Should I go talk to owner

[bodman]

the bad Two months ago I re-opened a closed mat for 4 years it is across the street from a mat ( that has been there 28 years) the old owner is desperate and has been telling his customers that they should not go to mine there have been men running into my mat wearing ski mask and doing no good NOT !!! I even have kids toys and books and not one has gone missing . The good I will make a profit this month . My question,,, should I go confront him about his tactics or just smile and watch him go under. I must say competition has been good for the customers he has cleaned up his store painted and is keeping his machines repaired since I started working on my store. It was suggested that I park my pick up in his parking lot with my signs and arrow pointing towards my NEW AIR CONDITIONED mat. I thought that might be a little over the top! of course putting flyers on the window of the cars in his parking lot has crossed my mind.

[bo]

Your original question was "should I go talk". The answer to that is yes. Your other ideas should only be attempted if you wouldn't mind another competitor doing that to you.

[BMWHD3060]

I always would recommend Talking to him first, "Most Owner's will Lie, & say they never said that. Good Luck

[capitolcity]

I strongly suggest you don't do any of the shady things you mentioned. Money is nice, but money at any cost mentalities are ruinning this country. I suggest you try to work together in some way, talk things out. In the end, if he doesnt cooperate, then its 'may the best mat win' and just offer a better product then he does.

At the end of the day, you were the one who invaded his turf with a mat right across the street. If someone did that to me, I'd be mad as hell...

[Ned]

Alex,

Well said. Good advice for us all...

Ned

[SoooperDave]

I dunno Bod,
If a competitor parked his car/advertisement in my lot i'd offer him a good price on an insurance policy that would guarantee his car wouldn't spontaneously combust.

[bodman]

thanks guys I have had time to cool off so I will watch from my store as he blows away in the wind.