Subscribe Feed (RSS)Feeling Pain Over a $10 T-Shirt? NOPE, But Principles Matter in Business!
January 25th, 2009 by Joshua Dorkin | Filed under Entrepreneurship.A few months ago I decided BiggerPockets.com would be a sponsor for a Real Estate Event that was slated to occur in mid-October. This was to be a one day real estate technology-themed event, and in return for the $250 sponsorship, we’d get our company name on the event’s website, and our logo on all publicity materials and banners; I was also promised a swag package including t-shirts.
Don’t Take Their Word for It
The day came and went, and from what I heard, it was a great gathering. Since I was unable to attend, of course, I wanted some proof that our company name did indeed make it on all the materials. I saw some pics and we were certainly present.
So, Why am I Disappointed?
Part of the verbal agreement that I entered into with the person who ran the event was that I would get some t-shirts — after all, it was the least they could do in return for the $250 we spent, right?
I was told on several occasions that the package was en-route. When it never arrived I was given excuse after excuse after excuse; this went on for 2 months. I was then told on January 4 that I’d get a shirt from a later event that took place 3 weeks ago, but low and behold that never happened either.
Why Should Anyone Care About a Stupid T-Shirt
This was about principal, not a $10 shirt. I entered into a business agreement with another, well known businessman in my industry, and he’s just blown me off. The shirt was something I had been promised in return for my money, and the right thing to do would have been to send it to me, as promised. This was someone who I respected and hoped to foster a deeper business relationship with, but how could I trust someone on large transactions when they never fully came through on this small one?
Lessons Learned?
I’d say that I learned one important lesson: Get to know better the people with whom you are doing business. The entire thing reminded me to look at how I run my own business and make sure I’m doing so ethically. I will never allow myself to take anyone for even a few dollars, because it all comes down to the fact that, your principals are how others will judge you and your company.
Who knows . . . maybe some day I’ll see my shirts. Don’t worry, I won’t be holding my breath.
Tags: agreements, business ethics, contracts, principles, promises, sponsor
You are right. If they fail sending some simple t-shirts, I shouldn’t trust them more. With this they have demonstrated you how much they worry for their supporters. If they don’t care about supporters, do they really care about their customers?
Excellent points, going above and beyond the call of duty is the best way to succeed in business, and since the above examples are becoming more and more common all the time, I think it’s becoming easier to stand out from your competition.
Shame on the company for not keeping up with their promise.I really hope you will not be caught dumb-founded again my such agreements.
At the end of the day he loses out becuase you are not going to do business with him again and all for a stupid T shirt. A good lesson to learn.
A lesser person would indeed say “discrediting an entrepreneur over a $10 t-shirt? are you nuts?” but you’re right: if a professional doesnt deliver on his contracts, there isnt much left to trust him with.
Leo Saraceni
It’s all about having one word and being able to prove it, not the material thing, but it is really about values and principles. It is purely business and they should keep their word. If they want to keep their company’s reputation safe, they should have done the right thing. What they’ve done is very unprofessional.