So I now decide to start cupcake decorating classes in my area. I advertise on fb etc. after about 2 weeks I find a rival cake maker in a town 20 mins away has announced she's starting too....in my area!
Well that's fine by me, I mean who am I to get in someone else's way.
So I start providing information to all that are interested, and I find out that she's put this status up on her fb:
"important message for the company in [my town] that is using our company class information and creating their own classes (we will be kind enough not to name and shame you on this occasion) please rework your information pack or we will report you for plagiarism. We spend time and effort to make our work unique for our customers. It is morally wrong for you to use the information for your own gain!!"
I mean, what the hell? I hadn't even seen her stuff until after I find this out. So now it seems using terms like 'perfect buttercream swirl' is termed as plagiarism!
And I know she's talking about me coz there's no other cake makers who are providing these services in our community.
Ugh, got me soooo furious! Why hide behind fb statuses? If she has something to tell me, why not say it to my face!
Rant over!
Because people are stupid. And facebook brings out the stupid. There are people on FB who copy post topics, steal "fans" and solicit business from rivals' friends. It's stupid...Just ignore it, and if she does post on your page delete the message and ban her from your page.
Facebook brings out the stupid, can't say it any better than that. Don't sweat it. There's one in my town who is pretty much copying what I do on her page (and then some just oddball stuff that makes me raise my eyebrows). It's not anything that's a trade secret or copyrighted by any means, but I sure as heck try to make my presence as unique as I can, so I guess I expect others to do the same.....especially when they're in the same town!?!
It sounds like she is trying to steal students from you by trying to make you look incompetent .
I think I would ignore her for now. anyone who has been your client or student is sure to know better. Word of mouth always bring in new business. People who know better will steer clear of her.She sounds dishonest and like she isnt getting enough students. So her stupidity may backfire .Keep on baking and smiling !
Whatever you do please remain professional. Even a fool is counted wise when he keeps his peace. Take the higher ground, focus on your business. If there is anything that needs to be tweaked on your part, some terms or words, little things, then modify them. Do not respond unless they act grown up and send you communication in a respectable manner. You can't get all riled up over a facebook status that doesn't even mention you or your business. And if you can, stay away from their facebook page-- for your peace of mind.
Whatever you do please remain professional. And if you can, stay away from their facebook page-- for your peace of mind.
Oh God yes. I am seeing horrible things on people's business walls lately, that just make me want to unlike them. I'll write a snarky blog post every now and then, but I don't make my business wall a public bit*& fest. Nothing like turning off your customers while commiserating with your cake pals.
Don't worry about it. When I started my business, I noticed certain businesses copying me. Look at my site. It is quite extensive and the services are also extensive. Now google my city and surrounding areas and see how many are copying me. Before I went into business, all were strictly cake bakers and decorators. No extras, candy, buffets, or delivery.
The good news is that I don't think much is happening with them.
Also on fb, I had a customer have her friends post that my cake was inedible. I have to keep deleting the comments. She is trying to get a refund. Finally I wrote back that I was taking names and I actually did have an attorney and would be persuing a small claims libel lawsuit on each. That was totally BS on my part, but it stopped them.
I've had lots of people copy me. Like the ones who learned from me and yes they try to be sneaky about it. Its a dog eat dog world out there. Those who say they're your friends will sometimes do things unimagineable.
I don't let it stress me out. I say there's plenty of work for everybody. In my circle I know I'm the leader because they learn from me first and then go off to sell what they learn.
Brush it off, fb is a joke anyway. At least half of what people post are all lies A real business person doesn't have time to play those games, we're too busy working.
Oh God yes. I am seeing horrible things on people's business walls lately, that just make me want to unlike them. I'll write a snarky blog post every now and then, but I don't make my business wall a public bit*& fest. Nothing like turning off your customers while commiserating with your cake pals.
Amen! Honestly some commenters and even friends post things on my wall that tempt me to put myself out there but I've got to remember, my business page is not the place to dispense polarizing opinions. I take a second, breathe and try to find a neutral spot because if I pick a side someone is guaranteed to be offended. My page is to talk business and I'm not turning off anyone (potential) customer or not. I've put too much into this to have some ignoramus incite me to foolish talk. No ma'am!
I had the full intention of calling her and giving a piece of my mind, professionally ofcourse. I mean, I can't let her get away with insulting me scratch free?
But after reading what you all have said, I'm having second thoughts...will it be a can of worms I open to regret or will I have put her in her place.
I had the full intention of calling her and giving a piece of my mind, professionally ofcourse. I mean, I can't let her get away with insulting me scratch free?
But after reading what you all have said, I'm having second thoughts...will it be a can of worms I open to regret or will I have put her in her place.
The problem with having words with fools is that soon enough folks can't tell y'all apart. #justsaying
Is this person really worth your self-respect?
I know you're angry with her but take this as a lesson in self-control. Sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest thing to do.
If you wish to stay above her so called tripe - and you can change your wording (not because she has told you too) but because you can make it sound even better...and more delicious ..try this.
Perfect buttercream swirl INTO Swirls of Perfect Buttercream.
Sometimes just rearranging words can make it sound all that little bit better.
The way i read her description is Perfect Swirks...made of buttercream
Whereas yours would read Swirls of PERFECT BUTTERCREAM.
Please don't lower yourself to respond to her ill manner of corrosponding on FB - it says more about her poor breeding to start a Cake War on FB...
Show your public and customers you are above that -
And don't even click on her FB page - she can and is able to monitor who is looking at her page -
Lollll - don't give her that satisfaction
Bluehue
I guess my first question would be why are you Facebook friends with her in the first place. I don't entertain foolishness so I wouldn't have my business linked to her business in any capacity. Makes it real easy to ignore a status I'd never see.
Secondly, if I did see it, because some instigator sent it to me, I would ignore. No way I would start something that doesn't even need to be started.
Last but not least, if I saw her on the street, I would kill her with kindness. Wish her much success with her classes and with her business and would hope that she would be professional enough to wish you the same.
Sounds like she's not getting the response she was anticipating so she's blaming it on your cupcake class offer. Whatever you do, don't respond. I agree, the quieter you are the more unstable she will look to potential customers.
Who will she "report" you to for plagarism?
If she is serious about the charge she may sue the OP for something like theft of trade secrets. There's no way she will win, but OP would still need to defend herself in court.
[quote="jason_kraft] theft of trade secrets/snip[/quote]
OP isn't an employee/ex-employee so it wouldn't apply. There's no lawsuit here, even of the most frivolous kind. The OP need not lose sleep.
My comment was about plagarism.
In the US anyone can sue anyone else for any reason, so if they still wanted to sue OP they could do so. It would be completely without merit (the lack of a relationship between OP and this other business would be an easy defense, as you mentioned) and would be thrown out quickly but a response would still be necessary.
Since you can't sue for plagiarism I brought up the closest analog, copyright infringement would be another possibility but again there would be no chance of winning that one.
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