Skroo Turner’s Comment on the NBN that we can only Afford

Tonight, in Brisbane, I went to see Skroo Turner, CEO and founder of Flight Centre International. This was part of the Game Changer series put on by QUT and the Qld State Library. He was excellent and he participated in a conversation with the MC and then it was opened up to questions.

I asked him, more in jest, in light of what has transpired over the last week over sexism with our prime minister if there was room for a female captain (no body laughed) and as a CEO and with a name like SKROO does he ever get angry with his workers or wife for that matter and if so how does he deal with it.

He appreciated the question and seemed to answer it graciously.

Someone then asked what was his biggest mistake and he hinted at the last 6 years and his foray into the online space which has been a disaster for FC.and no surprise to me as he seems to have a myopic approach to his offline business that has brought his shares for around $18 some 7 years ago to some $40 now.

Funny, during his conversation he mentioned the NBN and said that Australia cannot afford it. That it is like a Rolls Royce versus a Holden and we can only afford a Holden.

This comes from them man that admits they have no online strategy other than having a website and freely admits that “he lost control” of his online foray (because he had not got a clue about it), and once again no surprise to me.

Well of course he is going to say we only need a single lane highway as opposed to a multilane highway (my metaphor) probably some 98% of his profits comes from his bricks and mortar stores. Anything Skroo can do to slow down the digital age
the better.

All through the talk it was mentioned his turnover (they carry 1.5 Billion cash at any one time) as opposed to profits. But it does not take a big stretch of the imagination to work out how much profit FC makes in comparison to an online travel agent like say Wotif or Expedia for example. My guess it is 10 to 1 more profits for the online stores.

All up a great night and fun had by all with drinks and networking after but somehow I doubt that there will ever be another bricks and mortar giant like this that will ever startup ever again. This one was more for the museum,in my humble view.

Here is my proposal to promote Tripcover’s new logo and New Zealand website.
Our NZ site is coming soon and allow Aussies and New Zealanders to get a
a car rental excess policy for traveling in NZ as well as Australia and also internationally.

Soon there will be even more ways to beat the car rental TRAP!

During these times we are all looking to tighten our financial belts and it
is no different when we are travelling.

One way you can save heaps on your next car rental is by polietly refusing
the desk staff’s offer to reduce the $3300 excess. Then go to Tripcover’s
website or use the iPhone or Android app to cover your car rental excess
in 3 simple steps.

From as low as $5.51 per day (over 15 day rental), Tripcover’s rates are
up to 75% less than the car rental companies which can be more than
$33 per day. And you can even get a 10% frequent flyer dscount.

Alternatively you could drive with the $3300 excess dangling over your
head but this can be expensive in the event of an accident and also an
extra worry when you are traveling.

The down side to Tripcover’s cover is that in the event of an accident
the car rental company will charge your credit/debit card and renters
will need to claim the reimbursement from Alllianz Global Assistance.

It is all a matter of weighing up the risks but using Tripcover to reduce your
exposure is now a real option, with NZ and international policy options
coming next month and also an annual policy in August this year.

Now I don’t want to be cynical but I cannot work out why Europcar do not include any rates for their excess and the rates to buy down my exposure.

http://www.europcar.com.au/EBE/module/render/liability-buy-down

Their latest site has the tagline “moving your way”. Well if they were moving my way ans the way of the trades practices act they would be including their rates with full disclosure
of any fees on top so that I can make an informed decision.

I have emailed them the following below and am still waiting for their reply stay tuned.

     Can you tell me the excess I would be up for and how much does
     each buy down cost?

     BTY I am wondering why you simply do not have these rates on your website??

     Regards

     Des XS

Europcar’s reply:

Thank you for your enquiry,

We are unable to respond from this address in relations to your enquiry; however we
are more than happy to assist you with your requirements by  contacting us on the
following for an immediate answer.
   Contact Europcar Reservations Centre by Phone

When I rang the reservation centre and asked them if they would send me the buy-down rates to reduce their excess she refused, offering to just tell me over the phone.

Oops we had a little accident with our new billboard this morning.
A rental car hit it. I hope the driver had their car rental excess covered. Posted 1 April

Posted by vBoards

Lean, Clean, Cash Machine

TravelTrends article 06/03/2013
Aussie travel net vet Des Sherlock is back with a new website called Tripcover.com.au, which sells discounted car hire excess insurance.

Des says his site dramatically undercuts the excess insurance offered by Hertz, Budget, Thrifty (not hard) and that business is growing strongly.

“Sales were up 40% in February and by this time next year I think we will have doubled,” Des says.

Car hire companies charge customers $22 to $27 a day to bring their insurance excess down to $300. ….more

There’s a new app that allows you to beat the car rental giants’ (such as Avis, Hertz, Europcar, etc), expensive car hire insurance trap. Now users of iPhone and Android smart phones can save over 60% in just three taps after you download the App.

Beat The Car Rental Trap

You know the drill, you are at the car rental desk and surprise, surprise, the staff ask; “would you like to reduce your $4000 excess by just paying $33 per day?” It’s tempting right, but very expensive! Well what if you could insure that $4000 rental excess from as little as $5.51 per day? (new rates coming by mid January 2013)

Desmond Sherlock , the GM of Tripcover.com.au believes their new App will make it even easier for Australians and overseas visitors to still get the peace-of-mind that excess insurance provides, while on the go and save a bundle. “We’ve been involved in the car rental industry for 15 years and we see this rental trap as the #1 pain point for renters. We’ve designed our car rental excess product in partnership with one of the world’s largest insurance companies, Allianz, to bring it down under”.

iPhone and Android Apps

Sherlock added, “At present this is the only app of its kind, globally, so, as a small Queensland company it is nice to be ahead of the crowd, for now!”