Email security firm resorts to dirty sales tricks

Email security firm MessageLabs has been using dirty sales tricks to try to poach customers from a rival.

Customers of competitor BlackSpider received emails from the MessageLabs sales team stating that their current email security provider was in financial difficulty.

The email, which was obtained by silicon.com, said: "Due to information we have from the market we know that your surrent [sic] provider are [sic] having financial issues and struggling to maintain product development, due to this we are prepared to table a new offer on managed email services and additional services based on web scanning and email archiving."

The email then gives details of a limited time offer for MessageLabs' services to BlackSpider customers, including price matching and higher guaranteed service levels.

BlackSpider CEO John Cheney said the allegations were unfounded.

Cheney told silicon.com: "First of all, it's absolutely untrue. We've no financial difficulties and continue to win customers from going head-to-head and not resorting to these tactics."

He added: "I think it's disappointing. We don't attempt to resort to these tactics. It shows a little bit of desperation I think."

MessageLabs, the Gloucestershire-based company that is trying to expand its business in the US, confirmed it had sent the email.

Jos White, co-founder of MessageLabs, said in an email to silicon.com: "We enjoy a healthy competitive relationship with BlackSpider, which from time to time has been aggressive on both sides. [I]t's unfortunate that in this instance a new member of our sales team has forgotten to focus on our own positives and has instead led with speculation in the market about one of our competitors."