Going the extra mile to make it perfect

I want to share with you some disturbing observations that I witnessed this past weekend at an event that I hosted. I was hurt beyond what I should have been and angered even beyond that point. There are several items of note and it will take me a few days to get through them all.

The first item stands out over all of the rest: Going the extra mile to make it perfect. This weekend, a company that I have worked with for a few months now, had the opportunity to shine far above and beyond what they normally do. They had a captive audience and could have really shown what they were capable of as well as what excellent client care really means. Instead, they took the low road and showed their true character---mean, spiteful and uncaring. It is a shame as this is a highly visible company that can really make a difference in Des Moines. They have the means and the opportunities, but time after time, refuse to step up to the plate.

If I sound disgruntled, it is because I am. But it isn't just me that has witnessed their mean and uncaring nature. I have had several people since this event call or email me their concerns about this company and the nightmares that they themselves have had to go through. My question is then: Why? Why are we putting up with it? Why allow them to get by with less than stellar activity? Why not voice our opinions and say enough is enough?

I will not and cannot actively refer my clients to this venue as long as this particular business continues to pull the shenanigans that it does. Not only did they insult the integrity of the event, but they insulted vendors, attendees, on-lookers, and close friends. They even had the audacity to try and pull off something that is against state law until I caught them at it, called them on it, and made them change. Of course, they will tell you that they asked me to guarantee a certain number of attendees. I did up to a point and then told them that I would have walk-ins beyond that, so please prepare. Their response? We cannot! Not: we will try to work with you, we will see what we can do, etc......, it was just an emphatic NO! If I were asking them to do this all of the time, I could see their point and sympathize with them as well as get my act a bit more together, but these were circumstances beyond my control and I really did ask them to work with me, not against me. Their response? NO!
Turning away prospective clients when this company could have really stepped up to the plate to outshine all competition, just stymies me as to why they would act this way. Why not go the extra mile? What or who would it have hurt for that day? Why don't companies want your business?

I sound awful and really don't mean to be. But I am at the point that if bad vendors continue to run their companies in unethical ways, then as a servant of my clients, I feel that I have a moral obligation to let them know just what they run into when they hire certain vendors. Caveat emptor!