Vender/Customer Ethics

blykins · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 05:51 AM

Are there none?

I've been in business for over a year now.

I can't count the number times that "the check is on its way" has been said on the phone or over email. Keeping your word is something that has gone away, along with all the other good things that our fathers/grandfathers were taught.
I was always taught to keep my word and offer a handshake after the deal is done. I don't think people do either one anymore.

I try to keep my prices very competitive and I offer a lot of free advice/support. If someone gets a price from me, then finds it cheaper, I'd rather them tell me than lie to me.

Am I out of line here?

Bill Bess · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 06:22 AM

Your correct, a mans word should be gold. We ( most people)were taught to be honest, fair and to follow through on our word, but as you can see a lot of folks don't live by that creed these days.
The trend has been lieing, cheating, deception, fraud, stealing, and to put down others at any cost, most of all, it's GREED and selfisness.

I not very religious but believe that religion has been the basis for our moral compass in the past, providing us direction and being a sounding board for most of our daily and life decisions.
Too many businesses these days will do anything to make a buck and have forgotten what the key to success is.......providing the best possible product at the best possible price and making customer service their number one priority.

Ron61 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 07:10 AM

Well said Bill. And Brent you are not out of line in any way. To many people any more just have no ethics and their word isn't worth anything at all.

Ron

SoTxButler · #4 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 08:28 AM

Brent, I don't know you but I feel like you're the kind of guy I would like to do business with. It sounds like you have had your share of disappointments in people (customers).

I am now retired, but fought it for many years. I always went beyond even when I was being "played". It was frustrating, but it was the only way to maintain my dignity....I knew no other way and did not give up.

For most who have your ethics...the ethics win in the long run. Learn to manage the disappointment in people and keep your moral compass. Your ethics will bring you business and you will prosper.

Excaliber · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 08:37 AM

I read some where that the saying, "The check is in the mail" is the second most common lie in America. I can't recall the first because for some reason the second made a bigger impression on me. #1 probably had something to do with politicians....

Dan40 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excaliber

I read some where that the saying, "The check is in the mail" is the second most common lie in America. I can't recall the first because for some reason the second made a bigger impression on me. #1 probably had something to do with politicians....

#1 has ALWAYS been, "I won't xxx in your mouth!"

In business, you just have to develop duck feathers and let the lies flow off like water from a duck's back. It sucks, but it IS the "REAL" reality show.

392cobra · #7 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 08:40 AM

"Trust me."

tcrist · #8 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 11:45 AM

My dad always said "a man is only as good as his word". I still believe it to this day and will always believe it.

Terry

Excaliber · #9 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

#1 has ALWAYS been, "I won't xxx in your mouth!"

I must be hanging around with the right crowd, I've never had anyone say that to me.

Buzz · #10 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by excaliber

Quote:

#1 has always been, "i won't xxx in your mouth!"

i must be hanging around with the right crowd, i've never had anyone say that to me.

GUFFAW!! :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

392cobra · #11 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

#1 has ALWAYS been, "I won't xxx in your mouth!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excaliber

I must be hanging around with the right crowd, I've never had anyone say that to me.

Maybe if you asked nicely and said "Please",they would ask first...just saying.

Wayne Maybury · #12 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 12:50 PM

I find that very many people and businesses now consider the short term to be all-important. Few people seem to consider the long term effects of their short term actions. If I do such-&-such, I can make a few extra bucks today, so what if I screw someone for it. I am now at retirement age and the younger people in business drive me crazy. They almost all seem to have this ultra short term vision of every transaction.

I have always believed that my word was absolutely golden. I also believe that it takes a very long time to build a solid reputation and just one stupid action to lose it.

Wayne

elmariachi · #13 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 06:22 PM

Brent, having done business with you here's how I see it. Those who made promises to send a check and didn't in turn missed out on having you provide them with quality products, excellent service, sound advice and patient guidance, all of which you have given me. Screw the losers who make promises and don't follow through. It's their loss.

VRM · #14 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 07:04 AM

I think that this is one of the problems we have as a country that a lot of other problems stem from. We now have to 'win' at any cost, and that makes it OK to lie, cheat, and steal.
Unfortunately, it now tends to be more advantageous to do those things to get ahead, and the penalties (if you even get caught) are minimal.

And then there is the tendency to blame others for something that we have been slacking on.

It happens more often than not, it seems.

I am much more likely to give my business to someone who has honour and integrity.

Steve

rustyBob · #15 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 07:45 AM

Most people just dont care anymore.....they dont want to work for what they can have. they think someone owes them something.Nobody gave me my Cobra i went to work everyday and earned it and the same for every other thing i have.

Got the Bug · #16 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 08:24 PM

Unfortunately, people are short sighted and only think about price and don't consider the value of of advice, service, and a long term relationship. A personal example is my neighborhood ACE store. Even though the prices are higher at ACE, I stay loyal to them because they provide me with a high level of service and help me puzzle through household stuff I'm trying to fix.

If people are shopping and buying somewhere else, that goes with the territory. If people aren't paying you or are reneging on deals, then we we should have a "hall of shame" on CC for those people.

Jamo · #17 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 01:35 AM

I think everyone is in agreement here. For me, honesty and keeping one's word are the two cornerstones...pretty damn near impossible to be a labor negotiator otherwise. Some of my clients have had union contracts for decades...long-term relationships dictate being able to see down the road a bit.

I agree with Doug...loyalty for services and products really count the most. As old-fashioned as it sounds, we're committed to Sears for appliances, etc. "Whole-House" warranty for decades (something they ought to offer again to new customers...we're grandfathered in) has paid off in convenience (you call one number, whether it's the big-assed Sony TV or the washer) and money. I do the same thing with hardware stores. Fresno Ag has been around for a century...where else would you find the correct long bolts for the English-made front fans sitting on the shelf?