Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions | Dealership Questions | Sales Representative Questions

General

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1. How long has Pioneer been in business?
Pioneer has been the leading manufacturer of pre-engineered truss-less arch style steel buildings for 28 years, bringing the highest levels of quality and innovation to the steel building industry.
2. What is the average territory size?
Pioneer Steel does not restrict the territory of its dealers or sales representatives. Although many focus on a particular geographic region, all are free to make sales anywhere within North America.
3. How are Pioneer Steel buildings delivered to my customers?
Pioneer Steel buildings are delivered to the customer by flat bed trucks directly from the factory. Alternatively, customers can pick up their buildings at the factory, should they so choose.
4. How long is the initial training period?
Three to five days, depending on your sales knowledge, background, and the position for which you have applied.
5. Are there any additional incentives?
There is an annual dollar volume rebate program for Distributors based on delivered volume, payable in January of the following year. The more volume, the higher the percentage rebate. For sales representatives, incentive programs exist within the individual dealerships and can vary from dealer to dealer.
6. Does Pioneer hold an annual Christmas Party?
Yes we do, for the top dealers and sales representatives. The party is usually held within the first ten days of December.
7. When are the two opportunities available?
Both opportunities are available immediately.

Dealership

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1. How much of an investment is there?
Pioneer does not charge any fees to obtain a Dealership. Your biggest investment will be in hard work and determination. There are, of course, the usual start-up costs such as advertising, factory brochure purchases, general print (such as customer contracts) along with telephone, legal and accounting fees, etc. A reserve of $25,000 would be more than enough.
2. Does Pioneer offer any co-op advertising?
Yes. To aid its dealers, Pioneer does a great deal of advertising in regional, national and international publications. This lead-generating effort rewards all Pioneer Steel dealers in building a larger and stronger customer base.
3. How long will it take to start generating cash flow?
As soon as you start to receive customer enquiries, whether from your own advertising, from Pioneer's co-op ads, or a combination of both, your sales should start immediately thereafter. When a sale is made, you will receive a deposit as a percentage of the total selling price, which begins your cash flow.
4. How do I pay Pioneer for the building that I order?
Pioneer Steel will contact your customer to arrange a time for delivery. Upon delivery, Pioneer will receive the Cash-On-Delivery (C.O.D.) from the customer by way of a cashier's check or certified check payable to Pioneer. The C.O.D. must cover the dealer cost including freight. If there is an overage, Pioneer will refund the difference to the dealer. If the C.O.D. is short, the dealer is required to remit the shortage at the time the order is placed with Pioneer.
5. Do I need to have a number of installers available for my customers?
No. Over 75% of purchasers put their Pioneer building up with the help of friends and/or relatives. The buildings, in most cases, are designed with the do-it-yourself buyer in mind. You will, however, receive a list of contractors familiar with erecting our buildings for the customer that does not have the time or inclination to erect their building themselves.

Sales Representative

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1. How long will it take to start making money?
This really depends on your sales knowledge, skills, and work habits. After the initial training period of three-to-five days, you will begin to work fresh leads on your own, with daily supervision, until such time it is jointly felt that the supervision can be reduced to a minimum. As an experienced sales agent, you know that you may make a sale on your first call or not until the twentieth. In either case, your solid experience in direct sales will eventually reap rewards.
2. What types of sales positions are available?
There are two types of sales representatives within the Pioneer Steel network:
  • One type is telephone sales, in which you either receive a direct call enquiry or an enquiry from the same day or the previous evening to do a call return. Some customer enquiries will request literature be sent first and then the customer will call back or the representative will call the customer within a reasonable period of time after the literature package was sent.
  • The other type is field sales. After receiving the customer enquiry, you will be expected to set an appointment and make a personal visit. Your training will include the use of props, such as a presentation book, picture book, steel samples etc.
3. How do I get paid?
Once the sale is made and the deposit is received, most dealerships pay commissions once per week. Some dealerships may offer an initial draw against commission or base plus commission.
4. Are there future growth opportunities?
Yes, there are positions available for the right individual for assistant sales manager and sales manager.
5. Will I be expected to handle any after-sale customer service problems?
No. All customer service enquiries are generally directed to Pioneer Steel factory-trained service personnel.
6. Is this a full-time job or can I work part-time?
A sales position with Pioneer is most definitely a full-time position and not part-time; it is a career. You will be expected to work at least six to eight hours per day and more if you prefer. You'll find with Pioneer that there is rarely a dull moment. You will be busy and also having fun while doing your job selling pre-engineered steel buildings.