Rude salesman’s contract justifiably terminated

Good customer services are essential for any business dealing with the public and lapses can be stamped on by regulators who have power to impose heavy fines on defaulters. The point was well made by a High Court ruling that a foul-mouthed mobile phone salesman was justifiably given his marching orders.

The salesman was under contract to a telecommunications distribution company which worked for mobile network providers. He was engaged in cold calling potential business customers. His contract was terminated after a provider received complaints and issued a ‘do not deal’ notice.

The salesman admitted two isolated breaches of contract but denied that they were so serious as to justify termination. However, the Court found that the do not deal notice was based on good and solid evidence of his very poor customer relations performance over an extended period. His appalling rudeness to one customer in particular amounted to a repudiatory breach of contract.