I’ve tried to write this blog post several times over the past day or so and each time I gave up because it kept coming across as a complaining “don’t you know who I am” kind of post and that isn’t my intent. I’m just a blogger, more successful than some and less successful than many. I have no illusions of grandeur.
I’m writing this because I think it’s humorous and a good illustration of how companies can lose sight of what’s really important…the consumer. In “real life” I am a sales professional and there is nothing I want more than to work in the food industry in my chosen field. So it saddens me to see others doing what I’d love to do for a living…but doing it poorly.
One of my favorite things to do each year, as a blogger, is attending the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco every January. I get the chance to meet people, see what’s exciting in food and taste some amazing products. It’s a good time and I usually come away with several great ideas for the blog.
I always plan my trip and know in advance who and what I want to see. I recently saw an advertisement for Tabasco’s new Buffalo Style Hot Sauce sauce. I’m a huge fan of wings, they are often on my grill. And even though it’s advertised as a Buffalo style sauce we all know it has to be tried for the first time on chicken wings. When you combine that with the fact that I also love Tabasco it just seemed like it would be a natural place for me to stop and check out this new product.
I’m also lucky to get to attend the show on press credentials. Getting a “press pass” to the Fancy Food Show, as a food blogger, is not an easy task. They don’t just hand out credentials to anyone that asks. So, if someone shows up at your booth with a “press” badge you should recognize that, at least in the eyes of the show producers, they’ve got at least a little street cred.
I found the Tabasco booth and the new hot sauce was highlighted all over the booth. It appears the only reason they had a booth was to promote their new product. The salesman in me says if a guy walks into my booth with a press pass around his neck with the term BBQ written on it in giant type, I’m going to want to talk with him. I mean aren’t chicken wings a huge BBQ item? I’m positive a little publicity before “The Big Game” might be a good idea if I’m introducing a new wing sauce.
I waited my turn while all three suits in the booth discussed how cool it would be to have a Tabasco jelly bean with another suit from a famous jelly bean company. Finally after what seemed liked 5 minutes, one of the suits looked at me and said, “do you want something?” Not “how can I help you?” or “are you interested in our products?” No, I got the “don’t you realize your interrupting our conversation” tone and “do you want something.” I explained that I write about BBQ and had made it a point to seek them out to gather information so I could let my readers know about new products.
“Give me your badge and we’ll mail you some information” was their response. Really? You don’t have time to talk about your new product. Am I carrying this note pad, camera and digital recorder for exercise?
Now the funny part! When he handed me back my badge after swiping it he said “would you like a sample?” I said yes, I mean he offered and I did make it a point to seek them out. There were full size bottles of sauce in stacks all over the booth and this guy reaches behind them and hands me the bottle pictured above. 1/8th of an ounce, not even enough to sauce one wing. Yeah, I know it’s “Buffalo Style” hot sauce, but how do you taste something buffalo flavored and not test it wings?
It’s a shame Tabasco doesn’t understand that bloggers have some staying power and the best way to promote their brand isn’t having a Tabasco flavored jelly bean…
There were some people at the show who understand how to promote their brands. Heath and Brett, from Pork Barrel BBQ where there promoting their products, they understand social media and blogging better than most. Justin, of Bacon Salt fame, was there showing some new products too. Both of these companies have been huge supports of this blog and BBQ in general. Their use of social media is an example a lot of companies should follow.
Well, my one wing is almost done on the grill so I guess it’s time to open up my hot sauce and give it a try…
PS: There was enough sauce in the bottle to cover one side of one drumette…
Thanks for the intriguing blog! I have not tried the buffalo wing sauce from them yet, but intend to soon. Will you be at the Zest Fest this year? We have a booh, and I’d love to give you some samples of our chicken wing rub, created specificially for GRILLED chicken wings! If not, where can I mail you some samples? I’ll send enough to cover a dang wing!
I felt it necessary to post this. While I do not approve of the way you were treated, there is more information about the show rules you need to state…
From the NASFT Winter Fancy Food Website
Sampling Policy
•All product sampling must be done on the Show Floor.Please make the appropriate arrangements if attendees need samples sent to their offices.
•Attendees will not be permitted to exit the Show venue with products or samples.
•Products or samples that attendees attempt to remove from the Show venue will be confiscated at the exits and donated to charity.
I sent you an email.
Larry,
That is so sad that they didn’t embrace your enthusiasm and want to promote their product.
And the wing tasted like????
Stef,
In all fairness it was impossible to tell.
Great article Larry. Sorry that our fellow Louisiana company treated you that way. Not all of us are that stuck on ourselves. keep up the great work on your blog brother.
As I have been perfecting both a BBQ sauce and rub combo for nearly 20 years now,and hot sauce for considerably less, when someone shows an interest in what I make, I am incredibly grateful and happy and do my best to make a sample something to remember, in a positive way. I love Tabasco original and to have them treat them this way, whether they are a food blogger or just a plain Joe Schmoe is totally unacceptable.
By the way, do you want to try a sample of my hot sauce? It is dynamite on wings.
Thanks for the article.
WOW!! Is all I can say! That is a growing problem as many of the sauce makers become more commercialized (I realize that Tabasco company is huge and has been for a long time). The companies become more and more LESS personal and more commercial. They would rather save a few cents rather than making a good contact, I mean an 1/8th oz sample?? and to give you the “you’re bothering me” attitude really sucks!! That is one thing I look forward to when I go to the shows…The fun you have with vendors!! I mean look at Defcon or CaJohns, they talk to you, they joke around, They make it a personal expierience!!
Wow. I come from a sales/marketing background as well, and see your point clearly. I guess a certain arrogance has a tendency to permeate a company culture the larger the company becomes. Sounds like those McIlhenny guys epitomized that phenomenon. Good write-up. I hope someone at McIlhenny ultimately sees your review.
Great read, Larry. As a blogger, I don’t exactly act like my s**t don’t stink either, but the condescending attitude of some of these companies makes my stomach churn…
For those of you who still do trade shows, this is what NOT to do… excellent article, Larry.
I have experienced a very similar situation recently when my intention was to purchase a product and it is amazing to me that this happens as it does / makes the rest of us look good I guess thanks for the write up
I don’t care for Tabasco. The Jalapeno and the Chipotle are ok if nothing else is on the table. Now I have another reason not to use their products.
Great write up Larry – fair and informative. I hope you get to follow up with a proper review of the new sauce. I’ll have to look for it myself.
Hey Larry! “You can lead a horse to water…” Unfortunately, it seems to be a trend with larger companies with their we’re too important to speak to you attitude, but hey it’s good for the smaller operators to step in and take away some of the market share.
Best regards
Ian
We went to Avery Island for a factory tour and it was pretty much the same – sat us in a room along for a video then sent us on our self guided short walk behind a glass wall in the bottling plant – didn’t see anything about sauce making. I guess they sell all they want and know it.
it’s so nice to see that poor customer service exists in America as much as it does in the rest of the world. Very well written and telling that any company can get too big. I used to be a die hard tabasco man but there is now so much competition I find myself reaching for new and exciting competitors all the time. If they’re not careful many others will follow my lead.
You are correct is all aspects. The funny thing, there was once a Tabasco Jelly Belly. I know because I bought a bag at the factory store about seven years ago. Tasted just like Tabasco.
That stinks that they treated you like that. I kinda got the same impression at the NRA show here in Chicago last year. I had already had the Buffalo sauce (purchased at Avery Island right around Mardi Gras last year) so I wasn’t really looking to taste it but the people were stand-offish and really didn’t seem interested in talking. Too bad since I love Tabasco.
Thanks, I needed that laugh. McIlhenny should be paying YOU because now I need that sauce!
How was your wing?
I know they should hire me to sell in their booth next year. I bet I’d have more passion for the product that did.
Great write up. I get what you are saying. Being a designer by trade and a brand manager, it is sad to see companies representatives not promoting the brand, or promoting it negatively unintentionally.
S how was the wing?