Rant - Another Provider Copies EVERYTHING I Do!

[permanentvacation]

I have been keeping this to myself but I just noticed ANOTHER thing that she copied from me and I just want to rant here if I can.

Everything that I place on my ads, this one particular provider copies and starts offering at her daycare within about 2 weeks! I got a daycare sign for my front yard, and in about 2 weeks, she got one as well! She used to call me ( we were 'friends' or at least I thought we were until I realized that she was copying me all the time) and within a couple of sentences of the conversation, she'd ask me things about how I operate my business, what curriculum I use, etc. and I started realizing that she was copying all of my ideas and ways of operating my business! I told her which curriculum I was using and then noticed in about 2 weeks that she was advertising that exact curriculum in her ads. I recently started advertising that I teach sign language and Spanish. I just noticed that she is now advertising that she teaches sign language and Spanish! She doesn't have one original thought of her own! I just don't understand why she copies EVERYTHING that I do!

[Mister Sir Husband]

Ok, I'm real tired so this may sound a bit foolish, but tell her you feed potato chips & popcorn while the kids watch tv all day, cause its just easier.... Maybe she will advertise it and put herself out of business.

[TheGoodLife]

I just don't understand why she copies EVERYTHING that I do!

Because you are awesome! I'm sure it will reflect that you are original and sincere when you interview-she may be copying what you offer but it will be harder to show those things when it comes down to it! :hug: Sorry you have that happening, but just try to take it as a compliment that you are worthy of someone trying to imitate you

[mamac]

Ok, I'm real tired so this may sound a bit foolish, but tell her you feed potato chips & popcorn while the kids watch tv all day, cause its just easier.... Maybe she will advertise it and put herself out of business.

Oh! I've got one! How about advertising a "No Nap" daycare to allow for an endless day of creativity and adventure! ::

I think I may need some sleep, too.

[nanglgrl]

I'm so tired I just snored :: ...see I'm not even funny. While I'm sure it's annoying look at the bright side, she thinks you're worth copying. If she does do the things you do and does them well it will benefit the children in her care. You rock!

[TheGoodLife]

Ok, I'm real tired so this may sound a bit foolish, but tell her you feed potato chips & popcorn while the kids watch tv all day, cause its just easier.... Maybe she will advertise it and put herself out of business.

[permanentvacation]

For a while, I did take it as a compliment and didn't mind helping her and answering her questions about how I do things. Honestly, I completely organized her entire daycare for her! She called me once and said that she had received a good bit of money from her homeowner's insurance and she wanted to put that into her daycare, but had no clue what to buy. So I told her the physical location and website of an educational store that I use all the time. She said that she wouldn't know what to get, so I pulled their website up at my house and told her to get on her computer and pull it up. I literally told her EVERY piece of furniture to buy and then she asked me what type of toys, so I picked out a selection of toys and told her about needing charts for the walls. Then, after her items were delivered, she called me and invited me over for the 1st time in the TEN YEARS that I have known her - so I could help her arrange the furniture and help her decide where to put the charts and things on her walls. I didn't mind doing that. I actually enjoyed hanging out with her - even though I did acknowledge to myself that that was the ONLY time she invited me over! - Well, other than the time she told me she wanted to sell some items in her basement to get the room to prepare daycare in the basement. She invited my nephew and me over to buy a bookshelf from her.

Many people over the years have called me and asked how to get into daycare, so I helped them through the process. I don't mind helping other providers. BUT DANG! Don't boldface COPY everything I do! I just can't get over her doing that. The last time we spoke over the phone, I called her out on copying me. She got defensive and that's the last time we have talked to each other.

She lives near me and every time I drive past her house, I have a huge belly laugh at her sign (because she copied me) and I wonder or sometimes even say out loud "You got the sign on your porch, when are you going to get your daycare name on your back car window like mine is?" I know that is childish, but her copying me is just so irritating!

[permanentvacation]

Thank you guys for the support.

[childcaremom]

I have a woman who does this with our kijiji ads. She literally copies sentences from my ad. Word. for. word. I switch mine up every week or so, and she will update hers with the new wording. ::

I know for you it is a little different and a little more obvious but maybe you could just look at it as these are your ideas and people will pick up on whether or not it is genuine when they come to visit with you. Someone who is copying will not be able to convey that as well, I don't think.

Maybe when she wants ideas or calls for advice you could charge her a consulting fee? Could be a side business venture!

[permanentvacation]

On Craigslist, I have seen ads where a provider is yelling at another provider to stop copying their ad. I guess those who can, do and those that can't, copy!

[coolconfidentme]

Thievery is the highest form of flattery!

[Blackcat31]

You know, you really have nothing to lose by simply calling her up and calling her out on this.

Say "Janice, I am flattered that you admire my ideas and thoughts but I am having a hard time with you outright copying everything I do. I'm going to have to insist that from now on you need to ask my permission before you use my ideas."


Maybe the simple act of letting her know you know will be enough to get her to stop.

[Shell]

I can totally relate to your frustration! When I was teaching, there was this teacher that taught preschool when I was teaching k that would do this. She would come in my class asking for help, and literally the next day she had copied everything..every single thing I did. Other teachers didn't ever come in my class to know what I was up to, so they all thought she was so creative and challenged her students. It drove me insane, but I really couldn't complain because I would have been seen as immature or picking on her. After I left, I've seen pictures of her on the Internet still carrying on with my ideas to the t with fundraisers, activities, curriculum....like they are her original ideas. All I think about is that eventually she will run out of ideas since I'm no longer there, and will be seen for the copy cat she is

[permanentvacation]

Blackcat,

I did finally tell her over the phone that I have noticed that 'some' providers (meaning her ) were copying every new idea that I came up with. She just got defensive and yelled at me asking why I think others want to copy me. I said, "I don't know" and we haven't spoken to each other since.

Now that we aren't talking over the phone for her to get ideas from me verbally, she's just copying what I advertise. I have thought about calling her since I saw her last ad, but I'm sure it will just start an argument. So I don't plan to call her.

I fully understand that it's not like a have sole rights to my ideas, and yes, I have asked other providers for ideas and have incorporated some of the ideas they gave me. But this person is literally duplicating every new thing I do.

I just removed all the details about my curriculum, activities, etc. on my website and will not provide details on my upcoming ads. That way she won't know what I offer - of course, neither will the parents.

[KidGrind]

There is another provider that I have a relationship with. She runs off with my ideas. And then sometimes regurgitates my idea to me as if she came up with it. I politely remind her, “It’s a great idea. Remember when I mentioned it to you?” She always replies, “Oh yeah!”

I take it as a compliment. If it enriches her business and children in her care, I am happy for her.

I am not a competitive person in a versus sense. I am competitive in trying to improve & excel. So, I just stay true to me and move forward.

She’s seen somethings I’ve done and asked if I can make one for her. I do happily. I want her to succeed. We live in & serve the same community. Often the same parents interview us.