Jana
Austin,#2Consumer Comment
Wed, July 28, 2004
Austin Alliance is now going by "Global Marketing Solutions", or some such. I got a call from them today, asking me to come in for an interview. I specifically asked Mr. Robert Potts if his company is anything like Austin Alliance, in that the "employee" has to buy and re-sell the products. He didn't miss a beat in trying to explain the difference between the two companies, but I found it odd that he knew so much about Austin Alliance's business model. He said it's not necessary to buy and re-sell the products, but I will soon "see the benefit of it". I went ahead and set up an interview for tomorrow, with absolutely no intention of showing up. For, once he gave me the business address, I fully realized that Global Marketing Solutions is, in fact, synonymous with Austin Alliance. Any company that changes names so often is a bad bet. Beware!
Jana
Austin,#3Consumer Comment
Thu, April 15, 2004
A year or two ago I, too, was contacted by Austin Alliance. They, of course, made the "job" sound honest and real over the phone, but I learned differently when I got to the work site. Yes, the lobby seemed quiet and almost empty. I was told to go into the "interview" room, where I shook hands with other naive pawns and Alliance employees. I initially wanted to leave, but I caught sight of an attractive man so I decided to stay (yeah, yeah, shut up). The presentation began, and yes, a very attractive young lady delivered her spiel with all the confidence of a Tony-winning Broadway actor. Funny thing, though - no one ever mentioned any cost, other than the initial $50 fee (and that was AFTER the hook, er...presentation). I knew from the get-go that I wanted no part of this organization, but I stayed out of politeness and of curiosity as to just how far they'd go. They showed us their diet supplements, tanning products, and homeopathic remedies, all about which I kept thinking, "How do I know this stuff really works? Someone to whom I sell these products may get sick or die as a result of ingesting them, and then I'd be partially (or perhaps fully) liable." After the presentation they divided us into small groups, and assigned an employee to try to sign us on to the deal. Not only did they try to push the $50 Selling Workshop, they also tried to get us hooked on a "discounted" ($300) once-in-a-lifetime marketing conference. Some of the people in my little group actually fell for the bait. When the company rep turned to me and attempted to shove the contract in my face, I laughed and told her I wasn't dumb enough to fall for this crap. Of course she said I'd be missing out on a BIG opportunity, but I informed her that any worthwhile job does not require the EMPLOYEE to pay in order to work! Austin Alliance operates much like Mary Kay or Avon: They make you buy the products, and you are then responsible for getting your own customer base. A scant few are successful, as most people end up pawning off as much of the products as they can on friends and family, and eating the cost of the remainder products. Difference is, with Mary Kay and/or Avon, you know exactly what you're getting. For all intents and purposes, makeup is makeup. But the herbal remdies and diet pills Austin Alliance sells could possibly be dangerous. I have yet to see, read, or hear about any positive customer testimonials about their products (not that I've read any negative ones). FYI: EVERY time I'm out of work, Austin Alliance calls me (and wastes my cellphone minutes). I don't know how my resume keeps getting submitted to them. I respond to tons of Statesman classifieds, but Austin Alliance must not put their company name in their ads, otherwise I would steer clear. Aside from that very first time (described above) they have called me four other times, including yesterday. Incidentally, that's what prompted me to look them up on this website today.
Charles
Austin,#4Consumer Comment
Tue, March 23, 2004
that this company has now changed it's recruiting practices and is now going under the name: Water Filtration & Purification Equip. KA Marketing 6633 East Highway 290, Austin, TX 78723 (512) 419-0845 Below is a copy of their ad for employment in careerbuilder.com: DESCRIPTION Texas Based International Sales & Marketing company seeking qualified individuals to help with local expansion. Individuals must be business minded, sharp, self-motivated and enthusiastic. Help needed with training, recruiting, marketing, management, sales and advertising. Serious Inquiries send resumes to [Click here for email] REQUIREMENTS -Individuals must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, sharp, business minded, ambitious and enrgetic!
Charles
Austin,#5Consumer Comment
Tue, March 23, 2004
that this company has now changed it's recruiting practices and is now going under the name: Water Filtration & Purification Equip. KA Marketing 6633 East Highway 290, Austin, TX 78723 (512) 419-0845 Below is a copy of their ad for employment in careerbuilder.com: DESCRIPTION Texas Based International Sales & Marketing company seeking qualified individuals to help with local expansion. Individuals must be business minded, sharp, self-motivated and enthusiastic. Help needed with training, recruiting, marketing, management, sales and advertising. Serious Inquiries send resumes to [Click here for email] REQUIREMENTS -Individuals must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, sharp, business minded, ambitious and enrgetic!
Charles
Austin,#6Consumer Comment
Tue, March 23, 2004
that this company has now changed it's recruiting practices and is now going under the name: Water Filtration & Purification Equip. KA Marketing 6633 East Highway 290, Austin, TX 78723 (512) 419-0845 Below is a copy of their ad for employment in careerbuilder.com: DESCRIPTION Texas Based International Sales & Marketing company seeking qualified individuals to help with local expansion. Individuals must be business minded, sharp, self-motivated and enthusiastic. Help needed with training, recruiting, marketing, management, sales and advertising. Serious Inquiries send resumes to [Click here for email] REQUIREMENTS -Individuals must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, sharp, business minded, ambitious and enrgetic!
Zane
Austin,#7Consumer Comment
Fri, February 13, 2004
My thanks to all of you who submitted Rip-Off Reports on Austin Alliance. You saved me from spending time on them. You also gave substance to what has been my "gut hunch" about them all day. I was (phone) solicited by a person named 'Steve Peterson' this morning who wanted me to come in for an interview at 1:00 pm this afternoon. His pitch was that he pulled down my resume from Monster.com and verified that I am currently unemployed before asking me to come in for an interview in sales and marketing in the "health, wellness, and sports" field. No product named. Hesitant to give me his full name. No phone number. The more I thought about it the more I became convinced this was a scam of some description. I poked around on the web until I found this site. I want to let everyone know that Austin Alliance (wonderful name and not used much!) is definitely still in business and is using the same Modus Operandi.
James
Austin,#8Consumer Comment
Tue, January 27, 2004
As of 1/27/2004 Austin Alliance is still trying to get recruits. In my case they are trying a new tactic... they are not waiting for people to apply for their "jobs", they found my resume (on AustinHelpWanted.com) can called me in for an interview. Fortunately I google'd their address and found the report. Since the last posting had been some time ago, these types of operations tend to fold up, the name of the company given to me by the caller was different, and other details to the M.O. were slightly different, and not in the least because I am currently unemployed and looking for a job and cannot afford to pass on a real job lead, I went to their location. The setup was substantially the same. The name, Austin Alliance, on the door, sign in at the waiting room, many people waiting, and sounds of a party atmosphere in the next room. Forewarned, I did not stay for the presentation; after all, I am unemployed and had already wasted an hour of my job hunting time (including drive time both ways and time to get "suited up" for an interview and change back to more comfortable clothes to continue my job hunt). To assist others in locating this information via google I include the contact information given me by the caller: 512-371-3560 Catherine Wilson 6633 Hwy 290 E ast Suite 106 Thanks to RipOffReport for helping me keep myself from getting ripped off too badly!
Mark
Austin,#9Consumer Comment
Sun, July 13, 2003
I don't know all the details, but my stepdaughter was lured by the prospect of a job, and encountered the same mass sales pitch. Austin Alliance is listed in the Greater Austin SBC phone book. She did not fall for it thank goodness.