SUBMITTED: Monday, February 26, 2007
POSTED: Monday, February 26, 2007
Fourtune 5 Marketing Executive advertising and associates inc Essential communications
These are in the Jacksonville Florida area
What is even sadder is I have reported the fraudulent ads to EVERY SINGLE job search engine that these companies are on, nothing. I have backed up my story with legitimate complaints off these website along with my story and nothing has happened.
I wish I could find a pay stub to fax to these people to show them you do NOT get a base AND commission. I have been doing this for months and sadly, still nothing has happened. On WorkJacksonville.com they are even listed as a “ELITE” employer. Sadly all the job.com people care about is cash, these people post 10-20 ads a WEEK. *red flag*
Some things to look out for (most of this already posted but I will repeat for the Jacksonville people as well)
These are actually job headlines they have
“Inside Sales/Customer's Come to You!!!”
“Hospitality/Restaraunt/ Food Industry Experience Needed!!! “
“Military Experience Wanted In Leadership Role”
“Start a Career with Unlimited Growth Potential”
“College Grad looking to gain Experience in the Corporate world?”
“Project Manager - Entry Level”
“Energetic Sports Marketing Advertising Firm Wants YOU”
“TIRED OF WORKING NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS?? LOOKING FOR GROWTH!! “
“JUNIOR EXECUTIVE NEEDED! TRAINING AVAILABLE!! “
Wow, a whole different array of job opportunities for the same exact job. Military experience? Please! Tired of working nights and weekends? Better not get this job. You will be working till 8 at nght on weekdays and till 7:30 at night on Saturdays.
Lets move on to how they suck you in. here are a few things that are taxes directly from their ads, and what they really mean.
What they say- “WORK WITH PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS, TOP NOTCH RESTAURANTS, and ENTERTAINMENT VENUES.”
What they mean- “Work with other recent college grads doing door to door sales, or accosting customers in a cingular store and trying to sell them Bellsouth products. You may run into a professional sports team player”
What they say- “company name here was founded on the premise that what you have accomplished is not nearly as important as what you can accomplish. When we evaluate a new candidate, we are much more interested in your potential than your past.
What they mean- If you can breath, your hired. We will feed you the dream of a new office so you will work 68 hours a week trying to sell our product.”
What they say - Of course it takes years of experience to reach CEO status.but where do you get that experience? “ (
What they mean- We will work your butt off wile telling you “this is how hard CEO's work” CEO's do not work 60 hours a week. Most CEO's that I know barely work 40, that's why they have that position, other people do the work for them.
What they say - “WHAT WE OFFER:
UNPARALLELED WORK ENVIORNMENT
UNLIMITED GROWTH FROM WITHIN
COMPENSATION BASED ON PERFORMANCE
THE MENTALITY THAT THE ENERGY YOU INVEST IN US, WE WILL RETURN”
What they mean-
You will have to stand (no sitting or leaning allowed) in the “atmosphere” room at least three hours working on your sales pitch wile listening to loud top 40's rap music, clapping and cheering.
You get promoted when your trainees train other and get promoted (pyramid scheme)
If you rip people off you get money.
You will work 68 hours a week and we might pay you enough to survive.
What they say - “A large part of our success is due to our "hands on" management training program, which teaches our business system and focuses on developing people's abilities to train and manage others with a team based philosophy”
What they mean - you teach your trainees they teach others and so on. We force feed you sales pitches and rebuttals for three hours and then send you out in the field for 8.
What they say- “We are looking for team players, creative thinkers and self starters who are goal and detail-oriented and have an affinity for working with people. Our philosophy and mentoring program supports each individual with the training, encouragement, and opportunity to encourage career growth.”
What they mean - We don't want you to have an outside life. We want you to spend all your time with the people you work with. If you don't get a long with us we will “neg” you out so bad you quit.
What they say- “Opportunities are limited to candidates who are driven for advancement and can thrive in a high energy, enthusiastic work environment.”
What they mean- If you can stand on your feet for 12 hours a day and still clap at the end of the night, we want you.
What they say- “If you desire to enhance your interpersonal skills and professionalism, want continued growth based on individual merit, not seniority, and rapid advancement into leadership roles, join our elite team of professionals “
What they mean- We don't have “seniority” because we would have to pay you more. If you can make us 100 dollars a week you will become a leader” Our professionals are recent college grads
What they say- “LOOKING FOR A SALES POSITION, BUT DON'T WANT TO DO TELEMARKETING OR COLD CALLING?”
What they mean- You will be going door to door posing as a legit company unannounced or you will be accosing customers in a store trying to sell them a product that has nothing to do with that store.
What they say - “Salary:
Base AND Commissions!! “
What they mean- your base pay is 6.15 an hour. We don't pay you overtime so your commission should bypass it. If it does you do not get the base pay.
Basically, what it all boils down to is these types of companies will Spam these website so that no matter what kind of job you are looking for they will pop up in your results. Just remember the golden rule. If it sounds too good to be true, It probly is!
Read on…
To all the “juicies” out there.
I don't know whether to be really upset at you for spouting lies like that or feel extremely sorry for you. I was in the “biz” for 7 weeks. My total pay the whole time was a whopping 1,500 dollars at best. Why? Because The sales I DID close somehow were magically “denied”. I also did not lie to my customers. If I was going to raise their bill, I told them. I laid everything out on the table just like I was taught NOT to do. I also had about 30 applications stolen by high “leaders” in the field, when I complained… I was being a “Neg Bomb”
As for people not “sticking it out”, I am happily one of those people. I saw 4 people loose houses, families and cars. Why? Those four people were from out of state sucked into this horrible companies pyramid scheme and the promise of $$$. These people did not just go back on rent for a few months, they got their credit ruined, lost relationships with family and friends, lost houses and cars, basically lost EVERYTHING.
And let me tell you something, these people were well trained highly qualified individuals. These people worked their asses off! When I hear the phrase “they did not try hard enough” I want to scream. I heard this in my office everyday because that was about how often someone left. Trust me, if your credit is on the line YOU TRY REALLY HARD! Some did resort to lying to close a deal and they STILL did not make any money. Why? Because Cydcor took it. They told them that someone canceled or they did not fill out the paper work right and kept the money for themselves.
One of the big things in our company was actually FORGING initials on the price sheet if someone forgot to sign a spot. Their reasoning for committing a felony? One, they did not want the transaction denied because of paperwork and two, they already closed the deal and actually thought it was okay since the person agreed with the welcome center.
Also we checked all the paper work every night when we got back, so we knew what was wrong and what wasn't. Trust me, if the paper work is wrong then you don't get paid, so the paper work was ALWAYS RIGHT, if it weren't, they forged it.
So we know right there that paperwork was not the issue. As for the canceling? Funny thing that is. The consumer has to cancel within THREE DAYS. I had ONE person do that in the store. No one will know they got ripped off until they get the bill, so in essence maybe 1 out of 100 people will cancel before they get the bill. That little printout that you get with your commission check is a purely computer generated forgery in my opinion. They will type in Denied and keep your hard earned cash. If you are willing to stay in an environment such as this it does not mean you have the balls to stick it out, it means that you are so sucked into their little game that you don't care.
Did you ever go one of the most horrible excuses for a business trip that you have ever been on. Let me ask you, how many people were sleeping in your bed with you? For me it was one other complete stranger. Did you get paid for traveling time? I bet you didn't. I'm going out on a limb and saying they made you provide transportation, or you rented a car. Did they reimburse you for wear and tear, gas, anything? I say no. I bet they a) told you to get it from other people traveling with you. Or B) use it as a tax write off.
When I went, I was told my gas would be reimbursed, after I over drafted my account 200 dollars because they did not deposit my check on time I called to get the money wired to me from my Oh so wonderful manager, he told me that I was supposed to be getting it from the people riding with me. That was really fun, having to go tell 3 other people they owe me money after they were told that gas was taken care of.
REAL business trips consist of paid transportation there and back, if you DO have to use your own car you are reimbursed Gas and then given somewhere around 10 to 30 cents a mile traveled for wear and tear on your car. You get to sleep in your own bed, WITH NO ONE ELSE. Meals may be taken care of and you are paid for time traveled. That is was a legitimate company does.
Lets get into pay shall we? When you were hired you were told that you get base plus commission. Base being the min wage for your state! Then your first check comes and you see that you only get the base pay if your commission does not bypass it! But that's okay because your Leader told you your first week you would get 400-700 dollars, when you got to Account manager you would be getting 800-1000 as a leader you would be topping 1,000 most weeks and as assistant manager you would receive 1500 plus, then when you ran your own company you would be in the 6 digit incomes. Since your going to be in all that money, a few bucks really doesn't matter huh?
Lets start with the manager, honestly if they were making the income they said they were, would they live with their Assistant Managers (mine did), would they be driving the 12 year old cars (mine did), would they REALLY have such a crappy office that 9 times out of 10 they are sharing with another Cydcor affiliate? I think not. In my office the biggest pay out I saw was 1,300 dollars.
Why? Because we saturated the market in New Orleans, and I'm really sorry to say half the people in out office including the one who made that much took advantage of these poor hurricane victims that were just trying to put their lives together and get a phone put in their Fema trailer. My highest check was for 380 dollars at Account Manager status.
Yes, I never made it to leader? Why, I never lied! When someone asked what they would make. I told them. When someone asked about the hours, I told them 68 but you only get paid for 60. When they asked about anything I told them the truth, just like I did with my customers.
Back to pay. If you are a “leader” you have to go in at 8:30 and most night don't leave till 8. I'm being very generous with the hours, I know of nights that A.M's had to stay till 8:30. Saturdays you did not have to go in till 9am and you left around 7:30. that's SIXTY EIGHT HOURS A WEEK! This is where some of you will say that people that own their own businesses work those hours, get out of fairy land, no they don't! So you work 68 hours a week.
BUT! You have to take an hour out for lunch each day. And we ALL KNOW you NEVER take a lunch. So now your down to 63 hours a week. BUT Your manager makes you sign out at 7:30 (this I never understood) So now your only working 60 and a half hours a week. THAT'S 20 HOURS OVERTIME. And let me tell you, Cydcor companies… (if you do get that minimum wage base pay because you didn't get good commission for the week)….
Do not believe in OVERTIME WAGES. But lets say they DO pay overtime. If you made min wage at least you would pull 562.62 before taxes. Not bad if your willing to work crazy hours. THEN you have to take out all the cost associated with your job. The closest store to my office was 2 miles, the farthest, 120. So lets just pretend your car gets GREAT gas mileage and say that you only spend 50 a week in gas. Then lets say that YOU DO get that lunch hour, so about 60 a week in food if your by yourself.
But wait, you have a trainee with you and you have to buy their lunch for three days (supposedly covered but its not) so now your lunch cost just raised to 90 for the week. So far your out 140. Once again, ill humor you and lets just say YOU DO GET OVERTIME. Now your total pay for the week is 422.62. Oh wait, the IRS wants their cut as well… lets say 20%, now your pay has dropped to 338.09. Now we can REALLY see what you make an hour…. A whopping 5.58 an hour.
If you made a 1,000 dollar week then just double it, so your making 11.00 an hour. Honestly, just go get an office job anywhere and you can make that much with PAID benefits…. Something Cydcor does NOT offer. Lets also remember, 1,000 dollar weeks are NOT common. For all the people that come here and say it is, all I have to say is, you're the one that is going to have to answer for your conniving ways when the time comes.
Lets not forget the paperwork in itself. For 5 weeks our office did not even have PRICE SHEETS for a customer to sign and know what they were getting. It was our WORD that they had to take. Then when we did get price sheets, the taxes were wrong. Honestly, is a person only going to pay 14 dollars in taxes on two phone lines and an internet connection? I think not. We were taught that when a customer questioned the integrity of the price sheet to just tell them there are a few minimal taxes that are not on the form. That is a LIE.
We had practice sessions, here is how one would go.
You- Well Mr. Smith, it seems I can help you today. Here is what I did, You phone bill is running you about 80 dollars a month and you have no perks what so ever! So what I've done for you is upgraded you to our new pricing you now have unlimited long distances calls Free of charge per minute, lots of extra's like caller ID, I have also included our DSL in your package as well and this is going to cost you about the same as you are paying now, All I need you to do is sign here.
Mr. Smith- what is this I'm signing, why does this say 7.99 in taxes?
You- Your new pricing system is going to be 45 for your phone line, 25 for your DSL and that 7.99 is the taxes that we can guarantee, there will be a few other minimal charges on your bill for a connection fee for your internet but they are small.
Mr. Smith - GREAT! *signs paper*
You- One last thing Mr. Smith. The modem for your computer will be 75.00 but don't worry you will receive a 100.00 Gift certificate by mail courtesy of Bellsouth and Cingular. Also now Mr. Smith You are eligible for a 10.00 discount off your Cingular Cell phone bill, its just a little thank you from us for using our services.
Mr. Smith. Really, oh thank you so much. You have a nice day.
The real story. Mr. smith thinks his bill will now be around 90 dollars. He's getting a TON of extras and internet to boot, great huh? NO! Mr. Smith most likely will not receive his gift certificate, and his bill will most likely cost him around 130 dollars a month because in fact there are A LOT of other taxes, they are just not on the sheet he signed. We were told by Cydcor that Cingular is offering 10.00 off the bill when they get the highest plan with Bellsouth.
Actually, Cingular only offers 5 dollars off. (I called myself to set a customer up with the deal) We were told since we have received no Official word from Cingular to continue telling customers that there will be a 10 dollar discount. LIE. What did you just make for ripping off Mr. Smith, maybe 20 bucks. 20 dollars is not worth my integrity.
“Cydcor is not a scam” I love this statement. Just refer a few paragraphs above and there is your proof. But here is a breakdown.
- Managers condone forging a customers signature.
-They are committing fraud on the internet as well. (any ad I've seen says base and commission pay TOGETHER see above)
-No paid over time, no paid vacation
-Cydcor will tell you they pay for your benefits, they don't.
-You are almost always told that you make your own schedule, you don't. God forbid you need a sick day.
-They say they will cover business expenses. They don't.
-Legitimate companies do not FORCE you to go to “office meetings” about 3 times a week. If a REAL company does have meetings after work 9 times our of 10 your meal is paid for. This is not the case with Cydcor and its affiliates.
-Legitimate companies let you take time off from work when you have an emergency. My father is a 3 times a week dialysis patient, (his kidneys are non functional) I am his legal guardian and power of attorney since he cannot read the medical paper work very well. There are times that I have to leave work because he has an issue with the artificial vein in his arm and it has to be cleaned out, this is an EMERGENCY SURGERY if he does not complete his issued 4 hours for the day he gets extremely ill. I have to take him to the hospital to get it fixed, I have to fill out paper work, wait on him to get out, and drive him home, this becomes an all day affair. I also have to take him to a hospital in Gainesville 4 or 5 times a year, once again, I have to take off all day.
Before I got hired I laid this on the table to my manager and he told me it was fine. When it came time to take my dad to these medical procedures, I was told I was throwing away the job of a lifetime, and that my priorities were not straight. MY FAIMLY is my priority.
-Legitimate companies NEVER put me down for taking care of my father, I am usually praised for being such a dedicated daughter.
-A legitimate company encourages you to spend time with family. My old job even offered free counseling to employees and the immediate families. Cydcor looks down on you having any other kind of life outside of the office.
-Legitimate companies let you take a lunch break. Our motto at the end of the day? “FIRST ONE HOME FIRST ONE TO EAT!“
-Legitimate companies base promotions on productivity. They are not a Pyramid Scheme like Cydcor.
- When I quit my address on my checks mysteriously “changed” Luckily I came and got my checks personally. They did not correct it until I forced the Admin to do it right in front of me. Surprise, It is now Feb. 26th NO W2. I've called twice and contacted the IRS and reported them. A legitimate company would not screw you out of your last paychecks and your W2.
- Legitimate companies do not interview 20-30 people a day. Cydcor does.
-Legitimate companies do not post 20-30 ads a week.
- Legitimate companies have LEGITIMATE ad's. Cydcor affiliates DO NOT.
- Legitimate companies do not have to hire 20,000 reps a year to cover turnover rates.
- Legitimate companies do not make you go on an all day interview without compensation. Cydcor does.
- Cydcor hires anyone that breathes. Legitimate companies don't.
- Legitimate companies let you use the company name. Cydcor doesn't.
-Legitimate companies let you give out business cards. Cydcor doesn't.
- Legitimate companies use their name on the uniform, not the name of the product you are selling.
-If you have ever been with a leader wile they were conducting an interview you know they DRILL into your HEAD to NEVER talk to the potential employee, why? They don't want you to TELL THEM THE TRUTH! Legitimate companies condone employees talking with potential employees.
They lie to you and lie some more and then once your hired you get so brainwashed into thinking that your making so much money that you just throw away all your ethics and your integrity and just go with it. If this is not a scam I do not know what one is.
I will agree Cydcor taught me a few things. I used to be timid and afraid to ask for what I wanted, but after dealing with these scumbags I realized if you do not stand up for yourself you will become a doormat. I am not willing to become a doormat. It also taught me how to take “no” for an answer. It also taught me how to hold an intelligent proactive conversation. “Account Manager in Sales” does look good on a resume. I just wish that I did not have to go through all the bull-crap to get to this point in my life.
The biggest argument I come against is “If Cydcor is such a bad company then why is the company doing so well?” This is an easy question to answer. Because there are people out there that are easily conned. They do not pay their employees right. They have nearly ZERO overhead costs. They Give managers their “own office” so that way if the office does something wrong, Cydcor can just say, sorry, we had a bad apple” Cydcor and its affiliates are nothing but con artists hiding behind the prestigious “Fortune 500” title.
If you can not see this for yourself then you are officially “brainwashed” It is not only the pay here, it is the whole integrity of the company as a whole. I do wish the best for anyone in the biz. Just because they sweet talked you into the game doesn't mean you deserve to loose everything you own because of it. This is why I post so many time on this website. I do not want a poor unsuspecting soul to get caught up in this trap. Please do your research!
Regards,
A
P.s - I forwarded my story and many others to all the job finding websites and any place I see Cydcor offering jobs. I picked apart their whole ad mainly focusing on pay and the actual job description. Nothing happened. Same with the IRS. They will not do anything to force their hand until AFTER filing season. They are still out there. I am looking to go higher in the future, I want these people and these companies shut down.
Pps- I am forwarding this page to the news channels in my area, with one company it wasn't so bad, but now three. I cannot let this happen.