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    What's the sleaziest sales job you've ever had? Sales and Selling

    April 14, 2019

    What's the sleaziest sales job you've ever had? Sales and Selling

    What's the sleaziest sales job you've ever had?

    Posted: 14 Apr 2019 02:06 AM PDT

    We all start out somewhere...

    When I started out in sales (circa 2002), I found myself employed in a few sleazy, borderline shady, high-pressure sales roles. No direct scams or anything, but definitely some questionable situations. These jobs were pretty lame, but I feel like I gained a ton of useful experience that really paid off later. I learned a lot about people, how to overcome objections, and how to close over the phone. I parlayed this experience into a mid six-figure sales role with a company everyone's heard of. I now own a business and still make time to pound the phones here and there (gotta stay sharp).

    Here's a few of the really lame sales jobs I worked and what I learned in the process:

    Note: All of these events took place around 2002-2003. This was before the internet was really a thing. I doubt these roles even exist anymore.

    1. Speaker salesman - I answered an ad in the paper that said, "Audio Sales: Make $1k+ per week!" Turns out, the job was driving around in a van selling speakers in parking lots. I did this for close to 1 year. Traveled around the country (had to pay my own travel expenses), and hawked speakers to guys in black trucks. I learned how to overcome objection, negotiate, and keep the prospect interested. I also learned how to close hard, because nobody buys speakers out of a van in the Home Depot parking lot unless they're under a lot of pressure.
    2. Art salesman - Not fine art, no. These were cheap prints of Salvador Dali and Van Gogh. Again, answered an ad in the paper to "Make big cash being an art dealer!" This one was a little less sleazy. We would drive around office parks and go into businesses and tell them we're, "with the builders" and we have some art from the model homes we're looking to get rid of for cheap (nobody ever asked which builders we were with or where the model homes were).
    3. Auto parts - This one wasn't that sleazy tbh. The auto parts were legit, although overpriced. My job was to call mom and pop auto repair shops and sell them things like fuel line, butt connectors, bulbs, and other stuff they need in their shop on a daily basis. We had "specials" and we would sell some stuff super cheap to get them hooked and then just keep adding on items. They assumed because the first item was cheap everything else was a fair price too. I really learned how to pound the phone and close over the phone. It was super hard to get these old greaseball mechanics to whip out their credit card and give it to a stranger over the phone. You really had to be smooth. I even went as far as to talk in whatever accent the prospect had - if I was calling GA, I had a southern twang, calling NJ, I sounded like Guido the bookie. I basically learned that people buy from people they like or who are similar to them. I also learned how and when to ask for the sale and how to apply pressure over the phone without being pushy.
    4. Advertising sales - Advertising sales? That's not sleazy, right? It is if you're selling ad space in a magazine that never gets published! (well, I think they did end up printing a couple hundred copies for show). I worked for a company that was authorized to raise funds for the police and fire fighters unions. This company paid the police and fire unions a set amount each quarter and they were allowed to keep whatever they raised beyond that. Anyway, my job was to sell ad space in this little magazine. I had to source my own leads, so every two-bit publication became a money maker for me (because these businesses were already advertising in print). Every week the Mint magazine and Money pages would come out, so I would grab a copy and start calling the advertisers. I'd say, "I saw your ad in Mint magazine, that print ad is really paying off!" - basically reaffirming their decision to advertise. I mainly learned how to be resourceful and find leads. I also learned how to get past gatekeepers without having the name of the decision maker.

    I guess that's about it. I've had some other tough sales jobs but those were the ones where I actually learned things that I could apply later in life.

    Obviously you should always try to meet the prospect's needs by delivering a solution to their problem. Truly help them, be consultative, etc. blah, blah, blah... The jobs above are not those types of sales jobs.

    I think it's good for people starting out to try selling something that nobody wants. It doesn't have to be sleazy, but try selling credit repair or time shares, or even credit card processing - basically something that people aren't really looking to buy at the moment. If you have natural sales talent, you will become much better.

    ​

    Have you ever in worked in sleazy/high pressure sales job? Do you feel like you're a better salesperson for having worked that job?

    ​

    Tl;dr: I worked in some sleazy sales jobs when I was starting out. I feel like I'm a better salesperson for having worked in those jobs.

    submitted by /u/ivapelocal
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    What percent does Amazon take per sold product?

    Posted: 14 Apr 2019 12:17 PM PDT

    Hello,

    ​

    I am curious about the cut Amazon takes per sold product. I sell books on Amazon, and I know that they take 50-55% of the sale per sold print book. I wonder about other products, though. Is it the same? Would Amazon take around 50% of the sale of a TV, for instance? Or is this profit snatch solely for print books?

    submitted by /u/makeit234
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    Entry level sales jobs where I can make enough to support my family without feeling like I’m ruining people’s lives.

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 03:15 PM PDT

    Hello,

    I am interested in joining a company where I can be a salesman, but I do not have much sales experience (3 years total, split 2/1 between selling supplements, and men's clothing), so I'm looking at "entry level" sales positions. However, all I seem to be finding are these completely deceptive jobs listings with stuff like "unlimited commissions, avg. $80k+ yearly, own your own business" jobs. The jobs that are not listed in that way are still almost exclusively no salary, 100% commission jobs that don't seem to be designed for employee success. I just want a job where I can sell, make a living, and at least not completely scam people. Any advice on any companies or specific sales positions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

    submitted by /u/schnoppes
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    Help with my script!

    Posted: 14 Apr 2019 10:56 AM PDT

    My job is appointment setting for my director. The product is accounting and finance consulting and recruiting. The demographic is in accounting and finance positions, manager level and up to c-suite. Then I listed a few of my most common objections and the response. Thanks!

    PITCH

    "It's name from my firm. We're the finance and accounting consulting and recruiting firm. How are you?

    I'm the assistant to my director she's our director for the territory.

    • We've done work with company
    • She's been meeting several of your colleagues at company
    • We work frequently in the industry space

    I'm calling because director wanted to find a time to drop by just to share our resource model, see what your project and hiring needs are in the next quarter, and become a point of contact for the future. Would you have time in the next week or two to briefly connect?"

    OBJECTIONS

    "I don't want/need to meet" "Not interested in meeting" "No needs"

    Would you be open to a short phone call, I know director would just love to connect with you so you'll have firm in mind in case something urgent comes up.

    "What is the meeting about?"

    director wants to share our resource model and see if there are any points of intersection and become a resource moving forward. Even if you have a few minutes, director would just love to connect with you.

    "Are you on the vendor list?"

    We're in the process of getting on the list. Which is why she's meeting people over there.

    "Not DM"

    director would still like to meet and learn more about your role. Would you be open to a short phone call? I know she would just love to connect with you briefly.

    "Talk so HR"

    • Ok, I'll do that. But in the meantime, would you be open to a brief phone call just because HR doesn't always understand the scope of finance and accounting positions like you would.
    • Do you have a specific person I could contact?
    submitted by /u/anotherCPA-hole
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    Salesforce - apps, plug-in recommendation

    Posted: 14 Apr 2019 05:23 AM PDT

    I managed all my prospecting activity outside of Salesforce for last year or so and had job running in background to import the data. But the interface is broken and fixing is becoming an issue. So I'm thinking to switch over completely to use SF as my primary prospecting tool. My usual daily routine is about 60-70 calls/day and similar number of emails. Any recommendations for plugins, apps on Salesforce to help this activity? How do you guys manage the follow ups, build nice momentum?

    submitted by /u/umyal2001
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    What are benefits like?

    Posted: 14 Apr 2019 08:23 AM PDT

    What benefits can a sales guy making around 100k expect for healthcare and 401k? I've heard and seen conflicting stories and would like to know when companies are cheapskating.

    submitted by /u/salesapprentice
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    What entry-level sales jobs are available to high school students?

    Posted: 14 Apr 2019 07:50 AM PDT

    I'm 15 years old, and I want to gain experience in sales. How/where should I go about this? Who would hire me?

    submitted by /u/Poltercon
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    Roof sales, any tips and tricks?

    Posted: 14 Apr 2019 07:46 AM PDT

    Realizing a lot of these houses with missing shingles are the ones adamant about not buying

    I'm not the 1st guy to attempt to close them

    Also looking at these motel/hotel roofs 🤔

    submitted by /u/IsntThisSumShit
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    Seeking advise on a free trial approach

    Posted: 14 Apr 2019 04:04 AM PDT

    We do niche commodity research offering unique data useful in business development/strategic planning by miners (actual global real time supply snapshot, price forecasts and etc) we are targeting mid size producers as well as end buyers/traders. We offer 3 publications differing by the scope and variety of info. Given previous experience we can see that the free trials are resulting in the highest rate of engagements, one to one communication with the decision makers / higher conversion opportunities.

    Now the dilemma we face: should we offer A) the basic publication as a free trial and afterwards give an advanced publication sample during the end of trial pitch OR B) give the most advanced publication from the start to fully showcase our capabilities?

    The problem with going full disclosure is that potential clients adopt we want what we have received but for the lowest price on the list. It's rather bizarre negotiation position which usually led nowhere previously

    At the same time giving just basic pub does not showcase all the value clients could get

    Your comments/advise would be most appreciated

    submitted by /u/droidorat
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    Anyone remote working sales reps use google voice for sales calls.. good experience?

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 09:49 PM PDT

    I'm looking for a tool that allows me to just call straight from the computer instead of having to use my personal line. Is google voice good for this.. is it all completely WiFi based?

    submitted by /u/DrCardioo
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    Does Close.io also work for customer service?

    Posted: 14 Apr 2019 02:28 AM PDT

    It doesn't appear to have a universal inbox (or "channels" like Front and some others have), but I guess you could create an extra user called Universal Inbox or something. What else is it lacking? I notice their own support uses Freshdesk so it must be missing something.

    submitted by /u/MNHTN
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    Anyone here served in the military?

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 10:11 PM PDT

    After high school I'm thinking about joining the Air Force to instill discipline, travel and meet interesting people. Anyone here in sales have a military background?

    submitted by /u/baseball442abc
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    how do you show potential employers that you are a top performer?

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 06:39 PM PDT

    My company is making it super difficult to determine who is #1 versus the rest of the SDR team because they havn't quite figured out quotas and metrics yet. There is no separation between outbound and inbound, so some people work the system while others actually do real prospecting. I'm worried that when/if I leave that I won't be able to show how I was the top performer without having to explain how complicated the whole situation was.

    submitted by /u/ToughPoopSoftHeart
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    OUTSOURCING SALES IT

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 01:04 PM PDT

    Hi guys,

    I have quite an interesting situation. How to build sales in a company that never had sales in the 1st place.

    The company provides IT outsourcing services.

    From what should I start to bring new clients?

    submitted by /u/Scott2t
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    Thinking about becoming a luxury car salesman

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 02:53 PM PDT

    I am (22M) from Ontario Canada and was thinking about becoming a luxury car salesman (preferably Mercedes-Benz, a company that I have a passion for). I used to be a used car salesman and have my OMVIC license. I was wondering if everyone else is a salesman for luxury cars and could tell me what it is like. What is expected from you from a day to day basis? What experiences did you have to have to get hired or what experiences are you looking for if you were hiring? Are there any books or things I should look into to give me an edge in this type of field? Are there any tips and tricks I should know? and anything general you could tell me.

    submitted by /u/kindlawyer
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    When a customer doesn’t like you.

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 05:33 PM PDT

    I seem to think everybody likes me but I'm coming to the possibility maybe I'm not all liked all the time. I blamed the customers quietness and rudeness on their own selves but maybe Its me and I can change something.

    If my customer doesn't like me, they won't buy my product.

    How do I know a customer doesn't like me? What body language do I look for? How do I make sure I'm liked and trusted?

    Have you ever small talked and just can't get along with the customer? Ex) Every answer is short and to the point and won't let you really small talk and want you to finish up.

    submitted by /u/ConvertibleSpuds
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    is it possible for someone in a headhunting sales role to transition into saas sales?

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 05:26 PM PDT

    Non-sales jobs that are good sales experience?

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 05:24 PM PDT

    I love sales but between school, personal life, relationships, and everything else, having a quota over my head is a bit much for me right now. I want to learn and get better but school is taking up a lot of my time right now. What are some jobs that can improve my sales and interpersonal skills while I'm still in school?

    submitted by /u/aghw
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    Cvent and Memoryblue

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 05:00 PM PDT

    I'm applying to these two companies in Tyson's Corner, Virginia and was wondering if anyone has worked for them previously. If you have, did you like your time their and was it a good entry level job?

    submitted by /u/Moooosse
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    Remote workers - what apps do you use to stay organised?

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 04:24 PM PDT

    Title says it all - if you work out in the field are there any personal apps outside of company software and CRMs to stay organised and on top of things?

    submitted by /u/mikey4g5
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    Anyone sell Mobility Solutions(Cell Phones/plans) to Small Businesses in an Inside Sales Role

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 03:58 PM PDT

    Is selling luxury cars more lucrative than selling insurance ?

    Posted: 13 Apr 2019 01:00 PM PDT

    I am finishing my bachelor's degree in finance and currently selling home and car insurance in a big insurance company. Should I switch to selling cars ? Will it be more lucrative ?

    I live in Canada and am a pretty good salesman

    submitted by /u/greentea81
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