Solar Sales Job

[jj_5]

Hi there First post so go easy.

Been trying to get involved in the Solar Industry lately and went for an interview with a firm in Hamilton.

They offered me the chance to work with them earning 8% commission on every sale, I would be visiting pre-qualified sales leads from their telemarketing department. and advising them on the benefits of solar power.

Drawbacks seemed to be EXTREMELY long hours (leads were grouped together in various areas and you would travel out as a group to close them) So I would be working all over Scotland really and occasionally staying over in a hotel etc.

Guy told me it would be 9am till 9 at night mon to friday with the weekends off to recharge.

I would be self-employed in the role which suits me fine and effectively commission only - again- don't have a problem.

Is there anyone here who could be direct me to a similar role where the leads were generated closer to home? i.e less travelling? Sounded a great job I just don't know if I could hack the travelling!

 

[Michael-Bush]

8% of what?
How many do the other sales team sell a day/week/month?
Have you applied for other jobs?

Seems very low to me for a full-time job with long hours.

 

[sitandstay]

8% of what?
How many do the other sales team sell a day/week/month?
Have you applied for other jobs?

Seems very low to me for a full-time job with long hours.

I agree with above, 8% of what...

 

[Atilla]

8% isn't what i'd call a good rate for commission only.
And as others say, 8% of what?

Based on the numbers of roofs i see with solar panels, it is 8% of not very much (read, s*d all).

 

[MH1]

Is there anyone here who could be direct me to a similar role where the leads were generated closer to home? i.e less travelling? Sounded a great job I just don't know if I could hack the travelling!

I think in such a relatively new market this will be a problem, how many companies can generate enough local business, personally I doubt you will find one, the least you should expect is 100 miles trip each way daily. Otherwise you will not be kept busy.

Think hard, with fuel costing so much you might find you make nothing. I also think you will struggle to do anything other than give it away, taking cash up front in the present economy will kill off the bulk of inquiries, and my understanding is the companies offering to install etc free are very particular where and who can qualify. The further north you are the less likely you will have access to this sort of business.

 

[Searcher]

PV solar systems for home sell for anything between £8000 to £15,000 (even more) so 8% could be £600-£1200 per sale. But, PV solar prices will drop over the next year due to cheaper cost of panels and so many companies are now selling PV that their margins will drop. On the plus side, Joe Public are becoming more tuned in and so volume sold will increase to offet lower margins.

 

[Atilla]

PV solar systems for home sell for anything between £8000 to £15,000 (even more) so 8% could be £600-£1200 per sale. But, PV solar prices will drop over the next year due to cheaper cost of panels and so many companies are now selling PV that their margins will drop. On the plus side, Joe Public are becoming more tuned in and so volume sold will increase to offet lower margins.

But from the evidence (sheer lack of houses with it) suggests sales are at best, sluggish. This is a technology the public just don't seem to be warming to (sorry).

Take away the OPs costs and 8% is not a lot at all.

 

[telemax]

Hi there First post so go easy.

Been trying to get involved in the Solar Industry lately and went for an interview with a firm in Hamilton.

They offered me the chance to work with them earning 8% commission on every sale, I would be visiting pre-qualified sales leads from their telemarketing department. and advising them on the benefits of solar power.

Drawbacks seemed to be EXTREMELY long hours (leads were grouped together in various areas and you would travel out as a group to close them) So I would be working all over Scotland really and occasionally staying over in a hotel etc.

Guy told me it would be 9am till 9 at night mon to friday with the weekends off to recharge.

I would be self-employed in the role which suits me fine and effectively commission only - again- don't have a problem.

Is there anyone here who could be direct me to a similar role where the leads were generated closer to home? i.e less travelling? Sounded a great job I just don't know if I could hack the travelling!

If I was you I'd only look at commision only jobs with a residual income,

Regards

Jonathan

 

[shadesofblue]

Hi there First post so go easy.

Been trying to get involved in the Solar Industry lately and went for an interview with a firm in Hamilton.

They offered me the chance to work with them earning 8% commission on every sale, I would be visiting pre-qualified sales leads from their telemarketing department. and advising them on the benefits of solar power.

Drawbacks seemed to be EXTREMELY long hours (leads were grouped together in various areas and you would travel out as a group to close them) So I would be working all over Scotland really and occasionally staying over in a hotel etc.

Guy told me it would be 9am till 9 at night mon to friday with the weekends off to recharge.

I would be self-employed in the role which suits me fine and effectively commission only - again- don't have a problem.

Is there anyone here who could be direct me to a similar role where the leads were generated closer to home? i.e less travelling? Sounded a great job I just don't know if I could hack the travelling!

Many moons ago I use to work for a well known double glazing firm selling kitchens. The job took me all over the southeast with commission rates between £800.00 and £3,000 a sale. It's pretty standard in an industry that sells big ticket items to have to travel further as the take up is less.

I worked weekends though as you based your appointments around what times the customer could do so I'm a bit dubious as to why you have the weekends off.

If you want to work close to home try one of the indpendent card processing companies - loads about.

All the best

 

[Michael-Bush]

If you want to work close to home try one of the indpendent card processing companies - loads about.

e.g. http://www.paymentsense.co.uk/careers/employed-sales-agents-sme-experience-nationwide

 

[jj_5]

Hi guys, thanks for your replies.

The 8% figure refers to the commission Id recieve per sale. (if i sell a £10k solar panel i get £800 commission)

As for his current sales people etc i dont care what they make (everyone's different) all he did say was he'd send me out to see 4 people per day who were interested, had capital and a suitable property type so surely if i got 1 or 2 sales a week (out of 20!) id make money. He did freely admit fuel would cost Around £100 a week

 

[Michael-Bush]

Hi guys, thanks for your replies.

The 8% figure refers to the commission Id recieve per sale. (if i sell a £10k solar panel i get £800 commission)

As for his current sales people etc i dont care what they make (everyone's different) all he did say was he'd send me out to see 4 people per day who were interested, had capital and a suitable property type so surely if i got 1 or 2 sales a week (out of 20!) id make money. He did freely admit fuel would cost Around £100 a week

It's up to you.

 

[mobyme]

Hi guys, thanks for your replies.

The 8% figure refers to the commission Id recieve per sale. (if i sell a £10k solar panel i get £800 commission)

As for his current sales people etc i dont care what they make (everyone's different) all he did say was he'd send me out to see 4 people per day who were interested, had capital and a suitable property type so surely if i got 1 or 2 sales a week (out of 20!) id make money. He did freely admit fuel would cost Around £100 a week

The 8% commission will be paid on the contract after the deduction of VAT hence a £10'000 sale would actually pay you £666.67 also commission rates usually work on a sliding scale against a "built in" discount structure to close deals. Make sure your only working on pre- arranged well qualified leads and not expected to find your own.

 

[patientlady]

This sounds like a hard sell to me.
8% is poor commission for a product that may not sell in one visit and at a distance! £100 petrol may quickly become £200 if you have to call back...
What do I know, as I have never sold solar products but no matter what the product 8% in my book is a no no.
Out of interest have you sold any other products before? There are a lot of sales, commission only jobs out there paying better...
best wishes and good luck with this

 

[-Will101-]

Hopefully I can offer a real life view on this. I have worked in the renewable sector for the last 6 months and work for a company that employs people in exactly the type of role you describe. We don't operate in your area so I have no vested interest as such!

1) 8% is about right although lots of companies will pay fuel as well. EDIT: This is 8% of revenue value, not GP on a product typically costing £8K - £15K

2) Ask how they will follow up the visits. Solar is a big investment and not many people will decide on the day. If you have to follow up (as opposed to an office based person) you need to make sure you have time for this. A good company will send you no more than 1hr away and max 8-10 visits a week so you have time to follow up. If you don't sell on the day and the office has to follow up, will that impact your commission?

3) Solar if a buoyant industry and you should expect at 1 in 3 conversion ratio from visit to sale. Yes, there is lots of competition but it is far from being as competitive as most industries (at the moment....) Based on 8 visits a week with 2 converting @ £800 each, that is a great opportunity -and very realistic.

4) Make sure their pricing is realistic in the market;

5) sadly the industry has attracted a lot of less than desirable types (ex double glazing wide boys) to make sure your contract is sound. There are lots of companies that will not hesitate in screwing you out of your commission.

In summary, if you happy commission only and have done your research - go for it!

 

[jj_5]

we are involved with Solar Companies and they are Only £500 and Free and this way you are well on target fo an easy run .

Just ask and i will send you the details .

Thank you. Will send you a message.

If I was you I'd only look at commision only jobs with a residual income,

Regards

Jonathan

Would be interested to know where to look for these? Or if you had any ideas..

The reason I'm interested in Solar is I think it's a growing industry. Government have introduced clean energy cashback so people are paid for generating electricity.

Sales-Wise I have plenty experience. Door to Door, direct sales etc.

Thanks for your replies again!

 

[solar steve71]

I agree with above, 8% of what...

I Really hope this Bloke did nt listen to any of you guys and threw caution to the wind! yes 8% of nothing is nothing , how ever with an average order value back then of anywhere between 10 and 14k is anywhere between £800 and £1120! as long as he had 2 pitchable leads per day 5 days a week he will fall over a deal a week until he becomes more proficient in the art of direct sales. I know this post is over 14 years old but it really gets my back up when people just outright crush someone's opportunity and ability to escape the minimum wage trap! yes its long hours but I earned more than a doctor and a solicitor back in the day and they had to train for 7 years! I never! just hard work , and the hunger to learn. If you're out there mate I hope you took the job and smashed it!

 

[solar steve71]

Hopefully I can offer a real life view on this. I have worked in the renewable sector for the last 6 months and work for a company that employs people in exactly the type of role you describe. We don't operate in your area so I have no vested interest as such!

1) 8% is about right although lots of companies will pay fuel as well. EDIT: This is 8% of revenue value, not GP on a product typically costing £8K - £15K

2) Ask how they will follow up the visits. Solar is a big investment and not many people will decide on the day. If you have to follow up (as opposed to an office based person) you need to make sure you have time for this. A good company will send you no more than 1hr away and max 8-10 visits a week so you have time to follow up. If you don't sell on the day and the office has to follow up, will that impact your commission?

3) Solar if a buoyant industry and you should expect at 1 in 3 conversion ratio from visit to sale. Yes, there is lots of competition but it is far from being as competitive as most industries (at the moment....) Based on 8 visits a week with 2 converting @ £800 each, that is a great opportunity -and very realistic.

4) Make sure their pricing is realistic in the market;

5) sadly the industry has attracted a lot of less than desirable types (ex double glazing wide boys) to make sure your contract is sound. There are lots of companies that will not hesitate in screwing you out of your commission.

In summary, if you happy commission only and have done your research - go for it!

That's a bit of a harsh statement about double glazing , not all double glazing salespeople were hard closers and liars , I believe that to be down to what was accepted within the company that you represented and not the industry as a whole. Up until that point you had my vote as probably the most sensible response on here and then you go and spoil it by pre judging a complete industry! would you do that with any off your customers? a certain demographic that maybe always want to consult with there family so you will never get a decision on the day , do you stop seeing them? or do you not pre judge and treat everyone the same as everyone else?

 

[Mark T Jones]

That's a bit of a harsh statement about double glazing , not all double glazing salespeople were hard closers and liars , I believe that to be down to what was accepted within the company that you represented and not the industry as a whole. Up until that point you had my vote as probably the most sensible response on here and then you go and spoil it by pre judging a complete industry! would you do that with any off your customers? a certain demographic that maybe always want to consult with there family so you will never get a decision on the day , do you stop seeing them? or do you not pre judge and treat everyone the same as everyone else?

My experience of the solar industry was as a provider of finance (I'm still often approached to do this)

The thing I quickly learned that the sale was driven by the seller's desire to sell, not by the customer's desire to buy - essentially they wanted me to push the customer into signing a deal before they were approved for credit and before I'd asked for supporting information. Funnily enough it was precisely this behaviour by double glazing sales people that led to the 'premises' part of the Consumer Credit Act.

I'll accept it isn't all of them, but it was a depressingly consistent request.

 

[fisicx]

We are plagued with calls to install solar panels. Pretty much all automated calls as well. If you do ask to get connected to a ‘sales manager’ you get the same old BS claims. I don’t trust any of them.