Friday, January 22, 2010

Bacterin, The Bad Boyz of Biologics

On December 20th, 2009, TSB wrote about Bacterin and posed the question whether this company would survive. Upon publishing that blog, many of the comments that were posted discussed the many "nefarious techniques" that the company employed in manipulating their distribution model. At that time some of you discussed how Bacterin had their direct reps going in and undercutting their distributors, along with using account information on your scrubs to deal directly with your customers, or having their customer service girls contact your customers and undermine your relationships.

Well readers, guess what, there's something in the air up in Big Sky Country. TSB heard from a l'il birdie that the boyz form Bozeman are up to their dirty little tricks again. You have to wonder what's going on at a company that can't pay its reps their expense checks and then hold a NSM in the City of Lost Wages, and weeks later, notify their direct salespeople that they are terminated and if they want to stay on board they can do it as a 1099.

You gotta love our industry word spreads faster than the H1N1 Virus.

Sometimes people wonder why TSB has a forum like this blogspot. Well, its a platform so that we the people can keep this industry accountable for the many irresponsible and idiotic things that people and companies do without thinking about the repercussions. Inglorious Basterds? Could it be that SS Colonel Hans Landa is running this operation? Maybe its time to call in Lieutenant Aldo Raines and his eight cohorts to teach these boyz a lesson? TSB wants to know what our readers think we should do?

23 comments:

  1. TSB you have laid out things quite well and I too have heard of the 'heart-warming' sales methods they have been employing. I personally know of 3 distributors who have decided to drop their line since they are as phony as a three dollar bill.

    What goes around comes around. Guy, Jesus and Molly will get their own.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't have a personal grudge against Bacterin... but, them... and those like them... Sure, I'll join Aldo so long as I get to be "The Bear"... that's what they deserve.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes the three stooges will soon be unemployed. Take a look at their D&B report. Running your business on the parasite model and stealing other's ideas and products until they sue you to stop is dumb even for those three.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Word on the street was that Alphatech has sued them as well, something to do with their CEO posting things on a finance board

    ReplyDelete
  5. As much the "CEO" but the other two who lead him around. They all give the entire industry a bad name and were very slow to pay us and we could not even get literature without another company name on it. Yes, CS does swipe names off of delivery forms and tissue cards. Our Drs names we listed were usually Drs House, E.Vil, or Hawkeye P.

    Good line, bad management. Seems to happen all to often in this industry. They are broke again, hopefully forever now.

    If not bring on The Bear and his Louisville problem solver.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am a 1099 for them also but unlike the above poster don't have much of anything bad to say about them. They have always been more than helpful to answer questions, send me literature, check arrives as expected, support in the field when I need it, etc. As to the first post those things soudn undeniable, just not what I have seen in my local market. I have heard the horror stories and my guard is up so thanks for the post and replies.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have known Molly for many years. She seems sweet and sincere. I like their products. They have never done anything underhanded to me. Not sure if this is all true. Different people can have different experiences.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Molly's not running the company,

    ReplyDelete
  9. Molly may not be running the company, but she is definitely in lock-step with Guy

    ReplyDelete
  10. She is just the CS manager. CS ladies get a commission for any sales they can make, anyway they can.

    Changing business to a direct sale saves Bacterin the agent commission. Yes it is insane and not very productive.

    Just make sure your accounts will stick with you when the "pitch" comes their way.

    ReplyDelete
  11. TSB,you only know the half of the issues there. The prior comments about the leadership and lack of respect and understanding of the W2/1099 representatives they sell through is spot on. I have not seen this level of make believe sales projections and models for which they promote to their field sales force and potential investors and then hold the sales force hostage to hit numbers within 60-90 days that Stryker could not get close to. With NO hospital approvals, NO IP, NO continuity in house, NO inventory, NO knowledge of the spine & ortho marketplace and questionable ethics about surgeon referral programs to create income, makes me realize how this company is only at $7M after 13 years in business. I was also soaked for industry information, training material and contacts only to have a performance gun put to my head after 2 months and treated with total disrespect. I am still waiting to get my last checks and stock awards that were promised, stay tuned. Also, most of their traction comes from the sale of the facet bone dowel which they stole from Nufix, and are being implanted only by pain management doctors. Very scary for long term valuations. Please be warned if you get a call regarding this organization, or should I say disorganization.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Compliance SpecialistJanuary 25, 2010 at 3:36 PM

    For wage disputes

    Please contact the
    Montana Department of Labor Industry Employment Relations Division
    PO Box 6518
    Helena, MT. 59601



    We are well aware of this company going back several years

    ReplyDelete
  13. the motley crew leadership in minnesota is as phony as they come.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The horror stories are true. If the science they tout is real then it might be a good product. That's IF the science is real.
    Heard you have 3 months or so to hit unreasonable sales goals. Heard you then get offered 1099 with a promissory note attached to repay your salary. You get milked for contacts, then let go. Makes you wonder if they let a rep go so quickly to hire a new one. This way they can tell a possible investor that they are growing and hiring numorous new sales people as part of the growth, when in fact they are just replacing an unlucky soul.

    ReplyDelete
  15. They still have investors?? Pull their D&B..wonder how their doors are still open.
    I guess on soft tissue sales. Always a demand for that.

    ReplyDelete
  16. word on the street is management has heard of negative press on sites. let's see if they spin some PR on newer posts.

    ReplyDelete
  17. They are advertizing sales jobs routinely on http://www.gorillamed.com . So, they must have lots of turnover.

    ReplyDelete
  18. To those so inclined to still be reading this line of comments. I have had some exposure to the Bacterin line of products and their management. Guy Cook is a very bright guy with a great mind for the science of biologics. His management team has the know how of the business aspects of biologic sales.
    I nvested in the company the day after the IPO. When I sold the majority of my shares I more than doubled my money. Can anyone out there say that about their investments in 2010? Their sales force is young and not experienced in device sales, but they are all eager and motivated. Something not seen in a lot of the other device reps I see in the OR every day. Just my thoughts. They are worth what you paid for them.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Please tell more about scrubs being approached for direct sales.

    ReplyDelete
  20. "To those so inclined to still be reading this line of comments. I have had some exposure to the Bacterin line of products and their management. Guy Cook is a very bright guy with a great mind for the science of biologics. His management team has the know how of the business aspects of biologic sales.
    I invested in the company the day after the IPO. When I sold the majority of my shares I more than doubled my money. Can anyone out there say that about their investments in 2010? Their sales force is young and not experienced in device sales, but they are all eager and motivated. Something not seen in a lot of the other device reps I see in the OR every day. Just my thoughts. They are worth what you paid for them"
    December 8, 2010 11:13 AM

    Just how much did you get paid for posting such outright nonsense.. A bright Guy, well hell I'd bet most all your white collar criminals are pretty bright.. A great mind for the science of biologics, what are you smoking?
    Obviously any monkey can surround themselves with great minds with the promise of what has now become worthless stock options, chew em up and spit em out before they become vested.

    You need to do a little more research and get your facts straight, bacterin has nothing truly proprietary and never has..just knockoff's of what every other tissue processing facility has either already came out with or has since introduced to the same markets..

    Management team know how? Not sure if thats really an accurate statement either since the majority of the EVP's and RVP's were promoted within and have forced to drink the kool-aid to insure their future employment.

    I Hope you cashed out and as for the rest of you supporters..The only way you will ever get what you paid for them is if doesn't cost a dime.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Okay, here it is 22 months later, and SAME AS IT EVER WAS, SAME AS IT EVER WAS at Bacterial Infection, Inc.

    Thank you TSB for posting the truth, as truth is timeless and corrupt companies are not.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Truth over time always prevails...I laughed out loud about our single investor who cashed out already...how do companies like this even make it for as long as they do?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Excellent information provided by you,
    Thank you so much............
    recall plasma products
    recall services on plasma services

    ReplyDelete