I observed a Bauer merchandiser visit in one of my newsagencies on Thursday. The entire time was spent recording what we were doing: where magazines were placed and other data. I think photos were taken but I cannot be sure. It felt like we were being marked and judged.
In the ten to fifteen minutes or so in store the Bauer merchandiser did not add any value to the business whatsoever.
If what I saw yesterday is what is done by these merchandisers in other newsagencies what a waste for newsagents and how utterly disrespectful.
Given what I observed and that another Bauer merchandiser was recently filmed moving a Pacific Magazines titles into a poor position in favour of a Bauer title I emailed Bauer to cancel all future merchandiser visits. To their credit they acted quickly and took us off the merchandiser visit roster.
This is my business. I want people in the business who want to help me grow the business. The days of treating newsagents as kids to be marked as if school are long over.
One thing bothers me here. You say that Bauer removed you from the roster. Great that they listened to you but why wouldn’t a sales manager come and visit to see how they could work with you and add value.
Niall that would have been a smart move from them. The relationship from Bauer to newsagents is paternalistic at best.
We have a Bauer rep come to our store and from the first time they came in we made it clear what their role was when they came in store. If they didn’t accept it then we would not let them stay. I do not mind them taking notes on what is displayed for both them and Pacific. If it helps them gain an idea into how newsagents promote certain titles over others then so be it. They are poorly trained at setting up displays which is a surprise as that is seemingly a main part of their job.
Our Pacific Rep is great, I tell her what I would like and she provides professional displays.
If we are talking Reps, the worst Reps are from Tatts. They add absolutely nothing to the business when they come. All they offer is information on which products you are not achieving their targets. Tatts provide no POS service. We had a major winner recently and I rang Tatts for POS to promote this and the response I received was to blow up some balloons I sell in the shop! I thought they would provide a Major Winner POS pack so shops could actively promote their products.
What is a Bauer rep??10 years nothing!! Do they really exist?? Must be one of those mythical big town critters
Bauer merchandisers are so badly trained it is an embarrassment.The old ACP merchandisers were a lot more useful to our business.We had some great working relationships with ours until she was rudely retrenched and they outsourced to a Supermarket company.Now I don’t have anything to do with the lady that calls on our store.She doesn’t know anything about newsagents or even how to build a half decent display.Total waste of a call but I let them go as long as they don’t touch my magazines I am happy.
Mark,
I sent an email to help@gordongotch.com.au and it bounced back. Could you share the email address you used as I too, am fed up with them coming in and taking notes, moving mags, spying on NDC etc.
Natalie Bauer is through Network.