Want to submit a question and be featured in our advice column? Click here. (Don't worry, you'll remain completely anonymous).
‍

Dear Quota Team, 

A few months ago, I had an unpleasant experience with a customer. He started out being cool but after we couldn’t give him what he wanted (which was an unrealistic demand) he changed completely, cursing me out and sending a nasty email to my manager. 
‍

Since then, this person has gone on every single review site, including onto our company’s social media pages and wrote nasty negative reviews about the company and about me specifically, singling me out by name every single time. 
‍

My manager and the company owner are aware of the issue and they say to just ignore it and let it blow over, but I feel like my reputation is on the line here too, and I want to get back at this guy for coming after me like this. Any tips for how to handle this. Lawsuit? Or should I find out where he works and do the same thing back to him? 
‍

Angry in New York 
‍

--
‍

Dear Angry, 

Your manager and the company owner are right, and you should take their advice. Once in a while, we come across someone like your customer, who takes things to another level, and refuses to let it go. George Bernard Shaw once wrote: “Never wrestle with a pig. You just get dirty and the pig enjoys it” – keep this in mind before escalating the situation. 
‍

Take the high road. Technically, you could sue this person, and if what they’re saying is false and defamatory, and (more importantly), if you can prove it, you might even win. But what will you really gain? Months or years of wasted time and thousands of dollars in lawyer and court costs? For what? Is it really worth it?
‍

Don’t let this guy live rent-free in your head. And if you’re worried about your reputation, reply to the bad reviews and give your side of the story in a calm and professional way (or have your sales managers do the same if access is limited). 
‍

Stop wasting your time with this and go close some deals. Chances are, sooner or later, this person will move on and try to make someone else’s life miserable. Shit happens. Ignore it and move on.