A NOTE FROM THE FUTURE: This was indeed a good night to be last. That may be one of the last bottles of Ulysse Collin in the wild… the days when this producer could be brought out in a sample bag, when I could buy as much as I wanted. Those days are long, long gone!
Originally published on October 17, 2009.
When it comes to booking appointments with my sales reps, I usually like to be the first appointment of the day. In the Frankly Wines case, this is usually 11am, just as we open our doors. I’ve been told this is the best time of day to taste wine – you’re already awake, your taste buds have recovered from the shock of your morning coffee, and you’re starting to get a little hungry so your senses of taste and smell are at optimal perkiness. But that has nothing to do with it….
The reality is, if I’m the first appointment of my sales rep’s day, there’s a very good chance that she’ll be on time. Well, ok, she’ll still be late, but maybe 15 minutes max. And as the day goes on, those 15 minutes turn into half an hour, then an hour, and finally she’s on the phone asking what time we close.
But there is a drawback to being first. Mainly that my rep will have more appointments after mine. And she’ll have to take the bottles with her. But if I’m last, there’s a very good chance she’ll be sick of dragging around a bunch of bottles. And I’ll get to keep some of them. Or in some cases, like tonight, I get to keep them all.
