Praise Compay Reps through the Front Door

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Verdaccio

Verdaccio

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Jan 22, 2007
Posts
757
Loc
Berthoud, Colorado
Yesterday, I got a visit from Keith from Studio Moulding. He is one of three company reps that have ever walked through my front door - the other two are Larson (Cindy), and Colorado Moulding (Gary).

Keith comes in about every 3 months with the usual - showing new lines, looking at my wall and helping identifying any mouldings that are discontinued. We chat about how I am doing, and about the industry. He is great as is Cindy from Larson Juhl.

It's a small thing to walk into my front door, but it makes a GIANT difference to me. I am not a large client for any of these companies, but the fact that they choose to keep someone -on the ground- in my area who will take the time to come visit me and inquire after my business and tell me about theirs is the largest factor in what gets them my business.

I don't know who from the supply companies (if any) read this forum. But I just wanted to let you know that your choice to keep feet on the ground in my area is working to keep my business, keep your company in my mind, your profiles on my wall, and around my customer's art.

Thanks! :)
 
I agree. It means so much that reps drive a half hour past most everything in Maryland, just to call on us and a couple other shops. Thanks to Larson, Omega, CMI, Furst, Roma and NeilsenBainbridge both for their reps who visit and for their donations to our Art for the Animals. (Of course, if they didn't come and see me, they wouldn't get hit up for donations, so maybe I shouldn't mention this....)
 
A big shout of thanks to all my reps: Gray from Colorado Mldg, Lisa at ABC, Ellen from LJ, Keith from Studio, Hugo from PFI/Williamson/Decor, Ron from Designer, Lynette from Omega and Amy from Roma. Without these folks, I would not have made it to 26 years.
 
Yes, we are lucky to have such wonderful reps coming through our doors!

When I was first expanding to carry more than Colorado Moulding and another local moulding company, the first one to visit me was Keith from Studio, followed by Amy from Roma. I started carrying both of these lines then. I live 5 miles from Colorado Moulding so I'm over there regularly and know everyone there, and don't buy much from the other moulding company anymore because they have never come by. I consider these as my 3 main lines (Studio, Roma, Colorado).

Once Gary was hired by Colorado Moulding, he came by, and then Lynette from Omega, so I started selling some Omega too. These are all great reps. For me, the reps are an important part in the decision on who I carry. I also recommend other framers carry these lines if they don't, because of their excellent reps.

Although I'm small, I try to meet the reps of all of my suppliers at least once a year, because framing is a people business, and I like to know who I'm dealing with. I also realize that rep calls are a matter of their return on their investment. If I purchase very little from them, they are probably losing money by calling on me directly. (But phone calls and e-mails are okay!)

I meet some of the other suppliers reps that don't visit me, at the Colorado Moulding open house, where they have the reps including Craig Obradovitz from Nurrie / Bainbridge and Designer Moulding (I know his face, but I forgot his name - sorry - a senior moment!).

Others I consider as specialty moulding and offer their product, but don't sell much - these I meet at the WCAF. (Foster, Direct Moulding, Rhonda Friedman (sp), Vermont Hardwoods).

I guess the only moulding supplier I don't see the rep for is Burnich Frame out of Montana, who makes wonderful barn wood moulding. I don't sell much of their product, but they have an exceptional product at a reasonable price, and it is made in the US! They are a delight to deal with. I got this recommendation from another framer (Thanks MIK)

There are some other reps who are jerks, and I visit them at the shows, but I don't carry their samples. If they got a new rep, I might start carrying their lines, but I'm happy now with who I have, so why should I ever consider adding any more.
 
Grey Owl said:
For me, the reps are an important part in the decision on who I carry.
Click to expand...

I so agree! Reps make a huge difference to me in what I carry. There's only so much space on my wall, and the moulding companies that have quality products, service me the best, and care the most are going to be kept on my wall. Two vendors for me, Frameworks of Wichita and Larson-Juhl, have prime space because they provide those three characteristics. They visit two or three times a year, keep me apprised of new products, and are super about dealing with any problems or issues I encounter. My Omega rep has been good too. I do have one small company on the east coast, Huneywood, that I order from regularly - he's small and doesn't have reps but he's always been really good to work with.

I started a thread earlier praising Frameworks. If you're anywhere in the midwest, in particular, you really should use them. Philip goes above and beyond. And I'm not a paid spokesperson. Unlike another moulding company that sent me c--- moulding recently and then gave me a song and dance with no satisfaction to the problem that was there's. Guess who won't be staying on my wall because this was like the third order in a row from them that was messed up. Everyone messes up from time to time, but attitude and getting it fixed makes a huge difference!

And on the subject of reps, I really do appreciate a heads up that they're coming. I really don't like them just popping in unannounced and thinking I should stop everything just because they graced my door.
 
Yeah, but see.... I was just preparing you all those years.... for
the religious experience of breaking bread with The Man of the Cloth. :D
 
Baer Charlton said:
Yeah, but see.... I was just preparing you all those years.... for
the religious experience of breaking bread with The Man of the Cloth. :D
Click to expand...

Well if you put it that way....

I guess I can turn the cheek and give you another chance.
 
ROMA?

ROMA? Don't know if they have a rep for CT. Think Less saw one about 12 years ago.

Bill Warfield is the best rep of any company Less has ever had, and he tells Less his business with Larson has doubled - all due to Bill.
 
Best rep I have is an independent that calls and schedules, knows what I need to see, has products he knows I will buy and walks out with an order for dozens of boxes of moulding. After the initial order he usually gets several more orders shortly after the visit as well. I don't need reps that stop by to say they sell stuff and remind me that they exist. Show me stuff I love at prices I can't pass up and orders get written.
 
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