December 2011

wine rep turned fortune-teller

December 29, 2011

Today I met with a new account opening this week. I’m constantly amazed by how many people wake up one morning and think, “I know! I’ll open a restaurant!” with no other background in the industry. Some have never even waited a table in their life. And yes, I suppose there has to be a [...]

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spreading holiday cheer

December 21, 2011

Every year during this week I fill my wine bag with treats handmade by yours truly for my favorite and/or most supportive Dear Winebuyers and sprinkle my territory with a little holiday cheer. This is the third year I’ve used the winebag to transport said treats, and it still catches my buyers off guard when [...]

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From the REPublic: too many cooks…

December 21, 2011

How timely this letter was. I’ve just been through a very similar experience with a winebuyer/owner/wine rep triangle. It was… Awkward. It’s very rarely a good thing when the boss gets “more involved” in the winebuying decisions if he’s been absent from them previously. Yes, obviously Restaurant Owner has a better grasp on the working [...]

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so many shades of pathetic

December 20, 2011

Dear Winebuyer, Please excuse me while I pretend to be impressed. I widen my eyes as you regale me with tales from the previous night’s debauchery and I grimace as if I too can feel the effects of your massive hangover this morning. I even feign empathy as I push the corks back in my [...]

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from the REPublic: human doormat no longer

December 14, 2011

This reader-submission perfectly illustrates the problem with being too nice, with being too available, with being too responsive to our winebuyers with nothing in return. It’s somewhat akin to the first few months of dating, right? We all cringe when we watch our best girl friend run for the phone and answer on the first [...]

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From the REPublic: rule of thumb

December 13, 2011

This guy promises more to come, and I hope he follows through. These first two rules of engagement are spot-on for those of us who have to trawl for sales in the liquor store sector. Related side note: Almost any time I give someone a ride who is outside the industry, I get this question: [...]

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from the REPublic: sorry to have been on time…

December 12, 2011

We can blame the winebuyer for allowing the below submitted story to happen, but I have to admit… I always wonder how some reps do it: The incessant small-talk at the end of each appointment while another wine rep breathes down your neck. One rep in particular, every single TIME I’m behind him in an [...]

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Bah Humbug.

December 12, 2011

‘Tis the season…

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requests warning, please

December 7, 2011

Dear winery, First off, let me just say that I love selling your wines. LOVE. Really truly, no sarcasm here. You pick from fantastic vineyards, use minimal intervention in the winery, the juice is great, the packaging is spot-on, pricing is perfect, and programming is attractive and appropriate. All in all, a wine rep’s dream [...]

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…that little white sweater top…

December 6, 2011

Oh hello Winebuyer, Interesting to hear from you on a Saturday of all days… I wouldn’t have answered your call if I’d known it was you, but you were apparently calling from your home, not your place of business or your cell as per usual. You saw my car when you were on your run [...]

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