I only ask because this week we caught wind of a trade business forms printer trying to undercut a printer customer by sending an unsolicited quote to the end client. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

I guess this could simply be the action of one over-enthusiastic sales person scrambling around to massage their end-of-month figures rather than a systematic strategy of the trade printer. However, if it is a strategy it’s a seriously dangerous one – I can’t imagine any printer that has been stitched up by one of its trade brethren would use that firm again in a hurry.

Clearly I haven’t named the trade printer in question because, well, I’d prefer to think it was the misguided actions of a maverick sales rep rather than the Machiavellian machinations of the director in charge. However, should this prove to be the latter and more people come forward then, once the PrintWeek legal eagles are satisfied, we would happily name and shame.

Of course, I’m confident that the vast majority of trade printers are beacons of morality and would never stoop to poaching their customers’ customers and serve an important role in the industry, but if you’ve been affected by a rogue supplier contacting your clients directly then get in touch.

After all, business is tough enough as it is without having to worry about being stabbed in the back by your suppliers.

Darryl Danielli is editor of PrintWeek