Last week someone wrote derogatory comments about us on a forum.
What happened?
A few months back, two complete strangers told us we were not qualified to offer our new boat training service. They’d garnered this lofty view from our personal website and holiday snaps! Politely we explained our professional qualifications and experience on email, even though we didn’t have to.
It seems that wasn’t enough. So last week they voiced their concerns publicly. Others didn’t like our strong ‘come-back’. I wonder how many times they’d let someone do this to them before retaliating – twice was enough for us!
The blind
What these people didn’t see was the reams of private supportive messages that clogged our email. People who wouldn’t write publicly as they didn’t want to be ‘next’ on the target list (some had, disturbingly, already been there).
In droves, people said that this is exactly why they didn’t partake in this site any more.
The result?
Well, they say, there is no such thing as bad press and now having been on the end of it – I can attest to that!
- People with fantastic websites are now linking our websites to theirs – providing us with tonnes of free advertising
- Enquiries are up
- Book sales have spiked
- With over 300 hits on both our websites in just a few hours, Google algorithms love this – it’s a great boost!
Apology
We asked for an apology. A few people on the forum have apologised privately. The instigator has not, but that’s okay. Not because of the extra business, sales and wonderful new connections and friends we’ve made – it’s okay because they’ve shown their true colours.
In summary
I wouldn’t want to wish this experience on anyone. Initially we felt alone and bullied. But the enormous private (and some public) support was a soothing balm and a real eye-opener.
It makes you think
During our years of teaching commercial maritime and working internationally on all kinds of boats (yes, barges on canals too – sigh). We’ve learned a lot:
- A broad experience is imperative – it’s about having the ability to adapt to every situation
- Claiming that one-niche experience is a complete experience, is a dangerous mistake
- We don’t know everything, only a fool would admit that!
- You never stop learning, once you think you know it all you are a danger
- We all have knowledge to impart
Win an Ebook
Our website was criticised too – here it is www.bargetraining.com tell us what you think – CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is always welcome. A free ebook (choice out of three) goes to the most crazy, funny amusing or helpful comment.
Website WIP – but here’s more info:
We’ll list a few more details on our website soon – it is a Work In Progress – but in the meantime here are a few more high-lights of our experience:
As well as the European Canals (on our boats, on commercial boats, on other people’s boat – recreationally and commercially) we have also traversed the following inland waterways/canals and rivers (and hundred’s of associated locks):
New York State Canal System
The Canadian Heritage Canals
Lake Okeechobee Waterway
Trent Severn Watery
Rideau Canal
Erie Canal
Potomac
St Lawrence Canal
Sanitary Canal
St Lawrence Seaway
The Mississippi River
The Ohio River
The Illinois River
TenTombigee
Cumberland River
Tennessee River
Lake Okeechobee Waterway
Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway
Hudson River
The Great Lakes
Missouri River
The Nile
Rivers in PNG, Borneo, Australia, Ecuador, Panama, Asia, Morocco… and on it goes…
Here’s some pics – these are mostly holiday and travel snaps, most of our professional pictures are stored away at home in Australia.
If you want more information about us just drop us a line, telephone us, call around for a chat – the kettle’s always on.
Jackie Parry - author 
February 21, 2015 at 2:32 pm
Some people are so miserable in their own lives and therefore jealous of others that they will never be happy. But the fact that there are so many lovely people make up for the few idiots. Long may you carry on sailing and passing on your wealth of knowledge & experience (professional and personal) to others xxx
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February 21, 2015 at 2:55 pm
Thank you Fran. Your comment and valued judgement is appreciated! I don’t know you personally, but I know your website! Fran, as you were brave enough to be the first to comment (and being so pleasant!) – I’d like to offer you an ebook. (1) Of Foreign Build – From Corporate Girl to Sea-Gypsy Woman (a tragedy to triumph story, a nine year odyssey on a ten metre boat or, (2) Cruiser’s AA (accumulated acumen),(with over 1,800 tips, tricks, ideas and advice on living on board, or (3) OUT IN MAY! A Standard Journey – Noel and I rescued 5 horses (standard-breeds) and set off along the Bicentennial National Trail of Australia with nothing more than a tent (just the seven of us without support, for several months) this book is hysterical and heart-warming… let me know which you’d like and I’ll whizz one over to you 🙂
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February 21, 2015 at 4:34 pm
Oooh, thank you so much. I’d love to read the first one, Of Foreign Build, and then I will move on to the others. Have been meaning to get this for some time now as have read others’ recommendations. Thank you xxx
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February 22, 2015 at 9:53 am
Great Fran! 🙂 – I shall send you a private message 🙂
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February 21, 2015 at 4:20 pm
The silver lining has proved itself true. As we think, there is no such thing as bad press, just make sure they spell your name correctly. With your experience and qualifications you two will be a resounding success in your new venture. Long live the Parrys’ barge training!!
Cherrio from the Tjalk SilkPurse.
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February 22, 2015 at 9:55 am
Thanks Barrie, Carole, you are such wonderful support and friends… xxxxxxxxxxxx
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February 21, 2015 at 4:24 pm
There’s a wonderful word in French, for people who find things to say about everything, never like what others do, seem unhappy about all around them… “des pisse-vinaigre”. And another thing, “les chiens aboient, la caravane passe”. I love your site, find a lot of interesting things to read, I enjoy visiting it whenever I can (weather in Eastern Morocco is windy and rainy in February, and my wife went to France for some time, so I pass lonely evenings with you… so not so lonely, finally). Keep on going, sailing, riding horses, go on with your caravan, and let them dogs bark.
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February 22, 2015 at 9:54 am
Lovely to hear from you! Thank so much for your kind (and fun) words! Glad we are in good company and you’ve brought us many more smiles. We loved Morocco….. but love France too…. hope to see you over here soon! 🙂
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February 21, 2015 at 5:19 pm
Hi Jackie,
It really bugs me when people kinda open their mouth without thinking or knowing!
Huh! They say your “not qualified” (rolling my eyes) hardly! What a resume you have! I’m proud of you and what you have achieved in your life. Your resume is pages and pages long…… and thats just in the martime industry. Oh me o my, that “someone” who made the derogatory comment on your forum, their just jealous.
I know the type of person you guys are and that would have made you stronger!
You might be there and I might be here, but I hope you continue to inspire all those around you and all over this globe through the eyes in what we read by you.
Don’t worry about that little “pork chop” of a person. You tell him Uncle Adam said your built tough!
Oh…..I loved when you wrote you have travelled in 22 plus canals and more in 7 other countries. Why……Cause I have only been in Lake Illawarra and Greewell Point. hahaha hahaha!
Love you guys like a fat kid loves cake xx.
Adam
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February 22, 2015 at 9:52 am
Adam, you are so sweet! Your comments has us smiling ear to ear! Thanks so much – your support and friendship means that world – Right back at you with the cake! xx 🙂
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February 21, 2015 at 10:48 pm
Just one of life’s tests to make you stronger!
My ex boss sailed 27 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races as the Trimmer on boats which crossed the line in the first three – big boats! Was he criticised by others over the years? Yes, however he was employed by his peers on the next race. Must have been doing something right!
Branson copped the wrath of British Airways in many dirty tactics and public slanging. He turned it around time after time, just as you will – have done!
You are right, there is no such thing as bad press! It is how you respond and continue to move forward, urging you to more greatness!!!
Good for you both Jackie and Noel.
The person who began this lives in a sad little world with no courage to speak directly, hiding. Pity him and his comments will soon be forgotten.
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February 22, 2015 at 9:51 am
Thanks Lexa, it was a pretty horrid few hours, but now, with support from lovely people such as you, it has all worked out well! Appreciate your comments ! 🙂
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February 23, 2015 at 12:59 am
Never doubted that something like this would pull you down, your brave, adventurous soul and experience would not allow it! Well done for turning it around! 🙂
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February 21, 2015 at 11:50 pm
Grrr horrible people!! Jackie you are awesome and don’t ever let anyone else tell you otherwise! Xxx
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February 21, 2015 at 11:53 pm
Ps we will be lining up for some training with you guys, oh and a few wines too, when we come through the French Canals!
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February 22, 2015 at 9:50 am
Fantastic! Can’t wait! 🙂
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February 22, 2015 at 9:50 am
Thanks lovely lady – ! 🙂
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February 25, 2015 at 5:19 am
I have found Forums to be the haven of armchair critics and naysayers,whatever the subject,a lot of Forum commentators are negative.its depressing to hear what these people say,even when they are commenting about other people.Good Luck with You venture.
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February 25, 2015 at 8:20 am
Hi Rob, thanks for stopping by – It IS depressing isn’t it? Being continual adventurers we seem to attract nay-sayers. But this forum thing was a first for us -at least previous comments had been face to face, people who knew us! Forums seem to be a place where people feel the security of being behind their computer screen – especially this forum that is well-known for this kind of rubbish! We don’t mind people having an opinion on the possibilities of things, not everyone wants to ‘get out there’ and that’s fair enough – but to attack complete stranger, that I find quite bizarre! Anyhow, thanks for the pep talk! It all helps! 🙂
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