ck
Calgary,#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, October 03, 2013
Worked there about 9 years ago so my memory of the whole thing is a little fuzzy.
Similar experience with the "interview". The "lotto ticket" thing sounds new but I guess they gotta branch out from cold calling somehow... Were you paid while canvasing for suckers, or "ducks" as I seem to recall the greasy managers there calling them? The sales people that were there when I was there were actually really nice, we even hung out a few times at one of their houses after the 12 hour no-pay grind.
Worked there for a couple months, sold a few vacs and quit cuz my phone and gas were costing more than the "appointment fee". Yeah that one was a croc too, they tell you that you make x/hour based on having appointments lined up and then the appointments are actually spaced out quite a bit and take longer than advertised; thus dropping the "base" rate of pay considerably. Iirc you had to do a certain amount of appointments in a month to get any sort of pay.
Some of the places they send you to as well... I remember once they sent me to a house being rented by 3 college dudes that looked like it had never been vacuumed ever. What kind of college dude is gonna pay 2 frickin grand for a vacuum...
At the end of the appointment we gave out a crappy 3 pack of kitchen knives that iirc were "valued" at 25 bux and were promoted as a gift I usually gave away 2 or 3 and they certainly wreent anywhere near 25 bux as you could probably have gone in and taken 20 packs of them a day without anyone batting an eye.
Man was I glad to get that stupid white box and toolkit out of my car...
Was it still the tall dark heired guy named Tyler and some short little wormy guy (I can't remember his name) running things there? The slimy bums probably read stories of past "employees" ( voluntary duped slaves ) on sites like this and laugh.
They must not have taught you too well, in your report you called it a demo:P "It's a show! never call it a demo!" or something along those lines is something I remember hearing...
Sam P
Calgary,#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, June 21, 2013
Wow, I guess there is always someone who feels that because they couldnt make it as a sales rep, they have to blame the company!!! Sales is a hard career to learn. But even my self who has never sold anything in my life, and to this day I am horrible at it! I still gave the company a try, and they helped me grow, learning new things even though sales isnt for me, and I did get paid whenever I sold to a home, I even sold one to my Aunt, who was very excited to have a top of the line cleaning system in her home.
As I was in the training with my group, I was shocked to see what they pulled out, as The TriStar is a vaccum I have been using for years!!! its a great machine, that my family have been getting serviced for free over the years as well, with its 25 year warrenty, you cant go wrong!! So I was already excited about the produce before starting.
Even though I didnt sell much. the people that stuck it out made quite a bit, which at 1st motivated me, but only making a fwe sales a month i realized that I am more suited at a desk, aha.
But in the end I have nothing bad to say about the company.
no one important
calgary,#4UPDATE Employee
Sun, January 22, 2012
I've just finnished reading all the complaints about Tri-Star, and how it"s a scam. All I can really say is, IT'S SALES !!!! If you can"t sell a hotdog to a starving person, don"t get into it. As far as sales poeple go, some are pushy, and some are polite, simply because that's human nature. Some people are just jerks. Deal with it.
I have not seen or heard any complaints about the products themselves. In fact in my personal experience it's been quite the opposite. People who have owned the machines for 25 plus years swear by them. In fact I was told by a consumer recently that they were upset because there was no supplier here in Calgary until recently, so they were forced to purchase a different system that, at the store still cost them $1100 and doesn"t work nearly as well.
This couple had purchased thier original machine in 1976, it worked fantastic for them untill the brush drive belt finally broke 2 years ago. so do the math yourself, but thats quite a lifespan for any home appliance. The only thing they were upset about was that at that time they were unable to find a parts supplier locally.
Now as for the the door to door sales. Face it even U.N.I.C.E.F. used to do it. Don"t believe me? How many of you carried the little orange box for your school at Halloween as kids? Too boot you did it for free.
Secondly if you were to take the markings off of a Honda automobile and a Mercedes, placed them side by side, priced one at $20,000 and one at $80,000 which one would people buy? They both offer the same options, but which would you rather have? It"s the same thing with vacuums, would you rather spend $200 every two years, plus have to worry about maintanence costs ( ie. Belts, bags, filters, rising yearly costs, etc.)? Or does it make more sense to spend even $3000 over 30 years with no maintenence to worry about?
In conclusion all I can really say is, think for yourselves, and good luck.
John Malone
Calgary,#5UPDATE Employee
Sun, May 31, 2009
What a waste of skin this guy is. He is mad because hes a loser and is watching other people become successful while he collects welfare. I'm glad I dont know this negative excuse for a human being. Anyone who blames a company for their own failures is a loser and will never amount to anything. I know in ten years I will be throwing nickels in this guys cup on the side of the road. Good Luck Mr hide behind the internet. I started at that same position and it has changed my life for the best. You want the real story? Ask anyone who has worked there for a while
Josh Stevens
Aurora,#6UPDATE Employee
Fri, May 22, 2009
Wow that story was amazing! I started two months ago in lakewood co and it sure does not seem like a scam to me. I am a college student and it is hard to find a job these days, im sure glad l and l systems gave me a shot. the price of the machine is correct the money they offer you is incorrect though. If everyone made that much money on one sale how the hell are they paying the bills, lease, energy, water, telemarketers, lawyers, advertising etc.. So enough said about that!!! We are not rude to customers and the machine is worth it and will save people money the road. I can obviously tell that you payed no attention in training and know nothing about vacuums. Buying a tristar on ebay, good luck with that pal. Hope it doesnt break or you get ripped off with fake parts. Just because you could not sell a good product that really works is not the companies fault "not everyone makes it to the superbowl" But hey sounds like you are qualified for walmart or taco bell. Good luck to you. I made $1900 my first month which isnt amazing, but I have already made over $2700 this month so I guess people like the product.
Dustyn
Calgary,#7Consumer Comment
Tue, March 17, 2009
Thank you Mark for filling this report. During these hard times people don't have time to waste on a job like this. I called an add in the paper and they asked me to go in for an interview. Upon my arrival I had a funny feeling about the place but still stuck around for my interview. After the interview, the manager said he'd be calling me back between 6-7 pm telling me if I was the candidate for training, starting Wednesday. I wasn't able to get much information about the company during the interview other then it deals with residential air pollution and they guarantee $2400/ month + profit sharing. He explained the profit sharing at a junior level would be $800 - $1200 a week . Now, I'm a welder by trade and wasn't expecting a call back because I have no experience in "air pollution" what so ever. Sure enough, I received that call around 6:30 pm stating I was selected for training and told to show up Wednesday at 10am. I then became suspicious and did some research online. It was a little difficult because in the waiting room they presented themselves as "Star INC" but I recalled on my way out that they had a plaque where the company was "Tristar Industries". After finding this add I was surprised how your story was so similar to mine then noticed the address.....sure enough its where I went for my interview. So thanks to you I am not going in on Wednesday and wasting my time as a vacuum salesman.
Gene
Wadsworth,#8Consumer Comment
Tue, November 18, 2008
Thank you for the report of your experience. Tristar is now in Akron Ohio trying the same gimmick. Much like you I am having a problem finding work and they had a very vague help wanted add in our paper. I did make it to the interview and the process of hiring is set up very much the way you described. It was the strangest interview I ever encountered so I felt compelled to search further through this site. Fortunately I found your info and the time it will save me is much appreciated. I really appreciate this site, it is very invaluable to ones personal protection. Thank you, Gene