Commission only Sales bad for personal and business growth

Is commission only Sales bad for personal and startup growth?

Finding mix reviews online.

A few arguments that I am seeing online are:

commission only sales can be a good side hustle to make some extra cash on the side.

On the other hand it is bad for the business since a sales rep can damage business reputation since they are not putting their best effort in closing the deal. Any advice community can share here?

☁️ Software Tech
14
Diablo
Politicker
4
Sr. AE
I will never do Commission Only role
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
5
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Same here. Just not willing to put myself in that position, especially with little ones
detectivegibbles
Politicker
2
Sales Director
No bueno for me. I'm fine with a small base if commissions are uncapped and realistic.
braintank
Politicker
2
Enterprise Account Executive
Not for me
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
I personally am wary of commission only but I would argue that a rep would be working twice as hard to close if 100% of their money relied on closing
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
I was on commission only for 5 years to start my professional career right out of college.

The shit i saw reps do to make money was INSANE;
1. create fake business and sell products that had accelerated commissions to make a quick buck (right before they quit)
2. lie about what investment products do so the client would choose one wiht a higher commission % for the rep
3. forge paperwork so they could make a sale (this is actually a crime)
when ppls backs are against the wall, they will do ANYTHING.
i think commission only roles have a place, but i can tell you that I would NEVER have it be my sole source of income again.
Space_Ghost20
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
Commission-only would only work for products/services/solutions that have a known use and market for, sold by a known and trustworthy company. If you're selling something brand new put out by a chop shop, fly by night startup, all you're doing is putting 100% of the risk onto yourself. Might work if you're 20 years old and still living with your parents and you figure why the hell not. Or if you're 65 and still want to do something with your time but you don't really need the money.
Personally, I'm not willing to take on 100% risk for a business venture that isn't my own.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
I personally wouldn't want that role.
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
It can be good if you are disciplined, optimistic, and can handle not receiving a paycheck for up to a year.

Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Why are you looking for commission-only roles?
SalesNewbie1
Fire Starter
1
@FounderTechStartup
as a secondary job, to make some extra bucks on the side. I have a few contacts in tech that can benefit.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Interesting. I'd recommend checking Bravado Flex here - note that with the tech layoffs, it's been slower than anticipated, but you might find something there.
Coastal_crusher
Politicker
0
Sales Director
Cant speak to growth, but base pay is definitely better for Ye ole mental health
punishedlad
Tycoon
0
Business Development Team Lead
Never ever will I do commission only sales. I feel like every commission only sales rep is a shark looking for blood in the water. They're usually pushing for more than makes sense in order to make more money, and hardly every have the client's best interests in mind.
Maximas
Tycoon
0
Senior Sales Executive
I would hardly take aCommission Only side hustle, still my recommendation to you is to take it only if you need it!
DalJigsaw
Contributor
0
Business Development and Account Manager
If I was only starting in sales maybe but now with two children no way. I have school loan to pay off on top of that. Haha
Justatitle
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
there's a small percentage of reps that like commission only. A few reasons why
1.) they can be shady in their sales tactics and really they don't get in trouble or it's a slap on the wrist and keep plugging along
2.) they have the opportunity to make an insane amount of money
3.) time management. They don't have guilt of making a base salary, what they put in is what they get out
I'm sure theres a few reasons I am missing from this list, however, I am not in the bucket that prefers commission only. I'd rather guaranteed money with a variable.
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