to do with any other company

    • dufflover on 06/11/2019 - 22:16
      +1

      Not to mention the countless other shops/ads/companies over the years that use phrases like "you've tried the rest, now try the best". Or all those banking ads that trash talk the Big 4 without actually naming them.

      "OP's friend" must be worried they can't compete based on the product …

    • cuteseal on 07/11/2019 - 10:04

      That's disgusting! :P

    • SupeNintendoChalmers on 07/11/2019 - 11:07

      I thought the Burka's are better at HJ

  • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2019 - 14:16
    +3

    Not the subtlest sign but absolutely nothing wrong with it.

    The wording is perfectly appropriate. It is almost as if it was vetted by a lawyer.

  • horice on 06/11/2019 - 14:29
    +1

    that was Dissapointing
    Getting into trackie daks and waiting for a private moment before clicking

  • Taro Milk Tea on 06/11/2019 - 14:45
    +5

    This is actually a bargain that can be posted as a deal. Just buy from destination roll there and come back saying it's not nice = free meal.

  • dlda12345 on 06/11/2019 - 14:53
    +1

    Haha the only real things that have changed at Hong Ha are the prices…
    I still remember they were $5 a roll, and charging $1 extra for something like a extra stem of corriander when 1/2 the people dont want it anyway is ludicrous!

    Oh another thing thats changed is they no longer throw the cash in the plastic boxes haha and use a register. Always wondered how they account for daily takings.

    Regardless of the sign im sure the queue is still outside the next doors shop, and there phone orders probably cut the lunch queue by 50m.

    Not the best, by far not the worst, but hell I aint going to Bankstown or Cabramatta for a roll

    • geoffs87 on 06/11/2019 - 16:24
      +2

      daily takings are only important if you're paying tax, right?

    • MasterMirage on 07/11/2019 - 14:46

      Mate, as someone who used to work in the industry let me tell you EVERYTHING has gone up. Meat, vegetables, wages, electricity. Some places try to keep it as low as they can through offering smaller portions and what not but eventually you just gotta raise the price to deal with everything rising.

  • John Kimble on 06/11/2019 - 15:14
    +1

    What does the sign taste like?

  • nomoneynoproblems on 06/11/2019 - 15:24
    +7

    I'm not sure what's worst. Having tissue boxes in your car or this sign.

    • WT on 07/11/2019 - 17:37

      if the tissues are hello kitty, that would be worse

  • YouWinAgain on 06/11/2019 - 15:28
    -2

    This place needs to be SHUT DOWN!

    DESTINATION ROLL MASCOT

    FOOD SAFETY PROBLEMS, cockroaches, pigeons and the corrupt Council health inspectors do nothing:

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7552975/Disgusting-…

    Maybe someone needs to report them to the ATO?

  • lltravel on 06/11/2019 - 15:32
    +1

    Get over it

    Its just a sign.

    Free speech, you can say whatever you want.

    The fact that you're asking if its legal is ridiculous

    • Speckled Jim on 07/11/2019 - 08:48
      +2

      US constitution protects "free speech", Australia doesn't.

      That aside, it's a sign. Free speech relates to individuals. Signage that's offensive can be removed or modified if Council gets enough complaints.

      Dunno what the problem is with this sign though. Not even obstructing the footpath much.
      Suspect OP might have vested interests next door.

  • kurnugi on 06/11/2019 - 15:34
    +2

    Bikies

  • try2bhelpful on 06/11/2019 - 15:43
    +1

    I think the sign has all the subtilty of a sledgehammer, and will be counter productive, but it would only be illegal if it needs a permit and doesn't have one. It certainly wouldn't entice me away from my regular place.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2019 - 15:45
    +1

    This makes me want a destination roll.

  • luffyex2010 on 06/11/2019 - 15:46

    Lmao, seems like the normal apprentice vs master scenario. Except this one wants to permanently get rid of the master.

    Happens all the time Especially in food business.

  • try2bhelpful on 06/11/2019 - 15:48

    To all the Melbourne people out there. I usually go to N Lee in Fitzroy for my Bahn Mai, does someone have a better option in Fitzroy/Richmone/CBD area? Also looking for similar for Pho. Thanks.

    • Baysew on 06/11/2019 - 16:00

      Way beyond the Goats's cheese curtain, there is Cafe 204 - 204 Lower Dandenong Rd, Mordialloc. (Opposite Moorabbin Airport)

      • try2bhelpful on 06/11/2019 - 16:08

        OMG - So beyond here be dragons but thanks for the tip. I'll check it out if I'm out that way - is it near the DFO?

        • Baysew on 06/11/2019 - 17:31

          It's on the opposite side from the DFO. It's pretty unpretentious.

          • try2bhelpful on 07/11/2019 - 08:06

            @Baysew: Ta. as long as I can’t actually see the rats, or cockroaches, I’m good to go. Or does that mean I am pretentious?

    • bobbified on 06/11/2019 - 16:06
      +1

      Nhu Lan Bakery is the best - 152 Victoria St in Richmond and 116 Hopkins St in Footscray.

      • try2bhelpful on 06/11/2019 - 16:09
        +1

        Thanks, will check them out next time I'm wandering down Victoria St.

    • All Blacks NZ on 06/11/2019 - 18:41

      Sorry not in your area but for anyone who lives in North West of Melbourne, there are couple of great Bahn Mi places in St Albans. One is called fresh chilLi deli. These guys are my favourite.

      And for Pho, the best place in St Albans is Pho Kim Long. They have a small menu but great Pho.

    • raptormesh on 06/11/2019 - 18:42
      +1

      Banoi at CBD is pretty good too, go during lunchtime.

    • Tiredman on 06/11/2019 - 23:47
      +1

      Phuoc Thanh in Richmond is my favourite.

    • try2bhelpful on 07/11/2019 - 08:08
      +1

      I would like to thank people for taking time to give me their tips.

    • lainey13 on 07/11/2019 - 10:35

      Bakers Delicious in Bentleigh East. $6.50 with crackling and amazing!

  • happirt on 06/11/2019 - 15:49
    +1

    let the customers decide

  • k-rokfm on 06/11/2019 - 15:51
    +3

    Wont someone think of the children

  • angusngon9 on 06/11/2019 - 16:03

    Last time I went there destination roll was offering "Buy Banh Mi get Free Pho".
    Hong Ha's queue was not affected at all.

  • RockyRaccoon on 06/11/2019 - 16:09
    +1

    I would be total disgusted as well if this was outside the shop next door to my Uncles shop. 🥶

  • AbsX on 06/11/2019 - 16:32

    There's a thing called competition which is encouraged in this free country of Australia. So what if your competition is next door to your shop and they have a sign targetting the regular customers. If you are really losing business, then maybe the rolls are not up to scratch. End of the day, more competition is great for the customer

  • AustriaBargain on 06/11/2019 - 16:39
    +1

    It's clever advertising. Maybe they should make their rolls bigger or lower their prices or improve their ingredients. Otherwise 40 years was a good run, it couldn't last forever.

  • Ding22 on 06/11/2019 - 16:41
    +1

    ozoffended.com.au

  • mini2 on 06/11/2019 - 16:57
    +1

    If Destination Roll in Eastwood is any indication then Hong Ha have nothing to worry about.

    Some things don't need to change and pork roll is one of them.

    • All The Fire on 07/11/2019 - 07:53

      I tried them a couple of times when they opened but eventually went back to Lims. Destination rolls certainly weren't bigger or tastier there.

      Lims combo roll is the best, and their new American pulled pork roll for $3.50 is great for when I'm not actually hungry but still want a roll.

  • ardstar on 06/11/2019 - 17:01

    smells of desperation… destination roll is the quietest place in macquarie centre food court and i feel sorry for the girls staring around nervously waiting for customers, and letting the piled up meat in the bain maries sit there gathering bacteria

  • FW190 on 06/11/2019 - 17:04

    good luck to Destination Roll, why would I choose a well established and well known banh mi shop over some franchise? I have never been to Mascot and yet I have heard of the Hong Ha, if I am ever in the area, guess which shop's banh mi I will be buying?

    if both shops are in the same Westfield then DR might have a chance.

  • serbpie on 06/11/2019 - 17:28
    +1

    I'm loyal to hong ha, best rolls around. Stuff the chain

  • WaterMark on 06/11/2019 - 18:10
    +2

    Plot twist: Destination roll owners posted on OzBargain for free advertising.

    • dufflover on 06/11/2019 - 22:18

      haha either way, it's worked. If OP is associated with HH they've just handballed their new competitors plenty of free publicity/advertising.

  • Cave Fire on 06/11/2019 - 18:17
    +1

    free advertising for the other bakery. you bring both of them up and they seem like an equal alternative. Comparative advertising like these have made a comeback, but on a whole are rarely used compared to the past.

  • causeimbatman on 06/11/2019 - 18:26
    +1

    I used to go to Destination Roll Macquarie Centre.

    Then one day they changed the traditional pork roll filling (white slice/devon looking slice/pork belly slice) and combined it to a single, hideous hunk that looked like sliced tofu.

    Haven’t gone back since.

    Is Mascot Destination Roll did the same cost-cutting exercise then Hong Ha has nothing to worry about.

  • bringbring on 06/11/2019 - 18:27

    My solution: suggest to Hong Ha that they ask all their customers to try the new rolls, and subsequently ask for the promised money back since they aren't happy with them.

    Ooh hang on what if they are happy?

    • bringbring on 06/11/2019 - 18:29

      P.s. I love a good rustic banh mi, and I'm sure the original is better

  • Vote for Pedro on 06/11/2019 - 18:55
    +1

    “The burgers are better at hungry jacks”

    It’s an ad. Yes it’s trying to drum up business at the expense of others, but what’s wrong with it? If a customer goes there and it’s crap, guess what, they won’t go back.

    Saw the two weeks ago and thought, meh, nothing compares to hong ha. Who cares about their cleanliness and pigeons occasionally going round the back, they’re oh so tasty.

  • Payne on 06/11/2019 - 18:56

    Pointing out how a shop appears to be using a slanderous sign by slandering them online. Gold.

  • Vote for Pedro on 06/11/2019 - 18:58
    +1

    I just feel sorry for the luggage shop. Always blocked by queues

  • infinite on 06/11/2019 - 19:16

    These crybaby outrage posts are getting pretty boring and tiresome. There's obviously nothing wrong or illegal with the advertising at all.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2019 - 19:32

    Legal, might even borderline puffery. So they don't even have to justify it.

  • OneJay on 06/11/2019 - 20:06
    +1

    I went to Cabramatta once during the banh mi price wars. The cold meat banh mi pricing eventually dropped and settled at $2.70 each before eventually returning to normal.

  • SpendLess on 06/11/2019 - 20:22

    so can i eat a roll fully and get my money back cause it didnt taste as good as Hong Ha? im up for free rolls

  • prkr on 06/11/2019 - 21:16

    I don’t know why anyone would try competing with Hong Ha. There are already around 2-3 shops next door doing the same and they are always empty while Hong Ha is always busy.

    Every second day we place an order for airport staff and it gets delivered by Hong Ha. Whenever I’m nearby (usually if staying at The Branksome) then I’ll also get lunch there.

    It’s a successful business and I’ve never had ANY issues, why would I and others like me go anywhere else?

  • Emerald Owl on 06/11/2019 - 22:18

    I don’t get what makes these Vietnamese, why not just say roll?

    • Vote for Pedro on 07/11/2019 - 06:56

      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bánh_mì

      What PHON is looking for candidates? Ohhhh ic.

  • Yummy on 06/11/2019 - 22:18
    +1

    Distasteful? Naaah
    tRolling? Prolly yeah

  • Kranbone on 06/11/2019 - 22:56
    +1

    If I was Hong Ha I'd put a sign up thanking customers for their support for the last 40 years and say you're here for the next 40 (at least).

    There's a reason why you see queues outside Hong Ha and marrickville pork roll. Nothing's changed, because it's not broken.

    • apsilon on 07/11/2019 - 06:34
      +3

      Exactly. I'd LOL if I saw it.

      "Thanks for acknowledging our 4 decades of providing locals and visitors with fantastic food and service. We look forward to doing it for another 40 years. We've had a lot of neighbours come and go in that that time but none have been so thoughtful as to bring to their own customers attention just how good we are. We'll miss you when you're gone."

  • CoreJava on 07/11/2019 - 00:15
    +1

    Please contact Maurice Blackburn lawyers, no win no charge

    • Peck on 07/11/2019 - 11:53
      +1

      A Co. that has a 'No Win No Pay' policy would obviously only apply to the cases that they take on. They 'might' (I don't want to get sued here) only 'take on' cases that are likely to have a 'win' outcome!!
      I am surprised that the Vietnamese haven't sorted this out quickly! Maybe they are mates and the op is imagining that they are in conflict.

  • RolandWaites on 07/11/2019 - 01:47
    +2

    I wouldn't have been keen to put up an advert that states how successful the next door rival has been for four decades..

  • DarkOz on 07/11/2019 - 07:47

    If you really have a problem with it just buy a roll from each shop and do a direct comparisons on the spot. Is it really BIGGER? Is it really BETTER? Is it really TASTIER? Please let us know which roll gave a better orgasm.

  • OzHunterNSW on 07/11/2019 - 09:54

    Nothing wrong with that at all.

    You have to account for cultural thought, and transferred into English.

    I see nothing wrong with this sign at all… read it carefully

  • pogichinoy on 07/11/2019 - 09:56

    LOL stop getting your knickers in a knot.

  • johnthepg on 07/11/2019 - 10:14

    It's distasteful but not illegal.

    Destination Roll really should just be focusing on their own business rather their competitors.

    Why bring someone(in this case another business) down to make yourself look good?

    There is room for both. I mean Cabramatta has a pork roll/bakery almost on every corner and they've all been around since the 90s (I grew up in Cabramatta)

  • haemolysis on 07/11/2019 - 10:20

    Not only is it a harmless ad and not a big issue… I gotta say… “you’ve been eating the same roll for 40 years” is surely a compliment?? If the recipe ain’t broke…

  • Jackkkkkk on 07/11/2019 - 10:49

    Man, I brought popcorn for nothing. OP just oversensitive. Carry on

  • imurgod on 07/11/2019 - 11:05
    +1

    There's nothing you can do about the sign.

    We've been through something far more damaging and defamatory and come out with just a legal bill.

    It's very hard to convince a judge of your loss of income for this stuff.

    Suffice it to say that that kind of advertising can work against the business because people see it as petty.

    Our competitor almost went bankrupt because their clients felt more comfortable with us.

    In your case, be the better product and get the pricing right and they'll struggle.

  • djprima on 07/11/2019 - 11:12

    So, for anyone who have tried both, which one is better? Craving for banh mi now

  • roguescholar on 07/11/2019 - 11:17
    +2

    Is this? AUSTRALIA'S BEST VIET ROLLS

  • HelpMeiCantSee on 07/11/2019 - 11:22

    My god we are soft these days. Cue the outrage over insert innocuous thing here

  • YouWinAgain on 07/11/2019 - 11:23

    They have vermin in their shop, wouldn't eat there in 100 years.

  • Cream on 07/11/2019 - 11:54
    +1

    Just drove past Mascot, Destination Roll 0 customers, Hong Ha queue of at least 30 customers.
    The sign is backfiring for Destination Roll.

    • djprima on 07/11/2019 - 12:15
      +2

      plot twist, sign was actually made by hong ha

  • FloatingPoint on 07/11/2019 - 14:18

    Nothing illegal about that sign, and I doubt if it does anything at all to the business.

    It's too wordy, colourless, simply boring. Just another case for marketing failure.

    90% of people will walk past it without even realise it exist. Some may read the 'Bigger Better Tastier' part. Probably a small number of people will actually read the whole thing, but then most of that may find it 'distasteful'. It may actually drive away some of their customers.

  • centrelink on 07/11/2019 - 14:59

    Samsungs ads crap on Apple all the time and Apple craps on something else I can't remember.

  • webtonmoy on 07/11/2019 - 15:06
    +1

    Thinking if they could reply with this advertisement "Unlike some others, we do not serve 40 years old rolls"

  • afah0447 on 07/11/2019 - 16:10

    What is the issue here?

    It's called the free market and competition.

  • kiitos on 07/11/2019 - 16:33

    What's the current price for a regular banh mi at Hong Ha, and in Cabra?

    In Chatswood it varies quite a bit, from $4.50 up to nearly $10 I think.

  • Dr Prepper on 07/11/2019 - 16:58
    +1

    The're big and they're cheesy

  • Mysterious on 07/11/2019 - 17:14
    -1

    Pretty poor advertising tbh. Focuses more on the negatives of another business (and are there really any????) and no positives about theirs. Implying that people are "wasting their time and money" on old rolls and "nothing has changed" is kinda stupid advertising.. I don't buy into distasteful and hatred advertising so I'd be going to Hong Ha instead.

    • gromit on 07/11/2019 - 18:25

      Despite many of us hating that sort of advertising it works. It is the same reason pollies run negative campaigns. Its also not all negative, they start with a negative then point out theirs are bigger, tastier and better.

  • gromit on 07/11/2019 - 17:53
    +1

    Not seeing anything wrong with the sign? am I missing something?

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