Re: Sales Rep insights

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Posted by puddingskin on October 10, 2002 at 00:51:46:

In Reply to: Sales Rep insights posted by cwatbay on October 09, 2002 at 16:27:07:

:I would disagree with the "sales re" or who ever told you their opinion of the products they were selling.

:First, I have seen the assorted bulbs on the market tested in front of my eyes by an unbiased person with the light testing equipment right there. We tested new bulbs and year old bulbs and got the varous results. As it was, as far as flourescents go, the ReptiSun 5.0 (don't know where you got the 8.0)seem to work the best up to about 4 to 6 mos - delivering UVB to a depth of 14 inches.
I personally have never suspected the fact that the bulbs put out what they say they do, I do question the overall value of such output, but that is a different debate.
:Second: I am familiar with quite a few "sales reps" in the pet business. A very very few actually make money (enough to live on with another income too, or, it's the wife of someone who has a real job and this is a way to spend time). Most reps in the pet business are very transitory (ie: they jump from job to job, often from one low paying job to another, thinking that someday they may make it rich)and/or they are doing the rep thing just to make a few bucks while going to school or working nights at the 7-11. Most pet reps have absolutely no clue what they are selling - just that they will get their commission check at the end of the month.
In my experience I would say yes half of them are the jumping around kind, who just sell you anything they can get their hands on, however the other half become very dedicated, and make a strong point to be as knowledged about their products as possible.
:Now, if some sales rep worked for me and he said those things to you, I would fire him within 24 hours or less. If any of what he said had a grain of truth, then he has a total lack of any professionalism or just plain common sense to be telling consumers negative information about my company or it's products. And, why in the heck would he be telling anyone that the products he sells are basically worthless, if his income depends on selling those same products- kinda like cutting your throat to prove a point.
WEll that was kinda the point, he wasn't trying to sell us that. He was showing us some deals he had on other products at the time, that happened to be one of them, and my boss knows how I feel about the bulbs so he had me talk to him, when he mentioned them. As soon as I questioned he agreed.
:Frankly, this "sales rep" you talked to comes across as (A) A moron; (B) a moron that can't keep his mouth shut; (C) a moron that will be looking for another job real soon.
The sales rep is actually one of the most honest men I have ever met, which yes makes him a bad sales rep. He has a pretty good relationship with my boss, and he understands what my boss will and will not do, thus he doesn't try and b.s. him.
:Having run sales organizations for over 20 years where the sales reps were (a) knowledgeable; (b)professional; (c)made real money where they could buy cars and houses and send the kids to college, I find it very suspect that the "sales rep" that you talked to knows much about anything - except his own limited opinion - for which he has not supplied any supporting evidence.
His evidence was supported by test he saw run on the bulbs, which I can only take as truth because as you pointed out inderectly why would a sales rep lie, and cut his own product down. He can only lose sales and thus commision.
:Sometimes though, it is much easier to believe someone who is telling us something that we desperately want to hear.
Like I said before I didn't want to hear this, I have never once suspcted the value of UVB, or the outputs of UVB in the bulbs. A very good two cents, but may the same be said for you that you are unwilling to hear something that you dont want to hear. Just a thought, and please I am very interested in the output readings of the bulbs you have, since I work in a pet store when it comes to selling the bulbs, you want the people to get the best, so if I had tangible evidence of the best I would reall appreciate it. Thanks.
:My 2 scents. CW

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