PALMETTO MARKETING INC. John DobersteinKETING, ripoff, door to door sales!! Do NOT believe them Coral Springs Florida

First and foremost, I must say that when you are defending a company you work for or used to work for, you should represent them in the upmost professional way. Ecspecially if you are defending a company that needs a LOT of defending.

That being said, I just can not believe how many remarks are on here with constant misspellings. It really annoys me. I thought that maybe I could ease my mind with some feedback from some of the employees of this company who also ripped me off.

After reading several rebuttals posted from employees or devoted ex-employees, my mind is not eased at all. I do not understand why people would continue to support someone if they know that what he is doing is wrong, or why would you support him if he got you into financial trouble with the IRS. When this happened would you have been able to call him up and have him help you fix your problem?

I know that if I was working for someone and got into a jam, I would expect that person to stand behind me and help me straighten it out. Obviously, if he is no where to be found when stuff goes down, then he is not a good person to associate with or to work for.

Now as for what I said earlier, I do know that not everyone knows how to spell the greatest, but when you are representing your company or the company you work for, you really should try to sound a little bit more professional or no one is even going to take what you say to heart. With what I read, all I got out of it was a couple of teenagers arguing over who was better than the other. Please take this into consideration before you write anymore.
Thanks

Unfortunitley I was one of those people looking for a job, and happen to read an article in there saying "sales position, must like to travel" lol, what a joke. I have never been around so many brain washed people in my life. These people run around for 10 hours a day like a bunch of wild animals. COME ON. It is kind of sad that these people that are willing to help someone out by buying one of there extremely expensive magazine are not even getting what they pay for. Meanwhile you got over 100 kids running around all day, not knowing whats going to happen to them at the next door they knock selling these mags for some chump who sits in his yot all day, and someother chump that thinks hes a tough guy tring to fight people when they want to get off of the slave boat.

Hello all my name is Decembria anyone that konws me know that I was one of the most highpowerd people at palmetto. I grew up in the biz with the big boys. I have had sevral 100 sale weeks and ect... The reason i left palmetto is beacause of Bob Cecil when it comes down to it. I grew up on that crew and still remain in contact with alot of people there. I currently work for another company and have been with them since I left pmi.
The tables are turned now because I work in the office I handle a part of the biz that when you are a agent you have no clue what goes on. First of all most complaints that come in are from customers that complain about the agent. The last guy that won our contest didn't win by selling the most mags we have other agents that sell more but he did everything right. Filled out orders correctly and made sure that everything was done right. That is why he won. See I find that when a person gets promoted in the biz they tend to get lazy, guilty myself what people fail to relize that is were the work begins. I also run ad I never thougt about running ads I loved to handle car I was great at it but now I hire about 6 to 10 people a week. I do not travel on the road anymore i live owner of the clearinghouse and his famliy. I have to thruogh in they are the youngest people in the industry to own a clearinghouse. I would have to say they are not the least bit lazy and maybe thats why they get the results that they get. The owner travels with his crew and handles car when needed. Most other companys owners are out playing golf or doing their own thing, leaving a gm to take care of the crew. I have met great people in the biz way more now that im not with pmi. Its crazy I thought I would never leave them. I was very loyal,don't get me wrong I had my moments maybe more than a few. All im saying is that some people work really hard in the biz to make it some people make it some do not I have more than people thata have been in the biz 10 years before me why is that. They stay stagnet I have no one to pay my rent I pay it. I do not depend on anyone i do not get into debt if i don't have it i do not ask. When checking in the crew I do go to bars and flash my knot you why I want something more you guys that know me or at least think that you do I have changed for the better I hope. Im 26 now and have been in the biz for 8 years now. (wow) can't belive its been that long but it has if any of you guys want to contact me somemonth@yahoo is my e-mail i would love to here from some of you guys that gave magazines up and moved on. If anyone wants to contact me feel free im open for suggestions. As for the Irs i have got out of it because the time i spent at palmetto was turned into a empolyee so i fought with the irs fro a while but after it was all said in done i was not counted as a independent contractor. Note to all companys if you have problems with orders make all managers have their own reciepts with their own company names on them that way it will fall back on the manager and not the clearinghouse. I feel like half of what Vinny is going through is because of other people and the company is held lieable. Well thats about enough of my mouth I look foward to seeing everyone this year at the nfsa meeting so you all can see how great im doing.

I worked for this company 10 years ago and got onto the net tonight only with the intention of finding old friends and co-workers I traveled with almost a decade ago.

I have seen both sides of this business having worked for the company as a young and nieve teenager. I am now a settled mother of three and wife to a teacher/coach and look back at the life I lead traveling in such a bizarre lifestyle. It seems like such a long time ago but then again, reading these passages brings back so many memories and experiences that seem like yesterday.

If there is anyone out there who is an ex-employee of Palmetto Marketing or Shumate Sales Inc. please post your stories.

Afton, Steven and others...former and current magsellers,read Bradenton,Fla filing tips-he is absolutely correct.If more of the young people hitting doors were clued in on the financial dynamics of this business,they would,I hope walk away from it and go on to meaningful careers with a future.Afton-just getting a rise from you after crusty remark.I will email you an adress for website I have devoted to assisting magsellers collect wages due to them and to tracking crews in real time so that legal process may be served on mgrs/owners of itinerate salescrews.As I have written before,even when mgrs submit reciepts to their cashclearinghouse,the only money they pay for these subscriptions is the "process" fee,homage dollars to the mgr who promoted them.Circulation fulfillment sets ad rates-now perhaps you can get a clearer picture of how much the road mgrs are pocketing..and sticking kids with tax liability.The kids pay all their own expenses,eventually go home,and would probably be pretty pissed to learn that Vinnie and his mgrs get these magazines FREE.I say lets do something about it.Getabunch.

First of all, REGARDLESS of what they tell you.

YOU ARE AN EMPLOYEE, NOT an independent contractor. Don't believe me get the SS-8 form from the IRS and fill it out and mail it.

I can tell you from many years as a labor advocate what the LAW is.

To qualify as an independent contractor,

1. You can not be provided ANYTHING to do your "job"

2. No work rules can be placed upon you.

Just the fact that they provide you transportation, motels, meals, and cash advances make you an employee.

If they provide you job training, you are an employee.

If they in any way tell you what to, or when to do it, you are an employee.

These are factual points of law. They are absolute and are in no way negotiable.

I have won labor cases on these points and have been paid back pay, benefits and damages.

Have fun!

Who do you think you are? That was incredibly crude. Pay attention, I'll try and slow things down for you:

I go to pay my taxes as an "independent contractor" but on my 1099's from Palmetto it says that I made a whole lot more than I actually recieved. I figure out how much I REALLY made and got from the company. Send copies of everything along with a nice little letter to the IRS. The letter states how I came to this new amount and then tell them about the cash orders that are kept and all the other scadelous things that are going on to let certain people ride around the country in Beemers and Hummers while the kids that are trying to "make it in the biz" are shoved into passenger vans and packed like sardines in motel rooms with barely enough money to survive.

Then I get a letter back from "the man" thanking me for putting things into perspective for them and how they will 'be sure to set things streight by looking into the matter further".

Yes, I know, I was just working for the wrong company. I'm not bad mouthing anyone elses companies. This is just how I feel about this one. It's all good dude, I don't want a fight or any thing, I'm a hippie, or so I've been told. You can write me back if you want at:
aftonanneadams@yahoo.com

OK,so you saved your paysheets-so what?Any moron knows you cannot initiate an audit.What exactly are you going to do with them?If you seek advice on how to convert them to cash, let me me know,then perhaps something constructive will come from these communications.Otherwise,dude, wipe your a*s with them, because they are not worth much else.Idiot.Getabunch.

Stephen, listen "dude" you may be just as old and crusty as Russel and Big Dog and Bo Spencer and Kevin Herd and all those people but just because you're old that doesn't make you wise. I never said I got $ back after I left; I had it out with the IRS over the whole thing. I'll give you three guesses who's getting audited now but the first two don't count. I'm probably one of just a hand full of kids that KEPT ALL OF MY PAY SHEETS, and will keep them for seven years. In my last post I wrote that we're not all bad; well we're not all stupid either.
Peace

Amy, first of all, get comfortable-there will be no monies coming to you or anyone else who leaves one of the crews associated with Vinnie Pitt.He and I were trained together in the 70s and promoted by the same mgr, Russell Wood.

Sadly, for the both of you- you were hired by one of the punks in the business who makes it hard for others who work for cashclearing houses that fulfill all orders and demand professional conduct on territory and in the hotels.

Do your homework, now that you have internet access...Vinnie has lost million dollar lawsuits, and earned himself a reputation that not even the NFSA can clean up.Afton, tell the truth, dude, you never got a dime when you left-its a fact of life.

Virtually everyone associated with Vinnie from the early days has parted company with him, and luckily for the both of you,you have as well.Good luck-getabunch!

Well Trista, I know you remember me, Afton, from Bo's crew! Well you are just dwelling on stuff people can't change. You, if I remember correctly, were one of the most high powered girls on your crew, AND, if I remember correctly, school schpeeled as well. Maybe that's way you're writting on this particular story, However I would stick up for John no matter what! He was one of the nicest people I've ever met in my life, and I've met a lot! Some times people read into these bad comments a little to much. All the people that I still talk to that I met "knockin doors" are still getting the mags that I sold them. Maybe because some of us really are honest individuals.

I worked for Palmetto marketing inc. for 9 months. I was intrigued by the chance to travel. i was only 16 years old. A good portion of "kids" were running from warrants in other states. All the managers new that they were running. They were cruel to the employees.

I couldnt tell you if people didnt get their magazines but i could tell you that the people they hired had no background checks, and hired off the street, sometimes without identification.

I was only 16 and was taken advantage of.

Be aware of the people that come to your door. PEOPLE LIE!

I began working for a man early this year doing mag. sales. We traveled to many neighborhood selling mag. My boss was an awesome guy he taught me a lot about myself. This job isnt cut out for everyone and that included myself. I dont think that is is the owners faught when it comes to fraud. I personally saw sales people switch checks for cash orders and pocket the cash.Its easy you just change the ticket num. the bosses never suppected anything. You are paid a small amount daily and the rest goes on your "books". Im no longer this this company however I am still waiting on the money I had on my "books". Im not really sure it exist.....

To read the facts means to simply say I was never employed by Palmetto Marketing I worked for **TXXXXXXXXXXXX!!! Although in anyone's speel we all said " ...we are in a Senior's contest and needed to collect points to win atrip to Cancun, Mex...." and I was determined to win that 1,000 dollar cash award.

Allot of these customers would interpret that as being in school, ( all good sales-people talk fast )!!!! Me personaly, I know John and alot of other kids who really aren't the type of poeple to lie to someone especially if they wanted to actually win!!!!

I worked for a very trustworthy guy if you ask anyone ele who sold mags. under this co. before they would have killed to work for my boss...
I have read the insults from all of the angry costomers, but nothing said for the honest ones who went out there every day to have..... FUN!!!!!
There really aren't alot of screwed up bad kids that rip poeple off " I Didn't.."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX Sales

To read the facts means to simply say I was never employed by Palmetto Marketing I worked for **TXXXXXXXXXXXX!!! Although in anyone's speel we all said " ...we are in a Senior's contest and needed to collect points to win atrip to Cancun, Mex...." and I was determined to win that 1,000 dollar cash award.

Allot of these customers would interpret that as being in school, ( all good sales-people talk fast )!!!! Me personaly, I know John and alot of other kids who really aren't the type of poeple to lie to someone especially if they wanted to actually win!!!!

I worked for a very trustworthy guy if you ask anyone ele who sold mags. under this co. before they would have killed to work for my boss...
I have read the insults from all of the angry costomers, but nothing said for the honest ones who went out there every day to have..... FUN!!!!!
There really aren't alot of screwed up bad kids that rip poeple off " I Didn't.."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX Sales

To read the facts means to simply say I was never employed by Palmetto Marketing I worked for **TXXXXXXXXXXXX!!! Although in anyone's speel we all said " ...we are in a Senior's contest and needed to collect points to win atrip to Cancun, Mex...." and I was determined to win that 1,000 dollar cash award.

Allot of these customers would interpret that as being in school, ( all good sales-people talk fast )!!!! Me personaly, I know John and alot of other kids who really aren't the type of poeple to lie to someone especially if they wanted to actually win!!!!

I worked for a very trustworthy guy if you ask anyone ele who sold mags. under this co. before they would have killed to work for my boss...
I have read the insults from all of the angry costomers, but nothing said for the honest ones who went out there every day to have..... FUN!!!!!
There really aren't alot of screwed up bad kids that rip poeple off " I Didn't.."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX Sales

To read the facts means to simply say I was never employed by Palmetto Marketing I worked for **TXXXXXXXXXXXX!!! Although in anyone's speel we all said " ...we are in a Senior's contest and needed to collect points to win atrip to Cancun, Mex...." and I was determined to win that 1,000 dollar cash award.

Allot of these customers would interpret that as being in school, ( all good sales-people talk fast )!!!! Me personaly, I know John and alot of other kids who really aren't the type of poeple to lie to someone especially if they wanted to actually win!!!!

I worked for a very trustworthy guy if you ask anyone ele who sold mags. under this co. before they would have killed to work for my boss...
I have read the insults from all of the angry costomers, but nothing said for the honest ones who went out there every day to have..... FUN!!!!!
There really aren't alot of screwed up bad kids that rip poeple off " I Didn't.."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX Sales