O.K. Guys, I need everyone's opinion on something..We are in an industry where our fellow competition sometimes may make disparaging remarks about us..At my company we always try and avoid this like the plague..We feel it only takes away from your own credibility when it is done..So at what point,( or ever ) do you stop letting this slide,taking it on the chin and letting the other company destroy itself..When if ever is a good time to put your foot down and demand it stop..( I mean it's really bad when it is always fabricated B.S. to try and steal jobs )...I have dealt with it for years when workng elsewhere, and for myself..It seems standard in our community..But as of late it has started to get under my skin..Hell I feel like I am running for president..Maybe because we work so hard at establishing ourselves,do all the training available,have the largest showroom in the state,have gotten every certification possible and have established a name for ourselves that make the local Tweeter guys stand up and salute..This industry is one of only a few that seems hell bent on it's own self-destruction sometimes..If we all stuck to our gun's and tried fair business practices( following MSRP,fair labor rates,and not trashing each other) We would all be the better for it..Sorry off my soapbox now..Anyway please share your opinions..



THXRick

This message was edited by THXRick on 02/19/04 13:29.

Rick:

It would be interesting to hear some examples of the types of claims/statements they are making against you. That might better help us to understand how bad the situation is and then give some ideas.

QQQ, I would like to inform you of these..But to do so would tip my hat as to which business it is..(they are well aware) and this is an open forum..Just take my word for it,it is bad and has gotten ridiculous..

THXRick

Rick,

Personaly, I would NEVER stoop down to pick up the mud and return it to the original slinger. It's just not worth it. More often than not, I think the end consumer feels the same way, and would look down upon the ones that sling that messy crap. Hold yourself to a higher standard, which is tough at times, and know that YOU are doing things with some ethics and integrity. However, never lose the opportunity to show the truth about you, your company, your staff, and your work.

Just my two cents.....


Mike

Do your best to Ignore it. Hopefully your attitude and reputation will speak for itself. Most clients will see right through a competitors bad mouthing. THe ones that dont, you probobly dont want as a clients anyway.

I've heard some rediculos statements made against the company I work for as well.... Most ludicrous was that we were recently bought by Circuit City, so theres no reson for the customer to come back to this store to purchase their gear..........

Of course the client did come back.......

Perhaps a couple of your customers, especially those with whom you were successful despite the badmouthing they heard, would act as references...maybe just a note about how your company performed excellently, which was a pleasant surprise after another local company badmouthed you and made them think the whole industry was a bunch of stinkers.

This kind of note should not name names; it would bring up the issue that those who badmouth make everybody, themselves included, look bad; then it would reassure your potential clients that this is not so, at least NOT WITH YOU!

Rick, there is really nothing you can do to respond that will reflect in a positive manner to yourself. The best response is to run your business well and give 110% to the customer (effort of course, not money) and prosper. If your success isn't galling them they wouldn't be bad mouthing you. Some people are just a**holes. You need to rise above it. Living well is the best revenge.

Theres always this he he

[Link: die.net]

"Go on bad mouth me, i dare you ,i double dare you " competitor is strapped to a chair and smells of gas!

ONLY KIDDING!!! ;)

Rise above it Rick your better than that AND them!

Thanks Guys, I pretty much thought everyone one would respond that way..BTW..I like your input wolf and shoe..also my response I was fighting myself on was to them, not the customer's..I would never trash any competitor in front of a client..even when they are a**holes.I was considering getting ugly with them in some way..especially after a recent incident..One of four since CEDIA..But as everyone says I will just rise above it..If I wasn't rubbing them the wrong way by taking their market share in some areas they would'nt be trashing us.. You are right shoe living well and rising above them is the right and ethical thing to do...


THXRick

THX...

I got one for you, but on the other foot. I want to SLAM these guys, into the ground, for the first time ever!

I lost a job to them...

I'm a KEF Dealer...full line

They aren't!

I'm a Yamaha Direct Dealer...full line INCLUDING video!

They aren't!

They spec'd a KEF Reference 7.1 Surround System, including the following products:

2 KEF REF 205 (8K/PAIR MSRP)
1 KEF REF 202C (1200)
4 KEF RED 206DS (12K for all four MSRP)
1 M&K 1250 SUB (discontinued, but 1800 MSRP)

#23,000.00 MSRP (BUT QUOTED MUCH LESS!)

THEY QUOTED $10,500.00!

KEF Dealers KNOW how much this sytems cost THEM!

They spec'd a Yamaha DX-1000 DLP Projo...MSRP $12,000.00

For $4500.00!

They spec'd RTI T2 remotes for $1400.00 EACH...programming exra!

They are dealers for NONE of these products, and have assured the client that they are readily available, and FULLY covered by the manufactures, via the internet!

So ONE...how do you compete with this? and
TWO...how do you NOT slam these trunkslamming fools into the ground?

avdude

You don't. You explain the facts to the client. And if the client still wants to purchase from them, it's not a client you want to do business with.

Don't let this type of thing frustrate you :-). Focus all your efforts on pursuing clients that are the right match for you, and not just visa versa.

Wow that is some sort of quote. Too look at it I just have this as referance.

We don't carry Yamaha ot Kef but we have enough lines around here. If the company that spec'ed out that system is slashing prices like that.. do you want to compete? I mean gettin the job is one thing, but cutting off your entire margin just to get the labor, you would have to charge a ton for labor.

I don't work in sales for the company I am at. I have been in this industry for almost 9 years now. Infact I have more years in, then my boss and any of my coworkers. When my boss comes back pissed about some really undercutting bid I just remind him.

Don't bother with the other guys bid. Just give our bid based on reality and if the customer balks at it.. walk. Always be prepaired to walk away from a job. Don't renegotate your pricing based on what some trunk slammer offers. Just calmly inform the customer... we are sorry we won't be working with you on the project and that we wish you the best of luck. Keep it professional and move on to that 4 month back log we keep piling up.

Secrets I have figured out over my years.
1. Anything you give to a client must be paid for... this not only includes gear, but time, materials etc.
Charge a flat rate to come out and evaluate the job with the client and make sure it is clear that you will be paid for the visit. Collect this that day. NO EXCEPTIONS.

2 Have the client decide at the end of the evaluation wether they would like to continue with you. At this time make it clear that materials do have a cost.

3. If they are comfortable with you it is time to actually work up a bid.

4 Provide a very general explination of what you are offering and how much it will cost. DO NOT LINE ITEM THIS.

5. If the customer feels you are in the game... Provide them a detailed list of what you intend to use that has a dollar value at the end of the bid. THIS VALUE IS ALL INCOMPASSING. And it is time for one of two things.Be fair and firm on EXACTLY what they get and your total price.

6. Collect a payment for the time it took to assemble and work up the bid. This should have a fixed price. Remember the fact that you have just given the client intellectual property. They should pay for it.

7. Be fully prepaired for the fact that they are going to shop your property around town. You may never see these people again.

8. If they like the bid or are done trying to nickle and dime you... get a reasonable deposit that is a started check to procure materials and gear. The deposit should be in the same hand as a contract.

If they pay and sign... get the gear as quickly as you can and try to do the best job you can.

If it goes aray... make sure that you are paid for evaluation / design time. Explain that there are no hard feelings and that your quote is good for a set number of days. After wich the bid is null and void.

Many clients see the professionalism of this approach and are encouraged. As for the guy who says... "FREE QUOTES." Tell him. its good for what you pay for it.

If they really give you crap, calmly tell them that your company is a bussiness and that you believe in being fair with people. ASk them if they are being fair. If they don't like the way we handle things... there are other companies out there.

Ohh and the warranty thing... Don't bother with the mud slinging about authorized dealers. Tell the customer to just give the manufacture a call and check what the policy is for UA purcases. Also remind them you charge to service other peoples things.



This message was edited by Springs on 02/20/04 12:21.

I honestly don't address it let them flap their lips I am not going to sit there and justify why I am more...I just am, and if they don't like that well frankly I don't care because i got all the good business I want. I have has customers who shop me on the net and to them I say fine but you better be well informed and don't call me when it stops working or needs warranty repair.

If that's how you REALLY address the issue I would be hard pressed to do business with you if I was a consumer. There is nothing wrong with people asking about price - I would ask about price too if I saw the same item for half price somewhere else. Many people just want to know they are paying a fair price and/or want to know why they are paying more and IMO they DO deserve an answer. And if they are given a good/real reason they will pay more. Of course there are always people that are ONLY looking for the lowest price and those are the people I think it is almost always best to stay away from.

This message was edited by QQQ on 02/20/04 14:01.

Rick,

I have experienced the "Trash Mouthing" and though I believe that rising above the trash is the appropriate action, there is a breaking point that I will put my foot down.

Goto [Link: injurylaw.freeadvice.com]

Take a look at Defamation and Slander. Depending on your situation, and your tolerance level of the trash mouthing, you may want to investigate legal proceedings. A legal letter (no big investment on your part)sent to the offenders should get the message across.

Mike