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One of our reps went to see a customer yesterday and found that one of our competitors indulged on a hugely mis-informed rant about us. Some of the things that were said included allegations we had just recently been taken over, and due to that that was the reason we were more expensive than them (when really the other company seemed to be desperatley undercutting to try and win the order), we were apparently in financial difficulties also. Oh and we also had a ‘rubbish’ product.
Tactics like this smack of two things. One, that the other company is desperate. If they have to rely on bad mouthing their competitors rather than selling on their own merits then there is something very wrong. The second is hipocracy. Time and time again our competitors make a point of not practicing these sorts of tactics.
Companies need to be very careful, there comes a point where this sort of thing stops becoming a selling tactic and starts becoming more personal. But for now I just put all this down to desperation and inability to sell their own product properly.
>Hi DGB
I entirely agree with you on this one. The problem is I'm aware that your company has been guilty of bad mouthing competitors in the past.
I'm sure you don't personally, and if you are referring to WYW then please email me, and I'll try have a word with the sales team.
We suffer mainly from a certain company from Bradford who really lay it on thick when they quote against us.
RCG
>Hi DGB this sort of thing has been going on in all the years I have been in the industry most recently the competition mainly WY? have been referring potential customers to look at your site to read the untrue allegations you have posted re TWS you may be wondering why I have not asked you to remove these posts or indeed taken legal action against you the fact is that so called salespeople who bad mouth competitors in any way are generally not very good and customers do not like it.so we have been able to turn your comments… Read more »
>RCG – If you have found us bad mouthing others it hasn't been from the current staff members, possibly from others in the past but those have now left. You can have a word with your sales team if you like, but I doubt this sort of thing will stop. But do also tell them that if they are going to talk about us, they need to get their information right in the first place. I think I know who you are talking about regards the company from Bradford. I have heard that they carry photos of conservatories done by… Read more »
>TG – I'm aware that sales staff working for TWS have not always been whiter than white. DGB – I think the main culprit is still there as he owns the company. Nevertheless, the sentiment of your post is to be applauded. It seems to me that most, if not all, the major window companies in the area have been guilty to some extent of bad mouthing competitors. In reality, it is difficult to fully police the behaviour of sales staff when they are so keen to get the sale. It is a fine line between selling the benefits of… Read more »
>RCG – agreed, it get's no one nowhere. And it is hard to keep track of what salesmen say in their demos as you cannot be there. A bit of calm is needed in times like this. When business is harder to come buy, tactics get a little more forcefull and direct, and this can sometimes go a bit too far. So you don't sell yourself anymore? Don't you miss it?!
TG – I'll make sure that advantage is removed asap lol.
>No, I've not done any retail leads for a long time (other than friends and family – urgh). No, I don't miss it.
I'm still selling to trade customers, who are on the whole easier to deal with ;-)
>See I think differently about that. I sometimes find trade customers more hassle than they are worth. But that's just my take on things.
>RCG do you know any whiter than white salesmen in our game? TG
>TG – no, but I'm also unaware of anybody in the wider world who is whiter than white. Not sure exactly what you're getting at.
>You said it first!