This company is aggressive & untruthful (to say the least). They prey on small businesses (it appears), and "only want the decision-makers". There is a reason for that. Small-business decision-makers are either too willing to listen to "solutions" or not alert enough to guard their businesses.in some cases, it's both scenarios.
I got the "call" that others have described, although they actually got "industry-specific" and said their "associates" (including the one coming to visit me) had recently attended an "industry seminar".
The "consultant" was vague (which tipped me off) about any seminar. He DID tell me that an initial survey is $1200. After "reviewing" our situation, he quoted $350 "only if you are satisfied with the visit". He called his boss, who then got on the phone with me and explained it SHOULD be $500, but the sales consultant isn't always on top of these things. The sales consultant whose card identified him as the "regional manager"?!
An appointment was scheduled for the next day, but they called and they actually had to reschedule. We rescheduled for eight days later. Thus, I had the time to dig a little deeper.
There had been no "industry seminar". A friend of mine lives in the city where the supposed seminar took place. He sells equipment to our industry. He would have known about any "industry seminar".
I looked further on the web and found tons of not-so-kosher reports and articles about them.
When I called to cancel, they were indignant, couldn't believe I "have the time to research EVERY seminar that takes place every day" and, rather humorously, pointed out that "these things have to be planned and arrangements made!" Funny, I was giving them seven days notice. When they had originally been prepared to be in my office on ONE day notice! After going 'round-and-'round, I finally confirmed that I didn't want them at our office and hung up the phone. So...
This morning (ten days after their initial phone call, nine days after our in-office meeting, eight days after rescheduling and seven days after canceling!), a woman shows up at our office. I informed her that I had cancelled the previous week and gave the name of the person with whom I cancelled.
She "announced" that she needed a place to sit and fill out paperwork. I gave her a place, and she came into my office and started asking why I cancelled. I politely—but firmly—explained the reasons. She showed some good footwork, but hung herself when she said, "We don't get industry-specific. We deal with the 'business' of business." Funny if it weren't bordering on the fact that I was dealing with some pathological liars.
I apologized for her having to come out, and she went into the usual shtick.
"I was on a flight until 2:30 this morning. They had 15 firetrucks waiting on the tarmac when I got here". Funny, it STILL hasn't made our local news...
She had me fill out a "Non-Payment of Survey Fee" form, then announced, "I need to FAX this to my Supervisor".
I told her I would FAX it AFTER she signed the form (as well as me) and I had made a copy. She then told me she needed to call her office and I told her she can go to a payphone or use her cell phone. She then said they may need to talk to me because they are STRICT with their phone reps about lying, they record all the calls (funny they haven't caught the calls made up to this point—which would have saved her coming to our area!) and they may need details from me. I told her she didn't need to come back, but they were welcome to contact me directly by phone. She then told me she needed a business card for "information".
As I was writing this, I received a phone call from "Quality Control". He said they were "shocked", and they are "reputable". They spend $10 million a year on travel! I mused that it seems funny that a company that spends that much on travel wouldn't have SOMEone confirm an appointment! He asked, "Why did you agree to see us, then?" I politely explained that it really didn't matter, as I had now decided NOT to "see" them. I said, "No harm, no foul, no hard feelings, but we're done with this chat". He thanked me for my time, and thus far, that is that.
These people are aggressive. They lie. They push. And they think on their feet. They can be effective at "pushing the right buttons".in my case, it was simply boredom and not wanting to go back and forth with the initial phone rep. We all have our "lapses", and that was one of mine. But make no mistake, had they not had to reschedule, I could have been REALLY taken.
PLEASE remember: you can ALWAYS tell someone you need to think about any purchases of equipment or services. You have the right to step back and do a little research. You have no reason to let folks like IPA push you into anything. Get copies of EVERYTHING they fill out, and don't agree to anything that makes you uncomfortable.
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