Thrown Under The Bus?

I've watched enough TV to have heard that phrase, but I wasn't really sure what it meant....or if I had experienced it.

Today, it happened.

Last week, I complained to a corporate parent company about the level of service we are getting from a distributor. WHY didn't I complain to the distributor directly?  Because we've NEVER gotten anywhere with them.

So, my complaint was forwarded to the General Manager of said distributor and today, their Director of Sales for spirits came to visit.

When I mentioned the level of frustration that we retailers have felt (from conversations with others). I was told that he had met with the other retailers in the last 2 weeks and they had no complaints!  WHATTHEHELL????

In my communications with the Corp., I'd also mentioned how a field sales rep. for a refinery (Ole Smokey, to be exact) told ME that when she called the distributor about lack of product availability. she got the "run-around" and was never given an exact reason about why the distributor was out of product.   The Director of Sales called her regarding my message.....AND SHE DENIED IT!!

Needless to say, I'm NOT going to bat for anyone else.  I TRIED to get our market a fair shake, and my concerns weren't backed.

If this is how the BIG BOYS want to play, we can play that way, too.