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?

Attached poll
*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.
💰 Compensation
😢 SADNESSSLieutenant
🌍 stateof sales 2023
22
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
11
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
Opinionated
4
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
Maximas
Tycoon
-5
Senior Sales Executive
I second this!
detectivegibbles
Politicker
6
Sales Director
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
Opinionated
3
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
Politicker
3
Sales Director
"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!
Sunbunny31
Politicker
4
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
WR Lieutenant
3
☕️
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.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
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
Opinionated
3
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
WR Lieutenant
3
☕️
Why would they waste time on that when they haven't built an Android app?
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Or desktop DMs....
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
Or get rid of public profiles like Sahil said he would. Or communicate with us before they blow shit up and cause outrage.
quotascammedeverytime
Opinionated
2
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
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
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
Opinionated
2
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
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
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
Opinionated
2
account executive
Thanks for saying that, I need to hear these things because jesus the shit gets discouraging
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
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
Good Citizen
3
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.
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
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.
RandyLahey
Politicker
1
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
Opinionated
2
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
Good Citizen
1
Director of Business Development
It certainly feels that way. I hope not though.
quotascammedeverytime
Opinionated
1
account executive
maybe its time we become farmers and sell corn to the government
EmilyCBusch
Praised Answer
1
Congressional Candidate
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
Opinionated
0
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
podescre
1
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
Opinionated
1
account executive
Can confirm they weren’t. Burning bridges industry wide
emerge.life
Valued Contributor
1
Field Sales Development Executive
Checking glassdoor for recent (but genuine) reviews would help, as well as messaging other reps in the company via LinkedIn too.
They will be more honest than you expect.

If a company is going through any type of "change", be it a merger,acquisition, new C execs, then this would be an indicator of turbulence ahead
Glengaryglenross
Member
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Nothing like getting a new comp plan rolled out that will “make everyone more money.”
WheelofCheese
Opinionated
0
Sales Executive
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
Politicker
0
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
Look, things will change over time. They always do. Just have to hedge the downside.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
0
Sales Rep
Thats just corporate america, you bonus will be x amount, promotion next year, there is always something
Filth
Politicker
0
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
Good Citizen
0
Director of Business Development
The funny thing is, when they screw you, they claim it was just to do so.
salesprofessional26
Executive
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Currently fighting my company and had to submit evidence to be paid out for a deal I closed. An account manager overseas is trying to claim 50% of my deal.. even though it’s 100% within my territory. Make it make sense..
29
Members only

How to pick your sales career path as told by a VP of Sales at a company for salespeople 🤯

Official
12
17

What did you do before getting into your sales position?

Question
20
51
Members only

This is the guy who told me to "rethink my career" in sales...

Discussion
50