Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: MAX Carpets on May 19, 2009, 01:46:30 pm

Title: Sales Rep
Post by: MAX Carpets on May 19, 2009, 01:46:30 pm
Hi

Anyone ever used a rep. I have a great oppertunity for a lady very experienced in sales looking for work. However she is not to keen on working on commision only. Anyone know what sort of basic wages and/or commision this would be worth. I know its how long is a piece of string question, but any help appreciated.

Regards


Justin
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Mike Halliday on May 19, 2009, 02:23:19 pm
she is not to keen on working on commision only. 

I wonder why? ::) ::)

if she is confident in her sales ability then she will relish the fact that her earnings increase the more she sells.

I would pay her minimum wage plus expenses, then increase your prices by 25% and pay her 25% of all sales.
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: daysdeepclean on May 19, 2009, 02:42:29 pm
Tell her to name her price and see what "You" feel about it... I'm sure there'll be an abundance of redundant sales people at this moment in time... It's an employers market ;)
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Mike Osbourne on May 19, 2009, 06:32:25 pm
If I had four vans and wanted to expand even further, recruiting a full time salesperson would be one of the things I'd do.

I would ring round buyers in related industries and ask them who they know who could do xyz.

I'd take the names that crop up the most and call them up to find out what they want. If I could get them interested I'd get them to show me their figures for the last 3 years and how they could take my business forward.

I'd then go balls out to bring the best Candidate on board.

What I wouldn't do is...

Take someone who just needs a job.

Surely for the average CC Company your low rent and BEST salespeople are your happy customers. Would you take notice of a sales rep who told you a CC company was good or someone already using them?

Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Ricky M on May 19, 2009, 10:09:08 pm
I'm sure there'll be an abundance of redundant sales people at this moment in time... It's an employers market ;)
only if there no good , fact !!

all the best sales folk dont actually sell - The client asks to buy !!
and yes the the best sales folk are on crap basic but good  %s , in the main !!

Ive thought about the pro-active selling side of the biz but im going to wait and learn a little more before I go for the cold close route , Training in staff wouldn be a prob for me personally , its knowelge side that would bugger the seller/canvasser  . the more you know bout your chosen selling arena the better the productivity .
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: daysdeepclean on May 19, 2009, 11:01:36 pm
If there's sod all to sell or no one to sell to as is happening with this recession (Fact), then even some of the best sales reps will be on the dole..... And why on earth would  they necessarily want to sell carpet cleaning? Surely the best reps would have to take a huge drop in what they were earning.

I agree with Mike and think the best sales rep is the satisfied custy.... Sure beats some smarmy tosser in a cheap and nasty suit!
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: clinton on May 20, 2009, 07:35:53 am
Colin

Spot on with that!!

Ask your clients if one of these sales rep came to there door and the answer would be the same..
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: robert meldrum on May 20, 2009, 07:57:24 am
Sales rep's will work on two front's.............commercial, where they need to fully genned up on the benefits of using you rather than Speady Clean or No Chem Carpet Cleaners.

A smartly presented female will outsell three or more average males ( hate to say so but well proven )

Bottom end where they usually work areas in teams leaving a flyer behind with their initials for commission purposes. Usually offering Super Duper cleaning / Dry in seconds / Latest technology, etc and all for £15 aroom but a minimum charge of £50 in tiny print.

Having said that !

CD and other franchise companies are not averse to door knocking.

Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: daysdeepclean on May 20, 2009, 08:20:56 am
Robert, If a charming blonde with legs up to her arm pits came knocking at my door selling carpet cleaning.... I'd probably get it done... ;D

I was sold a Thomsons Local place by a rather pretty girl with a very short skirt.... So I think you're onto something there ;)
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: robert meldrum on May 20, 2009, 08:35:51 am
Many years ago Colin there were only salesmen and when women / girls were introduced, we laughed but the laughter did'nt last. No matter what their selling, females take it more seriously, have a killer instinct and will hang in there. They are good at selling.

They're even taking over car showrooms

Their femininity beats the hell out of corny jokes and football patter any day.
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Barry Livingstone on May 20, 2009, 10:31:36 am
Am in sales , why would I want to sell carpet cleaning for someone else???

My brother in sales he thinks am mad trying to sell a service, he made 155k profit for the company he work for........ from aug last year..........he has a company car, medi ins, company credit card and all that...and work from 9 - 5 some days ...lol.....

you would only get the door knockers selling and they are crap  IMO....

get out yourself and sell, but then you have to be able to sell!!!!!!!!!!!

selling a product or need is easy.......... we are a service thats not need alot by the 1 customer, so you are of lower value to that customer, as a product has higher value to that customer........

How many carpet cleaning product suppliers do carpet cleaning???

cleaninig systems in fife do it and then try and sell us the machines thats why i dont buy from them...

the best sales person you will ever get is yourself...
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Glynn on May 20, 2009, 03:56:22 pm
James123
Why have you got one of my pics on your website ?.
It''s the one showing an RDM in a pub.
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Jim_77 on May 20, 2009, 04:10:55 pm
Oops naughty boy!
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: daysdeepclean on May 20, 2009, 04:20:21 pm
Glyn.... I see one of your pictures on your web site about upholstery cleaning is also in "Extracta's" brochure ::)

Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: MAX Carpets on May 20, 2009, 07:39:39 pm
Ok, sorry I'll make it clearer. I run 3 vans, been cc for 21 yrs. Have over 3000 residential custys on database. It is something I have thought of but never got around to it. After a long conversation with this very switched on rep, I saw an oppertunity for someone to concentrate solely on the commercial side. Something which I just dont have the time to do. Almost every business in the YP for example has a carpet somewhere. I explained if she is happy to work on her own, make her own appointments, price jobs ( as I will show her )  I would be happy to give it a go. Just wondered what you guys thought it would be worth.  I also think commercial work is more likely to be won on price, this makes her job easier than selly to residentails. All comments welcome.

Cheers

J
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Mike Osbourne on May 20, 2009, 07:53:59 pm
3 vans? Good for you, and the idea is worth testing, I just don't think your lady will cut the mustard whereas someone else might.

If you are building a proper business unlike most of us (on the business not in the business etc etc.  ::) ), you will be wanting someone who is top notch. If they are that good they need a very good reason to stay, and it won't just be money. You will need to show them a career path aligned to your company's long term plans.

Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Glynn on May 20, 2009, 08:46:46 pm
Yes it is Colin, but I asked for their permission first.
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on May 20, 2009, 08:59:00 pm
Why would a rep want to work for carpet cleaning? they could sell the work to you and earn much more, but in a recession low priced tickets sell more and easier! so a rep may want to do 1 x sale a week selling a large purchase with a good single payment but if he/she is selling loads of smaller items they could easily make a great wage but on a littler scale but selling more.

Reps are renound for moving jobs as they have little attention span so I would get the rep to get commercial work and M plans this way you have work for when they leave.

Shaun

 
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: daysdeepclean on May 20, 2009, 10:29:46 pm
If I had 3 vans and a 3000 customer base, I'd definately give it a whirl...

But for a one man band it would be a bit of a big leap, in my view!

Glynn, you're not the only one that uses those photo's from that brochure, I've seen loads lately. 


Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on May 20, 2009, 10:37:30 pm
With 3000 on a database why would you need a sales person? just farm your database, I have 3000 on my database and it keeps me out of mischief all of the year.

Shaun
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Ricky M on May 20, 2009, 11:25:42 pm
Im a sheep and I agree with all
bleet bleet  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: daysdeepclean on May 20, 2009, 11:28:12 pm
You really don't want to say that... I'm a Cumbrian.... And we love sheep....  ;) ;), know what I mean? ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: robert meldrum on May 20, 2009, 11:40:55 pm
Mr Ashmore is talking sense !
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: ryan mca on May 20, 2009, 11:52:35 pm
 worked in sales for a couple of years good door knockers earn 40-70k
best ive met 2 at 100k both work for npower
 give it a try for 3 months 200 per week basic 24p per mile her car 10% commision
if she s good your a millionaire
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: MAX Carpets on May 21, 2009, 06:35:08 am
Thanks Ryan, thats the sort of thing I was looking for. Shaun, I'm not one to stand still, plus I want to give my wand to someone else someday!
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Matt Lindus on May 21, 2009, 04:57:02 pm
Carpet and Upholstery cleaning has not got the return to justify paying a professional full time sales person.
You are, or certainly should be obliged to pay someone with a good sales history around 25K + %based commission. Remember that you are employing a human being with responsibility’s of their own, not just someone who you can treat as JUST a revenue builder.

It gets me very angry to think that some people are employed just as a way gaining revenue for an organisation and that’s it. You are morally obliged to this persons well being and future development.

I employ people for one reason only. And that is to provide a secure, sustainable place of work along with a salary and pension that enables a comfortable style life (this is based on a 2 child family person)
In return for this I expect smart, conscientious, hardworking people who have respect for the business and have pride in their work.   

I personally don’t earn a great deal more from employing people after wages etc have been paid, I do it because it's the right thing to do, and makes me feel a better person.

Matt
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: daysdeepclean on May 21, 2009, 05:09:06 pm
Matt, you sound like a more than fair boss and must be one of a very few.... I've worked for crap bosses and always did what was expected of me and no more, a good leader always has his people wanting to prove themselves and performing well above the standard required.

I'll keep what you've said in mind for when I can employ someone one day..

Regards, Colin......
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Mike Osbourne on May 21, 2009, 06:02:45 pm
Sorry Matt but when I read that I thought what a load of sanctimonious b******s. ;D

When push comes to shove you would put your family first everytime. It just so happens if you treat people who work for you right, it goes a long way to having a sustainable and profitable business.

Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Matt Lindus on May 21, 2009, 07:02:17 pm
Sorry Matt but when I read that I thought what a load of sanctimonious b******s. ;D

When push comes to shove you would put your family first everytime. It just so happens if you treat people who work for you right, it goes a long way to having a sustainable and profitable business.



That made me laugh ;D But no its all true. I went through a stage early on of trying to be the big man and pushed people to do the impossible, big mouth to boot. No one had respect and they all thought I was a d**k, and looking back I was,,, a great big one!.

If your seen to have good intentions and are firm but fair with people they respect you more for it. And you can also be seen as a friend not just a boss to avoid.

Matt
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Ricky M on May 21, 2009, 08:56:01 pm
Im going to give this whirl maybe next spring for a few months for commercial contracts
recon you will need a big contract 1st so they can sell on the strength of that
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Mike Osbourne on May 21, 2009, 08:57:12 pm
It's not that that long ago really the 'working class' were effectively slaves to their Employers until a few business owevers who really didn't have to decided it was wrong and did something about it.

The Quakers were a driving force for change as well of course as a bolshie bunch of Northerners.

Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Ricky M on May 21, 2009, 09:22:56 pm
mike , having a go at the northeners eh
peaches and plums to you buddy
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on May 21, 2009, 09:24:30 pm
Was Fred Elliott one of thos Northerners?

Shaun
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: robert meldrum on May 21, 2009, 09:48:30 pm
Matt

That's a charity you're talking about....

When " loyal " staff decide to go off sick and blatently cheat you aided by uncaring GP's you might feel less kindhearted.

How about having to pay them for doing nothing for 28 weeks and at the same time having to pay another to do the work the " sick " person would have been doing, leaving your business losing money for the full 28 weeks ?
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Mike Osbourne on May 21, 2009, 10:02:53 pm
Hi Ricky

How you doin today?

Mike
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: Ian Gourlay on May 22, 2009, 07:21:39 am
Form a seperate Carpet Cleaners Direct marketing Company

Tour the Unis recruit Recent Graduates

Supply them with Caravan

Dump them in an area to be canvased.

Had a real bubley Graduate Yeaterday call on me from Talk Talk  and that is how they recruitt canvasers

Re Your person

If they have not got a job  and claiming unemplyment

They can work up to 15hrs without causing a problem

Therefore there should be no problem  person giving it a try on results only for a couple of weeks

They just pay back profit to Government  ( Makes you Laugh now)

That way they can find out ifis woreth while.

Mind you I have same problem myself. I have a Guy he wants paying

Then he complains I do not use him very often

He could work when he wants on commision.

In the early 90s several of us worked for diffrent sales companies if you sold you were paid.   I work that way now
Title: Re: Sales Rep
Post by: murky on May 23, 2009, 02:05:43 pm
If I had a 3k data base I would have a good telly sales girl on the phone ringing up old custys 'hello Mrs Wilson, we cleaned your carpets last year and they probably want doing again now, can we book you in for Wednesday'.
If you paid her 10% of each job she got you wouldnt have to worry about anything.

Murky