08.22.07
Traveling Magazine sales group
An interview with a traveling magazine salesman
I ran into a magazine sales guy today at my apartment. He came by and knocked on the door and had a clever sales pitch. One of the pitches was that the money could be donated to a charity of my choice. They basically work in every possible angle to sale you a magazine. I was really interested in this group because an old friend had been in one of these groups a long time ago and said it was a drug and alcohol infested type of organization usually and that it was a terrible influence on the young kids who travel with these magazine sales companies.
What do you like most about the magazine sales group?
“Mainly traveling and seeing new places across the country. Not so much the money.”
What is the name of the magazine agency?
“I cannot tell you, they may track this information back to me.”
Do they provide alcohol or drugs and other perks?
“They do not provide drugs alcohol or parties at all.”
What are the ages of the sale people?
“Age range is 18 - 27″
What is the background of the sales people?
“Most have graduated highschool. Some are highschool drop outs.”
How long do the sales people do this for?
“Maximum about 4 years. I have been doing it only 4 months.”
What is your boss like?
“He has been doing it for 30 years and owns the business. He has 1 kid and is divorced. The business is with the BBB.”
How many are in the crew?
“There are 20 people in the crew and they drive two vans out of their hub hotel location in Lousiana each day.”
How much does your boss make?
“I have no idea how much he makes.”
What are the perks?
“No other perks besides the travel.”
Where do you stay?
“We stay in nice hotels throughout the country, 2 per room.”
Do they provide a script and can you make up your own script?
“They give a basic 5 step script but they want you to stick to the NCA contest, $1,000 to a positive career goal and a trip.”
Is the boss a demanding controlling sales manager?
“The boss tries to be upbeat and positive and they are not a scam operation.”