Mobile butcher fights back

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 449, 18 August 1992, Page 10

Mobile butcher fights back

There is another side to the story about Waiouru shop keepers being threatened by mobile traders, according to 'Crossroads' proprietor Graeme Simpson. Mr Simpson operates the mobile butcher shop complained of by Waiouru butcher Trevor Treweek in last week's Bulletin. "The first point I

would make is that we're not subsidised by anybody," he said in answer to Mr Treweek's complaints about his business being threatened. "And our costs and overheads are as high, if not higher than his. It has cost us $65,000 to set up our mobile shop." He said they had to meet strict regulations to be allowed to operate the truck and were paying

expensive mobile trader fees as well. "With that sort of commitment it's highly unlikely we're just going to pack up and drift off." Mr Treweek had said the mobile traders were not committed to continued service. Mr Simpson said he had been granted a 12month licence to operate in the town.

He said they faced overheads just as high, if not higher, than the Waiouru butcher, who is paying a subsidised rent to the Army. "But we can still be competitive on price. It's just a case of sharpening up our pencils and coming up with a good price that will make the customer happy and if we can do it, there 's no reason why

he can't." He said a lot of local businesses use transport costs as an excuse for high prices, but doesn't believe that's fair. "It costs me 42 cents per kilo to freight goods up from Invercargil, and that's overnight." He said he believes the bottom line is service, and if he can provide a better service, then the public are better off.