Question for women owners/chefs

[Risque Cakes]

Originally Posted by lentil

KY- if I wasn't ready for him when he came by for the order, I call his cell to add on. That 's where the confusion may have occured when I mentioned calling him.

you will have to "retrain" yourself to make sure that you're ready for him when he arrives. It will save you headaches in the longrun, it will also let him do HIS job more efficiently.

Can you imagine if ALL the clients in his route are "NOT READY" when he shows up?

[lentil]

Originally Posted by Risque Cakes

you will have to "retrain" yourself to make sure that you're ready for him when he arrives. It will save you headaches in the longrun, it will also let him do HIS job more efficiently.

Can you imagine if ALL the clients in his route are "NOT READY" when he shows up?

I'm not so sure you got my main point, but I won't belabor it further.

But in reference to my other point, am I the only one who ever has to add on to an order after the salesman has gone? What do people do when a luncheon or something comes up after the order is placed? I'm in a rural area so hopping in the car and driving to Sam's isn't always an option, not to mention that it cuts into my profit margin to drive 15 miles one way at $3/gal of gas. If something ordered isn't on the truck but is needed for me to do MY job efficiently, are you saying I shouldn't expect him to bring it to me?

[Auspicious]

Comparing the logistics of an urban business to a rural one may well be interesting, but isn't what you originally asked about.

It occurs to me that without being judgmental of anyone (including the salesman, who seems to have issues ... oops - so much for not being judgmental <grin>), there is a personality conflict between you and him that only you know about.

Do you really care what he thinks, or just how he behaves? You know him, we don't. How might he respond to being told that you are uncomfortable with his comments about women (give specific examples) and that you expect to be treated more professionally. Follow up the discussion with a letter or e-mail ("as we discussed today, I don't like ... and expect ...").

Then go have that lunch with his boss.

[pgr555]

Lentil,
I must say I have a different reaction than many here. First of all, my husband has been a sales rep for 30 years. He goes out of his way to get things to people and to be sure his customers are happy. I have been treated the way you describw by men (sales or otherwise).I find it dispicable. And the fact that many women see it as you being oversensitive shows that our society has not changed much.

OK - you can all think I am that "women's libber" I was accused of being 40 years ago! I am not afraid to say I expect to be treated with the same respect as any man! And excuse me but I am insulted by the idea of asking my husband to handle MY business!!! Let me have it, I can take it!

So Lentil, I would have him come in, give him a cup of coffee and a cookie, and tell him my concerns. I would do it nicely, but say I don't want to have to have the conversation with his manager nor do i want to change companies. I would also tell him I don't appreciate hearing him talk about his other customers, because not only is it unprofessional, but it lets me know he is talking about me as well and I don't expect my service providers to talk about me in the community!

Now I expect he will not take to the honesty very well, but he should hear you. Then if things don't improve, call his manager or switch companies.
pgr
BTW, still planning on coming to this area soon?

[foodpump]

Pgr555, I think KYHeirloomer said it best that the sales rep in this case is a lousy rep.
Male, female, black, green, or asexual 2'3" with horns--sales reps don't care what you look like as long as you spend the bucks so they can get their commision.

I've had my share of lousy reps, matter of fact one rep unwittingly showed me the 1001 and 1 ways to cheat with meat, had to call the cops on one coffee sales rep, and last year, well, last year was a doozy: I've never dealt with Sysco, did have a rep coming by every 3 mths to try to swing me over but I always told him flat out no. Then this new guy shows up, barges into my kitchen, shoves a freebie package of freeze dried hashbrowns under my nose, and I stop him short and tell him flat out that I won't deal with Sysco. He blows up, tells me I'm a fool and making a big mistake. I politely ask him for his card and then kick him out of my kitchen. From the card I call up the regional sales director and tell him of his employees behavior. Asked him to guarantee me that no more reps would come calling on me.

[shroomgirl]

Interesting comments, I don't have sales reps per se......just contact owners when I need something from wholesalers/restaurant supply. Most of the time I just go get what I need, it's a perk to walk through the cheese room or the produce house. Farmer's don't have sales reps, neither does restaurant depot.....etc......
When I go through the wholesaler's walkin-storage room, there are always new products that catch my eye.....or cheeses that are just ripe.....always walk out with samples too......Plus they get a check right then, and don't have to worry about delivery. Though, when it's busy they do deliver....no salesman though.


But speaking of female discrimination....yesterday I had lunch at an Indian restaurant (KILLER>>>OH MAN< ).... most of the women customers had head scarves on...the owner (about mid 50's) directed the answers to my questions to my brother who is a doctor and essentially clueless about the health dept etc. At first I didn't really pick up on it, but it became obvious as the conversation went along.....the mid-twenties waitstaff had no problem making eye contact nor carrying on a conversation with me....a woman....

20 some odd years ago my son and I were totally ignored at a dim sum restaurant in SF...we were the only anglos in this huge place, placed in a back corner....the carts went around us.....finally I just got up and chased down the carts....interesting feeling discrimination....not a fun one.

I got the "old boy" sweetie, cutie, hon, thing last Spring when buying mass $10,000 worth of fish, found someone else to cover the shipment. Someone who put< "we appreciate your business and would not be in business if it weren't for you" on the bottom of their invoices. Now that's just wonderful lagniappe.-

[lentil]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

Comparing the logistics of an urban business to a rural one may well be interesting, but isn't what you originally asked about.

.

You're right. Perhaps I should have quoted Risque's recent post and her first post to this thread. It was her comment I addressed.

Shroom and pgr, I believe that there is a bias against women. Not by all men nor do all women feel the same. Many are able and more than willing to perpetuate the myths by playing the game and more power to them. I, like both of you, don't want to do that. The day I have to be sweeter to him than the guy down the street to get the same or better service is the day I get my husband to deal with him. Neither will happen any time soon.

But after reading all the comments here, I've come to the conclusion that my salesman just isn't good at his job and that maybe I've taken it personally. I didn't order yesterday and will make do with what I have or pick up what I need at Sam's. I'm considering changing suppliers, but will probably just fax my order for awhile. Maybe absense makes the heart grow fonder or familiarity breeds contempt.

[foodpump]

Thanks Lentil, this is best thing, you can't argue with a black&white fax, either the item is there or it isn't. This is the procedure I've taken on several occasions when working for employers who insisted I use Purveyor "X", with slime-ball reps who would invariably either patronize me or assume I had oodles of time to talk about golf (never played it, never will)--during the lunch rush...

[lentil]

Just a quick update. Pork pies all around this year, but not to me.

[DoryD]

Originally Posted by lentil

Oh yes, you're right about my salesman; I just dont' think he's that into me.

This line alone almost made me spit the water I was drinking all over the computer I was laughing so hard. I'm CONSTANTLY saying this to my friends about the guys they date, LOL. Who knew it could apply to food suppliers?

[lentil]

Originally Posted by DoryD

This line alone almost made me spit the water I was drinking all over the computer I was laughing so hard. I'm CONSTANTLY saying this to my friends about the guys they date, LOL. Who knew it could apply to food suppliers?

Yeah, Dory, you can always tell, can't you? No calls for a second date, no pork pies on the holiday. Sigh.....

[stellasmomma]

Originally Posted by foodpump

Pgr555, I think KYHeirloomer said it best that the sales rep in this case is a lousy rep.
Male, female, black, green, or asexual 2'3" with horns--sales reps don't care what you look like as long as you spend the bucks so they can get their commision.

I've had my share of lousy reps, matter of fact one rep unwittingly showed me the 1001 and 1 ways to cheat with meat, had to call the cops on one coffee sales rep, and last year, well, last year was a doozy: I've never dealt with Sysco, did have a rep coming by every 3 mths to try to swing me over but I always told him flat out no. Then this new guy shows up, barges into my kitchen, shoves a freebie package of freeze dried hashbrowns under my nose, and I stop him short and tell him flat out that I won't deal with Sysco. He blows up, tells me I'm a fool and making a big mistake. I politely ask him for his card and then kick him out of my kitchen. From the card I call up the regional sales director and tell him of his employees behavior. Asked him to guarantee me that no more reps would come calling on me.

I had similar rude treatment from a US Foods rep. How dumb can these people be? Do they think they can bully their way into getting our business?
Last time i checked any chef is tougher than any salesperson, any day of the week>

[DoryD]

Originally Posted by lentil

Yeah, Dory, you can always tell, can't you? No calls for a second date, no pork pies on the holiday. Sigh.....

And yet, like, my friends, you're still looking for acceptance from him, LOL.

Hang in there...looks like you got some good advice. And here's mine...If he's just not that into you, look elsewhere. If NH is like Maine, there are others (even if the pot isn't that big to choose from, there IS a pot) who would LOVE to have your business.

[lentil]

Acceptance? No, not so much. It's the convenience of having a rep that also deals with other businesses in my area which makes it easier to get a small delivery when I don't make the minimum. Using him is easier than changing my paper products from what I and my customers are used to since it seems that none of these companies carry the same lines. I'm used to the products and in all honesty, can't get some of them from other distributors. It's the delivery schedule that works for my business.

He's the third rep I've had with this company and the first two were great. I like his company, just not him.

I have taken the advice offered here. I have my written order ready when he arrives which I hand to him and then walk away to do other things. Last week, I met him at his car and told him to look for my email as I didn't have time to speak with him. I'm even starting to get some things elsewhere so soon enough, he'll see that my orders have shrunk. Rather than get a case of something for convenience sake and then having 2/3rds of it on my shelf for weeks, I've been buying smaller amounts at Sam's. Saves me money, and since I go there anyway, doesn't put me out at all. This is the slow time for me, so there's really no point in having the larder full.

Turns out, I'm not that much into him, either.

[DoryD]

Originally Posted by lentil

Turns out, I'm not that much into him, either.

LOL and good for you!