From: LPBuyer@aol.com
Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2001 23:58:30 EST
Subject: RE:  How do I handle this
To: balloondeco@balloonhq.com

Hi,

    I understand the position you are in as I was once put in one similar but 
not that extreme.  Unfortunately I have to follow my conscience in life or it 
haunts me.  I dont handle guilt well, and I seem to feel guilty for the 
tiniest things.
    I get referrals from many different places, as I am the only balloon 
decorator in my immediate vacinity (3 town radius) other than the florists 
with whom I believe only one is willing to deal with balloons and only if the 
order is large enough.
    Everyone here just has their clients call me directly.  The customer will 
call me or come in for an appt and say that so and so recommended me to them. 
 This includes all Hotels, Florists, Banquet facilities, Restaurants, Bars & 
even our local Party Supply Store who should be my biggest competition but 
actually sends me the MOST referrals (amazingly as it seems).
    The ONLY time I ran into a conscience delemma was with this one 
particular florist who was doing a job for a retirement party, and instead of 
telling the client, I will be happy to do your flowers but I no longer do 
balloons, however you may want to try ( x company)  I believe they may be 
able to do your balloon decor. (which is what everyone else does)  But NO... 
this florist led the client to believe that they were doing the balloons. (As 
far as the client knew no one else was involved)  But in turn the florist 
called me, and asked me what I would charge HER not the client?  Like your 
situation expecting her price to be different...  tax free for one because 
she is going to in turn resell what I sell her and she will be taxing the 
customer.  I felt very uncomfortable with that order because I knew that 
customer was going to be paying an arm & a leg for those balloons.  They 
would end up paying my cost + the upcharge the florist was going to add on 
for their profit even though they didnt do any of the work.  When if the 
customer had come to me directly they would eliminate that upcharge.  I did 
that job for the florist that time, but I was VERY uncomfortable about the 
entire thing and decided I will NEVER do that again.  I have not heard from 
that florist since, which is fine by me, but if that situation were to arrise 
in the future my response would be...  "I'm not confortable working as a 
middle man, however, if you would like to have your client call me directly 
as all other florists do... I would be happy to work with your client and 
fill their needs.  It would be a priviledge working on the same clients job 
with you doing the flowers ,and my doing the balloons to provide this client 
with their final result they are looking for.  My company has worked 
successfully with other florists doing the same thing, I see no need why we 
cannot do the same.  Please feel free to give my name and number to your 
client.  I'll look forward to working with them and Thank you  very much for 
the referral."
    If that is not nice enough... yet stern enough for them to get the 
message and they still come back stressing that you are to work for THEM not 
the customer than simply tell them... "I'm sorry our company just does not do 
business that way.  We look forward to working with you on a job, but we work 
for the client not for the florist."
    Its tough to stand your ground but you have to live with your final 
decision.  some peoples conscience lets them get away with more than others.  
Me personally, my conscience is not for sale...  tried it,  didnt like it... 
wont do it again.  But thats just me.

    You do what you feel is best for you, your company and what you can live 
with after the fact.  Just pray that customer or any of thier attendee's does 
not find out that YOU were the company who did the balloons and compare 
prices of "why is hers so much different than mine" for a price list.   
    I always try to be fair and consistant so it doesnt haunt me or come back 
and bite me in the butt in the long run.
    Good luck!!!!
    Lorrie Perry
    Up Up & Away
    (Balloons & Gift Baskets in R.I.)