I received an e-mail from career builder asking if I was interested in a job selling Lexus. I would receive $7000.00 during my training period, and a host of other benefits. I was told to go to Meade Lexus for an interview. When I arrived on July 23 rd there were so many applicants (465) that we had to wait in the lunch room plus a meeting room. There were two interviewers, Howard Sternberg, and Paul Gibson. I waited until I couldn't wait any longer, around 6:30 PM and made arrangements with the interviewer Paul Gilbert to return the following morning at 9:00 am. I returned and was interviewed and HIRED. I was to start training immediately the next day.
The so called training consisted of a series of stories to do with the automotive industry, motivational information and goal setting. Most of which I had already known as I have been a sales professional for 12 years. When I arrived there were over 100 people for training and we were told there was a job for all of us because they were hiring for four locations. As the training continued we were told to be positive, given some facts about automotive sales and told that we needed to pay a training fee that was to be reimbursed in 60 days by the employer and this is considered a "good faith token", demonstrating our willingness to Meade Lexus.
The next day was spent collecting money from us and lame, but relevant, anecdotal stories as the trainers switched back and forth, collecting money from the people they individually interviewed. The Group had gotten considerably smaller, and we were told we needed to have a another interview, before we started.
The third day we were given our "Manual and Certificate". And the twenty five or so of us left, waited for our turn to interview. I was trying to stay "positive" as instructed by the trainers, so when I heard someone say this is a scam, I would counter with a positive statement. I am sorry to say I bought the whole scam hook line and sinker. I believed them when they said I was hired, and they needed a good faith money, and that I could trust them.
I interviewed with Chuck Van Gorden, and never heard another word. I called to find out and I wasn't hired. Now about the money, I cleaned out my home equity loan to make a $400.00 deposit, and I would make payments as I went. Since I didn't really have a job and I didn't realize it at the time, I paid my good faith to get to the next step, and go to work.
I have good credit rating and I pride myself on it. I pay them what I can but the late fees, negate any progress I make so I am adding up much more. I owe them $300.00 and I have paid around $70.00, but I still owe them over $300.00. I cannot talk to them personally to make arrangements, and any calls I get are all recorded. I get those at least twice a week. I was told I had lifetime placement services, but I don't want to be associated with a slimy company so I won't use the services.
Here is the bottom line I was led down the primrose path, carefully lied to and strategically played. As I said I have been a business to business sales representative for 12 years, but this takes the cake. I was manipulated and played. Shame on me for falling for it. All I really wanted was a job. Here I am 4 months later with no job still. It is a really tough market in the Detroit area, we are having to take pay concessions, my husband's is 17%. I had hoped to be helping with our financial situation by now. I am looking diligently.
I attempted to get out of this contract, that I had no time to read when I signed it, and my lawyer said it is iron clad.
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