Have you been treated rudely at trade shows by exhibitors that don’t take your business seriously?
I heard about this situation several years ago when designers shopping at certain shows (I don’t remember the exact ones) were treated as though their gift basket businesses were hobbies rather than full-fledged money makers.
How would you handle such rudeness?
1. Talk loudly to the person to let others know about the rude treatment.
2. Document the company’s name and let other gift basket designers know how you were treated.
3. Walk away and not give that company another thought; you have a business to run and know that other exhibitors are interested in working with you.
If you qualified to enter the show, you’ve passed the credentials’ test that deems you eligible to purchase. Otherwise, why would you waste time circling exhibit aisles when you could be relaxing at a beach or watching a movie?
What problems have you encountered at trade shows by representatives who’ve dismissed you because you’re part of the gift basket business?
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Shirley – great topic. I don’t respond much but this one just got to me. I was at a Fancy Food show a few years back. There was a vendor right in my area who provides products that I use but purchase from a competitor. I thought I’d give them a try. Not only was I going to purchase product, I saw a wooden cutting board that you could engrave that was perfect for one of my clients’ holiday gifts. Do you know I never received the promised sample after calling three times after the show?
Bottom line – the order I placed with the other company for a similar product was in the thousands … they lost a customer for that year and the future.
Hi Sue,
In this case, rude translated to be inattentive.
Some firms truly know how to drop the ball, not recognizing they end relationships before they begin.
I’m so glad that you still had a back-up firm with products that pleased your customer.