Dirty Deals Cancel The title field is required!

1. Wahlin Scott B

   
   12/10/2012 7:12 PM

   I have had two sales reps complain to me recently about an increase in the number of superintendents accepting kick-backs. I think they are coming to me because I was in sales and was very vocal about not accepting dirty deals. Have any on you been hearing this kind of stuff?

   
   
   
   
2. Curtis Nickerson

   

   0 posts
   
   12/10/2012 7:12 PM

   Wouldn't the sales rep have to offer a kickback in order for the supt to take it? Are they upset because they are not offering kickbacks thus not getting the sales?
   
   I thought those "good ole days" had passed by long ago... I have not heard of any in recent years

   
   
   
   
3. Wahlin Scott B

   
   12/10/2012 7:12 PM

   Curtis Nickerson said: Wouldn't the sales rep have to offer a kickback in order for the supt to take it? Are they upset because they are not offering kickbacks thus not getting the sales?
   
   I thought those "good ole days" had passed by long ago... I have not heard of any in recent years

   
   
   No, usually it is the superintendent who initiates the endeavor with, "Sounds good, now what are you going to do for me?" or, "Bill me for five, send me four and bring me the difference in cash."

   
   
   
   
4. Curtis Nickerson

   

   0 posts
   
   12/10/2012 8:12 PM

   Wow? Really? When I hear of these stories I had always assumed it was initiated by the rep....

   
   
   
   
5. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   12/10/2012 8:12 PM

   Scott Wahlin, CGCS said: "Bill me for five, send me four and bring me the difference in cash."

   
   
   
   In that case, both individuals should be fired.
   
   There are also a lot of the so called "rewards" programs in place. Do I take advantage of them? Absolutely. But I don't let them influence my purchase. And, I use the "rewards" to either purchase something we need for the shop, or to get gift cards to give out to employees during our appreciation day. For instance, I just cashed in some Bayer points for digital cameras for my Assistants.

   
   
   
   
6. Wahlin Scott B

   
   12/10/2012 8:12 PM

   One of the interesting things about working for a municipality is that you can get jail time for things that are only grounds for dismissal in private ownership land. I might take a can of nuts for the crew, but I buy my own lunch!

   
   
   
   
7. Steven Huffstutler

   

   11 posts
   
   12/11/2012 7:12 AM

   Where do Accolades points and trips to Vegas for "seminars" fall in this continuum?

   
   
   
   
8. Wahlin Scott B

   
   12/11/2012 10:12 AM

   Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: Where do Accolades points and trips to Vegas for "seminars" fall in this continuum?

   
   
   For municipal employees in Palm Beach County, you get prison-time.
   
   http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/13-arrested-in-massive-palm-beach-county-public-co/nLqwq/

   
   
   
   
9. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   12/11/2012 3:12 PM

   We don't buy enough to qualify for points anyway, same with most Early order programs.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
10. Hardy Andrew

    
    12/12/2012 7:12 AM

    I heard one recently where a guy uses zero Primo, yet buys 4 cases a year and sells it to another distributor for a cut rate and pockets all the money. It's brutal and sadly for him it will catch up to him at some point.

    
    
    
    
11. Canedo Alberto J

    
    12/12/2012 8:12 AM

    Not worth loosing a job over a few bucks here and there. I will accept free lunch and gifts from vendor's, but it does not mean I spend all my money on them. I actually get 3 to 5 prices and select the best price and product. I like to share the wealth and do not need to be too greedy as it will bite you in the A$$. Karma is a Beach.

    
    
    
    
12. Robert Dorsch

    

    0 posts
    
    12/12/2012 8:12 AM

    I try and use the accolades points and different rewards as a bonus for my staff. I recently, with board approval first converted my accolades points to AMEX gift cards to give to staff at Christmas. The points do not sway my purchasing decision and once they accumulate to a level that makes sense we redeem to benefit the staff and course.
    
    Personally I wish all the points and such would just go away and give us the lowest possible cost. I am well aware these programs are built into the cost and elimination would lower product cost for everyone.

    
    
    
    
13. Neidhardt John J

    
    12/12/2012 9:12 AM

    Last year, We used our points to purchase the entire staff quality rain suits. Benefits everybody all around.

    
    
    
    
14. Peter Bowman

    

    11 posts
    
    12/12/2012 9:12 AM

    Although I have heard such stories, in 35 years in the business never once as a GC Super had any rep approached me with a dirty deal offer, nor has a single customer asked me "what else I could do for them" since I've been in sales. It's just not heard of around here.
    
    Sure, there are Accolade points, trips to Farmlinks, trips to Vegas, Ireland, and elsewhere, but I feel they are all work-related. Always safest to let your GM, owner, Board or whoever know what's going on. If they don't like the smell of it you better not go.

    
    
    
    
15. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    12/12/2012 9:12 AM

    I, too have used accolades points for amex cards for the guys for Xmas, but this year I switched all my early order stuff to another company for the best possible price and no kickbacks later. It's just cleaner.
    
    Steve

    
    
    
    
16. Steve Nelson

    

    0 posts
    
    12/12/2012 11:12 AM

    Peter Bowman, CGCS said:
    
    Sure, there are Accolade points, trips to Farmlinks, trips to Vegas, Ireland, and elsewhere, ...

    
    
    Wow, those things actually exist? I must be on a different planet. Very few vendors actually pay a visit to me at the lowly muni and even if they offered a lunch, I couldn't take it. I did keep the little pocket knife that one of them dropped off with a calendar for Xmas... Thanks George.

    
    
    
    
17. Trevor Monreal

    

    5 posts
    
    12/13/2012 2:12 PM

    Thanks for all the great ideas guys.
    I wish I would have started this years ago.
    Anybody looking for some Primo?