Hundreds of customers around the Riverina are still waiting on their phone books, with local businesses angry after paying thousands for advertisements which aren’t being seen.
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Emily Williamson from the Yellow Pages said books were distributed to 76,000 customers in the Wagga region this year.
She confirmed books were not scheduled for delivery to every household.
“As part of our commitment to the environment, including our carbon neutral credentials, we monitor and adjust our distribution numbers to ensure our books reach the consumers who use them. To achieve this we use a combination of home delivery and in-store pick-up services,” she said.
“This year, we have had higher than expected demand in the Wagga region, with some supply centres running out of stock.”
However, Alida Rushby, who lives in The Rock, said it’s precisely the people who use them who’ve missed out.
“ It's extremely frustrating for us,” she said.
“The Rock township have internet but we live just behind the rock reserve so everyone along our road really struggles and no we never received a phone book and you would think we actually would need one with no internet connection.”
“We pay our taxes and rates like everyone else and just get left behind.”
Lindsay Vidler from Vidler’s Automotive Industries said he felt cheated by the “demand” model, having paid in excess of $1000 to advertise in the book.
“Sure some people don’t worry or don’t notice if it arrives or not, but you’re paying for an ad, if the books don’t arrive you’re not getting value for your money,” he said.
“Ours is just a small ad but there are huge ones in there, they’d be worth thousands,” he said.
“It’s taking people for granted.”
He said the problem is rife even in Wagga as other businesses on Mortimer Place have complained of the same issue.
A total of 138 people voted in the Junee Southern Cross’s poll last week, with 99 reporting they never received a book.
Ms Williamson said Sensis have arranged delivery of extra books to the region and a new collection point in Junee.
Books are reportedly available for pickup from:
- Coolac Store
- Grong Grong General Store
- The Rand Hotel
- Donovan’s Rankin Springs
- Junee Post Office (from Monday, September 18)
- Ladysmith Post Office (limited)
Any Yellow Pages or White Pages advertisers with questions can contact 132 378.