Disclaimer: This entry is quite lengthy for the purpose of hopefully warning and educating those who have no idea of what they're about to get themselves into, saving them a lot of time, money and energy.
Let me begin by saying that when you're out on your luck and desparate to make a living, you're willing to jump into almost anything, thinking "What else do I have to lose"? That's when you fall prey to the "perps" of MLM/Pyramid marketing schemes. I'm a middle-aged woman who, you would think would know better, beening around the block more than once and have experienced first-hand all of the scams out there today. FMA, Inc/DSMax/Granton Mktg, ect, all under the guise of Emerald Mktg out of Illinois/Canada (of course), are just a few of the companies out there, appearing to be generally concerned about your personal well being, and misguide you into believing that they have your back in becoming a successful "entrepanuer" within a short period of time.
I do, however, being generally optimistic but at the same time keep my wits about me, give the benifit of the doubt. Maybe you get lucky and fall somewhere within the genuine. Not the case here. My recent expeience with FMA, Inc (and others) falls within the same denomination with the majority of complaints posted on this site.
I declined to use names for the simple fact that what may be perceived to be as slander, can have you end up in the court system faster than answering the phone to find yourself cowering from the company's lawyer on the other end.
The tactics are the same: Come in for the initial interview. If all goes well, they make a "decision at the end of the day", choosing from the large group of prospective "employees" you are seated with in the lobby (that right there should be ringing bells in your head—any reputable and professional employer would NOT amass a group of people into a lobby for interviews. That in itself is tactless). I was told that my resume had all that they were lookng for. But what I was mislead into thinking is that my educational skills and talents as a designer (which are what I initially used when applying) would directly come into play as soon as I "satisfied the entry-level requirement".
Uh-huh. "Now I'm not one to judge anyone's taste for music or how they run their business, but walking into the reception area with the office stereo BLAIRING a live CD from Phish and the receptionist less than charismatic (she actually looked and acted downright miserable), that's when I realized that I've probably been baited and started becoming a little more skeptical.
But, guess what? The interview went great. Or that's what they want you to believe. They made the decision right then and there and you have the "exclusive" opportunity to come in for a full "Day of Orientation". Later in the day I thought, "Hmmm, an eight hour day to learn about a company. As it turned out, it ended up being a 13 hour day including a two hour commute to and from the office with a 20 minute lunch break. They did, however, tell me that it was direct sales, pitching for entertainment venues. Okay. I could use the marketing experience. They also told me that the 1st phase of sales only lasts about 3-4 weeks, the 2nd, which is training new hires, takes about another month or so, and within the "3rd phase" of advancement I could use my proposed design skills in leiu of the advertising and promotional needs of the company. Hell, I'll come in for the second seed. "What do I have to lose, right?"
The "Big-O" Day. I sign an agreement, stating that I won't be expecting any pay for the day or travel reimbursment. Fine, it's just a day and being unemployed anyway, well, whatever. Many sales entities will have an orientation period in which it is purely voluntary. I'm introduced to my "mentor" and another individual who would be accompaning us. I figured, kill two birds with one stone. And the car pool thing didn't phase me, considering today's gas prices. A half an hour into the ride, thinking that maybe we were going to visit businesses which were already canvassed, maybe by phone or other prior arrangements to close a prior agreement, I was finally told that we were on our way to a location some 40 miles away and this is nothing more than a "cold-call", fast-pitch, take it or leave it business, and that our extra passenger was going to be dropped off, into the elements, to canvass a 2-3 mile stretch of local businesses/department stores/ect, selling (as it turns out) some pretty lame promotion for a venue 20 miles away. LET ME OUT OF THE CAR NOW!
I was easily duped. I have to hand it to them. Sometimes it's very easy to fall victim to the art of persuasion and having dollor signs thrown in every sentence that comes out of their mouths. But not for long. Trying not to show my anger for the deceptiveness of the interview process, and being frustrated with myself for not relying on past experience or acting upon my initial skepticism, I played along for the entire day. Going door to door, barging into businesses and corporate offices without so much as a knock (for those who work or own businesses out there, be thankful for locks and security systems/personnel). The region had recieved 3" of rain the day before, my "mentor" had me cutting across large areas of rain soaked, muddy lawns, through bushes, and scaling roadway medians, (one of which I ruined my leather jacket on). This person showed much indifference to my now obvious display of disdain, entering offices and such with muddy pants and wet feet.
Another big red flag: lack of professionalism and concern for "team-mates". Not to mention the fact that this person was a good foot taller than I (and much younger), and had this incredible stride. Sometimes running to keep at least a good car length behind, this person constantly reminded me "it goes with the business... Keep up or get 'left behind'". With no apparent consideration as a "host" on their part, the day was quickly awash and thoughts of churning out resumes again was a welcome task. I will say that this person was considerate enough to buy me lunch and support my smoking habit.By the end of the day I pretty much sapped his supply of butts and desparately needed more.
Anyway, to sum things up, we headed back to the office, all the way being "poked and prodded" about what (if anything) I had learned, advising me that I will be "tested" upon our return to the office, which I found quite offensive. While I was filling out my little questionnaire of what to do's and the Law of Averages and what not, I over-heard merriment, loud music, and bells (yes, bells) ringing, signifying the top sales for the day. I was then called into the office and given a progress report of my great attitude and general outwardly enthusiasm for becoming an employee and how well I will fit in as a team member, and asked if I could start tomorrow. I declined, giving them the run-around about state unemployment rules and regs, and gave them a week, knowing full well that I have much more to offer in terms of not humiliating myself and a general sense of pride and professionalism. Plus it really wouldn't be feasable for me for the amount of money I would end up throwing away in travel costs, maintenance, so on and so forth.
With no insurance plans and the lack of including a miniscul base pay with commission is going to put me in the welfare lines within a month. Sure, the first week of training is paid—honestly, I make more a week on unemployment. I was then led into a barren 20x30 lunchroom with dry erase boards and a map or two tacked hap-hazardly on the walls, a fold-out table with two chairs, a stereo and six employees, three of which are young men dressed the part with ties and trench coats.By this time it's around 7 at night, my feet are wet, I'm tired and pissed that I actually thought that this place was going to include me with the working class again. Like a lot of you, I'm not a mis-guided twenty-something who has their whole life ahead of them to make the right or wrong choices, has yet to find the "it" career or just someone trying something on for size. Sure, money is a great lure. But insulting someone's integrity like this or diminishing there worth, fooling you into thinking you need them just to make a buck is truly a lack of integrity on their part. I just wanted to go home and put this behind me.
If your just out of school, just starting out and have someone or something to fall back on like parents or a sizable savings account, by all means give it a shot. But weigh your options and be smart about it. I would not consider this a viable career choice, comparing it to selling candy door to door in elementary school.
Mine is just one person's bad experience out of, well, quite a few. I'm not saying "beware the up-start marketing racket" and the direct-sales promotion scene altogether. There are some pretty reputable businesses out there with genuine consideration for the market, it's consumers and employees. But they are few and far between. Watch out for the "red-flags" and go by your intuition and instincts. Do your research on a company. The internet can be a very powerful tool. If a business doesn't have FAQ's/links/and/or employment pages or any other in-depth information on how they operate or what thay offer, specifically lack of contact numbers or addresses, be wary, especially if they aren't listed with the Better Business Bureau or other labor entities.
It can be done and has been, quick money for those willing to put their inhabitions and pride aside, not to mention the grueling hours that comes with it. For those willing to sacrifice, you can definately make some good money somewhere, but for a cost. Nothing worth having comes easily. Good luck to those wishing to pursue a career in marketing and above all keep in mind that there are many wolves out there ready to cash in on the desparate.
P.S. Just a reminder: When applying to a company you're not entirely sure about, refrain from divulging your SS number or any pertinent information like that. They do sometimes request that, as did FMA, Inc siting that they need it for background checks and such. If they ask right of the bat, question it and it's validity to the company. Wait until you know a company and it's background. If they're true blue, then they would wait until the end of the screening process, if it is indeed required. Consider that you just applied to a company only to find, well... Need I say anymore?
Kib
new york, New York
U.S.A.
0 comments