- Report: #450422
Complaint Review: Mike Putnam, Quantum, Winners Advertising, Harmony Hunt,Keith Certo, Smart Circle, Larry Tenenbaum,
| Mike Putnam, Quantum, Winners Advertising, Harmony Hunt,Keith Certo, Smart Circle, Larry Tenenbaum, 3-A Gill St.
Woburn, Massachusetts U.S.A. |
|
Mike Putnam - Quantum, Winners Advertising - Harmony Hunt - Keith Certo - Smart Circle - Larry Tenenbaum - Victoria Jackson Cosmetics FORMER OWNER TELLS ALL YOU WANT MEAT AND POTATOES YOU GOT IT! SCAM, LIARS, PYRAMID SCHEME, DOES NOT WORK Woburn Massachusetts
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Mr. Bad Example?
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Truly a deceptive company
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Scam.
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Joe Friday! Just The Facts Please
*UPDATE Employee: Question for the former owner.
*Consumer Comment: Pure Global Enterprises
*Author of original report: HAHA is this a Joke, You must also be a part time clown.
*UPDATE Employee: You Must Of Been A Bad Owner!
*Author of original report: Bobby, your a former EMPLOYEE, I AM A FORMER OWNER!!!
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Only for the performance-oriented individual
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Only for the performance-oriented individual
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So I was an Owner for..a long time, the most I ever brought home on 1 paycheck was $800. I could waste your time and tell you how this is a scam but we all know that but here the good stuff.
You start off in the field on 100% commission, they tell you if you have the right DNA, want to be a business owner, and work hard, then the world is yours. DID THAT!
You get promoted to trainer, you build a team, go on business trips that...yes...you had to pay for yourself....DID THAT!
BUT, My owner told me all this and it was all true..up until here! I got promoted to asst mgr. where I was suppose to be making according to the chart (I still have) $900-$1200 a week, however I never brought home more than $700 as an asst. manager, because "they were saving it for me in a ledger I NEVER SAW" to open my office. DID THAT!
I took over an office that got shut down, we didnt but my office anything new, except paint, which I paid for! So where did that money go? My office was already "set up". DID THAT! Sound Familiar!
So now I am an owner! I am ready to make the $75-100k they said rookie owners bring in. This was in 2007.....as an owner they have you tell people that you only claim $250-$500 a week because thats what all business owner do to avoid higher tax liability, when really thats all you can affford to pay yourself, if you dont want to get shut down. Then they promote people who are making money like Larissa Hawley, but JUST TO INFORM EVERYONE NOW, she got cheaper prices on merch than all of us due to the fact she shared a building with an innovage VP! As one of the owners I brought home approximately $18,000 my first year as an owner, Total!
I just left this business recently, so I will post any information I might have, just ask, I have tons! But just know if your not in, you dont want to be! I have many people I TRULY CARE ABOUT, THAT HELPED ME TREMENDOUSLY when I needed it that are still working for these people somehow. To those people I havent forgotten you, however i KNOW you have forgotten me, its not your fault...
For anybody who lost self esteem by going through the biz, dont! I am making crazy money now, because of what they taught......its only a learning experience....so if you wanna learn how to work hard sign up.....or you could just WORK HARD! YOU WILL NEVER MAKE MONEY AS AN OWNER, unless you are someone of interest to PUTNAM, even then youll probably break even..haha. I am just glad to know that alot of people quit after I did. They will never regain theyre past glory....
Truthhurts
Anywhere, Massachusetts
U.S.A.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 05/10/2009 11:55 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Mike-Putnam-Quantum-Winners-Advertising-Harmony-HuntKeith-Certo-Smart-Circle-Larry-Tenenbaum/Woburn-Massachusetts-USA/Mike-Putnam-Quantum-Winners-Advertising-Harmony-Hunt-Keith-Certo-Smart-Circle-L-450422. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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Search Tips#1 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mr. Bad Example?
AUTHOR: Bobby Crow - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Friday, October 26, 2012
Funny how you seem to be omnicent with business, but you couldn't see through the "red flags" during the MLM interview process... and took a job with them... Dumb.
I worked for, with, and trained quite a few people you are referring to... and I will say again that 95% of those within the company are honest, hard-working people... Trying to get ahead in business. The other 5% are no worse than your typical corporate tycoon.
I spent 2 1/2 of the hardest years of my life chasing the dream they sell... and I fell short. Was it hard? Absolutely... Was it fun? Mosty not... We're there times I hated the job? Certainly...
But...
I am now a highly-compensated VP with the company I work for... ALL due to the mindset and attitude I learned from working in the afore mentioned business. Without the sales knowledge I learned, very quickly, through Harmony Hunt and the like, I would not be the person I am today. I am reminded, daily, of how impactful the mental lessons I learned from the business has vaulted me to the top of my current profession...
Mr. Bad Example, the fact that you spend so much time focused on these negative posts leads me to believe that you couldn't possibly be as successful as you claim... No one with an attitude so powerfully-negative can/will be consistently successful. I'm not sayin you're a bad person, but you are bitter.
Take the discretionary effort and intensity you have used to spread negativity, and place it face-first into reading a book on successful thinking such as, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad"... Only then will you be free from that awful mind-crypt of yours.
P.S. Try posting Slander like this using your full name rather than "Mr. Bad Example"... Only the weak hide behind a screen name... Busted.
#2 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Truly a deceptive company
AUTHOR: Josh - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, October 17, 2012
These offices are in the cosmetics division selling Makeover Essentials products.
You are recruited in under deceptive means, they tout marketing of Fortune 500 clients, but don't tell you it's really door-to-door sales, soliciting. I still needed a job so I stayed, put in the required 72 hours a week.
Soon though I realized management was corrupt. Scott Williams, the Smart Circle VP of this division, Ian Laird, and Sandy El-Rayes kept saying put in your 6 months of hard work and you'll be promoted to take over your own office. However it became clear they'd pick favorites. Top ethical leaders in our office were shunned, slandered, harassed. There was rampant drug use, sexual harassment, music depicting racism. The office was out of control. And those who raised these issues to management were fired.
Worst job I've ever had!
#3 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Scam.
AUTHOR: Anonymous - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Friday, September 21, 2012
Only whenever I asked when I'd be promoted I was given a bullcrap excuse. So after waiting 3 more months to be promoted as promised I quit. The owner of that company called me back, said he'd finally promote me and I'd get commission from two campaigns going on instead of just one. So, I went back, made a decent amount of money for a few months, then met with Hilary. Between her and my owner, I was convinced to open an office in the midwest (where I was from), and that I would be able to do a particular campaign there (certificates/American Breast Cancer Foundation), but I had to do FW1 for the time being until I was certified to work with the nonprofit.
So I spent about $2,000 of my own money to move there and open the office. Did really great for about 2 months. I asked over and over when I could do the certificates, and I kept getting more bullcrap responses. I was only able to pay myself $400/week. By September/October, it got cold. (Yes, it gets very cold in the midwest, as I had told Hilary and my owner several times which is why we needed certificates - it was an indoor campaign). Well, we started doing bad, because who wants to watch a wax demonstration when it's snowing outside? No one.
Then I was told I couldn't do Certifications because Quantum was no longer going to work with American Breast Cancer Foundation. Well, that was the ONLY reason I agreed to open an office where I did. I knew nothing else would sell as great there (my home state). So we had to do the Direct TV and the road shows. Neither of those made ANY money for the office. Then, Larry wanted me to open a second office in a different location. I was told we had a committment from the chain gas stations there so doing FW1 would be easy and I could get someone into the Assistant Manager position quickly and go back to my first office (where I lived).
Okay, so I went there (10 hours away), rented a second apartment, hired staff and guess what....we have NO committment from Circle K gas stations (the ONLY gas stations there). So I'm stuck with two leases, about 10 new staff, and nowhere to send them. All I got from Hilary and my owner was "oh really? I'll look into it." The response I get after they do is "We don't have Circle K's." So, after about a month there of doing TERRIBLE for the obvious reasons, being told by Hilary to not pay myself because the office wasn't making enough money (while I was working 60-70 hours/week), being about $6,000 in debt due to the 2 moves, living expenses for myself, and credit card interest, I finally quit. This was after being with the company for 1.5 years, and being a manager for only 4 months.
Worst year and a half of my life. My advice to anyone out there is this: the big shots of this company (Quantum/Smart Circle) can not be trusted. I was told anything and everything to get me to go where they wanted me to and I ruined my credit for it. I was set up for failure from day one. My experience with this company was the worst one I've ever had. I would encourage anyone looking into working with them to step back and find something else. I am currently working part-time as a Director of a nonprofit and making more then I ever did with them. Their theories are fascinating, and they do work for some people, but probably only for about .25% of the people.
I also found Hilary and my owner to be incredibly unprofessional, disgusting, immature, and uneducated. As a "owner training" I had to follow Hilary around and she talked with staff about the color of females genitals. She went on to discuss what color mine would be. My owner, also good friends with Hilary, would constantly discuss sex, sexual positions, sexual partners, and similar things. He'd call staff fat and ugly, then would ask me incredibly personal questions. I could have sued him for sexual harassment or discrimination any day of the week. He also slept with one of our staff that was 15 years younger then him. Just an incredibly unprofessional and disgusting environment. Quiting as an owner was the outmost best decision I have ever made.
#4 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Joe Friday! Just The Facts Please
AUTHOR: Mr Bad Example - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, January 17, 2012
To:MillionDollarGal - cary
From: Mr Bad Example
Opening remarks: I worked for (for now) an unnamed Smart Circle affiliate. I've read the original posters story and I've read yours. In reading both a few questions arose. Mostly from your letter. I'm sincere in my wish to hear your reply to my questions.
1.- I've done the math, it just doesn't add up to the promised $800 to $1000 per week claimed in the interview process. Take the Restaurant Dessert Company $8.98 cake sold in Sam's as an example. Compensation is 20% of net sales. This means I earn $1.78 per unit in Commission. This means that in order to make the $1,000.00 in income presented at interview I have to sell 562 pies per week or 94 pies per day working 6 days per week the full 10 hours I'd be in Sam's Club not counting the 2 hour morning "atmosphere" required pep rally's. Not counting travel and clean up this works out to 72 hours per week or put another way, $13.88 per hour. Given this, would you kindly explain why anyone with an IQ above room temp would do this job? Oh and for the record, the Asst. Mgr and top producer averaged 68 pies per day. Mr Bad Example says, BUSTED
2 - You make claims that you earn over 100K as an owner. OK how? What's the override schedule? How many reps do you need on staff to earn that rate of return? How many months have you had that many reps? Have a tax return to prove your income? I do! Care to explain why I drive an Audi TT Quattro Roadster and you have a use 15 year old Honda? Mr Bad Example says, BUSTED
3.- Are you always so smugly arrogant or did you save it for your post? How many long term employees? How many that have been promoted into ownership are still owners? If this is the opportunity you say then the retention rate of owners should be well above 80%. Is it? Mr Bad Example says, BUSTED
4.- What is your turnover percentage? Under or over 100%?
5.- Why would someone come to work for you when you can make owner level money 2nd or 3rd year selling Office Products, work 9-5 and have weekends off? Plus a salary and benefits?
Bottom line is your business opportunity in a fraud unless you can answer the above openly and forthrightly and to date NO ONE from Smart Circle has been able to refute me and I've asked Putnam, Hawley and others of that ilk the same questions and they can't or won't answer. Before I invest my time, I do my due diligence. I smelled a rat the day I started and I wrote it off to me being cynical. Turned out that my initial gut reaction was correct. The whole program is a rigged deck. I came in and asked good questions the kind any investor would ask and all I ever got was my "Attitude" questioned and told I wan't being a team player. It went down the drain when they told me there "Was no I in Team" and I replied, "Yeah but there is a me". Right then they knew I wasn't going to be one of their Kool-Aid drinking sycophants.
Before you embarrass yourself I've won trips to Hawaii, Cancun, Vegas, Barbados, Ireland for outstanding Sales performance so don't lecture me on being "lazy" or a "loser" because fact is you can't carry my bag on a Sales Call. Keep lying to yourself if you must, but cut it out with the pie in the sky lies to employees and customers. How's that?? I call it, "5 Steps to a Flip Off"
#5 UPDATE Employee
Question for the former owner.
AUTHOR: Mr Bad Example - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, December 31, 2011
I want to pull the rug out from under these thieves and get my areas office shut down by a state or federal agency. Also do you know if the executives at Sam's Club and Costco are aware of how the company does business or do they know and don't care.
I don't like being talked down to and indoctrinated like the Hitler Youth and somebody is gonna catch hell for this. So I'm looking and taking all the help I can get. Yours would be appreciated
#6 Consumer Comment
Pure Global Enterprises
AUTHOR: Fraud Alert - (USA)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, April 13, 2011
#7 Author of original report
HAHA is this a Joke, You must also be a part time clown.
AUTHOR: Truthhurts - (USA)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, April 07, 2011
One thing this woman is right about though....it teaches you SO SO much, spend 6 months there, writing everything down and study it. And you will ABSOLUTELY have an amazing future.....Once you apply the principles they teach you in a different career path. I mean you would think such a lucrative field.....this "organization" would have someone publicly speak out about the AMAZING BENEFITS of being an owner in your circle, right? I have been to hundreds of leadership meetings and tons of owner meetings and weekends....its always some Motivational Speaker with a fantastic story to tell, right? Dont you think a company BREEDING managers who make 100,000/yr, would bring their success stories to these functions.....oh yea....wait.....nobody ever leaves the business with money...so they cant do that..haha......THINK ABOUT THAT...the only speakers they have are people currently making money....so JUICE by you fancypants.....just do me a favor....if your a single mom, apologize to your kid, because I know what it takes to be an owner, you work all day everyday, you eat, sleep and dream work......he/she misses you!!! I promise.
#8 UPDATE Employee
You Must Of Been A Bad Owner!
AUTHOR: MillionDollarGal - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, April 05, 2011
This job can make or break you, BUT it will teach you self disapline and hard work! It is not for the weak, and in all my time with the company I have to say I have never had so much fun as I have had with this job. I have got to travel (on comapany dime, not mine) I got to design new campaign layouts, I have been able to meet owners and mgrs of some of the top sports teams in the US. I am sorry but I love my job and company. I have never lied to anyone who has walked into my office and asked me questions. I will honestly tell people you make your own paychecks, if you want the 9 to 5 job, then go somewhere else cause this is not for you. If you want to earn the same every week, then find something else. BUT if you want to own your own company and make 6 figures a year then you are in the right place but it takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get there and you must be willing to work to get there. Now I own my own office and vacation often with my kids and I know I can count on my leaders and assistant mgrs to help with the office and to keep people motivated!
You can complain all you want but when you are looking at an owner in the eyes and they triple your income without blinking an eye then maybe it is not the company but you! Maybe you do not know how to pick a successful team, maybe you were not good at finding good running campaigns. Obviously you were not good at managing your books or you would not of ended up in the hole, and the fact that you are telling people to run with others who work hard for their paychecks just shows the kind of person you really are and I am glad that you are not apart of our company!
Thank you for leaving :)
#9 Author of original report
Bobby, your a former EMPLOYEE, I AM A FORMER OWNER!!!
AUTHOR: Truthhurts - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, June 29, 2009
#10 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Only for the performance-oriented individual
AUTHOR: Bobby Crow - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, June 12, 2009
Yes, I am a former employee of this company. I started fresh out of college in Savannah, GA. Being a broke college student and having no experience I gave it a shot. I actually relocated from over 3 hours away to have a chance at becomming an owner.
The first couple of weeks were definately different with regards to office environment, and daily work duties. The office environment is not typical of your standard corporation... There is high-fiving, cheers, and the occasional use of accronyms to motivate. The system they have in place can definately be applied to ANY future career path you choose to pursue. This position does require a lot of self-discipline, an entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to take control. If you do not possess these qualities... DO NOT APPLY! If you do then this corporation can offer you a chance to gain knowledge, experience, and self-awareness required to become a successful business person and salesperson.
After 6 months with the company I built a rather substantial team of reps meeting the company qualifications for owner promotion. I CHOSE, as a strong individual, to relocate to Redlands, CA in June of 08' in order to better place myself among the top VP's and territory. One of the VP's in the company, Harmony Hunt, was extremely generous to me and my team. She helped with Housing (even allowing us to stay rent-free in her home.) All she ever asked from me was a positive attitude and consistent performance. The fact that she let me stay for free was never held above my head and in fact, she commented several times that it was unfortunate that we didn't get to spend enough time in CA developing my skills. It was not her fault, running a division in any corp is time consuming and sometimes the "top guys" don't get the attention they should. She helped me several times allowing me to head new campaigns and build my experience. For that I will always be greatful. Without her strong coaching and motivation I would not have become the business person I am today having the opportunities to work with Fortune 500 companies such as: Home Depot, DirecTV, and Pilkington Glass.
In May 09 I was given the opportunity to move to Seattle, WA to build a team and get incorporated. I began to build an office from the ground up. Doing interviews, training and conducting motivational meetings... all of which I would have never had the opportunity to do if I had chosen another corp to work for right out of college (had only been with the corp for 18 months).
I CHOSE to move to each new location. I was not forced or coerced into doing anything. If you feel like you were brainwashed by this company then you don't have what it takes to be an entrepreneur anyway... you're weak. You are weak in spirit, motivation, and taking control. If you feel like you were taken advantage of, then look in the mirror to see who's at fault for getting up each morning and putting yourself through a job that you aren't cut out for. If you think it's a pyrimid scheme... do some research and find out what a real pyrimid scheme is... Only the top of the pyrimid makes money... that's not how Quantum, Smart Circle, Innovage, etc conducts business. They give you an opportunity to be in business for yourself. Not many companies will give an uneducated, unskilled person that opportunity... PERIOD. There are many examples of people that have come from nothing and created a situation through this business to have families, houses, cars, etc. I however have decided that I would like a change in industry. I did not quit due to mistreatment or abuse... I merely walked away with a sense of accomplishment and a free education in business and personal development.
I was always a top performer in the company and for that I am proud. I will take what I have learned: Time management, taking control of situations, business sense, the understanding of professional and personal overhead, an amazing sales system, and personal growth; and use this experience to further my life. In no way do I feel bitter or used by this company.
Without this company I would not have the skills or personal strength to pursue other career opportunities... For any college student this is one of the best places one can learn about themselves and about the business world in general. For those "over-qualified" applicants, don't waste your time, or the companys'. If you go into an interview feeling that you are over-qualified then you have a wake-up call comming soon in your future.
Looking back, I was thinking about bashing this company on this site... then I stopped and thought about how much it has helped me grow personally and professionally. All in all it was one of the best personal decisions I have ever made and I will continue to believe so.
And on another note, for those former employees that put in the effort to write a 3 page note on here bashing the corporation... Think back to when you worked there, did you put as much effort into your position as you did on this site?!? DEF NOT! If you are going to attempt to slander and mame a company, at least have the courage to put your full name at the bottom, and not some unidentifiable screen name.
Bobby Crow
#11 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Only for the performance-oriented individual
AUTHOR: Bobby Crow - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, June 12, 2009
Yes, I am a former employee of this company. I started fresh out of college in Savannah, GA. Being a broke college student and having no experience I gave it a shot. I actually relocated from over 3 hours away to have a chance at becomming an owner.
The first couple of weeks were definately different with regards to office environment, and daily work duties. The office environment is not typical of your standard corporation... There is high-fiving, cheers, and the occasional use of accronyms to motivate. The system they have in place can definately be applied to ANY future career path you choose to pursue. This position does require a lot of self-discipline, an entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to take control. If you do not possess these qualities... DO NOT APPLY! If you do then this corporation can offer you a chance to gain knowledge, experience, and self-awareness required to become a successful business person and salesperson.
After 6 months with the company I built a rather substantial team of reps meeting the company qualifications for owner promotion. I CHOSE, as a strong individual, to relocate to Redlands, CA in June of 08' in order to better place myself among the top VP's and territory. One of the VP's in the company, Harmony Hunt, was extremely generous to me and my team. She helped with Housing (even allowing us to stay rent-free in her home.) All she ever asked from me was a positive attitude and consistent performance. The fact that she let me stay for free was never held above my head and in fact, she commented several times that it was unfortunate that we didn't get to spend enough time in CA developing my skills. It was not her fault, running a division in any corp is time consuming and sometimes the "top guys" don't get the attention they should. She helped me several times allowing me to head new campaigns and build my experience. For that I will always be greatful. Without her strong coaching and motivation I would not have become the business person I am today having the opportunities to work with Fortune 500 companies such as: Home Depot, DirecTV, and Pilkington Glass.
In May 09 I was given the opportunity to move to Seattle, WA to build a team and get incorporated. I began to build an office from the ground up. Doing interviews, training and conducting motivational meetings... all of which I would have never had the opportunity to do if I had chosen another corp to work for right out of college (had only been with the corp for 18 months).
I CHOSE to move to each new location. I was not forced or coerced into doing anything. If you feel like you were brainwashed by this company then you don't have what it takes to be an entrepreneur anyway... you're weak. You are weak in spirit, motivation, and taking control. If you feel like you were taken advantage of, then look in the mirror to see who's at fault for getting up each morning and putting yourself through a job that you aren't cut out for. If you think it's a pyrimid scheme... do some research and find out what a real pyrimid scheme is... Only the top of the pyrimid makes money... that's not how Quantum, Smart Circle, Innovage, etc conducts business. They give you an opportunity to be in business for yourself. Not many companies will give an uneducated, unskilled person that opportunity... PERIOD. There are many examples of people that have come from nothing and created a situation through this business to have families, houses, cars, etc. I however have decided that I would like a change in industry. I did not quit due to mistreatment or abuse... I merely walked away with a sense of accomplishment and a free education in business and personal development.
I was always a top performer in the company and for that I am proud. I will take what I have learned: Time management, taking control of situations, business sense, the understanding of professional and personal overhead, an amazing sales system, and personal growth; and use this experience to further my life. In no way do I feel bitter or used by this company.
Without this company I would not have the skills or personal strength to pursue other career opportunities... For any college student this is one of the best places one can learn about themselves and about the business world in general. For those "over-qualified" applicants, don't waste your time, or the companys'. If you go into an interview feeling that you are over-qualified then you have a wake-up call comming soon in your future.
Looking back, I was thinking about bashing this company on this site... then I stopped and thought about how much it has helped me grow personally and professionally. All in all it was one of the best personal decisions I have ever made and I will continue to believe so.
And on another note, for those former employees that put in the effort to write a 3 page note on here bashing the corporation... Think back to when you worked there, did you put as much effort into your position as you did on this site?!? DEF NOT! If you are going to attempt to slander and mame a company, at least have the courage to put your full name at the bottom, and not some unidentifiable screen name.
Bobby Crow

