Tek-Collect, Inc. Bait & Switch in advertising methods Plymouth Meeting Pennsylvania

Hi,

I've been reading these posts for some time, as I had seen the TekCollect ads.

I think there's some truth in what was posted, but I think he's a little over the top.

I did go to the interviews, and I did interview with the other industry firms. And, I eventually started withTekCollect.

There's always three sides to every story, one side, the other side, and the truth is somewhere in between.

Perhaps I can add some clarity to this discussion. Your choice as to what you want.

First,  TekCollect is not a scam. It's a good organization, which does collect debts for their clients. That is undisputed.

Whether it's a great deal for the sales rep is a good question, and I think it probably depends a great deal on who your manager is - but that's true for every single business in the world. 

I've been lucky - my manager is a good guy; he's straight forward and does not bs me.

It's a hard job. Well, make that career. Maybe even calling.

I look at it like this: Where else can I get set up in business for several hundred bucks? And they even gave me the money back after I sold a certain amount of business. 

I mean, if I wanted to set up a McDonald's franchise, it would cost me a million dollars. And, the income is not a sure thing. Even McDonald's franchises have been known to fail. (And, I don't philosophically support the idea of fast food - it wouldn't be the right path for me).

So, I get to be in business for myself, but not by myself.

Yes, I have split a few deals with my manager. It's the cost of learning. I'm mostly on my own now, and I bring him in when I think it's necessary. 

It's hard, but it's also easy. The training materials are very good. It's almost humorous how well the provided scripts work. I didn't believe it at first. But, they work. I had to unlearn trying to reinvent the wheel. 

Basically, the more activity I do, the more I sell. 

I'm not rich yet, but at least I am the one writing my paycheck, not waiting for someone to tell me what I'm worth.

Yes, would I like a nice fat salary? Absolutely. But, I've had those jobs, and I've been downsized from those jobs. And that really sucked. 

TekCollect - not the job or career for everyone. But, there's always the Post Office for those who don't want TekCollect.

Good luck in your job/career search.

I am sorry that you got downsized at your jobs -- that is one thing you won't have to worry about at your current business with Tek Collect.  If you re-read my complaint which is valid and "not over the top" as it is accurate -- Tek Collect posted a help wanted ad in the HELP Wanted section of the newspaper -- The Philadelphia Inquirer -- the rules at the Inquirer are just the same as any newspaper -- if you are looking for employees, you can post your "real" jobs in the Help Wanted section -- if you are looking for 1099 subcontractors, you must post your ads in the business opportunity section.  If the newspaper was aware that Tek Collect was holding business opportunity meetings where those that respond are going to be "pitched" an opportunity rather than interviewed for a real job -- they would not allow them to advertise in the Help Wanted section -- how do I know this?  I used to work for the Philadelphia Inquirer -- I don't need help with my career -- as you call it -- because I do have a great job at a legitimate business, now, that posted their ad in the Inquirer's Help Wanted section.  My job includes a solid base pay, solid commissions, solid benefits, including health, 401k, education reimbursement, paid holidays, vacations, and yes, I have won a trip for doing my job.   By the way... why are you looking up Tek Collect on the rip off report when you are having such a glorious time there?  That makes no sense -- you must be part of management and got hurt by the "truth" posted on this website -- sounds like you're a recruiter or manager and from the sounds of your testimony, it sounds like you're making your way up to manager if you haven't already started as you state in your rebuttal that you have to split commissions with your manager for going out with you.  Whenever I take my manager out with me (in the real job that I have now) he doesn't ask me to split commissions with him as that is his job, to help his team succeed, and he would be fired if he did so.  Another great point why it is clear that no one in their right mind who can sell anything would want to reply or go through the facade of a pseudo application process with Tek Collect.... Here is something that I will say -- if you have $350 to lose, you will get your "job" opportunity where job is the acronym for "Just Over Broke" guaranteed from Tek Collect -- they hire anyone who is a sucker with $350.  In this economy, maybe Tek Collect could be a little more honest with their advertising tactics, as anyone spending time and gas going to a so-called interview without any idea of what this company really is trying to do -- (suck $350 out of each and every applicant) -- I will repeat, everyone with a checkbook qualifies for this job, deserves some up front awareness of what they are driving to and what is really expected before they waste any time with the whole ordeal -- this company has its process down to a science  --- in a large group, you are forced to watch a really dumb movie about the company, then you get a private interview with a recruiter who "checks your pulse" by telling you that the company, from your resume, has considered you a qualified candidate to come back for a second "interview" -- (that night or the next day)  So, you feel fired up -- go home, put your best on -- go back and that's when they tell you about the $350.  Not before.  You only qualify to be told about the $350 after you've made two trips to the company on a "so-called interview".  By the way, this is not "over the top" but actually the truth. 

I recently went through the TekCollect interview process.  I have to admit that the pitch book and basics of the 400% guarantee, etc. shown to me in the first interview were very professionally done and compelling.  However ... going back to when I was first sent an email from TekCollect via Career Builder stating what has already been mentioned .. i.e. $75,000 to $150,000, etc., but what should have been my first red flag was that when I called the number from the email, I never got a response despite my leaving 3 voice mails.  Then, almost 2 weeks later, I get a call from the manager saying that he's got an opening today and would I like to come in.  Because I got downsized a month earlier and was in the interview process with a couple different companies, I decided to go to the interview.  It was in a very nice rented office space in the heart of downtown, so the "curb appeal" was good.  Then the fun began .. after my initial interview, I said that I wanted to think it over.  The manager said that I needed to give him an answer by the next evening as he was holding my spot for an upcoming training.  When I called him back the next day to ask more questions, he got a bit irritated with me and said that I was being very analytical.  Then when he mentioned that I'd have to pay $395 to be bonded, that took me back.  I then called him again and asked if I could talk to any reps in my state that were doing it and he said he'd get me the person's number.  When I texted a couple hours later for the number, his response was that the other person was so "overwhelmed" with paper work that he didn't have time to talk with me, but I could drive 3 hours to another part of the state to meet with him.  Are you kidding me?? If that person could meet with me in an office setting, causing me to drive 6 hours total, vs just talking with me on the phone for 15 minutes, then I don't want anything to do with these people.  It might be a good product for the business owners, but if I have to deal with managers that are that disrespectful of my time, then I don't want anything to do with them.  I have other 1099 positions I can do that I have researched and don't have the kind of scam reports that TekCollect has.  Wow .. I'm soooo glad that this was available for me to be able to save myself from some wasted time and money.

Sales Guy