So angry and disappointed in people right now. Is this where I stop trusting in people all together or is this not normal good natured human behaviour?
What would you do, let them try and fail or take some form of action?
Rant over!
So it has just been brought to my attention that apparently someone who did some work for Let's Get ACTIVE for a couple of days is now trying to copy our exact bootcamp style and in exactly the same location at the same times (although I don't know how this would work) ....... This is super uncool in my eyes and just can't believe that people appear to be your friends in one ear then in the other are trying to screw you over!
Let me get this straight. You have some keep fit thing going on and someone else has a similar keep fit thing going on now too? Blimey! Let's get active and bootcamp style are nothing new. Just provide better service and people will know who the real deal is.
My only advice is to be very careful about revenge. It usually just backfires and comes back to bite you in the bum.
Thanks........ fair enough I do agree my customers are loyal.
its more just annoying that its a previous employee who was asking for my help and advise...... But same time and place is just odd.... Surely they would do better and I would be less angry if they did the same thing elsewhere.
O well just disappointed in the morals of people!
I am also far too soft and nice to seek revenge! Just annoyed and upset!
I hope it all works out in the end! Good luck!
The best revenge in the customer service business to to offer a better product and attract more customers. Do you best to show that you are better and get the word of mouth going about your service. Ignore the competition, it just gets there name out there.
that's not screwing you over, that's normal free-market competition. hopefully will result in better and cheaper services for the consumer. of course, this being switzerland, you could collude to hold your sessions on different days and fix prices to screw over the consumer by providing second-rate service at a overly high price.
the question is: are you up for the competition.
Competition is GOOD for your business. It makes you re-think what you are doing and improves your service. People will always try and copy you, even folk who you thought were friends. Just be the "original and best" and rise above any thoughts of revenge.
And never slag them off in public as they will likely try to do to you. It will just make them look a bit silly.
Although the fact that it was one of his own former employees who asked him for advice, then used that advice to set up in competition against him does make it slightly unpleasant free market competition, doesn't it ?
I can understand the OP's annoyance - giving people help and advice is not supposed to come back and hit you in the face.
Totally agree with GG. When someone badmouths a competitor, it's a turn off. You're in a service business... Pay attention to your customers/clients whatever. If you're busy badmouthing or seeking revenge, you're not paying attention to your clients.
Copying is usually high praise, or it means the competitor isn't as original...watch out for undercutting, but you just have to offer a better product... Or frame your product as better.
It is a rather icky situation, but unless there was a contract with a non compete clause, not much that can be done.
And the truth is that in a service based business, some clients may like the competition better, personal choice is funny like that.
Good luck though!
Intellectual Property?
GG said it all. Let your customers compare.
Competition tends to enhance the demand.
Well they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Not knowing exactly your product but inferring that it is some sort of fitness class I guess what a lot of clients are attending for is personality-based i.e. they like you and/or the other participants' personalities. I guess the imitator is likely not to have any personality edge if I read it right and s/he has mislead you and somewhat betrayed your trust.
First read 'The Count of Monte Cristo' or watch the film (the one made in 2002 is good).
Then unleash the beast!!
cheers
SC
Welcome to the Real World !!!
It is Dog Eat Dog and it is going to get worse as the economy gets worse.
Just remember, there is nothing intellectual about property.
Did the competitor sign a contract preventing them from setting up a similar business in the same areas in which you trade for a period of time? If yes - then there may be breach of contract. If no - suck it up.
Since the new classes are being offered same time/same place, I would be sure to make it absolutely clear which classes are being offered by you so that there is no confusion by your clients... especially since they may assume that your fomer employee is, in some way, still employed by you.
As others said, if it's the service and personalities they keep coming back for, they will stay loyal to you. If I were a client and saw the "new" service and asked you about it, I would completely be on your side... even if the new class were xx CHFs less. But that's just me.
Get some friends to divert the customers from the competition to your camp! He might have the cash this year, but next time he will have no customers.