Mergers, Mergers Everywhere

Over the last two months, Web Presence has merged with other design firms from across the county. By June 2005, we'll have facilitated over 50 mergers in the United States, bringing Web Presence services to small businesses throughout the nation. I've partnered with some of the most creative minds in web development, and I've had a fantastic time doing it.

Sounds great, doesn't it?

Conversely, over the last two months I've also encountered some of the most bizarre individuals from any industry I've ever been privy to. And I do mean bizarre.

And now, from the home office in Hobart, Indiana, here are the top 10 strangest responses I've received regarding our merger program (and yes, these are direct quotes):

10. In the sake of being polite and not truly saying what’s on my mind – Go away Jimmy Ray

9. For 30+ years, the phone for me has just been something to connect a computer to

8. If you'd like to give us sworn affidavits of 10 other sites...that have NO OTHER RELATIONSHIP with you of any sort, we'd consider this

7. I'm sure I'll be getting one or more of your clients eventually

6. Here's a short list of reasons I feel your coding is inferior

5. Can you tell what these ids are for on the page? I think you can

4. I enjoy the way I work and I do not need to partner with anyone

3. Do you have an accent or are you strictly American

2. Call me before 4pm EST. Oprah comes on at 4:00

1. I usually decline all the requests I get for web design because I'm getting really tired of working with people

Patience, as the old saying goes, is a virtue.