Replies

1. 
   mrfixitusa | Feb 19, 2008 08:02pm | #1

   Several years ago I applied for a job to sell roofing.

   The company would run an ad in the paper and then would give me leads resulting from the ad.

   I was to be paid 10% of the price of the roof replacement. It was strictly commissions.

   I didn't take the job. A lot of these roofs in my area are $3,000 to $4,000 and I didnt think I could make any money doing it.

2. 
   frammer52 | Feb 19, 2008 08:20pm | #2

   years ago I worked for a company selling roofing, siding and windows.  the  commission plan was as follows;   10% on co. generated leads; telemarketing, adds etc.   15% on leads generated by the salesman.  There was a salery paid equilavent to mim. wage.  The amount earned was placed in account and divided by 4. paid weakly. Any deviation from price list by more than 105, with management approval,  the commission slid down to min. of 5%.  My unerstanding is that specialty contractors today have something simular.   4000 roofs @2 week=800+min wage.  The last year I worked for them In 1979, income was in excess of 100k.

3. 
   Jim_Allen | Feb 20, 2008 10:29pm | #3

   We're budgeting 10% for retail sales and 5% for wholesale sales. We'll supply the marketing funds to generate leads and build that into our cost structure.

   I hope I have to pay out 1 million dollars in commissions.

   Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

1. 
   JourneymanCarpenterT | Feb 21, 2008 03:50am | #4

   I'm curious, what the "Bob's next test date 12/10/07" signature all about?-T

1. 
   MikeSmith | Feb 21, 2008 07:13am | #5

   don't ask...he'll have to double his medsMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   woody1777 | Feb 21, 2008 08:28am | #6

   Jim or Bob ?Naive but refreshing !

2. 
   Jim_Allen | Feb 22, 2008 06:59pm | #7

   Occasionally, I have to test Bob to see if we are speaking the same language. He failed his first test and to be fair, I promised him a retest. He's missed the retest on 12/10. The test is very basic and it has to do with him calling me a Republican when I've voted Libertarian 90% of the time since I've started voting. It's a very simple logic test based on those numbers. Since the test offers, he's never started that stupid argument with me again, so it's working. I'd take the signature down, but I'm sure the same stupid argument would immediately surface again. I'm just happy that I don't have to go through it anymore. I gotta stay outa that tavern.... Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

1. 
   frenchy | Feb 22, 2008 08:39pm | #9

   Blue,

      But you are a republican,,  <grin>  how does it go, walk like a duck talk like a duck?  oh you may have voted libertarian but your strong and continued support of all things republican and lack of interest in other parties clearly identifies you as a duck!

     Most libertarians I know support some positions of both democratic and republican parties..

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Feb 23, 2008 07:04am | #12

   Wrong folder for that reply Frenchy. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

2. 
   frenchy | Feb 23, 2008 02:28pm | #13

   Blue,

    fair enough..

3. 
   billybatts | Mar 14, 2008 08:10am | #14

   you always seem really nice and helpful and smart...case in point all of that great advice about buying a telehandler in another thread...why are so many people rude to you on here? I don't get it. I see things in a different light when you explain it.

4. 
   frenchy | Mar 14, 2008 04:45pm | #15

   billybatts,

      Thank you for your kind words..

       Some people are just naturally rude.. they feel that people with views differant than theirs should be punished.  They aren't aware that uniformity is boring and actaully counter productive..

5. 
   todd | Mar 15, 2008 12:14am | #17

   Hey Billy (and Frenchy),
   I think that the Frenchman gets a little (actually a lot)excited about shellac, SIPS, and a few other topics. But overall, he's a valuable and interesting contributor to this forum and I feel the same as you. Okay to pick on, not okay to demean, although Frenchy's done a good job ignoring those types of posts. Much classier than some...Todd

6. 
   frenchy | Mar 15, 2008 12:39am | #18

   todd, Thanks too,

     Today must be my day,  I'm feeling really great about some of the nice things people have been saying.  I had a couple of former customers call me as well, mainly to chat and let me know they survived last year and are either planning on getting new equipment or  doing something else..  

    Nice to know things are well or improving..  warms my heart..

    thanks again Todd for the kind words..

2. 
   JeffBuck | Mar 14, 2008 10:46pm | #16

   hey ...

   find out on yer next test why he thinks I'm a "conservative".

    

   thanks,

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Mar 15, 2008 12:51am | #19

   I'm sure he'll tell you what you are, depending on the conversation. He usually doesn't base his opinions on your reality, only his desires...at the moment. I find it rather comical.
   Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

4. 
   frenchy | Feb 22, 2008 08:35pm | #8

   JouneymanCarpenterT

    The real question is do you want nice fresh oats or oats that have been through the horse a time or two..

    Selling is a real tough job.. It's rewarded accordingly.. Most of my working life I've made more money than my boss or even his boss. But I'm successful..

     Those that aren't used to that level of success are willing to live closer to the bone.  Where the compensation isn't as good..

    It's sort of like the pay scale in carpentry.. the laborers make less than the jouneyman who makes less than the supervisor etc..

    If your pay scale starts towards the bottom ,...

      If you hire some hungary young kid he might go out and surprise you with his ambition. His enthusiam will offset any lack of skill or knowledge. Probably not though. The record is One person in 1000 will remain in sales for more than 5 years..  But chances are you'll get tired has beens or never were's  who are just looking to hang on.   They will go thru the steps and make the motions untill a better oppertunity comes along..

     If the compensation is higher you will get better  attack dogs who want to eat from the top of the food chain.. Carefull though,, some of us are barely tamed.   If we create we expect first slice and best slice.. It's not unknown that we will bite the hand that feeds us..  That ambition is what makes us successful..

     We are a real risk if it's our nickle on the line.. If we spend our money first in advertising and travel costs etc.. it's extremely easy for us to take the whole carcus for ourselves.. There are plenty of carpenters out there and lot of them would jump at the chance to move up to supervisory positions..

     Your best method of controlling us is to hire an attack dog but front the expenses..   make the compensation enought to attract an attack dog  but control them with the expenses..

    Few really great salesmen want to take on the additional burdens of management if they don't have to..

    PS I've kept refering to salesmen.. there are some real barracuda's  with Women as well. In fact two of the best sales people I know have been women..

     PSS

     The resume will have all the good stuff, ignore it!  Right along with experiance..   Base your hire on the apparent ambition and eargerness the applicant shows.. if he/she can't get excited at this stage you haven't got much to work with..

     

1. 
   jonblakemore | Feb 23, 2008 01:18am | #10

   "The record is One person in 1000 will remain in sales for more than 5 years.."Frenchy,I've heard you say that before. Are you telling me that, for every car salesman who has been there for 61 months, there are 999 who quit in 60 months or less? Our lumberyard salesman has been working for decades. Has he seen 999 co-workers come and go for each five year period of his tenure? 

   Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

1. 
   frenchy | Feb 23, 2008 02:00am | #11

   JonBlakemore

      That is absolutely correct, I've seen the same statistic repeatedly quoted in endless sales magazines and books..  I've been in sales myself well forever, but let's just say that in 40 plus years I would estimate I've seen 3000+ fired and let go and only 1 retire.. Please remember most salesmen work by commision only.   If you fail to produce results you also fail to recieve pay.  Lack of pay is usually sufficent to reason to quit a job..

   As to the turn over in cars sales that is one of the most brutal places to work sales.. most salesmanagers will hire virtually anyone and then pressure them to bring family and friends in to sell them a car.. once there are no more family and friends forthcoming they are terminated.. some dealerships have over  50% turn over every month..

     I can't speak for individual lumberyards but the facts are that less than 1 salesman  in a thousand remains in the career for more than 5 years..

     I suspect that in non-cut throat industries such as lumberyards where loyalty is relatively easy to retain  the percentage may be higher. I don't know that for a fact having never held that position. There might be pressures I'm not aware of..  (grass being greener)