I recently had a customer that I had washed their trucks for the past 3-4 years change to another cleaning business. The supervisor with the trucking company called to let me know that he was being pressured to help this new cleaning business out by letting them have his business. He assured me that it had nothing to do with our service but that the new guy had helped them out with some truck inspections and he felt like he needed to at least give him a chance. I later found out that the guy starting the new cleaning service has a state job and deals with trucking companies. The business he took from me only washed every 3 weeks and only had 6-7 trucks. So even though I hate to lose any business it wasn’t a major loss. But about a month ago one of my largest customers asked me to stop all washing until further notice. Again I was assured it had nothing to do with the quality of our service but that they were taking a look at several things in the company to see where they stood. And just as of today I find out that the same new cleaning service has been washing at that customer. Now I’ve been washing trucks for the last 23 years. And I know business comes and goes. And if another business offers better service or prices than I do then I understand the change. But I am having a problem with a guy using his gov’t paid position to pressure people into using his service. After the first incident I mentioned it to a friend who has the same position as this guy with the new cleaning business. Two weeks later he calls me and says he has a problem with the guy pressuring people due to his gov’t job. He asked me to think hard about it but recommended that I file a complaint with TN.gov. I did think and even prayed about it and decided not to pursue. But now he has hit one of my large customers and I know he has picked up several more businesses. Sorry this is all so long but I wanted to give you some of the background to the story. Just looking for suggestions on how you would handle this.
I’m a civil servant but for the state of Michigan. Regardless of what state it’s in, those tactics are a big no-no. It’s spelled out very clearly that you cannot do that. I know that I’d get fired for something like that and it takes an act of God to get fired. All supplemental employment must be on record which is also normal protocol regardless of which state.
File a complaint immediately , the dude knows Damn well he is crossing a very well defined line especially given his position of being an inspector. Not cool. I can’t see somebody being that stupid, but we are talking about civil servants.
Thanks for your input. The other guy I mentioned says the same thing. He says in his opinion what he is doing is no different that him taking money from a drug dealer to leave him alone. I hate to cause trouble for this guy but I also hate to sit by and just let him keep taking business tool. I was told that he is looking to retire in a year or two and he is lining this up for himself and his son-in-law. I still want to think about everything and how to handle it for a day or two.
Thanks for your input. The other guy I mentioned says the same thing. He says in his opinion what he is doing is no different that him taking money from a drug dealer to leave him alone. I hate to cause trouble for this guy but I also hate to sit by and just let him keep taking business tool. I was told that he is looking to retire in a year or two and he is lining this up for himself and his son-in-law. I still want to think about everything and how to handle it for a day or two.
I am not a judge. What that man does is between him and his conscious. Or maybe he is one of those small people that says “Business is business.” It is not. Business is people and this guy sounds like a user.
But we don’t know the whole story. And you won’t know it until you buy him a coffee and find out what you don’t know. If you are going to play cop, let him know it to his face in advance. And then go from there.
Ten years in medium security taught me that nobody snitches unless it benefits them. I encourage you to have a meeting with his superiors, right after you have met with him.
Thanks Tim. I have considered that also. I always like the idea of “face to face” when dealing with any kind of business. Whether it’s friend or foe!
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do nothing - get nothing
I disagree with Tim on this one because they guys actions are wrong any way you look at it. Talking to him will get you nowhere and give him a chance to cover his tracks.
Call his superiors and continue going up the chain of command until something is done to rectify the issue. Another route is to go to the local news outlet and report govt. corruption/scams and let the story go public.
I am just a fan of being more direct. I would tell the man what I intend to do. It won’t change his mind but he won’t have to wonder where the heat is coming from (assuming that what he is doing is against regulations).
Ten years dealing with dime droppers. I have a strong distaste for it.
But Nashville on the other hand, [MENTION=3162]JCinNJ[/MENTION] you coming to Nashville this year? It could be just like old times when we stormed Orlando for the first UAMCC Grand Convention. Come on, you’ll like it.
Look at it this way Chris and this is coming from me who is a retired civil servant. If you know for sure this guy is using his Gov’t position to not only secure work but in the process of doing so he’s taking business away from you unlawfully… well then you need to do something. In reality your getting ripped off twice. First being your tax dollars are paying his salary and since he’s committing a crime here by pretty much stealing your business away your getting hit twice.
Also it’s the old saying here… “Fool my once shame on you, fool me twice then shame on me” .
You know what he’s doing and deep down inside you know what you have to do. This is a very hard thing to do and it’s easier said here then done, but if you do nothing, your enabling him to rip off others as well. Your choice— good luck.
I prefer to be more direct when dealing with regular competition but this guy is a govt employee who you know is doing things in a very shady manner. Odds are good the people he works with know what he is doing and just look the other way, thats why I suggested going above his head until you get to the very top. This way if he does try some sort of retribution against you, everyone within his chain of command (and possibly the media) will be involved and more willing to help you.
I don’t look at it as being a dime dropper because you are taking the least confrontational route to resolving the issue. This guy is making some sort of threat to steal business from people based on his govt. contacts, going directly to him will more than likely get threats (real of bluffing??) tossed your way while going above his head will make that less likely to happen.
I won’t make it to Nashville this year, too much going on up here… Orlando was great and its a shame that org has been going down hill ever since, I’m surprised its still around
My first call would be to the HRO that handles the division he falls under, sounds like DOT. All I would ask is what their policy is on moonlighting. Then based on that response I would ask a pointed question, would it be lawful under current human resource regulations for a “DOT” employee to own and/or work in a business that could directly or indirectly benefit from said employee’s duties as a civil servant within the “DOT”?
Then leave it at that, and sit down with the man. He is more than likely trying to feed a family too. Once he realizes that his game is up, he will move on. If not, you can make the call.
Hey guys I really appreciate all of the input. Thanks again.
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Well what will the impact be on your customers? If you make allegations and there is some kind of investigation they will be part of it too. I would keep that in mind, this could backfire on you.
he already lost the customers, how could it backfire?
And the customers mentioned the strong arming tactics, they should be grateful they can now use the service provider they choose to use
As of right now I have not done anything but I did receive an email from the largest customer that I had lost and the email just asked if I was booked up on truck washing. I have also just found out that this guy has already been in trouble for something not even related to what he is doing now and the only thing is superiors did was transferred him to this area that I am in. Anyone that works with him or that knows him has nothing good to say about him. They have all agreed on what needs to be done but proving it and getting the customer to stand behind you on what they have already told you he’s doing is going to be tough too. And they all say just be careful because he is vindictive. He has had run-ins with others that he works with and has tried to retaliate. So as of right now I’m not exactly sure which direction to go. It’s a shame that somebody like him has the position that he does. And as for now I’m trying to get in touch with that customer to see what the email they sent me earlier in the week was all about. I keep missing the man I need to speak with due to him being off or in meetings.
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He’s trying to get them back, get them involved in some state investigation and that’ll never happen.
In my experience guys like this usually end up doing themselves in, the hard part is waiting for it to happen. I would keep in touch with all the former customers and when he finally blows it you’ll be back in.
Also keep in mind to document the history of this thing. It’s the fastest (legal)way to take anyone down. Get other people’s names who this guy has affected. Now when the shizz hits the fan with him and you have all this evidence against him where not one(you), not 2(someone else) and not just 3-4 people because you should be able to dig up many more he illegally hurt… Well then now you have a case where these others will look up to you for a job well done.
This is where I always say to weight the consequences and if it’s worth it…then go for it to protect yourself and other contractors who were hurt by this potential criminal. I know what I would do here and that guy would shizz his pants in the end.
It’s called ethics violations. It’s against the law if he is using his position with local govt to position himself in good favor etc.
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What is this guy’s job?
Dot Vehicle enforcement?
If so you could shut him down faster than turning off a light switch. If the individual wants to keeps his job.
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If everything you say is true. Let him know you plan on filing a complaint against him. Make him choose between his govt. job with pension and security or his moonlighting job. If he gets fired, he loses both. If this guy no longer has any leverage to get the contracts,I am sure the companies that were forced to hire him will get rid of him.
