vB Easy Archive - Customer Service Rep or Retail Sales Associate

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Customer Service Rep or Retail Sales Associate
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Posted by: chandlerking

I saw in my area they were hiring for both customer service rep, which would be a call center no commission job and the retail sales associate position which has been discussed thoroughly in above post.

Obviously its a lot more sitting and less money at the call center and then more stress in sales. I was wondering if anyone has worked both positions and could give me insight into which one is the better choice.

Posted by: ivwshane

I would imagine that nothing compares to the stress of a call center job. At least with retail you will have slow periods or short breaks between customers.

Posted by: jaschiero

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivwshane

I would imagine that nothing compares to the stress of a call center job. At least with retail you will have slow periods or short breaks between customers.

Agree... I worked in a call center for 14 months in college and can count with 3 fingers the number of times I wasn't on a call and then right into the next one unless I was on one of the two breaks, lunch break, or weekly 1 hour training. You would have to do a lot of convincing to get me back into a chair on the phone for CS nonstop...

Posted by: mafiazz

im actually debating going from sales rep to sales support rep; which is basically customer service in the COR location..

all my management keeps telling me that this is a huge step back from sales; obviously i realize that. however, i am looking to go into learning services and other branches of cingular and i feel that going from a part time sales rep to a full time sales support rep will put me in a good path.

Posted by: pauldg

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

im actually debating going from sales rep to sales support rep; which is basically customer service in the COR location..

that's funny b/c we have a totally different name for that type of sales postion...those days when you see nothing but billing problems, pre-pay, and accessory sales while you're coworkers are selling phones... we call that the 'resident B$ and pre-pay specialist'

Posted by: NukuCamui

It depends on where youre applying at. At the call center Im at, CSR's get paid a commission for selling features. Where are you at? Because, its very possible that you'd get commission at the call center youre applying for and it just isnt advertised.

Apply for both positions and if you get an interview, ask.

Posted by: Jayden0606

I am actually in customer service for business customers. I love it, but have not experienced sales yet. I have always wanted to try it out as I am good with interacting with people. This is not a question we could answer for you, it's one you would have to answer yourself. Here are some thing to think about:

- Sitting (cust serv) or standing (sales) for 8 hours.
- Are you a people person?
- Are you good in being persuasive?
- CustServ has a mute button, sales does not.
- Sales has commissions (for good sellers)
- Cust care is more laid back (not saying there is no stress)
- More chances to move up in the ladder in Cust Serv.

For me I love playing with folks in person and since I'm already experienced with Cust Serv, I am a better candidate to be in management at call centers and stores. Right now I'm part of management and only started with the company in September '05.

Edit: Also, with sales, you paychecks will fluctuate, as with cust service, you pretty much know what you are going to get.

Posted by: DonaldMick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayden0606

- CustServ has a mute button, sales does not.

I think they call it the "back room".

And there's an urban legend that monitors can still hear you when you're on mute and cussing out a customer.

Posted by: Wiggum

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonaldMick

I think they call it the "back room".

And there's an urban legend that monitors can still hear you when you're on mute and cussing out a customer.

if that was true turnover would be even greater than it already is.