Guess what happend to me...... Options

[~Jessica~]

Interesting thoughts Puggie.... I am interested to know the 'other' side of the story before making a judgment as the saying goes there are two sides to every story.

[waskatiemark]

You know - I was thinking about this overnight (yeah I know - I really need to get a life ) and I was pondering the purpose of this thread. The "To those of you thinking of dealing with a certain flower lady..." title suggests it is to warn brides off this person on the basis of their overall ethics/business practices. While their ethics might (?) concern some potential customers, unless they're about to start a similar business, the trade practices of the person in question are unlikely to concern them.

Or was the purpose of this thread to brainstorm new domain name ideas or generally get information on cyber-squatting? If this was the case, then perhaps a general thread not mentioning full names, ABNs and email addresses might have been a better idea?

If this person has indeed emailed suppliers about you and your business, they may well have a case to answer to legally. That said - I wonder whether, by naming and 'shaming' (?) that person here, you would also be considered to have given cause for a case to answer to?

Just my (extended) 2 cents

The purpose of this thread to was let other ppl know what has happend to me. And yes it inadvertantley turned into a brainstorming session.

The information that I posted was, and is, freely avaiable on the net. I cut and paste what I did so that I was showing that what I had said was correct. So as to prevent any questioning the truth in what I said.

Interesting thoughts Puggie.... I am interested to know the 'other' side of the story before making a judgment as the saying goes there are two sides to every story.

As far as anything else that I said, occuring, I am fine as I have all emails that were both, sent and received between us, should the need ever arise.

I am concerned that some of you may think that I am being "bitchy". Those of you that know me from here, know that I am not like that at all. As I said in an earlier post this was not my intention in the slighest. All I wanted to do was let ppl know what happend to me and then they can make there own judgement from there.

Katie

PS To those of you that I have caused concern in this matter I appolgise.

[Puggie]

Fair enough - your call as to whether you think this step is appropriate and whether you think you will get whatever outcome you're after.

Either way, it doesn't bother me in the slightest (I am already married, so will never be after a bouquet again - fake or otherwise) but I would hate to see you burnt a second time

[~Jessica~]

I did not intend to sound bitchy at all. Like Puggie I am married and am not in need for flowers for such an occassion. I was just wondering about the other person and what they have to say.

Good luck for your future endeavours though!

[*Michelle*]

I just wonder why posting this to those thinking of dealing with a certain flower lady is going to bother them that much.

I mean in all honesty do any of us really know or care what our florist does??I never worried about checking the background of mine I was more concerned with what sort of work he did.

I see that you you say it was to let people know what happened to you and that fair enough(i admit id probably pissed too if i was you)but to me your title suggests otherwise.

Why did u only want the people thinking of dealing with her to read this??Why was it only addressed to them??Surely if you wanted to just tell a forum of brides and brides to be what happened to you would you have a title like Guess what happened to me Or I cant believe this has happened to me..
By starting it to those thinking of you a certain lady its like you are just being as sneaky in business as what she was.
Whether what she did or not is right or wrong i also dont believe the way you have shared what happened to you as right.

If anything Ill be honest and say this may also harm your business.Its certainly has drawn negative attention to it the same you have to other business .

Either way its your business and your future brides you are talking to so I probably would have been the bigger person if my business was concerned or at least have titled it different..

[waskatiemark]

Michelle,

Good advice, thank you very much.

Changed.

Katie

Jez,

You didn't sound bitchy at all. I was saying that I was concerned about sound bitchy.

I appreciate all your comments on this matter.

[*Michelle*]

Michelle,

Good advice, thank you very much.

Changed.

Your more than welcome..

[Vik]

If anything Ill be honest and say this may also harm your business.Its certainly has drawn negative attention to it the same you have to other business .

I agree.

I am not sure that I'd give my business to someone who brings their business issues to a public internet forum to discuss. When I was getting married, I was looking for suppliers who were discreet, ethical and professional. How do you think this thread reflects on how you do business? What message do you think it sends to prospective customers about what it might be like to work with you? I don't pose these questions for you to necessarily answer, I pose them as rhetorical questions for reflection.

[--M--]

I think its a bit low to do that, but then again I have never owned a business so I'm not sure how competitive it would be and this may be common place for all I know. I would hope not. Good luck with finding a new name, I'm sure whatever you chose will be bigger and better, all the best with your future flower prospects!

[-Megs-]

If what has taken place is exactly as you have said it then I think the other party didn't do entirely the correct thing. However I also don't think you've done the correct thing by naming and shaming them. How is what they did to you with regards to suppliers different to what you are doing here where both of obtain potential clients??? And also doing it in a place where the other party has no ability to respond with their side of the story is a low act by you.

[waskatiemark]

If what has taken place is exactly as you have said it then I think the other party didn't do entirely the correct thing. However I also don't think you've done the correct thing by naming and shaming them. How is what they did to you with regards to suppliers different to what you are doing here where both of obtain potential clients??? And also doing it in a place where the other party has no ability to respond with their side of the story is a low act by you.

Mrs Megs,

Yes what has happend here is EXACTLY as it did occur IRL.

With respect to her going to the suppliers, I never knew how they were, it was done I think as a Blind CC. So I never had a chance to defend myself to them either. I have over the course of the last month or so formed very good relationships with suppliers, so that is of no real concern to me anymore.

I have done this in a public forum, if she wishes to respond then I invite that.

I am going to bow out of this now. I can see it becoming heated and I never wanted that. I was simply just venting my frustrations. Really no different to what ppl do when they didn't life a photogrpaher, venue, etc. I will also remove the post that actually names her. If ppl wish they can find it for themselves.

I wish you all a very happy easter.

Katie

[Vik]

I have done this in a public forum, if she wishes to respond then I invite that.

Wow.

A public "hobby" message board isn't really the place for a business taking up grievances with another business, especially grievances that may have legal implications. It is only going to do potential damage to any future business that may have come your way.

[-Megs-]

I am going to bow out of this now. I can see it becoming heated and I never wanted that. I was simply just venting my frustrations. Really no different to what ppl do when they didn't life a photogrpaher, venue, etc. I will also remove the post that actually names her. If ppl wish they can find it for themselves.

It's somewhat different for a CONSUMER to vent frustrations about issues with a supplier than for another business owner to whinge about someone else's business practises. As for not getting heated, surely you would be aware that many of the person in questions brides are still extremely close to her well after their wedding has passed, so of course it was going to get heated when you are slandering someone without them having an opportunity to defend themselves.

[waskatiemark]

Mrs Megs,

I am aware that some of there brides have remained close to them.

In the begining of my dealings with them I found them to be terrific, fun to chat to and helpfull. The whole nine yards. Which is why I was so upset when things started to get unplesant.

I have changed the information in the post and also deleted other things as well.

As I said before I am bowing out of this now.

Katie

[delilah]

If you register your business name, then you have recourse against the domain registration. 'Camping' was very popular in the 90s & businesses (ie. CocaCola) were paying big dollars to buy their domain name from unethical sorts who capitalised on those who were slow off the mark.

Kate - welcome to business hon. I'm inclined to believe your story just because you seem a bit naive about the whole thing (which I don't say to cause offense). People are nasty, vindictive and unethical. Frankly the other person probably was keen to help you so she could figure out your weak spots and capitalise on that. This sort of thing happens all the time in the small business arena.

All you can do in response is pursue them through the appropriate 'legal' channels. It is not worth getting into slandering matches or confronting them. It will just take up energy better spent on generating positive publicity for yourself. If you are the bigger businesswoman, you will win out in the end. The bridal/floral industry isn't big and people talk.

I'm glad you deleted the original details though - I wouldn't have a clue who you're talking about & googling doesn't help me either.