My client had several properties serviced by a local trash hauler. I reviewed the contracts, identified some unfavorable terms, a miss-truth on the ability to sign a less than 3 year term and inconsistent pricing on a few of the locations that needed to be addressed however, the client was happy with the trash hauler’s service and as long as they were willing to address those issues the client wanted to continue doing business.
I crafted an email to the client’s assigned account manager simply stating that on behalf of my client we are requesting a meeting to discuss current locations serviced and possible new locations to be added and proposed a meeting time and location.
The response was a red flag. The emailed reply was from the account manager. “You need to call me immediately. Let’s discuss this before you talk to your client again.” Unfortunately, for the trash hauler’s account manager I work for my clients best interest and their best interest alone.. No side deals or kickbacks of any kind here…(unfortunately there are consultants who do accept money from vendors and clients….) This is one of the many reasons why I always bcc or copy a client on all emails between me and their trash hauler. I believe in complete transparency.
I responded to the email, stating that all discussions about my client’s services should and will be discussed at the proposed meeting and that there was no need for us to speak beforehand and asked once again asked if they could make the proposed meeting time and place.
The next response showed the company’s true colors.The account manager called the client every hour on the hour and rudely stated to the client’s receptionists that “they would not attend a meeting with anyone other than the person who signed the contract because the client had no right to hire a consultant,” and that “they would possibly agree to everything the client wanted…. but only if they did not use The Trash Consultant.” This would be like a prosecuting attorney telling someone on trial that they may drop all charges in court but only if you show up without legal representation… and to claim that the client has no right to hire a consultant is ridiculous.
Why are they so afraid to have The Trash Consultant attend the meeting? I’m assuming there were several reasons but I’ll just talk about two main ones .. First, The Trash Consultant would expose all of their miss-truths told the client in the past, point out their arbitrary pricing and basically make them change the one sided contract that they had the client sign. Secondly, What what if more and more business owners find out that The Trash Consultant can help them in the same way? What if The Trash Consultant exposed their miss-truths and consulted on ways to avoid the one sided contracts to all business owners?
The Trash Consultant works with small to medium business owners who are located in the New England area to assess current or new waste removal services.
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