Thursday Thoughts: Bashing the Competition

I was in a store yesterday to pick up something they carry that many others don’t. I talked with the manager for a bit, and somewhere along the line I mentioned the nutritional supplement I’ve been taking for several years.

Immediately, she said that the product doesn’t have enough of THAT vitamin or THIS vitamin, that I wasn’t getting what I should be getting. She wasn’t yelling, but she was very firm.

I thanked her for her concern, mentioned I do also eat food that might make up for any “deficiency” in my supplement, purchased my product and left somewhat surprised.

But not totally.

I know we should be loyal to the company we work for, but actually bashing another one? What does that achieve? Maybe they believe it makes them look superior — even though it does the opposite.

I remember years ago hearing about a business person who constantly put down a competitor. Then one day that person jumped ship, signing on with that particular competitor!

Were others surprised? All things considered — YES.

About six months later … that person returned to the original company. But damage had been done. Trust was gone. We all have choices about where we buy things and from whom — and once trust is gone, it’s really hard to regain…