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pwixson
Posts:7
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| 05/15/2008 3:53 PM |
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SPECIAL NOTICE: The following article is scheduled to appear in the Brandon & Co. column of the Retail Shippers News June 2008 issue.
Dear Reader,
Last month we sent out a call to action to retail shippers across the country for the purpose of validating the need for, and interest in supporting a non-profit trade association comprised of representatives from the franchise systems, independents, buyer groups, and vendors. Its purpose would be to represent the common interests of our industry. (You can read my original Call to Action in the May issue of the Retail Shipping News or on the home page of our website, www.rscentral.org, in the News To Know section.)
As of this writing, we have received upwards of 200 responses from a combination of store owners, franchise systems, multi-store/chain operators, and vendors. The responses have come via email and phone calls, and 100% have been in passionate support of the idea.
Following are excerpts from just a few of the written responses:
“My group of (store group name withheld) stores met last Saturday. Your call to action was on my agenda and discussed at length. The support was unanimous. I personally feel that a non-profit advocacy group is badly needed, but didn't want to steer the group. I wasn't surprised when the conversation from the senior people came out in full support. Please count us in. The sooner this movement gets going the better.” “ bout time...count me in”
“As an independent store owner I feel that it is my duty to jump on this and support any efforts to help all of us. Please let me know what I can do.”
“Do it!”
“Yes this is needed very badly - let me know how I can help.”
“Count me in.... Let’s make it happen....sooner than later....”
“Yes, a most needed organization. Being in business as an independent less than a year, I can see the retail margins becoming smaller, more people opening their own shipping accounts, internet retailers sending return shipping labels at buyer's expense, only to name a few. Unfortunately, I am not currently in a position to leave my store or be able to spend much time being directly involved with this new organization, but would be willing to support it financially. Thank you! Your efforts are greatly appreciated.”
“This is very much needed and very long overdue. Move ahead full speed and let’s get this thing moving! Let me know what I can do to help.”
“I think you’ve hit the nail squarely on the head. If we snooze, we will lose. It is time to step up to the plate to protect our investments.” “ I am excited about what you are proposing and hope that your “call to action” will not go unanswered. Please keep us posted, and let us know what we can do to further the effort.”
“You can count on our whole-hearted support.”
“…an advocate now more than ever. I've been spouting this mantra for quite some time and all I get is, "it can't be done"….. “I don't know what I can do as a store owner with limited resources and coverage, but if there is, let me know. I stand ready to assist where ever I can.”
As stated, these comments are only a sampling of those we’ve received, but they represent the general sentiments of the entire body of respondents.
I want to thank everyone who took the time to write. I read every response and it is clear there is a palpable sense of frustration due to a lack of accurate information and action from those who purport to speak for us.
As recently as this past week, RSA received calls from dozens of store owners who were alarmed over announcements from “industry experts” that mail and parcel center employees are required by the Department of Transportation to be trained in Hazardous Materials handling. Conveniently, this “regulatory” information was reported by those “experts” in conjunction with the launch of their new series of HAZMAT training courses.
Not only is this information misleading, it is patently incorrect.
It is a fact that if you ship HAZMAT as a matter of your normal course of business (e.g. a paint manufacturer), you are required by D.O.T. to complete recognized HAZMAT training.
But as UPS Authorized Shipping Outlets, DHL Authorized Shipping Centers, FedEx Authorized ShipCenters, or USPS Approved Shippers, we are contractually and specifically prohibited from shipping Hazardous Materials. (Refer to your ASO, DASC, FASC, and USPS Approved Shipper agreements for specific language.)
IF we were allowed to ship HAZMAT and elected to do so, then we would be required to complete Hazmat training. But since we are not allowed to, the point is moot.
Misleading statements involving regulatory authority and requirements (such as mandatory training) are not only confusing, but counter-productive in the sense that we should not invite unnecessary and restrictive regulatory actions—we already have as many encroachments on our businesses as we can handle.
This is not to be taken as a suggestion that continuing education for the sake of improving service performance and expertise is not a good business practice—that would be silly. But using scare tactics and disinformation as motivation to sell training programs is equally silly, and does little to help anyone.
I use this current and still-fresh example to illustrate and reiterate the immediate need for the formation of a 501 C-6 non-profit advocacy group. Only a truly independent body led by an elected Board of Directors, fully accountable to its constituency, can provide the representation necessary to protect the long-term viability of the retail shipping industry.
In that spirit and as a result of the level of support for the initial Call to Action, it’s time to move to the next logical step—that is to begin working on an industry consensus.
Beginning next week, I will start the process of contacting each of you who have already responded in support of the initiative. My purpose will be to schedule a series of group telephone conferences with those interested in participating on a Project Task Force. If you have not responded previously but would like to be involved, notify me via email at IWantAnAdvocate@rscentral.org.
The Task Force will be charged with performing due diligence on the structure and organization of the advocacy group and report a consensus plan for implementation. Their recommendations will be presented in August at an Organization Adoption Meeting to be held concurrent with the Retail Shippers EXPO in Las Vegas.
Like each of you, I’m a mail & parcel store owner with a vested interest in the future of our industry. And like the scores of owners who responded to my Call to Action, I believe our future is best served through an organization that is qualified to provide unbiased, informed representation; an advocate unhindered by prior debts, obligations and allegiances.
If you share this belief, join us. The time is now.
Brandon Gale
President - RS Associates |
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