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NoahBark

VP Sales Americas

Contributor
Fire Starter

Bait & Switch?

@here 
I took on a new sales role recently and as part of the offer they included a 3 month commission guarantee.  On my second day during onboarding HR informed me that this was going to be paid as a quarterly bonus (3 & 1/2 months from now) huh?! Before I pushed back I wanted to get some input from you guys.  Is this normal? shouldn't this be paid out monthly?
🧠 Advice
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15 comments

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CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
🦊
What does the agreement say in writing?
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
gotta check the fine print!!! if it doesn't mention this in your offer letter then you are screwed.

but if it DOES now you have a leg to stand on.

read the offer letter, read the offer letter, read the offer letter!
NoahBark
Contributor
2
VP Sales Americas
The offer letter is clear. “Your variable component will be paid at 100% for the first 3 months of employment”. it says nothing about the amount be paid at one time 3&1/2 months later at the end of the quarter.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
yeah that is pretty clear. im assuming they normally pay commissions monthly?

if thats the case you need to go to HR and show them this.

send an email to HR and CC your boss. mention the section of your offer letter that calls this out. and attach the offer letter.
NoahBark
Contributor
1
VP Sales Americas
Exactly what I did last night ;)
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
nice!! keep us posted on how this goes. Im always curious on the outcomes.
NoahBark
Contributor
1
VP Sales Americas
The offer letter is clear. “Your variable component will be paid at 100% for the first 3 months of employment”. it says nothing about the amount be paid at one time 3&1/2 months later at the end of the quarter.
SaaSam
Politicker
3
Account Executive
Definitely some intentional deceit with the way they portrayed it to you. You typically want a commission guarantee to ensure you have that money coming in while you ramp. If they hold on to it for 3 & 1/2 months you're not really benefitting from it in the way you expected.

Yet another reason to make sure your salary alone can support your lifestyle and only look at commissions as something extra.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
3
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Kind of BS here. I agree with @SaaSam on his input, this would be something to question up front. Live and learn
jefe
Arsonist
3
🍁
Sounds like they might have done this so they if you don't pass a 90 day probation they don't have to pay you.

Dirty
braintank
Politicker
2
Enterprise Account Executive
The draws I've had are monthly, but at the end of the day the dollar amount is the same. Not much you can do i suppose.
NoahBark
Contributor
2
VP Sales Americas
I pushed back … just sent the email. 😈 I’m 100% not cool with this. I’ll keep you posted.
tightlines
Politicker
1
Account Executive
My company did the same thing and I also learned the lesson to ask more questions up front. Once you receive the full commission plan, that’s where you’ll see it spelled out
ChumpChange
Politicker
0
Channel Manager
Typically, new hires should be on a ramp period to give you enough time to grow into your and build your pipeline. This is definitely shady if they're applying this change to you. I would echo what others said... Read the offer letter.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
0
Sales Rep
I would do a quick search to see if there are a lot of people left after exactly 3 months

Its weird, but I assume you plan to stay longer than 4 months and assume they think the same

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