I went for an interview with a company in Adelaide called Illusive Cube (a member of the Cobra Group) after answering an internet advertisement which was looking for young guys and girls to work in a fun environment and be rewarded for their hard work etc etc I emailed my resume and received a telephone call a few hours after asking me to attend an interview.

I attended the office which is on South Tce, it was neat, funky and modern. I was greeted by the company director who was well-dressed, well spoken, enthusiastic etc. (While I was waiting for my interview there was 5 other people also waiting for an interview) During the interview I was given a brief history of the company Cobra Group, told all their "big name" clients and told how the company gives people the opportunity to progress through the ranks. I was invited back for an observation day (the next day) which I was told would be from 12.30pm - 8.00pm.

I was enthusiastic but still did not know what the company did. I arrived at 12.30pm and there were 5 other people also attending. We had a quick meeting with a man who told us about the clients, human commercials, how it was more cost effective for charities etc to use human commercials and how we were going to have a fun day. While this was going on we could hear yelling and jumping around upstairs (we were told to ignore the noise - the leaders were getting enthusiastic for the day)

We were led back to the reception area and I was the first person to be called up to meet my leader. I was told they were the best trainer (I have a feeling everyone gets old their trainer is the best) We met a couple of the other people who would be in my "team" for the day and got into the trainer's car. (Considering how much he claimed he was earning it was not a very good car) We then spent the day knocking on people's doors asking them to donate to a charity. My trainer got 3 sales that day and told me he would earn $70.00 per sale (which sounds good however after reading other reviews on this site about the company I know realise once all the other %'s are taken out it probably was a figure far smaller than $70.00) We continued door knocking until after 8.00pm. By the time we drove back to the office it was close to 9.00pm and the other trainers/leaders and teams were starting to arrive.

I received a phone call from the company director asking how my day went etc and then I was informed I had the job and when could I start. I told the director next week and he said there was a training session at the end of the week which I could attend. I received a sms from my trainer inviting me to coffee.

I drove into the city and met my trainer for coffee. He was well dressed in a suit and paid for my coffee. He provided me with some training materials and explained what would happen in the training session. He told me a bit about the company and how one VP earns $2 million in commission each year. After the coffee I came home and googled "Cobra" this sit came up and after reading through all the reviews I decided not to attend the training session. My trainer has sent me a message and called 2 times but Im not answering! After reading the other reviews I now realise that it is a powerful scam which tries to entice young people through the promises of promotion and having fun. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - if it was not for this site I may have become "addicted" to the company like some of you have explained.

Adelaide08

Adelaide

Australia

Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Cobra Group - Illusive Cube - Airborne Enterprises

8 Updates & Rebuttals

Anon

Adelaide,
Australia,
Australia

Ex Admin with accurate Info

#2UPDATE EX-employee responds

Tue, December 02, 2008

Around 6 months ago I used to be an administrator for Illusive Cube, so I believe I know the business of direct marketing and the ethics of Illusive 'First Hand'. The reason i wanted to add my '2 cents' worth is because i worked alongside Ben and the team for a little while and i think a few things probably need to be made clear here. There were so many horrible reports about the 'Cobra Group' all over the internet and some of them were probably true. I even heard about some past experiences when people came in to see us. HOWEVER at Illusive it seemed different; I've watched so many positive and amazing things coming from the training there, and the atmosphere that is created by Bens meetings is electric. So, there are some things that I would really like to clear up about Illusive Cube and it's relationship with the Cobra Group. 1. Illusive Cube DID and perhaps still DOES use clients from the Cobra Group. Other than that, they really don't have much to do with them. Once a year they will attend a conference with everyone and that's about it. 2. Yes, the promotions teams do work hard. That is also how anyone, ever, has become successful in any business. For the opportunity that they present to people with little or no experience in the industry, I'd say that was a fair trade off. 3. The criteria that people get promoted on is simple and set in stone and I personally saw four major promotions and a handfull of 'leadership' promotions in the 10 months I worked there. I really don't see that there is anything wrong with people working hard and acheiving from it. Nor do I understand why any ex-contractors should feel the need to 'warn' anyone about the work available - especially when they would have taken so much experience from working there, and now probably highlight their sales skills from it in their resumes. Illusive Cube was such a hard working and empathetic company with a managing director who actually cares what you're doing and where you're going. Lastly I would like to say that I left Illusive Cube on an extremely positive note, was sad to leave and only left due to relocation. If anyone ever had a problem or issue when i was there, past or present, Ben would probably want to solve it himself and speak to you personally, i'm sure.

Bnugent

Richmond,
Australia,
Australia

The above reply is spot on

#3UPDATE EX-employee responds

Mon, November 17, 2008

I might go on for a bit but you'll see the relevance at the end. I actually worked for an office which was part of cobra in melbourne back in 2004. I was a uni student strapped for cash at the time and there was no where else that would offer me a job due to my almost non-existent employment record.. except for this place. Without going on about it too much since the horror stories from cobra have been told here many times before (which i relate to 100% as some of them i could say mirrored my experience), after months of being there i decided to leave. I was sick of the 'cult' lifestyle and the moral issues that involved what i did and was told to do. You get brainwashed... and i mean it. No matter how smart you think you are this will happen. You work long hours, make next to nothing (no matter how much you sell since your really working from 830am to 9pm), get home late, get a few hours sleep before your at work again and if you neg out a little; and i mean a little, you'll be frowned upon. you cant even say that you're sleepy. you'll be made to think that theres light at the end of the tunnel but there isn't. why are these people doing this to you? because theyre brainwashed into the theology of this cult as well. if they believe in it then theyll 'teach' you convincingly and you'll do the same to others. its a cycle. when your friends/family tell you the truth you don;t want to hear it.. anyway you can read this stuff in one of many anti cobra reports. Not to mention names, the owner of my team was not the nicest person in the world though he/she was successful in some ways for his/her age ill give them that. he/she had a dream of moving higher up into his own office and 4 years on i can see that now he/she has an office in adelaide. the same registered name listed above (theres two and its one of them but i dont want to say which one) that was used in melb. i cant believe it. i totally agree with the person who posted above... i had some memorable times but it was a negative experience. and 99% of you will. if ur stuck for money and are young then go for a sales or customer service job over the phone or in a store. you have no idea what you're getting into if you do work for them. again, read all the reports about cobra on here. i learnt some life lessons there sure and you may too, but theyre lessons you can learn elsewhere.

Ex Employee

Adelaide,
Australia,
U.S.A.

You Had Illusive Cube Summed up the First time

#4UPDATE EX-employee responds

Mon, June 30, 2008

This report was right the first time and the 1st update was a load of b*******. I used to work at this company and i know firsthand how they scam and rip people off, I know all the phone techniques to get you in for an appt and what they do when you don't make it in they hound and hound you. You are told pretty much to lie to people coming in for interviews and to be vague and not know much about the job, it insults your intellegence. They advertise for their jobs so it doesn't sound like commision when in fact it is and they advertise in so may avenues so that they can get people in and unfortunately its the people that really need jobs that get sucked in to their scam. They try and build a relationship with you to keep you staying there and everyone is your friend til you do s**t on the field. They send you on road trips which the accomodation comes out of your bond and take you on business trips which you end up paying for. If you neg out then your dead to these people. I worked there for a while and i saw one propmotion in the office it never happens like they say ( you can be promoted in weeks if you apply yourself) and sure they work for charities and non for profit organisations but the cobra group really brings those people down. I am glad to be out

Adelaide08

Sydney,
Asia,
East Timor

IMPORTANT UPDATE #2

#5Author of original report

Wed, February 06, 2008

I wish to make a few things clear 1. I was NEVER an employee of any of the companies listed in my report 2. My experience with the company during the interview and observation day process was POSITIVE 3. The report is written based on my OPINION I apologise if I have misled any readers.

Adelaide08

Adelaide,
Australia,
Australia

Important Update

#6Author of original report

Tue, February 05, 2008

I have since discovered that Illusive Cube and Airborne Enterprises are not associated with Cobra Group as I originally thought. I misinterpreted the information I received and wish to retract all statements about the Adelaide door to door marketing companies. I wish to stress that my observation day with Illusive Cube was a positive day, I had fun, everyone was very friendly and I felt a member of the team. The company provides various salary structures which I was not aware of and provides opportunities for young people to move into leadership roles if they put in the hardwork and effort. Unlike casual employment at a supermarket where you are limited to standing around scanning items at Illusive Cube you have a hands on approach to your success. You can still be successful whilst studying and your earning capabilities are unlimitied. I apologise for my misinterpretation of the company structure, I feel really stupid now because they are a great bunch of people and if I had listened more carefully I would have realised that they only get their clients from Cobra - Cobra is not their "parent" company as I thought.

Adelaide08

Adelaide,
Australia,
Australia