The sales people I know who sell designer bags or shoes are all commission only. If they don't make their sales goal one year, the next year their pay and other benefits are affected. Most of the general public doesn't understand commission sales and how it works. Some may get a small salary with a commission bonus, I'm not sure how every store works. As far as I know, the Hermes people make a nice salary plus commission-it is not like that for many.
The benefit of working with one main SA, is they know your style and over time that is very helpful. What's important is that the first person who helps you with an item-if they are nice etc, is the person you go back to. That is correct customer etiquette.
Someone here asked why you would email or text a SA to let them know you had bought from someone else etc? Probably best to text or call ahead of time and let them know you're stopping in so you don't have to do that. It doesn't hurt to have a conversation with your SA and ask what they prefer.
thank you for this info, but how big is the commission - is it % of the sale and how much?