New Age Management - Scentura Unethical Hiring Business Scam on Youth ripoff Tulsa Oklahoma
I'm writing this on behalf of my daughter, who will probably be upset at me but if it keeps another kid from falling into this trap it's worth it.
At 18, she replied to a print advertisement for entry level management/office position that guaranteed 35k a year, no sales and a fun working environment. First interview was a group interview.. very little interviewing taking place.
For the most part, the interviewers were "cool" and promised ridiculously unattainable financial gain, particularly for the Tulsa area for a person with no formal education. First, their marks were to "train" for this higher level positions. This training was to be paid. There was no initial hiring paperwork filled out, although insurance was guaranteed also. No breakdown of hourly wages.. No paperwork, nada.
When I asked my daughter for details, she wasn't really sure what to say as it sounded like these scammers move so swiftly through their little "verbal sell" that they keep their victims rather confused on detail.
Now, during the initial day of "Training", their victims were to follow the FFAR plan. Sell this bogus perfume to family, friends, etc. It was for a contest that never came to fruition, go figure. Next, the "Paid Training" commenced in the field. Beating on doors, going to businesses. Each "sell" was a $5 in the pocket of the "Trainee". This still isn't adding up to 35k a year, huh?
The scammers inform their victims that it isn't necessary to have sales permits, which puts their people in great danger of arrest or fine. Strangely, they do have them sign "independent contractor" agreements, which take the responsibility off of the business and put it squarely on the shoulders of the "employee". Now, at 38 years old, I've been around the block, but the majority of 18ish year old individuals are utterly clueless on the ramifications of these unethical methods. It's extremely deceptive how these companies feed these young people this "Fun, Fun, Fun" bunk while bottomfeeding from their hardwork.
My daughter was so upbeat and confident over this entire job opportunity. I am extremely upset that she wasted two weeks of her life on this, and that she was made to feel foolish for buying into their deception.
Next, these wonderful business trips. Now, this is where it really begins to piss me off as a mother. My daughter is coerced into taking her own vehicle out of state. The "sales group/crew,whatever" is going to pay for the lodging and gas. If so reputable and real, why didn't these morons rent a car as a business expense? Before this weekend adventure was over, my daughter had her car towed, her purse stolen from her car and the car wrecked. On the return trip, she dropped off the others on an empty tank of gas. They didn't offer to put one dime back in this child's tank. Nada..
The "brains" of this particular Scentura scam goes by Tammy (Last Name Unknown). I believe "scam artist" and is a better title for her position. I do hope the watchdogs in the Tulsa area put this bunch out of business before they decieve other individuals. I know my daughter is now in more of a financial situation than she started in due to this outfit's unethical practices.
Sadly, youth gets so exuberant it makes mistakes, but should my daughter have been given the "name" of this company upfront them a quick web search would have revealed the nature of the beast. So please, get your FACTS before you tie yourself into a job that sounds "TOO" good. Name, address, phone and owner/CEO of company. Don't do anything without filling out the proper HR forms. Etc.
If it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck and looks like a duck. It's probably a d**n duck.. So go with your gut instinct rather than unrealistic expectations promised by strangers.
Tammy F
Tulsa, Oklahoma
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Scentura Creations
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Mike
Walla Walla,Washington,
U.S.A.
Same Story Differnt SCAM!!
#3Consumer Comment
Fri, July 28, 2006
Tammy your daughter is one of many that fall for this con. Its no different than the kids traveling nationwide selling magazines door to door. All the managers in business like these are greedy, evil individuals. The sad thing is you could tell every watchdog group in the world and nothing will be done. I started in the door to door magazine sales business in 1989(Regretably) and worked in it off and on until a couple years ago(finally unbrainwashed myself and got a real job).
I have no doubt that if not for your sceptisim she would have stayed at it alot longer. I'm not saying your daughter is not intellegent enough to figure it out herself but what most parents dont relize is young people but up with these "bosses" because they are together with a group of people there own age away from mom and dad. Without being there I can tell you there is a very good chance that every night she was away she and her peers partied it up.
These scams will always be profitable for the person running the show because they can always hide behind the good ole' "Independant Contractor Agreement" and alot of laywers. We would sell magazine subscribtions to people for 20-100 dollars for a year or two and a 5-8(changed over the years)HANDLING FEE which the full amount was pocketed by the company owners and manager that ran "the crew". Magazines then and now cost the company anywere from 50-3.00 a year. Like your daughter needing to use her own car to travel we paid 1/3 of our hotel room cost per day(12/day). Lucky for us we used company vehicles. Anyway my point is this goes on in every city and state in america. Whether its magazines,perfume,vaccums ect...the only one getting paid is the Man In Charge.
Tammy
Lake Hopatcong,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Afterthought
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, July 27, 2006
I wrote the original post, and ten minutes later thought of something else disturbing to add to it.
Now, when my daughter was told she would be going out of state on a business trip, I was concerned. I asked her to please contact me and let me know where she was staying, etc.. Contact information. I received no call. Now, understandly, the ultimate responsibility is on her shoulders as she is a young adult, but she later informed me that they are told they are not allowed to use their cell phones while working (and their working hours, unpaid I might add, had evolved into dawn to dusk), as it creates an unprofessional appearance.
Please.. How professional is pandering perfume to begin with? And worse, when I *did* contact her while she was away she only spoke to me for a few brief moments and said she had to go as if she'd be getting in trouble.
So.. for parents, etc. concerned.. this outfit's tactics, which seem to be scripted and textbook by the internet material available on Scentura scammers, could potentially be dangerous to your loved one.