Scott
I would have thought that by now Pedders (Head Office) would have sent a very clear message to all Franchisees that this kind of (alledged) behaviour is simply un-assecptable. That is, ensuring that all Store Owners/Managers know that they should not be doing this (inclusive of all staff as Managers/Owners are responsible for staffs actions) and the negative perception that it creates in the community about Pedders.
However, after reading of the "Dis-gruntled Franchisee in the O'connor store" story back in 2003 and the following;
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11293477
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11241128
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11216068
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=109839
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=89314
I very rarely see a positive comment made on or about the Pedders Company in total. Yes, there are some very happy customers of Pedders, but 1 bad comment takes another 10 positive comments to make up for the damaged done to the Company's reputation.
This thread is also a good read as well as it makes mention of some quite valid points regarding the independance of advice sought.
http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic....st=0&sk=t&sd=a