Don't Let the Facts Interfere With Your Thoughts

Don't Let the Facts Interfere With Your Thoughts (9 August)

One of the things that really bugs me about the internet is the way people can publish anything, no matter how wrong it is, and because people read it, they believe it to be true. Responsible web site owners realise this and try not to let personal feelings interfere with the facts, ensuring they get them correct and if they make a mistake and its pointed out, they quickly correct the error. We are talking facts here, not personal opinions. Unfortunately, sometimes web owners let their own personal feeling and agendas not only cloud the issues, but completely distort the truth.

Such is a recent case with the Glug Web Site owned/run by David and Richard Farmer. The Farmer brothers became famous in the wine world when Farmer Bros became the first wine discounters in Australia; that was back when I was a young man. They subsequently had financial difficulties and lost the business. From memory, at least one of the brothers became involved with the Theo's Liquor Store chain and Theo's is now owned by Coles Myer. Why I am telling you all of this? It will become apparent in a second.

On Glug recently, an article titled "Doing Hand Stands at the Dorchester" outlined their perception of what happened to Theo's after it was sold to Coles and their thoughts on what will happen in the future. The first four paragraphs of the story is critical of Coles and the way they ran Theo's, but I have no reason to doubt what was stated; however part of the final paragraph is a different matter. It states:-

"It is surely surprising that the big box 1st Choice liquor barns are to disappear so soon after being launched but when a chief executive touts the purchase of more supermarket trolleys as a major innovation, as John Fletcher did yesterday, I suppose anything is believable."

The picture on the left is a copy of slide 28 which forms part of the Coles relaunch presentation. Notice it specifically talks about the rollout of 15 new First Choice stores per year, but if you believe Richard Farmer, they are to "disappear soon."

One of my readers, Frank McEwen emailed Richard Farmer, the author of the article last week about this error and received no reply. I also sent an email pointing out the "incontinency" but also received no reply. It looks like there is no interest in the facts, just pushing a personal agenda.

That sort of writing does the internet little good, and does little for Glug's credibility.

Initial Response from Richard Farmer (22 August)

I have read you comments about First Choice with interest. I did not receive you email and have no record of one from Frank either but that is by the by.

I thank you for drawing my attention to the Coles Myer slide about the renaming of Theos stores. The significance had escaped me. What it illustrates is the strange thinking of the Coles management who on the one hand talk about converting eight stores to 1st Choice and then in the same announcement explain that the word Coles will be used to rebadge all the liquor stores.

Follow Up Response from Richard Farmer

(TORB Comment: As I had not posted Richards response to this article in a time frame that he deemed appropriate, I received a follow up email.)

As you have so cheerfully called me a liar perhaps you would be kind enough to let your readers judge for themselves by putting the attached extract from the Coles press release announcing their restructure alongside the slide you are running. It explains what I meant in the message that I sent you yesterday of which I can find no mention on your website.

TORB's Comment: I am more than happy for readers to judge for themselves. Whilst the text that Richard sent does say "under the umbrella brand of Coles" it goes on to say "whilst the number of brands will be reduced over time...." It does not state they will all be eliminated. As Richard says, readers are welcome to make up their own minds.