Company conundrum

Well I have a slight conundrum that I would like some advice on, partly to hopefuly build on my desision so far or maybe to give me a new point of view.Here goes,Recently (6 months ago) a localfamily that unfortunatly share the same surname as my self decided that the would rename there company 'Ray Landscapes' at first I found this slightly annoying but thought it will be a pssing thing so who cairs, but now they have a second van so obviosly got a little more work.The probolem I have is my company K. A. Ray Landscapers seems to be suffering, I get phone call saying how my guys do such a bad job or have been seen doing things (not told what but caller said after being told who they were its no suprise) I then ask what the van looked like an it always comes back it's there van, so I explain Its not me, my vans white and un sign written, theres are yellow and sign written. When this started it started to realy annoy me.Now My work load has started to dwindle I used to get 3 or 4 calls a week from potential clients, even at the end of last year! Now Im lucky to get 2 a month! Obviosly they are having an adverse reaction to my leads etc.The options I see are:Chalange them, I do not see that this is likely to work as my company is not registerd with companies house, just VAT registerd.Change my company name, I have allready came up with two new names one I prefer, I am hoping if I do this and send a letter to all my customers current and from old landscapes this will work, also letter drops etc.So basicly I was woundering what views people had on the situation and If people had any advise for me.Many thanks Kieran

Ahh I didnt realise about the britain part! It may just become GB then! Yer it was slightly tounge in cheeck but was an actual idea! Im thinking of droping the Ray all together as I beleve it will still course confusion to potential customers! My other Idea was Ouzel landscapes as the river Ouzel runs under my road but when I asked people what they thought the just asked whats the Ouzel!

Philip Voice said:

When I first read Kieran's post, my instinct told me to ignore these people and carry on doing what you were doing before they came on the scene using your name.

I can see though, that whilst it shouldn't effect existing client relationships, there may be a problem getting new work as this unwanted counterpart's reputation starts to inflict on your good name.

A name change may well be a good way of wiping the slate clean and starting afresh. It could also give you an opportunity to reassess prices too. I would avoid the places they advertise and target an entirely different demographic.

I am not sure if this was tongue in cheek 'Great British Landscape Company' - under Company Law, you are probably prohibited from using this name:

'British - You will need to show that the company is pre-eminent in its field by providing supporting evidence from an independent source such as a Government department, trade association or other representative body.'

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/gbhtml/gbf2.shtml

Keep a new name simple, concise and effective - 'Ray of Sunshine Landscaping' perhaps ;-)

I wouldn't tackle them otherwise it might be more than a name you could lose.

Replies

Graeme @ BGS September 27, 2009 at 8:58pm

Baseball bat :-)

But seriously you must be mad as hell.

Even changing your name wouldn't really help. Do you know where they are advertising as to get all these new jobs? May be if you have a local paper run a few large ads and ask for an editorial and highlight your company name etc.
Sustainable Land Management September 27, 2009 at 9:23pm

Agree with consensus here, good opportunity to relaunch yourself. Feel sorry you have to put up with that though. Is there no way we can form an LJN vigilante squad and sort some of these problems out another way I'm sure Philip Voice would be keen to advocate such a thing.

I am only joking, just in case.
Graeme @ BGS September 27, 2009 at 9:24pm

And get your van(s) sign written so they really stand out so people will know it's you.
Kieran Ray September 27, 2009 at 9:38pm

If I change the company name it will be to, Great British Landscape Company or LTD, I will get the van sign written, union jack on the roof, map of britain as union jack on sides and back with GBLC vertically with the words coming off of it:

G reat
B ritish
L andscape
C ompany.

I rekon this would get the vans noticed and would give me scope to do commercial planting etc nationaly as I love working around the contry!

Graeme @ The BGS Group said:
And get your van(s) sign written so they really stand out so people will know it's you.
Kieran Ray September 27, 2009 at 9:57pm

I beleve most of it is leaflet drops and going door to door, the main guy has been doing blockpaving for years and had an ok name but traided as someting else! now changed name and all has gone to pot! Also in our local chippy any one can put ussines cards or adverts up for free and after they started as Ray Landscapes my adverts kept disserpering from the wall and there kept appering!

Graeme @ The BGS Group said:
Baseball bat :-)

But seriously you must be mad as hell.

Even changing your name wouldn't really help. Do you know where they are advertising as to get all these new jobs? May be if you have a local paper run a few large ads and ask for an editorial and highlight your company name etc.
PRO

Phil Voice September 28, 2009 at 7:06am

When I first read Kieran's post, my instinct told me to ignore these people and carry on doing what you were doing before they came on the scene using your name.

I can see though, that whilst it shouldn't effect existing client relationships, there may be a problem getting new work as this unwanted counterpart's reputation starts to inflict on your good name.

A name change may well be a good way of wiping the slate clean and starting afresh. It could also give you an opportunity to reassess prices too. I would avoid the places they advertise and target an entirely different demographic.

I am not sure if this was tongue in cheek 'Great British Landscape Company' - under Company Law, you are probably prohibited from using this name:

'British - You will need to show that the company is pre-eminent in its field by providing supporting evidence from an independent source such as a Government department, trade association or other representative body.'

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/gbhtml/gbf2.shtml

Keep a new name simple, concise and effective - 'Ray of Sunshine Landscaping' perhaps ;-)

I wouldn't tackle them otherwise it might be more than a name you could lose.
Anthony Toop September 28, 2009 at 10:24am

A friend of mine suffered a similar situation to this a few years back which really started to affect his company name, unfortunately for the 'caravan club' concerned he was a member of the local rugby club, so 15 well built lads and one punch up later, problem sorted and normal business eventually resumed. Said problem crowd moved on to pastures new!

Not what i would recommended but nice to know they sometimes get whats coming to 'em.
Kieran Ray September 28, 2009 at 9:42pm

Ahh I didnt realise about the britain part! It may just become GB then! Yer it was slightly tounge in cheeck but was an actual idea! Im thinking of droping the Ray all together as I beleve it will still course confusion to potential customers! My other Idea was Ouzel landscapes as the river Ouzel runs under my road but when I asked people what they thought the just asked whats the Ouzel!

Philip Voice said:
When I first read Kieran's post, my instinct told me to ignore these people and carry on doing what you were doing before they came on the scene using your name.

I can see though, that whilst it shouldn't effect existing client relationships, there may be a problem getting new work as this unwanted counterpart's reputation starts to inflict on your good name.

A name change may well be a good way of wiping the slate clean and starting afresh. It could also give you an opportunity to reassess prices too. I would avoid the places they advertise and target an entirely different demographic.

I am not sure if this was tongue in cheek 'Great British Landscape Company' - under Company Law, you are probably prohibited from using this name:

'British - You will need to show that the company is pre-eminent in its field by providing supporting evidence from an independent source such as a Government department, trade association or other representative body.'

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/gbhtml/gbf2.shtml

Keep a new name simple, concise and effective - 'Ray of Sunshine Landscaping' perhaps ;-)

I wouldn't tackle them otherwise it might be more than a name you could lose.
Richard Boyd September 29, 2009 at 7:03am

Let’s play devils advocate here.

GBLC

Apart from the word landscape not a single other word has any marketing uses for you.

It’s long, so will cause you problems with any online marketing you do and the abbreviated version is totally meanless

Is probably completely wrong for your target market

In fact it’s terrible and going down this route will not only cost you time and money but do little for your business. Sorry to be harsh, now it’s over to you!
Kieran Ray September 29, 2009 at 6:12pm

Thats a good point to make! I never looked at it in that way before! Realy I am stumped for names that was all i could think off along with Ouzel Landscapes (see reply to Phil). As I dont want a play on words I want someting that sounds good and makes people want me to work for them as i do constuction and maintenance, I also sub contract.

I have thought about using the villages name or county but I beleve this could limmit my customer base and all the do as you likeys use names such as Beds Treecare and the like. I will have to put my thinking cap back on and mull over some new Ideas.