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- lions wines - 07-13-2009

I just recently stared working for a wine company as an sales rep, please let me know what I should know, and any advice that might be helpful to my new career.

thanks very much!


- dananne - 07-13-2009

Not to sound harsh, but isn't this something your employer should train you on?


- lions wines - 07-13-2009

I agree, but there not, so I'm doing it on my own any suggestions?


- Drew - 07-14-2009

Please tell us a little about your base knowledge of wines.

Drew


- Thomas - 07-14-2009

lions,

Take it from a guy who has worked on every level in the wine industry: if you aren't being trained by the company, find another company. You'll be eaten alive by retailers and restaurateurs, and you'll work so hard for a few dollars you may get to hate the job--and yourself.

Wine is not a subject you can bluff to make sales.


- wdonovan - 07-14-2009

What's the company? I'd like to avoid them if possible.


- wondersofwine - 07-14-2009

Some suggestions for books--Great Wines Made Simple, Wine for Dummies (don't take offense--I still consult the book from time to time), and an encyclopedia of wine such as Hugh Johnson's. Then taste wines at every opportunity and take note of the similarities and differences.

(But the others are correct--you should be trained by the company.)


- winoweenie - 07-14-2009

Sounds to me like it is that direct wine boiler-room operator thats' changed its' name umpteen jillion times. The road to a successful wine wholesale job is a long and tedious journey. First you find a retail shop that has the patience to cover your mistakes. Work there several years and become familiar with the myriad brands, vineyards, countries of origin, winemakers, types of grapes and then you mite just be prepared to do battle on the wholesale front. If you can't read thru the posts on the various wine types below and know exactly what the poster is talking about, you have 3 chances of becoming a successful salesman....Slim, None, and...The Chinamans.
Sorry but that's the facts. WW


- Thomas - 07-14-2009

I suppose I never considered the possibility that the job might be one of those boiler room, high pressure sales jobs to consumers.

Some of the phone calls I've heard about concerning those operations could make for a good situation comedy, with people trying to sell wines labeled with names that don't exist but remain unpronouncable by the bluffing salesperson.

If this is the job you were offered--run away.


- winoweenie - 07-14-2009

We had 2 or so long threads on this company within the past year or so, hard to bemember.. They were selling Germen dreck at prices that approached 1st growth status from vineyards that weren't on any map. WW


- andrawes76 - 07-21-2009

I'd like to add a few suggestions. If a wine company is hiring folks and not training them then they are as likely to dump you as you are them. I'd really suggest you go to a site like localwineevents.com and find parties and tastings where you can learn and network. If you do both at the sametime, it may circumvent your sales cycle and give you the education you need to really persuade. Also, it will give you access to jump to boat that's not as likely to sink as the one you are in now. Believe me if you don't think the wines present value, and you don't believe in the Company, then you should consider moving to a more reputable wholesaler or even being a brand ambassador (which requires years of wine knowledge). Again, go to [url=http://www.localwineevents.com]www.localwineevents.com[/url] and find wine centric events that will give you the knowledge your slave driver won't give you...