Reping for ski company?

[meatdrink9]

OK, I've got a friend who has a new line of skis. He wants to get his skis in a few 'core' shops around the US and maybe a few 'core' online retailers as well. I gave him a lot of suggestions for online retailers and local shops like Sports Den etc...

Due to another relationship I have I am unable to help him get his skis in these stores. I thought maybe a maggot or two might have experience in this field and would like the opportunity to get in with this company. They are very grass roots. The position would be paid solely on commision. I also thought that since maggots are so wide-spread they could help provide info as to 'core' shops that should be approached in various locations. They don't want to be everywhere, but they want to get into a few shops before too long. The company offers a fat twin and a park twin.

If this seems like something you could do well, feel free to send me an email or PM. I told him I'd pass along the names of some people that could potentially help him out. If you're the type to get really excited at first and then later get bored and fall through don't apply as I'll feel bad for referring you.

And if any of you can think of shops in your neighborhood that would be a match for this kind of company/ski feel free to post the name/location of the shop.

thanks.

[/dork]

[Foggy_Goggles]

In reality, what your boy is prolly looking for is an "Independent Rep" with existing retailer contacts. This is someone who already spends his time pushing products to the ski shops. From my experience, these guys get much better face time with the buyers. Is the new manu going to OR or on snow? Are they considering buyer direct (better margins)? Do they need any product testers?

[meatdrink9]

Foggy, I'm not sure. He just said he's looking for somebody to help him get his product in stores, but he wanted to keep it limited to 'core' shops. I think he's got plenty of on-going product testing. Again, I'm not sure about OR shows. I know he personally is working on preparing for one right now. My guess is they don't have the money to send anybody off to these shows at the current time. I think most of this work would be phone calls and face-to-face meetings. (A more targeted and less expensive approach than OR shows.) I'm just guessing though. I think you're right about the potential person having existing contacts.

[bad_roo]

How about some appraisal stock going to pmgear?

[meatdrink9]

I've already talked to one of the PMgear guys about it. I don't know if it's a fit or not. They seem to be more about franchising specific products for US distribution rather than just being one of a hundred retailers of the same product.

[rightcoast]

I could talk to at least one "core" shop in Vt...shoot me a pm if you want

[edit]and then ill e mail you back to let you know i got it, then post here]

[Platinum Pete]

If somebody will pay for the booth and my stay, I'll rep products at the trade shows. PMGear products, your pals mystery skis, XXXXXL black pants inc., ; put me there and I can sell you into shops.

[summit]

If I can talk credit cards out numbers out of people I call all day, you better believe I could move product. I could probably sell snow to eskimos. The only problem is I have NO ins with any retailer nor experience being a ski co representative.

[schuss]

I'm in a similar place as summit, if he needs any EC help, even gratis, I'll be more than happy to help.

[phUnk]

This ski company dude was probably thinking "What I need is an army of skiers with absolutely no selling/repping experience, ideally skiers that spend most of their skiing time NOT on twintips, to represent my company and sell my skis. Yeah, that's what I really need."

<-- To take the edge off, I guess. I do appreciate everyone's spirit though...

[rightcoast]

hey, i was in sales for a brief stint...and i ski on twintips..somtimes

[Buzzworthy]

I am in sales, I have some contacts, not many in Utah, more East Coast, starting to ski again, twin tips are great, but I like to see where I am going.......

The biggest thing is that this would be a side project for me, as I like my current salary. Plus the fact that it is just getting off the ground, I would be willing to investigate, but not drop everything to go back to (not to be negative) commission for a company that may or may not go off. Stats say that your are more likely not to succeed (again, not trying to be negative).

PM me with some info, if I fit into your criteria. I have been in sales now for 6 years. This would best be done as a freelance deal. I would need to know more before even thinking about it.

-Buzz

[schuss]

I just don't have any ski specific experience. I've been in customer service and sales for 6+ years and DO ski on twintips some of the time (but very badly ) I'm also soon to be a graduate with a business degree and a focus in marketing. So yeah, I suck

[jayfrizzo]

I used to manage a bike shop and am currently unemployed.

J-

[Red Baron]

I used to manage a bike shop and am currently unemployed.

...and you're a ripping twin-tip skiier.

Ready to terrorize DV on Thursday?

[CaddyDaddy77]

With Foggy on this one, sounds like he wants to find Niche markets within the mainstream ski arena. Good place to look for shops with a lot of exposure is fresh wax, not always up the right alley for new-school product, but definitely shops that get a lot of traffic and are run well.
Also the sheer presence of comapnies at shows such as On-snow or others gets the word out effectively. Armada was at On-snow last year tucked away in the back, but there was a line to check out the skis, they didn't even have skis to demo. lots of exposure to owners and shop rats alike, good way for an up and coming to get their name into the market.

[CaddyDaddy77]

Originally posted by jayfrizzo
I used to manage a bike shop and am currently unemployed.

J-

Did you ever get any response with the Chill Coordinator Program??

[splat]

MD, have the guy contact me. I'd love to talk to him.

[BakerBoy]

What's the name of the company MD9?

[phUnk]

Originally posted by BakerBoy
What's the name of the company MD9?

MeatDrink Beef Boards.

But keep that on the down low.

[powstash]

[jumping up and down, arm outstretched in a crowded room] Oh, pick me, pick me!!! [/jumping]

[Red Baron]

^to get ski-related content back to the front page...

[dmo]

Meat -
Check your pm box.

[summit]

I had to brag somewhere!

I was on tech duty today... but I was so bored... antsy from not having sold stuff... so....

Some lady came into the shop today to get their skis waxed and tuned... she left with new Volkl Energy 220s and new bindings. Another guy came in to have his old bindings tested... he left with consignment skis and new bindings.

I rock.

[splat]

Originally posted by SummitCo 1776
I had to brag somewhere! I rock.

Way to upsell!