Competition is supposed to be healthy in many ways. It helps to keep the playing field equal for all participants. It causes the participants to work harder in innovation in order to keep up with each other and it is good for consumers as competition gives them options to choose from.
However, competition can also bring out the worst in some of the participants. Sometimes that results in crossing lines where some of the players will attempt to use almost any means possible to cause harm to their competitors. Those harmful actions can come in many different forms.
In my research on the topic, I came across an instance that I can only describe as being pretty filthy. Nasty, even. This one situation that I will describe to you shortly is an example of what can transpire when envy and jealousy get out of hand and become poisonous.
This particular story is about a source that really should have known better. I’m talking about a well-established business in the data recovery industry.
The company is called ESS Data Recovery.
It all started when a fellow by the name of Justin McClelland left a 1-Star review on our company’s Google Business Page.
He didn’t specify as to what it was that generated his need to leave a 1-Star review. There were no details, no information on what happened when it occurred or where.
To say this piqued our interest would be putting it lightly. Sure, we don’t expect only 5-Star reviews but a 1-Star does get your attention if you are running a legitimate business.
It just didn’t seem right.
I’m talking about it not seem right for a couple of reasons. Not only did it seem out of place that someone who had never dealt with our company had left a 1-Star review (we checked our records to try to figure out what may have caused him to feel the way he did at the time of his review posting), possibly to generate the start of a bad reputation cycle… but, it didn’t seem right that there was no explanation.
Usually on review sites and pages if there is a 1-Star review, there is often at least a short sentence stating why the 1-Star. It’s also a good place for someone to lodge a complaint where others will be able to see it. Just posting a 1-Star review without saying why is a bit odd.
So we decided to do a bit of research on Justin McClelland. Guess what? It turned out that this fellow is a representative –
actually a General Manager – of ESS Data Recovery.
It was very surprising to us to discover this coming from a person who represents a company of such caliber.
After we reported the fishy/negative review left by Justin, just 18-hours passed and the review magically disappeared. We are not sure if it was a decision by Google to remove it or Justin chose to take it down because it didn’t feel right having done such an act. Maybe he started to worry about his name and the direct connection that could be made to ESS if someone chose to do a little research.
Whatever the case, thanks, Google.
Justin’s review has led us to take a look at what we do. It also has led us to encourage you to check us out further. If you have any concerns about how we conduct business, you are invited to contact us directly. If you would like to visit our lab, that can be arranged. Do not ever hesitate and we will gladly show you around our facilities and do our best to make you feel welcome and at home.
As for Justin’s 1-Star review… it reminds us that fraudulent practices are on the rise. That comes directly from the pressures brought on daily by competition.
We get it. Sometimes companies are not exactly as they lead you to believe. It is easy to misrepresent a business in an effort to attract customers but in the end, that is deception.
I recently wrote a blog about the increase in ‘data recovery’ wannabe’s that have contributed to harming the industry as a whole. It also makes it difficult for the average consumer to find legitimate data recovery services. I also wrote a blog on tips to help you identify a real recovery lab from one that isn’t.
It all comes down to one thing. Trying to harm another business and their reputation is putting you at risk as well. That is particularly true if you are trying to bad mouth a competitor of yours with no real grounds to complain about other than they are your competitor.
The bottom line is that when you engage in that kind of activity, it just doesn’t look good on anyone, period.