I'm too nice...

[Lady Nicole]

Ok, I admit it!

I'm a people-pleaser. Sometimes I can't say NO to people.

And yes, I know- it's not good for business.

So,

What advice can Optiboarders give this poor recovering people-pleaser on how to *nicely* get rid of a rep who has been nothing but pushy and a real flake, to the point that we no longer want to sell her products?

Any encouragement is greatly appreciated, Optiboard!

:cheers:

[Blake]

Well, since my Plan A of using a 2x4 probably wouldn't go over well, you might consider getting her a copy of that "He's Just Not Into You" book, and explain to her that your business relationship has kinda reached that place where it's time to see other people (in this case reps).

If that doesn't work get a restraining order.

[rj_gonzales]

First things first, how does your current stock of her frames look? Before I let any rep know I no longer wish to do business with him/her, I do my best to get things in order. Either I sell down slower moving stock or I do an even exchange for best sellers(yours, not hers). Once you are comfortable in that area, be up front. Let her know that you will not be restocking her line as you are moving in a different direction. As for reasoning, it's up to you how detailed you want to get. If she's willing to work with you on getting cleaned up, great, but if not you have already put yourself in position to do a quick sell down of product you know will move.

This method may take a little longer, but it's a sure way of taking care of number one.

hope this helps.:bbg:

[harry888]

To get reps out of the office this time of year, I usually plan on saying I won't be buying until Vision East (or another show).

They usually get the idea when I don't show up at their booth.

Kind of spineless, but I have trouble being direct.

Harry

[chip anderson]

If you can't say no, I wish we had met many, many years ago.

Chip:cheers:

[C-10]

you can always use the trick of seting up a meeting a 8:00AM and not showing up. when you do tell her you to busy to see her and you make another appointment for 8:00am they soon get the point. My Old boss did all the time (that the way he go his Chuckles)

[Mikef]

Ok, I admit it!

I'm a people-pleaser. Sometimes I can't say NO to people.

And yes, I know- it's not good for business.

So,

What advice can Optiboarders give this poor recovering people-pleaser on how to *nicely* get rid of a rep who has been nothing but pushy and a real flake, to the point that we no longer want to sell her products?

Any encouragement is greatly appreciated, Optiboard!

:cheers:

You should go to board space management. If the frames don't sell they don't get orderd. Then stop selling her frames. Reps have to make money if your not selling their product they will stop showing up!

Second idea! Just say you hired a consultant and he told you not too buy for 6 months!

Third: You have a flesh eating disease and you can't get to close to people!

[rj_gonzales]

You should go to board space management. If the frames don't sell they don't get orderd.

This is a must in my office. I allow each rep x amount of spots, and for no reason do I go over that amount. I usually go 2 deep of each frame I bring in.... two sizes, two colors. This prevents having to order frames for patient approval which can lead to stock surpluss. Every Friday, I order any frame that has sold during the week (that I didn't drop ship). This keeps my rep visits to about 2 a year, (usually around expo time.) unless something is sitting stagnant and needs to be exchanged. After about 6 months, if the line is not turning, it's time to move it out and bring in the next guy.

[Johns]

you can always use the trick of seting up a meeting a 8:00AM and not showing up. when you do tell her you to busy to see her and you make another appointment for 8:00am they soon get the point. My Old boss did all the time (that the way he go his Chuckles)

C-10
I wouldn't work for a person that would act like that toward someone else. I've known gutless owner/mgrs that had absolutely no spine and thought it was fun to play with a reps time. Usually, they not only had a reputation among the reps as being a first class LOSER, but his/her peers had the same opinion of him/her as well. I hope you learned something from your boss that was more useful than that .

Lady Nicole,

I know it's hard, but giving her the truth will help both of you. If you make up excuses (we've all done it), the rep will keep coming back, not knowing why she's not getting back into the account. If you tell her, she won't waste your time, or hers, trying. You've got better things to do and so does she.

[aaron]

BRAVO JOHNS!!

You knuckleheads disappointed me on this one. If you have a rep you no longer wish to deal with(for any reason)... you lie, waste their time (and yours) or go through a slow process of ducking until they "get the point"?

Come on everyone. Can we pretend to be professional merchants for just a moment. Some of the things mentioned as "advise" for a woman who seems to have a soft heart are just plain disrespectful and useless. A rep works for their money too and to waist their time is just as bad as them wasting yours.

That being said...
Lady Nicole

There is no excuse for an irresponsable or overtly pushy sales rep and even less of an excuse for you to continue to do business with them. It is only business and isn't personal. Take the high road and tell this person that you will no longer be needing their services. You wasting their or your time with the thought of being nice is doing neither one of you any favors. Be kind but keep it real.

Shame on the rest of you (if you were serious).:finger:

Aaron (yes I am an optician turned sales rep)

[rj_gonzales]

You knuckleheads disappointed me on this one. If you have a rep you no longer wish to deal with(for any reason)... you lie, waste their time (and yours) or go through a slow process of ducking until they "get the point"?

Nice blanket statment. Not all of us suggested deception.

[shellrob]

Just say no.......it's as simple as that. It's their job to try to get you to carry their stuff so just be honest with them and tell them you're not going to. Believe me...they'll appreciate the honesty. If they don't, then tell them not to come back. I had to do that with the luxottica reps awhile back.

[aaron]

Ok RJ,

But your "exchange them down" suggestion isn't much better.

Aaron

[rj_gonzales]

Ok RJ,

But your "exchange them down" suggestion isn't much better.

Aaron

There really isn't an ideal resolution when trying to sever a business contact, but effort on both parties to ensure that a clean break without burrning bridges (you never know who you may need to get you out of a bind later) is better for everyone. Wouldn't you rather deal with someone who is trying to sell down product instead of being completely unreasonable and demanding a return for refund.... and in return couldn't you help them out with a return for exchange on known slower moving product.

The only reason I suggest getting inventory in order first is because there are reps out there (not pointing fingers) that will stop calling on the account once it is estabilished that they will no longer make money in said practice....... then no one benefits.

[Lady Nicole]

Thanks, everyone for the replies. They were interesting, if not all helpful ;)

I pretty much know what I have to do... I'm just not looking forward to it. I agree with Johns, though. This is a professional relationship and it needs to be treated as such, because we all have better things to do than stringing along a rep who we know we don't want see anymore. I really don't want to do that. It's best if I am honest and upfront, because that's what I would want if the situation were reversed.

Thanks again, Optiboard!

[mrmac]

I enjoy the reputation of being a flaming a--hole to any rep that pushes too hard. I polietly say not at this time and if they get pushy I turn into a miserable sob

[aaron]

RJ,

I can appreciate your thoughts. If I had an account that felt the desire to cut ties for whatever reason, I would probably respectfully request a reason, (policies of my company, body odor, whatever...) and then thank them for their time.

As far as doing an exchange in exchange for them trying to sell down their inventory instead of "demanding" a refund ; I would explain that I am afraid that exchanging any kind of product is reserved for those accounts that wish to continually do business. I would then probably stop by every several months to say hello and see if anything had changed. (mentality, owner, staff, business plan, etc...)

I don't think that any of that would be unreasonable. But thank goodness that I haven't had to deal with that situation yet. But let me say as a disclaimer that when dealing with a dishonest or unprofessional individual, all bets are off.

aaron

[rj_gonzales]

But let me say as a disclaimer that when dealing with a dishonest or unprofessional individual, all bets are off.

Agreed! :cheers:

[hcjilson]

The best advice I got from my dad, was to always listen to the the sales rep who calls on you. His truism was:" You will always learn something new" I can promise this is always the case.

Bear in mind that the sales rep is your conduit to the industry, as it applies to his product, as it applies to your practice, and finally, as it applies to the practices of those around you.

Bear in mind that the sales rep's time is valuable too, and he has spent considerable resources to be in your office. Contrary to popular belief, road expenses are usually at the expense of the rep.

Bear in mind you do not have to like the rep, in order to like his product.Not looking at product because of the rep is extremely short sighted. Try always be courteous and up front.If you lack the time to see the rep, tell him right away so no one's time is wasted. (this is coming from someone who was kept waiting for 45 min only to be told the client was too busy to see a rep.)

Some of my reps have become my closest personal friends. Some of my reps I can't stand. They all deserve common courtesy and are calling on me because they have a product they think I should see.Thats what makes our world go around.

[High_Abbe]

The quickest way to get rid of a rep is to talk a lot and buy nothing. If you do this they suddenly become MIA!

[Glock]

I would just be direct. Honesty is best. Why not just say you don't need anything right now? What are you afraid of?

[Chris Ryser]

Any encouragement is greatly appreciated, Optiboard!

You just took a course..................right here on the optiboard..............learning to say : "No thank you, I will not buy this time !"

You graduated and can say it now through the advice of all the other post's

[karen]

As much as I would hate to hear it, if I was the reason you no longer wanted to do business with my company it is something that should be said to me. I do not think it is unfair have certain expectations of your reps and if they can't deliver you should tell them so they can either a) improve themselves or b) leave you alone and go bug someone else. Here is how I would probably like to hear it said to me...

"Karen, your lack of help in certain matters and the way you come across has put us in the position where we are not sure we feel comfortable doing business with you. I either need you to do what you say you will and stop being so pushy or we are going to be forced to take our business elsewhere"

Unless you are really done and then I would say " Karen, we have decided to no longer do business with you. Thank you and have a nice day"

If she can't live with that then she's in the wrong line of work anyway...

Good luck and let us know what happens

I see you are in California, hope it's not me!

[Lady Nicole]

No, it's not you :)

[aaron]

ooopps! I'm in California too. Oh wait I'm a he! Nevermind.:bbg:

aaron