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Anyone here have a commission sales job?
Posted on 5/9/13 at 8:36 am
Posted on 5/9/13 at 8:36 am
If so how do you like it compared to being in a salaried position. I was approached by a company that does a lot of vendor managed inventory and sales for a whole range of industrial products (tools, fasteners, connectors etc.). I like the idea of uncapped commissions but would like to hear from salesman that do this kind of work. What are the struggles you deal with in this type of work?
This post was edited on 5/10/13 at 5:46 pm
10
Posted on 5/9/13 at 10:39 am to AngryBeavers
Im not In sales but when I start it will be a salaried job with bonuses for closing a file fast.... so I guess that's kinda like commission?
I hated working commission jobs
I hated working commission jobs
Posted on 5/9/13 at 10:47 am to AngryBeavers
I've had both. The security of the salaried position is much less stressful. However, if you're in the right position, i.e. industry/products/demand, the straight commission jobs usually have much more upside.
Things to consider(commission):
Expenses: gas/maintenance, travel/lodging/meals, office supplies/equipment if home office, phone/internet
Will there be existing accounts given to you up front or will you be starting from scratch with little to no income?
Are your products better than or at least as good as the market leaders? Is there enough market demand in the assigned territory to support you?
What kind of support will you have? CSR's, training, reliable shipping/delivery, product support...
Things to consider(commission):
Expenses: gas/maintenance, travel/lodging/meals, office supplies/equipment if home office, phone/internet
Will there be existing accounts given to you up front or will you be starting from scratch with little to no income?
Are your products better than or at least as good as the market leaders? Is there enough market demand in the assigned territory to support you?
What kind of support will you have? CSR's, training, reliable shipping/delivery, product support...
Posted on 5/9/13 at 1:59 pm to AngryBeavers
I do. I love it. I honestly control how much I make. The key is being a disciplined saver. You will hit slow periods and peaks.
Posted on 5/9/13 at 3:03 pm to ragacamps
Straight commission can be stressful, but potentially rewarding as others have mentioned. For me I'd only do straight commission if I was taking a job in an industry I either knew very well or already contacts for potential sales.
Posted on 5/9/13 at 4:51 pm to jeepfreak
quote:
jeepfreak
Thanks those are the kind of specifics I was hoping for to ask them during the interview.
Posted on 5/9/13 at 9:56 pm to AngryBeavers
It's the only way to go. If you are a good salesperson you should want to reap what you sew. It's the best environment to succeed with the ever present motivation to make more money. If someone is offering you a salaried position make sure you push for quarterly bonus compensation based on what your break even number is. End of year bonus may cost you some windfall sales . Good Luck be diligent and follow up.
Posted on 5/9/13 at 10:12 pm to AngryBeavers
Whats the name of the company? I almost took a job with a company in the 90's that sold this kind of product. The name escapes me.
I knew a guy who had worked for them and he enjoyed it and made some money, but it was a lot of work. He would get a good account and lose them a few weeks later to a competitor who low balled him. You have to be selling and prospecting all the time.
I knew a guy who had worked for them and he enjoyed it and made some money, but it was a lot of work. He would get a good account and lose them a few weeks later to a competitor who low balled him. You have to be selling and prospecting all the time.
Posted on 5/9/13 at 10:19 pm to AngryBeavers
What company is it?
Been in the game for awhile
Been in the game for awhile
Posted on 5/9/13 at 10:23 pm to redfish99
I'm straight commission and I've finally making enough to where I enjoy it and prefer it to salary. Now there have been some lean months, but the wife has a steady salaried job so she picks up the slack. You have to work your arse off to keep your pipeline full, but on straight commission with bills to pay, you will most certainly work harder.
Posted on 5/9/13 at 10:26 pm to AngryBeavers
I will be honest and tell you that is not the most glamorous job. I worked the counter during college for one of these places (e.g. MSC, Grainger, Fastenal) and it is fairly frustrating for the outside sales guys. There is definitely money to be made but it is high stress and you work with a LOT of dumbasses in that line of business. Young co-workers, vendors, etc. are constantly dropping the ball at bad times when your client is up against a deadline. Then you have the retard buyers that think they personally deserve free shite when they buy from you. I saw about 6 or 7 sales guys come and go during my two years there.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 7:43 am to AngryBeavers
I do. I love it. I honestly control how much I make. The key is being a disciplined saver. You will hit slow periods and peaks.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 9:36 am to webman
Company is Lawson Products. I would start with base salary + uncapped commission FWIW. I assume the commission rate would be higher if/when I decided to go full commission after getting my feet wet?
This post was edited on 5/10/13 at 10:52 am
Posted on 5/10/13 at 3:12 pm to bamanmemphis
quote:
bamanmemphis
Interested to hear if you have heard of them?
Lawson Products
Posted on 5/10/13 at 3:15 pm to AngryBeavers
Beaver, very competitive field you're entering. It will be best to get wet on salary and hopefully inherit some existing accounts to get you going. Good luck.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 3:30 pm to redfish99
quote:
very competitive field you're entering
Have not entered yet. Was approached and considering it very carefully. Inheriting accounts is definitely the first question I will ask.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 8:30 pm to AngryBeavers
Lawson - thats who I was thinking of. great products. plus most potential customers know them or have done business with them extremely competitive field.
you should get some established accounts to start off with.
you should get some established accounts to start off with.
This post was edited on 5/10/13 at 8:36 pm
Posted on 5/11/13 at 2:13 pm to AngryBeavers
quote:
If so how do you like it compared to being in a salaried position. I was approached by a company that does a lot of vendor managed inventory and sales for a whole range of industrial products (tools, fasteners, connectors etc.). I like the idea of uncapped commissions but would like to hear from salesman that do this kind of work. What are the struggles you deal with in this type of work?
What kind of experience do you have? I was in that game for quite a while and then moved to a more specialized field selling to the same types for customers and making more more money with less bs.
Posted on 5/11/13 at 5:14 pm to AngryBeavers
Yes I have heard of them. It's a pretty tough gig, no need to lie to you . Another company that has the same model (Barnes) was just acquired.
I would ask you why you are considering? If you are unemployed or looking to get industry exp I would say sure. Anything else I would be hesitant.
I would ask you why you are considering? If you are unemployed or looking to get industry exp I would say sure. Anything else I would be hesitant.
Posted on 5/12/13 at 11:46 am to AngryBeavers
Find a company where the brand name gets your foot in the door. If it is a company customers haven't heard of, a commissions model is risky and you'll have to work your tail off.
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