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FIB - Scams 101
Truth: Company insider defends those who pay him
Posted By: Bill, the Roadie In Response To: If you are interested in finding out the truth about the issues, there is something you can do about it (R. Shapiro)
Date: Friday, July 11, 2008, at 4:14 p.m.(pst)
>> I can post from work or from home
Yes, but. If most people misused the Internet connection paid for by their company for a non-company-reason it would be theft. For the company to pay you to search out Google hits on the company's name and post rebuttals is ethically marginal, especially if you fail to add a disclaimer that you're paid by the company being discussed.
You can't possibly see how the company is viewed by outsiders, since you're inside, drinking their cafeteria's Kool-aid.
>> The information from 2002 and 2003 that you posted are issues that
>> have been resolved. What other response can there be to that?Resolved, but in many people's opinion, a company with a strong ethical culture and direction from the founders would never have let it happen in the first place. Would you rather take a dog home from the shelter who's bit you before, or one who welcomes you with kisses?
>> Unfortunately there have been people who have decided to go after their
>> own selfish agendas rather than choose to do what is right and what was
>> best for the customer and company as a whole. Issues are always being
>> resolved by most companies, if you don't believe that, find me a company
>> without a legal staff that is answering complaints on a daily basis.My day job comes to mind. We're tiny and heavily engineering based, but I run customer support. There are no disgruntled customers. It's possible to do, although perhaps not in the large consumer company realm.
>> I am not defending of the actions that have been commited by
>> irresponsible, unthinking people who are no longer with the company. If
>> only there was a way to put the consequences on them rather than the
>> company and all of it's employees who actually support customers in a
>> reputable and professional manner.Severed heads on pikes is one traditional way. :-)
But those folks should have been caught earlier. And shown the door before MULTIPLE state's Attorneys General got on your case.
Your seminar marketing invites abuse and verbal promises that can't be backed up, but you in HQ have perfect plausible deniability.
>> That was what the original post was about - finding balance and
>> digging deeper for those who actually want more information. Contact the
>> Customer Relations Manager or someone who has actually gone through the
>> experience of having a website with StoresOnline - instead of reading the
>> first person who had a keyboard and could type a blog post, that may or
>> may not have ever had anything to do with StoresOnline.Your original post could have said truthfully: "I've found this forum and a few disturbing messages. As an employee of StoresOnline, it bothers me that we seem to be thought of in a bad light. So my boss ordered me to run a Google search and post some facts that may present a balanced opinion and invite a dialog so we can change your minds and get you to consider us for your needs."
But no. That's not the way you presented yourself.
>> There is nothing in my post that says I was a satisfied client - I
>> posted my opinion, the same way as you and everyone else has on this blog.But you failed to post the disclaimer that you were an insider, being paid on company time to search the forums and post rebuttals.
Your opinion is colored by your relationship with StoresOnline, just as the disgruntled one's opinions are colored by their relationship. We're not so dumb to ignore the difference.
>> If I were a "disinterested observer" as you have put it, I
>> wouldn't have bothered posting, but the truth is that I visited this blog
>> as a very interested participant who is tired of hoping that the good this
>> company does will one day get noticed. My obvious motive...well, read this
>> posting again and maybe you'll get it, although it seems that it won't
>> matter what I say as you seem to already have everything figured out.There have been dozens of sneaky insiders from other outfits who come around, resurrect ancient threads, and post rebuttals. Your company isn't a philanthropy.
>> If you care about something that you put your time and effort into
>> building, then it's easy to speak up when there are so many people willing
>> to destroy it - there is the truth, take it or leave it.As I said, it's clear you drink their Kool-aid and believe they are ethical and honest. From the outside, we see you gathering new clients by the age-old manipulative hotel seminar route. A marketing tactic that's also used by many con artists and deceivers. If only you could find a more mainstream way to market your services.
Not to mention that I personally think that $300 a month for an on-line ecommerce site, even with your level of support, is just overpriced and will only appeal to newbies who don't know any better. Maybe I'm wrong.
>> And your "one chance to make a first impression" line, let
>> that be your opinion and response from within the confines of your limited
>> view. Let's let the comments go toe to toe and if people are interested in
>> finding out more, then they will. That is the truth that I'm offering
>> those who are truly interested in finding out more about StoresOnline.You really didn't think your posting from work was going to get noticed, did you? That's the takeaway lesson for today - the public is not only skeptical and curious, but aware.
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