- Report: #342839
Complaint Review: Vector Marketing - Bremerton Washington
-
Author Confirmed
Why?
Vector Marketing
2817 Wheaton Way,Suite 210 Bremerton, 98310 Washington, U.S.A.
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good?
Vector Marketing Gave false information, and a strange district office that looks to small for a "big company" Bremerton Washington
I just want to bring to everyone's attention of the Vector Marketing office here in Bremerton Washington. I had set up an appointment to apply for a job yesterday afternoon. I went in and found out that they were doing same day interviews.
We were told that there would be 3 steps in order to get the job. The first being the application and being asked some simple questions, the second being a 1 hour briefing on just who and what the company is, and the third would be the actual interview.
The first thing to throw me off as a little strange was that during the briefing we were told that Vector was a large company and that we were in the District Office. I looked around and all I saw was the reception room (which we were in at the time), the secretary's office, and the District Manager's Office. If this was a large corporation like we were being told about, why only a small office building? I would think that it would have been at least twice the size.
The next thing that seemed strange was the ages of their customers and the length of time that some of their customers have been with them. I mean isn't it against the law not to sell things to certaing age groups? We could only sell to people were at least 25 years of age! What about the legal adults who are younger? The 18-24 group? Why can't they buy the knives? As long as they could pay for them, there shouldn't be a problem, right?
During the briefing, the District Manager then told us that Vector has been around since 1981. He then goes on about how they've had customers for up to 50 years! How is that possible?! I don't think that I'm pushing 50 yet since the company was founded two years before my birth year!
The next thing was how to sell the products. He told us that to start off it would be easier to sell to family and friends and to get references from them to make more sells, but they have to schedule an appointment with us first. We can't make phone calls or go door to door or put adds or whatever. How the Hell are we supposed to sell this product and let people kow it's out there? And why does the potential customer have to schedule the appointment in order to buy the product, even though we were told that it would be easier to sell to the people we know? Wouldn't that be us going against company policy to tell these people about the product so they buy it?
Then there was the interview. I was in there talking to the guy, and I was hired literally within 5 minutes! The only job I've had before was in the Military, so I've never done a job interview. How is it when I go into my FIRST job interview, being nervous and sweaty (I take medication for anxiety) and score a job by being asked one question and answer it, stuttering?! I wouldn't have hired me! He didn't even bother to ask for my resume!
There was another thing that got me. In order to sell the product, we have to sign out a demonstration set of knives. In order to do THAT, we have to sign a check for $500 dollars and use that as our sign out card for "insurance purposes".
After I had gotten home, and I started to dwell on these things, I went online and checked out their web site. My family owns a cutlery set, a pretty nice one at that, that we paid about $40 dollars for. Vector Marketing was selling cutlery sets that contained less knives than what we got in ours, for about $300 dollars! I don't know of anyone wanting to pay that kind of price for knives. I don't care how nice they seem to be.
I had told my Dad that I had gotten hired by Vector, and after I realized what this company might be, I sent an E-mail stating that I did not want the job. I was trying to figure out how to tell my Dad that I had quit, when unknown to me, he recognized the name and research it. He had sent me a report showing evidence that showed me that I was in the right to quit, before they pulled me in and made me broke. I believe that they are moving around the area here in the Northwest due to their small office building (courtesy of a "large corporation") and trying to work their scam on as many people they can.
Robert
Bremerton, Washington
U.S.A.
We were told that there would be 3 steps in order to get the job. The first being the application and being asked some simple questions, the second being a 1 hour briefing on just who and what the company is, and the third would be the actual interview.
The first thing to throw me off as a little strange was that during the briefing we were told that Vector was a large company and that we were in the District Office. I looked around and all I saw was the reception room (which we were in at the time), the secretary's office, and the District Manager's Office. If this was a large corporation like we were being told about, why only a small office building? I would think that it would have been at least twice the size.
The next thing that seemed strange was the ages of their customers and the length of time that some of their customers have been with them. I mean isn't it against the law not to sell things to certaing age groups? We could only sell to people were at least 25 years of age! What about the legal adults who are younger? The 18-24 group? Why can't they buy the knives? As long as they could pay for them, there shouldn't be a problem, right?
During the briefing, the District Manager then told us that Vector has been around since 1981. He then goes on about how they've had customers for up to 50 years! How is that possible?! I don't think that I'm pushing 50 yet since the company was founded two years before my birth year!
The next thing was how to sell the products. He told us that to start off it would be easier to sell to family and friends and to get references from them to make more sells, but they have to schedule an appointment with us first. We can't make phone calls or go door to door or put adds or whatever. How the Hell are we supposed to sell this product and let people kow it's out there? And why does the potential customer have to schedule the appointment in order to buy the product, even though we were told that it would be easier to sell to the people we know? Wouldn't that be us going against company policy to tell these people about the product so they buy it?
Then there was the interview. I was in there talking to the guy, and I was hired literally within 5 minutes! The only job I've had before was in the Military, so I've never done a job interview. How is it when I go into my FIRST job interview, being nervous and sweaty (I take medication for anxiety) and score a job by being asked one question and answer it, stuttering?! I wouldn't have hired me! He didn't even bother to ask for my resume!
There was another thing that got me. In order to sell the product, we have to sign out a demonstration set of knives. In order to do THAT, we have to sign a check for $500 dollars and use that as our sign out card for "insurance purposes".
After I had gotten home, and I started to dwell on these things, I went online and checked out their web site. My family owns a cutlery set, a pretty nice one at that, that we paid about $40 dollars for. Vector Marketing was selling cutlery sets that contained less knives than what we got in ours, for about $300 dollars! I don't know of anyone wanting to pay that kind of price for knives. I don't care how nice they seem to be.
I had told my Dad that I had gotten hired by Vector, and after I realized what this company might be, I sent an E-mail stating that I did not want the job. I was trying to figure out how to tell my Dad that I had quit, when unknown to me, he recognized the name and research it. He had sent me a report showing evidence that showed me that I was in the right to quit, before they pulled me in and made me broke. I believe that they are moving around the area here in the Northwest due to their small office building (courtesy of a "large corporation") and trying to work their scam on as many people they can.
Robert
Bremerton, Washington
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Ryan Ilagan
Winnipeg,Manitoba,
Canada
Not a scam...But it is not for everyone
#2UPDATE Employee
Tue, April 12, 2011
I am a current employee of Vector Marketing Canada Ltd.
I don't know if things are ran differently in the states, but I know not everyone has a positive or negative experience with Vector. I find it really unfair when people say it's a scam, because it's really not. Sure Vector has guidelines as to how things are run, but keep in mind they are strict guidelines that you understood and agreed to follow. Just because you became unhappy with your agreement, doesn't mean you got scammed. just means you're unhappy.
Like i said, i am an employee running out of the Winnipeg office. I've done around $5,000 dollars in sales, been promoted twice from the 10% to the 15% in my first weekend, and from the 15% to the 20% in my first month pretty much. Through my sales i've earned $725. I also got promoted to key staff (not sure what my role is, but it hasnt cost me anything). I was happy with the recognition I got. Certificates and pins etc. Recognition on our facebook page and at our conferences held. There are a lot of positive things about Vector. They teach you a lot of skills for life, like responsibility, time management, dedication, positive reinforcement, maturity and also to just trust in being yourself when working. All of those have poured over into my everyday life. I've also applied at other places and they really admire the fact that i've worked with Vector.
I guess how you feel is how a lot of unhappy people feel with the experience. But ill try to clear things up for skeptics...
--The office space. Well, i was skeptical about my office too. Its only like 700 sq. ft. But it is a district office nonetheless. The reason it being like that is because the company gives the responsibility to the District Manager to select an office of their size. Most DM's are smart and choose a smaller office because smaller office = smaller cost. From their the DM isnt babied by Vector. They gotta work hard for their money. For themselves, for the office, and for any other expenses they need to cover in their lives. So in short, its not what you expected because they are being money smart and logical business people.
--Your interviewer must've made a mistake. My interviewer had said the correct information to me, even showed me, and had researched it herself infront of our group to show us. --Vector's way of getting out there is really unorthodox, but it works. Doesn't mean its a scam. The way that it works is that you do appointments with your family and friends to build your confidence. plus they would seem more susceptible to buying because they trust you, like the product and would love to help you out. Since they are family, they trust you and are more likely to give you friends numbers to call. Thats where you really need to apply the job. They teach you rapport building (relationship building) with people further outside of your comfort zone. As you build relationships you build trust. Get where im going here? with that they give you recommendations. Thats why you start with family. Cuz it gets to friends, then further out of your comfort zone. I've been to complete strangers houses, only knowing their name, phone number, and how they've known my previous customer. To be honest, its no different than seeing a family member. Some will buy, some wont. Ive had family say no, imve had strangers say no. its all the same. nothing different and nothing scam-like. I dont know what policy you read but thats nowhere in ours.
--They hire you as they hire almost everyone because the DM's are trained to teach experienced people and non-experienced people alike how to sell Cutco. They have a strong belief in you, thats why they hired you. I couldn't believe it myself. I've never had any experience selling at all and on my 2nd day I drop a 1,200 dollar set to a customer. The only previous work experience ive had was a dishwasher and a linecook for Mcdonald's.
--I'm surprised you had to pay $500. My starter kit was only like $109. You get your sample kit 75% off of the normal price for the knives in the set. Nothing scammy there.
--Finally, of course you looked up different cutlery sets. Of course there are cheaper ones and more costly ones. if you had went through training, paid attention and actually read through your book and done some personal research solely on the company, you'd know why ours are worth it. Read the guarantees, the production process, the materials and more on the quality of the cutlery itself, then you'll find out why they are worth it. Nothings scammy there.
If they like it, and really want it, they'll buy it. They just need some things reassured to them and want to know it'll be a right choice. In the end, they still have the option to say no. nothing scammy there.
tiffany
98367,United States of America
vector marketing
#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, February 27, 2011
i just have a couple questions for you i worked for vector marketing for about 5 months and i can tell you that they didnt take an actual penny from me. for the demo knife set they simple had one of my checks on file with the amount and signed and everything incase i damaged the knifes upon returnal
i can tell you that i did sell about 3,000 dollars worth of knifes the company simpled wanted a sales representative that used personal knowledge of the person meaning to go from friend to friend and getting other people that by thoses friends people you didnt know
so i also got paid on time unlike some companies i have worked for.. so i think you have mis judged the vector marketing inc. and you have to remember that the offices were small because there was no need for them to be big the only thing that the sales representatives actually did there was the weekly meeting in the evenings or come in to pick and drop stuff off the knifes are not being sold there so please people dont take one person's view as a bad mark for this company..
