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Post by desmorse on Sept 22, 2006 10:14:24 GMT 1
ps - also look forward to seeing the '3k per month' advert in the local press soon ! That Ad is so misleading ! In truth however busy i have been max month commission has never gone over £2K. That's probably because you're part time. I know of many full time advisors who earn way in excess of £3k/month. |
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Bear
Full Member
Posts: 230
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Post by Bear on Sept 22, 2006 10:51:33 GMT 1
HI ALL. I Dont wish to steal MOTTERS' thunder but from Monday i too am reducing my number of appts by 50%. This isnt to do with lack of work but the increasing frustration,stress and resentment that has crept into the job. I am lucky that Hillarys thrive in my area all year round even now while sadly many of you are struggling and as in the case of FARMER being treated disgustingly.This is not me gloating as i have great sympathy for those going through a hard time. Rest assured i will be attending Notts meeting on the 9th with a list of questions to ask whoever from Hillarys board dares to show their face. My FSM who has had an earbashing off me all week has agreed with me on the companys current situation. To MOTTERS i hope the new business brings great success.It will be Hillarys loss in the long run.  Have to agree with Motters and the rest of you. Part-time with Hillarys has been a way of life for me since I stopped being a ranting raging Bear, about 6 months ago. As my old self putting my thoughts across forcefully and shooting from the hip usually got me a result in life, but with Hillarys how is it possible to interact with a non-entity that is programmed to ensure its agents downfall?  So rather than try to beat them I have now joined them in reducing the career prospects of one their agents ( Me!) and instead increasing my income from another similar.very similar business Nice one I think... I now do whatever leads I am sent from Hillarys, Gawd, what a rush in this special sales week--NOT!!! Usual Hillary spin and bollix, and instead the rest of my week is spent installing things sold by an old friend as he is prospering mightily. I earn a steady £500/£600 a week installing his weekly sales... Upshot is--I earn 25% more money, work less for Hillarys, jobs get done and DOR's and Colwick bollix take a very small bit of my life now. Hilarys are losing me, a fitter fulltime for nearly 8 years and have made me into someone who does not push them any longer and who instals other things at a price the customer WANTS to pay. I am happy Customers are happy Hillarys are lying in their own mess which will eventually smother them. We have just done a deal on a Persimmon Show House for the new products we handle and we have 7 enquiries from new buyers based on the promotion this firm did for Persimmon---Thats the way to do it. There are 192 properties on the development...... IF HILLARYS HAD NOT STOLEN MY COMMISSION , AROUND CHRISTMAS LAST YEAR I WOULD NOT HAVE THIS MINDSET, AND NOW I AM GETTING BACK THE MONEY THEY STOLE FROM ME OVER AND OVER AGAIN.. HILARYS NEVER EVER STEAL FROM A BEAR!! LOYALTY IS A 2 WAY STREET-HILLARYS----TRY IT SOMETIME!!! Bear |
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Post by farmer on Sept 22, 2006 12:56:48 GMT 1
HI ALL. I Dont wish to steal MOTTERS' thunder but from Monday i too am reducing my number of appts by 50%. This isnt to do with lack of work but the increasing frustration,stress and resentment that has crept into the job. I am lucky that Hillarys thrive in my area all year round even now while sadly many of you are struggling and as in the case of FARMER being treated disgustingly.This is not me gloating as i have great sympathy for those going through a hard time. Rest assured i will be attending Notts meeting on the 9th with a list of questions to ask whoever from Hillarys board dares to show their face. My FSM who has had an earbashing off me all week has agreed with me on the companys current situation. To MOTTERS i hope the new business brings great success.It will be Hillarys loss in the long run. Have to agree with Motters and the rest of you. Part-time with Hillarys has been a way of life for me since I stopped being a ranting raging Bear, about 6 months ago. As my old self putting my thoughts across forcefully and shooting from the hip usually got me a result in life, but with Hillarys how is it possible to interact with a non-entity that is programmed to ensure its agentys downfall? So rather than try to beat them I have now joined them in reducing the career prospects of one their agents ( Me!) and instead increasing my income from Blinds. Nice one I think... I now do whatever leads I am sent from Hillarys, Gawd, what a rush in this special sales week--NOT!!! Usual Hillary spin and bollix, and instead the rest of my week is spent fitting Blinds sold by our old friend Nonails as he is prospering mightily. I earn a steady £500/£600 a week fitting part of his weekly sales, and he pockets a similar amount for doing all his sales and a few fits local to him--His total sales per week invouiced to customers is averaging £2500/£3,000. I would only get £300/£400 selling and fitting that invoice value, weekly, for Hillarys, whereas now I get £500 plus from Nonails plus £250 -ish on my own Hillarys business. Upshot is--I earn 25% more money, work less for Hillarys, blinds get fitted where Hillarys miss out and DOR's and Colwick bollix take a very small bit of my life now. Hilarys are losing me, a fitter fulltime for nearly 8 years and have made me into someone who does not promote them any longer and who fits better blinds where they SHOULD be at a price the historic Hillarys customer WANTS to pay. I am happy Customers are happy Hillarys are lying in their own mess which will eventually smother them. Blind enquiries are expanding round here-- Nonails has just done a deal on a Persimmon Show House Grossing £3000( fitted) and we have 7 enquiries from new buyers based on the promotion his firm did for Persimmon---Thats the way to do it. There are 192 properties on the development...... IF HILLARYS HAD NOT STOLEN MY COMMISSION , AROUND CHRISTMAS LAST YEAR I WOULD NOT HAVE THIS MINDSET, AND NOW I AM GETTING BACK THE MONEY THEY STOLE FROM ME BY TAKING THEIR MARKET TIME AND TIME OVER AGAIN.. HILARYS NEVER EVER STEAL FROM A BEAR!! LOYALTY IS A 2 WAY STREET-HILLARYS--YOU ARE NEITHER THE BEST, BIGGEST OR CLEVEREST BLIND MAKER ABOUT Bear [ WHEN IS SOMEONE AT HILLARYS GOING TO LISTEN. |
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Post by greenpesto on Sept 22, 2006 14:21:26 GMT 1
Farmer!
Don't bother wasting your time thinking about that question .... Hillarys are worth forgetting about now!!!!!
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Post by hereticus on Sept 22, 2006 14:36:19 GMT 1
WHEN IS SOMEONE AT HILLARYS GOING TO LISTEN. That's not the problem ! They listened alright. They know exactly what our problems are, and they fully understand their own failings. I even believe that they had an honest intent to address at least some of the issues, and you should all remember the video featuring John Risman at the March / April Team Meetings, assuring us that action plans were in place to follow up on the input at the seminars. What happenned ? Who knows, but definitely somebody took their eye off the ball and the whole expensive time consuming exercise seems to us to have been another short term PR exercise, giving nothing more than lip service to good intentions. I still hope that my original enthusiasm for change, and my belief in Hillarys good intentions, will eventually be vindicated but with each day that passes I become ever more cynical that anybody cares. I feel aggrieved that Motters, Farmer, and others have had to look elsewhere to subsidise their income and, much as we have disagreed openly on this forum on many issues, I am genuinely pleased for Bear in successfully taking the matter into his own hands. I also mourn the loss of those advisors who have left us in frustration and disillusion. Any company's greatest asset is its people, especially those with experience, good track record, and proven loyalty. And any company's future growth and profitability is driven by its sales force. I simply cannot get my head around this culture in which the front line is expected to acquiesce to every hair-brained whim, is treated with contempt, and ultimately as expendable. I still concede that a lot of it is not intentional, but more to do with the isolation of internal departments - the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, poor internal communication or co-operation, and conflicting policies and procedures - but even in these things the advisors seem to be little more than an afterthought, where we should be the main focus of attention. I do sense some hope of a different future (Des will know what I mean) as there are new people coming into Hillarys at a middle management level who also question parts of the old culture, and who do have different ideas of the way forward. But this won't be a sudden wind of change and does depend on those people resisting all attempts to indoctrinate them into the bad old ways. We can only hope, and give the progressive minds our full support whilst continuing to grind away at the old guard. If only Hillarys had kept faith with the positive mood engendered by the promise of the advisor feedback seminars ! |
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Post by RED on Sept 22, 2006 14:51:23 GMT 1
WHEN IS SOMEONE AT HILLARYS GOING TO LISTEN. That's not the problem ! They listened alright. They know exactly what our problems are, and they fully understand their own failings. I even believe that they had an honest intent to address at least some of the issues, and you should all remember the video featuring John Risman at the March / April Team Meetings, assuring us that action plans were in place to follow up on the input at the seminars. What happenned ? Who knows, but definitely somebody took their eye off the ball and the whole expensive time consuming exercise seems to us to have been another short term PR exercise, giving nothing more than lip service to good intentions. I still hope that my original enthusiasm for change, and my belief in Hillarys good intentions, will eventually be vindicated but with each day that passes I become ever more cynical that anybody cares. I feel aggrieved that Motters, Farmer, and others have had to look elsewhere to subsidise their income and, much as we have disagreed openly on this forum on many issues, I am genuinely pleased for Bear in successfully taking the matter into his own hands. I also mourn the loss of those advisors who have left us in frustration and disillusion. Any company's greatest asset is its people, especially those with experience, good track record, and proven loyalty. And any company's future growth and profitability is driven by its sales force. I simply cannot get my head around this culture in which the front line is expected to acquiesce to every hair-brained whim, is treated with contempt, and ultimately as expendable. I still concede that a lot of it is not intentional, but more to do with the isolation of internal departments - the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, poor internal communication or co-operation, and conflicting policies and procedures - but even in these things the advisors seem to be little more than an afterthought, where we should be the main focus of attention. I do sense some hope of a different future (Des will know what I mean) as there are new people coming into Hillarys at a middle management level who also question parts of the old culture, and who do have different ideas of the way forward. But this won't be a sudden wind of change and does depend on those people resisting all attempts to indoctrinate them into the bad old ways. We can only hope, and give the progressive minds our full support whilst continuing to grind away at the old guard. If only Hillarys had kept faith with the positive mood engendered by the promise of the advisor feedback seminars ! Mike, the 3 for 99 is killing me. The diary booking is killing me. I have spoken to two fsms about it and near enough begged to have the 3 for 99 removed but they do not listen. Oh yes, they do hear me but do they actually listen. No, they don't, they are doing what they want whether it kills me off or not. The simple fact is, that although the fsms know it is not working they have no bite. Like a dog with no teeth. How many others is this 3 for 99 killing off, and if that does not kill us then let CLG finish the job. I, like you started the year in a positive frame of mind and began to think they would listen, and I worked along side yourself and others to further our concerns. Sadly, nearly 1 year on there is no sign of it. As for this self generated bonus which I think you are hinting at, it will only benefit a few not the many. A badly disillusioned Red |
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Post by RED on Sept 22, 2006 16:31:31 GMT 1
Just as a follow up to my last post and to show what I mean.
2 leads this after noon.
First one was as sure as eggs are eggs was going to be 3 for 99.
Spot on. Kid was going through my kit bag and dragging everything out, dog was yapping and house was a mess. First thing out of her mouth was, " I only want the 3 for 99" and straight away picked lace.
Once I showed her the true 3 for 99 she said no, I am not having that tat, I want lace. It says 3 for 99 on this add and nothing about colors.
I picked up my bag, grabbed all the stuff the kid had thrown around the room and went.
Second customer was an order, whoopee, a roller for 69 pounds then offered me a 10% off voucher. So all in all, around a tenner minus my expenses.
Just to finish of on a slightly better note. I had a paranormal experience later, I had an e mail saying that one of my quotes has been converted and I thought quotes department was just a figment of someones rabid mind.
Now lets see what wounders await me on this evenings two trips in to the Hillarys twilight world.
Red
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Post by desmorse on Sept 22, 2006 16:39:11 GMT 1
......... Second customer was an order, whoopee, a roller for 69 pounds then offered me a 10% off voucher. .............. Red I really do believe 10% vouchers should be subject to a minimum order value, say £150. I recently got one for a £50 35mm venetian, and whilst you could argue the loss of commission on £5 is minimal, at this level every penny counts. It could also tempt customers to upgrade a little |
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Post by gloryboy on Sept 22, 2006 16:57:08 GMT 1
......... Second customer was an order, whoopee, a roller for 69 pounds then offered me a 10% off voucher. .............. Red I really do believe 10% vouchers should be subject to a minimum order value, say £150. I recently got one for a £50 35mm venetian, and whilst you could argue the loss of commission on £5 is minimal, at this level every penny counts. It could also tempt customers to upgrade a little if i feel i don't want to give the 10% discount i tell customers that SAM is already aware that they are previous customer etc. and has applied the discount automatically. everyone of the gullible have believed me. (could just be my boyish good looks and natural charm or that i lie like a champ!!! ;D) |
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Post by hereticus on Sept 22, 2006 19:04:36 GMT 1
Mike, the 3 for 99 is killing me. The diary booking is killing me. I have spoken to two fsms about it and near enough begged to have the 3 for 99 removed but they do not listen. Oh yes, they do hear me but do they actually listen. No, they don't, they are doing what they want whether it kills me off or not. The simple fact is, that although the fsms know it is not working they have no bite. Like a dog with no teeth. How many others is this 3 for 99 killing off, and if that does not kill us then let CLG finish the job. I, like you started the year in a positive frame of mind and began to think they would listen, and I worked along side yourself and others to further our concerns. Sadly, nearly 1 year on there is no sign of it. As for this self generated bonus which I think you are hinting at, it will only benefit a few not the many. A badly disillusioned Red Red....every day I read on this forum about the way 3 for £ 99 is hurting advisors - leads in sink estates, wipe your feet on the way out, abusive language and intimidating behaviour when they can't have the best fabrics, not to mention poor conversion rates and earnings that hardly cover expenses - I know it is killing you, and I just wish I knew how it could be stopped. I think many of the FSM's are agreed that it is counter productive and sapping morale, but they can't do anything about it either. The policy is entirely Marketing driven, on the pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap principle with the objective of killing off the competition but, in reality, the casualties are good long serving advisors like yourself. It didn't work last Christmas, it hasn't worked since, and the competition must be laughing their socks off that Hillarys have cheapened their image in this way. I'm lucky, very lucky, that I am based in the south where customers are more affluent, where competition is not so thick on the ground, and where, apart from a brief period at the end of last year, 3 for £ 99 is not on the agenda. Believe me, I do not gloat about this, in fact I count my blessings and feel genuine concern for colleagues who who are sufferring - but what can I or any of us do about it, except to keep the issue alive and to maintain solidarity with you. I just hope that you can hold out until the policy changes. And no, I wasn't hinting ay any self generated bonus - in fact I have not heard of any plans to introduce any changes in commissions or incentives. I was simply referring to some refreshing new ideas and new thinking - nothing specific, just a more enlightened attitude - beginning to surface in parts of the company. I may be wrong, it might just be my natural leaning towards trying to find the positives, but only time will tell. |
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Post by RED on Sept 22, 2006 19:22:35 GMT 1
Just as a follow up to my last post and to show what I mean. 2 leads this after noon. First one was as sure as eggs are eggs was going to be 3 for 99. Spot on. Kid was going through my kit bag and dragging everything out, dog was yapping and house was a mess. First thing out of her mouth was, " I only want the 3 for 99" and straight away picked lace. Once I showed her the true 3 for 99 she said no, I am not having that tat, I want lace. It says 3 for 99 on this add and nothing about colors. I picked up my bag, grabbed all the stuff the kid had thrown around the room and went. Second customer was an order, whoopee, a roller for 69 pounds then offered me a 10% off voucher. So all in all, around a tenner minus my expenses. Just to finish of on a slightly better note. I had a paranormal experience later, I had an e mail saying that one of my quotes has been converted and I thought quotes department was just a figment of someones rabid mind. Now lets see what wonders await me on this evenings two trips in to the Hillary's twilight world. Red Just to finish up my typical days sale. 2 customers to go to this evening. First one asked me for wooden Venetians. I gave her a price of 800 pounds. Her reply, I wont order now as I know Hillbilly's will ring me and give me a 20% discount as my mum did the same. So their is a home goal. Second one, house was gutted, there was walls all over the floor. Floor all over the walls, ceiling on the floor and guess what. Windows were unmeasurable. So another home goal Hillary's. So to sum up 1 3 for 99 er. 1 sale 69 pounds 1 couldn't measure 1 holding off till Hillbillies give her a substantial discount. So that gives me a total profit for a whole day of.......... ummmmm.....errrr....... just get the calculator.....ten pounds and 12 pence....minus my costs of course. I can buy that magazine now and still have enough to buy my children a bottle of milk. So, its off to the job center for me and the agency places around here. I have nothing to loose now. Seeing Red |
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blindmansam
Full Member
P/T advisor (over 5 years)
Posts: 225
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Post by blindmansam on Sept 22, 2006 20:15:57 GMT 1
That Ad is so misleading ! In truth however busy i have been max month commission has never gone over £2K. That's probably because you're part time. I know of many full time advisors who earn way in excess of £3k/month. No my friend - I AM full time ( avatar reading is just the spin ) |
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Post by JoY on Sept 22, 2006 20:20:36 GMT 1
Hereticus? Are you talking about the garage doors we'll soon be asked to sell?  |
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Post by greenpesto on Sept 22, 2006 20:31:57 GMT 1
I sympathise with everyone & everything said here today!
My area is an 'affluent' one surrounded by a few 'effluent' ones.
The '99 for 3p' offers abound here even though my area does not require it.
When I explained this to my FSM I was told he agreed with me but was unable to split the advertising or even have any say with regards to it.
It is funny that my own self-generated & repeat customers that come directly to me are mostly unaware of the offers or were totally satisfied with the service they've received in the past, so no silly prices & a far better conversion rate than those generated by an advert that cheapens everything we do!
Surely there is a lesson for Hillarys here!
Like many of you I am now at that point whereby I shall be reducing my availability in favour of alternative income as I have little hope of earning the sort of money I was once used too with this job!!!!
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Post by desmorse on Sept 22, 2006 20:55:09 GMT 1
Her reply, I wont order now as I know Hillbilly's will ring me and give me a 20% discount as my mum did the same. So their is a home goal. ................ 1 holding off till Hillbillies give her a substantial discount. Seeing Red Red, how long have been with Hillarys? For christ sake, just give her the 20% discount and take the order. What difference does it make to her as to who gives the discount, as long as she gets it. Tell her 20% isn't normal, she won't get it again, but end of year, blah blah and get the d**n order yourself. Do you want to be criticised for your discounts or your lack of orders? If an FSM said to me "why can quotes convert and you can't?" it's no good saying because they give 20% when you know full well that's what their going to do and you didn't do it first. |
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