I will say one thing for online shopping though, if it didn't exist Australia Post as we know it today would be dead, internet parcel delivery is now a MASSIVE part of their business. Think about it, who's sent a letter lately? They are still in financial trouble but from speaking to a few mates who work for them, if they did't do parcel deliv...gooooone.
Against - Gerry Harvey is a serial complainer and must be kicking himself (or one of his horses) that he didn't get in first with his own on-line shopping site.
Given the recent behaviour of the big retailers - akin to banks - they can hardly expect sympathy.
Their margins are huge, they don't pass on any exchange rate benefits and their finance deals give them even more margin given their arrangements with their credit provider.
If the consumer can find a better deal and more choice, then go for it - one of the benefits of participating in a global economy.
I think one of our politicians summed it up best when the mining tax debacle was goin on and Gina Reinhart and twiggy Forrest were goin off the dial.
"rolex revolutionaries" she called em, applies to Gerry and the boys as well.
W
Slight detour for a much overdue rant
I love the way that Gerry and co preach by local when they are buying overseas and selling to us at a huge markup. They should get competitive. This is what they did to smaller outlets when they first entered the market.
I know on camera gear in Mackay the local Harvey Norman matched online overseas prices - they can do it as they buy in bulk at the low costs but they just want to protect profit margins and shareholder interests.
Least Gerry can find comfort in knowing he is not the most despised person on the internet anymore - RSC on the Kiting forum seems to have taken that spot. 
