Tammi's World

Warning: Work Rant Ahead

Sales people usually work off of commission - of one sort or another. I have a base and then get a percentage of any new items I sell. I get nothing for the reorders, just the new stuff and it's a one shot deal.

As I am salaried I have little opportunity to increase my monetary flow. THAT sucks. It's all about the commission. They did that on purpose, they want us to grow the business. No problem. Makes sense to me.

So......I got a new customer. Well, a new prospect. They are looking to place 21 NEW items. TWENTY ONE!! Starting out with three. WooHoo. The commission on those three alone would go a long way in getting me back to where I need to be. I was very excited. Very focused on making this happen. I really like the buyer and we hit it off GREAT. In fact - she is southern and actually used some of my own lines on me. I love that!! Yeah - this is gonna rock.

So I push and push to get the bids done. Now, please realize I have nothing to do with those. I have no say. I bring 'em in and pass 'em on. Then hound until I get them back. I needed these back really quick. Due to circumstances these had a very short lead time.

I get 'em back two days late but submitted them anyway. Did some fancy talking and managed to save face - but.....strike one.

So the buyer takes the bids to her management then comes back to me. We need NEW tooling (very expensive) please rebid. We did. But late. Strike two.

THEN she tells me the one part was priced way low. I should look at it again and rebid. THAT is unheard of. To pat myself on the back - it shows the relationship I was starting to build with her. Yeah Tammi!!

This is where it got ugly. We needed to submit the new price by Thursday. Today is Monday and I still don't have it. I got an email today saying don't bother. If that's our view of good customer service they'll go else where. Strike three.

Damn - that one hurt big time. Not just losing those three - but the other 18 opportunities.

And I am pissed. So pissed I almost walked out today. But I didn't. I need the paycheck. BUT - damn!!!!

The (almost) funny part is we had a sales meeting this afternoon where we got lectured on not bringing in enough new business. I didn't say anything but I was sittin' there all smug and shit. Yeah - that one bit me in the ass.

OK - I'm going out for dinner and a beer (or four). I've got a really tough call to make tomorrow - facing a customer that I believe is right (morally and business wise) and try and figure out a way to tell him he's wrong.

Some days it just pays to stay in bed......

Posted by Tammi at January 30, 2006 06:36 PM