When business people act in an unprofessional manner...

Serious Business 49 replies 1,481 views
Dr. KnOiTaLL's avatar
Dr. KnOiTaLL
Posts: 2,682
May 15, 2014 1:02pm
What's the worst business transaction you've been a part of? Not that this is unheard of, but none-the-less it was disappointing...

I scheduled lunch with a contact I have known for 25+ years. Recently, I joined an industry where we could become mutually beneficial partners, and I had hoped to catch up with each other as well as discuss ways that we could work together. This gentleman is somewhat of a well-known businessman in the area, so it took a few tries to track him down and get something on the books. Finally, he returned my call and we set up a lunch meeting. The day comes, and I'm waiting, waiting, waiting at the restaurant. After about 15 minutes, I called his office and cell phone and left messages, just wanting to confirm that we were still on for lunch or if he had something come up and needed to cancel. After about a half hour, I just ordered, ate, and left. It's been a week now, still no call to apologize, give and excuse, etc. Pretty disappointing in my opinion. Not that I need his business, but simply the lack of respect for me and my time. I've experienced similar scenarios before, but never with someone that I've known for so long.

Thoughts on this scenario? Also, curious to hear some of your most disappointing business transactions.
T
thavoice
Posts: 14,376
May 15, 2014 1:07pm
Dr. KnOiTaLL;1616548 wrote:What's the worst business transaction you've been a part of? Not that this is unheard of, but none-the-less it was disappointing...

I scheduled lunch with a contact I have known for 25+ years. Recently, I joined an industry where we could become mutually beneficial partners, and I had hoped to catch up with each other as well as discuss ways that we could work together. This gentleman is somewhat of a well-known businessman in the area, so it took a few tries to track him down and get something on the books. Finally, he returned my call and we set up a lunch meeting. The day comes, and I'm waiting, waiting, waiting at the restaurant. After about 15 minutes, I called his office and cell phone and left messages, just wanting to confirm that we were still on for lunch or if he had something come up and needed to cancel. After about a half hour, I just ordered, ate, and left. It's been a week now, still no call to apologize, give and excuse, etc. Pretty disappointing in my opinion. Not that I need his business, but simply the lack of respect for me and my time. I've experienced similar scenarios before, but never with someone that I've known for so long.

Thoughts on this scenario? Also, curious to hear some of your most disappointing business transactions.
WEll, with you being a new Amway salesman you will get this alot.
Q
queencitybuckeye
Posts: 7,117
May 15, 2014 1:09pm
Dr. KnOiTaLL;1616548 wrote: Thoughts on this scenario? Also, curious to hear some of your most disappointing business transactions.
The context of business doesn't excuse a lack of basic decency. Bitch move regardless.
Dr. KnOiTaLL's avatar
Dr. KnOiTaLL
Posts: 2,682
May 15, 2014 1:16pm
thavoice;1616549 wrote:WEll, with you being a new Amway salesman you will get this alot.
Lol Amway? I'm in financial services haha

The most interesting part is that I will more than likely see him on a monthly basis at local events. My company is very active in community events and he is the head of a county association for professionals in the industry.
sleeper's avatar
sleeper
Posts: 27,879
May 15, 2014 1:18pm
Very unprofessional.
M
MontyBrunswick
May 15, 2014 1:19pm
Not a business transaction per se, but I've been on several job interviews where people tell me to "email with any questions I might have" and been ignored when I do.
Dr. KnOiTaLL's avatar
Dr. KnOiTaLL
Posts: 2,682
May 15, 2014 1:20pm
dlazz;1616566 wrote:Not a business transaction per se, but I've been on several job interviews where people tell me to "email with any questions I might have" and been ignored when I do.
Yeah, or the old "you should get a phone call in the next few days regarding whether or not you got the job."

Let's be real, if you didn't get the job, people don't care about ever talking with you again.
M
MontyBrunswick
May 15, 2014 1:23pm
Dr. KnOiTaLL;1616571 wrote: Let's be real, if you didn't get the job, people don't care about ever talking with you again.
Yep. Seems that way.

It was actually a relief when I got rejection letters just so I could get that feeling of limbo off my chest. I still have many "pending" interviews even though its been months.
I
I Wear Pants
Posts: 16,223
May 15, 2014 1:32pm
Dr. KnOiTaLL;1616571 wrote:Yeah, or the old "you should get a phone call in the next few days regarding whether or not you got the job."

Let's be real, if you didn't get the job, people don't care about ever talking with you again.
If you take the time and money to interview someone you can take the time to email them or give them a call to tell them they weren't chosen.
Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
May 15, 2014 1:32pm
You think you're important ... Unless you have more to offer than the next guy you're just a "time slot" easy made and easier to be broken... Get over it
Now do something that going to impress this guy if you want his business.... He will keep that lunch date.

business is full of rejection, it how you handle it and over come it is what important.

i would order him meal delivered to his office and when it get delivered, show up ..... For lunch for two... What the worst that could happen ?......another missed lunch or a potential lunch date
T
thavoice
Posts: 14,376
May 15, 2014 1:34pm
Dr. KnOiTaLL;1616560 wrote:Lol Amway? I'm in financial services haha

The most interesting part is that I will more than likely see him on a monthly basis at local events. My company is very active in community events and he is the head of a county association for professionals in the industry.
Just messing with ya.
BUt yeah...that is pretty shitty.

Shit comes up, but he shoulda contacted you as soon as he possibly could.
Mohican00's avatar
Mohican00
Posts: 3,394
May 15, 2014 1:34pm
dlazz;1616574 wrote:It was actually a relief when I got rejection letters just so I could get that feeling of limbo off my chest. I still have many "pending" interviews even though its been months.
I got an email from a company I had interviewed with wanting to setup a date/time for a second interview a couple weeks ago. This was 6 months after I had initially interviewed with them and then heard nothing else. The other odd part was the guy emailed me at like 10pm on a Saturday night.
sleeper's avatar
sleeper
Posts: 27,879
May 15, 2014 1:34pm
dlazz;1616574 wrote:Yep. Seems that way.

It was actually a relief when I got rejection letters just so I could get that feeling of limbo off my chest. I still have many "pending" interviews even though its been months.
Pending means you didn't get the job. Move on.
T
thavoice
Posts: 14,376
May 15, 2014 1:38pm
Mohican00;1616583 wrote:I got an email from a company I had interviewed with wanting to setup a date/time for a second interview a couple weeks ago. This was 6 months after I had initially interviewed with them and then heard nothing else. The other odd part was the guy emailed me at like 10pm on a Saturday night.
Had something similiar at a PT job I now have. I interviewed last June and told them i was just looking for 10-15 hours a week and they contacted me in February to start working.
Dr. KnOiTaLL's avatar
Dr. KnOiTaLL
Posts: 2,682
May 15, 2014 1:39pm
Belly35;1616580 wrote:You think you're important ... Unless you have more to offer than the next guy you're just a "time slot" easy made and easier to be broken... Get over it
Now do something that going to impress this guy if you want his business.... He will keep that lunch date.

business is full of rejection, it how you handle it and over come it is what important.

i would order him meal delivered to his office and when it get delivered, show up ..... For lunch for two... What the worst that could happen ?......another missed lunch or a potential lunch date
I'm well aware, I've dealt with it many times before, and I know I'll experience it again. The main disappointment is the face that I have had a relationship with this guy for a long time. The fact that he simply didn't show up without warning, and failed to apologize is more disappointing than losing an opportunity for business. However, if that is the manner in which he conducts his business, I'm not sure I want him as a partner.

I do like your idea of ordering lunch to his office, the only problem is that he is seldom in his office.
Q
queencitybuckeye
Posts: 7,117
May 15, 2014 1:40pm
Belly35;1616580 wrote:You think you're important ... Unless you have more to offer than the next guy you're just a "time slot" easy made and easier to be broken... Get over it
When I make an appointment and have to break it for any reason, I make sure I make contact to cancel or if that's not possible, to apologize after the fact. It's called being a decent human being.
DeyDurkie5's avatar
DeyDurkie5
Posts: 11,324
May 15, 2014 2:01pm
Belly35;1616580 wrote:You think you're important ... Unless you have more to offer than the next guy you're just a "time slot" easy made and easier to be broken... Get over it
Now do something that going to impress this guy if you want his business.... He will keep that lunch date.

business is full of rejection, it how you handle it and over come it is what important.

i would order him meal delivered to his office and when it get delivered, show up ..... For lunch for two... What the worst that could happen ?......another missed lunch or a potential lunch date
You are an idiot belly.
M
MontyBrunswick
May 15, 2014 2:10pm
sleeper;1616584 wrote:Pending means you didn't get the job. Move on.
Well, yeah.

My point is that there is no reason they can't just flag it or shoot an email to everyone saying they hired someone else.
V
vball10set
Posts: 24,795
May 15, 2014 2:12pm
Belly35;1616580 wrote:
i would order him meal delivered to his office and when it get delivered, show up
Who the hell are you, Sitting Bull??? smfh
sleeper's avatar
sleeper
Posts: 27,879
May 15, 2014 2:35pm
dlazz;1616613 wrote:Well, yeah.

My point is that there is no reason they can't just flag it or shoot an email to everyone saying they hired someone else.
True.
Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
May 15, 2014 2:42pm
Note: never once did I indicate that I would not take the professional high road and make the call to cancel or reschedule or not.

It's simple until you can provide some indication you have something of a need to another business ... You're not needed and time is important
Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
May 15, 2014 2:49pm
DeyDurkie5;1616607 wrote:You are an idiot belly.
I prefer crazy but successful ... And I can kick your ass in a heartbeat mofo...
Q
queencitybuckeye
Posts: 7,117
May 15, 2014 2:52pm
Belly35;1616647 wrote:
It's simple until you can provide some indication you have something of a need to another business ... You're not needed and time is important
Words can hardly express the stupidity of this statement as a business philosophy. That someone is "unimportant" today in a business context may well change at some point in the future. Far smarter to try to treat everyone well.
DeyDurkie5's avatar
DeyDurkie5
Posts: 11,324
May 15, 2014 2:54pm
Belly35;1616651 wrote:I prefer crazy but successful ... And I can kick your ass in a heartbeat mofo...
There have been plenty of idiots who have been successful.
Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
May 15, 2014 3:30pm
DeyDurkie5;1616655 wrote:There have been plenty of idiots who have been successful.
How's that energy/environment business of your moms doing? Does she need an idiot to help her?