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Dear Quota Team

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I work in sales and have just gotten a job offer from another company. I was wondering if you think there’s anything odd about the situation. 

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The company is relatively new. They are less than two years old. Basically, there was an old family-owned business that’s been around for years, and the guys who took the business over from their parents launched a new spin-off from the old business, selling products wholesale that they were selling retail before. 

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They are not offering a base, but they are willing to pay $500 a week and a gas stipend for the duration of the training. Once that’s done, I am on commission-only. They don’t offer benefits but say they will if and when this new venture takes off. 

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I would get my own territory and would be working with two other reps who have their own territories as well. The owners say that us early hires can eventually build out our own sales teams and eventually get a piece of the company. I should add that right now I get a good base pay and decent total comp but there is very little room for growth where I work. What do you think? Is it shady or should I give it a shot?

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Unsure in Florida 

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Dear Unsure

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Is there anything “odd?” Not necessarily, but it’s also not the most generous offer. The company is only willing to invest $500 a week for presumably a few weeks, and other than that, you’re on your own. 

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That’s not to say that it’s necessarily a terrible opportunity. If the new spinoff does take off, you’ll be well positioned to capitalize on it. But the truth is that all they’re offering you is a smile and a promise, and there are lots of other companies out there that will put their money where their mouth is from day one. If it was us, we’d pass. Good luck!