A little chuffed - i think i've been head hunted!! Now a dilemma!

[IdidntNeedThisDilemma]

I am a regular that has named changed as i dont want to be recognised

I work full time for a large company in a sales type role, i get paid a VERY low basic wage (in fact under minimum wage) however get commission on top which then takes it over min wage.

Yesterday i received a letter from another company offering me the same position with them for a lot more money (same holiday, same commission structure etc etc). It seems like a great offer but i would not go there for several reasons.

I feel that i can use this letter to my advantage to ask for more money from my current employer - but how do i go about it? Do i just say i have received a letter? Do i have to go into details? Do i have to say, "I will go to work for this other company if you dont come up with an offer"?
I dont want to talk myself out of a job - but what do i do?

Oh and i know that my co will definitely NOT match the price.

When this has happened in the past to me I've just gone and said hat I've been approached by another company but that I don't really want to leave as I like it where I am BUT the money is better and so I am tempted. You'll find out your value cos if they want you to stay they'll match it. Otherwise they won't.

This is my worry - that they say no and i end up looking stupid for staying in a job that pays a huge amount less than i've been offered - oh bugger!

I think Pixiefish has the right approach - let them know you're in demand and see if they play.
You know already you don't want to take the job you've been offered but there's nothing stopping you making vague mention of it 'making you reassess your value on the job market' ie implying 'I've been offered one job that pays better than this, bet there are other people who want me too.'

(NB what are the reasons you wouldn't take up the headhunter's offer - if you mind sharing, that is, I'm just nosy)

Mrs Badger... reasons are:

1. my co is MUCH bigger than other - so commission is likely to be lower

2. they will want me to bring all my current customers and i'm not sure that they would bring their business to me at new co

3. Personal reasons - the headhunter is an arse

all very valid - will stop prying now

I would approach them with a strong case as to why you should be paid more for the job you are doing. Base it on skills, experience, results, length of service, committment, work ethic, reputation.

See what you get from that. If nothing then you need to bring the other offer to the table and say that you don't want to leave but you have to consider yourself, that you want to give them an opportunity to put things 'right' for you in order for you to say. Also emphasise what a loss it will be if you go (for all above reasons) and the cost to the business of recruiting, training, selling at a lower rate until up to speed etc.

If you still don't get anything, look for something else anyway - even if it isn't the company who have made you an offer