Dealing with Client's Competitor Attacking/Harassing

W

WallStreet

Money Tree
Feb 1, 2013
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The Swamps
:confused:How's it going WF?

My client runs a small business in relatively large market that has to do with repair/alterations of electronics.

For the past several months, his competitor has sent "anonymous" emails after flagging his ads calling him a loser (his business is growing fairly rapidly) amongst other names, leaving negative reviews, even going as far as posting negative things on facebook.

I have a few ideas:
-Contact CL + report their IP addresses
-Go the legal route for libel + seek damages
-Create a capture site in the same style of "Have you ever had a bad experience with x company? You may be eligible for compensation".

It's an annoying thorn in his side and mine.

I haven't ever encountered this situation before, how would you recommend I go about handling it?
 


Be careful when returning fire. These things can escalate quickly.

Try and be civil first. If that doesn't work create a blog dedicated to the fact the your competitor is a majority share holder of the "Albany Plantation" and post a link in the shooting the shit section of this forum and light cigar.

Actually dont do that.... try and be civil, gather evidence and take the legal route. If you start slinging shit back you'll both end up covered in it.
 
First go the block route... ignore the trolls.

Block his account on facebook and any shill accounts he makes thereafter.
Block his email address in your mail client. (aaah...silence!)

Other than that...
Look at what he is trying to smear your client with.
Could those be legitimate concerns of a customer? Address them

"Such bad customer service" -->new section on the homepage --> "See our client testimonials"

So you don't acknowledge or answer directly, but you make sure what people see when they land on your clients site.

Other than that, lawyer up.

::emp::
 
Thanks for all the responses.

More information has come back, and it is apparently the owners pregnant/fat wife predominantly becuase she has all sorts of time on their hands. They just moved into our building practically right across the hall, and thankfully because of the volume we have been getting all of they have been able to do is look in awe. Besides flagging all of our ads, there isn't much they can really do at this point though they seem to be cooking something up.

If they start acting out again, I am probably going to start with sending a few hundred fake optins into their lead form (their entire website is just a optin/quote form made by OnePage, since that should in theory keep them busy.
 
Update:

It's a man and his wife who is pregnant. She has all sorts of time on her hands and has been doing the majority of the flagging/emailing. Her general disposition leans toward being insane/strange , based on the chest tattoo, pink hair at 30 as a business owner, and childish emails.

Today, I as I met with my client as I was pulling out, she took a picture of my license plate and car, presumably to find out my information so she can stalk/harass me as well. I decided I would have none of that. I walked past his office slowly peeking in making sure I got his attention (his wife was nowhere in sight). He followed me shortly back to my clients office and questioned why I walked by. I replied calmly "I wanted to inquire why your wife was taking pictures of my car, that's a tad suspicious". He shrugged and said he had no idea and left. I then got a C&D written up with two copies, one for our file, and one for the owner of the property management company that leases the spaces that my client and now his competitor occupy. (Did I mention they decided to move into his building?)

I walked into the owner's office and delivered an Ari Gold/Jordan Belfort worthy oration on the annoyance of dealing with childish antics while trying to run my business as well as ensure the success of my client's. At first he was skeptical then his apathy turned to worry at having issues under his roof. I told him the letter was a statement or a message rather that if they want to play games we don't have the time and we will ensure they won't be enjoying them if they want to play with adult's time. He shook my hand and asked me to bring any other issues or problems to him immediately before I take the legal route further. Now, I have him as a referee of sorts if this bullshit gets out of hand/escalates.

I slide the C&D in an envelope under their door.

As I am standing outside mulling over my next move and their possible response, the wife walks past me and I follow her with my gaze inside trying to read her, nothing, stone faced staring straight ahead. As I watch her open the door I see the husband standing just on the inside glaring at me. I laugh. The ball's in their court now.
 
WallStreet said:
As I am standing outside mulling over my next move and their possible response, the wife walks past me and I follow her with my gaze inside trying to read her, nothing, stone faced staring straight ahead. As I watch her open the door I see the husband standing just on the inside glaring at me. I laugh. The ball's in their court now.
Click to expand...
Become a stalker to thwart a stalker.

A lot of fucking excitement in that town of yours. I guess it just comes to you naturally, like attention on a message board.
 
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