A guy called me and said he worked for a place called "Dynamics International" and said they did marketing and are expanding their offices so would I like to have an interview in regards to their marketing positions. Sure - I said. I need a freaking job and this one 'sounded' just like I was looking for. "works with the health and sports industry."
As I mentioned, my managers are letting me leave to go on interviews because of our situation here — so I went. I walked into the office and there is this music playing really loud, a crazy looking 'receptionist' and a bunch of other people. I got a really bad feeling. Everyone was too happy. I am sorry, but in the real world I come from - these people look like total crackheads.
I got a worse feeling when I looked ahead and saw all these empty desks with no computers or phones. I felt like I was in the movie "Boiler Room" if that makes any sense. But I already had the afternoon off so I figured what the hell.
Mike, the guy that called me, came out and got me. He said we were going to have a briefing on the company and then we would meet individually. He kept talking to me and had no clue what the hell he was talking about. He asked if I had been to Three Rivers Stadium yet to see the Steelers play, even though they tore down that Stadium in 2000... And he said he almost went to a NAIA school on a full ride scholarship to play football. Well NAIA doesn't give scholarships for sports... So whatever. I figured he was just trying to be friendly. He seemed surprised when he asked me what I would want to be doing with my life if money wasn't an issue - I said advertising and writing. He looked surprised... But shouldn't have been since I had already forwarded him my resume.
I look to the right and see all these cheap ass shampoos and vitamins and stuff. At that point I knew I had to get out of there but it was really intimidating so I figured I'd sit through the thing and then just leave. They had all of us sit down. It seemed like a lot of people there.
First, this guy with a red face went to the front of the room and started talking about how all consumers get ripped off and they had the key to eliminating the market costs... Blah blah blah. He said all products are just soooo toxic and he even sprayed their cleaner in his mouth to prove that they wouldn't harm anyone. Another lady, Amy, spoke afterwards and was talking so fast no one could understand her. She wasn't very educated and repeated herself over and over again. She was, however, very convincing - but came across as really desperate. After 30 minutes of her hammering the same thoughts into our heads over and over, I noticed that there were people in the audience that looked too interested... They would nod their heads and verbally agree with her like they were in a baptist ceremony. (Yes! Yes!)
The key to the business is to hire a bunch of people (otherwise known as: taking advantange of people that are desperate for work and hate the corporate ladder) underneath you, and basically you make money on the money they pay to go to training sessions and buy inventory.
When the presentation was over I tried to leave but got cornered by this Mike character to go to the seminar that weekend, Friday 7-9 PM, Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 9-5. I had friends flying in and even if I was interested couldn't have gone but they kept convincing me, convincing me that I would do so well, forget your parents... Make a decision on your own... Be your own person... Reach your dreams... Blah blah.
I was so pressured that I finally said that my grandma had cancer and we were going to visit her. Mike then brought me over to another guys who must of been the "closer". He basically said that I should tell my family that I am doing something for myself, and screw seeing my grandma. I could see her anytime.
I then said to him, "Well I would feel pretty lousy if she died next week, now wouldn't I?" But regardless, this was so convincing. I kept saying in my head that any job that requires you to pay something is not something you want to do. They wouldn't answer any of my questions and just wanted me to sign this form saying I would go to the seminar.
So I said I would go Friday night and signed up. I'll admit it, I did it. I felt horribly brainwashed. I am not kidding. When I turned around to leave, I saw most of the "audience" on the phones in that office. I suddenly realized that there were probably 5 of us actually there that whole time that did not work for them. I got a sinking pit in my stomach.
When I went home, I did a search on the Internet (go ahead, go to Google and type in "Trek Alliance" - it's scary) and then immediately called my credit card company and told them I'd been scammed to get my number and cancelled my card.
The next morning I woke up and my head felt like it had been pulled out of a fog. It was the weirdest thing ever.
In all honesty, do I think they brainwashed me? I couldn't tell you. But the fact that this Mike Powell character looked me right in the eye, after I had said how we couldn't even afford the new fridge we bought, and lied and lied and lied and told me to forget about my "grandma with cancer"??
This makes me sick. He called me twice afterwards and both times there were different names on the caller ID - one was Five Star Marketing. Never once did I find out what or who was Dynamics International, because that is a cover up for this Trek Alliance Scam. I have his business card at home. His personal website is no longer up.
In summary? If you are looking for a job... Do research on the company first. Don't get suckered into this BS. It will be the worst mistake you ever make
Kim
Chicago, Illinois
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