DOLCE MIA - BEWARE of working for this Sweatshop! Dolce Mia does not pay their contract employees.
They are always looking to hire for their Roadshows to sale their product at Costco throughout Northern CA. I cannot understand how Costco would partner with this company - to be in bed with an unethical business like This is shocking.
Dolce Mia is unorganized with a fly by the seat of your pants business plan. The work schedule is changed several times throughout the 10-day show always last minute, promise you 5-6 hour shifts, put you down to work the entire day which ends up to be a 12 hour day, on your feet on a hard cement floor. No lunch break no 15 minute breaks - nothing. Now picture being on your feet all day and it is demanded that you "perform". With the cherry on top - NOT pay you for the hours worked.
I was partnered with a "senior" staffer, who spent more time outside smoking and wondering around the store. I sold multiple kits - which truly upset her- she was upstaged rand made sure she pointed out any little thing and would cut in while I was talking to customers. It is demanded that you act like party clowns to get the attention of your shoppers.
There is no training except the twice daily sales phone conferences that you must attend every day, even on a non work day for non-pay. you are selling at Costco!
Is there any wonder why they will have 4-5 people on the schedule and after a couple of days they only have 1-2 and are scrambling to hire new people to finish the show?
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Jana
Saratoga,California,
READ THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT DOLCE MIA
#5Author of original report
Tue, November 12, 2013
I will just say - read the other complaints filed about Dolce Mia and you will find that the complaints are all running the same.
I will let the courts decide who is right or wrong. Bottomline when a person works for you - you should pay them for the time worked. Yes, it would have been nice to graciously walk away and have no bad feeling - I did not like your business practices - I felt Dolce Mia threw shade - my personal opinion - last I heard it is my right. Just as it is Dolce Mia's right to pick and choose who works for them. At the end of the day - pay people who work - who put hours of labor in for the benefit of Dolce Mia. I worked 12 hours that first Friday - setting up the booth and continued multiple days after. I should be paid. How can you look in the mirror knowing how many people you rip off everyday.
Your product is also questionable - what you say as part of your sales jive - is misleading.
Dolce Mia
Sebastopol,California,
Our Senior Rep
#5UPDATE Employee
Mon, November 04, 2013
It's unfortunate that people don't understand what working on commission is, and I strive to do better at explaining this to potential reps. The more you sell, the more you make, and we have lots of reps who do quite well selling our high-end bath & beauty products.
I am so thankful that the senior rep mentioned here is with us. She has been the hardest working, most productive, flexable rep we've had in all our time doing Costco roadshows. We appreciate her so much! It makes me sad that this bitter rep, who came and went as she pleased after confirming she would be there at certain times, and then one day just didn't show up at all, thinks it's okay to project her own faults on another person. Sales isn't for everyone, and we understand that, but bow out gracefully instead of trying to make everyone else look bad and not taking repsonbility for your own actions.
Yes, Costco is aware of our business practices and knows what an upstanding family owned company we are, and that is why they keep inviting us back. They, too, are used to unreliable people, so they understand the challenges we face.
Jana
Saratoga,California,
Dolce Mia submits more lies
#5Author of original report
Wed, October 30, 2013
I cannot stop laughing - I worked 3 days and on one day I stepped away for 22 minutes to make a very important telephone call regarding a family matter. How many times did our "Senior Rep" leave to go smoke either in her car or in front of Costco with your Dolce Mia apron on - I just love my iPhone camera and video - so please quit the games. Dolce Mia has not paid one cent for my hours worked in the sweatshop conditions. Why are there other complaints stating similar issues.
The working atmosphere is hideous and the eye rolling from the "senior" sales bop got old quick - hence - decided to take photos and video shots. OH, I do agree with the senior rep, when she stated that a person should be paid for hours worked and all I asked for was to be paid for the hours I worked - no less - no more. So, much would be appreciated if my prompt payment for hours worked could be mailed - even though it is a month late. Is Costco aware of the Business & Professions practices of Dolce Mia?
Shawnte'
Fremont,California,
From the Senior Rep
#5UPDATE Employee
Tue, October 29, 2013
I am a Senior Sales Representitve for Dolce Mia @ Costco. I have been involved and worked many Roadshows and have also worked with person making this complaint.
Dolce Mia hires experienced Sales people based on the information they receive when their resumes are submitted and interviews are conducted. Dolce Mia's compensation is based on commission and it is clearly stated in the contract as such when an applicant agrees to work a Roadshow.
Most Sales Reps that work Costco Roadshows enjoy interacting with the public and love the product they sell. The owners of the company are very passionate about their product and truly appreciate and reward their employees for their hard work. They are very involved with the Roadshow process often working more than 15 hours everyday themselves. They listen and are very encouraging. Personally this has been the most challenging but also the most fun I have had in my entire sales career!
Becoming a Dolce Mia @ Costco Rep is not for everyone. I personally worked with the above person and as Trainer and Senior Rep had my reservations from the beginning. Reservations that I had expressed during my assesment of her with our Corporate offices. This Rep was unreliable and did not adhere not only to Dolce Mia employee policy but broke the Costco employee policy as well (wearing opened toed shoes is a safety issue and is a violation of the agreement between Dolce Mia and Costco) These policies are clearly stated in the Training material prior to working the Roadshow @ Costco.
She is correct to say that I stepped in when she was dealing with a customer. The reason being the information she was giving them was incorrect. She was in training and it is my job to make sure the customer receives the correct information and pricing of Dolce Mia products. I am not sure why she would go as far as to say that I was upset if she sold our product when I get paid on the end results and total sales of the Roadshow. It is in my best interest for her to sell!
On several occasions I wondered where she had dissapeard from the booth for very long periods of time.I had even went so far as to call our Corporate offices as she had been gone for 2 hours thinking she had left. When she returned she had explained that she was helping her daughter with a personal issue. A few days into the Roadshow, I received a call from this rep saying that she was stuck in Capatola as her purse was stolen and she was waiting for her mother to bring her keys.
I had several calls from this Rep promising to come into work to releive me. The last I heard is that she was driving in but had a breakdown on the highway due to the fact she lost her Rosary Beads given to her by her Aunt when her purse was stolen. She never showed and then completely stopped corresponding all together. She had been a no call, no show and I completed the Roadshow on my own.
Roadshows in itself are completely different from the mainstream Sales position. It is pretty much your own business as you are on commision based on your sales. We work as many hours as we need to make our commisions. Not only Dolce Mia but any Roadshow in Costco has the same protocol. It is by no means a "Sweatshop" We as Reps sign on to do a job and although it may not be for everyone, one does actually have to work to make any commision. I myself have been able to make an edequate living working for Dolce Mia. I also enjoy my 4 days off between Roadshows.
Working with Dolce Mia is what you make it. It is a fun, fast paced job with lots of rewards at the end if you work to produce results. If anyone has suffered due to an inconsiderate and unreliable Rep it would be myself. Bottom line, You can't get paid if you don't show up for work!