Is the commission for sales agents justified?

[Geof]

... what I do mind is when they try and hide what commission they will receive on a sale. It's my money and I want to know where it is going.....

No it isn't, it is my money as soon as you have paid it over to conclude the purchase. Frankly it is no business of yours how the purchase price is divvied up; you have the choice of not buying.

[thinkingcnc]

Geof: Yes, when I have handed over the money the deal is made and it is too late to ask questions but before this time the saleman is desperate for a sale and has to give me an answer even if it is a lie. Knowing how the saleman makes his money is important to me because if he doesn't make it on the sale of the machine then he must make it on the sale of spares. It also gives an indication of the relationship between the manufacturer and the salesman. It will tell me if the salesman is employed directly by the manufacturer or is self employed. Also, once I have purchased this machine I will effectively be tied into a relationship with the salesman, or his company, for the life of the machine as he will hold the franchise so I really need to know everything.

I agree that earnings are private and you can't go round willy nilly asking people what they earn but when a salesmen is making a large amount of commission on a deal he is making with you then I think there is an argument for him to disclose this information as in the way financial advisors have to.

[PEU]

Geof: Yes, when I have handed over the money the deal is made and it is too late to ask questions but before this time the saleman is desperate for a sale and has to give me an answer even if it is a lie. Knowing how the saleman makes his money is important to me because if he doesn't make it on the sale of the machine then he must make it on the sale of spares. It also gives an indication of the relationship between the manufacturer and the salesman. It will tell me if the salesman is employed directly by the manufacturer or is self employed. Also, once I have purchased this machine I will effectively be tied into a relationship with the salesman, or his company, for the life of the machine as he will hold the franchise so I really need to know everything.

I agree that earnings are private and you can't go round willy nilly asking people what they earn but when a salesmen is making a large amount of commission on a deal he is making with you then I think there is an argument for him to disclose this information as in the way financial advisors have to.

Its none of your business to know the profit centers of the salesman or his company, they are not your financial advisors, they are talking to you because you contacted them to purchase an item.

You like the price/company/salesman/the front door flowers/whatever you purchase, if you dont, then you don't purchase...

You still want margin/profit related answers, well, you were right, you will probably hear a lie...

I don't see your method the best way to establish a vendor/customer relation...
You want a good price? walk around, get quotes for the same machine from different vendors and tell them you will do this, so they know if they don't give you their best price, maybe their competitor will...

My 2 cents


Pablo

[thinkingcnc]

You want a good price? walk around, get quotes for the same machine from different vendors and tell them you will do this, so they know if they don't give you their best price, maybe their competitor will...

Hi peu. I wasn't aware you could get the same machine from different vendors. As far as I'm aware in the UK there is only one vendor for each manufacturer in a given area. This is the problem I'm facing. If I like the machine but don't like the vendor for my area then I can't have the machine.

[Geof]

I think some manufacturers sell their machines through competing vendors many do not so you are stuck and have to deal with their exclusive vendor.

Even in this case I think you are not realistic in thinking the salesman, or whoever, should disclose any financial information to you other than the purchase price for the machine. If you don't like the business practices of a certain manufacturer/vendor don't do business with them; if you are really set on getting a particular make and model of machine then pay the price.

[thinkingcnc]

Yes, I did have my heart set on a particular machine but since coming on this forum I have found another manufacturer that looks promising. I will not be asking what commission they earn because with this vendor, I can see how they earn their money and how they operate.

When a company is basically made up of a group of representatives operating from their home addresses it is far more difficult to work out how the company works.