Has anyone done roofing sales?

carnutzzz · 07-16-2009, 08:13 AM

A guy I know wants me to partner up with him to do roofing sales for a friend's roofing company while I'm job seeking. It seems there is some low hanging fruit out there given the recent storms in N. Georgia.

I know nothing about roofing sales and have lots of questions.

Has anyone done this? Allegedly $2k/week in income is "easy".

m21sniper · 07-16-2009, 08:17 AM

There is a LOT of money in that if you're a good salesman.

Friend of mine does it, he does very, very well.

That being said, if you're an honest man with a consciensce, sales is probably not the field for you. Unscrupulous liars make the most money in sales, by far. I suspect that's why there are so many of that type in the various sales fields.

legion · 07-16-2009, 08:17 AM

I've had two roofing salesmen try to tell me that it would cost $12,000 and $16,000 to tearoff and reshingle my roof, respectively.

Considering that it will cost between $2,500 and $3,200 in materials, I believe if they actually sold a roof to someone at that price, then those numbers are possible.

Then again, that sounds suspiciously like those work-at-home ads that promise that you can make $50,000 a month from the comfort of your own home.

m21sniper · 07-16-2009, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

I've had two roofing salesmen try to tell me that it would cost $12,000 and $16,000 to tearoff and reshingle my roof, respectively.

Considering that it will cost between $2,500 and $3,200 in materials, I believe if they actually sold a roof to someone at that price, then those numbers are possible.

Then again, that sounds suspiciously like those work-at-home ads that promise that you can make $50,000 a month from the comfort of your own home.

Trust me Legion, the numbers in the original post are not just possible, for a "top" salesman(codeword for a weasel in my book), they really are easy.

An example i'll give:

I used to work in outside sales as an electrical estimator. I could sell a 100amp home service for $1000.00 and make myself, the company and the actual electrician a decent profit/wage.

Some other less honest guys would sell the same 100 amp service for $2000.00(a blatant rip off). Those guys were "top" salesmen that made gobs of money for all involved, but to me they were just rip-off artists and con men. I could never rob people blind like that and live with myself.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

You do not have to lie to be successful in sales. I've never once done it. but then I don't sell to places that haven't already demonstrated a need for our services. We don't deal with the unwashed masses, but rather find prospects by monitoring competitors' sites. So anyone we find there, by definition, has need and budget. Fortunately, in my current job I don't eat the loss if I have to shave my price to compete with someone else. I also don't get a dime more in commission for charging full price and I could never even think about charging more than that since we're already the most expensive guys in the business.

When I was pricing out a lot of work on a previous house, I got widely varying estimates for the same work. I have no reason to believe any of them were lying to me. Some were just more efficient than or had different cost structures than others.

Ditto for buying a car. Dealer invoice means nothing if they have 100 of the same cars on the lot or a six month wait to get one. You pay what you're willing to pay. If you let yourself get talked into paying more, that's your problem. If I see a prospect to whom price is truly no object, why would I discount a dime?

Rikao4 · 07-16-2009, 01:40 PM

storm damage = insurance will cover most if not all of the cost...
= they buy / choose.. the guy they liked..
are you likeable ?
if so...$$$$

Rika

m21sniper · 01:52 PM

I never said you have to lie, i only said that liars/slick talkers and con-men excel in sales.

As for the rest, if you're getting widely varying prices from various companies to do the same work you bet your sweet butt some of them are trying to line their pockets at your expense.

Auto mechanics are the same. Some guys just skewer their customers. Since many people equate high price to superior service/product, it is actually very easy to overcharge for services or products.

charleskieffner · 07-16-2009, 02:28 PM

GOOFER ROOFERS are LOWER THAN DIATOMS which is LOWER THAN WHALE POO!

ask me how i know. i only deal with contractors all the time.

used car salesman selling YUGOS are SAINTS in comparison to goofer roofers.

can you say flat roof schisters falling off the trees here.

of all the trades................roofers have THE HIGHEST % of UNRESOLVED COMPLAINTS AND LAWSUITS AGAINST THEM THAN ANY OTHER TRADE PERIOD!

and thats why i have 40 year elk fireproof shingles. i have bean in da casa for 26 27yrs. cant remember now.

i will NEVER HIRE someone that isnt LICD BONDED INSURED with an up to the day/ date contractors license here. no illegal alien labor and we play OSHA RULES HERE! (oh sh!! hes a ass-h*%$#).

ROC= registrar of contractors..............good food fer thought before hiring. you will love it. here all complaints out in the open.