# "Inside sales" vs. "outside sales"--what's the difference? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2002, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inside-sales-vs-outside-sales-whats-the-difference/137767 "2002-11-20T17:48:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inside-sales-vs-outside-sales-whats-the-difference/137767/1 "2002-11-20T17:48:37Z")
Simple question–when I look at job board postings, what typically goes into an “inside sales” position vs. an “outside sales” one? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inside-sales-vs-outside-sales-whats-the-difference/137767/2 "2002-11-20T18:01:47Z")
I always thought that “inside sales” was essentially telemarketing, or something akin to telemarketing (such as callbacks to parties who have expressed interest via e-mail). Either way, you do it in an office and normally on the phone. “Outside sales” seem to refer to either door-to-door selling or selling in a convention/trade show setting. “Outside sales” implies travel of some sort, whether city-wide or worldwide. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inside-sales-vs-outside-sales-whats-the-difference/137767/3 "2002-11-20T18:03:24Z")
Inside sales - Usually work at your desk or behind a counter. Mostly phone and walk-in traffic. Outside sales - Salesman that usually goes around and visits customers at their place of business. ---
**Author:** ![Stana\_Claus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stana_claus/32/13874_2.png) [@Stana\_Claus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stana_Claus)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inside-sales-vs-outside-sales-whats-the-difference/137767/4 "2002-11-20T18:36:57Z")
Generally speaking, if the customer comes to you (retail stores, car lots, etc.) that would be considered “inside sales”. If you go to the customer (industrial sales rep., typical “business-to-business” sales, etc.) that would be “outside sales”. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inside-sales-vs-outside-sales-whats-the-difference/137767/5 "2002-11-20T18:39:20Z")
Thanks, **bordelond** , **bernse** , **Stana Claus** for the fast replies. Is one position more prestigious or lucrative than the other? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inside-sales-vs-outside-sales-whats-the-difference/137767/6 "2002-11-20T18:41:31Z")
I can answer that. Inside sales - Usually you’re salaried with some commission. Outside sales - You’re an independent contractor who works on commission only. In general Outside Sales can be more lucrative cash-wise. But it’s more uncertain and you usually get no benefits. Not for the faint of heart. Though note: The truly great sales pros all go outside at some point. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inside-sales-vs-outside-sales-whats-the-difference/137767/7 "2002-11-20T18:54:06Z")
Not necessarily **JC**. While many (most) businesses that have outside salesman do indeed pay a commision, they are quite often an “employee” with base salary also included and associated workers benifits. I’ve only heard of outside sales like you describe in industries like insurance sales, real estate and possibly auto sales (although I’m sure that I am missing more). ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inside-sales-vs-outside-sales-whats-the-difference/137767/8 "2002-11-20T18:58:48Z")
I’ve worked at places where inside sales was the support team for outside sales. They took calls, put bid packages together, came up with leads, did research, made up proposals…all to support the salespeople out in the field who actually schmoozed the clients and closed the deals. Inside sales were sales assistants, usually salaried, no commission, and made a lot less than the outside salespeople. Outside sales visited the clients, got salary plus commission and were actual employees (not contractors). They made boat-loads of cash, but if sales slipped, they would probably be replaced before an inside salesperson. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inside-sales-vs-outside-sales-whats-the-difference/137767/9 "2002-11-20T19:01:59Z")
I concede that I should have put ‘usually’ in my ‘outside sales’ description. I’ve both been and managed both types and I agree that different firms do it different ways. I think the crux of the matter is that outside sales get more cash but are on shakier ground. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inside-sales-vs-outside-sales-whats-the-difference/137767/10 "2002-11-20T20:14:55Z")
They have outside salesmen at lumberyards as well. They go out to the job sites and see the contractors while they’re on the job. They also measure for trim/windows/etc. and deal with any delivery problems that come up. Inside salesmen sell to the guy who walks in off the streets and such. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inside-sales-vs-outside-sales-whats-the-difference/137767/11 "2002-11-20T20:37:06Z")
In wholesale distribution, it’s what Bernse said.