Esquire Technologies - Professional conduct

Grant

Honorary Master
Joined
Mar 27, 2007
Messages
60,677
So, I needed to get a number of items on behalf of an organization Cassiem could only fantasize of having as a client.
I had never used my Esquire account, but it was closed in retaliation (in true form) for me making a comment regards the conduct of Esquire's representative on this forum. (this I learnt later via the following email).

Anyway, I get hold of Esquire to get the account sorted out.
This evening I take a look at emails received earlier to discover the following:

1) An email between cassim & a staff member of his
Hello Bongiwe

This client account was opened in 2013 and he requested that we closed his account immediately as he would not be buying from us any longer.

Why has this account been re-opened again???
Please closed that account again immediately
I will delete the online profile and remove him from our email database

And then at 10.30pm this evening from cassim himself:
wouldn't even touch esquire with mugabe's c*ck

That was not nice !!!! and blow the belt , surely you know that we all human beings not animals.

Yet you re-registered today I am confused ??????? why would you want to purchase from us again after such as statement on a public forum

I have closed your account for the second time now

Good luck on your purchases from other distributors or retailers

Best regards

Mahomed Cassim

Is it usual practice of yours to lie blatantly to your staff ?
he requested that we closed his account immediately as he would not be buying from us any longer
I am calling you out on a public forum as a liar.
If this is indeed the case, what chance do customers stand in dealing with you ?

Aside from the initial opening of my personal account online, I have had ZERO contact with your company with the exception of yesterday afternoon - nor have I ever purchased from esquire.
There has never been any such request from me as you claim.
But lets up the ante a little.
How about you provide evidence of this request you allege I made for all here to see.
On presentation of alleged request, I will apologize here for calling you a liar.
On your failure / inability to produce, you admit here that you are a liar.


But to the crux of the matter:
My comment "wouldn't even touch esquire with mugabe's c*ck" was based on the pettiness & unprofessionalism displayed by esquire on this forum.

So Cassim, allow me to clarify a few things.
Firstly, I am not in the IT industry as such, my business facilitates certain transaction - but essentially acts as a buffer between my client & a supplier. Your professional conduct, or lack thereof, is a shining example as to why this system is in place.

Where you & I differ is in conduct.
I rely on professionalism, high service & absolute dedication to my clients. As a result, my relationship to this organization spans beyond 20 years.
Under no circumstances would I even consider engaging in a public spat with clients - no matter what allegation was leveled against myself or company.
Again, unlike yourself, I am willing to bite the bullet & suck the hind teat if need be, to ensure my clients remain beyond satisfied, but happy. (and if nothing else, the interests of business retention).

With regards the organization (my client) itself, there are around 120 staff in Cape Town & 200 in Pretoria using computers. Each member of staff has 2 computers, one on an internal network, the other connected externally. That is around 650 "workstations". Add to that much smaller offices in Johannesburg & Durban.
"South Africa" oversees their operations in sub saharan Africa, the bigger being Kenya, Tanzania & Mauritius.
While my dinky little company, quite unlike your sprawling conglomerate, has only 2 clients (the above being one), 5 of my staff (yes, of only 9) are tasked solely to service & administer the requirements of this cumbersome beast.

Now, you see Cassim, I am in no way implying that after a year of placing business with your company, you would be in a position to purchase yourself a Cessna Citation & 50m motor yacht. Not in the least !
Possibly of all business placed, only a fraction (maybe 5 to 10%) would have gone esquire's way - but you do the math regards computers / hardware / peripherals & software. I am pretty confident that at the very least, income derived from any business placed with yourself would cover the cost of a KFC Streetwise Two at year end.

Yet you re-registered today I am confused ??????? why would you want to purchase from us again after such as statement on a public forum
Well sometimes over time things can change for the better, but as in this case, they just remained the same.

On the opening or reinstatement of the account:
I have never so much as purchased a mouse pad from esquire, but despite negative comments about esquire, (here & elsewhere) primarily in the interests of obtaining an additional product source, I was willing to gain my own experience.
However, you stepped in putting paid to that, basing a business decision on personal sentiment, a knee-jerk reaction - effectively but perhaps unwittingly, endorsing & validating negative comments regards your attitude & conduct.

While I am eternally grateful for your wishing me good luck on my purchases from other distributors, as much as I appreciate your care (seldom found in this industry), I must be quite honest in that I do not rely terribly on good luck. The existing relationships on behalf of my client with the likes of Drive Control, Frontosa, Rectron, et al - fortunately, are not luck based.

Cassim, you may recall (although probably not), my final comment to you regards your conduct of in one of threads relating to esquire, was something to the effect: "It's easier to catch bees with honey than vinegar"
I went further in suggesting you accept that comment in the spirit in which it was intended.
Your remaining preference for vinegar is duly noted.
 
Last edited:

grok

Honorary Master
Joined
Dec 20, 2007
Messages
28,737
My account was closed too for criticizing Esquire spokesman over his homophobic comments.

Last night I received the Esquire flyer for their annual sale, first thought what a ****ing cheek, then binned it safe in the knowledge the bigoted cnut won't get any more of my money. I'll rather pay more elsewhere than buy from someone who treats his customers like that.

Strangely myBB continues to support them despite their douchery .. guess money speaks louder than morals.
 

Rudimental

Expert Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Messages
1,457
This is a dramatic recreation of the events that occurred later that day at Grant's office.

Scene 1

*Curtain opens to Grant at his desk, typing away. The Boss enters left and walks over to stand behind him.*

Boss: Hey Grant, what's happening with that equipment you said you were going to get from Esquire?

Grant: They won't sell it to me.

Boss: What? Why not?

Grant: Well, I once said, "I wouldn't even touch Esquire with Mugabe's c*ck."

Boss: Jesus, Grant. We really need that equipment.

Grant: I know, but even my self-righteous diatribe on a forum couldn't convince him.

Boss: *sigh* I don't know why I keep you around. Fine, I'll see if I can sort something out.

*Grant continues typing while the Boss paces back and forth in thought. Fade to black*

Scene 2

*A short while later in the Boss's office*

Voice on the phone: I'm sorry sir, but President Mugabe is very particular about his pens. I can't let you have or borrow some to...
Boss (cutting him off): No, no, no. You're not listening. I didn't say pens I said...

*Curtain drops*
 

Batista

Executive Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2011
Messages
7,909
This is a dramatic recreation of the events that occurred later that day at Grant's office.

Scene 1

*Curtain opens to Grant at his desk, typing away. The Boss enters left and walks over to stand behind him.*

Boss: Hey Grant, what's happening with that equipment you said you were going to get from Esquire?

Grant: They won't sell it to me.

Boss: What? Why not?

Grant: Well, I once said, "I wouldn't even touch Esquire with Mugabe's c*ck."

Boss: Jesus, Grant. We really need that equipment.

Grant: I know, but even my self-righteous diatribe on a forum couldn't convince him.

Boss: *sigh* I don't know why I keep you around. Fine, I'll see if I can sort something out.

*Grant continues typing while the Boss paces back and forth in thought. Fade to black*

Scene 2

*A short while later in the Boss's office*

Voice on the phone: I'm sorry sir, but President Mugabe is very particular about his pens. I can't let you have or borrow some to...
Boss (cutting him off): No, no, no. You're not listening. I didn't say pens I said...

*Curtain drops*

Lol :D
 

grok

Honorary Master
Joined
Dec 20, 2007
Messages
28,737
This is a dramatic recreation of the events that occurred later that day at Grant's office.

Scene 1

*Curtain opens to Grant at his desk, typing away. The Boss enters left and walks over to stand behind him.*

Boss: Hey Grant, what's happening with that equipment you said you were going to get from Esquire?

Grant: They won't sell it to me.

Boss: What? Why not?

Grant: Well, I once said, "I wouldn't even touch Esquire with Mugabe's c*ck."

Boss: Jesus, Grant. We really need that equipment.

Grant: I know, but even my self-righteous diatribe on a forum couldn't convince him.

Boss: *sigh* I don't know why I keep you around. Fine, I'll see if I can sort something out.

*Grant continues typing while the Boss paces back and forth in thought. Fade to black*

Scene 2

*A short while later in the Boss's office*

Voice on the phone: I'm sorry sir, but President Mugabe is very particular about his pens. I can't let you have or borrow some to...
Boss (cutting him off): No, no, no. You're not listening. I didn't say pens I said...

*Curtain drops*

Encore!

A short while later, the boss realised Esquire isn't the only online store & decided someone with integrity like Grant is worth more than a retailer acting like a guy with a small dick.

Everyone lived happily ever after .. except Moh and his inferiority complex of course.
 
Last edited:

Wall

Sports Addict
Joined
Mar 12, 2009
Messages
30,841
Can't believe that mybb still supports Esquire. They have acted like complete dicks on more than one occasion.

As for Cassim, I'm just sitting here shaking my head, thinking WTF is wrong with you. #dick
 
F

Fudzy

Guest
Lol, why all the butthurt? I would remove those mails if there is a disclaimer at the bottom of any of them.
 

i.got~issues

Expert Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2011
Messages
4,718
Crikey

Esquire comes across as a backyard, mom&pops spaza-shop more and more each day.
Completely devoid of professionalism and any sort of decorum.
A one-man fiefdom of spiteful retaliation and blatant bigotry.

#dick +1

/meh
 

EmileS

Expert Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2013
Messages
1,033
After reading this, I'll reconsider buying from them again... I've bought there a few times and their service is great. But, this is no way to handle a situation like this.

The best person at Esquire is their delivery guy, damn that guy is friendly and happy!!! He was more excited about my package (no, we are not talking about the Mugabe thing here...) than I was! I even wanted to invite the guy in for a dop, he was so excited and friendly! If only that guy could run their business... He left me with a big smile! But, that's no way to handle a client Cassim. I hope they don't handle our business account like that.
 

Fatality07

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2012
Messages
605
You would think that a company would want to fight to get more business.

Cancelling accounts of people that have had grievances with the company is not the way to go.
id personally prefer an approach whereby they take the criticism and see what they can do to improve there service instead of this hostile approach.

This approach is flawed and doesn't attract new customers or entice existing ones to keep using them.

I have also had an issue with Esquire before where i went to my broadband and stated my displeasure in the service i received from them.

After voicing my issue on this public forum, my issue was resolved and I am happy about it.
Even though we came to an agreement with me getting a refund, my account was closed without a second thought.

Unlike you i had purchased several items from Esquire and have been happy with the products and the pricing at times.
It is just a pity that customers have to suffer.

I think Esquire have damaged their own reputation on this forum on how they handle issues...
 

zamedic

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
339
I have had the pleasure of dealing with Esquire on numerous occasions in the past, so far they have never let me down, on one occasion they didnt have stock of a item I ordered, so they sold me the next best unit at cost price...

For me, I enjoy my interactions with Esquire.
 

xrapidx

Honorary Master
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
40,362
Since you arn't prepared to touch them with mugabe's cock - who's were you trying to use? :confused:
 

AfricanTech

Honorary Master
Joined
Mar 19, 2010
Messages
40,416
Erm, you did say you wouldn't touch him with Mugabe's penis - irrespective of his professionalism (or lack thereof), that was pretty emphatic.

The fact that he chose to take it personally was a risk that you ran - he did, and now he doesn't want to do business with you - his loss not yours, but there you are.

I don't think that MyBB as an organisation is any more supportive of esquire than anyone else.

Oh, and it's definitely not cool to bring his personal email to you into the public domain.

Fair is fair grantza
 

weelzSA

Expert Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2009
Messages
3,257
Can't believe that mybb still supports Esquire. They have acted like complete dicks on more than one occasion.

As for Cassim, I'm just sitting here shaking my head, thinking WTF is wrong with you. #dick

Couldn't agree more. I use to tell everyone that asked where to get components to go to Esquire but that changed very quickly last year when everything went South for them.
 

Beachless

Executive Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
6,003
I think Esquire treats the MyBB accounts as doing everyone a favor and not as he would a real company but this is unfortunate as these kinds of posts does leave one feeling that they are unprofessional. I have done a few purchases from them with my MyBB account and have not had any problems but we have not registered our business with them partly due to the perception that things may go wrong.
 

TehStranger

Executive Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2012
Messages
6,088
I've made no secret of my intense dislike for the unprofessional conduct displayed by Esquire on these forums, and smile inside knowing that more and more are experiencing Mo for what he really is, a bigot with a god complex.
 

kayvee

Expert Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2008
Messages
3,537
Esquire didn't want my business and closed my account just because I complained about excessive spam, so yeah the attitude sucks.

I don't know why anyone supports them actually, plenty of other professional sources out there.
 

bullzeye.za

Expert Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2008
Messages
1,776
So, I needed to get a number of items on behalf of an organization Cassiem could only fantasize of having as a client. /snip

I'm in no way excusing their behavior here, that email especially is terrible conduct.

However, even in the professional world, you can't be expected to badmouth someone in a public forum ( rightly or wrongly ) and then expect them to do business with them. At most, they are going to make a little money, but they might just be giving you more ammunition to use against them, if they feel your initial words are unfounded. It'd be the same as me getting up on stage after a Microsoft conference, grabbing the mic and telling everyone that Bill Gates has a lying, thieving ********, and then trying to buy a copy of Windows at the stall next to the stage.

Personally, after reading that comment, I would have refused you an account as well. I wouldn't have followed up with an email with such harsh words, but you can be damned sure that I'd do what it took to make sure that you took your business elsewhere. Esquire gets a bad rep on this forum, because they sell to the forumites. We are a bunch of picky, touchy, and whiny bastards, and we are the reason that other distributors don't deal directly with the customers. This is why Rectron will only sell to retailers, because then it's the retailer's job to deal with us, and all our complaints and gripes. I guarantee that if Corex were to sell to forumites like Esquire does, we would have the same amount of butthurt threads.

TL;DR
Esquire took offense, and decided not to sell to this guy. Unprofessional email was sent. If you want retail store service, go buy at a retail store.
 

Luke7777

Executive Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2004
Messages
8,737
If they treat me unfairly, I'll leave. Until then, I'll continue my business with them
 
Top