Arthrex Reps - Happy?

To answer the question of this thread, the answer is no. Not happy.

I started a few years ago. Like many young, naive reps I was promised a 6-figure income with hard work and a couple years time. Now I realize thats just a fucking pipe dream the Arthrex and the distributor fed me so I'd work 12-15 hours per day, including working on the weekend. And vacation? Wtf is that?

I killed it in my territory when I inherited it, and I got all the bottom of the barrel accounts. I have to admit Arthrex has some great products so I had plenty to work with. But then the distributor began to cut my territory to put in more people in. I'm not talking about a sub-rep either - I would have been ok with that bc at least I get part of what I grew - my territory was cut to be given to other reps.

As a rep, right when you're about to blow your pay out of the water b/c of a huge gain (shaver, video, or joint), your territory will be "restructured". Your commission rate will drop drastically while the distributor and Arthrex takes the lion's share. Your salary gains are never proportionate to the gains you produce. Again, dont sell this gig as a 1099 "keep what you kill" gig if it isnt.

Arthrex is exploding in growth while our pay has remained the same. Good place to start and gain experience but not a good place long term.

 

Chicago had the shake up. Change was for the worse looking back

 

Anybody heard about the commission reduction for knotted anchors? Thoughts?

 

As long as we can get surgeons to change, it will be better for us. If not, then it will be a decrease in pay.

 

It's like saying UNC basketball doesn't cheat ..lol

 

Hi,

I want to work for you. Please call me to discuss any available opportunities. 703-825-9874 or e-mail ms.octavia.harris@gmail.com. Thank you!

 

Arthrex......
What can I say about them?
Innovators in sports medicine no question
Do they have a great product line?
Absolutely
But here is the real truth....
Arthrex uses a distributorship model which means you the rep??
Less money.
Arthrex dictates to these distributors how to utilize their money, hire reps, it also determines how much commissions are paid per product.
The end result??
They want these distributors to hire more reps per territory. What that means is less money to go around. Arthrex has an army on the ground in all their respective territories. It’s insane the amount of reps as compared to a Stryker or a Wright medical or anyone for that matter.
Are there guys still making $$$ at Arthrex?
Yes the top guys. The guys who have been there from the onset when things were like the wild Wild West out there in the medical device game. Now it’s all streamlined and everyone and every dollar is accounted for. It’s almost impossible in today’s day and age to make that kind of money it’s just not there. Guys are not 1099 employees at these distributors no more. Very few of those guys still exist.
Arthrex is a grest place to get your 2-3 yrs of experience and then bounce to another company and get paid. Arthrex is a grest plscr to get trained and they put you through a rigorous training that culminates in what known as 5 day where they test your product knowledge for 5 days straight with various exams, in class participation and labs.
I feel this post needed to be said so that the next generation of young reps know what they in for.
I will also say this: The job is not easy, your dealing with demanding surgeons some of which are very difficult to work with depending on who they are. The territory managers are also extremely difficult and demanding as well as they are the ones who have the best relationships with their respective surgeons and are very careful about who and what reps they slow cover their money makers. Chances are you will be covering all the shit cases and late cases for minimum 2 years. This job also requires physical strength, your on your feet all day, running from account to account carrying trays inside hospitals sometimes multiple trays that weigh allot. Your also dealing with hospital nurses, managers, techs and they all are difficult to deal with. Most are jaded and hate their jobs and in turn are miserable and will be nasty and uncaring to you or your companies products. This job also has a lot of just waiting around for cases to start. You can waste hours just hanging around for a case to start. So when you add up all the time you spend in this job vs the amount of money you make it’s not worth it at least from the standpoint of working for Arthrex.
Just understand what your getting into before you hear someone say this job is awesome and you can make a lot of money. You really have to understand how much you need to put into this job. It’s not a 9-5 or even a 9-7 it’s an up at 6am in the OR @ 7:30am and your day just goes from there and you can be done some days at 12pm or 12am depending on if you cover trauma. Even if your done at 12pm let’s says your still gotta look ahead till the next day and run things around and if your the new guy your doing most of that. Then let’s say your done running things around and you get home at 4pm. You take a nap maybe or go to the gym or spend time with your family then 7pm rolls around your getting ready to settle in for the night and your phone starts lighting up from your territory lead or a surgeon calls cause they just added a case for tomorrow which is great right? Well now you gotta run back the office to grab that tray and or implants and drop it off at the hospital now cause it had to be processed. To the news reps who read this and don’t think this happens??? It happens all the time on a weekly basis. It’s just the nature of this beast. So just understand all that and know that your phone will always be ringing with something.
As I mentioned before the territory managers themselves can be very difficult to work for. If your in the NY regions talk to the guys that work for sea pearl, Gotham surgical and the other distributorship in upstate NY I forgot the name. Consistent theme among the reps on the ground is that you work your ass off and get no respect. A lot of big names guys have left particularly at Gotham surgical. They have issues keeping talent it’s no secret there. Reason being for much of what I mentioned before. I also forgot to mention the favoritism that goes on at these places as well. If senior mgt likes you they take care of you. If your not on the inner circle your out. Very frustrating if your a hard worker but not in the inner circle. Their are all these dynamics to consider. To be honest like I said earlier start here and then find your way to another company. It may not be much bette in terms of hours but you will make more money and have more freedom to plan your own schedule which in the end is tolerable. I left and now work for a competitor and yes my days are long, the job is physical cause I’m on my feet, I’m still dealing with demanding surgeons and I still get calls from them that a case added but at least it’s my territory and my money . I’m working got myself and not lining the pockets of the guy above me or worse not making the money I deserve.
I hope this helps any of the new guys stepping into this. Just know what your getting yourself involved in and best of luck.

 

Am I happy? Well Consider the fact that I’m asked to grown 30% every year even in a pandemic where elective surgeries are on the cusp of shutting down again the answer is no. We are consistently asked to do more and get paid less. This job used to be fun not so much anymore. I’m a territory Mgr and it sucks for me can’t even imagine how it must be for Jew reps coming in now. The job would be unbearable.

 

No this job sucks I wish I never got into this field. Now I’m ten years in and 40. What is my next move?? I’ve fucked myself and now I’m middle aged what am I gonna do start a new career?? I don’t know. This whole covid pandemic has me questioning allot of things these days.

 

Happy is a very hard thing to answer. Everyone has a different deal at my distributorship. The longer your in it the more money you should in theory be making but it’s tough to say. Depends on who your territory lead is? If your a Mgr? When did you get in? Do you have direct compensation for every product you sell? Or do you just get paid on growth? Bottom line especially now during this pandemic. Perfect opportunity to re-evaluate people’s deals and cut costs where need be. Sorry I couldn’t answer this better but everyone will have a different response based on their individual situation.