Haters!

“If you have haters, you must be doing something right.”

 

A few years ago, I noticed some Google account holders who were not even my students, giving me one star reviews on Google maps completely bringing my ratings down. (Google maps is one way people find my lessons). I wondered why they did that? I clicked on their profile, noticed that all of them have reviewed mine with one star and another music school with 5 stars!! I  was amused that people would go out of their way to bring my business down while bringing another up. I was also partially convinced it was an ex, getting people to do it! Apparently it was not. I reported a few reviews immediately and Google took some of them down. 

Years later, yesterday, I met this so called music school’s owner let’s call him “J”, at my music school’s program venue! Apparently he’s a member here at the venue management.  He was getting too curious about the number of people, profit I was making etc, all in front of other members and my cousin with the sound engineers, trying to expose me, as if to convince them to charge me more! 

I was angry, especially because earlier, his chimps tried to sabotage my google ratings! I just didn’t like the vibe. I told him, to excuse us while we negotiated to pay the advance, it was definitely a huge amount. We stepped aside and avoided him. 

By now, this guy “J” got into the office of the venue, spoke something to the manager. The manager called me and rudely asked me to pay the full amount not just the advance, which I obliged and transferred it online. I demanded a receipt that acknowledged that I payed the full amount, which he didn’t have! By now, I had support from my cousin and the sound engineer who was with me. They created a scene, and I just sat back and watched “J” withdraw slowly and escape from there. I got a written bill finally. 

I was told J will be “overseeing” my event by another member. Frankly, I like this competition and now it’s getting interesting! I must be doing something right!