Does anyone know if you can negotiate on the price at RCWilley? (best, sell)

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by Jukesgrrl

Your Top Dawg's fate is unusual in the business. The owners don't usually care how their employees act, just how much money they're bringing in. Also, the top sales people are rarely interested in post-sale customer service. They only want to book your business. They don't care what happens to you after that. When I was selling the top people used to laugh at me for "babying" my customers. One said to me, "That's not your job, honey. Your job is to write-up the orders, then get back in the up-position as quick as possible. You're crazy to spend a single minute on their delivery or quality problems." And heaven knows, he did make four times the money I did.

not sure if Dawgs departure was due to me or nit I can only hope...but this girl has a shot at bein the new dawg in town...we're refurnishing the entire house and she has our business.

I'm with you tho....I HATE COMMISSION SALES

[Swigchow]

Originally Posted by Jukesgrrl

I sold furniture for a living for several years (Not at RCWilley, but they're pretty much all the same). Here are my honest and truthful tips for anyone who's furniture shopping, speaking in my former role:

As a commission-only sales person (which is what most furniture sales people are), I'm losing money in my paycheck with every dollar a customer gets in discount. That said, it's still better than selling nothing at all, so if I think you're really going to walk, I'll try to work with you. Your success, however, in getting a sizable discount is dependent in part on how hard I'm willing to badger management on your behalf (I do NOT make these decisions, my floor manager does).

Realize I only make $50 on a $1,000 sale (and that's my only salary, mind you), so do the math. Time is money -- how much am I going to put into your transaction (ignoring other potential sales from other customers who may be waiting for assistance)? Do I think you'll walk even if I do spend time getting you a discount? Have you been polite to me while explaining you have a strict budget but this is the sofa you reallyreallyreally want? Or have you treated me like a servant, not considering the limits of what I will do for 50 dollars? Are you willing to compromise and understand that due to economic times many stores are already selling at lower margins than they ever have before (e.g., if you get "free" shipping, that's definitely going to limit how much comes off the price). So please understand why I'm going to work harder for a person who's spending $10,000 than one who's buying a $1,000 sofa.

The bottom line is: Be nice to your salesperson. I'll go to bat for a customer I like, but even then there will be limits -- the store's NEVER going to sell below cost.

More buying tips:
- Come in toward the end of the month when the manager is panicked that s/he didn't book enough business yet.
- Don't buy at the beginning of a holiday sale. Come in on the last day when we're desperate because we still haven't made quota.
- But don't come in an hour before closing and expect this deal to get done. The manager's already home eating his dinner.
- Understand that you'll always get more money off something odd than something that a zillion other people would buy.
- Offer to pay cash. This saves the company 2-5% in credit charges.
- Offer to take the floor model if you're willing (but understand why we rarely can give it to you).
- Pick up the item yourself if at all possible; you'll get more money off.
- Don't expect the store to drop the sales tax. It HAS to be paid. If the store is having a "tax free" event, they're just building that discount into the price they're willing to take. There's no such thing as "tax free."
- Don't tell the salesperson it's $300 cheaper at Macy's if it's not. Believe me, I do call and check.
- Don't demand to see the manager directly, thinking you'll save more by cutting out the salesperson. The manager used to be me. S/he doesn't appreciate customers who think they're going to save money by cutting me out and taking up her/his time.
- Everything's negotiable, but please be realistic.

(+) Thank you for the info.

[Prosze]

RC Willey sales people are like vultures, some of the worst I've encountered. I don't even want to walk into some sections because 10+ guys are standing there waiting to pounce.

As for negotiating go ahead, why not- we always do, worst they can say is no & you go somewhere else.


I'm usually nice sorry to say it but i'm not concerned about someones paycheck no one forces you to work on commmision.

[SportyandMisty]

You can negotiate anything.

Amazon.com: You Can Negotiate Anything (9780553281095): Herb Cohen: Books

[Spraynard Kruger]

The markup on furniture is second only to the markup on jewelry. Most furniture has markup in excess of 400 percent and there is quite a bit of negotiating room.

I've managed to get some phenomenal deals at places like RC Willey and Ashley furniture, but usually on items that were about to be or were recently discontinued. I sometimes would show up four or five times over the course of a few months before buying. I always asked for the same pleasant salesperson. Probably drove them nuts...but I ended up getting in excess of 30% off retail on each occasion.

[galenc1]

Originally Posted by macgeek

I negotiate EVERYTHING, there is no store that won't negotiate!
Just tell the sales guy you saw the same couch at MACY's Furniture store for $300 less.
if there not interested.. walk

Jonathan

Sorry Macgeek, but you're wrong. Ethan Allen does NOT negotiate. Price is the price, period. Only time it's different is when they have a sale. Prices are set by Corporate with no leeway.

[galenc1]

Originally Posted by Jukesgrrl

Great story. Full commission is very cut-throat. It's a dicey situation being surrounded by co-workers who are ALL trying to steal as much of your paycheck as they can. Not for the faint of heart. I certainly didn't have the stomach for it.

Your Top Dawg's fate is unusual in the business. The owners don't usually care how their employees act, just how much money they're bringing in. Also, the top sales people are rarely interested in post-sale customer service. They only want to book your business. They don't care what happens to you after that. When I was selling the top people used to laugh at me for "babying" my customers. One said to me, "That's not your job, honey. Your job is to write-up the orders, then get back in the up-position as quick as possible. You're crazy to spend a single minute on their delivery or quality problems." And heaven knows, he did make four times the money I did.

Hey Jukesgrrl, I'd be curious as to where you worked if it's not too intrusive. My wife has worked as commission sales in high end furniture for years and is usually number one every month because she cares about her customers and her follow up is incredible, even after the sale. Yes, she works with "sharks" that will steal an up in a nanosecond, but because of her ethics, she has referrals and "be backs" every month that keep her going. While the other salespeople are playing solitaire on their laptops, she's sending out emails to her client list, letting them know of price changes, promotions, new arrivals etc etc.

It really irks me when people say (like another post in this thread) "I don't care about commission salespeople, no one forced them to take the job". What an ignorant, selfish, jerk! It's people like that who make our lives miserable. What are we supposed to do? Not work? Take jobs that pay $10/hr so we make a "guarantee" salary? What nonsense. What planet do they live on?
Anyway, nice post, and don't give up your work ethic. It will pay off elsewhre.

[galenc1]

Hi
Got your reply and they buyout's do happen. Robb-Stucky looked like a good store but they went belly-up. Too bad, nice stuff there.

Good luck,
Galen

[SUPERCHIC]

i have had only good experiences with RCW. and i have asked for lower prices and they worked with me. I am a happy customer of their shop and will go again. keep in mind each store and each salesperson is going to be different.

[eggalegga]

Originally Posted by galenc1

...It really irks me when people say (like another post in this thread) "I don't care about commission salespeople, no one forced them to take the job". What an ignorant, selfish, jerk! It's people like that who make our lives miserable. What are we supposed to do? Not work? Take jobs that pay $10/hr so we make a "guarantee" salary? What nonsense. What planet do they live on?
Anyway, nice post, and don't give up your work ethic. It will pay off elsewhre.

I guess I'm one who would irk you then. I too agree that people working commission jobs (regardless what industry they're in) chose that job. It is not my financial responsibility to make sure they make enough money to feed their families or put a roof over their heads. Just the same it's not their responsibility to ensure I'm compensated well at my chosen profession or job.

I don't like shopping at RC Willey. They treat women like second class citizens as if we cannot possibly make enough money to buy furnishings and make a decision without our husband around. On several occasions shopping for electronics, I've known more about the product than the salesmen. And at one point, he wouldn't help me when I realized a remote didn't have batteries in it. He said, "customers keep stealing them so we don't leave them in the remotes." For heaven's sake, I'm supposed to consider plunking down hundreds of dollars for an electronic device and you can't even provide batteries? Oh, come on! At least keep some in your pocket so you'll be prepared to help a potential customer as they explore the features of the electronic equipment.

Further, there is a communication breakdown between the sales team and the delivery team. Poor customer service keeps me away from that store.