Complaint Review: Distinctive Solutions Inc. - Bala Cynwyd Pennsylvania

In case anyone is interested... the company is now called Ethos Consulting Group and is in Aurora Colorado. I had the EXACT same interviewing experience (interviewing for an executive accounts manager position) as you but luckily stumbled upon your article right before my second interview, the interviewer didn't directly answer any of my questions but instead told me they would all be answered in my final interview where they give you the offer as we were running out of time. But he did manage to say that they had "performance based salary" (which by definition is not salary) and many other great benefits which we don't have time to get into. 

He outlined the "performance based salary" basically stating something like I would be making $400-600 for the first few months, then $800-1200 after my first promotion where I'll be at for another year or so then a short stint at $1200-1600 then I'll finally be getting $125K. Whoa... that's quite a jump from supposedly making $70K to $125K right?

A lot of red flags during that second interview, the listing was for Executive Accounts Manager but as you may have already guessed they told me "you can't be a manager if you haven't been in the trenches, so you'll have to put your time in at the entry level position. But you'll get promoted in less than a month". What??? But they insisted that with my skill I would be on an accelerated program and would surely climb to the top in no time. 

An hour after the second interview they said I will need to come in one last time and then they will make me a job offer seeing as to how they really like me. I let it go to voicemail a few times, finally decided to call them back and tell them I will not be coming in for the final interview.

Well there you have it, you're all smart adults so I'll leave you to your decision. But come on... don't fall for this gimmick.

Thank you all for the valuable information and saving my time.  I was just called for an interview, had some questions but given very vague answers.  So I checked out the website and once again, vagueness.  I agreed to an interview for something that I didn't know exactly what I'd be doing.  After reading all of your comments, it sounded like a carbon copy of a company I used to work for and immediately canceled my interview.  I now am not going to waste a Friday afternoon at what appears to be a joke of a company.

I just was call by this company for an interview. I researched the website that they give to review but it was no help and really just talk in circle. I was left with the question what does this company really do? Thanks to you report and the comments my suspicions about this companyare correct. And I will not be wasting my time or money going to the interview.

I was just contacted by Danielle for the Bala Cynwyd location.  Thanks to all of you for your comments.  I knew to turn down the interview!

Hello again, I forgot to mention one of the biggest ripoffs this company has to offer.  When I was working at Eric Chapman's Timonium office in Maryland for what was considerably the longest 10 weeks of my life...I noticed a lot of hypocritical stuff going on in regards to the process of climbing that latter to become a manager/owner.  I have mentioned a bunch in my previous rebuttal as well as the creator of this report.  

Despite what was mentioned: no gas money, no company cellphone, and no base pay, along with no benefits including healthcare; I have to say that the biggest thing I noticed was the fact that there were employees working for awhile that did not have transportation.  So they bummed rides almost every day, and  instead of bottom-lining them which should have been done, Eric would rather use them to his advantage; especially the ones that have really good sales skills.  Now this means that the employee has a job, which is always a plus in my opinion, but the whole push-gimmick in moving up, getting those interviews, etc...it takes a halt, and they are pretty much staggering.  Sure they get to go out with other leaders to their T's to solicit and make sales but in the process they aren't going anywhere.  

I also noticed that it does make sense on the income structure given which is considerably at high risk and even the top salesmen at the office know it.  This company not only sucks out your life, social life outside of work, family, friends, etc...It makes you look like a crook, idiot, sucker, and etc.  Most of the top sales people live in an itchy neighborhood, their parents house, or are roommates.  Kind of a shady life in my opinion.

I understand that not everyone enjoy desk jobs, or living out of their suitcases, or even carrying a briefcase...Yet when you have a company that flashes dollar signs ($$$) in your face should automatically wave a red flag.

To start a business, first you need to be creative.  You also need to have REAL DOLLAR SIGNS to build into your business along with the patients and knowledge that it's going to take some time...Not an 8 week to 1 year scale like these people want you to think.  I believe that most people are afraid of starting a business because of all the red tape involved, well that's only because our government wants you to be LEGIT and doesn't want you to swindle people into buying something that is a complete rip off.  Kinda like what this company does, the only sad thing about it, the clients in which the company promotes are making money off of them and nothing more, the clients pretty much own companies like this, because they are being used to the advantage of the client and on their terms.  When the client sees that sales are down, that's when you're getting an ear full from the so called owner of Distinctive Solutions.  

So therefore...the Solution, is find a REAL JOB.          

Hello again, I forgot to mention one of the biggest ripoffs this company has to offer.  When I was working at Eric Chapman's Timonium office in Maryland for what was considerably the longest 10 weeks of my life...I noticed a lot of hypocritical stuff going on in regards to the process of climbing that latter to become a manager/owner.  I have mentioned a bunch in my previous rebuttal as well as the creator of this report.  

Despite what I mentioned about no gas money, no company cellphone, and no base pay, along with no benefits including healthcare... I have to say that the biggest thing I noticed was the fact that there were employees there for awhile that did not have their own transportation.  So instead of bottom-lining them which should have been done, Eric would rather use them to his advantage, especially the ones that have really good sales skills.  Now this means that the employee has a job, which is always a plus in my opinion, but the whole push gimmick in moving up, getting those interviews, etc...It takes a halt, and they are pretty much staggering.  Sure they get to go out with other leaders to their T's to solicit to make sales but in the process they aren't going anywhere.  

I also noticed that it does make sense on the income structure given which is considerably at high risk and even the top salesmen at the office know it.  This company not only sucks out your life, social life outside of work, family, friends, etc...It makes you look like a crook, idiot, sucker, and etc.  Most of the top sales people live in an itchy neighborhood, their parents house, or are roommates.  Kind of a shady life in my opinion.

I understand that not everyone enjoy desk jobs, or living out of their suitcases, or even carrying a briefcase...Yet when you have a company that flashes dollar signs ($$$) in your face should automatically wave a red flag.

To start a business, first you need to be creative.  You also need to have REAL DOLLAR SIGNS to build into your business along with the patients and knowledge that it's going to take some time...Not an 8 week to 1 year scale like these people want you to think.  I believe that most people are afraid of starting a business because of all the red tape involved, well that's only because our government wants you to be LEGIT and doesn't want you to swindle people into buying something that is a complete rip off.  Kinda like what this company does, the only sad thing about it, the clients in which the company promotes are making money off of them and nothing more, the clients pretty much own companies like this, because they are being used to the advantage of the client and on their terms.  When the client sees that sales are down, that's when you're getting an ear full from the so called owner of Distinctive Solutions.  

So therefore...the Solution, is find a REAL JOB.          

Agreed

This is Melvin isnt it?  Look Melvin i liked you, but your rebuttal is straight BS and reeks of the Cydcor company lines that get brainwashed into DSI employees. I worked at DSI for 3-4 months within the last 3 years and i saw how this place really works.

As for the BS in your post, the most glaring one is the implication that DSI hires selectivley: "those fortunate to get an offer from the company"...  BS, you know that this place will hire anyone who walks through the door, as soon as someone quit there were 4 more "fortunate" hires in the door, i personally know of at least 4 people in the short time i was there that had just GEDs, which is fine im not gonna hate on someone just because they got done highschool late, but i will hate on a company thats acts all important but will take any warm body.  One of the biggest red flags out of many for me, as a college graduate, was that there were people who literally, no jokes, were barely literate.  Its the law of averages right Mel? the more people that get hired, the bettter chance you have of finding a sucker who will give up their life for DSI.  Number 2, "It's a Management Training Program", no its not, its a pyrimad/multi level marketing scheme that hooks people in by tricking them into thinking they are on the fast track to management, which is the main lie told on interviews, (which by the way was the most dumbfounding thing about the company to me, how can you and others that have been there over a year, some 5 yrs plus, sit there and lie to someone about how fast they will get to management (1yr - year and a half) when you know that you are way past the stated timeline for management yourself, yet you are still on the same payscale as the day you were hired, i already know your answer - "im just a slower learner and/or i just have to wait for my oppurtunity" - thats the brainwashing talking, wake up!)  When i think about the "management training" aspect of the job, i think about a girl who never had a real job that  started right after college, that had been there about 5 years, who one day was literally squirming because she was so hungry, when i asked if she wanted to get something to eat, she said "i dont have the money or time to eat at work" despite the fact DSI claims youll be making 150k after 12-18 months, she had also been to at least 3 diffrent cities (they do this as wel as keeping you 12 hrs a day plus mandatory "team nights" after work twice a week to keep you away from anyone who might try to talk sense into you regarding what a scam this job is, basically they want to make DSI your entire life), im pretty sure estranged from her family, and while in philly she lived in a s**t house with a few other DSI employees, and im pretty sure she had a ton of outstanding tickets and/or no car insurance as she was very very scared of getting pulled over even if no police cars were in sight, after 5 years working 70 hr weeks she had no money, and she wasent wasting it on food).  Another thing i noticed was the people who had worked there the longest and in diffrent cities, had the worst breath, ill let any readers draw there own conclusions there.  I think of the guys who talked about proposing to their girlfreind almost everyday but couldnt cuase they werent even close to being able to afford a ring, let alone a house or a child etc.  You then say "I personally receive between $700 to $750 a week on my paychecks, but have made over $2K plenty of times", ok you are good at it, but i dont care how good you are, for every "2k" week you have a $125 week and dont forget to factor in all your expenses, im sure you figured out by now you cant just write off anythin you do while working (another big lie told by DSI "we dont reimburse your expenses because you can just write them off on taxes"  yeah, a real legit company, they also claim to give you a paltry $50 a mo. towards health insurance - good luck seeing that.)

In closing, DSI is a straight scam company, that straight uses people, its a disgrace, i feel so bad for the people that are caught up in it and really think that one day it will lead them to a life of riches, it wont.  The people that work there lie not only to employees but consumers and like i said they repeat the same lies they were told when they were hired but are so brainwashed they dont see it.  its a dam shame.

So anyone who is researching DSI as a potential employer dont do it, no matter what they say, its a awful awful job that will ruin your life.

Hello Mr. Giles,

I will start by saying that you forgot to mention "Student Mentality" as an important key ingredient to success.  I also think you need to look up the word "ripoff" because in which the article stated was simply "reality" and not, which in your case, a "biased opinion".   

As a former employee of Distinctive Solutions for ten weeks it was quite a roller-coaster experience, as I started each day waiting in line almost ready to pass out, even during the leader's meetings.  I also found myself in deeper financial troubles than when I was receiving unemployment benefits bi-weekly.  Income was not substantial, in which I found myself spending more during the week in gas and lunch, plus the team nights and crew nights that went on each week, etc.  They have the nerve to tell you that gas reimbursement is through filing your taxes...

These people are brainwashed, not only to swindle you, but to make you feel that you are amazing at business and that you know all the answers, as the fortune 100 business owners don't know much of anything, especially when it comes to balancing their bills. 

I was brought in, of course like many others I'm sure, in a very desperate manner, as my unemployment (extension) was about to expire.  Even though their admin, Pam, read that my resume was in Information Technology, she still called me wanting to set up an interview.  Which after the first, I get a call from Justine, another admin, saying that I've been accepted for a second round interview.  So I come in for the day, knowing that I'm going to shadow one of their best sales reps, Jeff Folk.  Yep, they set me up with a guy that I later found through my observance that he's been there for well over two years and he only has one leader which barely hung on till finally the owner, Eric, let him go.  Thing is, he didn't say anything too nicely about his former team member as if he was a total failure and never helped contribute anything for the company.  Petty, isn't it? 

It is an insult to both the consumer and the employee on a philosophy that was created to make people believe that it is rest assuring, and almost guaranteed, and that it is easy.  Where many ways during the interview process as well as entry level, employees are being told many things that are not true, one of the biggest is stretching the truth (ex. Saying that you are not soliciting when you really are, and making it look like you are performing an audit on their bills.)  Everyone should understand, that stretching the truth, along with bashing the competitor, are the two best methods of advertising and for that I can give DS props because the owner takes it all the way to the bank as stated in the Cynwyd Office article.

For people who do not understand a pyramid scheme, where you are brought in by someone and he is your leader, as when you pay your dues and rank up (which they call a promotion), you then get to take on more responsibilities (office work: scanning, bathroom cleaning, taking out the trash, teach a MOD, etc.) but not receive any additional compensation for it.  You then are brainwashed into believing that you can create this team under you and each member of your team under them and so on.  Now, how do you think your leader fairs from your success? Exactly!!! Yahtzee!!!

It is very simple to then figure out that Distinctive Solutions practices the pyramid scheme but simply takes out a key ingredient in which makes all pyramid schemes illegal..."They do not make you pay anything up front." Some independent business companies, like Amway/Quickstar, Primerica, Trump Network; have you pay for a so called "license" to get started.  DS doesn't do that and is why I let my guard down.

Instead, they make you pay with your time, while you're kicking out gas money and daily field spending, leaving you bone dry before you even receive your first paycheck.  Yes, I've heard that line before where you are receiving great MBA education by working there, yet doesn't that contradict the whole thing with door to door sales?  Teach me how to be a manager, and not do the bidding to where someone can piggyback over me so that they can reach the top, not knowing that the person in front of them will always make more money and so on.  

They start by offering a second interview which they are professional and tell you that you're going to be paid $10 per hour during your 5 day training period and for the few hours each day when you are at the office... 

Balderdash!!! My first pay check came 3 weeks later, and it was a mere $40 and some change.  As my first check given after I made my first sale (with the $100 first sale bonus) wasn't even $200. Now I considered myself (my leader even stated) that I was a "kick a*s" salesmen.  Yeah, even when I was rolling a doughnut every other day towards the time that I quit.  Yet after being promoted to leadership in just my first 3 weeks, it made me feel good about myself of course...

I have a question, on the check stub, what was this hold out deduction? The owner, Eric Chapman, or my leader, Jeff Folk, couldn't tell me when I asked.  It was kind of important I suppose because I thought I made $900 one week and I ended up only making $494.  Another week I thought I earned over $500 and I cleared less than $300...Something just didn't add up even when taxes were taken out.  I also understand that there was a thing where customers in which you poured your heart and soul into deceiving which they can cancel the entire sale 2 weeks later.  So that bell party that you participated in that evening was a waste of time. 

Nevertheless, this company loves to flaunt how good you are by giving you a crowded applause when you make the bell (selling $100 or more) or gong (selling $200 or more) and giving you that promotion; which all it really is is simply giving you more responsibilities around the office and basically doing the dirty work so the manager (owner) doesn't have to.  I think it's a pretty sweet deal if you're the owner...As he makes a percentage off each commissioned sale you made, and the fact that you aren't even given a base salary.  I then figured out why he has these hardcore meetings with the leaders in pushing their new/entry level team members in getting better and making sales.  The client doesn't help either, but I'll get into that later on... 

All that the owner has to do is show up to the office every day and give his employees a nice speech and pep talk, which the fowl language is simmered down heavily when the entry level employees are brought in to the morning preparation (you aren't being payed during that period) yet in business, time is money and time wasted can never be recovered, and you think you're learning something when in the long run you are just wasting your time and everyone else's.  

Now the client, in which I was on the Verizon Business to Business team, and went to the business meeting at the Sheridan in Baltimore this past year (2010) so yes I was very serious about this.  

Verizon was in my opinion, horrible in giving the proper tools to sell with.  Yes the product was good and it could even sell itself.  As one time in which a customer told me that she never lets anyone inside let alone talk down the entire pitch and I closed her within an hour.  Some areas can't get DSL, let alone FIOS, as well as foreign exchange lines which covered most of people's territories.

Now what's even worse? You do not get paid on upgrading bundle packages or internet speeds. You only get paid from a product in which you sell, or add onto (yes by stretching the truth to your customer in thinking it's included in the price); also by adding phone lines as well.  Why would I want to upgrade speed, and waste my time filling out the app for FREE? You could say I can salvage this by adding a VASIP products that the customer doesn't need, but in reality it's still a defeat.  You don't even get paid for filling out the ridiculous application.  In which for some reason, the admin which somehow thinks she's the boss and spits hell-fire at the employees late at night when they make a simple mistake.  So that means you have to take the app back to the customer the next day right? Nope, not that easy...You have to fill out the app again, and have the customer sign it again, as well as make that third party verification phone call with the FCC once again...It's all a headache I'm afraid.  Some applications, require a lot of stress and time to complete, as well as multiple applications depending on what the customer's needs are and the entire process could take you anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours.  

So yes, again, you people need to pay your employees for EVERYTHING that they labor on, and not just a product in which they sell since they aren't getting a base pay, receiving gas reimbursement, and not being provided a cellphone in which the backbone of your job depends on you making phone calls.  That's just doing good business.  So now who is the real ripoff?  

The Verizon help-desk hotline isn't very professional, as sometimes they have newbie call center agents (which our honest owner stated repeatedly that they have to work for VZ for at least 5 years before moving to that call center, which was NOT true).  I have lost a few sales based on being given quotes that I then gave to the customer in which they were willing to buy and they ended up being misquoted by the help-desk agent.  

My friend, these aren't excuses, these are outrages!!!        

Mr. Giles, the way that you say that you get along with everyone in the office is because it is supposed to be a professional environment.  You have to wear a suit to work everyday so naturally people you work with are to be courteous and kind for most of the time you are around them.  It is simply the business image.  I just find it funny how my leader and I got along so well which hung out after work 1-2 nights a week for team night and crew night.  Now, once I tell him that it's not working out I never receive a phone call or even a text as if I stole something from him, when all I stated was that it'll be best for both of us that I leave now so each of us won't waste any more of our time.  Then again, that's not very funny, that's pretty petty and shady if you ask me.  Which I made a decision based on my family of 4 (2 children) that I need something more substantial.  This guy was 31 with no wife or kids and I'm 27 with a wife and 2 kids.  Unforgiving!!!  

I was working at my other job as a backup in which I still work part-time at a bar and I make more money doing that than the time I was with Distinctive Solutions.

So now all I will say to you is CHEERS and good luck to you.

Sincerely,

jpart122500   

I'm an employee of the company and have been working there for over a year. I went online to look over the improvements done to our website and I came across this rip-off report. After reading the whole thing I decided to respond to it. Well first of all I thought it was well written and thought out.  I guess the author had a lot of time on their hands considering the length and details.  All I can say in response is that it's unfortunate this individual isn't a part of our crew. It seems they have a remarkable ability to paint a clear picture of how their experience was and they probably would have been great at sales.  With a few sales techniques and some positive reinforcements they could have been awesome. However, I can understand the skepticism but most of it is because of their lack of knowledge of how our business operates.  It's a Management Training Program. It's not easy but very rewarding. All it requires is a solid work ethic, a great attitude, and an ability to learn. I came in with a college degree and a bar-tending background, took the position to see it for myself and picked it up pretty quick.  I have learned more in one year then all the years I spent in college or working overseas.  Anyone who works or has worked there can say the same. Everyone there has a great relationship with one another and are motivated individuals for themselves and others.  The opportunity for advancement is simple but requires discipline. I personally receive between $700 to $750 a week on my paychecks, but have made over $2K plenty of times. There's lots of great things I can say about the company, however those fortunate to get an offer from the company have to see it for themselves. It's easy to bash a company and not know much about it, that's why I always encourage people to ask lots of questions while on their 2nd round interviews especially if I'm conducting one.