To think an unsolicited introduction is unprofessional?

[FettleOfKish]

Just a quick rant really; light-hearted because there are bigger problems in the world, yadda yadda.

In the course of my work I made contact with a local company that provide a particular service with a view to discussing working with them on a substantial upcoming project.

They've replied to say they're not in a position to take on any more work at the moment, but as an 'introduction' have cc'd in a representative of a completely different company providing the same service, who we've had contact with in the past and had taken the decision not to approach again.

So now the company we don't work to work with have sent me an email all keen to set up a meeting, and I'm in the awkward position of having to tell them that while we obviously still need X service, we don't want it from them (and I actually know one of their team, to make things worse).

AIBU to think recommending a different provider and/or offering to make an introduction is one thing, but actually copying said provider into the email is an overstep?

I've got plenty to do without having to have a 'thanks but no thanks' conversation too.

YANBU: It's unprofessional and an overstep
YABU: You're over-reacting, finish your sandwich, log off MN and get back to work.

Just ignore the email? It's quite common in the industry I used to work in that if we couldn't do the work, we'd recommend them to someone else who could (and I knew the work was of a high quality and similarly priced to us of course!)
If they didn't want to use the other company, they just didn't reply to their email

Common in my industry, I just completely ignore.

Ignoring is my preference but given that I'll sooner or later run into the member of their team that I know, it feels rude.

For context (should have said in the OP) we're in a very small place with limited resources too, so a degree of not burning bridges always has to be taken into account.

Interesting to learn that it's common in some industries though! It would never be in ours - at least not more than 'Sorry we can't help, but X at Y may be able to, would you like their contact details?'.

YABU. A massive overraction. Just don't reply?

I think it's ok to recommend another company but it's not ok to send your details to that other company, for all sorts of reasons.

YANBU. The first company is just trying to get a kickback/ referral back from his mates at the other company. The other company is clearly shit if they need to chase customers this hard instead of getting work through word of mouth / actual marketing.

I’d send a short email “Thanks for your message, we aren’t interested and didn’t request a referral to you so please delete our details from your system as we prefer not to receive this type of unsolicited approach, many thanks.”

Otherwise they’ll just chase and chase you.

Estate agents are the worst for this. I even had one estate agent bang on my door in middle of day (waking up baby) to tell me I he’d seen my house on rightmove and he could sell it faster and for more money than my agent. When I said I’d never hire someone who banged on my door and woke my baby instead of eg dropping a letter through the door like a civilised person, he complained that he’d drive 40min to see me and I was apparently being rude.

Some men just feel entitled to the attention/custom of women and assume you require their guidance. You’re doing the world a favour if you tell them they’re unprofessional.

instead of getting work through word of mouth

This is word of mouth. 🙄

Data protection issue. Complain to the company you approached.

Word of mouth is “What’s that OP, you asked me to recommend a good local builder? Try BuildXYZ they were awesome for my loft conversion.”

Word of mouth is NOT “We can’t do this job so we’ll send you a list of all our business contacts who are willing to pay a dodgy commission to us and add it to your bill without telling you what it’s for (and yes I know secret commissions are illegal in UK since 2010, and I also know that many builders still pay them and I have been recommended crap services for this reason.)