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Dear Quota Team,

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I’m a B2B sales manager at a small consumer goods company that sells a $50 product through an e-commerce store. I manage all wholesale business with distributors and retailers worldwide. Our main product has been on the market for two years, generating just over $1 million in total sales.

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About a year ago, we soft-launched a new product. The owner asked me to sell pre-orders with the promise of delivery in Q1 of 2025. I sold thousands of units on pre-order as the interest for the new product was very high. It’s now Q3, and production delays have caused us to repeatedly miss delivery timelines. As a result, many of my retail accounts are unhappy, requesting refunds, and giving negative feedback.

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Despite this, the owners continue to push me to sell more pre-orders, even though it’s clear they don’t know when the product will actually be ready. The situation is worsening: last pay period was the first time payroll was missed, even though I’ve consistently hit my sales targets every month this year, mainly from partnering with key accounts and selling our original product very well. I’m proud of my work and would like to see the company succeed, but I’m struggling with my integrity as a salesperson—selling something I don’t know will be delivered—and I’m increasingly worried about the company’s financial stability and whether I’ll continue to be paid. What should I do in this situation?

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Concerned in Canada 

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Dear Concerned,

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The missed payroll is a red flag that your ship is taking on water. Stop selling pre-orders immediately—your reputation is worth more than any commission, and angry customers will follow you wherever you go next. Start documenting everything (emails about delays, missed payroll, unrealistic promises) while quietly job hunting. Use your strong track record with the original product to land interviews elsewhere. Your gut is telling you what your brain already knows: when leadership prioritizes short-term cash over customer relationships and can't make payroll despite your success, it's time to jump ship.