vB Easy Archive - Switched to Verizon! Some things I like!

Pages: 1

Switched to Verizon! Some things I like!
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: rabisdogis

Hey guys! I haven't been on here for awhile but I see that the sames things are being said. Some of you may remember that I switched to Verizon a couple of months ago. So far....its a complete 180 from Cingular. Their standards are way higher! My sales have actually gone up from moving using their sales process. The only thing I miss is GSM equipment. I still have a Cingular phone but I never use it due to reception issues. The payout is awesome too. I will have to get the commission structure for you guys to see. There was a sales rep in one of the mall kiosks who make 113K last year. I thought it was a fluke but I am learning that its not that uncommon. I thought that I drove a nice car but everyone in my new store have brand new vechicles and never complain about money. At Cingular, all the employees (myself included) would always whine about how we're going to pay rent or make our car payments. My new co-workers can't decide on the size of the new TV they want to buy.

Something that is really cool at Verizon is the ability to do everything in the store. My store is split with sales on one side and customer care on the other. We have a greeter 7 days a week who filters customers to the correct side of the store. As of March 1st, we will be getting in 3 techs who will be able to actually work on phones! CC processes all returns and warrenty exchanges and they deal with any and all customer complaints! My stress level is almost non-existent. All I have to worry about now is making quota.

Quota is high compared to Cingular. My stores quota right now is only 68 but thats because I just started. Most stores in the area have quotas around 80 to 150. Some have more. There are no migrations which is really nice. We only have to deal with activations and upgrades. There is no upgrade fee and if the customers wait two years (22 months) before getting a new device, they can qualify for New Every Two. That means that they can get either $50 or $100 off the promotional price of any phone (including PDA's) depending on their price plan.

Our data attach rate is a minimum of 330% per activation but Verizon wants 400%! This is a little high but most people in my store are hitting it. The only way to make it is through phone calls which call lists are provided. The calls are easy though. You basically get a list of people who text but don't have a text package. Almost every call I've made, customers have said yes and added text. Verizon also wants at least 7 accessories offered and 4 sold which is extremely easy.

All in all, I am glad I made the choice. Verizon is one company that I plan on sticking with. For all of you reps who are constantly exceeding quota and getting nothing but a dinner in return...Verizon has a sort of presidents club. Last year, all the reps that exceeded their quotas for all 12 months were flown, with a guest, to Sweden for a week. All expenses paid. Approx 20K per couple is spent every year. This year is a ski trip to Whistler, Canada. I know Cingular has something similar but your peers (correct me if I am wrong) have to vote for you to go. Also, sales reps have something else called the winners circle. 3 of my co-workers are going next month. I believe the way it works is the top 15-20 sales people of every district gets a all expense paid weekend somewhere in the states. My co-workers are going to a golf/spa resort on the Oregon coast.

We don't have a rewards program which I miss. I got a really nice TV and an exercise machine last year.

Tuition reimbursement is awesome. Verizon pays up to $8000 a year without having to agree to a 2 year agreement. There are no strings attached. As long as your going to school for something that will benefit the company, they will pay and not ask questions.

All in all, Verizon takes care of its employees. Everyone in my store has been with the company for years and are still happy. There are a couple people who are ready to get out of sales and transfer elsewhere within the company. Other than that, no one complains. Its so nice. Alfred...you would love it here!!! Anyways, I hope this helps a little bit guys. Take care.

Posted by: thejlw

...Im jealous...

Posted by: Alfred_Neuman

right now, im still a sales rep and really the only rep. im making decent/good money as mostly all acts are going to me.

my goals been to move up within a company and i am pretty much doing this. if verizon ever took an assistant manager from another company, sure why not? but thats later down the road.

Posted by: ivwshane

Hmm......I wonder what it takes to be a tech?

Glad to hear you are enjoying it.

rabisdogis could you do me a favor and look into what it takes to be a tech and what sort of chance one might have of getting the job?

Posted by: rabisdogis

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivwshane

Hmm......I wonder what it takes to be a tech?

Glad to hear you are enjoying it.

rabisdogis could you do me a favor and look into what it takes to be a tech and what sort of chance one might have of getting the job?

From what my manager has told us. Our new techs are going through some pretty intense training. They are just finishing the intial stuff. You should be able to apply online but I will look into it for you. The other thing that I know is that they will have just an accessory quota of 5K a month. At Verizon, I did $4300 my first week and a half so thats not bad.

Posted by: NukuCamui

I was wondering what happened to you. Good job on finding something that wont kill you.

Posted by: CingularZ

Just out of curiousity, what area/region are you selling from? Do you work in VZ corporate store or ?

Please clarify, Im interested in seeing if there is a tier comp plan or what region you work that makes that much

I tell you why, becuase I find it very hard to believe that as a existing employee of Verizon that most store reps want to go to DIRECT AE, yet starting pay is market average from $30-$38k base, plus commission

WHY WOULD SOMEONE WHO COULD MAKE $111k in INdirect want to jump over to DIRECT and make less than half??

Posted by: rabisdogis

In a commission based environment, you will always make more via commission than base. Assuming a really good sales rep makes approx $12 an hour. Thats approx $23,040 a year. If the rep is going to make 111K, that means he/she made $87,960 in commissions that year or $7330 a month in commissions. There was a business rep I think the year before last that had 3 months were he made 30K each. Because of him, Verizon topped off business reps. So far, I've found 4 direct sales reps who are either in retail stores or in mall kiosks who made over a 100K last year. Thats bloody awesome. The people in my store are averaging between 50K and 85K.

I am selling out the Pacific Northwest and I work for corporate. The comp plan has a tier structure and I believe it goes up to 2.4 times which is a huge difference in pay if you hit that mark.

Posted by: CingularZ

Wells good luck, thanks for the info

Still , I have my doubts but hey, if you make over $100k, then kudos to you

Please update us and let us know your progress, Im seriously interested to see how much you really make, not that Im prying in your business, but just interested in seeing if Verizon is really paying out that much and whether they continue doing so if the case.

Posted by: CingularZ

Sorry I had to post this, maybe this will help others. A good friend of mine who is a , wells I cant say who is he actually but anyways.. I had to ask him about retail core reps of making six figures, according to him.. he has yet to see that, however were talking about NYC only, he also forwarded me something considering he hires his staff..

Retail Sales Associates / Reps (corporate store)

* Associates earn $8.35 to $11.23 an hour (plus commission), however, there is a potential to earn $40,000/year plus. Wage credit may be granted for related experience and/or college degree

District Sales Managers

We offer a competitive base salary plus commission (targeted compensation in the mid $80's)

Perhaps the west is more competitive than the east? But then again, this is the top market for wireless so that cant be the case... blah, anyways. goodnite =)

Posted by: rabisdogis

LOL...I'm glad your friend of a friend from New York whos Iguana is related to a nieghbor whos sons father is someone with whom you can't say is a, well...anyways, in regards to the 100K a year factor. This is what I was told by my store manager whos been with the company for 7 years. I have a co-worker who made 80+K last year. I wont ask to see his check but his Mercedes is really nice. I didn't start this post to prove that Verizon makes more...I know they do. My last day with Cingular was on 12-31-05. I was a previously blue rep. I've been with the company long enough to know what reps were making and what they are making now....blah. nite.

Posted by: CingularZ

You know how it is, once your in mgmt and been in the business for over 10 years, you just seem to know alot of people =)

Hey listen, Im not saying you cant make money at VZ, If you do then you do.

But I wonder if you;ve been with the company so long, why are you still a rep ?

btw, ,my daughter has a mercedes clk55.. and lets just safely say, she doesnt make 80k a year =)

Posted by: Alfred_Neuman

kid with a benz???????

now that is a way to spoil em.

ok buy me a damn 325xi PLZ PLZ cingularZ?

Posted by: CingularZ

Shes no kid either, and believe it or not but she bought that car herself.

325xi ? Come on, you should know better. ask for the 5, and then falter to the 330xi at least...

Posted by: suicidal2af

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularZ

Sorry I had to post this, maybe this will help others. A good friend of mine who is a , wells I cant say who is he actually but anyways.. I had to ask him about retail core reps of making six figures, according to him.. he has yet to see that, however were talking about NYC only, he also forwarded me something considering he hires his staff..

Retail Sales Associates / Reps (corporate store)

* Associates earn $8.35 to $11.23 an hour (plus commission), however, there is a potential to earn $40,000/year plus. Wage credit may be granted for related experience and/or college degree

District Sales Managers

We offer a competitive base salary plus commission (targeted compensation in the mid $80's)

Perhaps the west is more competitive than the east? But then again, this is the top market for wireless so that cant be the case... blah, anyways. goodnite =)

I'm in the northeast, and the average rep is making $50-60 -- including part-timers. Best rep in my store did 84K last year, best in the zone did roughly 97K.

And I don't really believe your friend's information: the lowest hourly rate anyone in my region is getting(in sales) is $10.50.

There are 3 reps in my store making over $15 base.

FWIW, my base including at-risk commission is around 44K. Since I was hired, I haven't had a single month where I didn't make at least $400 more than my at-risk.

Posted by: CingularZ

Cool. Thanks for the input

btw, I should clarify the information that was passed on to me, that is just a general guidelines for NEW HIRES

so im sure it is possible for veterans to be making more..

also, could you be more specific of your region? Northeast is just too broad.

Please understand, Im asking only because Im interested to see if Cingular can come up with a better pay plan, wells at least more competitive =) thanks again.

Posted by: suicidal2af

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularZ

Cool. Thanks for the input

btw, I should clarify the information that was passed on to me, that is just a general guidelines for NEW HIRES

so im sure it is possible for veterans to be making more..

also, could you be more specific of your region? Northeast is just too broad.

Please understand, Im asking only because Im interested to see if Cingular can come up with a better pay plan, wells at least more competitive =) thanks again.

For sake of remaining anonymous, I'll refrain from posting my exact region. The entire northeast follows the same compensation structure, though, with cost of living adjustments in base salary. NYM would probably have a higher base, as a result.

I'm actually interested in finding out what the comp structure is like in the South area, since I want to move to SC.

Posted by: Lambert

Quote:

Originally Posted by suicidal2af

Sorry to be off topic, but what is at-risk?

Posted by: CingularZ

assuming you hit 100% of your quota, that is your at risk.

in other words, the amt that you should make if you hit quota or perhaps the money you lose if you dont.

Posted by: CingularZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by suicidal2af

Wells I was really meaning to ask the "State" you work in, I dont think we'll be able to find you if you tell us NY or CT =)

Its cool.

Posted by: suicidal2af

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lambert

Sorry to be off topic, but what is at-risk?

at-risk, in a commission based environment, is the amount you are projected to make if you do exactly 100% to quota.

That said, even a rep who half-asses things will be at more than their at-risk if they hit 100%.

Posted by: rabisdogis

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularZ

But I wonder if you;ve been with the company so long, why are you still a rep ?

btw, ,my daughter has a mercedes clk55.. and lets just safely say, she doesnt make 80k a year =)

LOL...thats cool about your daughter. I didn't mean to start a pi$$ing contest. I was just feeling a little faecitious last night. No hard feelings.

I was actually a Lead with At&t and perfectly happy with that. When Cingular took over, myself and the other leads in my area lost our titles because Cingular (per my managers wording) does not have leads...only management. For awhile, I lived down in Oregon where there was no opportunity for advancement because I was the new guy (tranfered in from WA) and some of the reps/leads had been in that store going on 11 years since before At&t. The second newest person there had 2 and 1/2 years on me. Furthermore, I like being a rep. I go to school full time as well. I don't want any more responsibilty than I need nor do I want the stress. I'm 24 and have a lot of time ahead of me to be promoted. Thanks for asking though.

As far as Verizons hourly is concerned, I was hired at $10.92. A couple of the reps in my store who are older and more experienced were hired at $11.25 and one at $11.57. Theres even one who is making a little over $12. It really depends on the area and region.

Posted by: ivwshane

Interesting, I was a lead for at&t too but I kept my position when we became cingular. I was told that there wouldn't be anymore new leads with cingular though.

Posted by: rabisdogis

yeah...it was the District Managers call...he sucked! He was recently let go. Probably to many bad decisions.

Posted by: deeznutz78

Can you walk into a cingular corporate store and apply or do you have to do it online?

Posted by: Soopafly

Good stuff... there's always going to be ups and downs about any company you work for. The only really bad thing with Cingular right now is the expectations for COR. We need to get a nationwide standard for everyone including managers. Like our $15 feature per opp for the PNW market... while the rest of the country is on $10.

When we become #2 the AT&T CEO may shake up the company a bit.

Posted by: tendura

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeznutz78

Can you walk into a cingular corporate store and apply or do you have to do it online?

Gotta apply at cingular.com/careers

Posted by: Alfred_Neuman

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularZ

Shes no kid either, and believe it or not but she bought that car herself.

325xi ? Come on, you should know better. ask for the 5, and then falter to the 330xi at least...

sad thing is, i couldnt even afford a damn hyundai sonata if i wanted with my pay + debt.

Posted by: Alfred_Neuman

and really im in a bind in terms of moving on,up,out,etc.

i cant afford to make less than i am now.

its a catch-22 (hence stress in rl + stress at work= me pissed off and ranting on hofo)

Posted by: Slowpoke SS

The job seems pretty hard to get...applied for a part-time position in the East Bay but apparently Cingular doesn't need no engineers as sales reps because engineers have no people skills :P

Posted by: liquidbw

this is a great success story sounds like somthing i would have said 4 years ago
I was with verizon about 4 years back and the money was great bought nice car coudnt spend my money fast enough finaly I left and travled europe for a few months got home and still had money in the bank. when i got back commissions had dropped and i went to At&t (cingular) commissions where great and i made some great cash.
as of last year commissions have dropped to record lows and I am seeing friends that work for both having to find work in different proffessions because it just doesnt pay the bills for the life styles that we are accustom too. maybe the master agents in the san francisco area are just getting screwd.

Posted by: Alfred_Neuman

or perhaps maybe you can adjust your lifestyle?