We have found it necessary to say some things in defense of our company, to explain who we are in the grand scheme of things. To reveal the day-to-day and what lies on our hearts here. Our inner workings. We’ll mention why we’re doing this near the end of this entry.
We’ve been into this stuff since 1992. In that time we have developed some great relationships with our customers, our dealers, and our vendors. We’ve earned the respect and adoration of many people in that time. We’re a preferred supplier of government, countless institutions of higher learning, research firms, entertainment giants, zoos and parks, growers, interiorscapers, passionate and serious gardeners, and even some movie stars. People tend to like us because we provide excellent product quality and our customer service is the good old fashioned kind that many people yearn for. Especially old school types like us who aren’t necessarily thrilled with today’s seemingly minimum customer service benchmark.
Another thing that has made us popular, and has actually set us apart from our competitors since very early on, is the depth and unbiased approach with have to the dissemination of information developed specifically to help people succeed in IPM. As a few have heard us say, when we got into this business getting information about biocontrols was like pulling teeth. Everyone treated it as proprietary information, yet that very information is what customers needed most. We changed that in a big way starting with our extensive catalog and book, and then via our web presence.
Of course there are a few that don’t like us. Fortunately those that we know of can be counted on one hand — with finger or two to spare. Most are competitors. We have no problem with this. Each to their own. The old saying about one’s inability to make all the people happy all the time is quite true, you know. One person, though, who we knew was never a fan, and thanks for the many friends we do have who clued us in, has been saying some bad things about us. Nothing specific. That wouldn’t be possible because this person doesn’t really even know us. We’ve never even met or spoken with this person.
This person has actually contacted some of our customers and told them they shouldn’t buy their bugs from us, citing better sources with no specific reasons other than the fact that we’re not an insectary but instead consolidate and distribute, saving people serious money. In some cases, due to shipping, this information can’t possibly be in the customer’s best interest. It seems to us this is spiteful, unprofessional, and really uncalled for. That’s why we’re writing this. If you have been approached, we ask that you form your opinion of us based on your experiences with us. We have quality product, as fair-as-we-can pricing, and great service. And we freely share every bit of information that we can to better your chances of success.
We’re not sure what else we can do. We’re not sure we actually lost customers because of this person, so far it seems people have told us instead of jumping ship, but we don’t want that happen. We love what we do — we’re passionate about it. We do it honestly and as fairly as we can. We’re always working in the customer’s best interest as is clear to those who actually know us.
