Is it a scam?

**Doodyps** · 01-20-2009 09:01 AM

I have a follow up interview in an hour at a company that seems very sketchy. They are a full marketing consulting company, so they say. The man I initially interviewed with ran off some big time names that he says they have worked with. He says they have been around 29 years and they have hundreds of offices. But I can only find a website for their Houston office and it isn't very impressive. no links to a national office or anything. No mention of a parent company. He said they would go over compensation in today's interview.

They are also interviewing just about anyone that walks through the door it seems, regardless of experience and they offer paid training for 3-10 months. So far I havent found anyone willing to talk about the compensation before todays interview. I'm scared theyre going to pay for training and then stick me with commission only for a salary. He said that after training you essentially become a plug in manager at one of their many locations.

Has anyone heard of something like this? Sounds extremely fishy. Its way to good to be true so it must be, but my supervisor wont be in today and I can take the time for the follow up. I might as well hear what they have t say. It sounds like a franchise (if its legitimate). Or, just a flat out scam...which is hard to imagine if they pay you while they train you (dont know how much,but its paid while training, not paid for training.)

**hl68** · 01-20-2009 09:19 AM

Hey,

Sounds like a MLM to me. I would do a search of the company name on Rip off Report.com to see if anything comes up. This maybe a legit company but does sound fishy to me also. Let us know how it goes. Best of luck.

**stand856** · 01-20-2009 10:20 AM

share the name of the company, maybe someone knows

**mikek** · 01-20-2009 10:31 AM

thats sounds like any possible company. if you tell us its primerica then run i had bad experience with them, lol

**greggomatic76** · 01-20-2009 10:41 AM

If they are willing to offer 3-10 months of paid training in this economy to anyone who just walks in off the street there has going to be something more they haven't told you yet. Be very wary of them...and yeah...share the name if you can.

**Doodyps** · 01-20-2009 02:34 PM

I just got back. It was an independent company...only it was an offshoot of a Quixtar group. The company was called Gulf Coast Inc. (Welcome to Gulf Coast)

So, far from being a complete Marketing Consulting Firm ( ala a Pennebaker Fifth Ring), it was an MLM.

Yesterday they told me it was not direct sales. Today they sent me with a "trainer" to a Walmart 16 miles away to set up a table outside and "Distribute" our product. Apparently sales people are now called distributors. I have respect for the people that do it, but I don't appreciate the BS they used to get me to come back and miss a few hours from my job. The person who interviewed me yesterday was very disingenuous, but I did get to take a field trip and experience something new. I don't regret going.

Also, there is no pay check outside of commissions, but the commissions are 15-35%, so not bad.

Anyway, all in all it was a valuable experience and I have a new respect for the people who do it. It doesn't seem like a scam and it does actually seem like people can make legitimate money doing it. As sketchy as it seems, it could be a pretty good deal for some people, and a great way to hone your sales skills while making some money practicing. If I didnt already have a job I probably would have done it just to gain sales skills. It is a valuable skill to be able to get someone to make an impulse purchase of stuff they dont even want or need.