Looking for advice on dealing with manufacturer's rep

[divezonescuba]

Yesterday, I had an incident at my dive shop. I would like advice on how to proceed.

Yesterday, I caught a manufacturer's rep who I do not normally deal with soliciting regulator servicing business for himself in my shop a second time. In the previous incident, I had to inform the customer that the rep did not represent my shop.

This time, after the customer left, I brought up the issue with him. He claimed that he was not soliciting business for himself individually, but for himself through the shop. I then replied that he did not represent the shop and that I did not want any of my customers regs serviced by someone who I did not think was qualified.

Apparently, he though this was rather amusing. I then asked the rep if he thought that this was funny. He continued to laugh at which point, I asked him to leave the shop.

On his way out, the rep told me that I was rude, inconsiderate, and an *******. To which I simply replied "thank you."

So, was I justified in asking the rep to leave? Should I tolerate this abuse from someone who is representing a manufacturer.

 

[Skooter]

You did what I would have done. My next step would be to call his regional supervisor and discuss the situation, and go on up the ladder until I was satisfied with the results. If you don't handle this rep's line why allow him into your store to begin with?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Agree with skooter. Call his supervisor or the mfg directly. He should not be soliciting business from anyone except you. The mistake you made was letting him get away with it the first time. Second time you should have kicked him in the ass as you were throwing him out the door.

 

[mdb]

I was a Manufacturers Rep for more than 20 yrs. Conduct such as you described would have been a career ending move. Take it up the line just as Jim and Skooter have advised.

 

[bjf123]

Agree with the others. Kick his ass out and call the manufacturer. If he's doing this to you, he's probably doing it to other shops. That's incredibly unprofessional.