I'm working on a personal project and was looking into using some of the products that our office sales reps have presented. Would it be wrong/unethical/looked down upon for me to use an office sales rep for a personal project that the office isn't working on?
Policy in my office is that it's kosher as long you inform the rep that it is for a personal project, not one on the office's books. We've had too many designers approach product reps looking for discounts using the firm's name (and therefore it's client list) and this creates the illusion of future considerations for the rep on our much larger projects.
as long as you are honest its usually cool - and many reps will still want to help because they know if you like the products you should be a passionate advocate
All reps are looking for is some love and will take it whenever they can get it, but understand that "repping" has changed. It used to matter to get an architect to write you into a spec but today it's rare to get that and frankly doesn't matter.....so the smart seasoned ones just lay back and wait till jobs are bid then scramble for "or equal" permission... not that they don't need the love its just that it's just not that critical. OP may find mixed results but certainly should follow the ethical prescriptions just posted.
Mar 4, 15 10:59 pm ·
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Using office sales reps for personal project
I'm working on a personal project and was looking into using some of the products that our office sales reps have presented. Would it be wrong/unethical/looked down upon for me to use an office sales rep for a personal project that the office isn't working on?
no, but be clear about what you're doing
you have my permission.
Policy in my office is that it's kosher as long you inform the rep that it is for a personal project, not one on the office's books. We've had too many designers approach product reps looking for discounts using the firm's name (and therefore it's client list) and this creates the illusion of future considerations for the rep on our much larger projects.
as long as you are honest its usually cool - and many reps will still want to help because they know if you like the products you should be a passionate advocate
All reps are looking for is some love and will take it whenever they can get it, but understand that "repping" has changed. It used to matter to get an architect to write you into a spec but today it's rare to get that and frankly doesn't matter.....so the smart seasoned ones just lay back and wait till jobs are bid then scramble for "or equal" permission... not that they don't need the love its just that it's just not that critical. OP may find mixed results but certainly should follow the ethical prescriptions just posted.
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