April applied for Sales Rep job with Superior Lamps who was advertising on Careerbuilder.
Fred Govito contacted me with enthusiasm selling me on a perfect job May 1. Requested 2nd interview May 3rd and May 4th phone interview with Barbara in HR and Fred.
I was jazzed and they really pumped me up painting a very nice picture. They emailed me the forms i.E. Application and position details.
The opportunity seem to be everything I was looking for as it was a 1099 self-employment position working from my home, being my own boss.
I was surprised when I found out I had to put up $399 to start; $49.00 light bulb kit demo and $350 per Barbara was to help with the trainers cost for taking them away from selling and to show my commitment. $350 would be refunded back to me after 12 weeks and $6,000 in sales.
I had not worked in over 9 months nor did I have $399. I ask if they could take it out of the first check. Barbara said they don't work like that! I said I would like to work with them but did not know where I would get the money.
A couple of days went by as I was trying to figure how I could get the $399. Said I could put it on a credit card; not an option for me.
During this time I was assisting in the care of my mother-in-law who was dying of cancer so I was not sure of when I could actually start.
We set a tentative start date for May 15th. But on May 8th I called Fred to let him know she would be dying in the next 24 to 48 hours. I was naturally distressed with her approaching death.
Fred said he would send me the start up kit overnight so as this would get me familiar with the information and I would be ready to start on the 15th if I pay the $399, so a family member agreed to put it on their card.
May 9th Mom died and I called Fred to tell him that a start date of May 15th was not going to work under the circumstances. We set up another tentative for May 24th.
Around May 10th I received 2 boxes, one with flouresant light bulbs in a case never opened box and one small file box and a script on how to set appointments over the phone which was very elementary for a script.
May 15th my doctor told me I would need back surgery for the 3rd time and I would not be able to perform the mechanics of this job nor did I know when I could or if I would be able to do this job.
Emailed Fred May 15th to advise him that I would not be able to accept the opportunity due to physical limitations/restrictions and pending surgery. I kindly thanked him for his time, told him I would be sending back the boxes and told him to refund the $399 to my daughter's credit card. Both boxes were returned by FedEX.
My email was never answered by Fred, but turned over to a sales trainer; I think his name was Bob whom I spoke with for a few minutes explaining the situation. He said the company would wait for me to get well, quote "as long as it takes". I.E. 7,8, 9 months.
I said that I could not say I would ever be able to perform this work and would like my daughter's credit card refunded the $399 stating I would be sending back the 2 boxes that were sent to me. He said, Sorry they won't credit the money.
I said how that can be as I did not even start working for them yet as my start date was set for the 24th of May which was still 9 days away. I was not an employee but an Independent Contractor.
Once I reached Fred he said it was in Barbara's hands, sorry. He connected me to Barbara who was an unreasonable nasty individual completely different from the day of the interview.
She refused to accept anything I said and repeated that they will not refund any moneys under no circumstances unless I fulfill 90 days and $6000 in sales. I
Explained repeatedly that I never start the position and cannot perform the job duties. As per Barbara's original statement about what the $350 was for the trainer's time no trainer worked with me.
We disputed the charge with the cc but said that Superior Lamp said they shared Trade Secrets with me and they will not refund the $399. Wow, was the lame script the trade secrets.
I had not worked in 9 months, had no cash flow, had to borrow the money to start, needed a job yesterday and was under tremendous stress.
Trusted this was a reputable company they had the BBB support. But I have found them to be unethical, unreasonable, thieves, scammers and wonder on this company gets away with it.
I reported them to the Integrity Center at Careerbuilder, who did not know they were asking for money upfront which they did not disclose to them. This is not allowed on Careerbuilder in the area where they were being listed right up front with reputable companies.
The money to start a business is a necessary step but when it is taken from innocent people under stressful situations that are under duress is beyond me. All I can say is "Shame on them" and what a horrible thing to also place upon someone to make matters even worse. This is not the last you'll hear from me.
0 comments