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Re:Didn’t Homejoy Shut Down? by birken on Wednesday October 28, 2015 @06:57PM (#10468010)
In my experience, life is easier when you admit your mistakes without business speak, and just take the blame (for example: "I" instead of "We"). I've written a lot of mea culpas for mistakes which impacted customers, and the more direct and transparent I was, the better responses I always got.

You made a mistake, you know you made a mistake. Admit it, apologize, and move on. Your excuses or context probably aren't going to help your cause.

Re:Didn’t Homejoy Shut Down? by roymurdock on Wednesday October 28, 2015 @07:26PM (#10468138)
When that mistake might be very costly litigation-wise, and anything you say/do might be brought up in court, it's time to break out the business speak and obfuscate like there is no tomorrow.
Re:Didn’t Homejoy Shut Down? by wpietri on Wednesday October 28, 2015 @07:31PM (#10468162)
Maybe. That sort of nonsense may decrease the odds of losing a lawsuit. But you increase your odds of having a lawsuit, because you leave more people mad at you.

That might be a good choice for a large company, as they already have lawyers on staff, can afford to pay for a lawsuit, and have enough money to advertise away the reputational stain.

I'm not sure it's a good idea for a startup, though. Unless you are well funded, just dealing with a lawsuit could be fatal given the reputational cost, the legal bills, and the amount of founder time that will get soaked up. Personally, I'd try to be human and humane about it.

Re:Didn’t Homejoy Shut Down? by roymurdock on Wednesday October 28, 2015 @07:37PM (#10468195)
Agreed, I think it would be better to be frank and honest in this situation. Just trying to provide some kind of rationale for why he responded in such a business-like manner.
Re:Didn’t Homejoy Shut Down? by wangarific on Wednesday October 28, 2015 @07:41PM (#10468218)
It's time to lawyer up and not talk at all.