Price reduction in Coles dairy products

What's the best email address to use for Coles?

You have inspired me!

I have written an email for Coles, but I don't know where to send it, lol!

"To the genius in marketing,

I would like to point out a flaw in your recent advertising campaign which appeals to 'all' Australians. Your line 'because we all buy milk' is incredibly offensive to people like me who do not drink dairy milk but can only have, instead, soy, rice, almond and other NON-DAIRY milks.
However, if I am in fact mistaken by your definition of 'milk', I should then find all other milks also reduced in price. When will I find these products discounted?

Also, it is incredibly frustrating and insulting to receive a standard-response email. Like so many other people that have made a complaint regarding this advertisement, I would like a thought out response because we can all buy milk somewhere else."

and not just vegans, what about the countless amount of people who are lactose intollerant? Almost all of us might buy milk, but it's not always cows milk!

here's what I wrote to them in their feedback box , I hope it's ok i'm not very eloquent

"I've been seeing some ads lately about milk. The ad states "prices are down (to $2) on milk" "because we all drink milk!"

I'm personally offended that Coles thinks "everyone" drinks milk (same goes for the butter ad). I've made the choice as have many others not to drink bovine mammary gland secretions due to the horrific trauma it causes the animal and it's offspring and in comparison to other milks it's lack of health benefits. The ad should say that "most of us drink milk" to at least be accurate and avoid angering those who can't or choose not to.

The ad just says milk, it doesn't clarify that people who don't drink cos milk will feel the financial benefits of these new lower prices. What about soy, almond, oat and rice milk? way to start alienating some of your customer base, how does Coles expect customer loyalty when our needs are barely even met.

The overall service provided by Coles in conjunction with the dwindling range of products* stocked at my local store and this new campaign has prompted me to make the decision to shop elsewhere (Woolworths!) even if it takes more effort and I have to travel longer - at least I know i'll be getting better service and the option to buy products not available at Coles.  (* some of these products include frozen foods, microwave meals, Tofutti, yoghurt, veg sausages, more than one kind of tofu! and many other vegan/vegetarian and health friendly products.)



Yours truly, Former Coles customer"

I used the feedback form on their website the first time and then I replied to they're email twice. I still havent had any reply though.

This is the email address it came from.


And I also found this on:


Cant wait to hear about their responses

Thanks, I've just posted my lovely email to them

They've reduced the price of toilet paper now - something everyone actually uses!  

DOWN DOWN THE PRICES ARE DOWN

Coles responded with what I can only assume to be a 'boilerplate response" so I have emailed them again.  Below you can read my response to their response (listed lower).  Again I will let you all know the response.

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MY REPLY
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Thank you for responding to my feedback however you failed to actually answer my question.  As I am sure this was simply an oversight on behalf of the writer (Brenda Hardly) I have added below a copy of my original email.

       "I have noticed your recent advertising regarding milk pricing with the the tag line "Because we all buy milk".
       I however am a VEGAN and I do not buy milk or any other dairy products. This statement is not only incorrect but offensive to myself and many other compassionate people.
       Can you please advise me when you will consider discounting NON-DAIRY alternatives such as soy milk, rice milk etc. so that WE may feel that your business is worth supporting.
       Finally, please consider giving this FEEDBACK the relevant consideration that I and my fellow vegans deserve rather than a standard, pre written response.

Your reply stated "Pricing is influenced by a wide range of factors including the prices suppliers charge us, seasonal factors including availability of and quality of product, transport and distribution costs, and various promotional activities offered daily by competitors in the marketplace.

Why does this response appear to contradict the information supplied on your website at Coles Milk Pricing Fact Sheet.  (QUOTE "Coles has therefore reduced its own profit margin on milk sales so that it can provide a benefit to its customers.") http://www.coles.com.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=686uh4%2Bfxl8%3D&tabid=101

So once again could you please advise me of when customers that choose cruelty free products such as non-dairy milk can look forward to the same pricing considerations as your other customers.

Regards,

Trevor Haynes

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On 18/02/2011, at 2:04 PM, Coles Customer Care wrote:

Dear Mr Haynes

Thank you for your emaiil regarding the recent price reduction of our Coles brand Milk.

Coles have an ongoing commitment to provide our customers with a great range of quality food that costs less. The recent price reduction of our Coles brand 2 and 3 litre milk is just one of the many ways that we are delivering on this commitment.

Coles is acutely aware of the need to offer our customers value through competitive pricing.  We work very hard to regularly monitor prices to ensure we maintain competitive pricing and value for our customers.

Pricing is influenced by a wide range of factors including the prices suppliers charge us, seasonal factors including availability of and quality of product, transport and distribution costs, and various promotional activities offered daily by competitors in the marketplace.

Once again, thank you for your email. We appreciate the feedback and will continue to monitor our Soy Milk, and all our products, to ensure that we remain price competitive.

Yours sincerely
Brendan Hardy
Coles Customer Care

AND THEY'RE STAYING DOWN!

Good on you for emailing them Trevor! You're right, their first reply didn't answer any of your questions. They better put discounts on soy milk, too!!