I recently ran into this scam while looking for employment. I did not take the bait, so I feel quite good about myself, however I want to get the word out so others don't fall victim at a vulnerable moment. I don't have sour grapes (other than the embarrassment of falling for one of the oldest scams in the book—if only briefly).
I have contacted all of the relevant local authorities and filed formal complaints about the entire process in the hopes that people will not think paying $499 will promise them a job (as the sales rep/interviewer/trainer openly suggested). It doesn't, but the Automax people want you to believe that you really are in the midst of the dealership's hiring process.
Now, I'm sure a FEW of these individuals MAY in fact become employed by the dealership. The thing I take issue with is the FACT that the dealership does NOT hire all of these people EVEN if they pay the $499. The training course is NOT represented as a COURSE it is represented as part of the HIRING PROCESS. They are leading people on, trying to make them think that they're already "in". This is patently FALSE. They run ads talking about PAID TRAINING. The only PAID TRAINING is the training you are paying for out of your own pocket. They put this across as "the same as a real estate license" or "like renting office space for your own business"—very misleading.
(Interestingly, though the dealerships USE Automax they are quick to distance themselves saying they are "not directly affiliated" when questioned about hiring practices.)
These people also openly employ of the most rank of "persuasion" techniques to hook their "students" and to "teach" them. Honestly, the class itself is their first lesson in the harsh realities of unscrupulous sales, shills, racketeers and swindlers.
NOT all salesmen/women are like this NOR do they have to be this way. For me, ANY way into a business (whatever it may be) will be OTHER than through this company. I'm sure there are good car salesmen/women (I have met a few) but this sort of thing is not good or above-board. I'm not sure they are technically illegal but I'm betting they're at the very least BORDERLINE.
My warning: If you are contacted by this company offering "employment" recognize they are not an "employer" they are in fact a head-hunter/training outfit that want YOU to pay THEM and not the other way around. You may be able to go this way and get into sales, but, keep in mind there may be other ways that DON'T involve trickery and money out of pocket.
ALSO, be wary of anyone who claims you will find easy money. Rule to live by: If it sounds too good to be true it usually is. Whatever you do, be it car sales or medicine or custodial work, you will still have to work to earn your keep. Anyone who says otherwise is probably trying to fool you and there is ALWAYS a catch.
Good luck!
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