I was searching for a job and I came across an ad in the Greensheet. It simply said there was a new branch (there was no company name) opening and they needed 18-25 new people. There was a phone number to call so I did. There was no answer but ti left me name and number and within a few days, they called me back to schedule an interview. I went and when i walked in, there were about 8 other people in there with me. The office was empty except for a desk, an empty book case, and some chairs lined up against the wall. I did not consider this to be weird because it was a new business and i figured they were still a little busy to decorate. I filled out an application and the receptionist, Ilene< told me to have a seat and her manager would call me in when it was time.
I sat there for about 15 minutes and then a woman emerged from another door in the office. She said her name was Erica and she was one of the two managers there. She said they were running a little short on time so she would have to take a group of us back. She called four names and they went into the other room. One by one they came out and when the last person was done, Erica came out and called four more. I was in the second group and so we sat in the chairs in front of her desk. There were no computers and there was also another empty desk in the room and a file cabinet.
She re-introduced herself and began speaking very fast. Although i could comprehend everything she was saying, her speed was still a little too fast. She told us about a man named Larry Hahn who was worth $300 million (why that was relevant I do not know) and he began with nothing. He began selling non consumable items in bulk and when that did made him enough money, he invested a lot of money into 2 fragrances. She never said the name of the fragrances though, and i found that to be a little weird. She informed us that there were 2 available positions: a receptionist that pays only minimum wage (no legit and wealthy company will pay minimum wage for any position) and an entry level manager position that pays $30k a yr. She said there was only one opening for the receptionist position but we could pick either one we would like. She then went one by one asking each of us which position would best suit us and a personal question or two, nothing inappropriate though. She said she would review our applications and to be expecting a call between 5 and 5:30 that same day.
I went home and waited but i did tell my boyfriend something was not right about the whole situation, that Erica was talking a little too fast. I do know a scam when i hear one.By 5:45 Ilene called to tell me i had impressed her manager and she would like for me to come in for a second interview the following week. I was to "dress to impress", bring a pen and notepad, and be prepared to be there from noon til about 3 or 3:30. I went in and when i got there, there were about thirty other people in the office waiting. I was a little shocked and a little more confused but i stayed. We were all called into an adjoining room that was filled with lawn chairs (highly unprofessional). While we waited, Erica said her manager Bryan would be coming in a few minutes to tell us about the job. Bryan came in and began talking faster than Erica had at the first interview. He told us we would need to be taking notes over what he was saying so everyone got their pens and paper ready.
He first told us about Larry Hahn then about the hiring process. First we were to train for 6-8 wks, then they would provide us with an office and all our supplies. "Pay nothing UPFRONT" is what Bryan kept saying and i found that a little suspicious, no one gets something for nothing. Then we talked about the fragrance industry. We were told the job was recession proof because people will always buy perfume. He then told us about a man that made knock off fragrances and got in trouble because his products were unhealthy. He told us their company only used natural ingredients so the consumer would be safe but not once did Bryan say they also sold knock off fragrances (maybe that would have raised some eyebrows). He explained that we would enter into a yr long contract that stated this: we were to make sure our business was open 51 wks a yr, 50 hrs a wk, we would earn $30k a yr, and there was no money upfront, full health benefits were included but not until after training, and we were to sell 200 units a wk. You get paid during training but hidden in all his fast talk was this: you only get paid if you sell during training. He then told us about his life and how he began with the company. His story was a sad one but that was his way of selling the job. He even told us about this website, usacomplaints.com! He said some people got on here and talked bad about the company but to ignore them, they were just upset that they hadn't done a good job. He also told us our parents and family members might warn us not to do it but that was just because they did not understand.
After hours of endless chatter, he finally went through the applications and as he called each person's name he would ask them a question. Some were do you work better in groups or as an individual? If a situation arose could you handle it before it got too out of control? Do you work well with others? Are you a leader or a follower. Then Erica came in and took away a few groups of people at a time. Once there were about 15-20 ppl left, Bryan informed us that we were all hired and there would be an orientation from 11-3 the following Monday and training was to begin the following day. Training from then on would last from 9-5:30. He then gave us a sheet of paper to fill out that asked for our license plate number (Why? So they could find us when they got ready for their money).
When i got home, i told my step mom about it and she asked me what i thought. I told her i thought it was a scam. No one interviews that many people at once, no one talks that fast at an interview, and no one walks around what they are really saying because a lot of the information was reading between the lines. As far as everything else goes, i figured this out: even though they give you all the supplies and office space you need, you will eventually have to pay them back and that is where the contract comes in. You have to sell those 200 units a wk because if you don't, you will be paying them back out of pocket. The truth is this: there are not too many people that are willing to buy knock off perfumes, not 200 a wk anyway. This is a scam and they know it. I do not recommend this job for anyone
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