Suggestions
Since this is an industry only post, I would like to use this forum to poll you boys. Many of you are notable current/ex store managers:
List the 3 ways Reps **** you off the most (and don't say "stupid polls")
List the 3 things any Rep could do to serve you better
If anyone is offended by this post, I am sorry -- I just like to hear honest feedback from the field.
List the 3 ways Reps **** you off the most (and don't say "stupid polls")
List the 3 things any Rep could do to serve you better
If anyone is offended by this post, I am sorry -- I just like to hear honest feedback from the field.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I hate when I know more than the reps, or if they stop by after CES with no info on the new stuff. If you have nothing new to talk about wait till you do to visit. Come in with a few small items to discuss, maybe a couple about install if possible, and a couple about sales.
My favorite thing for a rep to do is buy lunch! After that I can't beleive how many show up without lit., I like to have that kind of stuff handy. Now remember I work for a chain store so my concerns would probably be different than a shop owner or someone who has buying decisions to make.
My favorite thing for a rep to do is buy lunch! After that I can't beleive how many show up without lit., I like to have that kind of stuff handy. Now remember I work for a chain store so my concerns would probably be different than a shop owner or someone who has buying decisions to make.
2000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,260
Mine are similar to Wallers.
I hate when reps know nothing about their product, or its all BS. Another thing i hate is when a rep doesnt have the common courtesy to swing by the shop and chat for a bit. I know you are busy people, but the guys like seeing you and chatting with you. Dont just walk in, talk to the owner, take your order, and leave...Stick around for a few.
I also like when reps buy lunch, and bring me goodies (ie stickers, hats, shirts etc... [img]tongue.gif[/img] ) But a helpful rep gets tons of respect from me, as opposed to the rep that I just mentioned above, that walks in and out. The best rep ive ever had used to come into the store, and if we were busy, he would run the showroom/salesfloor (all day if needed) so that the boss could come in the back and help us finish cars. Another thing is I REALLY let it slide in Smithers, because we are so far out of the way, but generally I HATE when a rep only shows up once or twice a year. When i worked in Burlington (gta) we had reps that only had to cover a 3-4 hr radius, but we would still only see once or twice a year.
Hope this helps.
I hate when reps know nothing about their product, or its all BS. Another thing i hate is when a rep doesnt have the common courtesy to swing by the shop and chat for a bit. I know you are busy people, but the guys like seeing you and chatting with you. Dont just walk in, talk to the owner, take your order, and leave...Stick around for a few.
I also like when reps buy lunch, and bring me goodies (ie stickers, hats, shirts etc... [img]tongue.gif[/img] ) But a helpful rep gets tons of respect from me, as opposed to the rep that I just mentioned above, that walks in and out. The best rep ive ever had used to come into the store, and if we were busy, he would run the showroom/salesfloor (all day if needed) so that the boss could come in the back and help us finish cars. Another thing is I REALLY let it slide in Smithers, because we are so far out of the way, but generally I HATE when a rep only shows up once or twice a year. When i worked in Burlington (gta) we had reps that only had to cover a 3-4 hr radius, but we would still only see once or twice a year.
Hope this helps.
What pisses me off is a rep that flip flops his brands carried. (depending of course if he is an independent or manufacturer rep of course). The next thing that really gets me ticked is a rep that does not return inquires in a timely manner. (this usually means I have a customer waiting). A bad rep will play me against my competition and not follow through with his word. And what finally pisses me off the most is not the reps fault (in most cases) it is his employer who does not understand our local marketplace. Where is Vancouver Island? isn't it a drive over a bridge from Vancouver? Right, thanks for coming out, take a seat.
A good rep is one that will build his reputation and take a stand for a dealer. A good rep will fight for his paycheque just like we do for ours. A good rep is not here today gone tomorrow. One rep, my Alpine rep 18 years ago recommended a line to me named Eclipse 8 years ago when I opened my first store. I had never heard of the line but the rep had never sent me in the wrong direction, I trusted him and went with the line, he did not dissappoint me. A good rep will at least call me if he cannot make it over to the island because his employer will not the $ to pay for the ferries. A good rep will not pester me for huge orders. I will order what I need when I need it. A good rep will get his hands dirty if he comes to visit me and I'm busy. Lunch or supper is appreciated but not mandatory, smae with t-shirts etc. The rep might be able to snag some of these and send them our way if his employer has them. A real good rep will not forget about the indipendent dealers who combined make up a good size chunk of a paycheque.
My list of reps on my good side. If your a rep and not listed here, either I missed out and will add you or you did not make the cut, wonder why?
Mike Bisson - our great thread starter
Bob the real deal McNeil
Charlie Lillies
Robin Sukarokoff
Randy Winters + sidekick James (tech support)
anyone at Trends / Karz / DLC / Staub
Doug missing in action Gilroy (Staub way back in the day)
[ May 13, 2004, 03:37 PM: Message edited by: MR2NR ]
A good rep is one that will build his reputation and take a stand for a dealer. A good rep will fight for his paycheque just like we do for ours. A good rep is not here today gone tomorrow. One rep, my Alpine rep 18 years ago recommended a line to me named Eclipse 8 years ago when I opened my first store. I had never heard of the line but the rep had never sent me in the wrong direction, I trusted him and went with the line, he did not dissappoint me. A good rep will at least call me if he cannot make it over to the island because his employer will not the $ to pay for the ferries. A good rep will not pester me for huge orders. I will order what I need when I need it. A good rep will get his hands dirty if he comes to visit me and I'm busy. Lunch or supper is appreciated but not mandatory, smae with t-shirts etc. The rep might be able to snag some of these and send them our way if his employer has them. A real good rep will not forget about the indipendent dealers who combined make up a good size chunk of a paycheque.
My list of reps on my good side. If your a rep and not listed here, either I missed out and will add you or you did not make the cut, wonder why?
Mike Bisson - our great thread starter
Bob the real deal McNeil
Charlie Lillies
Robin Sukarokoff
Randy Winters + sidekick James (tech support)
anyone at Trends / Karz / DLC / Staub
Doug missing in action Gilroy (Staub way back in the day)
[ May 13, 2004, 03:37 PM: Message edited by: MR2NR ]
Guest
Posts: n/a
well,well,well, a good rep to me is rep that is a "car guy" not some old fart who thinks he is a car guy, a guy who is intelligent in the products he represents, not a rep that says go online to tech support and get your ? answered. i am a low maintenance accout, i try figure it out myself, so when i do need help i expect it promptly, because like mr2nr said, i probobly have a customer waiting etc. and i like reps that fight for the deals, wheni call up and say im in terested in a 100 lot of woofers, i want a response quick, because its likely that i called him first, meaning that who i want a deal from, now for the list
best:
scott trotter(staub great guy)
chuckles(charlie lillies impossible to dislike)
tim turnbull(perhaps best ever)
bob mcniel(i feel flames already)
mike bisson(never a rep for me but a soild as there will ever be)
the rest are useless
worst:
randy kirny(habitual liar)
steve boyle(no need to elaborate)
len gerling(monster cable meathead)
pezpezpezpezpezpezpezpezpez(pez)
did i say pez
and any rep that reps conflicting brands in the same market with 2 competing stores
best:
scott trotter(staub great guy)
chuckles(charlie lillies impossible to dislike)
tim turnbull(perhaps best ever)
bob mcniel(i feel flames already)
mike bisson(never a rep for me but a soild as there will ever be)
the rest are useless
worst:
randy kirny(habitual liar)
steve boyle(no need to elaborate)
len gerling(monster cable meathead)
pezpezpezpezpezpezpezpezpez(pez)
did i say pez
and any rep that reps conflicting brands in the same market with 2 competing stores
Guest
Posts: n/a
Pez was one of my favorite reps. And Phil before that when I was in Alberta.
If "The Real Deal" fell down in front of my car I would have a hard time deciding on whether to apply the brakes or not. Well, that's harsh. I would stop. Then honk.
That goes for every Alpine rep I ever had too - and no I never had Tim so I cannot include him. Every one was arrogant and only showed up looking for an order. Too bad - I was a fan of the product but hated supporting those shiitheads.
Anyhoo. All I ever asked from a rep was to see them reguarly (weekly, monthly, quarterly, whatever), for them to know their product at least as well as I did, and to never talk down to me because I was not the owner/manager. In both independents I worked at I was the one who chose what product we sold, not the owner.
If "The Real Deal" fell down in front of my car I would have a hard time deciding on whether to apply the brakes or not. Well, that's harsh. I would stop. Then honk.
That goes for every Alpine rep I ever had too - and no I never had Tim so I cannot include him. Every one was arrogant and only showed up looking for an order. Too bad - I was a fan of the product but hated supporting those shiitheads.
Anyhoo. All I ever asked from a rep was to see them reguarly (weekly, monthly, quarterly, whatever), for them to know their product at least as well as I did, and to never talk down to me because I was not the owner/manager. In both independents I worked at I was the one who chose what product we sold, not the owner.
Guys -- your input is much appreciated; however, I don't think we should turn this into a popularity contest. I am honored by the nice comments, but I have made more than a couple of errors in judgement and service in my time and I like to think everyone does the best they can -- in that spirit, let's not say anything negitive about anyone... we all have our good and bad moments...
Guest
Posts: n/a
sorry i have to edit my list, in respecting mikes wish to not be negative, by far the best, smartest, far superior to even the good lord himself, best rep and audiogod , how someone exists while being so superior to everyone baffles me, this guys poops gold, is....................i'd better not say as im not sure i have accuratley described his perfection well enough, this post is probobly best kept to naming the best reps, if we start pointing fingers directly at people, someones feelings are bound to get hurt, besides, this post could be a great learning opportunity for all of us, but it was a bit of a loaded ? mike. every rep ive ever had could learn something from tim turnbull, product expert, i mean expert. will spend as much time with you and give you respect if youve worked at the store for 1 day, 1 year or 10 years, a true car guy through and through, and a hell of a stoli drinker
2000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,406
I hate getting the imaginary reach around from a rep that thinks his product doesn't stink, I hate a rep that figures his brand is the end all to be all in the car audio world, I hate a rep that thinks he is this huge contributor to the car audio scene when he is not and never has been, I hate reps that put down other brands.................that is the worst.............
I have had many great reps but the pinheads always seem to out weigh the nice guys..............
All time favorite reps for me would be
Norm Ross/Kyle Almond SCL Products
Al Sorenson (always had a smile on his face)
Rob Payne
Ian ..... (old old old MB Quart/Denon rep)
Harold Jaffe (from Washington)
Robin (Pioneer/Panasonic)
Those are the ones that stand out...........
Out of respect for the pinheads I will not name names [img]smile.gif[/img]
I have had many great reps but the pinheads always seem to out weigh the nice guys..............
All time favorite reps for me would be
Norm Ross/Kyle Almond SCL Products
Al Sorenson (always had a smile on his face)
Rob Payne
Ian ..... (old old old MB Quart/Denon rep)
Harold Jaffe (from Washington)
Robin (Pioneer/Panasonic)
Those are the ones that stand out...........
Out of respect for the pinheads I will not name names [img]smile.gif[/img]
