These guys at Stough International run a real smooth operation. It's like a well oiled machine. First, you seemingly have to be "well" qualified to join this company. You must have "years" worth of experience, be second to none and have made six figures in the past. Although they require these qualifications, they recently had an intensive hiring campaign, where they invited everyone who responded to the ad, the ability to attend their webinar. According to them, nearly 2,000 applicants responded!
Again, they start the process by making you attend a "webinar". The main speaker "Bill" does a heck of a job to make this company sound like its the greatest thing since sliced bread. They have missions in the Middle East and else where. (or so they say). They drop in off of helicopters to commandeer a boat. Boy, its just too good to be true. Its if they are superman out saving the world. They get you all hyped up and excited and THEN ask for a $995 FEE to get started. (they call it a training fee). That's one heck of a training fee. And with 2,000 people attending these webinars, that's some serious cash too! (if they joined and fell for the hype)
If you express some interest after the webinar, then you get the privilege to have a one on one discussion with Bill, where he again makes you feel "special" and "lucky" to be one of the chosen few to make it so far in the interview process. I was interested in the District Manager position as opposed to a regular sales person. He takes about building a big sales team under you that you will manage, and clearly make well into six figures. He is great at stroking your ego and expressing how you would be a natural in this position and what a top notch leader you would make. Then you get hit with the $2,395 FEE to get started as a District Manager. (again, he calls it a training fee)
Now, if you still want to move forward, you get to send application forms and of COURSE your payment for the $2,395 training fee They say that they conduct a thorough back ground check on you. Who knows? I can get the same thing from the internet for $9.95. Then you have to pass an IQ test and psych evaluation. Blah blah blah. Its all crap. Its done to make you feel important.
BUT, when you try to question the company or their system, or ask anything negative, a BIG defensive wall is put up. Ask them who their clients are. They will brag about big clients such as Trump and others. But do they have anything to substantiate this? NO. Ask them about ANY client that they've dealt with, a referral or even any kind of testimonial from a customer. With all the services they provide AND since they say they have been in business since 1993, you think they would have something. EVERY successful business has this. Do they? NO. They offer absolutely NO information about anything when it comes to past clients. Sure, I can tell you anything I want to, but at least back it up with Something. ANYTHING.
The crap flows easily from these guys, with no prove provided about anything they say. Oh, I take that back. There was one article about them retrieving a BMW. Wow. That's basically a no brainer since almost every vehicle manufactured anymore comes with a built-in GPS system. Try to Goggle Stough International. There's basically nothing. Again, with a company that has been around since 1993 (supposedly) and with the reputation that they say they have worldwide (supposedly), you would think there would be an abundance of information. Not so
They offer some huge array of products and services. Who knows if any of these services actually are true. I try to keep in touch with a few people I know that joined. (sorry, I didn't fall for their crap) They are still gung ho, but their business has not grown.in fact, its done nothing. The promises of building you a big sales team? Nothing. The promises of you making well into the six figures? Nothing.
Along with no client list to provide, they also do not provide you with their address. They advertise an address of: 1314 E. Las Olas blvd, Ste 136 Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Go to that address and what do you find? It's a PO box where mail is delivered to. Ask anyone that joined them where the office is located. NO ONE knows and no one @ Stough will tell you. Seems a bit odd to me that for a company that is supposedly so highly respected, that they have no office. Or its just another one of their big secrets.
Ask about them about their PI License #. They were operating under a suspended Florida PI # until just recently. The old license # belonged to an Alan Karten, a DIBARRED Miami attorney. Gee, that seems a bit odd to me. A BIG, PRESTIGIOUS company that has no PI license of their own. But they have one that belongs to a disbarred attorney. (you can Goggle Alan Karten and see for yourself). I do have to say though, that they recently applied and received their own license # and they have been franticly trying to update their info/site to reflect. Wow. Wonder why they did that?
Ask about them about literature, brochures, handouts. They basically have nothing. They always want to direct you to their website. Big deal. It's a basic website where you can find a template anywhere on the net to do, full of stock photos that are available anywhere. Just more blah blah.
How about another good one. You pay these training fees of either $995 or $2,395 (depending what level they sucker you into). Then you receive a box of business cards from them. With an invoice enclosed. Yes, that's right. You pay them all these fees to start and they have the gall to charge you for business cards. Ha ha. What kind of joke is that?
Same thing with literature, which basically they have none or are now developing. Nothing is sent to you. You get the privilege of an email where you can use your OWN printer to print materials or go to Staples.
If you ask me, they are a simple start up company working from home. AND you know what? They would have been fine if they were HONEST and told people that from the start
I can go on and on and I probably will when I get more updates and information. YOU DO THE MATH!
Don't just take my word. Do your homework. Goggle it for yourself. Ask to speak to people that fell for this. They will tell you. I will add updates as they become available
Its sad that when so many people are unemployed, that Stough International takes advantage of good people. People don't have that kind of money to throw away in the promise of GREAT earnings you will achieve. YEAH RIGHT.
And of course, they will come up with some ingenious, creative, alluring rebuttal to this posting as they always do.
All i can say is be very very very careful.
Good luck in all your future endeavors.
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