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Minor ethics ?, which salesperson ?

edwardh1 | Posted in Business on July 25, 2009 07:24am

Wife and I had granite work done 2 years ago in our home. $1500 worth.
We are Starting to buy some more, we went in on a Sat to the same granite shop, met with lady A for about 20 min before they closed (their granite yard was locked tho). She gave us her card and said come back next week which we did.

When we came back in to the shop, LAdy A was out back with a customer and our “old” sales lady from two years ago (whose name we had forgotten) was up front and recognized us and came over and started helping us, I mentioned we had been in Saturday and seen LAdy A briefly. She said no problem I will help you- I asked if they were on commission, she said yes and said no problem and then continued to help us get some granite.

My wife feels we somehow bipassed / cheated lady A, I felt not acknowledging the old saleslady was an afront to her too.

Is this an issue between the two sales ladies? what would you have done?

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Replies

  1. brownbagg | Jul 25, 2009 07:27pm | #1

    once the money leave your hands its their problem, you are complaining about getting service, usually they complain about not getting service. I would say "Not my problem" beside they problerly share



    Edited 7/25/2009 12:28 pm by brownbagg

  2. peteshlagor | Jul 25, 2009 08:34pm | #2

    I understand and respect your desire to treat the salesperson right.  However, Saleslady A shut you off when they shut down.  Besides, you never know how these salespeople actually split their commissions.

    Some businesses work as a team approach.  All commissions for the floor staff go in one pool and is split based upon some formula.  Others, like you may be thinking, base each person's pay upon their "run."   The method probably depends upon how the manager wishes to maintain his staff's motivation and morale.

    I'm of Brownie's opine.  Not your business.

     

  3. YesMaam27577 | Jul 25, 2009 09:07pm | #3

    I would have not worried about Lady-A, since she didn't volunteer to stay late last week.

    Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.
  4. jimAKAblue | Jul 26, 2009 12:04am | #4

    I would guess, in most cases, that Lady A would have been required to pass you back to Lady B when the info regarding the previous transaction surfaced.

    Stay with your old sales lady.

  5. WayneL5 | Jul 26, 2009 04:55am | #5

    I disagree that the first sales lady was somehow lacking by not staying with you past closing time.  Without knowing particulars I can't ding her for that.  People often have obligations after work (real obligations, such as picking up kids or caring for a relative) that you can't know about.  Or the neighborhood might not be conducive to one's safety to work late.  Or it may have seemed that you were satisfied with what you got and were ready to break off the call and think it over.

    So I think it comes down to the commission issue.  You are commendable for thinking of others.  But since you don't know the policies or how the people feel about each other, I'd just let the lady that was in back on the second visit know that the other lady helped you with your order.  That way, you cannot be faulted for sneaking around her back.  Then it's up to her to decide what, if anything, to do.  The store policy probably already addresses that.  It happens all the time.

  6. User avater
    Dam_inspector | Jul 26, 2009 02:58pm | #6

    I wouldn't worry about it. So the commission may go to the person who first sold you a product for which you are back for an additional purchase. I don't see a problem. They probably split commissions anyway.

    1. edwardh1 | Jul 26, 2009 04:03pm | #7

      Thanks- we were not upset that lady a did not stay past closing - as they are outside town, also as I say - "Going home is an important part of the work day"

  7. JeffinPA | Jul 27, 2009 02:49am | #8

    You fully disclosed your situ

    You did the right thing.  What they do is up to them.

    It is not your job to determine how they work out their pay schedules for sales employees.  You need to be serviced by the company who you are working with. 

    Loose no sleep.  Enjoy the new granite.

    1. fingersandtoes | Jul 27, 2009 03:25am | #9

      Exactly.

      However if his wife still thinks there is a problem, he could take his cue from Obama and ask them both over for a beer.

      1. JeffinPA | Jul 28, 2009 01:13pm | #13

         

        Exactly.

        However if his wife still thinks there is a problem, he could take his cue from Obama and ask them both over for a beer.

         

        Hmm  Dont get me started.  We'll get thrown in the  wood shed.

  8. darrel | Jul 27, 2009 03:31am | #10

    Commissioned salespeople are quite adept at fending for themselves.

  9. husbandman | Jul 27, 2009 05:36am | #11

    Go with which ever one you prefer to work with. That's the one that deserves your business.

  10. Mooney | Jul 27, 2009 06:41pm | #12

    Normally I would say its not your concern.

    Which ever agents gets a house to the table gets the money. Thats pretty simple is simple does. Unless you know the real estate business you wouldnt believe the wars and name slamming over this issue. Nearly all the fights involve this issue in a sales department.

    I can remember one time I cared as a customer. Reps are like dogs . They were put there for your amusment not their own. If they dont like it they can quit anytime but there will always be buyers and people taking their money. Since Ive got this one instance I cant really preach from the pulpit.

    I was in a busy cafe with my family somewhere out there on the road . My memory doesnt serve me . I noticed that every waitress but one was about an# 8 and young . Then there was this 50 year old waiting tables. My first "male thought" was I hope I dont get the 50yrold. Id prefer the one with the low cut blouse of course. If not that one then the one that had legs up to her elbows .

    We got the 50 yrold. She was by far the best waitress not only in the house but the best Ive ever had bar none. She could have taught the subject . Ive never had one as good to tell the truth. With out going into great detail about her I noticed the whole time these young gurls were there to draw traffic. Thats the only use I could think about them. They were useless. The 50yrold was doing all the work.

    When I paid out I wanted to tip only her. The cafe would not allow it . I paid for it with plastic  and wanted the tip money in cash to place in her hand . Ive done it countless times. But not this time . I called for the manager . NO ! So I said I wanted to talk to the owner. Its my money to spend however I like . Or not to spend it either way. I finally got the owner . I told him what I thought about his staff . It would be a shame for the 50 yrold to share a tip with the rest of the staff that were so useless. Im sure he knew. But I said it loud enough for the whole place to hear it including the whole staff. I didnt really care because I would not be back. <G> It was a road side gem we had found on the way sightseeing . I told the owner he should sell the place to her .

    Thats the only time Ive ever cared. Otherwise they were put there to help us not the other way around .

    Tim

     

     

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