----- Original Message -----
From: "Art"
Newsgroups: alt.home.repair
Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2004 3:03 PM
Subject: Whirlpool Duet Washer Problems?


What I don't understand is how the Sears employees make any money. From
what I hear the commissions are lousy. So the employee gets lots of power
but little pay. Am I wrong about the pay?


I agree that commissions aren't what they used to be..but then what can you
expect when the market becomes flooded with competition. The average
customer pays $399 for a washer, now, and that is what they paid back in
1978 when I started selling appliances. The machines are much improved over
those old machines, too. The trend is to eliminate commission and go to an
hourly wage. This could be good in the long run as it will get rid of the
salespeople who will only wait on the customer looking at the $1300 washer
thus ignoring those who have less to spend. I managed to retire the first
time after 15 years at age 60 with a pretty good nest egg in my pension and
401k. Couldn't stand sitting around the house so went back to the new Sears
Hardware and Appliance formatted store. Work part time..hourly wage that I
feel is competitive and am able to devote my attention to everyone coming
into the store regardless of whether they are looking at a $29 microwave or
a $1500 refrigerator. The atmosphere is so much better...you don't have 10
people standing around like vultures on a limb waiting to swoop down on the
first customer to even look towards an appliance. We used to watch people
get out of their cars in the mall parking lot and if they so much as turned
their head towards our dept when they came in the door, one of us would be
off and running towards them. Finally, I get the feeling that our customers
seemed to be relieved when they find that we're trying to help them make an
educated decision on a purchase and not just trying to maximize the
commission we receive.
Tom G.