Had a job go pear-shaped

[Phil Dicky]

I've had a job go pear-shaped with a Council we supplied. The long and short of it is they claim they have had enough and are now going to notify all Council (we work with a lot) of our performance basically advising them not to use us.
My question is, can they do this or can I stop them?

[Frimley111R]

I'd image it'd be hard to prove if they just called their counterparts and if you did try to stop them would that also work against you anyway?

Any chance of negotiating your way out with some compensation?

[Muzzer79]

I had an experience with a client threatening this and a short conversation about Defamation and the ramifications thus had them backing down.

Go and see them, in person, and discuss a way of resolving it to everyone's satisfaction.

[Phil Dicky]

I've tried the compensation route..they don't want to know. They have confirmed by letter they intend to tell other Councils about our service...would this evidence help in protecting myself against this?

Edited by Phil Dicky on Wednesday 18th June 14:21

[Wing Commander]

Without knowing what you do and what you supply etc, is there the opportunity to pop round and have a chat/eat humble pie, offer to rectify the situation FOC and with immediate priority and get the situation back on track?

Admittedly, you may make a loss, but it is damage limitation. It would probably be cheaper than potentially losing the other councils, no?

[The Moose]

What was it you were supposed to do? How did it go wrong? And when?

[Asterix]

As above - hard to say without knowing more facts.

Also - is this the first time or are there other instances of the work going South?

[Phil Dicky]

We were to supply some trophies that initially went missing, then were unable to source the same stock, the matter has dragged on for 2 months, partially my fault and partially stock issues .
I'm happy to make a financial settlement to avoid bad publicity, but not sure what is the best way of approaching this.

[DSLiverpool]

Ive had this in another life, they wouldn't let us rectify an alarm system that always went off and wanted to tell the world, they said they were going to use ABC alarms to fix it and they guarantee they can cure it. We had over 30 shops but this was a warehouse so a lot to lose
I asked for the quote and said we would pay it on the basis that the tech the insurance insisted on would never be false alarm free in that environment (this was before dual pole confirmed zones) and the alarm company was spinning them a tale.
As expected the ABC fix was no better and we got the insurance to change the requirement and kept the jobs - why not offer to pay a 3rd party to fix it?

[Phil Dicky]

The issue is they won't discuss and have stated in the letter they will tell our other customers.

[DSLiverpool]

Phil Dicky said:

The issue is they won't discuss and have stated in the letter they will tell our other customers.

Sounds like its gone too far - as nothing to lose use nuclear option of contacting top man in council saying his team are out to ruin a small business and whilst things have not gone well you have a track record etc etc etc - good luck

[Phil Dicky]

DSLiverpool said:

Phil Dicky said:

The issue is they won't discuss and have stated in the letter they will tell our other customers.

Sounds like its gone too far - as nothing to lose use nuclear option of contacting top man in council saying his team are out to ruin a small business and whilst things have not gone well you have a track record etc etc etc - good luck

The letter has come form the head of a Town Council....have I a legal option to prevent them spreading info?

[DSLiverpool]

Phil Dicky said:

DSLiverpool said:

Phil Dicky said:

The issue is they won't discuss and have stated in the letter they will tell our other customers.

Sounds like its gone too far - as nothing to lose use nuclear option of contacting top man in council saying his team are out to ruin a small business and whilst things have not gone well you have a track record etc etc etc - good luck

The letter has come form the head of a Town Council....have I a legal option to prevent them spreading info?

Time for legal help I think - this can be avoided if your quick however the HoTC must report to someone. Have you really really fked up? was it avoidable (with lovely hindsight)

[KarlMac]

DSLiverpool said:

Phil Dicky said:

The issue is they won't discuss and have stated in the letter they will tell our other customers.

Sounds like its gone too far - as nothing to lose use nuclear option of contacting top man in council saying his team are out to ruin a small business and whilst things have not gone well you have a track record etc etc etc - good luck

This. Sounds like a buyer is playing the big 'I am'.

Whilst I haven't worked in public sector, this sort of behaviour is frown upon by CIPS code of ethics, especially if you are genuinely trying to compensate for loss.

At a stab, I'd say you may have a cause for lost earnings, especially if people start cancelling orders.

[Frimley111R]

TBH its sounds like a typical company idiot getting all 'high and mighty' and waving his willy around. He'll probably not do anything but the letter about telling other customers is important as regards potential deformation. If it comes to it I'd hit them with that line.

[Wing Commander]

Something doesn't quite seem right (not doubting you OP) but the head of the council is writing to you acting like a spoilt school girl, because of an issue with some trophies. Again, not wanting to sound derogatory, but trophies etc should not warrant this level of pain. If a building contractor had accidentally built a motorway through the council HQ, then fair enough.

Is there anything we are missing here? Quantities or high value order? Have the council lost serious face with a 3rd party? If they played ball, and let you try and fix the situation, could it be fixed?

Failing all that, and if they still want to act like idiots, follow DSL's advice and go tactical nuclear on them. Something like a press release to the local paper claiming council are trying to run you into the ground - basically get in there first shouting from the rooftops how you are a local lad with a small business trying to eek a living wage and big bad council man has vendetta for unknown reason(seek legal advice as I have no background on the legalities )

[Phil Dicky]

What can I suggest in terms of legal come back...

[DSLiverpool]

Phil Dicky said:

What can I suggest in terms of legal come back...

Time to get proper advice - they normally give a free assessment so look one up!

[Johna]

Go to a solicitor and get them to write you a letter to said person stating that if they go ahead with their threat you will be taking action for defamation of your business and a civil suit for loss of earnings will follow. The letter will probably cost about £50 but it could put the wind up them enough to stop their libel.

You could also threaten to go to the local rag and tell them how after many attempts of trying to resolve said matter, have been ignored by the council and how they are now trying to ruin a small family business etc. They could even spin it to seem as the big powerful council are bullying a local business.

[Phil Dicky]

Cheers guys...I've sent one last email offering compensation hopefully to open a dialogue with them. Will give them two days then pop and see my solicitor.