To anybody who is considering an "exciting career" with empire promotions or any company under the "quantum" umbrella:
I was referred to this company through job recruiting sites such as carrerbuilder and monster. I want to take this opportunity to warn everybody that this company is a complete scam. From the hiring practices all the way through to the nature of the job, this company is willing to do anything to exploit young adults. I am 22 years old and I recently recieved my bachelors from a respectable university. I certainly do not consider myself a gullable and/or desperate individual that would just jump into a job like this. The truth is that I would have never taken the job if the had not lied to me from the very beginning. After working for this company for no more than a week, I was exposed to how they really run things and those of you reading this report will certainly be shocked!
Part 1 - The interviewing and hiring process
When I researched this company on careerbuilder.com I was excited to see that I would be gaining experience that would relate to many different industries such as customer service, sales, marketing, and several other areas. I was also very happy to learn that the base salary would be $40,000 - $50,000 per year.
Based on what I saw posted on careerbuilder, I saw an opportunity and scheduled an interview right away. The first interview lasted no more than 20 minutes. It was a one on one interview that took place in an office room. They asked me questions such as why I would be an asset, and if I preferred working out "in the field" or in an office-type environment. At the end of the interview the manager told me that he felt I was very professional and that he would like to get me in as soon as possible for a second round interview. He also mentioned to me that they were taking over 300 interviews each week and were looking to narrow the field down to 2 candidates. However, he stressed that the second round interview would be an all day event that would take place out in the field with managers observing me all day. I was to arrive at 9:00 A.M. And prepare to be finished at 6:00 P.M. I was warned to bring a heavy coat.
Immediatly following the first interview I was extremely curious; out of the hundreds of interviews I have been on I have never been asked to come back for a second round interview that would be an all day event. Would I be getting paid? What kind of event would I be taking part in? Anyway, I showed up for the second interview 2 days later. There were about 15 other people in the room waiting to go on their interview. I would say that more than half of these people did not have college degrees let alone high school diplomas. I have no proof of this, but the idea that most of them could not properly tie a tie or wear matching socks gave me enough evidence.
None the less my name was called and I met with two associates. They explained to me that we would be going to an A&P (grocery store) in the Jersey area to help "raise money for children." More specifically, we were to setup a table outside the store and sell merchandise to people. When I asked about salary and benefits, I was told that these questions could not be answered until my final interview.
As the day went on it was my job to observe these two individuals attempt to sell cheap useless merchandise to every patron that walked out of the store. I had no idea how much actually went to the charity, how much went back to the business, and for the most part, I had no idea what the hell kind of "promotional event" I was involved in.
Part 2 - The Business
The way it works is that the company purchases cheap books, toys, and other merchandise for kids at wholesale prices, and then set up "events" at local businesses such as 7-11, A&P, and hundreds of other grocery chains. Using the D.A.R.E. Logos on some of the merchandise and a banner that covers the table, they create a false impression that they are actually with the D.A.R.E. Program.
They then ask every single person who walks out of the store to "help the kids, " "raise support for the D.A.R.E. Program, " and a slu of other selling techniques to get people's money. The most amazing thing about this entire operation is that these local businesses such as A&P actually endorse this scam! What else is funny to me is that when people ask how much of the money actually goes to the charity, you are taught to avoid answering that question at all costs!
After working with empire promotions for 1 week, here is what the typical day is like:
Show up to the office at 8:00AM
Learn misleading selling techniques in order to get people to purchase these products
Circle up with the other people that work there and listen to techno music in order to get you pumped up to rip people off!
Go out into the field and set up a table in front of a grocery store or other local establishment
Stand out in the FREEZING COLD for 8 hours begging people to help you
Push these cheap and useless products to people maintaining the idea that the proceeds are going to "help out the kids"
Go back to the office around 7:00PM and reflect on what you have done
Part 3 - the truth
Only 5% of every dollar actually goes to the charity! For all of you math wizzes out there; only 5 cents of every dollar goes to the charity.
There is no base salary! You are payed 100% commission!
There are no health benefits!
The only industry in which you gain "useful experience" in is the industry of scamming poor people for their money!
40 to 50 thousand dollars a year MY ASS!!! As a field marketer you get 35% of every dollar. The average price of each piece of merchandise is 11 dollars. This means that you get around $3.85 for each item you sell before taxes! Good luck making 50 thousand dollars a year ripping people off for 4 bucks a pop! I made more money selling lemonade when I was 6 years old; and that is a useful product!
Part 4 - The ROAD TRIP
After they gassed me up into thinking that I would be great at this position and I would make a lot of money, I agreed to take a road trip to an affiliate business. They would put me up in a hotel, and pay for all of my expenses. Haha. Not only did I end up sleeping on some random guy's FLOOR, every expense including food and gas came out of my pocket! And finally, the other guys I took this road trip with gave me proof that they absolutly do not conduct background checks on applicants. One of these guys was a convicted felon who spent 5 years in jail, and the other guy abused drugs while we were on the road trip! What kind of business lets people like this sell merchandise under the D.A.R.E. Logo!
If you dont believe me take a look at their website and you tell me its not an absolute scam: www.empirepromoevents.com
Just listen to the music.
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