REPS

[x minit uk]

Just thinking to my self the other day, are the days of the rep numbered with more and more online wholesalers.

few years ago they use to come in and show what they to offer, new stock/ materials etc. now they seem to come in with a offer sheet and a lap top.What do you all think.

[Danny King]

I think the reps will be replaced by the internet. This isn't good as the wholesalers will become faceless. I feel reps should be about customer service as much as sales and maybe this could be there new role.

 

Then again how many reps do we see? I see 4, Dave from Birch and Chris from SKS as well as Limit & Casio. I believe davenports have one in our area but not seen him in years. Healy's got rid of there reps but have started a website same with Colledges.

[earlsdoncobbler]

i still like to see rep`s i have a rep from colledges (Mark) even though they have a excellent website i see Phil from birch and Simon from Keymaster and they have there keys on the van but the cost of rep`s must be so high i use to have a rep from Punch a few years ago and use to buy from him then they got rid of there reps and used the phone instead that`s when i stopped using them as you can buy there products elsewhere i do use davo`s website and NWKeys but i think i would rather speak to a rep them sit at my computer at home

[keithm]

Reps ar every, very expensive to operate. The problem is excerbated by the fact that every customer wants the 'best' deal and constant 'cheap' prices

 

You can't have both

 

I'm sure that the grindery wholesalers would rather send every customer the rep once a month, but they cannot afford to do that for an order of £25 for instance

[Lee]

for me, its not always important to see the rep every month, My Davenports rep calls in maybe once or twice a year, simply because I'm a bit out of the way. But he does call, its an ideal time for me to catch up on new blanks & innovations.

 

It also means I can discuss machinery I might be considering. a couple of visits a year is all it takes to maintain this valuable liaison with my suppliers.

 

In the modern environment I feel the reps should not be salesman but PR consultants who only get the order book out if asked!

 

Lee

[kirkybob]

The only rep I see is Bob from Davenports and as I am new at key cutting he has been a great help. I understand that reps are expensive to run but I am sure in the long term they build up a relationship that cannot be replaced by the web.

All our other purchasing is done at the cash and carry or internet but personally I dont feel any sort of bond with cash and carry or internet. Further I can only get to the cash and carry on a Sunday and the internet on an evening. I know Iam self employed, but sometimes I dont want to work " out of office hours".