Have you heard of Ottawa magazine's "Annual shopping guide"? It seems that in their listing of local stores catering to the baby crowd, they forgot to mention us. I can get over that, really, I can, but I cannot get over the fact that they recommended another local business as the place to shop for natural parenting supplies. Granted, I realize I'm no longer the only business doing what I do, however, it really sucks to see someone else continually take ownership for my ideas under the guise she couldn't find 'her' services and selection all under one roof (um, yes, she could, and she did when she was our customer!).
I contacted Ottawa magazine to inquire as to the criteria used to choose the businesses listed in their shopping guide, and as I suspected, it's a collection of past advertisers, with a handful of non-advertisers thrown in for good measure. If I would like to guarantee a listing in next year's issue, I should purchase an ad.
So, to keep this short but sweet, if you're a customer, and you've been happy with our service over the past eight years, please let Ottawa magazine know, drop them a line! I suppose at this point, it's a fruitless exercise, but I would really like to see an acknowledgment from them that we exist, and that we're worth the visit. I've worked hard to come up with this business concept, and it's not fair to see someone else taking credit for my hard work!
susie ;)
PS -- I cannot thank you all enough for the customer referrals over the years, I put far more stock in that than I would ever put in any marketing materials...
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That sucks :( Especially the bit about the other business.. luckily you have lots of word of mouth to spread the love.
ReplyDeleteDone! I sent them a little email outlining my disappointment and explaining why you and your store should have been at the top of that list! take care
ReplyDeleteMandy
Done! I sent them a little email outlining my disappointment and explaining why you and your store should have been at the top of that list! take care
ReplyDeleteMandy
Well, I certainly hope the "other store" isn't one of the ones across the street from you on Wellington because they have nothing on you girl.
ReplyDeleteAnd the service at your place cannot be beat. I can't imagine a better store to hang out in.
Melissa F
Yeah, I would have a harder time just getting over it. Buy an ad? My as*. Did the mag let readers know that the majority of those businesses highlighted were paying for the highlight? I will send them a note about my love for the EBS.
ReplyDeleteBrenda A.
@#$#$$^$ don't worry susie!...i find word of mouth is usually stronger anyways :p ;)
ReplyDeleteGrrr, how frustrating. It is true that word of mouth is more effective in many cases though - and Google. :) I found you through Google and have since had many friends recommend you! (Not to mention the number of friends I've directed your way!)
ReplyDeleteI work for OTTAWA Magazine and I would like to say the majority of the stores highlighted were not advertisers, they were only a portion of the stores included since we highlighted 356 stores! There's no way we had anywhere near 356 advertisers - we wish! Please don't jump to conclusions. We write what we do for the readers, NOT the advertisers..thus why we have developed such a loyal readership after 11 years!
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