Hello All,
My name is Malcolm Sobers, Owner of Belize Shuttles which operates the http://www.belizeshuttlesandtransfers.com site.
I have generally stayed quiet for years because of many reasons including intimidation, threats on my life and livelihood by persons who seek to destroy what I work hard for. In my study of Shakespeare years ago, and reading on of my favorites...A Man for All Seasons...I remember "Qui tacet consentit" or Silence Gives Consent.
Today I break my silence, I am no longer afraid, ashamed or can be intimidated by anyone.
I want to address the barrage of libel, slander and inaccurate information that has been circulating over the internet for years and most recently in the last month, especially those being initiated, orchestrated or fueled by a fierce competitor William Hoffman of William's Belize Shuttles and his merry band of thrill seekers.
I must admit, that my company and my name endured major hits on our credibility in 2009-2010 when we had some issues of grave proportions that affected consumers using our service or the business. This was not the workings of myself or ownership but of course we had to take the responsibility to resolve fully, which we did. In doing so it practically cost me my business for years and wiped out almost everything I had. I was swift and vigilant in addressing the issues, communicating with the parties that were affected and restoring their situation as best as I could. As William said, they were scary reviews, I must admit and it broke me, business and family.
My faith and trust in people, business partners and friends backfired and I painfully and slowly learnt how to get better at that.
Now 2015, I begin to get indications that I somehow reentered the business (I never left by the way, I operated at a small level for 4 years while I recovered) and I would be about suggestions of doing the same things to my customers and innocent travelers. Suggesting that I am impersonating a business and benefiting from the name and reviews of another to help with my business. This was further highlighted in a Feb 25th post by Mr. Hoffman.
Let it be known that since early 2009 I operated as BELIZE SHUTTLES and BELIZE SHUTTLES AND TRANSFERS, my websites and domains can prove such origination, so the suggestion that I changed the name or did that for a benefit of some sort is ludicrous. In addition, I have BELIZE SHUTTLES registered locally from 2010, long before Mr. Hoffman legitimized his business. His references to AKA Williams Belize Shuttle should resonated and confirm that it is the name that he used initially to operate. What is more interesting is that he registered my website name, Belize Shuttles and Transfers as his company in 2013, so if anyone has any tricks the record can prove.
Only after my temporary exodus from the business did he begin to use the brand Belize Shuttle to link him.
Customers don't come to me because of his name, they come because we appear at the top of google searches, offer the best prices and the most transport options within Belize and Mexico and respond in a timely and professional manner. In the past 4 months alone we have transported over 1000 travelers that were extremely impressed by our services, vehicle fleet and drivers who helped their stays be even more enjoyable. They would be more than happy to post about their experiences.
I no longer take credit cards, 4 years now, I do not work with hotels and resorts. All my customers come through email and are given a true Belizean introduction.
The attack is on the basis of competition and greed, as many persons have approached me - customers, friends, resorts/hotels, tour guides and drivers with information to suggest that my business is stealing his customers. It has gotten so bad over the last two weeks that persons have said be careful of alleged plans to hurt or kill me, my linkedin page is being trolled daily by my competitor (not sure he knew we can see who visits the pages), resort owners and others are being told scandalous and libelous things about me to deter their customers from working/booking with me. I have an email from a customer of mine that shows this man making horrible statements of me with the intent of creating a bad impression.
If anyone has an issue with me or my business I would be more than happy to meet, discuss and resolve so that we do not become unproductive and unprofessional.
I will continue to operate, I will continue to give customers the true cost of transportation and not overprice and underdeliver, Expect more new vehicles, new websites, better booking experience, 24/7 support, amazing drivers and guides and countless memories of pleasure with us. Nothing will intimidate, scare or move us, the business will survive me so I am no longer afraid, I have insurance and my family will be ok.
So travelers there is always two sides to the story, we indeed had some terrible times a few years back but we have seen the worse of it and we are moving to provide unmatched transportation throughout Belize and Mexico. All that was posted online are either issues that I was not directly involved with but I fixed as well as false allegations without getting accurate information.
Safe Travels
Sincerely
Malcolm Sobers
Owner, Belize Shuttles and Belize Shuttles and transfers