The guys at despair.com got it right. Visit their website.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Can't tell the good guys
Sad to say there is no real way to tell the good guys from the bad guys. I tried to institute a website that would evaluate and expose these kind of scam artist and con men. But they may have gotten the upper hand. I have to wade through all the bs just to stay afloat.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
An example
(I may publish the name later, but this jerk is in a lawsuit frenzy right now.)
This was published by a co-worker, this is the truth!!
I worked for *****for a short time and there is no pay (100% commission) no benefits, no salary, no sick time and employees were only paid when they sold large up front retainer fees, the employee usually gets $1000. I am not a disgruntled employee but i sure am sorry i wasted my time there. It sounded so good when i interviewed. Fortunately i found a good company when i left. When i was hired by*******he told me that i should be able to make millions. No way. Employees did not stay there long enough to make any significant money.
The business model is to get as many companys to pay as large up front retianer fee as possible and then send someone out and make presentations to overseas buyers who are comonly lined up at the last minute. The u s customer is told about 15 customers will have their products presented but from what i heard they would be willing to take any number. There were 20-25 customers on average per trip. Many times a customer would have numerous products, but usually only one sample item would be taken overseas depending on how many could be squeezed into one suitcase.
Employee turnover is huge. After a couple of weeks it becomes evidence what is going on there. The only money you make is money from potential u s customers who are willing to fork over anywhere from $1500 to $3200 depending on whether global trade base needs the money for current operating expenses. The only income they have seen in 2008, according to management is from the retainer fees charged for overseas trips. I was told that they have not made a product sale yet. When an employee quits, then any of the accounts that were signed up by that employee are placed in limbo and not followed up on. Current employees do not want to get old accounts because their only source of income is newly collected retainer fees and current customers are usually upset from a lack of communication. That is why it is hard to get a response along with not having good news to give the customer. Even if they make a single sale, one sale out of 25 clients is not very good odds.
Reps were hired strictly based on the ability to close retianer fees and no one according to the management had any exporting experience except **** which was back in 1994. The business model up until jan 2008 was email, fax and phone marketing. The trips did not start until early 2008 and trade experts were not sent overseas. Instead reps with no overseas exporting experience were sent and they are learning as they go. I was told the first two trips were a total bust and the reps never even followed up with the customers. When reps are hired they are told that they can travel if they want to, even without exporting experience. In many employees opinion, the sales trips were an attempt to make good on the promised presentation of the customers sample. If there is no guarantee then there is no expectations. If the product is so good and the exporter is so successful then why is a retianer required? Need references? There are no references to give according to the people i talked with except a reference from belarus which they never made a sale there. All export companys require a non disclosure agreement and still advertise the brands they represent on their websight. Dunn & bradstreet shows no trade experiences for ****** and the classification of the type of company is listed wrong.
If you do some research on the internet you will see places showing yearly sales anywhere from 100,000 to 5 million yet the dunn & bradstreet says low 8 figures (unsubstantiated) which is $10,000,000+. If they were making any overseas sales, much less 10 million, it seems that each employee would have their own office or cubicle instead of doubling or tripling up employees in each of the small offices. The desks do not have computers. Most employees who works upstairs must go up and down steps to get to the computer room downstairs to do anything on the internet or to send emails. The computers are old, slow and problematic and there is no accounting software or databases to keep track of potential clients being called. As a result many customers are called numerous times.
Everyone who worked for ****or currently works for ****knows most of the truth.
From what i understand the owner had an employee meeting and explained his 2004 conviction, but i believe he failed to mention the 2000 arrest and later conviction for a much more serious charge. He is on high risk probation until 2010 and it just so happens that this is the same time he said he is opening up a office in amsterdam (what a coincidence). All of this can be referenced on the texas department of public safety-crime records service.
Any person going to work for ****** or any company considering partnering with them should do research and verify as much information as possible. Is very easy to find past employees and u s customers, should you spend the time. Another place to research would be mugshots dot com. If potential customers or employees do the research and decide to partner with **** then at least they will have the information to make a informed decision.
Former Employee
Hurst, Texas
U.S.A.
This was published by a co-worker, this is the truth!!
I worked for *****for a short time and there is no pay (100% commission) no benefits, no salary, no sick time and employees were only paid when they sold large up front retainer fees, the employee usually gets $1000. I am not a disgruntled employee but i sure am sorry i wasted my time there. It sounded so good when i interviewed. Fortunately i found a good company when i left. When i was hired by*******he told me that i should be able to make millions. No way. Employees did not stay there long enough to make any significant money.
The business model is to get as many companys to pay as large up front retianer fee as possible and then send someone out and make presentations to overseas buyers who are comonly lined up at the last minute. The u s customer is told about 15 customers will have their products presented but from what i heard they would be willing to take any number. There were 20-25 customers on average per trip. Many times a customer would have numerous products, but usually only one sample item would be taken overseas depending on how many could be squeezed into one suitcase.
Employee turnover is huge. After a couple of weeks it becomes evidence what is going on there. The only money you make is money from potential u s customers who are willing to fork over anywhere from $1500 to $3200 depending on whether global trade base needs the money for current operating expenses. The only income they have seen in 2008, according to management is from the retainer fees charged for overseas trips. I was told that they have not made a product sale yet. When an employee quits, then any of the accounts that were signed up by that employee are placed in limbo and not followed up on. Current employees do not want to get old accounts because their only source of income is newly collected retainer fees and current customers are usually upset from a lack of communication. That is why it is hard to get a response along with not having good news to give the customer. Even if they make a single sale, one sale out of 25 clients is not very good odds.
Reps were hired strictly based on the ability to close retianer fees and no one according to the management had any exporting experience except **** which was back in 1994. The business model up until jan 2008 was email, fax and phone marketing. The trips did not start until early 2008 and trade experts were not sent overseas. Instead reps with no overseas exporting experience were sent and they are learning as they go. I was told the first two trips were a total bust and the reps never even followed up with the customers. When reps are hired they are told that they can travel if they want to, even without exporting experience. In many employees opinion, the sales trips were an attempt to make good on the promised presentation of the customers sample. If there is no guarantee then there is no expectations. If the product is so good and the exporter is so successful then why is a retianer required? Need references? There are no references to give according to the people i talked with except a reference from belarus which they never made a sale there. All export companys require a non disclosure agreement and still advertise the brands they represent on their websight. Dunn & bradstreet shows no trade experiences for ****** and the classification of the type of company is listed wrong.
If you do some research on the internet you will see places showing yearly sales anywhere from 100,000 to 5 million yet the dunn & bradstreet says low 8 figures (unsubstantiated) which is $10,000,000+. If they were making any overseas sales, much less 10 million, it seems that each employee would have their own office or cubicle instead of doubling or tripling up employees in each of the small offices. The desks do not have computers. Most employees who works upstairs must go up and down steps to get to the computer room downstairs to do anything on the internet or to send emails. The computers are old, slow and problematic and there is no accounting software or databases to keep track of potential clients being called. As a result many customers are called numerous times.
Everyone who worked for ****or currently works for ****knows most of the truth.
From what i understand the owner had an employee meeting and explained his 2004 conviction, but i believe he failed to mention the 2000 arrest and later conviction for a much more serious charge. He is on high risk probation until 2010 and it just so happens that this is the same time he said he is opening up a office in amsterdam (what a coincidence). All of this can be referenced on the texas department of public safety-crime records service.
Any person going to work for ****** or any company considering partnering with them should do research and verify as much information as possible. Is very easy to find past employees and u s customers, should you spend the time. Another place to research would be mugshots dot com. If potential customers or employees do the research and decide to partner with **** then at least they will have the information to make a informed decision.
Former Employee
Hurst, Texas
U.S.A.
Last days?
From the Bible: 2 Timothy 3:1,2: But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money.......
So many greedy company's and people out there in the business world. Not just greedy but unethical. Scams and people just outright taking advantage of folks for dishonest gain. I been on so many interviews with company's that were so dishonest you just wonder how these guys sleep at night. I worked for a company for 3 weeks till I found they were not being honest with their clients and people who worked for them. They almost had me. But seeing so much of it out there and being victimized, I understand why the USA is in the shape its in. Were no better in a lot of ways than some third world corrupt"banana republic."
For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money.......
So many greedy company's and people out there in the business world. Not just greedy but unethical. Scams and people just outright taking advantage of folks for dishonest gain. I been on so many interviews with company's that were so dishonest you just wonder how these guys sleep at night. I worked for a company for 3 weeks till I found they were not being honest with their clients and people who worked for them. They almost had me. But seeing so much of it out there and being victimized, I understand why the USA is in the shape its in. Were no better in a lot of ways than some third world corrupt"banana republic."
Saturday, July 18, 2009
The Names Exposed
I thought I would reveal the names of the two companies I felt were deceitful and helped bilk me out of everything I had. The last two posts are from "Rip Off Report." I'm not alone. Maybe something needs to be done to further regulate these greedy parasites from the free market system. But regulation alone would stop them. They and their lawyers will find a way. When they finally bring enough people down they can gloat about their successes. There will be a final judgment though and when they stand before God I hope and pray they have a strong defense.
Personally I forgive them. My only hope is to help others from being taken by these greedy people.
Personally I forgive them. My only hope is to help others from being taken by these greedy people.
Rip-off Report: The Entrepreneur's Source, Terry Powell, CEO The Entrepreneur's Source Continues Fraudulent, Dishonest, & Deceptive Business Practices!! Southbury, Connecticut
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
To all you guys at CC
Yes, this is you Hal, Kelly, John and Mr. B.S. you're no better than this guy. May the same fate await you.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Going on or hanging on?
I just had to let go. They weren't about to help me out. To add insult to injury the country club I joined won't let me out of the yearly membership commitment. So I had to pay and couldn't afford to play (green fee's cart fee's etc.) How ironic. I felt God was punishing me at this point. Life lost any color or flavor.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
My dream
This is the feeling I had on September 18th 2006. I felt God had lead me into this. At least I had every indication He did. If so, why? I prayed and prayed. What meaning could this have?
The end of the dream.
After a couple of appointment cancellations. I call them cancellations because these clowns made appointments confirmed them and then just plain didn't show up. At their own business! No call no nothing, great example to their employees. Now I am told by the franchise that I'm going to have to start paying them $2,500 a month for unsold seats. That's right these pirates stole my money with a worthless crappy product and they have the big brass cojones to want to nickel and dime me. Pirates, thieves and bandits have some honor. Not these con men. Well my only alternative was to put it on hold or start to leak 10k a month out of my already depleted 401k. I then went back to the franchise finder and asked him to help sell this "good luck," he said. Then the franchise company wouldn't do anything but "try" to sell it- right.
Now after 6 months and spending my 401 K I had to start looking for a job. Which is when I started this blog. See the earlier posts for that story.
Now after 6 months and spending my 401 K I had to start looking for a job. Which is when I started this blog. See the earlier posts for that story.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Happy Birthday
Well I spent my 55th birthday giving my first (and to be my only)2 hour presentation. This business had 15 people attend. It was supposed to be for managers only but I guess in this business model they had a lot Chiefs and few Indians. It went OK. We uncovered a company problem. One of the conditions we had for giving out these free 2 hour seminars (they were supposed to be valued at $2,500, whatever,) was that they were to give me a yes or no answer at the end. We had clearly stated all final decision makers were to be present, no interruptions and we would get a yes or no answer, clear. Well I got a non answer.
I felt maybe this was going to be the start of the turnaround.
I spent the rest of of my day playing golf with my pastor at my country club. Little did I know that would be the last time I could afford to play golf.
I felt maybe this was going to be the start of the turnaround.
I spent the rest of of my day playing golf with my pastor at my country club. Little did I know that would be the last time I could afford to play golf.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Breath of fresh air.
Well I was beginning to see that the end would be inevitable. So I freelance a little or a least as far as they would let me. The pressure in a sense was off. Because desperate times call for desperate measures. I got some results. At least some appointments. Then I got my first presentation. In the way our sales model worked this one step away from a big first sale. I scheduled my first presentation on my 55th birthday. Maybe a sign.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
The beginning of the end
Appointments were getting few and far between. I was running out of qualified leads in my whole county. I was focused on getting one or two presentations. Now the franchise gurus came up with the brilliant idea of approaching former clients. Apparently over the years a certain number of them had been sold by former franchise owners but had not used their service. We were supposed to call them and give them a sort of credit. This ended up in futility. I was starting to get concerned that time and money were running out. Why Lord did you lead me into this??? This became more and more of my focus? Prayers and increased effort were not returning any harvest. Why?
Thursday, July 02, 2009
The "Sciript " was in beta version!!!
The class I was in was the first to use a new roll out of "the script." We were all faltering. That's right the magic words that were from day one touted to be golden were in get this, "beta testing." If you follow the script you will succeed. Every failure was attributed to not following the script. After the big global pow wow the new version was being rolled out to everyone else. The veterans all were saying the new version was weak, ineffective and badly done. Mr "by the book Bob big BS" was writing the material on the fly.This is all the script I had known. I felt like the kid in the story of "Jack and the Beanstalk," I had sold all I had for a handful of worthless beans. Now why again did I buy a franchise? If you by a KFC franchise you don't get a new roll out of the secret receipt or a MacDonald s and get a beta of the special sauce. But this is what we got. I had no doubt this is why my few appointments were failing I was delivering crappy stuff. Remember I had memorized a 30 minute presentation verbatim. This is the material they gave me. I was warned not to make even one little change. Now how much confidence could I muster? The were hurriedly sending out new updated revisions and what gall they were charging us for the new material and we had to eat the cost of the beat version. These guys are shameless.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
The Unraveling
My first appointment after the big pow wow was with a crusty ball-busting kind of guy. I let him trap me into holding our meeting at Starbucks. Bad move. He just was out for a ego message. However, he asked me for some references in his area and this started to reveal a serious flaw in this so called franchise. The letters of reference they provided us were written on a typewriter circa 1993. Nothing newer and none of the network of global franchisees had anything better or newer. It wasn't like he was in some obscure industry either. The company website was no help either. Old stale references. What exactly did I pay for? Oh yes the "magic words, the Script!"
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