What I am about to post is strictly my opinion and nothing more. It is my belief that the "new" sales specialists bonus structure was likely concocted to throw off a potential mass exodus when the last bastions of the original commissions/SPIFFS structure (i.e., Allowance) was rescinded at the beginning of the 2020 fiscal year. Still remember my SM calling me into their office mid 2019 to personally inform me that the company would be ending the Allowance program at the beginning of 2020 fiscal year. In practically the same breath my SM also stated that corporate was planning on replacing it with a "new" sales specialist incentive program. Months past without any real news on what that new program would be. After receiving the news, some specialists left, some stayed on.
Again speaking for myself, I wanted to believe what my SM was telling me was factual and I personally decided to stay on. Much like I decided to stay on when we were assured (in writing no less) that we would be given an Allowance when the original Commissions/SPIFFS program ended. It absolutely would not surprise me if corporate is doing exactly the same thing but with just a slightly different spin to it. Various metrics can easily now be used against you as grounds for either demotion or termination. Your replacements will likely be hired in at a much lower starting base pay with the carrot being dangled in front of them that they stand to make additional money via the "new" bonus structure. To any of you long time specialists is this starting to sound familiar to the pitch we were given all those years ago???
As for the previous demise of the Plumbing Specialists, Lowe's likely quickly realized that the "new" incentive program potentially could pay out far more than the old allowance program and quickly remedied the potential cash flow loss. Both Flooring and Millwork is kicking a– in my market and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if corporate is already looking for ways to decrease payout. Appliances currently is of zero threat to them as the extreme lack of inventory is acting like a NASCAR restrictor plate with respect to sales and at least in my XDT market we have virtually no hope of making our 2019 baselined SPH numbers.
Bottom line, any perceived promises coming from the corporate office at Lowe's is not worth the paper they are written on. My advise, get out as soon as you can. This is being written by a long time Lowe's sales specialist that was doing close to 2 million in annual sales (up until corporate transitioned us into an appliance XDT market and pulled the rug out from under us both inventory and systems wise) and is currently making nearly 40% less than I was back in 2011. Lowe's clearly doesn't care how much you have personally sacrificed or done for them over the years, only what you did for them last month. In their minds we are all easily replaceable. If your sole motivation to come to work each day is strictly a paycheck than stay on, however if you want your work ethic to be appreciated you are absolutely working for the wrong employer.
A must read from @1sbu+17LVgK7G.