Commercial Traveller In The Uk: Who And What?

A commercial traveller is a person who travels to different places to sell their company's products or services. The term is old-fashioned and dates back to at least 1807. Commercial travellers developed alongside the growth of manufacturing and retail in the 19th century. They sold goods exclusively to shops, which led to a decline in the warehouseman trade. Commercial travellers were often referred to by a job title related to the product they were selling, such as a commercial timber traveller.

Commercial travellers are salesmen

Commercial travellers often sold goods on an instalment plan and would carry a Commercial Traveller’s Pocket Companion, which listed all the counties, towns, populations, market days, and distances from the main county town. They would work within one of nine sales circuits across the UK, and their income was largely commission-based, incentivising them to obtain large orders.

The job required self-assurance, talkativeness, social skills, and good mechanical knowledge, especially with the emergence of car travel in the 20th century. Commercial travellers were known for their sophisticated personas and popularity with women. Their well-paid, itinerant lifestyle, however, also led to a reputation for heavy drinking and womanising.

The occupation is considered old-fashioned today, but it played a significant role in the 19th century when manufacturing and shops were on the rise.

They travel to call on customers

Commercial travellers are salespeople who travel to meet customers and sell their company's products or services. They are also known as travelling salesmen. Commercial travellers developed alongside the growth of manufacturing and retail in the 19th century. The public's increased wealth during this period meant there was a higher demand for goods.

Commercial travellers sold directly to shops, which meant that warehousemen, who previously supplied shops, were no longer needed. Travellers would often carry the Commercial Traveller's Pocket Companion, a guide that listed all the counties, towns, populations, market days, and distances from the main county town.

Salesmen would often be away for long periods, sometimes up to "ten months out of twelve". They would work on one of nine circuits: the South Coast, the Eastern Counties, the Midlands, the Northern Counties, Bristol and the West of England, South Wales, North Wales, Ireland, and Scotland.

Commercial travellers were well-treated by the hotel trade, which set aside 'commercial rooms' where they could write up their order books and dine. Charles Dickens described these rooms as "tapestried with greatcoats and railway wrappers".

As travel became easier in the 20th century, commercial travellers switched from travelling by foot, horse-drawn van, or railway to driving cars. They also began to eat in restaurants rather than commercial rooms and returned home more frequently.

Commercial travellers sell goods on an instalment plan

Commercial travellers are salespeople who travel to different places to sell their company's products and services. The term "commercial traveller" is old-fashioned and was first recorded in the 1800s.

In the 19th century, commercial travellers often spent "ten months out of twelve" on the road, travelling from town to town to sell their goods. They would typically work one of nine sales circuits covering different regions of the UK, including the South Coast, the Midlands, and Scotland. The work was well-paid, with a basic salary of £100-200 per year, plus commission on sales. This commission was offered on a sliding scale, providing an incentive for travellers to secure large orders.

Commercial travellers were often well-educated and sophisticated, with good social skills and a self-assured manner. They were also known for their "patter", or sales pitch, which they used to persuade potential customers to buy their products.

They are representatives of their company's products or services

A commercial traveller is a person who travels to different places to sell their company's products or services. They are representatives of their company's products or services and act as advocates for the brand they are selling. Commercial travellers often refer to themselves as 'representatives' to make their profession sound more sophisticated.

In the past, commercial travellers would sell exclusively to shops, whereas previously shop owners would have to go to warehouses to pick up supplies. The occupation of a warehouseman declined as commercial travellers could deliver goods directly to shops. Commercial travellers would often carry the Commercial Traveller’s Pocket Companion, which gave them information about the counties, towns, populations, market days, and distances from the main county town.

Commercial travellers were often well-treated by the hotel trade, as they represented a lot of money in salary and expenses. They would be provided with 'commercial rooms' where they could write up their order books and dine.

The term 'commercial traveller' is dated and was first used in 1807. Over time, the mode of travel for commercial travellers evolved from travelling on foot or by horse-drawn van to travelling by rail or car.

Commercial travellers are advocates for their company's policies

Commercial travellers are salespeople who travel to different places to sell their company's products or services. They are the advocates and representatives of their company and its policies. They are the link between the company and the customer, and their role is to persuade people to buy what the company is selling.

Commercial travellers often have a self-assured, confident, and talkative manner, which can make them popular and help with sales. They are also adaptable, able to switch from travelling by foot or horse-drawn van to using the railways or driving a car as these new modes of transport become available.

The role of a commercial traveller can be demanding, requiring them to be away from home for extended periods. In the 19th century, a salesman could be away for "ten months out of twelve". Commercial travellers were well-treated by the hotel trade, which set aside 'commercial rooms' for them to write up their order books and dine. However, this lifestyle could also lead to heavy drinking and a reputation for being "popular with the ladies".

Commercial travellers were often paid a basic salary with their primary income coming from commission. This provided an incentive to obtain large orders. The role did not offer levels of seniority, but those who were successful could move on to better companies dealing in higher-quality and higher-priced goods, which would result in higher commissions.

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