Promising sales job but company reviews mixed

I was offered an entry level sales position for a roofing company. 100% commission with benefits. The commission structure is promising and the people there seem great. But no one has been there for more than a year, not even the manager, and the reviews for the company itself are mixed. Either 5 start or 1 star reviews. Should I take the leap of faith or keep searching for something more solid?

🏹 War Room
🤝 Interviewing/Offer
13
Diablo
Politicker
10
Sr. AE
First off I am sure I won't ever do 100% commission role and most of the savages here as well!

When you saw the ratings, did you see which departments were they from, example you might see good reviewes from tech team of the same company taking an avg to 4.5 but when you specifically see the sales team ratings they are way below supplemented with the reviews?

Try to catch hold of a few on LI that left the company early to get some insights. All the best man!
Greii
Contributor
0
Sales Associate
Yea, I filtered to just the sales side which either have 5 star or 1 star reviews. The 5 stars seem cheesy and the 1 stars all talk about it being shady, no reimbursement for mileage, working weekends, etc. On the customer review side yelp is entirely 1 star (but its yelp) and Google reviews are mostly positive. Also its a 100% commission, no mileage reimbursement, lots of driving and long hours, mandatory working Saturdays. 
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
Damn, it's tough and rough atleast for me. Ratings without any reviews shouldn't be taken on the face value. If you are hell bent on working with them, best is to talk to some of the prev reps but as much as I heard from you, I would rather wait for another opportunity.
Greii
Contributor
0
Sales Associate
Yea you're right, it felt off and still does so I'm just gonna wait. Thanks! 
funcoupons
WR Officer
7
👑
This doesn't sound like a great opportunity to me. Very few people can survive in a 100% commission environment to begin with, but no mileage reimbursement with lots of driving, mandatory weekends, I imagine no benefits plan or other perks as well? I'mma head out.

The five star views are either fake ones written by management/ass kissing employees or the very rare person who was able to succeed in that kind of setup and is making bank. The one stars could be people who were fired/just not cut out for the job, but likely more accurate than the five star ones. I like to see mainly high three, low four star reviews for a company as a middle of the road review is going to be much more trustworthy than an all negative or all positive one.

Unless you're desperate I'd pass on this opportunity and look for something else. 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
6
🦊
The roofing business is on another planet. Y'all wild.
funcoupons
WR Officer
6
👑
This company sounds like a Mickey Mouse operation that can't afford to hire talent, I don't think most roofing companies operate like this.
Greii
Contributor
0
Sales Associate
A lot of them around here actually do the same thing. Either 1099 or full commission with some benefits and working weekends. At least the smaller ones anyway 
Greii
Contributor
0
Sales Associate
What do you mean? 
TheOverTaker
Politicker
5
Senior Account Executive
100% commission I'm 1000% out
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
5
Rolling 20's all day
1) I wouldn't ever advocate for a 100% commission job. They might be looking for ways to screw you on payout once you finally start closing.

2) this leads into - WHY NO ONE IS STAYING. Either hard closes, lacking support, or people not lasting with no pay.

3) Maybe a competitor is paying better and poaching people? Roofing isn't new and I'm sure you can find at least a base somewhere if this is what you want to do. 

Everyone is trying to hire sales right now!

4) 5 star reviews are HR trying to get the average up (or it is the pet employees - from my own experience - who are putting them).

Greii
Contributor
0
Sales Associate
Yea it felt off when they told me no one has been around for more than a year. The money seemed great but I might be getting blinded and overlooking all the BS inbetween 
braintank
Politicker
3
Enterprise Account Executive
No offense, but what sounds great about 100% commission job? 
Greii
Contributor
0
Sales Associate
None taken. The ability to make upwards of 200k a year. I would also be coming from a 100% commission job already. 
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
If people were making $200k a year they'd be sticking around...
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
3
SaaS Eater
I was out at 100% commission. Remind me why you think this is a good opportunity? 

No one has tenure, nothing is guaranteed, leadership is mediocre at best, no chance I ever think about this one. 

The job market is really hot right now, with 2 ounces of effort I promise you can find a much better role. 
Greii
Contributor
1
Sales Associate
I was blinded by the potential $$$. But my eyes have been opened 
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
1
SaaS Eater
They are trying to sell you the dream but stay away. Also that industry is brutal. 
Beans
Big Shot
3
Enterprise Account Executive
I've done 100% commission - do not do it.

You will erode every sense of work life balance, it takes time to get on-boarded and over the hump or product knowledge and specific tactics to win, and you have zero negotiation power when/if you become the king of the hill. 
DrSmallprint
Politicker
3
Account Executive
I got my start in roofing. 100% commission is the norm for the industry, so that's not the giant red flag this sub is making it seem.

The bigger thing you should worry about is leads. Is this a hail chasing business? if so it will involve lots of D2D prospecting and the money is not what it used to be. If they are supplying set appointments for you via traditional advertising, this role might not be so bad. You will have to learn to be a hard closer, "one call" sign now or loose your discount kind of stuff is the norm.


More research is needed .

Mobi85
Politicker
2
Regional Sales Manager
This may or may not be the company you could be working for but here is what I got for you.
1) Get ready to become a storm chaser and be prepared for doing some door to door sales. Roofing industry thrives on mother nature’s destruction.
2) roofing industry can be fruitful but also is typically somewhat shady in general. They are hired by being the best cost more often than not and that is done by cutting corners on product, safety or payroll. That is the reason why they want 100% commission, they don’t have to pay you to knock doors days on end with no sales. You will probably get frustrated and quit and then johnny homeowner will call in and ask for a quote and the owner can quote it without having to worry about paying you commissions because you are no longer there.
Have had friends do the roofing game and it is a dog eat dog type of sales profession but can be successful with a shit ton of drive and good luck.
MCP
Valued Contributor
2
Sales Director
No. You can do better.
cw95
Politicker
2
Sales Development Lead
Unless you’ve been fired or not got on with people, people never really leave bad reviews. How often do you leave reviews on a hotel or restaurant you go to?
I always see it as someone that has a very high horse and didn’t get what they wanted that leave bad reviews.
TheNegotiator
Arsonist
2
VP of Sales
Contrary to what most people will tell you, 100% commission is totally fine- with some major caveats. More on that in a second. I spent the first 5 years of my career deliberately staying in commission only and I’ve never performed so well, made so much (until just now) and learned so much.
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The lack of a safety net forces you to push yourself. You stay lean and mean, and you grow SO much. That said, it’s not for the faint of heart. Cowards need not apply, and after a certain point there’s no shame in it, but you can’t really go back. I couldn’t go back, but I am forever better because I came from there.
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As for caveats, this job is a clear no-no. When I was commission only (at least until I got into the big leagues) it was a situation with company housing, phones, cars, insurance, and gas. Basically they provided everything and said go sell. If you sold, you could make a FORTUNE without living expenses.
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If you’re not being put in a position to succeed, you have a lower chance of success. With that said, fuck the cowards, haters, and naysayers. Look at the commission structure and ask yourself if you can dominate in the sale. If both look healthy, what do you have to lose? Push yourself and you may just find out you’re stronger than most.
bandabanda
Tycoon
2
Senior AE Mid Market
Agree with funcoupons post below. Unless you’re desperate, don’t take this.
-100% commission is tough. Period. Especially for an entry level position. If you have any interest in tech/SaaS, there are countless roles out there where you can cut your teeth in sales, make a decent base pay, and decent OTE while learning a lot for the next step in your sales career.
-sounds like the driving and mileage is going to suck. Are you okay with that?
-employee churn is a HUGE red flag for me. 2 big ?’s you should ask in any sales job: What’s the median performer producing and what’s the top performer producing? What’s the employee churn in the last 12 months and WHY?
No matter how solid the commission might look, if the foundation of the business is weak, and people aren’t confident in leadership…you’re probably going to hate your life.
7

I just quit my job after 3+ years of buying the dream "tHiS rOle WiLl bE gReaT foR yOur dEveLopMenT"... Feels good so just thought I'd share

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