Genealogy Chat

Good evening, I have one of two relative who give their occupation as Commercial Traveller. Forgive my ignorance, but what would be today's equivalent. Many thanks Helen

Hi Helen An itinerant salesman, one who seeks orders for firm he works at. Probably a lot done by computer now,a commercial traveller would have taken samples of goods etc. to show customer. More than likely still the way some firms work! Mau

Hi Helen A commercial traveller was literally a traveling sales representative. A commercial traveller could be selling anything from ladies underwear, cosmestics, to combine harvesters. I think there are still Pharmaceutical Salespeople, I have seen them at my local doctors, but I think commercial travellers/salespeople are a dying breed. Gill

Thanks both for your replies, much appreciated. Have a nice evening. Helen

hiya Helen, and yes Gill is right, my dad was a commercial traveller, and believe me ,we moved a lot! because the job took you to new areas, and it never done me any harm, as I saw a lot of new places and faces, thanks to his job! and we lived in a house, so not to be confused with 'other ' travellers, sometimes I wish we did , as a child I would have seen it as a holiday.Oh I could tell you a lot about the 'commercial traveller' please pm me

They are probably called a sales executive these days! If you look around commercial premises many have 'No representatives without appointment' because commercial travellers are still going strong. C

Sales Rep is probably the modern term, they certainly still exist.