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  • Report:  #113408

Complaint Review: Northern Lights Design Val Lesh

Northern Lights Design Val Lesh, Partners LLC Greg Fergel, Katie Lane Set up a 23 year old boy and ruined his carrer! Plus Val Lesh has not payed her taxes in 7 years grossing about $500,000.00 a year. Rosemont Illinois

  • Reported By:
    chicago Illinois
  • Submitted:
    Mon, October 18, 2004
  • Updated:
    Sat, November 21, 2015
  • Northern Lights Design Val Lesh
    5240 N Pearl St.
    Rosemont, Illinois
    U.S.A.
  • Phone:
    847-671-9898
  • Category:

First I would like to name the corporation that is running all of these businesses witch is Partners LLC (Atlanta, GA), North Star Design (Seattle, WA), and Northern Lights (Chicago, IL). This company hires people without telling them what the job is, there add says that you can make $400-$600 dollars a week salary, but the job is commion based and they make you work 11 hours a day plus some weekends. This is a door-to-door sales company, that sales artwork out of the back of their cars. I'm sure you have seen them. Do not ever work for these people they do allot of illegal things and work you to death for there own benefit all they want to do is make money off of you! They also say that in one year you will be able to run your own business but they are lying. It took about 4-5 years. What they do is partner you up with some else who owns the business then unlawfully pay you half of the profit. They do not work with any business licenses, and from what I have sceen from the office in Chicago they do not even pay taxes. Tax fraud is a very serious crime and you really do not want to get mixed up in that, if you do you could go to jail (there has been about 12 people who have been arrested already), but they do not tell you that. I know all of this because my friend and I use to work there. He worked there for 5 years before he was promoted, we found out all of the illegal stuff they were doing when he was promoted.

In the five years that he worked there he did everything and anything for this company. He moved across country 5 times, they didn't even pay for him to move. He build 4 different offices and worked from 8:00am - 7:00pm Monday through Friday, plus some weekends. I know that it was his choice to work there but he was only an 18-year-old boy and they took advantage of him. He should have never had to pay thousands of dollars to move for a company 5 times. Plus he was arrested and they didn't even pay his ticket, they acted like nothing happened. The day he was fired (on a Sunday) the owner of the Seattle branch (Branka Nackanishi) took $1000.00 out of his check for moving to Chicago to help them with a struggling office.

Also the other owner of the Seattle office (Greg Frugal) was the one who fired him, but if he is a business owner how can you be fired. I talked to one of our friends that work there and he told us that Greg Fregel called him on Sunday after they fired Dan and said "We Fired the bastured!" I don't believe this is was a decision to welfare the business. From his words it is obvious this was an emotional threat from both Valerie Lesh, Greg Fregel, Branka Nakanishi and Katie Lane.

The whole thing started when Dan and an other coworker stayed late to go over a couple things. When they were leaving the office they noticed that Katie Lanes window was rolled down and there was about $3000.00 worth of Art Work in her car. So Dan called her and she was mad at him for calling her and said "what should I do im in traffic!"

So the other guy rolled her window up to help her and the next day Katie Lane called Branka and Greg and said "I feel violated because someone was in my car." Not even thinking that they were trying to help her. So Greg and Beranka called Dan and started getting made at him for helping her, and he was fired for trying to help her out. The owner of the Chicago office, her name is Val Lesh she was doing things that I couldn't believe. She has been running a illegal business for 7 years and she has never paid her tax's also she does not own a car she take the company money and rents a car for the last 2 years so she can not be tracked.

Also she has employees and she does not pay their taxes and does not send out W2 forms. That is the craziest thing I have every heard of. The biggest thing is that she pays some else half of the profits with out claiming anything on her taxes and does not report that person to the government. Her company receives mostly cash for there sales but there are some check and credit cards. To make this clear, Northern Lights Design is only company that I know with out a doubt that is committing tax aviation.

I'm not sure about the other companies, but the other companies are the ones who tought Valerie Lesh to run her business this way. Altogether the office in Chicago it self is making about a half a million dollars a year illegally. So all together the whole industry is making about 7million dollars a year tax-free. I urge you not to get tangled up in this scam.

Angie
chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.

22 Updates & Rebuttals


Irrelevant

Irrelevant ,
Alabama,
USA

Gregg

#23UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sat, November 21, 2015

 I often refer to Gregg as the cat hearder of widbey island when I recall our misadventures. Miss the guy. Good times in my life. Memories I'll never forget. Although it took a while to remember them at first. Wonder if he still has my beretta. All you should lighten up. In general. Peace


Unknown

Chicago,
Illinois,
United States of America

Six years have passed. Same story!

#23UPDATE EX-employee responds

Mon, February 15, 2010

Has anyone noticed that the original post was filed 6 years ago? It appears that little has changed and the same shady practices continue.

Anyone who is trying to refute the original complaint has no ground to stand on.  Most of you were not even employed by this company in 2004.  Yes, it looks like some things have changed including the interviewing process but if the only defense you have for the company is that the people who have a complaint are not credible because of poor grammar, or as one said "sour grapes", then you really should read everything again.
You obviously missed the point. Good luck!


Nate

United States of America

thanx for mentioning me....

#23UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sat, December 05, 2009

I just googled Saratoga Designs. I'm a former employee of this company, and I was trying to find their number to contact Greg to ask for a reference, as well as some advice (because he's the kind of guy I know I could easily get both from). I came across this..... interesting..... site, and happened upon that long posting from Lawrence, which mentions a "handicapped kid" who was forced to do pushups for being late. Since I AM that "handicapped kid" that was mentioned, I feel I should probably speak up. Yes, that's true, that did happen. But it's because I was friggin' LATE. What company doesn't penalize employees in some way for being late? Greg just happens to be a little "outside the box", and chose to penalize me by making me do pushups, which I needed to do anyway! I was late, and that's that. I had no problem with it, and I am so goddamned sick of people who feel like they need to be the champions of the disabled, to run to our aid whether we ask for it or not. I'm not some poor helpless soul, I'm an adult who can take care of himself and can take responsibility for himself. I had to leave Saratoga Designs, not because I wasn't good at the job or had any problem with it at all.... my disability made it so that doing the physical aspect of the job was just too difficult on my body. I couldnt carry around the art pieces anymore, ESPECIALLY in those damned office buildings with no elevator! if anything THEY should be getting some negative reports on them.... ever heard of the Americans with Disabilities act? A little more accessibility please!!!!  Anyway, there's nothing wrong with this company, and there's DEFINITELY nothing wrong with Greg. In a world full of people who want to treat me differently, and companies who shy away from hriing me because of my physical situation, Greg Coye NEVER treated me any differently than anyone else, gave me a chance, and treated me with the utmost dignity and respect. If my physical situation was different, I would still be working with him.

What would you people do without the internet as an anonymous medium for your bitter rants? Oh yeah, and dude, what the hell is "tax aviation"? Doing taxes on the tray tables of a plane?


Chris

United States of America

Response to the response(s)

#23UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sat, December 05, 2009

Thank you Melissa, for proving my point once again. Your attitude is nothing but condescending, assuming people "failed" and are "negative" simply because they didn't like what this company had to offer or how things worked. Your wording makes it sound as though anyone who says anything negative about Saratoga is not only wrong, but just not as good as the people who like it. Can you respect other people's opinions, without making assumptions about the character of a complete stranger? You dont know who I am, and you don't know how I performed at this company, so don't say it's because I "couldn't cut it". Being able to succeed in a cold-calling company and ENJOYING that type of work are two different things. You also prove my point about the cult-like mentality fostered there. Anyone who doesn't think Saratoga Designs is the savior of the world is blind, stupid, and wrong. Sounds like Catholics, Republicans, and Scientologists all rolled into one. I attacked the character or greg Coye because I knew him personally, and that was the impression I got of him. You don't know me, and don't know what I'm like in the rest of my life, so for you to assume all these things about my character and the character of all the other negative posters on here..... well, sounds like we're not the only ones with sour grapes here. What I wrote in my rant was what I saw and my opinion. Obviously it could be different for some people, but this site invites you to share your opinions, which never constitute fact. Once again, you prove my point. Read the postings of those who defend the company, and tell me they don't sound s****.>


Gregg

Clinton,
Washington,
U.S.A.

Gregg Fergel, Partners LLC, North Star Design, Dan Farrell, Djames, The business in not a scam nor is it illegal!

#23REBUTTAL Individual responds

Sat, May 09, 2009

Unfortunately it is necessary to respond to this ridiculous report about me.. Gregg Fergel -I have to say it is unsettling that people can post on this sight a slanderous and ANONYMOUS report using other peoples REAL NAMES! Which in turn forces me to waist my time to respond.
I am not happy to have to post this however my good name is at stake.

In Fact the person the report is about Dan Farrell, -Dan Farrell did not even sign the post, his girlfriend Angie signed it, however I willing to bet he had a hand in posting it.

The reason I have to respond is when anybody performs a background check or Google's my usual name this unwarranted report comes up.

Furthermore I am proud of my name and the work I have done over the years!

And I am proud of the work I did with North Star Design & Partners LLC.

I am proud of the work I/we did with Dan Farrell also.

My side of the story

North Star Design & Partners LLC goal was/is to build inexperienced sales people into responsible business owners. To that end we grew the company only from within, we only opened new offices from people that went through a set of goals. The goals were the same goals I went through when I started with the company in 1996 Never did we hire outside management. I worked my butt off for 16 months earned a promotion to Branch Manager. I then began helping other people -in fact all the training is based on people helping each other become successful.

There is no scam whatsoever! Nothing illegal! -The playing field in level for people from all walks of life. We were always upfront about what needs to be done to be successful. The rules are simple we called them the 5 & 8 steps: 5 steps to a sale and 8 steps to success.

Dan Farrell ruined his own career! One of the biggest reasons is not following the first three steps in the 8 steps to success:
1.) Be on Time,
2.) Be Prepared,
3.) Have a great Attitude!

Dan Farrell was frequently late. The office (North Star Design) would open @ 8am would show up late even tough he lived about 4 miles away. The tardy trend continued through out his career.

Dan Farrell was rarely prepared for anything let alone to go to work.

Dan Farrell frequently had a bad attitude, argumentative and down right difficult to work with, your basic 19-year-old kid.

My job was to look past the 19-year-old kid syndrome and build a businessman out of him. My team & I at North Star Design did exactly that. I am proud of the work I/we put into Dan Farrell.

Dan Farrell did jump around to many different offices, (by his own choice) in which I would receive complaints from the Branch Managers of those offices. Dan was a troubled kid.

Dan Farrell finally ended his career in our Chicago office; Northern Lights Design.
Val Lesh was the Branch Manager of Northern Lights Design; we assigned Dan as a Jr. partner with Val.
In the beginning Val was happy to have him, then Dan Farrell started to hassle Katie Lane and later hassle Val as well.
Katie was one of the top sales people in the company and Dan found ways to just get under her skin and make her unhappy. The same thing happened with Val. We received daily/weekly phone calls from Katie & Val complaining about Dan Farrell's behavior. Val would literally call me up in tears because Dan Farrell was harassing her and her staff. My business partner Branka & I tried to resolve the problems through phone calls with Dan, Katie and Val.
Finally to resolve the problem (Dan Farrell) we brought in the President of the company to talk with Dan Farrell. We conducted 3 conference call's with Dan Farrell, Gregg & Branka and the president of the company where we laid out the rules Dan was to follow. After the third conference call where we laid down the LAW.. this is the way it is going to be done period! Dan immediately after the conference call went to Val and blamed Val for his shortcomings. Val called me 2 minutes later in tears and told me she just can't handle the harassment anymore.

I booked a flight to Chicago on Monday. When I arrived to the Chicago office I asked Dan Farrell to remove himself from Val's office.
End of Story!

Signed,
Gregg Fergel
or how it is miss-spelled in the original report: Greg Fergel, Greg Frugal, Greg Fregel

REBUTTAL GUIDELINES:

Positive references showing that you have a good reputation;

I worked with Partners LLC for 12 years!
I earn some of the highest accolades including Branch Manager of the Year 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003. Regional Manager of the Year 2004. Partner of the Year 2002. The list of accolades goes on and on
I refuse to give names other than what is referenced here. I would not want to have other people have to hassle with this 5-year-old BS.

An explanation that you believe the report is not accurate in some way (PLEASE BE SPECIFIC If you think the report is a hoax, please say so and demand that the author provide some proof that the transaction/event really happened);

Please see the above text!

Contact information for people to reach you if they want more information;

Gregg Fergel I'm in the book

Any other useful information which you believe an interested reader needs to know about you or your business.

Please see above text.


Lisa

Cleveland,
Ohio,
U.S.A.

It's Unbelievable What This Company Has Done!!!

#23UPDATE Employee

Mon, March 16, 2009

In a time where people are loosing their jobs left and right, this company is teaching people how to be successful, and make money, for themselves. It gives average people an opportunity to make $50,000 - $60,000 a year with NO experience, and NO educational requirements (Just look at the horrific grammar of the ex-employees.) Try going into a retail store or fast food joint and demanding that kind of salary it's not going to happen. And, yes, people do get promoted into their own businesses, and can make in excess of $1,000,000 a year. Yes, it happens! All they have to do is follow the plan and work hard. It's not a scam, cult, or anything weird like that they're young people making something of themselves. Yes, it takes hard work, and it sounds like all the people talking crap were just too lazy. That's fine, I'm sure they're much happier making minimum wage, and this company is better off without lazy people anyways.


Anonymous

Anywhere,
New York,
U.S.A.

Set

#23UPDATE EX-employee responds

Thu, March 12, 2009

The funny thing in all these complaints, is number one, the absolute infantile grammar and english used by the people who claim to be so smart, and to have "seen through" all the bs. If you're trying to convince someone or get your point across, you lose your credibility immediately when, in the first 3 sentences, you've made 10 spelling and grammar errors. Moving past that, a pattern must be detected. Each and every one of the people who is bashing Greg Coye or Saratoga Designs, is someone who was hired, given a chance, and failed. The problem is personal accountability. It is much more convenient and easier to accept when you can just blame someone else for your failures, rather than being an adult, looking in the mirror and saying "Maybe I just wasn't good enough or cut out for that job". There is no shame in trying your best and failing. There is a massive amount of shame in NOT trying your best , and then pointing the finger to blame someone else because its the easy thing to do. To the person who wrote the 10 paragraph gripe. You claim to be a positive person, and treat people with respect, and then immediately type 10 paragraphs ripping these people and this company and insulting them, simply because you didn't succeed at it. That is the definition of hypocrisy. And for the gentleman, or lady, who claims to be a college degree holder and "real business man" who wears a suit and goes into businesses, if that is true, why are you interviewing for this job? Your attitude of superiority and thinking you are better than others due to a college degree or nice suit is exactly what is wrong in this country. Anything outside of your box causes fear and paranoia. Just because they don't wear expensive suits or they look different makes them no less of a person, or no less of a human being. And all the claims of tax issues. Really? Do you think for one minute that the IRS wouldn't be on these companies in 2 seconds flat if any of that were true? Of course they would. I do not work for Saratoga Designs, but neither do I think that there is anything wrong with sales, hard work and personal accountability. You all want to insult salespeople and talk how much the job stinks, and then you complain that things didn't go as you wanted them to when you worked there.

Well guess what? It wouldn't matter what your job was, if you walked into the door with a defeatist, horrendous attitude like that, you will not succeed. Not in your job,not in love, or not in life. The problem isn't what job you all have, the problem is not looking yourself in the mirror, being honest, and pulling yourself up by your boot straps and getting things accomplished. Very few people can do door to door sales for a living. You were just another bunch that couldn't cut it, the only difference is you want to push the blame to someone else. I could not do door to door sales. But I would absolutely not blame someone else for that. It is not Greg Coye's fault that I cannot accomplish things. It is mine. You all sound like the type of person that needs your hand held, and basically your job done for you. Unfortunately, and eventually you will figure this out, the world doesn't work like that. You get out of things what you put in. Effort, hard work, training, work ethic. Not whining, insulting, name calling and finger pointing. I wouldn't have the job I have right now if I thought like any of you. I was on a civil service list for 4 1/2 years before I got interviewed. I could have very easily blamed someone, whined, quit, complained and walked away as the "victim". But I didn't. I stuck it out, worked hard, accepted things, and worked to make them better. If you do that, no matter what your job, you can succeed. But I guess its just easier to blame someone else and move on to the next job, which you will most likely drag through the mud when you fail at that too.


Schoofoo

Denver,
Colorado,
U.S.A.

I'm just here to warn

#23Consumer Comment

Wed, November 19, 2008

I just came from an interview with one of the so-called "franchised" art dealers and here is my two cents. I should have known better, first of all, as a seasoned sales person with over 10 years experience working for reputable companies no one just asks you to come to an interview, never sees your resume, asks nothing about YOU is not a solid company. They are feeling you out to see if you are gullible enough to buy the sales schtick they put on. I knew from the minute they said "oh, we have an opening at 4 today we can see you then," but I had to go find out for myself and I did. I went to Mile High Designs in Wheatridge, to some crappy warehouse office behind a field of cows outside of Denver. Was the reggae music playing supposed to entice me to believe this was fun and hip?? I'm sorry I have a college degree from a fantastic university and I'm in sales, I can see this stuff coming a mile away and all I can say is please don't waste your time. I will not be called back, want to know why? Because I knew something was up so I asked A LOT of questions, none of which was really answered but more like slithered passed by a greasy salesman type. I'm a salesman, not a greasy one that would do anything to pry money out of some poor suspecting persons hand, but a real one that goes to professional offices in suits and makes real presentations and consults clients about needs. These are hard economic times so if you have it in you to work like this and have no other options then so be it, but if you are serious about getting a real job and starting a real career then steer clear. I was just waiting for him to ask me for money to take the training, but like I said I should have known better! What a waste of time!!

They do misrepresent themselves so just know this ahead of time. As for one of the comments that mentions the Landmark in conjunction with this company, that does it for me then....definitely CULTISH, I have done massive research on the landmark forum as part of paper on Cults, if these companies are similar STAY AWAY!!!

And for those of you that are so happy with your lot in life, good for you, but don't put feelings of inadequacy onto others.


Mellisa

D,
Massachusetts,
U.S.A.

5 AND 8 BABY!!! (Response to Lawrence rant)

#23UPDATE Employee

Sat, October 11, 2008

First of all, I'm so glad this report was filed.

A- It clearly displays that grammer skills take you a long way. Not only can people not take you seriously because you can't spell, BUT it just shows that you are not cut out for the job because you have no idea how to represent yourself professionally, and that's probably why you made little to NO sales.

B- If you thought ill of working for a company that promoted a family like atmosphere and perserverence through the hardest of situations, dealing with, yes, people that are not expecting you to show up with art, then you have missed the whole point of Partners.

I've worked for SARATOGA DESIGNS for almost a year now, and I am not brainwashed I assure you :) SALES IS DIFFICULT, and yes, you are special if we asked you to come back! You had to have made an impression on, not just Greg, but the person that took you out for an observation day. Success is gained through knowledge and confidence. If you are not well spoken, confident and prepared when, AND IM NOT SAYING IN LIFE, but specifically carrying that into a strangers business, then sales is going to be embarressing, awkward, and not profitable. If you are capable of walking into a door and feel good about what you are doing, people are going to want to do business with you. It's a constitutional right to solicit wares and to have a small business, and it's also your right to take advantage of a gift that some of us dont even realize we have; manifesting greatness!!! If you are negative and only see the negative, that's what your going to find, and I'm sure that's another reason why those who bashed Partners couldn't cut it, they simply are negative non-dreamers, and dont have respect for anyone who take a non-traditional approach in life. WE PROBABLY HELPED YOU SEE WHAT YOU WERE REALLY MADE OF! Learn from the experience, you should give direct marketing individuals credit for what they do, IT'S PRETTY BALLZY, but very rewarding!
Sales, again, is not for everyone, but when you find others that see the benefits and enjoy the oppurtunity to make as much $$$ when ever you feel like it, you feel a bond. We are learning from eachother on how to become successful entreaupenors in a time when stability may be an issue within more standard institutions. Ask anyone that's apart of a sales team, Verizon, Landmark, ect... they all hang out, talk about goals and get stuff done.
I feel Saratoga Designs is a place for a unique breed of students to learn that all you need in life is to believe in yourself, take responsibility, and keep choosing the good stuff to focus on, thats why when you ask us whats up, we say "EVERYTHING"! "Not much' is a robotic response that implies bordom. Every word, action and thought matters to us, if anything, I believe we make people feel good about being around us, whether they need art or not. PEACE
~ Mellisa, Sales Manager at Saratoga Designs


An Old Friend

Los Angeles,
California,
U.S.A.

A Comment

#23Consumer Suggestion

Mon, June 30, 2008

I had the good fortune to go to high school with Greg Coye. I'd be remiss to not point out he was one of the most popular kids in high school. He had a strong personality and he was fun to be around. No doubt these are the two biggest reasons for his success today. He's a natural leader.


Jen

Woburn,
Massachusetts,
U.S.A.

Not for Everyone

#23UPDATE EX-employee responds

Fri, June 27, 2008

I am responding to the two or three negative reviews of Saratoga Designs. I had researched the company prior to my interview there and came across this site. Although the reports weren't too positive, I thought it smart to make my own opinions. I worked there for only about two weeks. It wasn't for me. I did want to note that not only were all the people who worked there incredibly generous and nice, but all were very straight forward and honest, especially the owner Greg.

In my first interview I was told there was some direct sales to businesses and warned that it was not for everyone. So I knew that I may not like what I see. I was invited to attend a second interview which was a full day going around to businesses making sales calls. I loved that they showed you face to face what you could expect. That's mainly why I'm confused with the reports I found here. You couldn't get hired without seeing what they do first. It just seems like these are people who weren't cut out for it and are spiteful as a result. Next time don't go back if it was so aweful, common sense right.

Personally, I thought it was cool to have someone deliver art right to your door. I really enjoyed the meetings also. They were always motivating and did help in learning business presentations. The artwork was a great deal but like the owner said, It wasn't for everyone. Greg showed me nothing but respect and acted more like a friend more than a boss, but never crossed any lines with any one while I was there. I think the people who find such negativity in such harmless activities will probably find negativity in just about everything.

I am glad I at least gave it my best. I never saw any crazy "partying" or "brainwashing" going on, just some really motivated people who don't enjoy cubicles. I strongly suggest to anyone seeking to find out what Saratoga Designs is all about to go see for themselves. I did and was pleasantly surprised.


Anonymous

Lawrence,
Massachusetts,
U.S.A.

Re: Fire it up, Liz....

#23UPDATE EX-employee responds

Wed, May 14, 2008

Liz, sounds like you havent learned anything from Greg Coye's speeches regarding a "great attitude". How dare you refer to decent, hardworking people (ie, people who dont work for Partners) as "miserable and incompetent'? Wheres your "great attitude" there? Sounds to me like someone struck a nerve. I'm glad you posted that though, because its a perfect example of exactly what is wrong over there on Olympia Way. From day one, you are told that you were one of an elite few selected from the mindless rabble who came clawing to Greg's desk begging for this $500 dollar a week job, because you are "different". You are practically brainwashed into believing that people who work an average 9-5, with a boss, behind a desk, or "within four walls", as you so deftly put it, are poor, blind, miserable human beings who hate their life and their job and are trapped in a mindless vortex of conformity and servitude, never to escape. A boss who doesnt care about you, and tells you you're only "worth" x amount of dollars per hour, etc etc etc. My point here is one that you have already made for me. The people who work for this "company" are immediately indoctrinated with a condescending, s****.> Let me tell you something. You are no better than a telemarketer. In fact, you're worse. You can hang up on a telemarketer, but the way you're trained to hustle people, one has to do everything short of forcibly remove you to get you to out of there so they can do a REAL job. I worked this job, and I was ashamed of myself. I have the best attitude of you all. I have respect for every human being walking this planet, and their right to work the job they want, or dont want for that matter. Who am I to look down on anyone just because of their occupation? You dont know their circumstances, you dont know why they work that job. How DARE you think you're better than anyone else just because you're a f****** door-to-door salesman? Where's the great attitude there? Doesnt sound much like a "peace and love" hippie to me. You try to convince people they want something that they dont. You try to convince them that they have money they may actually NOT have. The economy sucks right now. You even have the nerve to try to get the person nearest to them to loan them money, not knowing a damned thing about either one of their situations. And when the person says no, you go back and drink beer and smoke pot (yes, they do drugs there) in the office and laugh, jeer, and sneer at the people who turned you down, politely or otherwise. Who the hell do you think you are? Because anyone who HASNT been brainwashed by a lecherous, snotty, greedy wanna-be hippie knows exactly who you are. I know all this because I used to be one of you. You can deny it in as many rebuttals as you want in as many ways as you want, but deep down, you know everything I'm saying is dead-on true.

You may have noticed I called Mr. Coye lecherous earlier. (dictionary.com if you need help with that one). He is. He BLATANTLY hits on almost every female employee who walks through that door, not caring who is around or how well he knows her (shows how liberated he is, i suppose). When he has parties at his house, he's always RIGTH next to the girls, and I've known in the past has gotten fairly close with several of them. Not hard to do when you have power, control, and a forceful personality, coupled with alcohol and drugs. He's gone through several female secretaries, all of them beautiful and young. Didnt make the cut I guess? To anyone reading this who doesnt know him personally, picture the guy who hated the most in high school. You know, THAT guy. Need I say more? Well I'm going to anyway.

Back to the great attitude, briefly, and then to segue into the accusations of cult-like behavior: Saratoga is not your average job. They're right. You don't have the same restrictions of your run-of-the-mill suit and tie 9-5'er. You have different ones. 1.)You are not allowed to say anything negative. ANYTHING. Don't talk about how bad traffic was on the way down. Don't talk about the rain. You will be chastised. 2.) Punctuality is taken to the extreme. If you are even 30 seconds late, you will be made to run laps around the building. I worked with a handicapped guy who was made to do push-ups in lieu of running. How thoughtful. This is because being even the slightest bit late means you are not enthusiastic and fired up. BUt 7:59:59 is totally cool, right? 3.) You do cadences. You clap. You are made to rattle off the "8 steps to a successful sale" at random, if you pause too long you are chastised. Greg deftly skirts around all-out rage, but he's definitely negative. No postivie motivation to improve here. Just dont wanna get lectured by Greg Coye again. 4.)You are not allowed to say "Not much" in reply to "What's Up?". You know theres alot of BS jobs out there, but I havent heard of any yet who are that anal about a harmless phrase that is merely a common figure of speech. I once heard Greg go off an a looooong rambling speech about all the things he's learned and conspiracy theories he has, which eventually got to this frightening apex (paraphrasing): "The world is headed towards a major shift in consciousness, one that will completely transform everything and give us greater abilities and evolve us at a rate of seconds, while others who are not ready and have not reached the proper level of understanding will be lieft behind, left in the dark. I believe that the people who work for this company will be the ones to advance." ..........wow.....Kool-Aid, anyone? It's a long flight in the spaceship that sits in the barn.....


Liz says:"It's sad to me to see people who were once given an incredible opportunity, not only deny it, but dis-respect those who are involved."
That's SAD to you?!?!?!? They have every RIGHT to deny that "incredible oppourtunity" and say whatever the hell they want about it. Do you feel that everyone is obligated to have this job? Theres that condescension again. "Poor you, I feel sad for you.... excuse while i go shove this Van Gogh in a secretary's face". The ad I, and most likely you, responded to, said:
We're a fun & fast-paced art company looking for 6-8 enthusiastic people.
No experience necessary.
Must like money, music, and travel.
Management training available.
* PAID TRAINING *
$400-$1,000 a week to start.

How is that not misleading, given what we all now know the job really entails? First of all, its not an "art-company". That is intentionally misleading. You sell art whose production you were in no way responsible for. To say "art company" makes someone think you actually make it there. You dont. If it had said "cold-calling, door to door sales?" Greg's phone would be silent. As for the salary, what it SHOULD say is "POTENTIAL to make $400-$1000 dollars a week to start". And its true, it is possible to make that kind of money with Saratoga. If you're the right kind of person who can excel at this kind of work. Most people cant. But there are those who have a natural gift for such endeavors. They also happen to make good con-artists. What a coincidence. Who the hell WOULDNT respond to an ad like this?
Sounds like the greatest job in the WORLD! The fact is, it is intentionally misleading because Greg knows if the ad was honest and explicit regarding the actual requirements of the job, NOONE would apply. And its interesting to note that they seem to always be looking for people. High rate of turnover. Just another poor sheep who cant hack it, right? And salespeople, dont you think you should be making a LITTLE more money on your commission than what you get, considering you're doing ALL the leg work while Greg sits in his office, doing nothing all day but imparting his wisdom to you and banging his secretary? Just a thought. Go on strike, THAT would be hysterical.

My final point, because I'm really tired of saying all this and I have other stuff I want to do: You think that people who leave Saratoga do it because they cant be free and think for themselves, and see things as they REALLY are? No. We do it for the exact opposite reason. We CAN think for ourselves, and we do. We see through the smoke and mirrors, and know that the Wizard is just a little man behind a curatin and the Emperor has no clothes. You suck up everything Greg tells you and take it for Gospel. You are no better than the mindless rabble following a prophet. Greg is the leader, you are his followers. His biggest strength is in making you think that you're free, thinking clearly and for yourself for the first time, uninhibited by the brainwashining of the government and society. It's an exciting thought, if it were true. The reality is that you're not. You're thinking how HE wants you to, and he's making more money doing nothing than you EVER will busting your butt on the road out there 8 hours a day, every day. Oh yeah, and gas is over 4.00 a gallon now. Have fun with that. I'M the one who is sad for YOU Liz. Good luck, and FIRE IT UP!


Sheppard

Saratoga Springs,
New York,
U.S.A.

Partners Critics need to learn a few things

#23Consumer Comment

Wed, August 22, 2007

In response to the reports by Angie and Nick, in the future you may want to make sure that you use proper grammar and spelling before you impune the reputation of somebody. Both of your reports sounded like sour grapes in part because they were not done in an adult manner.

In response to some of the comments each made, I have to ask each of them a question. Upon arriving at the offices of Partners when you found out the job you were applying for was not what you though or expected why did you stay there and take the position?? One would think if these people where such scam artists as you have indicated you would have walked out to find another job.

Frankly commission sales and in particular door to door commission sales is very tough. Obviously your perception was not accurate and you failed at the job. Complaining that you are still in debt over gas and cell phone bills sounds very suspect. Did you not earn any money at all? With regard to your comments that really are kind of bordering on slander, you claim these people to be tax cheats, you may want to do some homework on that before you say such things.

In commission sales you more than likely would file a 1099. The commission sales person bears some responsibility in this process, as well. What you have described is a classic multi level marketing company, many people do not like and cannot succeed in such a business model.

However that does not mean these groups did anything wrong or ripped you off in anyway. At 18 years old you can cast a vote in this country, enlist in the military and be tried for crimes as an adult because that is what you are at that age, an adult. Take some responsibility for your own actions. One of you pointed out that they had meetings and functions where they tried to make you feel like family etc... Then you stated clearly you "did not fall" for it. Well why then, were you still there continuing to work???

I work commission sales in the financial industry, I do not like these type of companies an I certainly would not like to work for one. However once I make the decision to work for one then tough !! The burden is mine at that point, Nothing you indicated in either of your reports dealt with these companies doing anything wrong, it actually made you both look foolish and immature. I hope you both take your experiences and use them in the future to make better decisions about what companies you choose to work for. Good Luck to you.


Liz

Revere,
Massachusetts,
U.S.A.

Stop Wasting Your Time

#23UPDATE Employee

Wed, June 28, 2006

I currently work for a division of Partners in Success located in Massachusetts, and would like to let everyone know who has just read the above reports, that these people weren't cut out for the job, and couldn't handle that. It's sad to me to see people who were once given an incredible opportunity, not only deny it, but dis-respect those who are involved.

There is no tax fraud committed here, all "employees" under this company are registered and cut a pay check each week, and the rest of the sales people are independent contractors who expected to pay their own taxes through the appropriate forms. Just because some people couldn't make the job work for them, does not give them the right to distort and destroy the same opportunity for somebody else.

All of the above people should be ashamed that they are indeed part of the world of which we sales people see every day, miserable and incompetent. I hope that they have found jobs where they can be satisfied with a regular paycheck and a boss that doesn't care about them, because after turning this work away that's all they have left. I hope they can still go on in a positive way, despite their angry regress towards an incredible company.

If anyone is tired of working within four walls, for long hours with pay that is nowhere near what they need, they should look for a branch of Partners in Success, they just might fing what they have been looking for.


Liz

Revere,
Massachusetts,
U.S.A.

Stop Wasting Your Time

#23UPDATE Employee

Wed, June 28, 2006

I currently work for a division of Partners in Success located in Massachusetts, and would like to let everyone know who has just read the above reports, that these people weren't cut out for the job, and couldn't handle that. It's sad to me to see people who were once given an incredible opportunity, not only deny it, but dis-respect those who are involved.

There is no tax fraud committed here, all "employees" under this company are registered and cut a pay check each week, and the rest of the sales people are independent contractors who expected to pay their own taxes through the appropriate forms. Just because some people couldn't make the job work for them, does not give them the right to distort and destroy the same opportunity for somebody else.

All of the above people should be ashamed that they are indeed part of the world of which we sales people see every day, miserable and incompetent. I hope that they have found jobs where they can be satisfied with a regular paycheck and a boss that doesn't care about them, because after turning this work away that's all they have left. I hope they can still go on in a positive way, despite their angry regress towards an incredible company.

If anyone is tired of working within four walls, for long hours with pay that is nowhere near what they need, they should look for a branch of Partners in Success, they just might fing what they have been looking for.


Liz

Revere,
Massachusetts,
U.S.A.

Stop Wasting Your Time

#23UPDATE Employee

Wed, June 28, 2006

I currently work for a division of Partners in Success located in Massachusetts, and would like to let everyone know who has just read the above reports, that these people weren't cut out for the job, and couldn't handle that. It's sad to me to see people who were once given an incredible opportunity, not only deny it, but dis-respect those who are involved.

There is no tax fraud committed here, all "employees" under this company are registered and cut a pay check each week, and the rest of the sales people are independent contractors who expected to pay their own taxes through the appropriate forms. Just because some people couldn't make the job work for them, does not give them the right to distort and destroy the same opportunity for somebody else.

All of the above people should be ashamed that they are indeed part of the world of which we sales people see every day, miserable and incompetent. I hope that they have found jobs where they can be satisfied with a regular paycheck and a boss that doesn't care about them, because after turning this work away that's all they have left. I hope they can still go on in a positive way, despite their angry regress towards an incredible company.

If anyone is tired of working within four walls, for long hours with pay that is nowhere near what they need, they should look for a branch of Partners in Success, they just might fing what they have been looking for.


Liz

Revere,
Massachusetts,
U.S.A.

Stop Wasting Your Time

#23UPDATE Employee

Wed, June 28, 2006

I currently work for a division of Partners in Success located in Massachusetts, and would like to let everyone know who has just read the above reports, that these people weren't cut out for the job, and couldn't handle that. It's sad to me to see people who were once given an incredible opportunity, not only deny it, but dis-respect those who are involved.

There is no tax fraud committed here, all "employees" under this company are registered and cut a pay check each week, and the rest of the sales people are independent contractors who expected to pay their own taxes through the appropriate forms. Just because some people couldn't make the job work for them, does not give them the right to distort and destroy the same opportunity for somebody else.

All of the above people should be ashamed that they are indeed part of the world of which we sales people see every day, miserable and incompetent. I hope that they have found jobs where they can be satisfied with a regular paycheck and a boss that doesn't care about them, because after turning this work away that's all they have left. I hope they can still go on in a positive way, despite their angry regress towards an incredible company.

If anyone is tired of working within four walls, for long hours with pay that is nowhere near what they need, they should look for a branch of Partners in Success, they just might fing what they have been looking for.


Stephen

Vancouver,
Washington,
U.S.A.

file a complaint.....

#23Consumer Suggestion

Sun, May 28, 2006

It is against the law for any employer to pass along the cost of a credit card transaction or check fee to an employee. A well placed call to the IRS and your States Atty General could help. Getabunch.


Nick

Lynn,
Massachusetts,
U.S.A.

SARATOGA DESIGNS ART SCAM BY GREG COYE AND ANDREA PARTRIDGE WOBURN MA

#23UPDATE EX-employee responds

Tue, May 09, 2006

the company was saratoga designs in woburn ma runned by greg coye and andrea partridge
I also was an employee of this scam company. i answered an ad and the whole time they didnt tell me id be workign commission selling art out of my car.. what a load..

to top it off they only paid you 10 bucks a painting when they kept 20-25 and you had to pay check and credit card fees because they claimed that it costs them alot of money, but wouldnt it be only natuiral if they didnt make you pay since they were screwing you anwyay? all they did was take advantage and riun your life. i still am in debt from gas and cell phone bills. working long days for little money and tehn getting treated like crap when i got back into the office because they said i dint follow the 8 steps to sucess correctly. there accually a cult. screaming all the time singing and clapping in the morning meetings getting you to think your gonna make alot of money and own yoru own office.

ya right i went on road trips and to a few partys and all them preach the same bs dont ever work for these guys. THEY TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF NICE PEOPLE. GET THEM TO PREACH THERE SAME MOTTOS... sooner or later u end up being like family and only hanging out with them..... funny thing is taht i never fell for it .... if i wantred to run a business like that anyone could they dont gotta slave for greg coye....when you call these guys they say taht they have 3 positions there hiring for which is a complete lie only one job which is selling art for no money and being taken advantaged of. i wish greg coye and andrea parttidge should be put in jail for tax fraud and ruining peoples lives they are the scammest people and will tell you anything to get you to work for them

my advice stay away. give greg a call at saratoga designs 25-n olympia ave woburn ma and hell tell you how wonderful the job is ya rightttttt


Nick

Lynn,
Massachusetts,
U.S.A.

SARATOGA DESIGNS ART SCAM BY GREG COYE AND ANDREA PARTRIDGE WOBURN MA

#23UPDATE EX-employee responds

Tue, May 09, 2006

the company was saratoga designs in woburn ma runned by greg coye and andrea partridge
I also was an employee of this scam company. i answered an ad and the whole time they didnt tell me id be workign commission selling art out of my car.. what a load..

to top it off they only paid you 10 bucks a painting when they kept 20-25 and you had to pay check and credit card fees because they claimed that it costs them alot of money, but wouldnt it be only natuiral if they didnt make you pay since they were screwing you anwyay? all they did was take advantage and riun your life. i still am in debt from gas and cell phone bills. working long days for little money and tehn getting treated like crap when i got back into the office because they said i dint follow the 8 steps to sucess correctly. there accually a cult. screaming all the time singing and clapping in the morning meetings getting you to think your gonna make alot of money and own yoru own office.

ya right i went on road trips and to a few partys and all them preach the same bs dont ever work for these guys. THEY TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF NICE PEOPLE. GET THEM TO PREACH THERE SAME MOTTOS... sooner or later u end up being like family and only hanging out with them..... funny thing is taht i never fell for it .... if i wantred to run a business like that anyone could they dont gotta slave for greg coye....when you call these guys they say taht they have 3 positions there hiring for which is a complete lie only one job which is selling art for no money and being taken advantaged of. i wish greg coye and andrea parttidge should be put in jail for tax fraud and ruining peoples lives they are the scammest people and will tell you anything to get you to work for them

my advice stay away. give greg a call at saratoga designs 25-n olympia ave woburn ma and hell tell you how wonderful the job is ya rightttttt


Nick

Lynn,
Massachusetts,
U.S.A.

SARATOGA DESIGNS ART SCAM BY GREG COYE AND ANDREA PARTRIDGE WOBURN MA

#23UPDATE EX-employee responds

Tue, May 09, 2006

the company was saratoga designs in woburn ma runned by greg coye and andrea partridge
I also was an employee of this scam company. i answered an ad and the whole time they didnt tell me id be workign commission selling art out of my car.. what a load..

to top it off they only paid you 10 bucks a painting when they kept 20-25 and you had to pay check and credit card fees because they claimed that it costs them alot of money, but wouldnt it be only natuiral if they didnt make you pay since they were screwing you anwyay? all they did was take advantage and riun your life. i still am in debt from gas and cell phone bills. working long days for little money and tehn getting treated like crap when i got back into the office because they said i dint follow the 8 steps to sucess correctly. there accually a cult. screaming all the time singing and clapping in the morning meetings getting you to think your gonna make alot of money and own yoru own office.

ya right i went on road trips and to a few partys and all them preach the same bs dont ever work for these guys. THEY TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF NICE PEOPLE. GET THEM TO PREACH THERE SAME MOTTOS... sooner or later u end up being like family and only hanging out with them..... funny thing is taht i never fell for it .... if i wantred to run a business like that anyone could they dont gotta slave for greg coye....when you call these guys they say taht they have 3 positions there hiring for which is a complete lie only one job which is selling art for no money and being taken advantaged of. i wish greg coye and andrea parttidge should be put in jail for tax fraud and ruining peoples lives they are the scammest people and will tell you anything to get you to work for them

my advice stay away. give greg a call at saratoga designs 25-n olympia ave woburn ma and hell tell you how wonderful the job is ya rightttttt


John

Chicago,
Illinois,
U.S.A.

DO NOT WORK FOR THIS COMPANY ..a very shady business

#23UPDATE EX-employee responds

Fri, October 29, 2004

Northern Lights Design is a very shady business
they sell framed artwork door to door (b2b). They run ads in the chicago reader and the tribune saying they will pay 500\week salary but it is a lie, because the only pay you commision. They pay their sales reps cash under the table and do not report the taxes (sales tax, income tax, federal ect). They don't even 10-99 or W-2 anybody who works there. DO NOT WORK FOR THIS COMPANY you will be disappointed. The owners name is Val Lesh and she is a very greedy self centered person to work for. This company (Partnersllc "the big name") has other offices across the united states they are all the same peddling artwork door-to door and not paying taxes. If you work there you will end up working 12 hour days making barely any money unless you are good at hearing no all day long and no soliciting going door to door and convincing complete strangers to buy artwork out of your car. TO WARN YOU AS WELL IT IS ILLEGAL TO PEDDLE WHARES IN ALMOST ALL CITYS AND TOWNSHIPS WITHOUT A PEDDLERS LISCENSE AND YOU CAN BE ARRESTED FOR DOING THIS. DO NOT ANSWER THE ADS OR EVEN CONSIDER WORKING FOR COMPANYS THAT WANT YOU TO GO DOOR TO DOOR OR BUSINESS TO BUSINESS.

X-Employee

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