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  • Report:  #69686

Complaint Review: Fire Specialist

Fire Specialist, INC ripoff hiring scam Houston Texas

  • Reported By:
    Katy Texas
  • Submitted:
    Tue, October 21, 2003
  • Updated:
    Thu, February 17, 2005
  • Fire Specialist
    11211 Katy Fwy #310
    Houston, Texas
    U.S.A.
  • Phone:
    713-647-8632
  • Category:
*REBUTTAL Owner of company: By Law I do not even have to discuss this *Consumer Suggestion: Beware of ads for jobs that you have to pay to join, the registration fee is bogus as the sales kit. *Consumer Suggestion: Doesn't pay to get ripped off ! burned in the same fashion *REBUTTAL Owner of company: To Tom and the rest of you feeling sorry for yourselves *UPDATE EX-employee responds: Another Succer scammed by this company. Make money --Yeah right more like spend everything you have *Consumer Comment: Boguss, most homebased business's do not pay off unless your at the top *Consumer Comment: misinformed people out there, working their asses off for a pitance of a commision while you suck of their life's blood until they're dead or quit *Consumer Comment: Potential Employee, Decided to do Research, thank you ripoffreport.com *REBUTTAL Owner of company: response to the complainers, Cindy in New York. We have never met, and you have never worked for our corporation... *REBUTTAL Owner of company: response to the complainers, Cindy in New York. We have never met, and you have never worked for our corporation... *REBUTTAL Owner of company: response to the complainers, Cindy in New York. We have never met, and you have never worked for our corporation... *REBUTTAL Owner of company: CINDY--- YOU DID NOT PAY ! *Consumer Suggestion: how much do the people make who sell that crap? *UPDATE EX-employee responds: the only complaint you could have about me is that I left the company and stopped paying you *UPDATE Employee: I feel really bad for all those who got sucked in ..my advice *Consumer Comment: Should've done a criminal background check

I was ripped off by Fire Specialist, Inc. aCTUALLY IT WS MY SON. They got him to pay $60, and then they wanted him to pay $95 for a sales kit??? No way. The "Katy Office" of this company is run by BILL REID. He says I cna't do anything because he got my son to sign a paper saying that he knew the $ was non-refundable. He said they have a corporate office in Dallas 972-243-0940. THEY ARE A RIP_OFF

Sandra
Katy, Texas
U.S.A.

16 Updates & Rebuttals


Josh

Fort Worth,
Texas,
U.S.A.

Should've done a criminal background check

#17Consumer Comment

Wed, February 16, 2005

Concerning Mr. Camarillo, the former Mid-Cities (DFW) Office Mgr and self-expressed fire fighter, this link is a Nebraska sex-offenders site. I've been interviewed in the Mid-Cities Office, and the guy in the picture looks a lot like the Office Mgr who interviewed me. Below is the link:

http://www.nsp.state.ne.us/sor/Subject.cfm?vREGNUM=1999022FF

I wouldn't want to hire a registered sex offender to a company that holds private personal interviews. To the readers, judge for yourselves.


Somebody

DFW,
Texas,
U.S.A.

I feel really bad for all those who got sucked in ..my advice

#17UPDATE Employee

Mon, December 01, 2003

This is for anyone who got sucked in or are planning to be sucked in. My advice dont even waste your time and money if you read this message. This company is based on lies and false dreams from day one. Many of the success stories of people have been made up, they want you to feel that they are leading a high life, but on the other hand they are having problems such as, they cant even pay their employees the pay checks as their paychecks have been NSF(insufficient funds) for the last 3 months. Also they get annoyed and frustrated when the employees ask too many questions. As far as the NASCAR thing goes, they dont want the employees to know that the whole "sure thing " did not go through. This company probably has the highest turnover ratio as 90% of people who get hired leave the company within a week. If the company gave this much opportunity to the masses then why not have them as employees and not independent contractors. As far as the franchise fees goes in other company's, people know what they are getting into before they invest, but at fire specialist the trainees have no idea about that inorder to be earning $4000 a month they will have to invest a lot of money. If this information is mentioned in the intial interview then 99% of the trainees will not even have to think twice about not putting down $60 and $95. This is a pyramid kinda thing with the only people making money are the one who got in early and have a lot of spare money to stay in there.


Another

Austin/San Antonio,
Texas,
U.S.A.

the only complaint you could have about me is that I left the company and stopped paying you

#17UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sat, November 29, 2003

Didn't have much to say about my response did you Steve!! And why, because you know that what I have written is true.

Yeah sure some of the people you have employeed are making money. And I will tell you why, but first I have a few replies to your rebuttal.

First of all I think the only complaint you could have about me is that I left the company and stopped paying you. As far as the background check. Steve I can guarantee that at the time I worked there you flat out told me and the other trainees that were at your corporate office that day that you DO NOT run them. So you are either lying now or you were lying then. Which is it??? Not to mention that I hired on a couple of guys that would not have passed the background check and nothing was ever said. Or did those just slip through the cracks???

I say the things that I say because they are true. I have lost everything I had trying to make even a small amount of money working for your company.

You want proof of how much I have spent working for your company that I can arrange, if you are willing to reimburse me and my partner for all that we have spent. I have all of my receipts. Remember we were independant contractors and had to keep all of that for tax time. Or did you think we would forget about that.

As far as your nephew, I know his name, and his #. Maybe I was a bit hasty in thinking that he was no longer employeed by you, however when an attorney contacted me about a lawsuit placed on me by another employee burned by your company whom I had hired, he let it slip that Arnie also had a suit filed against him. Oops, am I hitting a little too close to home??

As far as you having 40 offices in 10 states, maybe now you do, but when I worked for you which was not that long ago you did not have even close to that count. The pins on the map were just another way to sucker people in.
Now for the BBB. This gold seal you are so proud of, you did not earn this. You bought it, you are a paid member. Paid members do not get as many reports filed as the non paid members. Most of America knows that.

I am not afraid to put my name on here. I am just embarassed to have been taken so advantage of that the world does not need to know my name.

Oh yes you mentioned Lu Burch. She used to own her own Car dealership remember. That is until her partner took her for everything she had. So she knows how to play your game.

As far as Brant, he is the only thing I will miss from your company. He is a good kid, but how long will his success last? Or will he be another Coleman Clark, or Stewart Little??

As far as me not working as hard as they did, that is crap. I busted my a*s in a poor town trying with everything I had to make it with your company. What happened to all the Corporate backing you promised. When I asked for help all I got were excuses of why I was being stood up by you, the CEO or Lu Birch, the Regional Dir. Not once did I truly see anyone lift a finger for anything other than to collect money. How about when I was stood up all those times? What was I supposed to tell my trainees? That, "Mr. Brom is sorry that he could not make it, but he is running another special just for this office". I sure as hell could not tell them the truth, that they meant nothing to the company other than to hand over their money. I failed because I didn't have the money to begin with to pay for what you call success.

What about Rose and Ann, what did they do wrong? Nothing, they just could not afford you either. Or how about Johnson, or Jones, was it the same there also? As far as giving up... I was forced to give up before I lost my home and car along with everything else! What are your employees supposed to do; not eat, sleep on the street and walk to work because some day they'll make a fortune. Bull!!!!!!!!!!!

Now for how your Managers are making money. I'm sure you already know, it is all in how much a Manager can spend to get started. If they have money for your company, then yes, they'll make money. Or if they take over an office that is already up and running then they too will probably be more successful than the rest.

But those of us who had to make it from scratch, on OUR OWN with NO CORPORATE SUPPORT, No Knowledge of HOW to Successfully Own, Operate, and FINANCE a company, We were destin to fail and you know it and thrived on it. And that is how you make the majority of your money - on others failures.


Cindy

Liverpool,
New York,
U.S.A.

how much do the people make who sell that crap?

#17Consumer Suggestion

Thu, November 27, 2003

For your information Steve...
I never said I worked for your company did I? NO, I said I went to the interview and was asked to pay. You can dream up and make up anything you want about my life, of which you know nothing. The ad in the paper said make $600 to start. Well now I am going to have to check this out, because my current job is just a little shy of that and it wouldn't hurt to check out an opportunity that sounds promising. For that matter, no one would pass up an opportunity to check out a promising new job lead.

Steve, how much do the people make who sell that crap? Hmmmm? I was told 10% of everything that I sold I could keep, and the rest goes to the office. Now according to your figures the Managers are making a lot of money. I can't imagine why. (Notice the sarcasm).

Now in order to make $600, I would have to sell $6000. worth of crap, do the math. $6000. minus $600 = $5,400. for the manager. Then substract the cost of each item that they paid for, which is about $12. a piece at 87 pieces, that = $1,044. That leaves them $4,356. Now multiply that by say 10 people and what do you have? $43,560. That is if those people can only sell $6000. worth of this stuff. (Mostly a lot less per week)

Now of course you have to subtract rent, a whopping $700. (median price here) You don't pay for payroll services for employees, they are independant contractors, (how convienient). You don't have to pay for health insurance, you don't pay mileage, you don't reimburse for gas, you don't pay sick or holidays, you don't pay into disability for the workers, you don't carry insurance for them if they get injured or beat up on the job, need I go on? Do I need to explain to you that the person selling this stuff is barely making a living while you (as I said ealier) suck their lifes blood out until they die or quit?

The only thing you have to worry about is the kick backs to the people who placed you in that office in the first place. (now I could be wrong about the kick backs, you could just be paying a fee to stay affiliated with the mother company) So yeah, you could say that you make a decent living, but what about the people who sell it?

And, frankly, that is who I am talking to and about. Not you and your "nice living" at the expense of another human being.

PS This country is based on the freedom of speech, are you telling me that I can not tell people how it was explained to me exactly? I have nothing to hide, do you?

I will say again I NEVER WORKED for your company, and never claimed to work for your company. Even if I did, you wouldn't know, because I would not be an employee of your company. You would not have to access to such information. Remeber, I would have been listed as an independent contractor.


Steve

Farmers Branch,
Texas,
U.S.A.

CINDY--- YOU DID NOT PAY !

#17REBUTTAL Owner of company

Wed, November 26, 2003

Cindy, I'm glad you did not pay as you have stated in your last complaint, then why are you complaining ? Maybe you need to go to college, spend about 20,000.00 get out and then told you have to spend another 4-years in college so you can actually have a chance to get the career you have tried so hard for, the sleepless nights, the endless tests, and classes, the endless costs of tuition, and books, and working another job while you put yourself through school, to either DROP-OUT as most do, or never do anything with their degree, because after all the time they spent, after all the $$$$ they spent, they end up working back where they were before they began college, and possibly later in life, they try once again to finish, or take more classes, and spend more $$$ so they might possibly have the chance to get that career, Oh.... If they are in the TOP 2% OF THEIR GRADUATING CLASS... Oh, and did the college tell you before you began , that there are over HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF COLLEGES TEACHING THE SAME COURSE ???? OH,,,, THEN THERES THE MILLIONS, UPON MILLIONS OF STUDENTS THAT GRADUATED JUST AS YOU HAVE, ALL TRYING FOR THE FEW JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE !!! Maybe you should write a complaint about the colleges in this country, and how much $$$$ YOUNG INDIVIDUALS ARE PROMISED THAT "DROP OUT" AND THE SCHOOLS KEEP 90% OF THE $$$$, THAT'S A BUSINESS IN ITSELF ! Maybe you should look at all the things you have done in your lifetime that you were unaware of that cost you extra $$$$$, like buying a car, Oh, you felt you got a good deal ! Ha, My VP used to work in a dealership, a HUGE one, One of the TOP 3 automakers, how do you think they make their $$$$, Financing ? YES, Aftermarket ? YES, A good example ( We had just went and purchased tickets for the Thanksgiving game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins, Tickets are $95.00 plus Tax, But on the ticket it is printed $35.00, OH MY, THIS INDIVIDUAL MADE $60.00 a ticket, he spent $700.00 and made $ 1,900.00 on them, It's a shame that Superbowl Tickets in Houston go for MINIMUM $2,000.00 each and Lower Level is $ 5,000.00 each. yet they bought them for what, $250.00 each.... So, maybe we should all get together and write a report !!!! So, I ask, Did you really get what you paid for ? and how about those designer jeans, that cost them $2.00 because they bought them from another country, sewed their designer label on and you paid $45.00 for them. You should think of all the times you went to work, and the company paid you guy's for a full days work and because you did'nt feel good you put in really 1/2 the work, or called off and collected sick-pay when you really went to a concert, or a party, Well ! How dare you, you were dishonest, There has'nt been a perfect man to walk this earth for over two-thousand years, and look what we have done to him. I sincerely hope you find what you are looking for and you become successful, and if you are already successful, I hope you become more successful. as for our company, we will continue to grow, and build, and continue to help save people's lives. It's almost fuunny, Frances Buckley a Fire Marshal loves what we do, he said and I quote " when were called it's too late, most lives could have been spared by education alone" . And our Managers and a Newly promoted Regional Director in the Kansas City area is still an active Firefighter, on call. see, he believes what we do, he has a mission, not only to help individuals that may need a better life, but they never had the chance, they never had the chance to go to college, and he get's to place products (life saving products) in their homes and businesses,that's pretty powerful coming from someone who has pulled people from burning buildings. Oh, and then there's the Manager in Mid-Cities who has received not only an early retirement from the city, but commendation for putting his own life in danger for the saving of another. and guess what, he's an office manager here ! and becoming a Regional Director. Yes, we have managers that have MBA's, Ex-Business Owners, College Graduates, and GED's. Your past does not control your future, unless you permit it to. So there's a side of Fire Specialist, Inc. that none of you really know, but how quick to makle a judgement, to jump on the bandwagon, because we have 6-complaints, and there are hundreds of people that are thankful that they have found Fire Specialist, Inc. and that they can actually have the training on a day-to-day basis at NO Charge, maybe we should have just went out and charged them $150,000.00 FOR A FRANCHISE, and then when they don't succeed they are out all that too ! So let's not talk about a scam here, maybe we should talk about the schools, the colleges, the beauty consultant companies, that you pay $120.00 for their sales kit and then if you are not active in 3-months you have to buy another kit, and what about the thousands of women that do this ? and lose it all.


Steve

Farmers Branch,
Texas,
U.S.A.

response to the complainers, Cindy in New York. We have never met, and you have never worked for our corporation...

#17REBUTTAL Owner of company

Wed, November 26, 2003

You know that all you individuals have your little complaints, as we do about each and everyone of you. Cindy in New York. We have never met, and you have never worked for our corporation... you say that you have worked for a company like ours, well. was it ours ? then it has nothing to do with us. As far as the individual that talks about his letter to "Dear Mom" This individual does'nt even know the company we use for our checking of the backgrounds, so how can you say the things you say, because you feel this way? Do you have any written proof? share it! Secondly, you speak of how you were drained 13,000.00 ? Show me the proof, how about some receipts ! And as far as you stating about my nephew not working for us ? That's funny, he's still running an office! Why don't you call him his name is Arnie (972) 243-9040. As far as 33-offices ? YOU'RE WRONG ! we now have 40 In 10-States... In Business for 5-years ? ONCE AGAIN WRONG !!! APRIL WILL BE 6-YEARS ! It's almost funny, the same BBB we are members of "Gold Reliability Seal" you folks slam, yet who do you call to find out things about a company ? WHY ? you don't believe in them, so why contact them for information ? It's almost sad that you can be so upset, and some of you write your big bad complaint, like the one to "Dear MOM" yet you are so afraid to put your name on it. WHY ? You're an ex-employee remember ! And as far as only in my head ? then you had better tell those that are successful that it's only in the heads of 40 managers, Oh, and then theres the Lady Ms. LU Burch, whom has gone through the training program, just as you were trained and not only was a successful manager and then Regional, But is NOW THE VP.OF OUR MOTORSPORTS DIVISION @ $ 100,000.00 INCOME PER YEAR I MIGHT AD, WANT THE PROOF ? GO LOOK AT HER NEW HOME SHE JUST BOUGHT, Oh, and then there's Brant Baudoin, Who answered the same ad you have, ran a successful office, and now A REGIONAL DIRECTOR. and what about Henry Trinh, getting promoted to a REGIONAL DIRECTOR, and there's many many more, Brandon Camarillo, Heidi Adams, Jennifer DiMaria, Andy Oreskovich, ALL MANAGERS WHO HAVE BEEN PROMOTED TO OFFICE MANAGERS AND ARE NOW REGIONAL DIRECTOR CANDIDATES, (IN TRAINING). So, maybe you just did'nt work as hard as they did. And there's many many more managers, NOT EVEN REGIONAL CANDIDATES ! that are very successful here. Male, Female, Young, Old, Black, White, Hispanic, they have the desire, they did not give up, they listened and learned the business, they did not take time off and not care about their trainees, See, when the end of the year comes, if you want, we will post the managers 1040's, so you can see what was actually tearned into the GOVERNMENT, IRS...... And you know what ? some of you still will have some sad little things to say. As far as the individual from Farmers Branch, that had the great advice for me, I thank you, and I apologize if I was rude to you, in no way did I personally mean to disrupt your feelings. So, you may say what you will about the corporation, myself, But remember this: All a Corporation has to do is show a loss of business due to your remarks, and that is slander. Do what you will, but as for this nonsense of writing your reports, continue, I have no more time to play these little games while rip-off reports makes $$$ for every rebuttal we make. And there are a few guy's in Arizona, Pa. or wherever, laughing their asses off, because they are making a ton of $$$ to make you think you are accomplishing something here. I wish you well, and God Bless. Maybe 2004, will bring you fortune, and a career, or it might bring you writing about another company, because you were taken advantage of once again.


Steve

Farmers Branch,
Texas,
U.S.A.

response to the complainers, Cindy in New York. We have never met, and you have never worked for our corporation...

#17REBUTTAL Owner of company

Wed, November 26, 2003

You know that all you individuals have your little complaints, as we do about each and everyone of you. Cindy in New York. We have never met, and you have never worked for our corporation... you say that you have worked for a company like ours, well. was it ours ? then it has nothing to do with us. As far as the individual that talks about his letter to "Dear Mom" This individual does'nt even know the company we use for our checking of the backgrounds, so how can you say the things you say, because you feel this way? Do you have any written proof? share it! Secondly, you speak of how you were drained 13,000.00 ? Show me the proof, how about some receipts ! And as far as you stating about my nephew not working for us ? That's funny, he's still running an office! Why don't you call him his name is Arnie (972) 243-9040. As far as 33-offices ? YOU'RE WRONG ! we now have 40 In 10-States... In Business for 5-years ? ONCE AGAIN WRONG !!! APRIL WILL BE 6-YEARS ! It's almost funny, the same BBB we are members of "Gold Reliability Seal" you folks slam, yet who do you call to find out things about a company ? WHY ? you don't believe in them, so why contact them for information ? It's almost sad that you can be so upset, and some of you write your big bad complaint, like the one to "Dear MOM" yet you are so afraid to put your name on it. WHY ? You're an ex-employee remember ! And as far as only in my head ? then you had better tell those that are successful that it's only in the heads of 40 managers, Oh, and then theres the Lady Ms. LU Burch, whom has gone through the training program, just as you were trained and not only was a successful manager and then Regional, But is NOW THE VP.OF OUR MOTORSPORTS DIVISION @ $ 100,000.00 INCOME PER YEAR I MIGHT AD, WANT THE PROOF ? GO LOOK AT HER NEW HOME SHE JUST BOUGHT, Oh, and then there's Brant Baudoin, Who answered the same ad you have, ran a successful office, and now A REGIONAL DIRECTOR. and what about Henry Trinh, getting promoted to a REGIONAL DIRECTOR, and there's many many more, Brandon Camarillo, Heidi Adams, Jennifer DiMaria, Andy Oreskovich, ALL MANAGERS WHO HAVE BEEN PROMOTED TO OFFICE MANAGERS AND ARE NOW REGIONAL DIRECTOR CANDIDATES, (IN TRAINING). So, maybe you just did'nt work as hard as they did. And there's many many more managers, NOT EVEN REGIONAL CANDIDATES ! that are very successful here. Male, Female, Young, Old, Black, White, Hispanic, they have the desire, they did not give up, they listened and learned the business, they did not take time off and not care about their trainees, See, when the end of the year comes, if you want, we will post the managers 1040's, so you can see what was actually tearned into the GOVERNMENT, IRS...... And you know what ? some of you still will have some sad little things to say. As far as the individual from Farmers Branch, that had the great advice for me, I thank you, and I apologize if I was rude to you, in no way did I personally mean to disrupt your feelings. So, you may say what you will about the corporation, myself, But remember this: All a Corporation has to do is show a loss of business due to your remarks, and that is slander. Do what you will, but as for this nonsense of writing your reports, continue, I have no more time to play these little games while rip-off reports makes $$$ for every rebuttal we make. And there are a few guy's in Arizona, Pa. or wherever, laughing their asses off, because they are making a ton of $$$ to make you think you are accomplishing something here. I wish you well, and God Bless. Maybe 2004, will bring you fortune, and a career, or it might bring you writing about another company, because you were taken advantage of once again.


Steve

Farmers Branch,
Texas,
U.S.A.

response to the complainers, Cindy in New York. We have never met, and you have never worked for our corporation...

#17REBUTTAL Owner of company

Wed, November 26, 2003

You know that all you individuals have your little complaints, as we do about each and everyone of you. Cindy in New York. We have never met, and you have never worked for our corporation... you say that you have worked for a company like ours, well. was it ours ? then it has nothing to do with us. As far as the individual that talks about his letter to "Dear Mom" This individual does'nt even know the company we use for our checking of the backgrounds, so how can you say the things you say, because you feel this way? Do you have any written proof? share it! Secondly, you speak of how you were drained 13,000.00 ? Show me the proof, how about some receipts ! And as far as you stating about my nephew not working for us ? That's funny, he's still running an office! Why don't you call him his name is Arnie (972) 243-9040. As far as 33-offices ? YOU'RE WRONG ! we now have 40 In 10-States... In Business for 5-years ? ONCE AGAIN WRONG !!! APRIL WILL BE 6-YEARS ! It's almost funny, the same BBB we are members of "Gold Reliability Seal" you folks slam, yet who do you call to find out things about a company ? WHY ? you don't believe in them, so why contact them for information ? It's almost sad that you can be so upset, and some of you write your big bad complaint, like the one to "Dear MOM" yet you are so afraid to put your name on it. WHY ? You're an ex-employee remember ! And as far as only in my head ? then you had better tell those that are successful that it's only in the heads of 40 managers, Oh, and then theres the Lady Ms. LU Burch, whom has gone through the training program, just as you were trained and not only was a successful manager and then Regional, But is NOW THE VP.OF OUR MOTORSPORTS DIVISION @ $ 100,000.00 INCOME PER YEAR I MIGHT AD, WANT THE PROOF ? GO LOOK AT HER NEW HOME SHE JUST BOUGHT, Oh, and then there's Brant Baudoin, Who answered the same ad you have, ran a successful office, and now A REGIONAL DIRECTOR. and what about Henry Trinh, getting promoted to a REGIONAL DIRECTOR, and there's many many more, Brandon Camarillo, Heidi Adams, Jennifer DiMaria, Andy Oreskovich, ALL MANAGERS WHO HAVE BEEN PROMOTED TO OFFICE MANAGERS AND ARE NOW REGIONAL DIRECTOR CANDIDATES, (IN TRAINING). So, maybe you just did'nt work as hard as they did. And there's many many more managers, NOT EVEN REGIONAL CANDIDATES ! that are very successful here. Male, Female, Young, Old, Black, White, Hispanic, they have the desire, they did not give up, they listened and learned the business, they did not take time off and not care about their trainees, See, when the end of the year comes, if you want, we will post the managers 1040's, so you can see what was actually tearned into the GOVERNMENT, IRS...... And you know what ? some of you still will have some sad little things to say. As far as the individual from Farmers Branch, that had the great advice for me, I thank you, and I apologize if I was rude to you, in no way did I personally mean to disrupt your feelings. So, you may say what you will about the corporation, myself, But remember this: All a Corporation has to do is show a loss of business due to your remarks, and that is slander. Do what you will, but as for this nonsense of writing your reports, continue, I have no more time to play these little games while rip-off reports makes $$$ for every rebuttal we make. And there are a few guy's in Arizona, Pa. or wherever, laughing their asses off, because they are making a ton of $$$ to make you think you are accomplishing something here. I wish you well, and God Bless. Maybe 2004, will bring you fortune, and a career, or it might bring you writing about another company, because you were taken advantage of once again.


Adrian

Austin,
Texas,
U.S.A.

Potential Employee, Decided to do Research, thank you ripoffreport.com

#17Consumer Comment

Sat, November 22, 2003

I went on an interview with one of the offices in this company, in Texas, yesterday. I was basically "blown away" by the unbelievable incentives, positive energy, and professional-sounding credibility of this company; given to me by the "Manager in Training".

I was shown a brief (and a bit confusing) video about what fires and smoke can do; as well as given a brief demonstration about how the products (non-toxic, I was told) retard flames. I have to say, I was very impressed.

I filled out the application, and after the interviewer looked over my resume and I shared my employment history verbally, I was then asked why the company should hire me. I gave this individual my reasons, and was "hired" immediately.......I was told, because I was exactly the type of person they were looking for.

Then, I was told about the fact that the company would need to run a background-check on me. I was fine with that; however, I was told I would have to pay 1/2 ($60) for said check, to show I was really serious about joining their "winning team". I was also told, that after a "Saturday training", I would have to put down a deposit of $95 for their training kit, which would be returned to me with an additional $95 from the manager, when I received my first paycheck.

I didn't have any of the money with me, and was a bit taken a-back by the latter information. I was told I could come back next week with the $60, and then get started. I then went home, a bit befuddled by my meeting, and decided to do some "background checking" myself. I not only found this site (among others), but also the main website. I found that the focus was not about selling fire safety products, but about training and recruiting people. There aren't even product descriptions, or a way to buy the products online. Most professional businesses that have websites have a way for consumers to direct order.

I also couldn't understand why a company would ask anyone to pay for the backround check, because, if a company wants that information, they usually pay for it. I've had them run on me before, and in the last year. In no instance was I asked to pay for them. I also did research and found out that you can get an official report from the State of Texas for $15.

I am so glad I followed my "gut instincts" and did some research, before I signed any contracts with this company. I also plan to contact area newspapers running the ads, give them the information I found, let them do some reasearch, and then decide whether they should continue running ads, based on what they find. Thanks for being here, "ripoffreport.com", and thanks to those who left valuable information for my consideration.:)


Cindy

Liverpool,
New York,
U.S.A.

misinformed people out there, working their asses off for a pitance of a commision while you suck of their life's blood until they're dead or quit

#17Consumer Comment

Fri, November 21, 2003

For your information Steve, I DID NOT PAY!!!
and as for making money HAHA! How much do you really have? Can you make ends meet?

If you can, there are a lot of misinformed people out there, working their asses off for a pitance of a commision while you suck of their life's blood until they're dead or quit.

Some of us do see through your scam, and yes it is a scam, and some don't. Just because a person does not see through your lying, cheating scam at first, (illegal pyramid scheme) does not mean that they deserve the treatment you and your so called "companies" should give and get away with it.

I could lump you in with ds-max, because it sounds like you modeled yourself after them. Do you have juicey sales meetings too?

So Steve, before you open your uniformed mouth, don't lump us all into one category, it just shows how truly unintelligent you really are. I know that I sleep without a guilty conscience, do you?

For everyone else: When you go to a job interview that is falsely listed in your paper, report it to the advertising dept of the paper listing the job. I have started do it just to piss people off like Steve. So far I have turned 3 companies in this week and last week. I do have a job, but I do this on the side so that other people who haven't a clue are not duped or screwed out of their hard earned money.

You know how us COWS just love to be herded, right Stevie? Well this COW is breaking up that stampede any way she can, and hopefully will make a dent in the way those buttholes do business!!!

So Kiss My Lily White you know what!!!!!


Noel

FarmersBranch,
Texas,
U.S.A.

Boguss, most homebased business's do not pay off unless your at the top

#17Consumer Comment

Thu, November 20, 2003

Dear Steve

I live in Farmers Branch and have done a little research your a home based business not a large company and most homebased business's do not pay off unless your at the top. which you most likly are. and to tell people that they were idiots is not very good for business and take advantage of people when they need jobs especially in this day and age when unemployement is so high.

I have talked with you before online and it seems that you haven't changed or ever while you were rude then you are rude now. And yes I do own my own business and I can tell you word of mouth can either help your business or hurt it and being rude to people will deffinitly hurt it no matter what type of business your in. I wish you luck and good fortune in your business but I think you need to adjust your way of dealing with people no matter how frustrating they can be.


Another Succer

Austin/San Antonio,
Texas,
U.S.A.

Another Succer scammed by this company. Make money --Yeah right more like spend everything you have

#17UPDATE EX-employee responds

Thu, November 20, 2003

Dear Mon:

I too was employed by this company. This background check that costs $60.00 sure whatever. They dont even do a background check. 1/2 of that money goes right back to the manager that hired that person. The other half goes into Steves pocket. The $95.00 kit fee, this is a crock. $30.00 of this goes back to the manager and hmmm I wonder where the rest goes. As far as this being refundable, "Only if you complete their training program and become a manager is this refundable. And the training program is a crock in itself. All you do is sell more for the company, and learn how to lie to other people to get them to do the same thing. Ok, so now as a trainee, you have spent $155.00 when your done you get back $95.00. Ok so you are only really spending $60.00 at this point. On graduation you have to spend another $3,000.00 for their starter kit, then a deposit on your office space $$$$$ monthly rent $$$$ then furniture $$$$$ then phones $$$$$ then a receptionist $$$$$ gas getting back and forth to work $$$$, then you get started. My first real check with this company was $60.00. Oh yeah I was rakin in the big bucks at that point. The most I made in the 6 months I worked for this sham of a company was probably about $600.00 But I spent around 13,000 DRAINED EVERYTHING I had because I tried to stick it out. Steve says and I quote" WE HAVE 100 -TIMES AS MANY SUCCESSFUL MANAGERS AND TRAINEES GETTING EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE TOLD THEY WOULD" Only in your head Steve. You only supposedly have 33 offices in 9 different states remember. I don't even think you have that many. At the corporate managers meeting where all the states and offices got together there were not even 33 managers there. More like 12- 15 so Steve Brom get off your lying high horse and do something honest for a change. You talk to much and give out way to much information to your trainees. As far as you being in business for 5 years. Give it time you will soon fall. Your too heavy for that pedastool you have yourself and company on. It will soon break and fall. No wonder even your nephew quit. I can't beleive you would do that to your family as well as hard working citizens just trying to survive. So mom, I apoligise for what happened to your son, there are a lot of us out there though. So try to be glad that he only lost out on a few dollars compared to those of us that lost out on a few thousand dollars. Not to mention what am I supposed to do with all this junk now.


Steve

Farmers Branch,
Texas,
U.S.A.

To Tom and the rest of you feeling sorry for yourselves

#17REBUTTAL Owner of company

Sat, November 15, 2003

First Off, Every One of you were told UP FRONT
EXACTLY WHAT WAS REQUIRED OF YOU, NEXT : EACH ONE WAS TOLD EXACTLY WHAT WAS REQUIRED OF YOU IN A SALES KIT , ETC. BEFORE I MIGHT AD..... ANY MONEY CHANGED HANDS, AND YOU INITIALED THIS !!!!
DO YOU b***h ABOUT A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT ON AN APARTMENT TOO WHEN YOU DON'T GET IT ? WELL THEN GO DO SOMETHING WITH YOU LIFE AND QUIT FEELING SORRY FOR YOURSELF. RIP-OFF ? WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 5 YEARS, AND AS AN UPSTANDING CORPORATION IN THE COMMUNITIES WE ARE IN. ALSO I MIGHT AD, WE DO ALOT OF CHAIRITY WORK, WHICH I'LL JUST BET NONE OF YOU HAVE, SO WHEN YOU START GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITIES, AND START HELPING PEOPLE, THEN YOU CAN GHAVE SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. WE HAVE 100 -TIMES AS MANY SUCCESSFUL MANAGERS AND TRAINEES GETTING EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE TOLD THEY WOULD. A LONG TERM CAREER, ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND ALL BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GIVE UP ON THEMSELVES, THEY ARE NOT POOR PITIFUL QUITTERS. AND THEY WENT ON TO BECOME SOMETHING, RATHER THAN SITTING AND MOANING ABOUT THEIR POOR PITIFUL LIFE AND HOW EVERYONE TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THEM , BOO-h*o.


Tom

San Antonio,
Texas,
U.S.A.

Doesn't pay to get ripped off ! burned in the same fashion

#17Consumer Suggestion

Thu, November 13, 2003

Dear Mom,

I was too burned in the same fashion. Actually my gut told me not to pay anything and to walk away, but I was desperate. So I did pay hoping to get a good job that i needed. Alot of people seem to get ripped when they are the most vulnerable and that is so sad. Funeral homes is an example of that sadness. Sure you need a job, no problem, sign here you desperate thing, and give me your money and then we will promise you the world. Actually it is kinda like bug spray. Here little roach, do you like the smell of this plastic home, come on it, have a little taste won't cha', and then all of a sudden "wham mo" the roach is dazzed. Hit from behind with the reality of it all. He was scammed into thinking he was going to get to eat, but he got burned. All i can say is the worse an economy gets the more we will see this vicious preditors out there. Well one day they will all be standing in front of their maker, naked, and scared of what is facing them. haha to all of you scam sters. What you should do fire safety man is give these people back their hard earned, Jobless money back and restructure your sorry campain because it is not the right way to go about hiring people. If you are really honest you would. I would not want to be your manager anyway doing this to people that need work. Even if it was right and you were not burning people. Wow...your in the business of putting out fires but you seem like you burn them once they work for you.

Cool concept


Cindy

Liverpool,
New York,
U.S.A.

Beware of ads for jobs that you have to pay to join, the registration fee is bogus as the sales kit.

#17Consumer Suggestion

Tue, November 11, 2003

Dear Mom,

We have this scam running in NY too. Inform everyone, that the registration fee is bogus as the sales kit.

Live and learn, but it sure sucks to get burned by these so called companies.


Steve

Farmers Branch,
Texas,
U.S.A.

By Law I do not even have to discuss this

#17REBUTTAL Owner of company

Sat, November 08, 2003

Dear Maam in Katy, Tx.
First Off, you Son answered an ad, and was told everything "UP FRONT" on the conversation, if he was accepted he would be required to place a Registration fee of $60.00. Now before he placed "ANY MONIES" at all, he had to understand that he would be required to place a "Refundable": deposit on a sales kit, which "HE INITIALED BEFORE ANY FUNDS CHANGED HANDS".

Also, He is over 18 years of age,I notice that he is not the one making the complaint, His Mother is.

Which By Law I do not even have to discuss this matter any further, and I will not.

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