Current issue | Letters Online | What's on | Webwatch | About us | Previous issues | Contact us | Subscribe/renew | Index | Terms & conditions | Your basket
ABACUS
A Cautionary TaleWhat's in a name? It would seem a great deal. In business, as in life, a good name is the greatest asset and the surest indication of success a company can possess. One's reputation is intangible yet priceless.
Pity then poor Abacus (Colour Printers) Ltd, producing all types of printed materials and dealing regularly with textile artists wishing to produce postcards and publicity material. The company had built up a strong position in its field, word-of-mouth recommendations were responsible for a significant percentage of their business and customer satisfaction of paramount importance. Staff were mystified when complaints suddenly surged. The mystery grew and deepened when attempts to find paperwork relating to dissatisfied customers proved impossible. Had someone been stealing files? No, the reality was far worse. It seems a rival printing firm has been set up but sadly the proprietors were suffering something of an identity crisis. Apparently unable to think up a name or logo of their own they simply adopted that of the original Abacus printers, trading in person and over the internet as Abacus Printers.
This lack of originality has had serious repercussions for artists Ritta Lissa and Anna Ritta Haavisto from Finland. Visiting England to publicise an important exhibition of their work they contacted Abacus following a friend's excellent report. Ritta Lissa found the company on the internet and arranged for thousands of cards and leaflets to be printed. To her dismay, when delivered, almost all the cards were unusable. The artists have since discovered they inadvertently dealt with the second 'Abacus Colour Printers' and have been left shocked by the laxity of British Trading standards. Confusing the two companies or mistaking them for branches of the same company is easily done. Ritta Lissa and Anna Ritta have received no response to complaints nor had their slides returned. As is often the case, let the buyer beware!
Abacus (Colour Printers) Ltd have decided imitation is not always the sincerest form of flattery and are currently seeking legal advice. www.abacus-colourprinters.ltd.uk/
Elizabeth Smith
A
Cautionary TaleI was most distressed to read your article about Abacus (Colour Printers) Ltd in the July issue. I have recently graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University, and part of my job as course representative was to organise the catalogue and postcards for our degree show. After deliberating over the various companies who threw offers at me from every direction, I put my faith in Abacus. It was definitely the right decision as Abacus (Colour Printers) Ltd were fantastic. From the first phone call through to the delivery of my order they were helpful, polite and patient with my constant queries. Therefore I am writing to spread the word to your readers that the real Abacus is indeed an excellent establishment. After visiting the premises to leave our treasured images in their competent hands I felt reassured that this friendly and professional company would carry out my wishes. They listened intently and produced the goods on time. We were ecstatic with the results and I will definitely use their quality service again. I am disappointed that imposters have sullied their name and I can only stress to others how brilliant Abacus (Colour Printers) Ltd are. I wish them every success in their legal battle and hope that they continue to gain the recognition they deserve.
Sue Millichap