While this isnt necessarily directly about Real Estate I do think it is topic appropriate. Sometimes the comment sections on this blog get fiery about how consumers shouldnt trust opinions of the people who are making money in the industry. There may be some truth to that.

But…..there is a talk show that I listen to regularly that has a sponsor where the big advertisement is that their sales people are paid a wage instead of commission so there is no pressure to buy.  I’ll be honest, the first time I heard that advertisement the first thing that ran through my head is, “I wonder how well those people know the product that they are selling.  What’s the motivation to know everything about it?”

People who make commissions HAVE to be proficient in their trade, continue to learn and grow and be knowledgeable in not only the product but also changes and market trends.  Otherwise they soon will be waiting tables.

People who make a wage get paid whether there is a sale or not.  What is the motivation for this person who has a guaranteed income to better themselves in their industry?  But, then again, just because they don't have a monetary motivation shouldn't assume that they don't do a good job.

So there are a couple of ways to look at it.

The point is I believe that there are pros and cons to both.  And the answer isn’t to just think that ALL people who make commissions are out to trick you in to buying something you don’t want.  The answer is to find someone who is ethical, trustworthy, and knowledgeable about their industry, who is a professional and can help to consult and advise you on a product or service and help you to decide what is right for YOU. 

Likewise, the answer isn’t to just think that ALL people in sales that make a salary wage are lazy and don’t know their product well because they don’t have anything to motivate them to be better.  The same answer applies - The answer is to find someone who is ethical, trustworthy, and knowledgeable about their industry, who is a professional and can help to consult and advise you on a product or service and help you to decide what is right for YOU. 

After all, these ARE the people that live and breath the market, industry, product or service daily.  And those people, who are competent at their job, are worth their pay no matter how it is done.  That goes for any industry.