Should I bite my lip and move on?

07/09/2008 05:59:44 PM · #1

Both Natalya (

Talj) and I have been a tad upset this past couple of days and want you (the all knowing dpc crew) to either tell us to ignore or challenge this muppet!

As I'm sure many of you are aware we both spend a lot of time fundraising (ok, T does most of it). A large part of her fundraising involves emailing possible sponsors for another large fundraising event, Britball 08. T is selective about whom she contacts and one of her emails went to a supplier of smart car parts (we will be doing the 'run' in my ickle Smart Brabus. For now I won't add all the emails but our sponsorship request email quite clearly states that no sponsorship will be used to offset the cost of entry, fuel, accom or indeed any expense incurred during the trip.

The reply from this company was 'Sorry we dont get involved in helping people take a holiday.' Now, normally I'd ignore this kind of response but it upset T and the guy would have done much better by ignoring our email.

I sent what I consider to be a well written reply to him and again said that ALL sponsorship went to charity (in fact, by selling sponsorship via ebay it would be doubled). I wasn't looking for money from him, simply trying to explain that we are honest fundraisers.

His response was
We read it, we were not interested then, and we are NOT INTERESTED NOW.
We get enough spam in the mail as it is.
My first thoughts were "oh, the Nigerians again".
I must add "Fundraising" to the spam words list.

Just because you didn't get your own way, dont accuse me of being abusive.

Now, I never called them abusive although that word was in my email - he just didn't read it properly again so I replied once more replying under each of his comments and offered to telephone him to explain further. His website openly says they don't give out their numbers and change them often (however I have both an office and personal mobile number).

His latest response was....

WHAT PART OF NO DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?
YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO INVADE MY PRIVACY WITH THIS.

TAKE YOUR BLEEDING HEART STORY SOMEWHERE ELSE.
PAY FOR YOUR OWN BLASTED HOLIDAY LIKE OTHERS DO.
NOW YOU ARE IN THE SPAM FILTER.
Dont worry about that, we would not accept any sponsorship you might ever offer. (a line from my reply to him)
THAT'S GOOD. SO PISS OFF.

So, our dilemma, if it wasn't for the fact that T and I fundraise for 2 charities I'd be down that guys throat in a shot. Its not that he doesn't want to sponsor us (lol) its the fact that he insists on saying we are milking/defrauding/stealing from charity money to have a Holiday!

So, do we walk away (another Smart dealer that knows him called him a C**t) or should I release our email banter to the various Smart forums that we both frequent and possibly harm his bussines?

**editid four speilling**

Message edited by author 2008-07-09 18:00:53.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/09/2008 06:04:40 PM · #2

Should have let it go from the get go. Never worth it to engage.

Message edited by author 2008-07-09 18:04:54.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

07/09/2008 06:06:09 PM · #3

I think you should write down everything you really want to say, and then file it away and move on. It doesn't sound like the company needs your story to add to their understanding of the situation regarding this individual.

Eyesup

Nikon D300

Sigma 70-200 /2.8 APO EX DG Macro HSM II

07/09/2008 06:09:09 PM · #4

I would take the high road and move on... being vendictive now while harmful to them will also tant you and your efforts as well.

sometimes the hardest thing to do is to turn the other way...

Simms

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/09/2008 06:11:02 PM · #5

Andi, I agree with Art, just ignore him, the guy is obviously getting off on baiting you and it will end up with him just replying for the fun of it just to cause more arguments. him and his mates are probably grunting and laughing at the replies they send. He probably just gets annoyed at all the hairdressers, florists and other typical Smartcar drivers he has to deal with every day..

:)

sorry, couldnt resist that.

07/09/2008 06:13:11 PM · #6

Thanks guys and Art, your right, we should have ignored the original reply, guess it was a knee jerk response. As we move in similar 'smart' circles I tried to put him straight - we live and learn :)

TCGuru

07/09/2008 06:19:07 PM · #7

ha, quite a pickle there.

I agree with Art and others. If you felt the need to reply, or feel the need to do so in the future to others like him, simply say:

Dear (name),

I apologize for taking your time. Thank you for reading and responding to our e-mail. We realize that your time is valuable to you and will remove you from our e-mail list immediately. However, if you would like to contact us at any time in the future, please feel free.

Thanks again,
(your name)
(contact info)

That makes them think twice :)

07/09/2008 06:22:05 PM · #8

...on the other hand, I have a fresh torch, 5 gallons of (expensive) gasoline and a taste for marauding. Just say the word... ;-)

07/09/2008 06:25:33 PM · #9

I'll jump in here and say thanks for backing up what we have finally realised for ourselves! Ok, so it took us a bit longer than it should of ;o)

I have sent many many fundraising packs both in the post and via email the last 18 months and this is the only time I have had anything like this. I suppose I wasn't prepared for it...in hindsight, I should have been! Andi jumped into to deal with this guy because I am a little hot headed at times (yeah, I know, hard to believe!) so, I am grateful to Andi for stepping in but we both know it's time to give up. We aren't going to achieve anythingas this guy clearly has a screw lose ;o)

We have met so many people through our fundraising and my confidence has been boosted no end by the wonderful comments and support that 99.9% of people we encounter offer us...now I have calmed down I realise that letting one asshole wipe out all the great people isn't the way to go!

Thanks Andi, again, for stepping in it meant a lot...now lets get back to focusing on the good stuff ;o) XxX

07/09/2008 06:31:19 PM · #10

So... no village burning? :(

Can you at least post a pic so I can print it and burn him in effigy?

TCGuru

07/09/2008 06:36:45 PM · #11

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

So... no village burning? :(

Can you at least post a pic so I can print it and burn him in effigy?

hmmmmmm sounds a little like voodoo to me :P

07/09/2008 06:37:42 PM · #12

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

...on the other hand, I have a fresh torch, 5 gallons of (expensive) gasoline and a taste for marauding. Just say the word... ;-)

Mind you...it would be cool if we could let you have the last word Art...

07/09/2008 06:48:05 PM · #13

Originally posted by talj:

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
...on the other hand, I have a fresh torch, 5 gallons of (expensive) gasoline and a taste for marauding. Just say the word... ;-)

Mind you...it would be cool if we could let you have the last word Art...

Lol Art, in my dim and distant past somebody owed me money, not a great amount but enough. I passed the debt on to 'specialist' debt collectors. Their charge to recover the money was the full amount - but it was worth it :)

And, as for burning the villages there hasn't been enough of it recently!

07/09/2008 06:48:48 PM · #14

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

So... no village burning? :(

Can you at least post a pic so I can print it and burn him in effigy?

PM sent Art ;o)

07/09/2008 07:00:51 PM · #15

Ahhhh. Now don't we all feel better?

07/09/2008 07:08:47 PM · #16

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Ahhhh. Now don't we all feel better?

lol Art, would feel even better if the flame was a little more to the right :)

Am pretty sure this thread has helped T and myself unwind a tad (thanks) now, lets go burn some villages :)

07/09/2008 07:14:38 PM · #17

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Ahhhh. Now don't we all feel better?

LOL Thanks Art, I'm glad this therapy session ended in some good old fashioned village burning ;o)

kawesttex

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

07/09/2008 08:35:10 PM · #18

If they just supply parts for the Smart cars, would it not be prudent to inform the people that buy these parts (Smart Cars) know about their parts suppliers and their lack of interest in representing (for charity) the company that pays their bills.

Just a thought!

ETA: Everyone has a boss.

Message edited by author 2008-07-09 20:35:30.

sherpet

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

07/09/2008 08:45:12 PM · #19

I am having a @##*@ day today, and you my friend make me laugh. Thank you.

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

...on the other hand, I have a fresh torch, 5 gallons of (expensive) gasoline and a taste for marauding. Just say the word... ;-)

sherpet

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

07/09/2008 08:47:25 PM · #20

I also agree, to let this go Eric and Natalya, and move on as what you are both doing is very important, and just stick with the people that are positive, as we are all very proud of you both, and to anyone else who gives there time to great causes like this.

Message edited by author 2008-07-09 20:47:50.

cbeller

Nikon D300

07/09/2008 09:01:42 PM · #21

Personally, I would make the circle aware of how unprofessional this supplier is, in a professional way. Perhaps an open letter type post showing the back and forth, so all details are there. People should be aware of who they are dealing with.

It's amazing how many "business people" have no clue to successfully operate a business. Customer service and reputation are the most import ingredients of a truly successful business and so many people fail to understand that.

You can have the coolest product in the world, but if you're a prick, the majority of the people will be the next best thing, just to not deal with you.

It's funny this topic came up, because I just drafted a form letter response, the other day, for these types of requests we get on a weekly basis, asking for equipment donations for people's film projects. No where in the response do I mention to "PISS OFF!"...maybe I should go back and re-word it to be more tactful. ;-)

digitalpins

Canon EOS-60D