Complaint Review: NW MARKETING INC

An FYI for other people searching for information with this sports marketing MLM:

One of my children who is in college told me of "an amazing opportunity" which raised my warning flags.

The NW Marketing Inc ad reads:
WORK WITH PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS, HIGH END GOLF PROPERTIES, LOCAL AND NATIONAL RESTAURANTS and HOTEL & RESORTS...

My "child" was told that "thousands of companies are just waiting to be represented by NW Marketing Inc", that earnings average in the $400-600 per week (commission only of course).

There was the inevitable long drive to badger businesses, the total MLM b.s.. Reminds me, I will check on sales licenses required for door to door in that city on Monday.

Something totally inappropriate also is the fact that the person allegedly responsible for recommending hiring then arranged a late evening dinner (totally inappropriate!!!!!) and then my "child" was told not to tell anyone about their dinner...

I googled the company and there were no hits except their job opportunities for Sports Marketing through sites like careerbuilder etc. I scrolled through many, many pages so it wasn't as if I didn't give it a chance, I think I was up to nearly 20 or so without a hit on their website.

For a company that is telling their prospective employees that there are thousands of companies just waiting to have their products and services represented by NW Marketing, it is bizarre their website doesn't show up. Something seem wrong to you??

Finally got a website address, not from any hits but from my "child" which showed the usual skyscraper (from what I gather from other posts) and some basic information.

The company was licensed with the Washington State Department of Licensing on April 1 2009 and the governing person, is Nicholas Bartolo. The mailing address is in Sherman Oaks, California. The website was created March 29, 2009.

The office certainly isn't in any skyscraper, it is in a suburban office complex from online map search photos.

Second interview/observation which went from 0830 to 1830. No pay of course.

Mariners, Mariners & Mariners is the hype. When you call the Mariners store, they only take coupons from Small Circle so evidently NW Marketing Inc is just another of a long list of names.

So SHAME ON THE MARINERS for working with such a company that preys on the young and unemployed, especially when economic hardship is prevalent. The ads are deceptive, the out of pocket costs to employees could be quite substantial to people who are already struggling.

In regard to any online job offerings, I recommend research! There are so many scams going on right now it is disgusting, the Seattle Mayors Office is always sending out notices of employment scams in emails.

This information I am providing to you below is for general information and not in regard to NW Marketing Inc.

I advise if they don't have a company name on their listing, be cautious. That unknown local insurance company receptionist job" can give you a response out of Nigeria and you have sent all your history and much personal information to them.

Google the company and check it out.

Check with your states Department of Licensing or Department of Revenue for company status.

Superior Court records can also be a wealth of information to see if the owners of any company (or your future landlord, or future tenant, anyone at all you might be doing business with or whatever) has an abundance of issues and records.

For instance, and this happened to me, if your landlord has 100 court cases in one state in 10 years it probably isn't going to be a good road to go down...

In conclusion, if you can afford the wear and tear on your car, the increased insurance costs, the gas prices, the long days potentially without pay... then this type of opportunity could be for you.

Be diligent. "Buyer beware" so to speak. If it seems too good to be true, it usually isn't. If you can't afford to be out of pocket to drive around, OR if your insurance rates will raise because you are driving your own vehicle for business purposes, these are all issues to be aware of. It seems likely that this will be a 1099 situation which has its own issues and headaches. For instance, if you are a 1099 employee:

You will have to pay your taxes and be organized to do so either by saving each paycheck or paying in a lump sum

Your hours worked as a 1099 employee and your wages will not be included in your unemployment insurance benefits which could result, should you be separated from this self employed situation, in no unemployment benefits being eligible to you as most self employed can not pay into the system for one reason or the other, such as cost of doing so. This advice should be checked with the state in which you reside but my understanding is that this is pretty consistent state to state.

Zal
Seattle, Washington
U.S.A.