Rant Derogatory comments towards a business

Not really sure if this should be here or in Serious (if so mod's please move), anyhow,

I run a small bike shop, we have several brands stocked including Trek, Gary Fisher, GT, Mongoose, Claud Butler and Giant along with several BMX brands like Federal, Subrosa, Kink, Hoffman ect.

Now a local sports chain (nothing big, one owner 4 or 5 stores in the region) has decided to start selling bikes in the store closest to my shop, we have no problem with this as most brands will not supply another store within a certain radius of an existing store.

He has tried to get accounts with most of my suppliers and all but one (who's bikes I don't stock, i use them for accessories) have said no. Then he went a step further by emailing one supplier to tell them "my store would be closing in the New Year so mabey they should look to replace the lost business". I am waiting for the rep to come into the shop and give me a copy of this email.

I now have loyal customers coming into the shop asking if its true i'm closing the shop down in the New Year on a daily basis.

What would you guys do about this if you were in my position? I was tempted today to go have a quiet word and just ask him why he's saying this but wasn't sure if it would be taken as taking the bate and then he would see spreading rumors is working.

Cheers in advance. I await the mighty nexxo.

 

On a more serious note, you should just wait it out, but make sure to tell your suppliers that you are NOT closing. Sooner or later he will realise that his tactics aren't working.

 

Yeah I thought that too, mabey something on on the website and in the window saying "YAY, we are still here". lol

 

Fight him. Keep in mind that dirty tricks are best fought fairly to prove that you are the better person, unless until that doesn't work.

1) Solicitor (to see what you can or can't say or do in response)

Then (in non-specific order):

2) Industry (suppliers/reps)
3) Chamber of Commerce
4) Publicity

Then:

5) Fire

For the purpose of any solicitors and/or law agencies:

I'm sure there'll be something along the lines of his rumours damaging your business that he can be got on, even if it's just a stiff letter from the Chamber or sympathy from the local rag.

 

Doesn't that fall under false information/slander or something?

Isn't that something of an illegality?

 

Says it all really.

 

I'd be a little worried if he can get all or even most of your suppliers, to sell their bikes in all of his other stores which aren't close to your store.

Then he'd have more of a chance of getting your supplies to stop dealing with you, and only sell through his stores

Maybe you can beat him to it? And open another bike store in another town? It would be awesome if you could locate it somewhere that would make all of his stores too close to one of your two stores for him to sell any of your brands.

edit: And I wouldn't be saying "YAY we're still here!" as it sounds like you're barely surviving. I'd say something like "We'll always be here!"

 

Phone all your suppliers, assure them of your business position and reaffirm your relationship with them. Inform them that considering the lengths the other said business has gone to to try and affect yours - do they really want to deal with someone like that, or, continue to have a good, lasting relationship with you?

Also ask if they'd be so kind as to ask you straight away should they ever have any concerns.

bit-tech has weathered exactly the same behavior by some of its "competition" over the years as well, and we're still here.

 

Blah blah blah boring, serious advice. Do a poo through his letter box.

 

My advice comes from an old mate, who had a guitar shop I used to visit/work at/live in/love, who was in this exact same position:

"I'm gonna stand outside his shop window with me knob out, and a sledgehammer. We'll see how long this lasts!"

In all seriousness, I think it's solicitor time. At least you'll get him to stop this. At best, sue for damages, loss of business, personal emotional grief, etc. Be a dick - give him hell!

On another note, what's your bike shop called, mate? I know it's a little late for Chrimbo, but I'll happily point people in your direction if anyone I know is looking for a bike in the Jan sales. Just be gentle - they may not be techies.

 

I think you've got a case to at least bring up to your UK equivalent of the Better Business Bureau.

 

I actually wouldn't mention what he is doing at all........ESPECIALLY not in that context, you'll only be doing what he did to you and if you are looking at it from a legal stand point, you'll put yourself in hot water.

If you can prove business has been affected, you can certainly take him to court over this. Solicitor it up if you care that much. If not - just put an amusingly poignant sign in the window after ringing your supplies to confirm you aren't moving anyway (and that is all you need to say really.).

 

Not really, all he'll be telling them is the truth (maybe with a bit of spin on it), not some fabrication about his competitor's business closing.

I would go the legal route if it doesn't end up costing you in the long run, but it doesn't sound like you have much to worry about with him, so long as you keep your customers and suppliers updated.

 

And the definition of defamtion et al down there clearly states just because something is true, it automatically okay to be open about it.

If he is going down the legal route, it isn't worth making parallel accusations or informing people of this that and the other.

 

By far the best suggestion here.

 

+2

and solicitor letter, yum yum.

 

poo wrapped in a solicitor's letter = Cheesecake

 

You can put a complaint in against him (with proof) of false advertising, broadcasting misleading information and anti-competitive practices (I'm not sure of the correct term ).

It definitely sounds like a case to be escalated to the authorities, having a quiet word could easily turn into an accusation of assault (people will try anything to shoo away competition).

...Or if you want a street marketer to (legally) piss him off chronically I can do it for the price of train fare

 

You should have written this on the "Serious" section. Past has shown a totally different perspective on the categories. [take for example the girl who was electrocuted by the policeman with the blesses of her mother because she didn't want to take a bath.]

I would say that you should make clear to the town and the suppliers that your not actually closing but also mention that the guy was trying to bad rep you so you can bad rep him back as well.