Is it only me who thinks so or are people in business getting a worse attitude in difficult times than before?
Where I am businesses are falling like flies, yet in the past two days I have had these responses from businesses I have contacted saying I am interested in their services:
1- "We select very carefully who we want to do business with, we set standards for our clients and give them targets that they have to meet"
I felt I was in a job interview, I said to them thank you and good-bye.
2- "Well, I don't know mate, pop in some time and I will see if I am interested, but not today, I am finishing at 12:30"
I guess he was not going to miss his Friday evening appointment with the pub just for the possibility of getting a new cutomer.
3- Another company was not at the address I got from Yell.com and when I called them they did not answer the phone.
4- Another company had a fax machine connected to the telephone number they give in their website.
Another one from the regional business advice agencies that are about to get the chop from the government. I got in touch with three of them a few weeks ago. After initial meetings with all of them they went away saying they would come back to me with advice and results soon and I have not heard from them since then. Who was it that said "I am not going to miss them"?
One of my gripes is people not answering the phone. If your displaying a phone number, then it's assumed you want people to contact you. Classic is when you hear the baby screaming in the background. But biggest small business gripe, people not paying their bills  Its a problem as old as the hills, but if you don't pay your suppliers, don't be surprised when your customers decide not to pay you.For us its a pretty easy fix, and invoicing now is a pretty rare occurence. You want it, pay for it. But it does wind me up when people don't pay their bills, as cashflow is one of the biggest killers for startups I know there have even been (no longer active) members of this forum who have taken other members services without paying. I'm all for a big name and shame site 
Tell me about it,I wait about 14 weeks to get paid
I feel for you, those responses were not appropriate or professional. I am very lucky, the majority of my clients are very small businesses who are lovely. We stick together and try to help each other out in business. Long gone are the days were I have to speak to rude people... a huge pet hate of mine.
Not sure if it is getting worse. There has always been grumpy people about in business. The world is full of rude and obnoxious people, you have probably just been unlucky to find so many of them in a short space of time. A lot of people do put up the defenses if they feel they are going to be sold to, some people just take it too far. As for non or delayed payments; nothing new, debtors prisons should make a comeback Credit-Manager.Net
There a lot of businesses out there that want your custom, and are willing to work for it, ditch the ones that dont 
I think lately this is like a trend for people. I tell you what, lately I have watched some shows on TV and was very impressed on what bad advice they give to people, everybody wants to improve, grow their business, get rich but when it comes to services it gets pretty bad. People believe to much some crappy newspapers/magazines and silly programs on TV. Lately beside ignorance, sloppiness and complains it's very seldom that I find somebody to be helpful or give me a satisfactory answer or service. I have a little business and I would go to the max to make my customers happy. But people do not appreciate what they have and don't look back in time or in front. People need a wake up call but I am afraid not everybody thinks like myself or anybody from this forum that agrees with this subject. I could go on and on on this subject, I am upset on the same reason. "If I give a good service I expect a good service back" but then you wake up and see the reality and have to go along because people don't change and the only thing that you do, is upset yourself more and not change a thing around you. It has to come from them, I always say "it only takes a little bit of initiative"
I thought I would add a recent experience of mine. About 8 months ago I was looking for a web dev company and I drew up a short list and made arrangements to interview them. The 1st company who shall remain nameless, I went to their location and I am stood outside the address I was given, but it was an antique store totally confused. I called the guy who confirmed they were above the antique store and you had to go into the store and up the back stairs they are on the top floor all very odd. 4 flights later I turn up to a radio studio door, the red light is on and some guy is on air. It was all very surreal. I look to my right and there is a broom cupboard with a load of techys sat coding I asked if I was in the right place which was confirmed and I was told that the MD Stavros
Some awful stories here. All I can say is that, if any of you were to come to us, we would offer you all the same friendly, personal, professional service, however small or large your mailing requirements. Holborn Direct Mail 020 8683 7155 |
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