When the competition gets dirty...

I've always favoured never talking in a negative way about my competition, and on the whole, there's nothing really negative to say about them.

This particular industry (that we're in) has a great rapport, and on rare occasions, if we're unable to provide service for any reason, we instantly direct the prospect to our competition closest to them. How many industries are like that! ?

Also, many other companies use us for training clients outside of their abilities, some even sub-contract work to us - but we will only ever train under our banner.

But, once or twice, usually with our smallest of competitors, we get reports of 'Jealous Talk'. Someone trying for world domination from their front room, and their most effective marketing method is to lie about their competitors.

Usually new companies / sole traders who cannot really compete just yet, often people who have approached us for a job (We've rejected all but one so far).

One of our largest clients, which is based locally, called today. I get on really well with them, and we're on first name terms. He said his PA took a call from a guy, who his PA thought was me (He was talking about First Aid) She passed the call, and was then given a tonne of drivel about getting 'Qualifications'. My client said we did all their training, at which point the caller went off on one about my company (With quite a few racial and homophobic slurrs on account I guess of my want to employ people purely on ability over Colour, Sexuality, Race, Past history). My client hung up and called me, with this persons number.

Now how do I handle this? 

I've booked him for a course, starting this Monday. The address I gave him was my office, where we will chat one on one about this talk he had with my client. Somehow, when he approaches our door, I think he may turn around and leg it.

Long term, he's not made a friend of me, but I don't need to do anything else. His business is likely to collapse quickly due to his behaviour.

Has anyone else come across competition that slates them at all?