Sales Career - Discussion / Experience

[asphaltgambler]

Rick's recent thread about his difficulty in sales led to me to ask this. Has anyone here ever pursued a sales career long term, stayed and was happy?

My personal experience was in the mid '80's where I was sick of turning wrenches already........tired of the cheating / scam crap.

I went to work for a company called "Bear Equipment" as a B-to-B sales guy where I represented all types of shop equipment including very large engine diagnostic / analyzers. Imagine a giant metal console thingy on wheels with a big CRT screen to perform engine diagnosis. That was high in demand technology at the time.

My experience in the field gave me a huge advantage when it came time to demonstrate the products and close deals. I was supplied with a small van and I could 'sign out' any equipment from the Maryland head quarters I wanted to carry.

I made 20% on the gross sale paid when I delivered the equipment. I could discount as much as 5% before I started matching my commission % to % off of the price.

At first I loved it. It was all up to me to set goals and deals. I had a mandatory local meeting every 2 weeks or so, 1 meeting a month in Maryland.

Initially I was 'given' a floor amount of $1500 / month for the first 3 months. This was in 1985. I asked the GM if this would be deducted later in my commissions and he assured me - "no".......

I started selling and of course they deducted my floor money right away. Then came a huge deal ($40K) and instead of my $8K check - it was about $1300 short - if I remember correctly. Then I was told my territory was now going to be halved, so on and so on. I left after 8 months in. I was still doing well - but someone was in my pocket or territory on every deal.

Later there was a similar quasi sales gig where I was a Jr. Service Writer at this high volume gas station - service center and anything I upsold / extra I was to get 10% on the gross parts. Of course it was always short and said FU to that joint.

So the only time I didn't get shorted was only when I used my own money to fund my own deals. I actually enjoy selling - I don't enjoy all the 'surprises' with my pay and career when working for someone else.

In fact, the only guy I know who has been completely successful worked for a small computer company that contracted to the federal government starting in the late '60's now it's called...........'Oracle'.

[biosurfer1]

greed by owners/management always kills sales careers in my experience. When I worked at the car dealerships, a guy could sell 100 cars in a month, which was unheard of and there would be money raining down, and fanfare and joy abound. Then the next month, the guy might sell 99 cars which is still beyond anything anyone ever accomplished, and management would call him in and grill him about why he didn't sell 101 cars, or more likely, why he didn't sell 110 cars.

Whatever is done, it never seems to be good enough in sales, it just becomes the "norm" and you're expected to always do better.

[masraum]

No effin way. I know that there are folks that can/do make good money in sales.

In the words of Austin Powers, "this sort of thing ain't my bag, baby!"

[legion]

Yep. No way I would deal well with those kinds of games from employers. I'm also not a good BSer. I'd flat-out tell people to buy a competitor's product if it was better for their application.

[LWJ]

I didn't really see a question. So I will answer how I please.

I have made my living from sales since 1991. I like / love it. I problem solve. I don't force / coerce people into anything.

My standard of living with one earner is similar to my professional friends that have two earners.

I usually work under 40 hours per week. I never work over 50 hours per week. I don't travel for work.


First gig was compressed gases to metal cutting lasers and environmental labs.

Second gig was an aluminum extrusion manufacturer.

Current gig is for a commercial insurance brokerage.

What is the common theme? 1) All are bridging communication from technical to non-technical. 2) All are problem solving. 3) All are legitimate businesses that have high ethics and value long-term relationships.

I encourage people to get into a sales gig. If the company is good and can perform, you can be a hero and get paid well for not working so hard.

The down side? Stress. If it is a commission only gig, this can be very difficult to overcome. It is often the undoing of people. Any desperation is obvious to the customer and they will run from it.

I am happy to discuss off line. PM me.

[Chocaholic]

Have been in medical capital equipment sales most of my adult life. Have managed to squeak by. Never had to deal with what the OP described though. Work for a reputable company as your first step...

[KFC911]

^^^ and be in the medical capital equipment biz.....ea$y $treet .

I would be homeless and starve were I in sales.

I trying to count the things I've sold....in my entire life...

6-8 cars mebbe...that's it.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

Rick's recent thread about his difficulty in sales led to me to ask this. Has anyone here ever pursued a sales career long term, stayed and was happy?

Being in business for over 30 years, I was always selling what my business could do, which was pretty much selling myself. That is totally different than selling someone else's product or service. Even so, after about the 28 year mark I just wanted to GTFO. So in answer to your question - yes and no.
Our most difficult-to-fill position was ad sales. They were either good, and flakes, or lazy smoke blowers ( to me and to customers). Never had a good one.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Originally Posted by KC911

^^^ and be in the medical capital equipment biz.....ea$y $treet .

I would be homeless and starve were I in sales.

I trying to count the things I've sold....in my entire life...

6-8 cars mebbe...that's it.

I'd be hungrier

Like you I've not sold much, probably sold about the same number of cars too

I'm much better at buying than selling, always wished I'd done a marketing degree after my engineering degree to help when I'm selling myself

[cabmandone]

I'm in sales (self employed) but I'm not a "salesman". I listen to the potential buyer and then do my best to help them make an informed decision based on what they tell me. I truly enjoy what I do and wouldn't work for someone else in a sales position because I never want to be that pushy salesman and I think working for someone else would force me to do that.

[KFC911]

So yer a B$'er extrordinaire then ?

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by KC911

So yer a B$'er extrordinaire then ?

That's what a close friend says I am. Honestly, I wouldn't sell the number of machines I do all over the country by being a BS'er though. I had a customer travelling from about 4 hours away to look at a machine. The machine came from a farm application. I told him that before he comes to see the machine he should know it has "the aroma of money". He asked what that meant. I told him "it smells like ****". He said "I'll take it! I don't know anyone that would do what you just did".

[KFC911]

I don't do green....but I do BS

.....just can't B$

Ya either gots it or ya don'ts....I surly don't

....not shirley....

[Crowbob]

My sales career began between 10th and 11th grade, or 9th and 10th. I forget. Like around Woodstock time. First real job. Add said, "Busy manager needs hardworking assistant". So I calls the number, meet the guy in my dress shoes and tie as instructed at a small storefront in what would later be known as a strip mall.

He says, 'Come in my car with me.'

OK. He drives us over into this gigantic neighborhood I didn't even know existed, pulls over, jumps out and gets a big box out of his trunk that opens up into a cheesy display of "High Quality Brushes Made by Fuller". Then he hands me a piece of paper with prices of the stuff and tells me what to say.

Then he drove away.

My sales career ended between the 10th and 11th grade or 9th and 10th. I forget.

[Rick Lee]

A timely thread. I'm still on track to make more than I ever have, but the emotional stress has been tough.

My goal is roughly $4k/week and I keep 100% of first year premium. I'm a total noob, know-nothing, but have busted my ass and averaged about $3k/week over the last few mos. Last week I wrote $0 on Monday, $1000 on Tues. and $0 on Wed. and Thurs. Friday I rented a car to drive out to the far frontier (look up Tonopah, AZ). With two leads left to go, I door knocked a house I had called a few times before months earlier. The guy had hung up on me twice. I door knocked him about six weeks ago and his wife blew me off at the door. It was on my route, so I DK'ed them again. I talked my way in and spent two hours there, walked out with $3500 in premium. I had one lead left to go before meeting Mrs. Lee for dinner. I DK'ed that one, really not caring if they even answered. Wrote her for $450 and so ended up with about $5k for the week.

Yesterday was at-home/admin/paperwork day. Today the big deal from Friday called to cancel everything. He/she have no idea what they're doing and I was fixing a huge problem for them. May still turn it around, but it's a giant loss for me. This job is an emotional rollercoaster.

[SeanPizzle]

Been selling IT solutions since 95. Average tenure in this biz is about 3 years before your territory gets halved and your quota gets doubled. Then you move on to next shiny tech company. Worst year 100K best years 600K+. Its a constant quarterly grind and you are only as good as your last quarter. We have lived far beneath our means on a single income since 2003 and will be able to retire in early 50s. I thrive on the excitement of the deal, but I would be a liar if I said the stress hasnt taken a toll

[Evans, Marv]

By Crowbob: "High Quality Brushes Made by Fuller" My first real sales job was a door to door Fuller Brush salesman. In the mid '60s after I got out of the Army, I worked at night (grave yard shift) as a crane operator for a steel company and Fuller Brush salesman during the day for half a year. Sales (at least that kind) wasn't my favorite, but I was very successful at it. I could hit over $20/hr. when I was cooking. My supervisor gave me a commercial route in addition to my residential one. I could sell cases of products on a commercial route. The interesting thing was I got tons of job offers during my rounds of my commercial route. I had to decline telling them I intended to start college in the Fall. Although it wasn't my favorite, I thought it was pretty easy work.

[cantdrv55]

I’ve been in medical capital equipment sales since 2001. I love it and make a comfortable living in the SF Bay Area. I’m the sole breadwinner as my wife is a stay at home mom. We take vacations as often as we can because I do need my breaks from the hustling. As someone said before, good sales people solve problems and if you put your customer’s or prospect’s needs first, you can do extremely well. That and show up. As Zig Ziglar said, sales is the hardest highest paying job and also the easiest lowest paying job. Often, there is no ceiling and always, there is no floor.

[ckelly78z]

About 1990, I tried to sell SHARP copiers, and the new plain paper fax machines (big technology at that time). The company wouldn't back me on big deals with high commisions. They could practically give away the equipment, but wanted high per copy maintenance agreements, which soured many large businesses from doing business.

I originally replied to a job offer for copier repairman, but the manager saw that I had mortgage collections experience, so he thought I could be the ultimate "Closer" ! I lasted about 6 months at the job, mainly surviving on my mileage allowance.

[KFC911]

I sold my azz to four major corporation...retired at 48 with my soul and sanity still intact.

Still have a soul ....

RL knocking on RL's door....no answer ..

Rick....yer alright ....

but boy are we different....

I did have a Jr. High sales career....magazines door to door.....I sucked.