Patterson Dental

And, if you're under 30 and single, you probably don't have the monthly nut of experienced, tenured salespeople.

It takes a good 5+ years to net 6 figures. Remember you pay your own expenses on the growth plan.

Many of my former collegues have called me saying they love the company, love the position, love their clients- but they're not making any money (read: 5% of the GP on top of the base is not paying their bills- and running / forecasting the numbers is starting to freak them out).

 

Here is the bottom line.

Patterson is a good company because they know enough not to micromanage their reps.

However, because they are so loosely managed with no centralized organization they don’t have the ability to develop their sales force. Instead, they continually add new reps as “placeholders” hoping to grow little by little until those reps move on. They know that the majority of business brought in by these new reps will stay with Patterson as long as they get it handed off quickly enough.

What they should be doing is hiring fewer new reps and establishing a process to help their new reps become successful more quickly.

I think Patterson corporate doesn’t realize how many accounts there are that could become really good midlevel ($20,000 - $40,000) accounts if they had some consistent attention for more than a few months. It can take years to develop some accounts and new reps can’t afford to focus on these types of account for that long because they will be gone before they have a chance to be successful. Tenured reps don’t see the value in focusing on these types of accounts.

I love this job. I even enjoy the challenge of developing difficult accounts. I hate the fact that my branch and the company seem to give a shit less about my success or failure.

 

As a current dental hygienist of 12 years (with sales experience for a whitening company) relocating for my husbands job, I have recently applied for a Patterson Rep position. Now that I am reading all of these posts I am wondering if I should have even bothered. I personally love my current Patterson rep and look forward to seeing her come in the office. Since I am not currently licensed to practice hygiene in the state where we are moving I thought this may be a fun new exciting challenge, however from what I am reading it sounds like I would be more fulfilled and better off financially if I just got my license and worked 3 days a week as a hygienist. I have a friend who was a hyg and is now a rep for a different company who loves the change of pace that a full time rep position allows her.... should I even bother if they contact me???? It sounds like this is not the job for a mother and wife. It also sounds like the odds of long term career satisfaction and financial success are EXTREMELY limited.........

 

If you are just looking for a second income for your household then I would certainly take the job for the 2 years you are on salary. You will get $60-65k/year minimum. Do it for 2 years while also getting your hygiene license in that state and you have a fall back plan if you don't like it or aren't selling enough.

 

I am writing on this forum because there are some key things people did not mention and as a result I wasted 3 weeks of my life with this company.

If you are looking for a sad, culturally dead, low paying, bureaucratic, corporate hell, then Patterson is the place for you. This may be my sentiment because I came from the tech space where life is great. My wife was recently relocated to a city where tech is non existent so Patterson was an option at the time.

I passed the exam, went to 2 interviews and did a ride along. When all was said and done I turned down the position and I am very happy I did. the place was very sad, the people were not friendly, and everyone there could give 2 shits about the company itself. Everyone had the same mentality. If you put in enough time you will eventually make decent money. It had a very depressing feel and backwards culture. I am amazed that companies like this exist. I may just be too sheltered when it comes to the workplace. All I know is that it doesn't have to be this way.

 

"I am writing on this forum because there are some key things people did not mention and as a result I wasted 3 weeks of my life with this company."

Wow. 3 whole weeks. That's what you get for being a pu ss y whipped jerkoff.

 

What you describe is the corporate world. If you're out on the road and making sales calls WTF does it matter what the jerk offs in the office were like, you're not working with them on a daily basis.

 

Why do you care if other people are depressed? You do realize that in outside sales you are the only person dealing with customers.....

 

Sad that you spend your entire life with such a shitty attitude. Your so called "job" in the corporate world is something you spend spend the majority of your life doing. It should be something you enjoy with people you enjoy. Otherwise you should put a bullet in your brain. your halfway dead already living the 9-5 dream getting shit on all day. have fun sucking corporate dick

 

Wow really? You do know that anytime you work for a company you deal with people in and outside of the organization. The "screw it" attitude that people like you have is exactly why we suffer as an economic unit. No pride in the companies we work for, passion for helping others, or accountability. I agree, fuck it, if it doesn't affect me then why should I give a shit. Have some fucking standards asshole. Demand more out of your life and stop being so pathetic.

 

No, 3 weeks was spent porking your old lady. 3 hours was spent wasting away in that hell hole.

 

Just "Go To The Buick!"

. . . And, hope that on your way there you have a supportive branch manager, inherit some viable accounts (which will help you learn the business and speak more intelligently to your prospects), and the stars align. . .

 

WTF are you talking about? Who is saying anything about a "screw it" attitude??? We are pointing out that in outside sales you can only control YOUR territory and customers. Bitching and moaning to corporate about not having this or that just gets you labeled a troublemaker. Too many companies have inside people who never carried a bag and don't understand what we go through.

 

is the Veterinary pharma side of the business the run the same way? I just finished the test and I have my first interview next week.

 

What should I expect on the 1.5 hour IQ test given at the branch. I was told that it is plenty about Gross Margin and Profits. Is that accurate. What other types of questions are on this test. Any help would be spectacular!

 

Equipment Rep

What can I excpect with a Dental Equipment Rep job with Patterson? Is it similar to a territory rep? Do I share thier accounts? Do I have my own account? What can I expect as a base salary when I am on the initial pay plan? Once I go to growth after a couple years what can I expect my annual pay to be? Daily routine of an equipment sales rep? Any information about this position would be greatly appreciated!

 

'What can I excpect with a Dental Equipment Rep job with Patterson?'

Pain.

Since you know nothing about the business, I'd say you're a perfect fit.

 

You can also expect to foreclose on your home, have your car repo'ed, and max out your credit cards. PAY STINKS and you will be miserable! Worst 18 months of my life. thankfully it was my first real job and I saw the light.

 

Re: Equipment Rep

There is no such position as Dental Equipment Sales Rep at Patterson. There is Territory Sales rep, or Equipment Specialist. Two very different jobs.

 

Both position suck! Dental sucks in every aspect! go sell copiers or laundry.make more money, better perks, corporate card, and no BS customer service at the end of the day.