PCA, International, LLC is, according to former employees and consumers alike, a major ripoff organization that preys on churchgoing people. It is their policy to seek out churches to have their individual directories done "at absolutely no cost to the parishoners or the church" and the, after the pictures are taken, to offer them at "a great church discount" to the parishoners to "share with family and friends."
PCA International, LLC, is also the company who has all of the portrait studios in the Super Wal-Mart stores. If one would only check, the consumer could get the very same pictures and canvases at a mere fraction of the cost PCA imposes on the churchgoing community. Same pictures, same quality, same company. So the churchgoers are actually paying, quite heavily, for those directories and "free" pictures.
Further, sales personnel for PCA are subjected to a one-week long "sales training", conducted by Kenny West, in Matthews, NC, before they are sent out to the churches. During this intensive sales training, employees are taught how to con the churches into thinking that PCA is giving them a big savings, to start at top-end selling and lying to the consumer that once a picture is deleted from the computer screen, it is gone forever, when that is anything but true. Employees are instructed to "never let the consumer talk" in order that the only thing they can do is say yes to a huge sale. Kenny West was the top sales person for many years, has absolutely no management skills, and used the most unorthodox and heartless sales techniques this writer has ever seen.
As to the employees, it is worse. Sales employees, when in the field, are required to go wherever Kenny West sends them. A particular instance is this: Anyone knows that South Florida is very heavily laden with "snow birds" during the winter months. The result of which, the hotel and motel industry basically triples or quadruples their fees during those months. PCA International, LLC, has a policy of paying its employees $45.00 per diem to cover hotel fees. There is no salary involved, this is strictly commission. This employee, as well as many others, was subjected to a constant schedule in south florida, having to travel to locations hundred of miles away and had to pay motel fees all over the amount of $119 per night, which expenses were not reimbursed by the company. If one could not afford to pay this out of their own pocket, that sales person was taken off schedule and not given any work at all. Mileage is rebated at 13.5 cents a mile, while the federal rate is 32 cents. There is also a "pick and choose" nature to Mr. West, and allowed by PCA. He is constantly telling people to push push push for a high sales average. I should know, I had one of the highest; however, when it starts to cost me $500 a week out of my own pocket just for the opportunity to work in Miami for a very weak, tail-end promotion with no hope of making any money, I decided to see an attorney.
I was advised that this is a totally ripoff situation, that PCA International, LLC, and Kenny West, in particular, knows that when it comes to commission, he can do whatever he pleases. The chosen employees are making big bucks for the company, but the company is doing nothing but exploiting its employees. It is a "take what I give you and stop complaining" situation. I was advised to write this letter to consumer reports and to leave the company immediately.
PCA is constantly recruiting for sales people in the Florida area. If approached, run as fast as you can!!! This consumer/employee learned the hard way.
Jan
Winter Park, Florida
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