quotascammedeverytime

account executive

Is a career in sales just getting scammed repeatedly by your employer?

AKA, lied to about OTE, comp plan changed mid year, commissions not payed out and having to fight for what you are owed. Have yet to work at a company where everything goes smoothly and I get paid what I was promised.

Is a career in sales just getting scammed repeatedly by your employer?

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Rolling 20's all day

This is why you ALWAYS speak with an active rep in the position you're applying for and gauge whether they are blowing smoke up your ass or not.
Ask the hard questions and don't take things at face value.
Prospects lie all the time so this is just good practice for your daily life as a salesperson.

quotascammedeverytime

account executive

Good advice. Interviewing from a position of strength this time so hopefully won't take the first company that gives me an offer lol

Senior Sales Executive

I second this!

detectivegibbles

Good companies don't do this. Sorry this is happening.

Once a company starts fucking with my commissions I worked for, we're going to have trust issues.

quotascammedeverytime

account executive

When I brought it up they acted like I was in the wrong for having an issue. Then got the whole "attitude problem" thing. Ow ow ow

detectivegibbles

"I appreciate you taking the time to address this with me. I want to be sure I'm still on the same page with leadership regarding expectations.

I'm showing that I should've been paid XYZ on this date and that our comp has now changed.

Can you elaborate as to why I haven't been paid out on this yet? Will this be the norm moving forward?

Thank you!"

You are ALWAYS owed clarity when it comes to your paycheck!

Sr Sales Executive

How often has this happened to you?
Territory changes have happened for me, but none of the rest of it, and never frequently.

poweredbycaffeine

My exact thoughts. I had a mid-year comp plan change one time in 2011 and have been with orgs who don't fuck around ever since.

Sr Sales Executive

In 2020, our company changed our comp plan - to our benefit. That's the last time that happened out of cycle. Not saying they didn't totally whiff the go to market plan several times, but they didn't play mid-year shenanigans.

quotascammedeverytime

account executive

That's the type of stuff I dream about. I think it traces back to the CEO or maybe the investors? Like certain PE shops I've noticed will instruct their operators to play with sales comp. Not sure. Bravado should really keep track of every private equity managing director and their track record of sales comp

poweredbycaffeine

Why would they waste time on that when they haven't built an Android app?

Sr Sales Executive

Or desktop DMs....

Or get rid of public profiles like Sahil said he would. Or communicate with us before they blow shit up and cause outrage.

quotascammedeverytime

account executive

First company territory changed every 2 months. Had to correct commission with sales ops every paycheck. Eventually they made the comp plan so ludicrous that it was just the nail in the coffin. And comp plan changed twice a year and had to argue with board. At current company, quite frequently since its a start up but that's at least expected

Sr Sales Executive

That's painful. So are you looking for another position elsewhere? As DND says, make sure you speak with current/former reps as part of your process.

quotascammedeverytime

account executive

Yes, it's still tough because the job market is so competitive due to layoffs. And anywhere with good and transparent comp is looking for a more proven track record of success. Might have to stick it out where I'm at just to get in somewhere good. Not sure, just hoping to get in at one good company to get a shot

Sr Sales Executive

I'd keep looking even as you keep working. Certainly don't want to be where you don't know how or how much you're going to get paid. There are better companies out there, and persistence does pay off.

quotascammedeverytime

account executive

Thanks for saying that, I need to hear these things because jesus the shit gets discouraging

Sr Sales Executive

No kidding, it can be a grind. Do your best to keep at it and try not to be totally discouraged. Things will turn around.

Hottubtimemachine

Director of Business Development

Yes. I have had a commission chopped down because I exceeded their expectations. Their comment? "Forget it. We have more expensive lawyers than you could ever afford. Smile and move on." Another one? Sure! "So, we have to cap your pay because the team isn't making any sales. Only you are. I need to keep the sales staff content." Swear to God. These things were actually said by previous sales managers.

for the first 5 years of my career this is EXACTLY my experience.

BUT
when i found a company that does things differently and actually does right by their employees, my eyes were opened.

Valued Contributor

Account Manager

Really sorry to hear this. It’s happened to me a few times, but more an exception to the rule type thing.

Let us know if we can help you in any way.

quotascammedeverytime

account executive

Thanks :) Well any referrals or intros would help for smb or MM AE roles. Even though Ihave more experience with and am more suited for midmarket, companies keep trying to put me in smb

Hottubtimemachine

Director of Business Development

It certainly feels that way. I hope not though.

quotascammedeverytime

account executive

maybe its time we become farmers and sell corn to the government

Senior Territory Manager

2021 started with territory changes that led to more territory shifting. In the last week of the year when stack rankings came out, I went from 112% down to 99%. A colleague went from 104% down to 95%. We were told “You should use your commission statements each month as your guide, not the 3 reports we send you everyday. And if you weren’t aware this this is how it works, that’s on your line manager. Ask him.” So in an effort to clarify what sales ops had said I asked, “So what you’re saying is, my commission is being paid off a report that I can’t see?” He replied (no camera on our Teams meeting as he said it) “Yes.” I should have walked right then. But I stayed another year and half until they made the decision for me. I’ll never go back to sales.

quotascammedeverytime

account executive

Yeah I'm thinking about leaving as well. Most careers are also BS, but the difference is your comp is not impacted by lies

Director of Sales

It’s an ethics issue. If the company isn’t straightforward with what they will pay their employee, one shouldn’t expect them to be truthful with their clients. It’s a recipe for failure

quotascammedeverytime

account executive

Can confirm they weren’t. Burning bridges industry wide

Luckily, I’ve never been in a role where I’ve been lied to regarding comp. That said, I’ve had recruiters flat out inflate OTE to try to get me to sign. Do your research as best as you can so you’re not bamboozled again. Yes, I said
bamboozled. It’s a great word 😜

FinanceEngineer

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

Look, things will change over time. They always do. Just have to hedge the downside.

Kosta_Konfucius

Thats just corporate america, you bonus will be x amount, promotion next year, there is always something

Live Filthy or Die Clean

If that's the game you're in, fight fire with fire. Lie about the pipeline/forecast/close dates and lie about the fact that you aren't looking all over for a better opportunity of employment.

Hottubtimemachine

Director of Business Development

The funny thing is, when they screw you, they claim it was just to do so.