Complaint Review: Art Xpress - Baton Rouge Louisiana

While the initial report was not enough to make me want to cancel my appointment with Art Xpress in Baton Rouge, the employee rebuttal made to it certainly was. The original report stated in the last portion that the position simply wasn't for him/her, that it seemed suspicious, and that "shark" sales was not the job he/she had hoped for.

The employee rebuttal made was unprofessional and childishly sarcastic, better suited to high school lunch table gossip. Sure, you didn't outright cuss a blue streak at the initial reporter or bang your fists on your desk while smoke billowed out of your ears (we're hoping), but you certainly made your position and, most notably, your maturity very clear to the readers.

If that is how you choose to publicly respond to those who choose not to work with your company, regardless of what ill they may say, then I believe that -- even with my meager bank funds and serious need for a job -- I will quite happily cancel my interview appointment and look elsewhere for a job. You may want to reflect on this in the future, as I'm sure I am not the only one that would find your rebuttal downright contemptable.

To inform other readers: My very brief experience with Art Xpress of Baton Rouge was eerily similar to one I had with a cutlery company in Covington. Both gave me very little information about the position prior to the interview, neither asked for a resume or past work experience, both boasted a rockin' workplace (and indeed... the cutlery one seemed to be a tad more of a loose business model meets community college sorority/fraternity atmosphere.)

The cutlery company practically tried to sell the products to me on the first interview, and the cheesey mood of the office further put me off. Just like the original reporter, I quickly found that the creepy smiles and traveling sales mode of the company were not for me. I simply declined when I was later called and told I was selected for the position. No big deal, right?

It became a big deal when I was called several times over the following months by employees at the company, all attempting to talk me into working there, which is pretty unprofessional and simply annoying. It nearly came to arguing with them on the phone when I repeatedly tried to politely turn them down. The calls finally stopped, thankfully, but my cell phone began receiving telemarketer calls. I had never gotten a telemarketer call on my cell phone before. I also began receiving a higher number of calls on my home phone.

Are the two experiences definitely linked? Nah. But they are remarkably similar, and that coupled with the absurd employee rebuttal are enough to make me take my resume and look elsewhere.

Maybe Art Xpress does offer great opportunities and experience, but running around selling products to people isn't my idea of applying artistic talent. And I certainly think I can do better than to work with individuals like the one that made the employee rebuttal above.

To the person above,

I am very sorry that your experience with our group of AWESOME people didn't go the way that you felt it should. I'm unsure that ANYONE is EVER paid for a second interview at ANY job offering....so I'm not sure why you were unclear on that. Yes, we are a multi-level marketing company. I have been working for the National Art Association for over 6 months now and I am already very close to opening my own office. I began managing my own crew very shortly after the six week mark. The owner of our branch is a very positive person on every level. It sucks for you that you missed the point of the opportunity. I do hope that your "normal office job" works out for you. What we do IS honest work. We work VERY hard for what we have. My days are 12 hour days. My time is spent mostly dealing with some really cool people...and every once in a while...people like you. I have had people come up to me in the middle of the day...that I DID NOT KNOW at all...and thank me for what we do. Past customers obviously. I have decorated a hotel, two restaurants, several peoples homes and the conference room for Pinnacle Home Health (met the CEO...badass lady btw). So, if you don't have the guts to do what we do...it's not on us. And you shouldn't attempt to ruin the opportunity for anyone else. What we do IS a GREAT opportunity. It is not for the weak hearted or the narrow minded. So, best of luck with your future endeavors. I do hope that the mediocre income that you carry for the rest of your life with your super awesome "honest day of work" at the office...or a gas station...or a restaurant...or whatever...does wonderful for you. If you'd like to give it a good honest chance, come back to see us. We're all super positive people that love life. And we also love to give second chances. It takes heart, will, and desire to succeed in life. Anything less is failure or complacency.