My ordeal started back in June; I was contacted by Jeff Townsend, National Marketing Director for Final Touch Jewelry, Inc. Jeff is located in Houston, Texas. He retrieved my name and email address from CareerBuilder.com a career/job board on the internet. On July 1st I emailed Jeff Townsend and told him I was interested on further discussing the position of Jewelry Account Manager.
Jeff Townsend emailed me the specifics/job description.in the email he said I have narrowed my search for this opening down to just a few people, you (myself) being one of them.in the letter he also said The person chosen and trained to be our account manager would be required to put down a security deposit for their Fashion Jewelry sample line. I had two options; Jeff Townsend said the majority of the representatives carry the full sample line consisting of $3,000.00 worth of jewelry samples, or option two (2) is to start with less samples worth $1,500.00. Commission payout is 40% on the fashion jewelry.
After the first $12,500 in sales each month, sales representative receive an additional $1,000.00. The security deposit is fully refunded once he or she sells $25,000 in total sales. (I did not receive $3,000.00 dollars worth of jewelry samples. I was charged $60.00 for 3 catalogs and received only 2 out of 3 catalogs, and I was charged for 34 display boards at $9.00 each, total $306.00.) Cardboard with a fabric overlay, worth maybe. 50 cents each. I called Gary Rike, owner and expressed concern.
I told Gary Rike that I did not receive the full $3,000.00 dollars worth of jewelry samples stated in Jeff Townsend's email. I told Gary I was not told I would be charged for catalogs and jewelry boards and that I would appreciate he ship me the full $3,000.00 worth of jewelry samples. He said No, all representatives have to pay for their catalogs and boards and nothing on the contract states that I am to receive $3,000.00 worth of jewelry samples.
When I received the samples I called Debbie at the Dallas office and expressed concern that an error was made on the pricing. I was being charged full retail for my samples. Debbie said No, those are wholesale prices, this was three days into my ordeal and I'm figuringI got screwed big time. When I took the jewelry out of the box, three (3) earring sets were broken. (Those were returned and never replaced). During one of my presentations another set of earrings broke. That was extremely embarrassing. This is the poorest quality of fashion jewelry I have ever seen or sold.
What I was peddling was overpriced junk jewelry. There is moreDuring my training with Gary Rike at the showroom in the Dallas Market Center, I was handed a list of accounts in the Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding area. The list of accounts I got from Gary, was BOGUS. On my first day out, I made 17 calls to businesses on the list. Sixteen (16) of those businesses did not exist. I took it step further and asked individuals at these locations how long they were in business. Not one said less then 5 years.
My first call, the owner of the business said he took over the lease of the business I was inquiring about 17 years ago. That day I called Jeff Townsend and expressed concern. He said If the business does not exist, go next door and sell to them (That made no sense). I continued to call on the accounts listed. I called on 73 total accounts on the list and 68 of those accounts did not exist. That's 93%... And the other 5 stores have never heard of Final Touch Jewelry, Inc.
I called Debbie, office assistant for the company and asked her if she had a current list of account that have purchased in the last six (6) months? Debbie said that is the only list we have. On Tuesday, August 12th Gary called and I asked him what was going on, the accounts on the list do not exist. I asked him if he could please generate a list of accounts, in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metro area, that have purchased in the last six (6) months. His response was call on all the stores on the list and tell me which stores are no longer in business and we will remove them from the list. I told Gary that I would not mind doing that as long as I was compensated for my gas.
For the next two weeks Gary Rike continued to dodge the question. Does Final Touch Jewelry, Inc. Have any accounts? Gary told me I need to go out and call on new accounts. I told Gary Rike the reason I partnered up with him was because they had a customer base. A list of existing accounts. I told Gary existing accounts generate dollars now. That gives me motivation and the incentive to prospect for new accounts. I also told Gary Rike I do not have the luxury to cold call every account.
For the past two weeks I've asked Gary Rike if he is unable to generate a list of existing accounts in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metro area, he should return my $3,000.00. I told him I do not appreciate being lied to. On Friday August 22 Gary Rike called me and during our conversation he admitted that Final Touch Jewelry, Inc. Had no accounts. He said We have not had anyone buy from us in a long time. We have not had representation. Again I asked Gary Rike to refund my money. Gary Rike said No, I signed a contract.
I also commented to Gary Rike that the sterling silver jewelry in the catalog was better priced at wholesale then the sample he sent out and why did he not send me those pieces as samples? Again I asked Gary Rike to refund my money and he said I don't have your moneyI paid the recruiter $1,200.00 and CareerBuilder.com $600.00. Gary Rike became extremely defensive, rude and threatening during our conversation. He referred to me using the F word and a number of times called me a loser. This is the typical response of a scammer once they are exposed.
Those of you thinking of partnering up with Gary Rike/Final Touch Jewelry, Inc. BEWARE! This is a SCAM!
In closing, I have taken the necessary steps and filed a formal compliant with the Texas Attorney General's Office.
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