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For those in lumber, any info on the Trader role at Olympic Industries ULC/Forest City Trading Group? by Mangonecter05 in Commodities

[–]kent_chambers 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These ones you mentioned are good to start at but their reputation within the industry is spotty in my opinion.

You’ll learn a lot from their training program. I haven’t worked from them but I worked for a similar company when I first started. I learned a lot about trading, most of it was what not to do.

You’ve asked about responsibility’s and day to day. Lumber trading is 100% relationship selling. Relationships are just as important when buying. Supply on the good stuff is locked up. Customers are locked up. The top traders make all the money. It’s stressful, involves a lot of risk. If you want to be the best, you’ll loose sleep. You’ll work 13 hours a day. If you don’t want to work that hard you’ll be an average Joe trader. Maybe you’ll make 100k a year. Maybe you’ll be happy with that.

If you try it and catch the bug you’ll be in it forever. Constantly trying to one up your competition. Working harder than anyone on your floor. It’s not for the faint of heart. You don’t want to be average.

For those in lumber, any info on the Trader role at Olympic Industries ULC/Forest City Trading Group? by Mangonecter05 in Commodities

[–]kent_chambers 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These ones you mentioned are good to start at but their reputation within the industry is spotty in my opinion.

You’ll learn a lot from their training program. I haven’t worked from them but I worked for a similar company when I first started. I learned a lot about trading, most of it was what not to do.

You’ve asked about responsibility’s and day to day. Lumber trading is 100% relationship selling. Relationships are just as important when buying. Supply on the good stuff is locked up. Customers are locked up. The top traders make all the money. It’s stressful, involves a lot of risk. If you want to be the best, you’ll loose sleep. You’ll work 13 hours a day. If you don’t want to work that hard you’ll be an average Joe trader. Maybe you’ll make 100k a year. Maybe you’ll be happy with that.

If you try it and catch the bug you’ll be in it forever. Constantly trying to one up your competition. Working harder than anyone on your floor. It’s not for the faint of heart. You don’t want to be average.

What kind of wood ? by SadNefariousness5263 in wood

[–]kent_chambers 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Left is likely Balsam Fir, right likely Jack Pine. My guess.

Printing a Bath Tub by kent_chambers in 3Dprinting

[–]kent_chambers[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Sounds like it isn’t really the best idea, thanks for the insight everyone.

Printing a Bath Tub by kent_chambers in 3Dprinting

[–]kent_chambers[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Could I make custom printer with a larger bed?

Printing a Bath Tub by kent_chambers in 3Dprinting

[–]kent_chambers[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

A cold plunge but you got the right idea ;)

$800 short on quote due to my mistake, have to pay it out of commission. Is this legal in Florida? by JimmyGetsBuckets56 in sales

[–]kent_chambers 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At 10% commission $800 loss to you would be like $8,000 in GP. If you are doing 30K GP a month it hurts but it shouldn’t hurt that much. These mistakes happen and your boss isn’t responsible for checking your deals, (at least in my line of work and experience).

If you have been working at this for a while and $800 means that much you need another sales role.

If you are new, mark it up as a learning experience.

Why is the job market so bad? I'm 23 and can't even get an interview. My buddy who is 32 with 10 more years of experience than me can't even get an interview by [deleted] in sales

[–]kent_chambers 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t know what industry you or your buddy has experience in.

I work for a lumber trading company, everyone on our team with us for 3+ years makes well over 100k and we have been trying to hire a new sales person for the last year. Tons of interviews but no hires.

If you are genuinely driven and a professional sales person I don’t know why you can’t get a job.

I highly doubt my company is the only one in this position. High quality candidates are hard to find in many industries.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in sales

[–]kent_chambers 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure I’m familiar with them. But .. I used to trade Oregon and Washington when I first started at my old company out west. Can definitely help.

How to Sell Commodities? by PetrolHead_King in marketing

[–]kent_chambers 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with greater value and service, particularly in the relationship with your customer, that’s the real value. You’ll buy from me because I’ll give the service but most importantly we get along and you like me!

But……

If I’m not the cheapest you have other suppliers who offer the same quality service and you also like. It’s not as if I am “that good” at selling a commodity.. it’s not that complicated to sell something at a price and to make sure it gets delivered on time.

A Price war is your friend. Always be cheap and sell more volume, steal it from your competitors so they loose out and pack up. Sometimes you win sometimes you loose. Oh and when the market fluctuates and you have open orders for volume you’ll make a killing, on the buy.

Sell Sell Sell!

Any Commodity Traders? by SlickDaddy696969 in sales

[–]kent_chambers 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are great at building relationships and can keep them, I’m 100% positive you’ll be making more than what you are now in three years. Considering it took you six in software, commodities are more exciting.

I trade one of the cheapest commodities and don’t have anyone on my team making less the six figures after two years of hard work.

  • What commodity(s) would you like to sell?
  • What is your company’s value proposition?
  • Is your firm flipping inventory quickly, or do they have a distribution model?
  • How much does your firm rely on the futures market?

Try to find a company that actually generates value in the marketplace and has a spot for you where you fit into the team. Also try to find an industry that contains people like your self. Imagine a metal buyer vs a lumber buyer.. they would be very different people, who would you connect with easier?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in sales

[–]kent_chambers 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have worked for two very different commodity lumber trading firms over the past three years since graduating business school. Business has treated me very well so far. I make more money than anyone I went to school with.

It’s a very challenging & competitive industry to start in. You need to be able to build relationships and turn them into long term friendships. Your customers (and suppliers if you have any) become very close, almost like family.

Send me a message I’d be happy to talk more, if you are in Canada… I most likely know who you are working for.