Winstead Marketing - Mike Plaboma pyramid scheme, misleading ads, cult like, scam artists Knoxville Tennessee
I went in for an interview at Winstead Market a few months back. I was really trying to find a job so pretty much any call I got I went on. I actually was contacted via monsterjobs.com and they kept emailing me until I responded. I finally decided to go to the interview and was called back to this guys office. The entire interview was rehearsed and scripted and the whole situation as wierd. The above reference gentleman sat down and asked me questions totally irrelevant to any work enviroment. After about 5 minutes he told me he would call me for a second interview. He said the second interview would be an entire day of job shadowing.
I knew from the start it was a scam and when he did call me later that night I told him that I wasn't interested in the position because I got a bad vibe. I later became employed in the same building at this "marketing firm" and have since spoken with employees. Most of them seem extremely unhappy and one girl actually came to work with me.
We've discovered an article calling out facts on this firm. Google "winstead marketing scam" and the entire article will give you great insight into this "great place to work"... thank god I didn't fall for it!!!
Katie
Knoxville, Tennessee
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Marketing Professional
Bonnieville,Kentucky,
U.S.A.
Is "Port City Innovations" the same business?
#7UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, May 12, 2009
In March, I was contacted by Port City Innovations in Knoxville about a position I applied for on careerbuilder.com. The story Katie told was exactly like my experience! I had to do an all day "Shadow" interview where I was unable to leave when I decided that I didn't want the position. They don't inform you during your 5 minute interview that it's purely commission based and to get the $53,000 / year salary to have to perform to a certain level for 6 or 9 months. The scary part is that the address is the same as Winstead Marketing...just a different suite number...the suite next door to Winstead. If anyone knows if this company is a valid company let me know....I'm afraid of the job they offered me!
Marketing Professional
Bonnieville,Kentucky,
U.S.A.
Is "Port City Innovations" the same business?
#7UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, May 12, 2009
In March, I was contacted by Port City Innovations in Knoxville about a position I applied for on careerbuilder.com. The story Katie told was exactly like my experience! I had to do an all day "Shadow" interview where I was unable to leave when I decided that I didn't want the position. They don't inform you during your 5 minute interview that it's purely commission based and to get the $53,000 / year salary to have to perform to a certain level for 6 or 9 months. The scary part is that the address is the same as Winstead Marketing...just a different suite number...the suite next door to Winstead. If anyone knows if this company is a valid company let me know....I'm afraid of the job they offered me!
Marketing Professional
Bonnieville,Kentucky,
U.S.A.
Is "Port City Innovations" the same business?
#7UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, May 12, 2009
In March, I was contacted by Port City Innovations in Knoxville about a position I applied for on careerbuilder.com. The story Katie told was exactly like my experience! I had to do an all day "Shadow" interview where I was unable to leave when I decided that I didn't want the position. They don't inform you during your 5 minute interview that it's purely commission based and to get the $53,000 / year salary to have to perform to a certain level for 6 or 9 months. The scary part is that the address is the same as Winstead Marketing...just a different suite number...the suite next door to Winstead. If anyone knows if this company is a valid company let me know....I'm afraid of the job they offered me!
Marketing Professional
Bonnieville,Kentucky,
U.S.A.
Is "Port City Innovations" the same business?
#7UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, May 12, 2009
In March, I was contacted by Port City Innovations in Knoxville about a position I applied for on careerbuilder.com. The story Katie told was exactly like my experience! I had to do an all day "Shadow" interview where I was unable to leave when I decided that I didn't want the position. They don't inform you during your 5 minute interview that it's purely commission based and to get the $53,000 / year salary to have to perform to a certain level for 6 or 9 months. The scary part is that the address is the same as Winstead Marketing...just a different suite number...the suite next door to Winstead. If anyone knows if this company is a valid company let me know....I'm afraid of the job they offered me!
Anonymous
Beech Grove,Indiana,
U.S.A.
Jerk
#7Consumer Comment
Fri, January 09, 2009
Katie I am totally with you. I worked for one of these Cydcor natzi's as well and I am going to do my best to bring these people down all across the nation. There deception and pipe dreams they feed people is totally unethical and no one deserves to have to work for these people. As for your rebuttal, you shouldnt get mad because someone is exposing you and the company you work for. Hopefully you have a good heart and can someday realize what you and others have done to millions across America.
Mr. Winstead
Knoxville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
Response to Katie
#7UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, December 20, 2008
Katie-
Why are you so traumatized? You had a 5 minute interview and it has affected your life so dramatically that you have lost control of your spelling and grammar skills? Perhaps the invite to the second interview was more out of sympathy for an unemployed, unwed mother than for the benefit of the company.
It is, however, spectacular that you've found solace with another person that was not a good fit for the company. Beyond that, you've rallied around an article that was written in the Maryville, Tennessee Daily Times (just like the New York Times) by d**k Laney a year after he interviewed for a position with Winstead and was not invited back for a second interview. Apparently, misery loves company.
Katie, for the sake of your child we can only pray that you advance past the terrible moments Winstead put you through and do something positive and productive for yourself and society.
Deuces,
Winstead Marketing.