Atlantic Coast Consulting pyramid scheme Richmond, Virginia

Allow me to preface this by saying, every one is entitled to form their own opinions. Perhaps like my interviewer said, "this job isn't for everyone." However, I'll give you the facts, the rest is up to you.

First of all, this place smelled like a pyramid scheme so I asked a lot of questions. In the initial interview, I was told that I would get paid 30-35/year plus commission. At the second interview, I was told 21k/year plus 20% commission. There were also about 5 other people in the office waiting for interviews who appeared to be fresh out of high school.

At the second interview, which I attended because I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, I went on a ride-along.

The interviewer drove her car from Richmond to Fredericksburg VA. I asked if she got gas reimbursement- she said no, it's written off on taxes. She asked me a lot of typical questions like why I wanted the job- at this point I had already decided that I did not want this job because I did not want to put my car through that amount of stress- plus I'm pretty sure using your car as a work vehicle like that affects your insurance rates, but I had nothing else better to do and I wanted to keep my unemployment so from this point on I attempted to be the most unsavory candidate possible.

I told her that I was desperate for a job and I actually hated doing sales even though I have done them in the past. I also texted on my phone a lot while she was talking. I  learned that she had only been with the company since the summer ( a few months). I told her this company sounded like a pyramid scheme and she said that that's what she thought at first, but she was wrong. Well, she's also only been there a few months and is about 22 years old. She could also be lying because maybe she gets some sort of bonus for training/interviewing me.

So we met with our first client. This meeting took almost 3 hours total with the interviewer calling Cox cable and then calling Verizon (what she was selling) , doing credit checks, etc.By the time we were done, she only had 1 bar of battery left on her cell phone. I asked if she got reimbursed for cell phone usage- no. I also might add that I even left for a minute to go smoke a cigarette from a pack which I had very obviously bought while we were at 7-11.

Our next stop was at a Pub which wasn't busy yet, so we sat at the bar, which allowed me the opportunity to buy a few shots of tequila- now allow me to add this- I waited until the owner of the bar had very vehemently denied using Verizon again for their service- I didn't want the job, but of course I did not want to mess up this girl's sales either.

So let's recap- I texted while the interviewer was talking, I smoked cigarettes while we were meeting with a client and I took shots of tequila while we were meeting with another client.

We then went to lunch. At this point, the interviewer hands me a sheet breaking down how to advance in the company. She still wants to hire me.

Here's how it breaks down:

Client Manager: 2-5 week training period; base salary/commission 5-600/week (however, she told me that 100% commission is recommended, because in order to get base pay, one must sell 5 internets per week)
1. Learn foundation of campaign
2. executive in retaining and acquiring client base
3. manage self

Client executive: 6-18 months; base salary/commission/bonus $600-800/ week
1. Develop recruiting skills
2. Train individuals on a campaign
3. Manage a team

Manager: 4-6 months; base salary/commission/bonus- $1300-1700/week
1. Learn administrative tasks within office
2. Master recruiting and developmental strategies
3. Travel to and network with other markets

Executive: Limitless time and opportunity building an organization
1. Work directly with client
2. Develop individuals into management roles in order to expand
3. Oversee office operations

So in other words, it appears and though one can advance through this company to the very last tier within 6 months to one year. In conclusion, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.