Powerhoutz Promotions - Taylormade Promotionz Don't fall for this scam Glenview Illinois
Where to begin. I worked for TaylorMade Promotionz, which is in the same office as PPI, or Powerhoutz. I have never been so angry to accept a job in my life!
It wasn't the lying on the phone or physical interview, it wasn't the 10 people in the same office to interview for the same job, it was the FALSE promises they made me just to say yes to the job in the first place.
I actually GAVE UP another good job opportunity to go to TMP/PPI. I liked the high energy, the unusual office environment and the girl I interviewed with and I had a lot in common. First thing I said to her when we discussed me taking the job was...if this is a pyramid scam, I'm going to kill you. She assured me it wasn't.
Other things I was assured? That this was NOT commission. (it is...FULLY & you split it with the other person your on site with) that there would be insurance provided (there is NO insurance, they give a line about all the paper work that is to be filled out, but never ACTUALLY give you the paperwork) my fellow co-worker was even told that insurance was free, paid for by TMP. Another lie. There would be reimbursement for expenses, by that they mean, file it on your taxes at the end of the year as a business expense.
In 6 weeks I was sent to so many places they claimed to have 'events' set up in and when we got there they had NO clue as to who we were nor did they know we were going to be selling anything. Real professional. Oh, did I mention the illegal act of 'parking lot' pitching they would encourage you to do DAILY. I don't know how many times I had to 'talk' my way out of being arrested.
Between bad directions, information, shotty merchandise, and poor explanation your expectations...I was left several GRAND in debt. Yes, I did say grand. Between using my credit cards to pay for gas (filling up 2 to 3 times WEEKLY), food (I worked from 730am to 730 to 9pm), merchandise my leader convinced me to buy and get rid of later (don't get me started) I had to use them to pay my rent, phone bill, electric bill, and everything else that was due because I made a whole $500 that MONTH and just barely.
If that wasn't bad enough I you are talked to like a 3 year old in the office daily. Thanks, I don't need a 20 year old telling me how 'bad' the corporate world is...he's never been in it! I have news for them...'I've got goals' and they may not be as 'Juicy' as you think your life with Quantum or Innovage will be, but they are realistic.
I laugh at 'Billy Houtz' re-buttle to these posts. Billy, why don't you explain how 'believing' in this business cost you custody of you CHILD. I don't know anything that would be more important than my own flesh and blood. I almost lost a relationship with my own family because of this job. I not only couldn't talk to them, but trying to explain what I did and why I kept having to borrow money?! Oh wow, not good. Worst thing is...the only reason I left, one I was getting a real impression that they weren't giving the CPEA as much as they said they were, was because I got ill....REALLY ILL. Did anyone care to give me a call and check on me? Yeah right. I actually ended up in the hospital, well there's more debt for you.
Stay away, stay FAR away. It was a lot of speed talking, empty promises and people who really know how to make you feel like a giant piece of ...well you know. Funny, I was told I was the protg of the place too...imagine what you would be treated like if you weren't! I believe you could probably go far in this company IF you were the Katie Taylor/Larissa Hawley's of this world that came from very rich families that could support you while you were trying to 'build your business'. As far as I know, I, nor anyone else at TMP/PPI could actually live off the paychecks, why do you think most of the people at PPI live in the same place called, 'Peddlers Pad'. Think twice before you get caught up.
Everyday N and I ask ourselves....WHAT WERE WE THINKING!!
D
Northbrook, Illinois
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Jes
Zion,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Thanx you!
#3Consumer Comment
Wed, April 02, 2008
I was called for an interview today and I was so excited! I've been job hunting for weeks and was relieved someone finally called. So then I get off the phone and start to do some research, and what do I come to find out? Scam. I wasn't called by "Taylormade", they called themselves "Streamline Executive Group". I couldn't find anything online about Streamline, but I discovered they were one and the same when I called the number back to ask some questions. They answered, "Taylormade Streamline how can I help you?". I asked to speak to the person who had called, "not available". I asked if I could asked some questions and after being on hold for 10 minutes a cheerful voice answered. I asked if they could tell me about the job in more detail and got "That is a great question for the interview". OK. Weird. I asked if it was commission or salary based, and got "I'm not at liberty to discuss that, you'll have to ask during the interview." OK. Weird again. So I asked, anything you can tell me about the job or the specific job duties? And got, "That you'll have to ask at the interview." Um, if you can't answer any questions, why would I go??? Thanks to all of these reports, I'm NOT going to the interview tomorrow!!!
Nessie
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Your report saved me
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, February 10, 2008
I interviewed with this company; both interviews, and I was offered a job. There were small inconsistencies in the back of my mind that started to fire off when I was on the 2nd, day long, observation interview. I pushed them off and gave myself a few days to research the company (and go on other interviews) in the interim and because of my findings I am not accepting the job. What you had written confirmed many of my suspicions.
I arrived in an office that had modern decor and logos for companies such as "Disney", "Samsonite", "Marvel" and many other fortune 500 names. These companies were mentioned to me on the 1st interview, as well as Toys for Tots, however when I arrived for the 2nd interview (along with 5 other people) it became clear that the only company that they are working with was the Child Protection Education of America.
I spent the day shadowing a Leader who was pitching sales to people and telling them about the mission and the goals of the company and constantly using the phrase "I'm not gonna lie." And then telling the customer that we had arrived at the location with 25 remote control cars and the 3 on the table were all that we had left. Well that was a lie. We came with 5.
I was encouraged to ask her questions about the business, but my difficult questions were deflected with answers such as "That is a great question for Katie, you should ask her when we get back to the office!" or she would start answering my question by saying "I'm not gonna lie..." which I already knew was an indication that whatever she said was going to be untruthful.
I volunteer my time with a cancer charity, I raise funds for them. On my first interview I was told that they are giving 20% of their price of the products to the charities with which they are working. On my 2nd interview I mentioned that I privately fundraise for a society that contributes over 75% of the funds directly to the cause (as opposed to administrative costs) and the leader that I was working with said that I must work with a rare charity because the "American Cancer Society only gives 2% to the cause." The society with which I volunteer warns against any charity that does not put at least 65-70% of its funds to its cause. The people that work at TaylorMade are brainwashed enough to believe that they are giving more funds to a charitable cause than the American Cancer Society.
If you value your integrity and honesty then I would steer away from this company. If you would do anything to make a $ then by all means this could be the job for you. However you may want to take into consideration that they are asking you to work approximately 65 hours a week and you are only going to be bringing home $600, so less than $9.50 per hour- not the real wage for an entry level sales job. Also, you are going to be an independent contractor, meaning you will not have taxes taken out of your paycheck and at the end of the year Uncle Sam is going to want the 20+%, so unless you are setting aside $120 a week to pay taxes then it also isn't going to be the job for you.
P.S. There were business cards for Streamline Executive Group on the reception desk when I was there for the 2nd interview. People may already be catching on to the TaylorMade name and they may be moving on to a new LLC to avoid bad reports.