Sales reps

[Just because]

Might of been touched on before. Every agency you go into a the moment all moaning sales are poor? But why is it when you enquire about a machine they don't get back InTouch??

 

[Fendt516profi]

They don't want your business so find them that do, more likely to get some decent backup to

 

[Dave W]

I can only give a view from my own perspective. I’ma one man band and I reply personally to every single enquiry.

But I can tell you that 90% of enquiries come to nothing. And generally you end up answering a whole heap of stupid questions and sending extra pictures and all that then the buyer just goes silent and you never hear again.

I’m not defending any of the sales reps for not replying, that’s just unprofessional. But you do quickly get a sense of when the buyer is serious or wether it’s just yet another idle enquiry.

There is definitely 2 sides to this subject

 

[deleted user 837354]

I cannot think of anything more dull that travelling around the country trying to drum up business for machinery and then sending on a million emails and photos hoping for a sale.

 

[Victor]

Well this year I've a visit from 3 dealer reps which has been unheard of for many yrs if that tells you anything
was away when 2 of them visited but the one I saw said it was quiet

 

[killie_cowboy]

I don't know why people enquire so much about machinery they are not going to buy.
You do a bit of research online then decide if you can justify it and then ask the dealer for more details on price, delivery, etc. My dad is head honcho here at home, but lets me do machinery shopping provided he gives me the final nod, but I hate troubling reps for nothing to come of it so that's pretty rare for me. Local dealer rep is a good lad and always has time for me (tho not be many combines out that depot), so suppose maybe where it gets you.

 

[TelesnaAg]

Might of been touched on before. Every agency you go into a the moment all moaning sales are poor? But why is it when you enquire about a machine they don't get back InTouch??

Same drama in oz, actually had a jd guy call in yesterday, sales are dead, near on zilch he said, they just visiting customers.

Ant...

 

[TelesnaAg]

I cannot think of anything more dull that travelling around the country trying to drum up business for machinery and then sending on a million emails and photos hoping for a sale.

It's actually the best ground work you can lay or future sales.

Ant...

 

[TelesnaAg]

I can only give a view from my own perspective. I’ma one man band and I reply personally to every single enquiry.

But I can tell you that 90% of enquiries come to nothing. And generally you end up answering a whole heap of stupid questions and sending extra pictures and all that then the buyer just goes silent and you never hear again.

I’m not defending any of the sales reps for not replying, that’s just unprofessional. But you do quickly get a sense of when the buyer is serious or wether it’s just yet another idle enquiry.

There is definitely 2 sides to this subject

If you don't want to answer inquiries, the why the eff would you be in sales???

Ant....

 

[nick...]

Not seen a rep here (ag) for years.last time I enquired about something and got ignored I chased rep to be told I have to give written permission so rep can visit or call,data protection he said.never heard so much crap in my life.he lost a sale so his loss.often get calls for construction stuff and occasional visit too.had a rep about here in 70/80/90s who worked for probably 4 companies over this time but he got pretty much all our business.woukd see him every couple of weeks and if we needed parts etc we could call and he would drop stuff in.how times change.just need 1000 plus acres these days to be relevant
nick...

 

[B R C]

I’m not sure how machinery reps are remunerated but in my experience they are not proper sales people. A proper sales person can sell anything once they have product knowledge and good ones can earn huge amounts of money, They will be highly computer literate and capable of sending out lots of emails quickly, highly organised with info readily available to send on. The best will be on good commissions and highly motivated by money lots are not. If commissions are poor why would they try so hard?

 

[Gav]

From the other side as a now ex- sales rep, there was nothing more annoying than spending hours of your time spec’ing and pricing a machine to a customers requirement, doing a demo and site visits then after all that said customer then stops replying to emails and answering the phone. Pressure then gets applied from manufacturers and their employer as to what’s going on and you can’t give them an answer. These days most major brands use online systems so they can see what you’re quoting and demos carried out.
Some farmers have poor communication skills yet are the first to shout if it goes the other way round, courtesy is needed from both sides.

 

[ColinV6]

When we had a few demos a couple of months back, I couldn’t believe how quickly the respective sales reps answered my calls and a demo was arranged on the initial phone conversation. Why people bother with email I will never understand. Just pick up the phone and have a blether with them.

The John Deere guy couldn’t believe it when I called him back to say we had ordered a new Holland. He wa super appreciative and said you wouldn’t believe how most people m just stop answering the phone. I said don’t be a stranger and there’s more than just new tractors so pop in for a chat if your passing. He hasn’t yet but it was all left on friendly terms.

 

[Johnnyboxer]

Might have been touched on before. Every agency you go into a the moment all moaning sales are poor? But why is it when you enquire about a machine they don't get back InTouch??

I don’t understand it either

 

[JP1]

When we had a few demos a couple of months back, I couldn’t believe how quickly the respective sales reps answered my calls and a demo was arranged on the initial phone conversation. Why people bother with email I will never understand. Just pick up the phone and have a blether with them.

The John Deere guy couldn’t believe it when I called him back to say we had ordered a new Holland. He wa super appreciative and said you wouldn’t believe how most people m just stop answering the phone. I said don’t be a stranger and there’s more than just new tractors so pop in for a chat if your passing. He hasn’t yet but it was all left on friendly terms.

And that's exactly how it should be

 

[Cocomac]

I can’t complain about our reps, seem to have a good bunch at the minute and will try to help you out as best as they can, even if it’s a case of meeting them halfway ect. I would also say people buy from people, so if you’ve a good relationship with a salesman you’re more likely to use them again, most of them will have a laugh and joke or conversation away from farming/machinery as well so not like if they ain’t selling you something there’s nothing to say. They all tell me they’re quite busy as well but they’d be as happy selling you a bucket or a topper as a tractor.

 

[fudge]

Reps in our area are good. Obviously I don't buy many machines on a small farm but they usually get back in reasonable time. If I enquire and decide against I do tell them which they seem to appreciate.

 

[Feynman]

Not entirely relevant to the thread but we bought an ex hire Puma 200 last year. I had to constantly hassle the rep to get it out to us and was fed excuse after excuse as to why it was taking quite so many weeks despite it being sat in their yard. When we eventually took delivery the demonstrator guy brought it out and showed us the ropes but never seen or heard the rep since. It was the first machine we’ve bought from that dealer for decades and suspect it’ll be the last.

 

[deleted user 837354]

I’m not sure how machinery reps are remunerated but in my experience they are not proper sales people. A proper sales person can sell anything once they have product knowledge and good ones can earn huge amounts of money, They will be highly computer literate and capable of sending out lots of emails quickly, highly organised with info readily available to send on. The best will be on good commissions and highly motivated by money lots are not. If commissions are poor why would they try so hard?

A proper person with a good background in sales could indeed sell anything, the more technical the better. I have met people like this who have strong communication skills but are also able to assimilate knowledge and apply it in a new role or with a new product or service. But such people are rare in my experience, at least in agriculture, because it's not well remunerated compared to other industries.

I know a guy who sells pretty serious insurance into a lot of specialist areas, basically works worldwide. His phone never stops ringing. Years ago he enquired about my work and after I explained what I did and he thought it was pretty illogical. He couldn't fathom the thought of having to physically go out and find customers, he just didn't have the time for it.

 

[Dave W]

When we had a few demos a couple of months back, I couldn’t believe how quickly the respective sales reps answered my calls and a demo was arranged on the initial phone conversation. Why people bother with email I will never understand. Just pick up the phone and have a blether with them.

The John Deere guy couldn’t believe it when I called him back to say we had ordered a new Holland. He wa super appreciative and said you wouldn’t believe how most people m just stop answering the phone. I said don’t be a stranger and there’s more than just new tractors so pop in for a chat if your passing. He hasn’t yet but it was all left on friendly terms.

That’s the proper way to do business.
And the next time you try to do business with them it will be remembered.
Better than ringing rep and him looking at his phone thinking can I really be bothered to talk to this idiot today.