Five things to consider before taking a copier sales job

Is copier sales a good industry?

In a previous article, I told you about all the wonderful reasons why you should consider a career as an account executive in the copier industry. By now, you might be thinking that there are no downsides to a career in copier sales. But you would be wrong. Let me play devil’s advocate and provide you with the following warnings:

1. Not much social status is given to a copier sales rep. You are classified between a used car dealer and a telecommunications representative. Your friends won’t think your work is great. But, that’s okay. When they’re still eating Top Ramen for dinner, you can roll up your new BMW and offer to take them out to dinner and pay the bill, as you’ve achieved the financial stability that is probably still eluding your friends three years later. University graduation.

2. Work is hard. Really, very difficult. But not for the reasons you think. The combination of a great deal of freedom coupled with the absolute need for a disciplined mindset can be a dangerous combination for most people. I knew a manager who used to say, “We give you enough rope to hang around here.” This meant that no one is watching your every move, but by the time it shows up in poor sales performance, you don’t have enough time to improve the situation before the company shows you the door.

3. You must be able to survive on a meager base salary for at least six months to two years until your commissions start rolling in. Most base salaries in this industry are $ 20,000 to $ 30,000 plus benefits.

4. Seriously, it could take you two years to build a territory that rewards you with a copier sales salary of $ 60,000 to $ 80,000 a year. This salary range assumes that you are really good at what you do and are at least 100% of your annual sales quota. This brings us to our last point:

5. The company may not give you two years to put everything together. Generally, after your first year in sales, if you are not at 100% of your annual sales quota, your sales manager will “release you to pursue other opportunities.” In other words, “you’re fired.” Make no mistake about it, your sales quota is not your goal, it is your minimum requirement. In reality, it is expected to exceed its annual sales quota.

So is copier sales a good industry? Still, the photocopying equipment industry offers more advantages than disadvantages. If you consider yourself ambitious, energetic and possessing superior people skills and exceptional communication skills, this could be the career for you.