Is this typical practice?

[Inspired by Reggio]

Sadly this is common and IMO it is totally HORRIBLE thing for one provider to do to another ... how hard is it to say 'Hey my name is Sally and I am starting up a program too and was wondering what your fees are so that I can ensure I am not undercutting people'?

Providers not only pretend to be clients via the phone but some will come all the way out and 'tour' the program, take your enrollment package and contracts and so forth and than 'drop of the face of the earth and some go even further and also steal content from websites, steal each others ads word for word and so forth ....it is just so UNNECESSARY ... honestly if you are not using wording and work authentic to yourself you are not going to get 'ahead' in business because clients are going to sense that what you have in 'writing' in your ads or website or policies is not how you come across in person cause its not authentic to YOU and than start to 'wonder' about why things do not 'feel right' during the tour or what not because they were attracted to the advert or website and now what they are 'meeting' is not the same ~ even if they do not conscious make that connection that the written word is not the same as the spoke word something will feel 'off' to them and it will be that much harder to 'get or retain' clients!

I have had providers steal portions and in one case my entire website content word for word even my NAME was in the all about me page :rolleyes and I have had to content them introduce myself polite and tell them that while I am flattered that they find my writing so inspiring they felt the need to use it word for word that unfortunately my work is copyrighted and dated as to being originally MINE as part of my certification process and they are at risk of getting sued should they continue to take credit for my work because I do not want my credentials ever questions about the authenticity of my work ~ so either change the content to their own words or on every copy and pasted page cite that the content belongs to me with my full name and credentials. Most people when 'outed' are really good about it and do the old 'oh I had no idea it was not legal to use other peoples work word for word'

I agree with others as well ~ she did herself a huge disservice .... IMO HONESTY is always the best policy ~ she could have found herself a wonderful peer to network with, to have play dates with in the neighborhood and so forth but instead she has 'isolated' herself .... words travels fast in the childcare community and no one is going to want to befriend someone who is 'dishonest' and pretends to be a client and leads a fellow provider on!

KARMA will likely bite her in the ass when she gets treated the same way by some other newbie and than finally realizes that 'hey that's sucks getting your hopes all up only to find out it is your competition'