Complaint about an offensive ad to a government body?

rohanp16 on 14/03/2013 - 22:59

Good evening,

I have seen this ad recently and find this ad quite offensive, especially the 'Not in India or the Philippines'. It's a Southern Phone ad, here is the video

http://vimeo.com/58080942

I can completely understand,

a) Marketing the fact that there are real humans answering over those automated voices, and that the phones are answered by,

b) Australians locally.

I don't see why they have to explicitly state that line and I feel it's quite offensive. They can very well push the fact that it's answered by human beings as opposed to automated machines and these customer service reps are local.

I've never done this before, but which is the most relevant government body where I can lodge a complaint ?

Thank you !

General Discussion

Comments

  • neil on 14/03/2013 - 23:11
    +27

    The Ad Standards Board recently ruled on a similar advertisement and found mentioning Australian call centres (or not having a foreign one) is not deemed racist. Mumbrella

    • Eivad on 15/03/2013 - 13:32
      +2

      The ad you linked did not single out specific foreign countries (despite everyone probably knowing which ones they referred to).

      It's different when they do single out.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 17/03/2013 - 13:17

        Err, I'm pretty sure I heard "India or the Philippines".

        • Eivad on 17/03/2013 - 18:17
          +2

          Yeah, that's the difference in the ad OP posted.

          I was contrasting this to the article neil linked to us.

    • nikey2k27 on 15/03/2013 - 21:02
      +2

      so true would pick company that has aus call center over one that cannot speak good eng my boyfirend is Philippines he hate it he said to them learn to speak English.

      • blablabla23 on 17/03/2013 - 16:10
        +59

        so true would pick company that has aus call center over one that cannot speak good eng my boyfirend is Philippines he hate it he said to them learn to speak English.

        hmm. Am i the only one who sees the irony here?

      • DealzEddy123 on 19/03/2013 - 10:53
        +2

        ??

      • Wyzard on 27/03/2013 - 00:52

        Maybe you should learn to speak English… and proper punctuation as well.

      • Jackson on 27/03/2013 - 22:17

        Its just as bad speaking to them in tagalog

  • issh on 14/03/2013 - 23:13
    +6

    Really!?

    Jokes aside; go here and fill out a complaint
    http://www.adstandards.com.au/

  • heatseeker424 on 14/03/2013 - 23:58
    +53

    Don't find it offensive at all. It's not an unknown fact that Australian's typically find overseas call centre workers hard to understand.

    • kwaker on 15/03/2013 - 13:31
      +12

      sometimes hard to understand, often rude, many dont know many australian words like concession or pension because they dont have such things in their country. i have experienced many racist and sexist remarks by those call centre staff. most o/s staff also do not understand australian laws and do not comply until formal complaints are lodged and the australian representatives are contacted by the applicable government agency.

      • sash213 on 16/03/2013 - 10:20
        +2

        I think the English may lay claim to words pension and concession

        • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2013 - 23:28
          +4

          In case you didn't realise the national language is Australian ENGLISH.

        • sash213 on 21/03/2013 - 21:34

          So just because we have a version of English, preexisting words are ours now?

          You can have 'bugger' and 'g'day'

        • garygooberton on 26/03/2013 - 12:08

          I think he just means these words are common use in Australia, but not in those other countries, not specifically that Australians invented them.

      • hur91 on 17/03/2013 - 08:12
        +15

        To be honest, I've never had an issue with Indian/Phillipino call centre operators. I've called Dell, Optus, Telstra, Dodo- the operators have always been really helpful and patient. Granted they have a bit of an accent, but geez, doesn't everyone? Sucks that you've had bad experiences.

        Although I agree with the laws thing; if they're serving australian consumers, they should be familiar with our Consumer Laws

        • rmamila on 20/03/2013 - 16:25
          +6

          I personally have experienced little bit of rudeness on few calls I made with call centres. I personally don't have big issues with accent and I too am coming from the same region and my accent is different from most Ausies too. (I know people here have some thing called "Ausie accent" as well)
          The strange thing is that all my calls to those call centres when I was living in US went perfectly fine. Now I am thinking Ausie companies either use call centred with untrained staff or those call centre staff becomes rude when they answer a call from Australia. :)

          While in US I've worked for the world largest conglomerate and the biggest bank in IT in their head offices for few years. Never heard any issues with accent let alone my own. However after moving to Australia to live permanently I heard the problems with my own accent few times in my first couple of weeks. If we learn to live with different accents as american does I am sure this won't be a big issue.

          The other funny thing is that for all the time I lived in US no one asked where I am from unless I voluntarily used to mention it in most my conversations with new people I meet. So I know that they consider all who live there as American. However I am citizen in here now. But I heard many times people considering me as an Indian despite the fact that I have no links with India. Even my kids who are born in here are categorised as Indians. Funnily those who call me Indian are recent migrants as well.

          It's very funny to take accent very serious in a place where majority are migrants from many different countries in the world. 99% people have either migrated themselves or if not their great grand father has. While we have a big diversity in language and culture in our society it's better to get used to live with that. That's what makes this society special and similar to that in US.

    • surm on 17/03/2013 - 02:13
      +11

      How do we take it if the opposite happens? Suppose an Indian food chain in Australia advertises;

      "Our food is cooked by Indian chefs"
      "Not by Aussies? really?"
      "Really!"

      • 51ngh on 20/03/2013 - 10:55

        Yep, really !!

      • poppit88 on 21/03/2013 - 00:10
        +2

        Wow, if an Indian food chain advertised that - I'd be hot footing it straight through the door to stock up! You know you're definitely going to get great chow! Pray tell, when is this Indian food chain opening?

      • jzdhgkd on 26/03/2013 - 10:04

        Haha as bad as it sounds this is one of the criteria my gf and I use to decide which restaurant we'd rather visit =)

  • Chux on 15/03/2013 - 07:08
    +3

    Seem this ad plenty of times and never had a problem with it. When you work for any company that employes offshore telephone departments it's insane how often you get people telling you "it's good to talk to an Aussie and not one of those foreign people". More often than not its regular people's comments borderline on racist… But I think the ad here is fine. They aren't isolating a race, it's talking about the countries themselves and not the people. It's basically saying "our call centres are here and not overseas" compared to the other interpretation of "we only employ Australians".

    But each to their own. If you feel offended OP, don't hesitate in making a complaint.

    For your consideration though, here is a lifehacker article in regards to the issue that I actually found on the news ticker on the left of the Ad Standards website…

    • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 08:32
      +10

      Thanks for that Chux, appreciate those links :)

      I can understand them promoting the fact that their call centres are in Australia and not overseas (many Australians prefer this since communication is easier). I feel there is a difference (maybe subtle) saying 'we have our call centres here in Australia' and explicitly saying 'Our centres are not in India or Philippines or Indonesia etc'. Both point to the same fact, that their call centres are in Australia.

      Maybe I'm over sensitive to this as I'm Indian !

      • duchy on 15/03/2013 - 14:13
        +3

        Yes, you are oversensitive. Take it easy.

        • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 14:14
          +5

          Will do

    • rmamila on 20/03/2013 - 16:32

      Same here, I have no problem with the add. They just try to convey the message that they employ local call centre which is very good. nothing wrong with this add. But I still think society has to mature to live with the multiculturalism we have. Once that happen even the one who started this thread would not feel anything to complain on this adds. Because it's always better to employ locals than sending those jobs for foreign countries just for chap labour. On the other side it can increase the cost of products still it can better the economy if we spend the money in here.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/03/2013 - 07:16
    +33

    “Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right.”

  • peter000 on 15/03/2013 - 07:46
    +12

    Get over it. There is nothing even remotely offensive there.

    • Maz78 on 17/03/2013 - 11:32
      +4

      Exactly. Just another overly sensitive nutter on the PC bandwagon. Build a bridge, there's a lot more important things in life to worry about than a boring TV ad…

    • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2013 - 23:34
      +3

      I can see how you've been in his shoes before… TBH I think anything racist even implied racism is still racism and I don't want my kids growing up in a racist Australia. They are white btw but it doesn't matter. No one is equal until everyone is treated equally based on the merits of their actions not their appearance. If an Indian is willing to take abuse from Australians every day 1000's of Km's from where we live just to do his job simply because Australians can't take the effort of trying to understand Indians as much as they are trying to understand us I think Australians can be called the bad communicators.

      Did you know American Indians are called Indians because the English couldn't be bothered to differentiate and get their facts right, they still are.

      Don't get me wrong I like having call centres where I can clearly understand the language and the person is helpful. The only difference is usually foreigners try more to be helpful and ALOT more to clearly communicate. I've never had a phone conversation "lost" with Telstra unless it was with the Australian sales department which don't bother to leave notes about the call etc.

      • Cheaplikethebird on 28/03/2013 - 08:52
        +1

        Haha you seem to be making these guys out to be champions of virtue for working in a call centre, maybe they work in call centres because it is among the highest paid jobs in India/Phillippines?

        I also don't think I should be the one making an effort to understand when I am paying for a service, I just want whatever it is that isn't working to be working again.

  • stringbean402 on 15/03/2013 - 08:00
    +26

    Yeah I think your probably being a little precious about this.

    I assume you are one of the minority's mentioned in your post.

    I hate racism, but I also hate political correctness for the hell of it.

    And yes people find it incredibly frustrating talking to someone they cannot understand, it is a simple fact.

    If you feel the need lodge a complaint.

    • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 08:35
      +4

      Yes I am one of the minorities mentioned :)

      But don't you feel there is a difference between saying 'our call centres are here in Australia' and saying 'Our centre are not in India or Philippines or Indonesia etc' ? I mean, the message is the same regardless.

      Maybe, I find that subtle difference to be offensive.

      • Magnate on 15/03/2013 - 20:58
        +12

        Wow, people have such thin skins these days! Subtle difference. Geez.

        The reality is that most foreign call centres are in India or the Philippines, and most of us find it difficult to deal with these call centres. Not at all because we don't like people from these countries (quite to the contrary actually) but because it is difficult to communicate with someone who doesn't understand a lot of how people in Australia communicate. I deal with it with my companies IT department regularly. Really nice people, but so difficult to communicate with.

        Marketing uses contrasts all the time to reinforce their message.

      • koolchamp81 on 17/03/2013 - 10:32
        +2

        Yes , you are right in a sense that they should advertise it with words " local call center and not an overseas…it does make a big difference if are directly referring to something particular..

      • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2013 - 14:41
        +3

        Agree Rohan, there is no reason to specify particular OS call centres, they're simply pandering - subtly but intentionally - to the underlying xenophobia in sections of this country. The implication is that you will somehow get better service from an Aussie call centre, which may or may not be real, but that same message can be achieved without the reference. You'll probably get a better response if you contact Wil Anderson and see if they'll discuss it on Gruen.

      • reader64 on 17/03/2013 - 18:18

        a study by CSU university has found
        that 65 percent of Australasians can not understand anything call centres located in a majority of overseas countrys are saying its probably nothing to you but if a 70 year old customer who grew up in a mostly "white dominated" austrlia they cant understand a thing and end up getting strung along.

        in all respect your just upset as you are one of the minorities mentioned id say you wouldnt care if they said the call centre was in russia or china.

        i myself have been with southern phone since i got transferred to kapooka base as its free for me it is SOOOO good not having to try to decipher what someone who claims there name is BOB or SUSAN is trying to say.
        but my brother was adopted from india and i have no trouble but its just nice knowing that the options there.
        not really much difference from Woolworth advertising its foods made in Australia not china

        not really a xenophobic add people are generally just pissed of company's taking short cuts to save paying ozzie workers when you end up losing the customers to bad customer service in the long run, i say good one southerphone people dont realise how many jobs are being shipped out pure crazyness.

        • carlscott1982 on 20/03/2013 - 14:38
          +1

          "a study by CSU university has found
          that 65 percent of Australasians can not understand anything call centres located in a majority of overseas countrys are saying"

          Probably should back that unlikely sounding statement up with something…

        • ChmpgneTasteBeerBdgt on 20/03/2013 - 15:04
          +1

          Were those studied by Charles Sturt Uni from their local Orange/regional district?

  • mskeggs on 15/03/2013 - 08:03
    +13

    Yeah, I hate Indians and Philippinos too! Oh, hang on, that's not what they are saying. I don't think stating the countries where their competitors have outsourced their call centers is offensive.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2013 - 23:44

      That's like saying "it's not that I think you're bad, I just think everyone else here is better." It's like smiling and using manners while saying something rude doesn't make it not rude. Remember when people use to say "no offense but," and then they'd feel like they could say whatever they wanted to just because they had preceeded it with those 4 words.

  • kaos on 15/03/2013 - 08:55
    +2

    some of the most precisely spoken English I have ever experienced has come from Indian people. But some of the worst customer service I've ever experienced has come from Indian call centres as well. But the very worst has been from the Philippines. I don't think you're being over sensitive by getting upset over it, but I'm also not sure if there's a compliant that will stand up.

    In general, to make the ad more 'hard hitting' they would prefer to give an example ('our call centres AREN'T in India' etc). Simply saying they aren't international isn't as good. Whilst I'm not happy when people refer to Australia as a nation of fat bastards, I have to accept there is some truth in it.

    But as others have said, if you think it isn't acceptable, make a complaint

    • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 09:44
      +1

      "but I'm also not sure if there's a compliant that will stand up"

      True. I might contact the company first and see what their response is.

      "'hard hitting' they would prefer to give an example ('our call centres AREN'T in India' etc). Simply saying they aren't international isn't as good"

      Indeed, I think to explicitly state it that way is definitely more 'hard hitting' and I feel unnecessary. What else would would 'All our call centres are in Australia' imply ? But I can understand, stating it explicitly might be attractive to a lot of potential customers.

  • _Bruce_ on 15/03/2013 - 10:40
    +7

    For what it's worth I agree that the tone and style is pushing it, and can definately be seen to reinforce racist stereotypes.

  • PlagueistheCheap on 15/03/2013 - 10:59
    +1

    I wonder if the ad mentioned countries other than the OP's racial ethnicity whether the complaint would still have been made on behalf of others or simply let go because it wouldn't affect them…

    • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 11:05
      +6

      Do most people (without considerable power or money) try to right every wrong out there or those that subjectively affect them or their surroundings (family, relatives, friends, loved ones, country, environment etc) the most ?

      Do you go and e-mail Harvey Norman on behalf of other customers who were affected by the Asus tablet saga ? If you weren't affected and you still did that, hats off to you, I have things to learn to increase empathy.

  • dealman on 15/03/2013 - 12:13
    +3

    What I want to know is where can I complain about an OFFENSIVE GOVERNMENT!

    • neil on 15/03/2013 - 12:15
      +5

      Internet forums!

    • _Bruce_ on 15/03/2013 - 13:37
      +3

      Election booths. Also, you can write to whatever parliament member you like. If you letter makes any sense you will usually get a reply.

      • dealman on 15/03/2013 - 15:58

        you will usually get a reply.

        Used to be the case. Not with the current Mob,

        No replies from any of the following for sensible letters questioning utterly stupid policies.
        1) Nicola Roxon (200K a year Pensioner)
        2) Julia G. The Worst PM in Australia's history
        3) Chris Bowen, Ex immigration minister who employs people smugglers families in his own department.
        4) Greg Combet (Climate Change Scare Mongerer)
        I could go on…

        • _Bruce_ on 15/03/2013 - 16:01
          +4

          Sounds like a great example of balance reasoned questioning rather than statement of opinion ending in '?'.

          Not defending the current government, but if you consider your statements as simple facts then you are not starting from a good position to have a sensible debate.

          Edit: If you actually have a policy or operational problem with the operation of government (rather than political bickering) I suggest writting to the department responsible, most have a mandate to reply to all letters, no matter how crazy.

        • dealman on 15/03/2013 - 16:17
          -1

          _Bruce,

          These are opinions I had to form over time.

          After being tired of seeing evasions and no replies to what were sensible and very civil questions sent to them.

        • Incrediho on 17/03/2013 - 01:02
          +5

          "2)Julia G. The Worst PM in Australia's history… 4) Greg Combet (Climate Change Scare Mongerer". Arming yourself with such indisputable facts, it sure is surprising you didn't get the replies you wanted…

          I rarely believe people who make statements such as these without any context (even here) are capable of asking "very civil [or at least fairly articulated and rationalised] questions".

        • dealman on 17/03/2013 - 09:40
          -5

          Wonder why you didn't pick on no 1 & 3 .

          Possibly because they are facts ? :-) I rest my case.

          I rarely believe people who make statements such as these without any context (even here) are capable of asking "very civil [or at least fairly articulated and rationalised] questions".

          What do you want me to do post the whole letter here, start a new thread.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2013 - 14:47
          +1

          Politicians get letters from nutters, most often conservative ones such as yourself, all the time. If the tone of your comments is anything to go by yours get the treatment they deserve.

        • dealman on 19/03/2013 - 12:23
          -1

          Only negs no "Factual / civil" replies ;-)

        • SupeNintendoChalmers on 19/03/2013 - 13:16

          I think the Tea Party would like your support mate.

        • dealman on 21/03/2013 - 17:46
          -2

          Haha hey neggers, Don't you worry, I got my answers.

          Now I know why they haven't replied to me,
          They don't have time, too busy "settling" the leadership debate…

          What a sad state state of affairs, no one managing the country and people negging my comments ;-)

      • reader64 on 17/03/2013 - 18:22
        +1

        yeah this gets hilarious results i wrote a stern letter to local Liberal MP having a go at his party for bitching about the budget and the fact that there NBN alternative is crap and he sent me back a hilarious letter about tony abbot stuffing up all the plans they have. and sent a tissue back in the letter saying if it upset me so much to wipe away my tears hahah, bloke crossed over to country labor 3 weeks later hahah. why ill never vote liberals as there all liars.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2013 - 23:46

      definitely not openly, just ask Julia.

  • dealman on 15/03/2013 - 12:16
    +3

    PS: I personally don't mind the fact that they mention the calls are not answered overseas and are answered locally.

    To me that is a big point of difference. I'd rather deal with people locally.

    • leeroys_dad on 15/03/2013 - 12:23
      +1

      exactly. they're stating facts

    • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 12:27
      +3

      Fair enough, that's understandable. My issue is not with the fact that people prefer dealing with companies locally. I've clearly stated that in my post in point b).

      Is there a difference in either of these two sentences for you ? "All our call centres are in Australia" or "Our call centres are not in India or Philippines or Indonesia or Japan etc". They both mean the same thing, but have a different tone to them.

      I don't wish to probe in an argumentative way, but would like to hear your opinion.

      • No ONE on 15/03/2013 - 14:05
        +2

        Well, there is different. The sentence "our call centre is in Australia" does not make sense and thus does not produce an effective ads. The sentense "our call centres are not in … " is an effective and emphasized sentence which will make sense in ads. Why would an Aussie company needs to say our call centre is in Australia when they are already in Australia? "So, I wouldn't make sense in advertising context"

        So get over it mate. Nothing is offensive in it.

        • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 14:13
          +1

          "Why would an Aussie company needs to say our call centre is in Australia when they are already in Australia?"

          That might be because not all Aussie companies have call centres in Australia and outsource those operations overseas ?

        • drdolphin on 15/03/2013 - 15:29
          +2

          Also, I've seen places say "Australian run" call centre - but it turns out there are Australian management in charge of a call centre located in India (with Indian phone staff). Is driving me mad trying to remember who the company was, sufficed to say the truth got out and people were not happy.

          Saying not in India etc is just good business for them. People are fed up with dealing with call centres from those places (have never heard of a call centre for an Australian company being located in Japan or Indonesia) so specifically denying it in an ad gets people onside.

          Have you ever spoken to someone in an overseas call centre who wasn't in India or the Phillapines?

        • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2013 - 23:52

          Actually saying "our call centre is in Australia" concisely and effectively conveys that where as "our call centre is not in India or Phillipines" leaves the question as to whether the call centre is in say Istanbul, etc, especially when they have raised the point.

        • lgchuson on 26/03/2013 - 10:10

          "Why would an Aussie company needs to say our call centre is in Australia when they are already in Australia?"

          Similar argument. Why do we need this then?
          http://naturatoys.com.au/images/product/0/australian%20made%…

          Better make a new logo instead which says 'NOT made in XXXX"!

      • dealman on 15/03/2013 - 16:06
        -1

        but have a different tone to them.

        I Agree,
        And it should , that's the point of advertising. To make people remember the message, rather than make it another forgetful message. Advertising 101, claim something others have not, lots of people claim our callcentres are based in Aus(Meaning the same thing) This is different and hence we are talking about it.

        Look I love India as much as any one else her if not more, (not as much now with the screwing we are getting in the cricket.) But personally I don't think there is anything to be offended about, yes it does paint call centres overseas negatively as it should, because they are in general worse and offer poor service and cause a whole host of other issues.

        @ Rohan, There is nothing to it, get over it. There was a time Made in Japan meant poor quality, you wouldn't say that now, eventually those guys will improve too.

  • sjp770 on 15/03/2013 - 12:34
    +4

    Maybe look at it like this, they are saying that they aren't using cheap labour of overseas countries. Maybe look at it as a company standing up for employing locals and keeping our money in Australia when so many other companies are laying off workers in Australia just to make a bigger profit by using call centres located overseas.

    Sometimes you need to look at why you are offended. If I was to call you could I understand you? If yes then the ad isn't directed at you. I work with many different people from different ethnic cultures and some speak perfect English and are far better to converse with than many Australians I know. Others however still have the language or accent barrier which make talking over the phone almost impossible. For instance there would be many places in the world that would not like to speak with Australians over the phone as we can talk quickly and merge our words, it is a fact of life.

    • sjp770 on 15/03/2013 - 12:36
      +1

      Although it is strange that they point out these two countries in particular.

      • kwaker on 15/03/2013 - 13:41
        +5

        not really considering that is where the majority is because it costs $1 an hour to hire staff there. i have only ever spoken to staff from Manilla and from Bangalore/Delhi, no other countries, they dont outsource to sweden or america or UK.

        • sjp770 on 15/03/2013 - 14:54
          +3

          Not strange in that way, more that if you take that statement by itself it could lead to using a country not listed. Why not say Any overseas country?

        • kwaker on 15/03/2013 - 19:09
          +2

          yes I too beleive that, and that is the main point of the op. That would be less offensive

    • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 12:40
      +1

      I truly understand the need to state that their call centres are in Australia and the fact that you'll talk to someone local (easier communication and now as you say, keeping jobs here). I've stated that in my OP and repeated it numerous times in the comments.

      My only issue is the need to explicitly state it as a double negative (NOT in India or Philippines) rather than a positive (located in Australia).

      As to why they mention these 2 countries, I think that's because most Australian companies outsourcing their telephone customer service are located in these countries.

      • sjp770 on 15/03/2013 - 12:51
        +5

        So have you answered your own question there?

        "As to why they mention these 2 countries, I think that's because most Australian companies outsourcing their telephone customer service are located in these countries."

        I think the reason they emphasise they are not located there is simply because of the numerous companies that say they are located in Australia when they are clearly not. Have you ever called a call centre and they have said "Hi its Greg here in Melbourne" but they don't know anything about the town or the current weather there?

        Watch this and you might see the reason to overstate the point.

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1okXqlBaL7I

        This doesn't mean you cant have a problem with it, just whether or its big enough to get them to change the statement.

        • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 12:55

          I've seen that a while back.

          I guess few people see the subtle difference between the two statements and it's connotations.

        • sjp770 on 15/03/2013 - 13:03
          +3

          The connotations are there because of this type of deception by so many in the countries mentioned. Not much you can do about the actions of others.

        • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 13:21
          +1

          Maybe.

          Can I ask you one last thing ? Do you see this 'deception' as something that is purely in the hands of people (and companies to whom this type of work is outsourced) in the countries mentioned ? And companies here, who are giving them the contracts, have their hands clean in that particular respect ?

          Or a bit of both ?

        • sjp770 on 15/03/2013 - 13:34
          +1

          A good point. You could therefore interpret this as a jab at the Australian and offshore owned companies that hide outsourcing to the countries in question.

          So this ad is:
          *A challenge to other companies that hide outsourcing of call centres.
          *A promise to keep jobs in Australia.
          *An assurance that you will be speaking to someone that is easy to understand without heavy accents.

          It would be hard to say all of that in a catchy way in such a short segment without leaving some to draw negative connotations.

        • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 13:42

          Indeed. Thanks for your input :)

        • sjp770 on 15/03/2013 - 14:56
          +3

          On a personal note, the old people in the ad come off racist and not just as people incapable of understanding a thick accent.

  • Agatha on 15/03/2013 - 12:43
    +9

    OP, I have a complaint about you adding Indonesia to three of your responses above.. The ad mentions India and Phillipines only.

    Also, I wonder if you're insulted because you think you're meant to be - not because you actually are.

    • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 12:49

      Sorry for 'adding' Indonesia. I only added it to imply any overseas country.

      In regards to your second statement, I'm not going to bother engaging.

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/03/2013 - 13:25
        +12

        Maybe the company stated India and Phillipines to imply any overseas country as well?

        You've done exactly what they have done. Do you have a negative view of Indonesia?

        See how easy is it to offend?

  • Bargaphile on 15/03/2013 - 12:59
    +7

    Nothing wrong with that ad. These jobs should be kept in Australia

    • Eivad on 15/03/2013 - 13:15
      +2

      'These jobs should be kept in Australia'

      That's not what many businesses think.

      Clearly there's some profitability in outsourcing customer service lines, despite the resulting drop in customer satisfaction. Might be something to do to our incredibly high minimum wages…

      • kwaker on 15/03/2013 - 13:46

        they want incredibly high profits and charge us according to our wages not according to their expenses. the economy works both ways. i had a phillipino mobile contract, alot cheaper than any offered in Australia.

        • Cluster on 27/03/2013 - 10:54

          We see this with movies, music, and software. Companies are very happy to outsource as much production as possible to the cheapest country, but when consumers in Australia try to source product from the same cheaper country directly there's a massive cry about unfairness.

          Outsourcing is fantastic for bottom line profits. The problem is if everyone does the same there's no one left to pay the high local price.

          There are very few things we do better than other lower cost countries. Even the much touted mining boom (that is well past its peak) is in danger of collapsing as China is investing heavily to source its minerals from Africa where truck drivers don't demand $150k pa.

    • dealman on 15/03/2013 - 16:09

      These jobs should be kept in Australia

      Not really , the only place I would use that statement is in defence, everything else let the competition and free market decide.

      Let the jobs go to whoever can add the most value at the lowest cost. Better for us and better for the country overall, long term.

      • kwaker on 17/03/2013 - 14:37

        how do you figure that out? long term it is not good ousourcing australian jobs where australian money is being sent overseas and less people working here. staff cant afford to work here for the same low wages due to the higher cost of living and goods.

  • grog on 15/03/2013 - 13:21
    +3

    Vodafone is recruiting 750 fair dinkum aussies in australia this year to work in customer service and will be reducing overseas contract workers to absolute minimum.

    The total of aussie customer service reps will be around 1500.

    This news was released by the voda ceo in the past week or so.

    This should put voda way in front of other telcos for aussie speaking help.

    I think they are based in tassie?

    • rohanp16 on 15/03/2013 - 13:23

      Yup, in Kingston near Hobart :) They have been advertising about a few roles.

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