DCI formerly knowns as DYRO DYRO deceitful, scam, false advertisement, sleazy, unethical Houston, Texas

On August 11th, 2010 I looked on craigslist for a job. I have lots of bills, and I needed to find something that paid more than my current position. Here is the ad that I responded to:

Title: Office Help Needed Asap. Full-Time Positions. Apply Today! (West Houston/Katy)

We are a member of the BBB and have been recognized in "KQ" magazine and
"RTS Reports" for our solid track record and outstanding customer
service. This position starts at $2200.00/mo and offers paid training
for those who qualify. We are looking for young adults ages 18 and up to
start immediately.

West Houston Manufacturing Company has entry-level full time openings
that must be filled this week. These are permanent positions that have
potential for advancement. The positions involve but are not limited to
the following:

- filling/refilling vendor supply orders

- greeting new clients

- follow up quality control calls on all confirmed deliveries

- creating relationships with our vendors

- schedule deliveries

- trouble shooting

Upon reading this ad I thought, "Great! I am willing to learn, I need a job, and I should apply." I called the number listed at the bottom, and the first thing that should have tipped me off is when the receptionist immediately offered me an interview without asking me anything about myself. She did not tell me anything about the company, either - not even the name. When I asked for an address, as it was not given in the ad, she told me that, "Um....it's still being built so I can't give you a physical address. But I can give you directions." She then gives directions to me, and oddly enough I could have sworn when she actually told me the name of the company she then called it two or three different things. However, since it was via phone I thought maybe when I thought should said D.C.I. she possibly said B.S.I. or D.S.I. or something along those lines - either way, she repeatedly referred to the company in different names. I googled D.S.I. and B.C.I. because I was curious about the cleaning supplies they sold, however, I could not find anything about wholesale cleaning products.

This morning, August 12th, 2011, I drove to the location. I thought, "Well, if the company is being built right now than maybe the location is new and that is why there is nothing about it online." Nevertheless, I go to my interview looking fantastic - tailored pencil skirt, lace blouse, tall high heels, perfect hair and make up. I keep thinking, "If they're hiring a receptionist 2200/month to start without any experience it MUST be a nice place." WRONG. I walk in to a dark room with several young women sitting around a table filling out applications. CHRISTINE tells me to sign in, so I do. I instantly think, "Wow, a bunch of people applied. There is no way I'll get it. I don't have much experience." There was loud music playing on a radio, and most of the applicants were wearing flip flops and very casual clothing. I felt out of place. I stayed anyway. Several people were interviewed, and finally it was my turn. I told myself to be confident, smile, and be honest. Honesty is important to me. I knew that if I was honest, and even if I was not hired, it would still be a good experience for me.

Steven interviewed me. He was friendly, and upon entering the interview he instantly started telling me how bubbly and friendly I was; he told me I'd be PERFECT for customer service. He did not ask me about my typing skills; he did not ask if I was proficient in QuickBooks or any other programs; instead he commented that I looked young, and most of the interview was us chit chatting back and forth about things that had NOTHING to do with the job. He was flirty. I enjoyed how many compliments he gave me. It SHOULD have been a red flag to me, however, I thought that since the job did not require any experience, maybe he was willing to train me and did not care what exactly I knew. That said, he told me he was VERY interested in me, wrote a huge YES at the top of my application, assured me he would call corporate and recommend me, and let me know that within the next hour and a half he'd call with details.

However, the whole interview, in hind sight seems so shady; he threw a bunch of large numbers out; promises of 2200/month, bonuses, room to grow, promotions, and how I would, if hired, receive a 400 dollar signing bonus. He assured me I would NOT be doing any sort of sales and that I would only be explaining products to customers, answering phones, things of that nature. It was still really vague...but I was being young and naive, feeling flattered that he saw potential in me when there were so many applicants.

He did however mention that Fruit of the Loom, the under garment company, and Kirby were associated with the company, D.C.I. I asked him, "Oh, like the vacuum cleaners? Cool! I own one. I didn't know they were into cleaning products." It is my fault for assuming cleaning products were things like bleach, lysol, sanitizers, ect. Vacuums ARE cleaning products; however it was misleading.

That should have been a tip off to me, too.

Leaving the interview, I still had very little idea what the company did, other than sale cleaning supplies, and what exactly my job was. But I ignored that little voice in my head because I wanted what he said to be true.

He must have been laughing at me, you know. I was so eager, so friendly and warm; I wanted to impress him and I spent a lot of time prepping myself for the interview because I wanted to be HONEST and let him know what I had to offer. I am embarrassed that I sat and chatted with a con artist while he looked me up and down because I thought he genuinely was offering me a nice position.

While walking to my car, I saw some of the other applicants sitting outside smoking. I am horrified: I actually thought to myself, "Aw, won't it be sad if I get the office job and they don't? My interview went so well!" Ironically enough, THEY were probably thinking the SAME thing about ME. LOL!!!

About an hour later, Steven called and offered me the job. He was so sweet, too! He was flirty and warm, teasing me about trying sooooo hard to get corporate to give it to me, but YES I had gotten it.

He told me to arrive at the interview office at 11 AM, wear something "nice like you did today", bring a notebook, and we'll discuss everything right there for my "orientation". I gladly accepted, thanked him, called my hubby, and told him the good news.

...but then, then the little voice in my head started saying, "Hm....."

So, like a good product of my generation, I turned to google. Upon googling DSI Houston, TX 77084 an enormous list of complaints popped up. And in a blink of an eye I saw the words KIRBY and VACUUM SALESMAN, JOB SCAM and then it all clicked in my head: Why did it I not see it sooner? Why did I think he was offering me an office job?

All I wanted was to find a job, pay my taxes, pay my bills, and work with integrity and ethics. I don't want to lie, cheat, steal, or hurt others in order to push a product. I could not sleep at night knowing that I had hurt another person for a few dollars. These are human beings. I'm embarrassed that I actually thought someone would be interested in hiring me without calling my references; without a background check or even giving it a few days to think about the decision.

So, at 21 years old this is what I've learned today: I AM SO HAPPY I AM ENROLLED IN COLLEGE. I am thrilled that I am HONESTLY and ETHICALLY getting my degree, and not scamming others. I am happy, in my own way, to have had this interview because it has taught me so much, despite the falseness of it all: ASK QUESTIONS, research companies and their policies, find out the history, ask friends and neighbors if they've heard of something, listen to your gut, and above all... if it sounds too easy...it's probably too good to be true!

It is wrong for those employed at DCI/DYCO/whatever it's named this week to say those who dislike this company dislike it because they're lazy and don't like hard work. That's not the case. I dislike this company because they lied to me. They misrepresented the job, and they promised me something that I was not ever really considered for. Imagine me wearing those lovely 4 inch heels while walking the streets forcing Kirby's on people...OMG. I dislike this company because they wanted to compromise my integrity and ethics. They wasted my time, gas, and energy I could have spent on something productive.

However, I won't let them do that to me: I'm going to look at this as a learning experience and ALWAYS remember this when I'm interviewing for a job. If it's vague, full of promises, and you're being talked in circles, than it's not what it is representing itself as.

I like my Kirby. It's cute, and gets the job done. I'm not angry at the company. They did nothing wrong, nor did they lie to me. I bought a product that makes me happy, but I did buy it at wal-mart (;

I'm happy that some people have had a good experience with this company, too.

One last thing: it boggles me: Steven, that man who interviewed me, REALLY thought that I'd apply for a receptionist position, and then show up to an orientation in which I told I'm going to be walking door to door selling VACUUM cleaners, after I told him in my interview I am in no way interested in ever doing sales and asked if the position required any selling, and then sit for 4 hours while he tries to persuade me. WHAT?  As if I'm so stupid I'll say, "Hey, I applied and accepted a receptionist position, but it's cool: I'll TOTALLY be okay with him lying to me and take a sales job. LOL!!! He really thought I'd be okay with that? That's like having a cute Suburu and then finding out you really bought a rusted '85 Honda without tires.