Big City Advancement - Scentura Creations Looking to hire Branch Managers for locations throughout Chicago Chicago Illinois
A few weeks ago my aunt called and told me about a company that she had just had an interview with. She asked me had I ever heard of Big City Advancement and I said no. That night I tried to find the company online and couldn't find much. I called the number and left a voicemail. They called me a few days later and asked if I could come in for an interview. I came in that same day for the interview and instantly got a bad feeling when I saw the appearance of the buidling. When I rang the bell to get in the building the receptionist Andre told me I was too early and to come back in 10 minutes. At this point that was strike 2.
When I finally arrived there was loud music playing and one guy waiting to be interviewed. The lady that was doing the interview name is Josie and she is really loud. She made sure we all heard the entire interview from where we were sitting. She gave us group interviews in three's. She talks really fast and asked us a few ?'s. She told us that they were looking for 30 people to fill there locations throughout Chicago as BRANCH MANAGERS. She never asked us did we have any questions at the end of the interview like most employers do. I also heard her asking other people, "how old are you". Thats not even a legal question, and now I was at strike 3.
I got the call back interview along with 25 people. I noticed all the people interview were young. The age ranged between 18-29. Oh by the way did I mention my aunt is in her late 40s and did not receive a call back. The call back interview was two and half hours long. Josie did all the talking actually. She went on to tell us about her life story and about how rich she is, but she had three big stains on her dress. She said she owns a condo on the 30th fl somewhere downtown and that she was going to invite us to dinner if we were hired on.
During the interview Josie got upset when saw people yawning. She sent two people out and told us that they wont be coming back. She wanted to make an example out of them to keep us alert and motivated. She tried to sell us this dream that we could gonna make 35k being a manager and that we could become an owner after a year of being a mgr. She said we would be set up with financial experts to help us along the way. She tried to sell us this dream by showing us pictures of Larry Hahn's (the owner) estates. She told us how much money the owners were worth. She also told us Larry Hahn was featured on Lifestyle of the Rich and the Famous show, and that he is always on Celebrity Poker.
Josie told us that we would be paid in cash for the training and never told us exactly how much we would get paid for for the training. She also said we had to pay $20 for the background check, which became red flag #5. They told me I was hired and that training starts on Monday and she also never told us what location would be at. I never came back after doing more research on SCENTURA CREATIONS.
Basically these people are scams, but a really good one cause they have been in business for a long time. They sell knockoff perfume and cologne to people on the street. I think they brainwash their employees by making them feel like Scentura Creations is their only opportunity.
College graduate
chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
gallo
chicago,Illinois,
United States of America
scam or salespitch
#5Consumer Comment
Sat, September 25, 2010
This is a comment only, please consider it neutral. Big City Advancement - I believe- is doing something illegal IF the "branch manager" positions do not exist.
Which they probably do not. It is not shown in your report, though. So, I will show up on my training with them to find out one way or the other. It is not illegal in this country to use a "strong sales pitch" on people.
On that "2nd inteview" details of that "branch manager" position were described in a relatively detailed fashion. Salary, hours, requirements, how this is a "new mode" of employment for this company.Now, it is clear to me that what in fact is happening is that they are recruiting a sales force.
So, they try to lure people to desire the "other kind of employment" more than the "low paying" branch manager job. This so far does not necessarily mean that the positions do not exist. Just because something is pitched in a way that it is easily misundarstandable does not constitute a 'scam'.
In that case every car salesman or tv commercial writer could be described as a 'scam artist'. I did not dislike Josie, I think she is a good story teller, but of course if she'd want me to push cologne on the street I would not do that.
Becky
United States of AmericaA recent attempt by BCA
#5General Comment
Wed, March 17, 2010
I was scanning the jobs on the Chicago Craigslist, and came across an ad for an "expanding company looking to fill 24 positions in management, administrative, and customer support." The ad also said that the starting salary was 35K, just like this original report said. It said to call a number to schedule an interview, which I did. The person who answered did not give me any information about the company, but I just thought I'd ask about it at the time of the interview. A few hours before I was to leave for this interview, I decided to google the number I called and found this rip-off report. When I called to cancel my interview (because I wasn't about to get sucked into that!), I said that I had another obligation and had to cancel. The man that answered had the balls to ask what my obligation was and if "it could wait just 15 minutes" because they were hiring for MANAGEMENT positions, and this is my career we're talking about! I said no, I really could not come, and he tried to pencil me in for the next day. I held my ground and said no.
All in all, beware of this Craigslist ad! I'm just glad I saw this report before I went!
Montee
Chicago IL,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Smell The B-llsh-t!!!!!
#5UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, October 17, 2008
Yes I also was a victim/survivor of Skyline Management Corporation, AKA Big City Advancement or whatever they call themselves now (All Run By Josie V). Nothing against her or Scentura Creations or Larry Hahn and anyone else who is involved with this So-Called Scam of the Scentury!!!! I just know this, if I have learned anything from this horrific and demeaning experience, it was that I WILL NEVER AGAIN TRUST ANYTHING THAT SOUNDS LIKE TOO MUCH SUGAR FOR A NICKEL!!!! True enough I was down on my luck and needed a quick fix to my long-term issues. Scentura Creations was right there to kick me down by offering me a long-term way to fix my problems. The problem is that I had to sell my soul and lose my housing in the process to get it. Not a good deal, become a manager/owner and rip-off unsuspecting consumers who have no idea they're buying knockoff fragrances. I did all of this to make a buck and lost my dignity in the process. Then again it was by my own free will which Im glad I only spent 60 days in this training program. So to all who comes across Scentura Creations, Larry Hahn, Or Josie V. DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! Whenever something sounds like too sugar for a nickel.......By GOD it usually is!!!!
John
Memphis,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
The Essence Of The Scam
#5Consumer Suggestion
Fri, August 01, 2008
#1
The 'background check' money goes into the local managers pocket, pure and simple. No check is ever done. Why would they want to? They're looking for rubes who will fall for the scam, why not milk 'em for what they've got? This is pure gravy money for the boss. Some locations charge $20, some charge $40. It serves as a nice 'hook' to keep you from walking away too quickly.
#2
Lies and deception generate sales which in turn generates profit. Employees are lied to and in turn they lie to customers. Anything to make that sale. Scentura managers hate questions for one reason. They make people think. Can't have that and expect to make a profit.
#3
Making you buy a sample kit. Here's another nice hook. Once you've bought it you're stuck with it. They get their money regardless. If you quit they still get their money and you get stuck with bottles of weasel piss. If they do this to enough salespeople they don't need any outside sales since you're already covering their profit needs. If a manager can keep new salespeople coming in and buying sample kits he's got it made.
#4
Selling to your friends and family. A classic scam tactic. Generates easy sales but when your friends and family realize it's weasel piss you look like a scammer. Your manager could care less, just turn in the sales money to him. Do you have any self esteem?
#5
Being a contractor. You now have absolutely no rights in the organization. They can treat you any way they please, period. You have no recourse other than to quit if they lie to you and abuse you. Nothing is ever in writing (how convenient).
A Scentura manager has one mission....... sell bottles. It doesn't matter if they're sold to employees (er, ah, contractors) or people on the street (or parking lots). Use ANY method to do it. Period.