Complaint Review: Specialty Merchandise Corporation

I joined SMC only this year (2003) and already have learned just as much as others who have been with the company for years. No I did not get rich and didn't think that I would, but thought that I could supplement my income.

Yes, they did state that a Free Website would be included with their offer, it is in writing on the web page RE: America's Best Home Business Opportunity on the SMC.Com site. When I called the number, I was told that the website would cost me $1,000 initially and to maintain it monthly would cost me $60.00 each month. What is FREE about that?

Things that I did in the couple months of being a member:

Contacted merchants trying to leave my books in their stores; bought merchandise to show merchants, canvas service stations, convenience stores, etc. trying to buy space for my displays, and tried to get wholesale accounts by meeting with merchants and thought that I had 4 on the hook. That all boiled down to one and the merchandise has just sat on the shelf and sold a couple of items.

You Ask What Types of Items Did I get? I bought Incense Burners/Holders (Sold 2), Incense, Cigarette Lighter Covers (Sold 1), Crystal Figurines , Minature Statues, Wall hangings, Kitchen Ceramics, Plaques, Wind Chimes and they all are just sitting in the store. I also have 2 Catalogue Center's in 2 of each stores and have collected on 1 order. These stores are very well traveled, so what is the problem. I think that SMC's reputation has preceeded them or they have too many people, that see the catalogue and know who they really are. I had the mail carrier tell me that he use to sell the stuff and that the competition was too stiff. He said he could not compete with the dollar stores and Wal-Mart. The quality of the merchandise might also have something to do with the lack in sales.

I did a bulk mail-out from the phone book and our local newspaper (approximately 2,000) and stated on my flyer that a discount would be given just by mentioning that they got the flyer from the newspaper, I paid for the two mailings out of my own pocket and have not received a single call from any of the mail-outs. I think people are already aware of the reputation of SMC. Wish I had known.

I took SMC books to work, sent books with family members to their jobs and got minimal orders of which are either out of stock, delayed shipping or on-hold due to my late payment of my membership. Why punish my customers or future customers for something that I over-looked. What kind of business is this. They want more than they are giving.

Customer Service is terrible. The customer support line is a joke, they give you numbers to call. I called one of the numbers that I got off the internet and it is a non-working number and refers you to another number which is 818/998-3300. All I wanted to do was cancel my membership and I was given that number to call. I am not calling it, it is long distance and I have to pay for that too. I am tired of fooling with SMC and it has only taken me 2 months to come to this conclusion.

All I want is OUT NOW. I call those 800, 866 numbers they give you and they only give you other numbers to call.

As far as I am concerned SMC is the biggest Rip Off in the world.

Don't Get Into It - PLEASE!!!!

Mary
Dallas, Texas
U.S.A.