HELP!!! Need advice on how to deal with TV reporters -

**a-pro** · 06-26-2008 02:24 PM

Hi!

I have a customer who is not happy with my service and has decided to go public with her issue -- I've been contacted by CBC's Cathy Tomlinson --

I have an interview tomorrow at 11am -- I don't know -- I think I should have just said, no -- but it would be an opportunity for me to tell my side... what do you guys think?

Thanks in advance,

**KKoher** · 06-26-2008 02:33 PM

I guess it depends on the situation...what happened?

**a-pro** · 06-26-2008 02:54 PM

Deep issue -- is the customer feels we've taken her money and ran. Though, it was a communication problem - and toppled with Canadian Immigration's processing times -- delayed her nanny's arrival. What started this whole thing, was the lack of communication on our part.

**brock** · 06-26-2008 03:17 PM

You're screwed. I wouldn't do the interview. Maybe a letter written by yourself an your attorney.

**matt_15** · 06-26-2008 03:40 PM

Find a way to make you look good and the person critising you look bad. Protect the busineses image.

**CIsaac** · 06-26-2008 04:19 PM

Whoa! Don't even think about going to this interview--regardless of your story, you'll be made into the bad guy; the client has already given their biased story. If they've decided to do a story for this person, they've automatically assumed that they will approach you as the bad guy. Have an attorney prepare a statement on your behalf to them and let him/her be the point of communication. There's a reason why these big corporations never do interviews when a dissatisfied customer reports...

**jesusis2lord@yahoo.c** · 06-26-2008 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by a-pro

Hi!

I have a customer who is not happy with my service and has decided to go public with her issue -- I've been contacted by CBC's Cathy Tomlinson --

I have an interview tomorrow at 11am -- I don't know -- I think I should have just said, no -- but it would be an opportunity for me to tell my side... what do you guys think?

Thanks in advance,

My business is protecting families and businesses legally from doing the wrong thing. If you were to protect yourself and family and/or business with our inexpensive services, you would know exactly what to do and say! There's no need to have expensive lawyers protecting you when we supply the best lawfirms in the country to do the same thing at a fraction of the cost!

**ChosenList.com** · 06-26-2008 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by CIsaac

Whoa! Don't even think about going to this interview--regardless of your story, you'll be made into the bad guy; the client has already given their biased story. If they've decided to do a story for this person, they've automatically assumed that they will approach you as the bad guy. Have an attorney prepare a statement on your behalf to them and let him/her be the point of communication. There's a reason why these big corporations never do interviews when a dissatisfied customer reports...

I second that

**BusinessAdviser** · 06-26-2008 05:23 PM

This is some of the worst advice I've seen. If you DON'T get your chance to speak, you will be condemned as "guilty as charged," some impersonal, unethical company that knows it's done wrong. If you do, you get to be a person in the eyes of all and explain why you did what you did. You can have the other side explain it, or you can explain it yourself.

NEVER simply go with "no comment," even in the face of the most difficult situations. It's an admission of guilt as told by the other side, in the eyes of others.

(Source: University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism, Ranked #1 among U.S. journalism schools.)

**Squandered Halfpints** · 06-26-2008 05:34 PM

Sounds like some good juicy TV drama, when does it air

**a-pro** · 06-27-2008 12:24 AM

Thanks to every one who responded.

Now - I've decided to get my word in. Do the interview. How do I behave? This is the 30-60seconds of do or die. Speak only when spoken to? Answer only with short answers? Do I let them into to the office or do the interview outside?

I don't know when it will air... but will keep you guys posted on it.

Thanks again

**JohnnyBudZ** · 06-27-2008 12:30 AM

No dont tell your story! the media flips EVERYTHING around. With anyones luck they could prob edit something to say a completely diff statement.... run run run run run run!

haha nahh Jk.

If your truely legit in what you do, and your being contacted by a news station, contact an attorney and have them acompany you to this interview. If you havent done anything wrong, you shouldnt be worried.

**Aletheides** · 06-27-2008 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by a-pro

Thanks to every one who responded.

Now - I've decided to get my word in. Do the interview. How do I behave? This is the 30-60seconds of do or die. Speak only when spoken to? Answer only with short answers? Do I let them into to the office or do the interview outside?

I don't know when it will air... but will keep you guys posted on it.

Thanks again

I agree. You should tell your side of the story.

If you're asked a question answer it and then use the word BECAUSE...Explain why, always explain why. Don't use short answers, because then people are open to speculate the BECAUSE by themselves - which more often than not won't be in your favor.

But I do believe in what other people are saying. Realize that media needs a story and in order for a story to be good there must be controversy. So just be careful with what you say, you don't want anything getting misconstrued.

**mattnelson** · 06-27-2008 02:29 AM

see if they will let you read a list of questions before the interview. laways helps knowing what to expect.
that way you know kinda what to expect, but doesnt give you enough time to spin a convincing lie.