Avg base for beer/wine distributors?

[Anonymous]

Last time I worked in the biz was in 2001 and I had a 30k base, small car allowance. What is the average now?

[Anonymous]

I am in Liquor sales and hate to say that not much has changed. I make a low base around 37K and get the a car allowance that barely covers 1/2 my gas not to mention the EXTREME wear and tear on my vehicle. My advice is that if you get in this industry make sure you negotiate a good base (commissions are not that great) and an allowance that will fill your gas tank up a minimum of 2 times a week...trust me you will be using this plus some. This can be a fun job at times and HORRIBLE at times. Just know that you will be expected to see accounts EVERY day and are expected to be out dining and drinking in them at night "showing your support". My company does not reimburse for this "support" but it is expected and does help with sales so make sure negotiate an allowance as well. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

I can confirm this statement about drinking with the clients very regularly. I knew a guy who took one of these jobs out of college and he must have gained 25 pounds in just a few months.

I am in Liquor sales and hate to say that not much has changed. I make a low base around 37K and get the a car allowance that barely covers 1/2 my gas not to mention the EXTREME wear and tear on my vehicle. My advice is that if you get in this industry make sure you negotiate a good base (commissions are not that great) and an allowance that will fill your gas tank up a minimum of 2 times a week...trust me you will be using this plus some. This can be a fun job at times and HORRIBLE at times. Just know that you will be expected to see accounts EVERY day and are expected to be out dining and drinking in them at night "showing your support". My company does not reimburse for this "support" but it is expected and does help with sales so make sure negotiate an allowance as well. Hope this helps.

[Wine Guy]

Both of you are in the wrong game if you're only making high $30's. I used to rep for a Gallo distributor; made six figures before I left for somethong else. I must admit that my current job isn't nearly as stimulating as when I was hucking vino. Good industry but easy pigeon hole. People outside don't realize how competitive the sales are and don't take you too seriously unless you have Gallo on your resume. Pay is based solely on your turf. If it's good you'll do well, if not you'll be packing shelves and listening to Patels tell you how it is.

[Anonymous]

All salesmen want to make more money, therefore, THEY HAVE TO BE HUNGRY. Do not sell yourself short. Do not take jobs that do not pay a living wage WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MORE ON COMMISSIONS. THERE MUST BE A SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT REWARDS SUPER PERFORMANCE. It should be fairly easy to determine who had the territory before you. Visit a few stores in the territory and find out how long the previous rep had the route. If it turned over multiple times there has to be a reason. Go to a distant territory and do the same thing. If the employer keeps the best accounts as "house accounts" and wants you to "service" them as a favor, let them know you expect to get paid for all work done for the company. Let them know this is not a game and they can keep the job. Remind them that the word is out in the trade that they are tough on sales reps. Turnover is high and before you take a job you did your homework. You are willing to work hard and you will deliver the goods. You will be on territory early in the morning and will not leave until all accounts for the day have been seen. You expect to be reimbursed for all cash laid out for the company.

These are reasonable requests and you have to reject them if they do not want to keep their employees happy.

[Anonymous]

To the former Gallo employee: I worked for a local distributor that purchased from larger companies such as Gallo. We make way way less than you guys do, in fact that our job is considered a stepping stone to a job at a supplier (ex.Gallo). I know a lot of reps from my area that work at other distributors and they about they same as I make so in my particular state I believe what I said about pay is pretty accurate, but you are right there are many rep jobs in the industry that make WAY more $$$.

To the "you have to be hungry" person: I agree with pretty much everything you said. I wish I would have given more thought to what my cost of living really was before I accepted such a crappy base salary. I was fresh out of college and was just exited about being in the "real world" with a grown up job. I worked so hard and was in constant fear of my managers that I was miserable. Needless to say lesson learned.

[Anonymous]

Just curious Gallo person...are you still in the industry or did you switch? I am finding that not many people are taking liquor sales on my resume very seriously. I busted my arse everyday at this job and people treat me like I was some glorified bartender. Any advice?

[Anonymous]

Get ready to pack on the LBS....no matter how much you already work out if you switch from an active job to a job that requires driving in a car all day, sitting on barstools, and downing calorie laden sugar filled drinks you will gain weight even if you exercise. I have consistently worked out 5+ days per week and ran marathons and I still got a belly pudge from the damn alcohol. As soon as I quit drinking my belly disappeared. My advice is taste and spit and avoid the muffins at the Friday morning meetings.

[Anonymous]

I can confirm this. It takes a while to develop the ability to push away the free food/drink that is always in front of you.

Get ready to pack on the LBS....no matter how much you already work out if you switch from an active job to a job that requires driving in a car all day, sitting on barstools, and downing calorie laden sugar filled drinks you will gain weight even if you exercise. I have consistently worked out 5+ days per week and ran marathons and I still got a belly pudge from the damn alcohol. As soon as I quit drinking my belly disappeared. My advice is taste and spit and avoid the muffins at the Friday morning meetings.

[Anonymous]

Get ready to pack on the LBS....no matter how much you already work out if you switch from an active job to a job that requires driving in a car all day, sitting on barstools, and downing calorie laden sugar filled drinks you will gain weight even if you exercise. I have consistently worked out 5+ days per week and ran marathons and I still got a belly pudge from the damn alcohol. As soon as I quit drinking my belly disappeared. My advice is taste and spit and avoid the muffins at the Friday morning meetings.

Can you do this job successfully and not drink and eat with your clients? I am considering a position, but I don't want to pack on the weight.

[Anonymous]

Can you do this job successfully and not drink and eat with your clients? I am considering a position, but I don't want to pack on the weight.

You can do the job without gaining weight, but you will be required to attend dinners, wine tastings, supplier meetings etc. in which you at least have to taste but not necissarily drink. There is always food around (usually fattening and fried or plates of cheese). If you refuse to drink and eat it might be looked at as disrespectful to the person who set up and is paying for the food and drinks. Also, being in accounts and drinking is "part of the job". You will need lots of willpower, but gaining weight can be avoided.

[Wine Guy]

Please... Nobody reply to this Barbie concerned with putting on her college 30lbs. The amount of packing out that you'll do will burn any fat off your ass!!

[Anonymous]

Just curious Gallo person...are you still in the industry or did you switch? I am finding that not many people are taking liquor sales on my resume very seriously. I busted my arse everyday at this job and people treat me like I was some glorified bartender. Any advice?

I'm not in the business and believe that you have to know someone to get a decent job anywhere. Having Gallo on the resume is a strong b2b sales resume. Focus on med., pharma, payroll... All pay close if not substantially over 100K.

[Anonymous]

Please... Nobody reply to this Barbie concerned with putting on her college 30lbs. The amount of packing out that you'll do will burn any fat off your ass!!

Oh come on....This is and should be a concern of many women. It doesn't mean she is a "Barbie". As far as putting on 30lbs, that is an incredibly significant amount of weight. If you have gained 30+ pounds I suggest you see your doctor. Losing just 10% of your body weight greatly lowers your risk for COPD, Heart Disease and Diabetes so hopefully you do something about that. Why is it such a bad thing to be concerned with your weight? Why wait until your weight becomes a health issue? PREVENTION is the key. And you may not want to hear this but females who are physically attractive do much much better in this industry. I am not saying it is the only thing that matters---it definitely is not, but it will help you get your foot in the door in many accounts. Sad but true.

[Anonymous]

Please... Nobody reply to this Barbie concerned with putting on her college 30lbs. The amount of packing out that you'll do will burn any fat off your ass!!

What is packing out???

[Anonymous]

Please... Nobody reply to this Barbie concerned with putting on her college 30lbs. The amount of packing out that you'll do will burn any fat off your ass!!

Seems like you are a little resentful....are you jealous, fat or both?

[Anonymous]

The thing about other sales jobs is that the process is rarely understood. With liquor sales a store managers job is to purchase product from distributors. The sales position that I currently am in isn't as cut and dry. There is something to be said about that. I would caution every one of you considering entering or leaving the booze industry that it is a good place to be especially in an economic downturn. When your customers know your name and the size of your paycheck depends on it you can control your own destiny. In other outside sales involving cold calling, the earning potential is higher but so is the difficulty and stress levels. You can't rely on a relationship when you're cold calling no matter how good you are.

[Anonymous]

... When your customers know your name and the size of your paycheck depends on it you can control your own destiny.


Is that you Norm?

[Anonymous]

The thing about other sales jobs is that the process is rarely understood. With liquor sales a store managers job is to purchase product from distributors. The sales position that I currently am in isn't as cut and dry. There is something to be said about that. I would caution every one of you considering entering or leaving the booze industry that it is a good place to be especially in an economic downturn. When your customers know your name and the size of your paycheck depends on it you can control your own destiny. In other outside sales involving cold calling, the earning potential is higher but so is the difficulty and stress levels. You can't rely on a relationship when you're cold calling no matter how good you are.

I agree with you that this can be a great industry to be in during an economic downturn, but this year is a little different. The liquor industry as a whole is significantly down for the first time in 30 years. You can't control this size of your paycheck if places are struggling to keep their doors open. I have had multiple accounts close just in the last couple of months. I have some really great close relationships with my customers and that has definitely helped, but even some of my best accounts are ordering half of what they were ordering this same time last year. I believe that things will eventually turn around, but I don't recommend entering this industry right now.

[Anonymous]

Mr. Gallo- I was also a Gallo recruit back in the day, and I remember the BS they would fill your head with about having Gallo on the resume can get you a job anywhere!! What a crock of shit!! Take those ten steps and sprinkle them on E&J graves!

Perhaps in the liquor/beer/wine/sales world but step out to the B2B world or medical devices...There are many components that make up a great salesperson, like drive, passion, common sense..not being robots like Gallo people. I was fortunate to get out of the wine business and survive! Get out if you have atleast 3 years of Gallo, and you will see the light..make $350K plus. Sell medical devices and help people, do not sell them something that they really do not need.

Science is where it is at, not grapes!

[Anonymous]

mr. Gallo- i was also a gallo recruit back in the day, and i remember the bs they would fill your head with about having gallo on the resume can get you a job anywhere!! What a crock of shit!! Take those ten steps and sprinkle them on e&j graves!

Perhaps in the liquor/beer/wine/sales world but step out to the b2b world or medical devices...there are many components that make up a great salesperson, like drive, passion, common sense..not being robots like gallo people. I was fortunate to get out of the wine business and survive! Get out if you have atleast 3 years of gallo, and you will see the light..make $350k plus. Sell medical devices and help people, do not sell them something that they really do not need.

Science is where it is at, not grapes!

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Mr. Gallo- I was also a Gallo recruit back in the day, and I remember the BS they would fill your head with about having Gallo on the resume can get you a job anywhere!! What a crock of shit!! Take those ten steps and sprinkle them on E&J graves!

Perhaps in the liquor/beer/wine/sales world but step out to the B2B world or medical devices...There are many components that make up a great salesperson, like drive, passion, common sense..not being robots like Gallo people. I was fortunate to get out of the wine business and survive! Get out if you have atleast 3 years of Gallo, and you will see the light..make $350K plus. Sell medical devices and help people, do not sell them something that they really do not need.

Science is where it is at, not grapes!

Absolutely! I work in this industry now and it is SHIT. I can't wait to get out.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely! I work in this industry now and it is SHIT. I can't wait to get out.

Can you say more about why the industry is so shitty?

[Anonymous]

Can you say more about why the industry is so shitty?

Liquor/wine sales jobs are a joke. I have friends in the business and what I hear they do for business is basically bribe customers/distributors to buy cases from them, and then subsidize it by offering free cases.

I still wonder why this industry (at least in the past) always had a good resume buzz. If I was a hiring manager and saw that on a resume I would seriously question what you were "selling". Hell, I could give away product with the best of them.

I know it differs by state, but the distributor where I am at has the exclusive rights to certain products. There is a big difference in "selling" vs. distributing.

Lastly, I am always impressed by the way these sales reps are so impressed by what they do. You get people drunk, and when you grow your sales you get more people drunk, then they get behind the wheel. Really fulfilling. I know its a paycheck, and in these times that is great, but geezzz...I wouldn't be able to look at my kids in the eyes and tell them what daddy does every day....yikes...

[Anonymous]

To poster #23. The job is what you want to make of it. If you are female and working for a distributor, get used to a lot of sexism. The manufacturer end requires a lot of kissing butt and wining & dining the buyers and managers of the distributor. The distributor requires more of a sell job and kissing butt to the retail & restaurant/hotel side. I've done both. Also make sure the company has the resources for you, i.e. car mileage, expense account and "give-aways" because you will need all of it. Both distributor & manufacturer still has the who-you-know mentality and the good-ol-boys-club as a way of doing business. In this industry buyers hold grudges for a long time. If you have the personality, can keep your commitments and have a lot of energy you can succeed. But succeeding is really about being liked, not so much about your quotas & goals. As for the posts about putting on weight and drinking...it is a given. Very difficult to balance. However, you can use your expense account, "buy a drink", have the bartender give it to a regular patron and you sip diet coke all night (on-premise secret). Truly boring, but it works on those off-nights like Mondays & Tuesdays when you don't feel like partying. good luck.