Query about rep support

RE: Query about rep support

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 11:15:36 GMT

[quote user="Sal the 1st"]Do you sometimes get the impression you are being stalked by some of the reps I know I do. There was one in particular that I have been avoiding for ages - they rang one day and luckily somebody else got the phone first and I was so exasperated I said 'for pities sake just tell her I died!'[/quote]

Priceless - laughed out loud.

Reminds me of the most extreme excuse I've ever had for someone ringing up to cancel coming round for dinner with us. Daughter rang and said: 'Sorry, can't come tonight, Dad's just been airlifted to hospital after a 1 tonne safe fell on his legs'

The awful thing was that it was true. Thankfully he pulled through.

RE: Query about rep support

Alison Clare Hickman — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 11:05:07 GMT

100% agree with the rest-break is a rest-break not a working lunch. I dislike lunch and learns as a result. Much prefer the email approach so I can read and digest when I have the (work) time available (and eat my own food in my break, thanks).

Make an appointment (15 mins max) to see me during my working day, if you must. Happy for you to prepare the ground with email info beforehand. I like to read, reflect and think of my questions before you approach me.

The best rep approach is the one that is genuinely friendly, (I have met my fair share of smile doesn't meet the eyes sort - No ta), approachable (can get hold of them when I need them) and disappears fast when they see I am busy (with Sal on that one). Leaves me a (decent) pen and remembers my birthday with a small freebie (). Can't emphasise enough that a contact point is King, so when I have questions I can ask (with a decent turn-around response time) and if I want replenished supplies of, say, leaflets, I can get them pdq.

The best get invites to our social do's. The worst... willing to give anyone a second chance but third strike they're defo out.

Ali h

RE: Query about rep support

elliedgill — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 09:56:28 GMT

[quote user="Julie-Anne Wilson"]

Am I the only person that hates lunch & learns? I want to spend my lunch time reading my kindle or similar, or sometimes it's the only time I can get something non work related sorted out due to another company's working hours.

I don't like that some reps are pushy. I get that you guys have to sell things - it's your job but I hate the pushiness of some reps. Leave me your leaflets after we've had a meeting and let me decided things in my own time, I don't need you telling me all the reasons why your product is better than the one we're currently using. I just want the relevant info like what's in it, what it does etc.

[/quote]

Lunch breaks are super important for a bit of down-time and to let your whirring brain rest for a bit. I love reading my book on my break!

RE: Query about rep support

elliedgill — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 09:49:04 GMT

Thank you all for your comments, really helpful. Speaking from both sides of the fence now, I completely agree with pushiness - it doesn't inspire you to invest any time considering the products if the rep is particularly in your face and pushy. Handy to have some opinions to feed back from a range of personalities. Thanks again guys, I love the VetNurse family and our support for one another!!

RE: Query about rep support

Sal the 1st — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 00:57:25 GMT

Do you sometimes get the impression you are being stalked by some of the reps I know I do. There was one in particular that I have been avoiding for ages - they rang one day and luckily somebody else got the phone first and I was so exasperated I said 'for pities sake just tell her I died!' unfortunately she heard me - she still calls . Maybe its time to change my name?

There are some reps that are really good and can see you are trying to mop a floor where a dog has peed whilst answering the phone and sorting out somebody's script, and trying to ignore the child having a tantrum in reception because they can't have sweets out of the charity box all at the same time(another pet hate of mine - collecting boxes yes sweet boxes NO) and they leave you what you need to know and let you to have your meltdown in peace but then there are others where you really wish they were vampires so that the only way they could get in was if they were invited over the threshold.

But we all have a job to do and I'm not going to deprive somebody of a living and sometimes something comes up in the new products that is a real keeper and if it wasn't for the reps the chances are you wouldn't find out about it. Must say I get off lighter than most tho as we don't sell or promote any pet food

RE: Query about rep support

Julie-Anne Wilson — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 18:51:50 GMT

RE: Query about rep support

elliedgill — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 15:30:41 GMT

[quote user="enigmaticat-uk"]

This probably isn't a very helpful answer but personally as an introvert I hate meeting reps - I'm not good at absorbing information verbally, I prefer to read it so would basically prefer to communicate by e-mail only. I'm always happy to receive regular e-mails with useful information. It drives me mad when they turn up without an appointment 'for a quick chat' as it never is!

[/quote]

Thanks for the feedback - would you find webinars more useful than emailed information, like a newsletter on new products/offers/seasonal info (eg allergies at this time of year)?

RE: Query about rep support

karen esquilant — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 18:06:11 GMT

Lunch & learn meetings are quite useful to me!

I agree with some of the other comments that an email to look at when we have time is much more useful & practical to me. Or post out info on new products then as a practice we can decide on wether we want more info or to meet with the rep

My pet peeve is when reps turn up unannounced & take up your time, as well as phoning to make appointments when we've already said we aren't interested.

RE: Query about rep support

WelshyNurse — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 17:58:20 GMT

I think the thing reps need to learn is to stop nagging!

If I say I'm too busy, that is not an invitation to just turn up anyway!

Lunch and learns every few months is fine.

I also dont like pushy reps, even though I understand they are on commission

RE: Query about rep support

enigmaticat-uk — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 17:36:36 GMT

RE: Query about rep support

bumble bee — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 11:50:11 GMT

We have 1 day per month that the Clinical Director & a nurse see reps,We find this keeps us in touch with them & we LOE our Lunch & Learns.