As most know on this forum can tell from my posts on here I'm pretty darn new to growing peppers - having just started this past summer. A little less known on the forum is that I've worked as a web developer & graphic designer for around 13-14 years and have over 2 years of experience working in almost every level of customer service that Microsoft offers (including premier support for their executive/corporate clients). That much is to say that even though I'm new here, and come from a small town I have plenty of experience in the field of customer service and professionalism.
Pepper Joe, you're the very first seed vendor I've ever ordered from and, sure, I saw good & bad reviews about your company on here and elsewhere before joining this forum and before ordering from you. But I did order from you. Twice. And I've received great service - there's no question there at all. There is nothing negative I could say about my personal experience with ordering from you & your company, so please do not take what I say next out of context. *nod*
I fully understand your want to protect your product and reputation and the struggle that can sometimes be when you're one of the largest in an industry. But honestly, crying foul because you disagree with a review or because you want a double-standard to apply in your favor will only ever tarnish your reputation again & again.
This I say as advice, not slander, and I say this having seen you attempt at both of these before, on several occasions online - on several websites. I've had my share of being self-employed, of working for small shops, large retailers and for doing customer service for one of the largest businesses in the world and I've been a customer on the end businesses in all those ranges so I've seen what works and what doesn't.
I honestly feel that you would gain much more ground if you shed the sort of "bad-ass" attitude of "I'm going to punish you and make you hurt for not liking or agreeing with me!". Customer service is
never simply about attempting to make the customer you've sold too, or provided a service too, a happy one. Yes, that is a big part of the service, but it's also a very small part of the overall business.
Customer service is applied to -every- level of a business. From the lowest or highest employee communicating with their clients or customers directly or indirectly to individual employees dealing with each other (again, whether it is the lowest, highest or somewhere in between), to the company, it's employees, it's associates, it's representatives, etc dealing with the public - and this includes reviewers, advertisers, investors, journalists and what-have-you.
You treat -every- single person and entity out there as you would want to be treated because they -all- have the potential to affect your business, your sales and your reputation.
I -get- that it can be stressful to see someone spreading negative words about you & your business and wanting them to stop. But if retaliate by doing the exact same, then you are the same and you forfeit any reason for them, or others, to treat you any different or more positively. At that point, it's
you burning your own bridge, it's you damaging your own reputation - regardless of whether you point your finger at them. I may be Canadian, but I do know that down there in the U.S. it's their lawful right, whether a customer or not, to speak their opinion of you. Just as it is your right to speak your's in response.
Let's take for example your rather spiteful post earlier today on Facebook:
Sure, you're attempting to make it sound playful and fun and all in good humor. But I've seen you react with threats of legal action over VERY much less. You've very publicly slandered and -lied- (I've seen plenty in the "industry" show plenty of respect for the person you refer to in your post) about another person in a bid to do what? Get some sympathy points for the sake of making some more sales and (likely) to encourage others to slander him? That right there is very weak and very unprofessional.
To be professional is to take negativity from others with a grain of salt and to NOT respond in kind. To be professional is to take the "high ground", be as positive in nature as you can be and if you MUST respond, then respond purely with facts, not hearsay or more negativity. Being "professional" isn't about being the "better man". It isn't about being superior in the slightest. It's about respect, dignity, being honorable and, in turn, reaping the benefits of such positive values - such as appreciation, loyalty, trust, and having people be comfortable to be around you and when dealing with you - and in turn of all that, giving back the same.
THAT is what it means when people say "You reap what you sow."
This is my opinion, based on my own experiences - both personal and professional - over the years, but I think it would serve you very well. And truthfully, it wouldn't take much to change your marketing scheme towards something much more positive. But if you're comfortable with playing the "villain" and/or "victim" and feel it's working for you - then okay, carry on. *nod*
For me, though, it simply isn't appealing. I appreciate the great customer service I received from you & your company, but I'm going to lean towards more positive vendors in the future.
p.s. I did post a positive review under your topic on this new Facebook page, so there's that.
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mmcdermott1 - I still love the stuff I received from you from that little contest. My very first Brown Naglah is off to a great start and I look forward to when my seed order comes in. Once it does I'll give some more feedback here and on the FB page.
