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July 30th, 2009 by Joshua Dorkin | Filed under Commentary.
I’ve only got a few minutes, but I had to get something off of my chest.
After determining that I’m just not going to use my gym membership, I decided to give my 30 days notice. I knew that I had to get this handled quickly, as the end of the month was quickly approaching.
I called my gym on Monday morning and was put through to their accounting office, where I got a voicemail; I left a message letting them know that I needed to cancel, and to call me. After not hearing back all day, I called back, and again was put through to voicemail — once again, I left a message.
I then followed up with an email to ensure that I had some kind of proof that I had indeed tried to cancel.
I didn’t hear back from anyone on Tuesday, so on Wednesday I sent another follow up email regarding cancellation and CC’d my wife for yet more proof that I had indeed contacted them about the matter.
This morning, Thursday, I received a phone call from someone regarding my membership. She told me that she had canceled the membership and gave me a confirmation number of the cancellation.
I inquired why it took so long for someone to get back to me and she told me that she had called and left me a message on Monday afternoon. I thanked her and got off the phone.
I was upset that I must have missed the call and her voicemail, so I called to listen to this missed message.
It wasn’t there.
I checked my cell phone.
There was no message.
I checked my wife’s.
There was no message.
Perplexed, I decided to check the missed calls on my phone and logged into my phone accounts to see when she called, but there was NO record that she ever called!
Sometimes CYA Will Bite YOU Back
Clearly, when she told me that she had left me a message, she was covering her ass. Most people would have accepted the information and moved on, but I was fairly certain that I would have know if she called.
This woman simply lied to me.
Do you think I’ll EVER refer anyone to join that gym?
If you said no, you nailed it! I’m now going to tell everyone the story of how I was lied to, instead of telling people about the gym itself. By doing a CYA, she instantly created bad karma and publicity for the gym.
Why did she do it?
I have no idea, but sometimes it is easier to lie then to admit that you were wrong.
I bet that is the case here.
Lessons Learned?
Lying can be bad for business, so stop doing it!
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Tags: advice, business, Cover your ass, Information
I couldn’t agree more.
And lying – just to save face – seems to be the norm in some businesses.
Just makes me mad. And loses them customers.
“Lying can be bad for business, so stop doing it!”
Unfortunately lies in business – a typical case. I faced it repeatedly. It was, is and will be. It is necessary to be reconciled with it.
You are right Dorkin, this situation doesn't only affect referring to the business but also it will make negative advertisement as you do now so if I now the name of that gym, well I'll thought hundreds of times before join with them
Ahmed
Great post.It really help the businessman as well as the bloggers like me.Some great information to be absorbed in this post. Thanks for an insightful post. These tips are really helpful. Again thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Keep blogging.
Great post.It really help the businessman as well as the bloggers like me.Some great information to be absorbed in this post. Thanks for an insightful post. These tips are really helpful. Again thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Keep blogging.
I agree that it is harmful for us to lie to our customers. But sometimes it is very needy to lie to our customers without which you cannot earn money well, you cannot make good money. Some businesses are there which need the owners lie to their customers otherwise the business doesn't exist any more. By the way, nice article.
Hi! Its a very important for the all business holders.This is very small but pointed tips which If you don't accept you suffer most so nice post and keep up innovative one,Thanks for sharing this tips with us.
I definitely agree that lying is bad but sometimes technology fails. I don't use my cell phone much but I tried to make a call one day and noticed the keys were locked up. Turned the phone off and then on and had tons of messages. Just make sure it wasn't your phone.
I definitely agree with your view. Being a real estate salesperson, it's sometimes tempting to throw in a little lie here and there to get the deal done but then I have to remind myself to walk the straight path!
I've found that in the long run, being honest with your client always helps. Lying may get you a deal but being honest earn you referrals