[DENIED] Service Poaching

[OCE King]

I think it's somewhat unethical and I'm not sure how this could be prevented but possibly making it "warning" worthy.

My experience as a customer;
I left a vouch for the work a service provided for me.
I received a discord friend request from a competitive service asking if I need any work done
They found my discord through a completely unrelated thread I had posted
They said they must have seen me posting on related market and assumed I was looking for a service
They asked to see the work I had received

It's a little intrusive from my perspective, it's like I just left a restaurant and as I left the front door I have someone handing me pamphlets of their "amazing restaurant" next door. I'm fine with taking your pamphlet but obviously I've just eaten and there's a time and place for such advertisement.

 

[Dbuffed]

I can support something being done about this, it's just harassment literally.

You did not contact the people or advertise on a thread of theirs, they have no reason to contact you.

 

[tigeris]

There is nothing you can really do about this, and if a person does this that's just a huge red flag to not use their services

 

[Dunworry]

I agree with tigeris here. It’s a market tactic that is kind of ineffective from the impression it gives. Beyond that, there isn’t a *whole* lot that can be done as I doubt it would be reported often.

If you find this unwanted and do not wish to speak to them, simply delete/block them and move on.

 

[OCE King]

I agree with tigeris here. It’s a market tactic that is kind of ineffective from the impression it gives. Beyond that, there isn’t a *whole* lot that can be done as I doubt it would be reported often.

If you find this unwanted and do not wish to speak to them, simply delete/block them and move on.

I'm fine with there being an open market and people can choose who they wish, but they can advertise in the designated area and not be so intrusive to customers.

 

[thisissparta1234]

Its a free market, and this sometimes comes with some unsavoury practices. But no support unfortunately, if you dont like the way the dude advertises his services rather poorly, just turn him down and move on. Not against the rules, not a big deal.


Now IF he keeps spamming you and trying to convince you to buy his services: then thats bordering on harrassment and should indeed be punishable.

 

[OCE King]

Not against the rules, not a big deal.

Hence the suggestion

 

[StickTalk]

I highly doubt anything can be done about this but they when many minds get together you never know.

 

[OCE King]

I highly doubt anything can be done about this but they when many minds get together you never know.

I'm not suggesting a specific punishment because I don't know what would be suitable, but possible a warning might be enough to get people to think twice about being intrusive towards possible customers.

 

[S]

Proactive business engagement =/= harassment. Reaching out to an individual offering one's service is not even akin to harassment.

Understandably, if you've declined said proposition, and the individual/business in question continues to pester you regarding a potential transaction, then yes, that may be considered harassment.

Half the suggestions lately basically want this forum to turn into a police state, making nearly everything an offence and or punishable to an extent.

Unethical business tactics are always going to be prevalent in any market place. Either change your business model to allow yourself to compete, or find an alternative way to stay relevant.

 

[OCE King]

Unethical business tactics are always going to be prevalent in any market place. Either change your business model to allow yourself to compete, or find an alternative way to stay relevant.

I'm talking from the perspective of a customer. My analogy goes along the lines of.
I was leaving a good review for a restaurant online.
Another business owner sees that comment
Searches through my history to find my contact details for my business and uses that to reach out to me.

Half the suggestions lately basically want this forum to turn into a police state, making nearly everything an offence and or punishable to an extent.

I can't speak on behalf of other suggestions, but as you acknowledged it does seem unethical and the possibility for an infraction might stop this unethical behaviour from continuing or at least minimize some of it.

 

[S]

I'm talking from the perspective of a customer. My analogy goes along the lines of.
I was leaving a good review for a restaurant online.
Another business owner sees that comment
Searches through my history to find my contact details for my business and uses that to reach out to me.

I understood what you were referencing. I still see no issue whatsoever with doing the above. My response was based on the above example taking place btw.

I can't speak on behalf of other suggestions, but as you acknowledged it does seem unethical and the possibility for an infraction might stop this unethical behaviour from continuing or at least minimize some of it.

Unethical tactics shouldn't be disallowed (within reason and context). Especially one of this insignificance.

Ultimately, we're an online, black-market forum. If we're talking ethics and morality, then the irony here is immeasurable lol.

 

[thisissparta1234]

It honestly doesnt count as client-poaching if all they're doing is offering you a service. Did that person bad-mouth the other seller? Doesnt seem to appear in your scenario.

And badmouthing other sellers is already punishable on Sythe

 

[Im C O T W]

It's like people cold calling you. Just block them

 

[Pendulum]

Onsite, uninvited advertisement (mass pm, mass thread spamming, profile posting, etc) is against the rules and will result in an infraction. Users can contact you on Discord about services and you are free to ignore or block them. Due to how many different platforms there are and how they could come into contact with you, there really isn't a fair way for staff to rule on something like this.

 

[Yellow_Hat_OSRS_Services]

FREEE MARKET YOU COMMI

I love when people try to poach my clients, I tell my clients go test em one time and youll see why you love daddy.

YH

 

[Gladiator]

Advertising: Posting or private messaging links to other sites is allowed if there is a legitimate purpose in doing so that benefits Sythe users. This includes solicitation via PMs in attempt to bring/advertise your services to unwilling members.

This is currently within the rules and not something we'll go out of our way to punish.