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Live Marketing Direct, London, England, Greater London Complaints & Reviews - DOOR TO DOOR SALES SCAM |
| Review all Live Marketing Direct, London, England, Greater London complaints |
Live Marketing Direct |
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DOOR TO DOOR SALES SCAM
Complaint Rating: 
Company information:
Live Marketing Direct
14-20 Shand Street
London, Greater London, England
United Kingdom
Phone: 0207 234 3560
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Hi there,
I've seen so many forums about these companies that this is getting a bit tiring now. This company operates within the same office than EA Worldwide Acquisitions, Galaxy Marketing, Source Marketing Direct and London Marketing Services.
I have experience as a marketing manager but with the recession was made redundant. When i saw the ad in reed, I thought that it was actually a fast track to management since the company maybe due to the current situation was struggling and was in need of some experienced candidates.. how naive...
The ad on the website and also when i talked on the phone to Miss Courtney Sagar, they said salary negotiable. For me that means there is a salary at least. To my surprise when i was being interviewed by Mr Tom Harris, he tried to avoid the question a few times to then say it was 100% commission. When i told him they were lying on the ad he just told me I was very smart but he had a lot of people waiting to be interviewed for the same position and that he would call me back if i made it through the second interview.. Obviously he didnt call.
What kind of interview is that??? He didnt really check my cv, just asked me if i had experience in sales, what my goal was for the future and what i was looking for. Then with his fake teenager smile (Im not sure how old he is but i doubt he's older than 23-24 due to his lack of skills and professionalism), he told me the company started in USA (that's EA Worldwide Acquisitions) and they're looking for people to be trained from the entry level sales to a management position, including leadership, PR, Administration and something else i dont remember because i couldnt even keep that paper where he was explaining things.
What they call administration is a girl calling people on the phone and downloading cvs. Leadership is teaching your sales pitch to new recruiters to help get promoted to management (pyramid) and PR are the door to door sales based on 100% commission. This is a scam. I saw the guys leaving the office and they all look exhausted. This should be illegal.
They call you 10 times and send you 10 emails to prevent you from thinking much about them and keep you excited about it. The emails might come from Courtney Sagar or Erica Wright, a very big lady that with all my respect, should be wearing some more clothes (or proper ones) to be working in an office not in a club.
Hope everyone that gets a call from any of these companies just decides not to attend the first interview since it is a waste of time..
Live Marketing Direct is a scam, door to door on 100% commission, nothin related to marketing.
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 United Kingdom |
 Employment, Staffing, Recruiting Agencies |
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I had an interview with this company and i had exactly the same experience. The same girl Courtney Sagar called me to book me with the rest of the interviews that sounded a bit strage for me and then had the first round interview with Tom Harris, who was pretty vague with the information.
I was one the last interviews, about 4:30.. I went to a cafe shop in the area after the interview and saw him walking towards the station with one of this tabards people wear when representing companies on the street, like a big sleeveless t-shirt.. Now after doing research i guess he was going to knock on doors too.
They just tell you lies. He is the manager and he's still knocking on doors for a living.. I dont think they make that much money then.
Do not waste time and money attending their interviews. There's plenty information on the interent about them. They're all a scam.
Live Marketing Direct Tom Harris and EA Worldwide Aquisitions are bull**** |
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This is the link to a facebook group to work agains these companies. Marketing jobs scams
http://www.facebook.com/notifications.php#!/group.php?gid=103263926378811&ref=mf |
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Just because it wasnt the 50k dream job that you wanted, and all your dreams got shattered by the fact you couldnt handle that, it dosnt mean its a scam... WHERE IS THE SCAM?? What door to door is a scam? Commission is scam? Working hard is a scam?? Get a life dude...
Your probably thinking I work for them...quite the opposite. Just like you I went for an interview, I actually PAID ATTENTION to what Tom was saying and realised that YES its door to door, business to business or events and that it wasnt for me after all. No they dont disclose that its commission on the phone, but why shoudl they...I AM LOOKING FOR A JOB DURING A RECESSION, I SHOULD BE HAPPY I GET A JOB... did throw me off but to call it a scam??
As you said, your an "experienced manager"...doubt it... that would probably be me... because if that were the case you would know direct sales is a multi billion pound business which most of is based on commission and involving door to door. Did I take the job, NO... just for the fact that I couldnt see myself doing the door to door again and the fact I have a family so the hours wouldnt suit me, but nothing else...just wasnt for me... I just find it ridiculously funny that people like you get so annoyed that YOU didnt pay attention on the website where it clearly states FACE TO FACE SALES and the fact that you have to work hard for your money...
People...if you enjoy sales, go for it, if you dont THEN dont...just stop typing rubbish online justcause it wasnt for you. Sorry if i offended you but just as you are sick of reading things about direct sales scams... stop the hype...
THANK YOU :) |
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everyone has the right to explain their own opinions/experiences according to the law. that's what this website is for. And of course you work there mate, you guys are doing the same on every single forum.. it's pretty obvious now, and sad that u think u can make thousands of people think, you guys do marketing. It seems you dont know the difference between marketing and sales, you should go and check. You guys do sales, it has nothing to do with marketing as such. And sales are fine, but you ad is a complete lie. But i doubt you're gonna write entry level management program- self employed 100%comission, door to door for who know how long.. Noone will attend the interview, that's why you do what you do. people are not stupid as you all seem to think..
The situation with graduates without jobs is really bad, all these companies take advantage of it. A lot of people that go through this waste of time, has the right to let people know what the position (no job) is all about since you are not clear on the ads. It is true that is just comission, that is a self-employed position for everyone and that is door to door or shops or whatever with a total of 65+ hours a week. People that have worked there has said it. stop lying and deal with what you do because people already know. You just sound silly and desperate doing this. |
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Hi I am going to an interview today...from what you have said, this ad for this job does mislead you - I would never applied if I knew I would be doing door to door sales and yet this appears to be the case according to some of you. I have applied to do charity marketing for Source, and to be fair, I could get a job directly for a charity going round knocking on doors, AND get paid an hourly rate.
In any case I am going to the interview, to make my own mind up, but I do think it seems like a bit of a joke now. |
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Last week I got an offer to work for a company called Live Marketing Direct. After 3 days in their office I quit.
This is because after researching them and being around them, I discovered their disgusting scheme to get rich quick taking advantage of the young and unemployed. Indirectly they are also pratically lying to customers: poor, sick, old and or lonely people about charities such as the British Red Cross, WVRS and RSPCA. It's sick.
Live Marketing Direct also operate under a few other names, but they all spring from EA WORLDWIDE ACQUISITIONS, a very suspicious company apparently based in America. Instead of taking my word for it I suggest you take Google's. Look up:
Live Marketing Direct,
EA Worldwide Acquisitions,
Josh Cote,
pyramid scheme,
multi-level marketing.
You will see what I am talking about for yourself. Something BORDERLINE ILLEGAL is going on. I felt so weird around most of their employers, looking too happy and behaving like a cult, low levels of professionalism, constant brainwashing every morning..
Nearly EVERYTHING that comes out of their mouth is euphimistic sales-bullshit-talk to sugarcoat the pathetic truth, which is that they recruit naive hopefuls for virtual enslavement, and in the name of CHARITY too! Most of their sales come from very kind, caring, sympathetic but gullible people who live in council flats! IT'S DEBASED.
I was in their environment for 3 days and I can assure you every accusation made about them is true; I have experienced it first hand. You can read for yourself what goes on in there. This is practically fraud and I wonder why is it legal. Moreover why the hell are charities like Red X and WVRS hiring these bastards! Totally delusional. Stay away and tell all your jobseeking friends. |
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| im totally shocked by what I've seen so far, i went for the first interview and they called me to attend the second one on Monday, and if every thing been mentioned here is true I will be extremely disappointed, if they are not going to pay me per hour i wont work for them because this just a complete joke! i will update u asap |
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hi again
i went for the secound round interview and i found out that the dont pay you per houre, they pay you per sale...and they ask u to walk around london asking or i might say bagging pepole for money ...they call it " door to door sell"...lol what waste of time! |
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I am going to say now that this is not for everyone. It is hard work and you need to be good at sales. If you put in the hard work, you will get to where the managers are. I have worked there. It is spelled out eventually. But they do choose specific words on the job websites.
I had taken a lot of experience from these guys and it is very applicable to any future media and client based jobs. I don't regret any of it. Every truly successful person in media has and knows what it is like to do door to door. It is how you learn to 'really' communicate with people.
Pos: Gain excellent personal and communicational skills.
If you are a natural sales person, you can make it. And earn a ****load!
Neg: Not everyone makes it past first and second stage as much as they say you can.
It is door to door sales all the way until management.
People have done it, but it is all about putting in a LOT of effort. If you have a family/social life. Probably not for you. If you generally want to make a lot of money in the future and take a lot of negatives and stay positive (as well as being able to sell of course) then go for it.
I ain't no pro-scam person. I ain't not negger. I believe that there are people out there that can do this and earn a lot doing it. I would say about 3 - 5% tho :) |
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| Pure rubbish, its all a big fat scam as usual. Some illitrate American sitting behind a desk with a three piece suite and packs a posche in front of the office. Telling you he also did the face to face sales before he got he's own office. Lie lie lie. I worked with a similar company like this one about 5 years back at london bridge, they called themselves IPG imports from America with their mother office DS MAX!!! I'm not sure how this guys come into this country and get away with this lying to vounrable ppl desperate for work . The truth is that they know you will not last more than 3 days, at least a week at most. Thats why they spend a lot of money advertising on job site and the evening standard, and will definately get at least 10 ppl to start for a week. Which after you get tired to move on they've already got another 10 for next week!!! Obviously its costing them nothing to get bouts on the streets. I think watch dog has to get involved and blow them on the air waves. Blood sucking or should i say labour sucking vampires. lol |
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Right, I've just finished an interview with Live Marketing Sales and then saw this because my Dad done some research...thank god! Obviously from what I can read here there is somewhat of a misleading nature happening here.
To the people that have actually worked for Live Marketing Sales, I am only concerned about where this position is going to put me. If it leads to being a manager, then hell yes. Nice workplace, the people seem pretty cool and getting your own office which does look pretty suave and in the long-run it can only lead me to a position where I will be heavily involved in marketing...something which I plan for a career. Only being 19, that sounds like a very exciting proposition for me and I am obviously not expecting a ridiculously well paid, managerial job straight away. A position like that takes hard work, time, and the passion to do well.
If someone can tell me that if I put in my 100% effort into doing well with this job and won't get anywhere with it then my case is closed. But if you can't...what do you expect from applying for a new job?
Hugs and kisses.
J
P.s. If I do well at the door to door sales, how much do you reckon you can earn? |
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It's me again (just commented previous to this).
Update: DO NOT GO FOR THIS JOB. I had my first interview and thought to myself...this is amazing. Well, look at what I said previous to this comment. I was called in to a 'field day', which is bloody boring and you just watch some apparent team leader from 11AM to 10PM do door to door sales and pretty much getting rejected by everyone. We sat down for a break and he went through the program and structure with us. You start as an entry level salesman and apparently you can progress through 5 stages to reach Toms level (ownership) in the matter of 8-10 months, but they exaggerate the fact that you can do it within 28 weeks. BULLSHIT. How is that possible?
Heres the program scheme I made from the information my mentor gave me:
Entry Level Candidate /£250 a week/Learn & Progress
Leadership/£300 a week/ Train & teach
Crew Management/£400 a week/ Business meets, recruitment.
Assistant Manager/£600 a week/Admin, legal, HR.
Ownership (TOM)/ too much money!/ IT, Expansion, UK, Overseas.
Anyways, the whole company is based on commission, they receive no actual income apart from what charities give them to send vulnerable low-lifes out there. It is a MASSIVELY risky operation if this is true, the reason why this is all complete bullshit. Why would a successful business recruit a 19 year old barman and previous worked for Halfords (me) to become a manager in the matter of 8-10 months and to run an office. And NO-ONE gets paid if targets are not met. You can be amazing but if some douchebag stops dragging his feet and brings the sales numbers down...everyone's fucked. Also, currently their project is the British Red Cross (BRC) and they go round on people's doors and get them to sign up for the donation of £2 a week, but the donating only starts in 2 months time. From what my mentor and Tom told me, BRC set aside a budget for Live marketing and based on sales performance that is Live Marketing gets paid, therefore the staff. Now, considering that If I get someone to sign up for donation (which is not actually a sale since they can just say no in 2 months), how can I get paid on a weekly basis if the sales aren't actually made until 2 months in time? Guys, that was my turning point. I had to think hard and make sense of it but some marketing businesses are just looking for free labour since a pigeon could do door-to-door sales.
They are very compelling in the office and in the interviews. The place looks buzzing, and the staff/bosses look sound and friendly. Which they are. Tom was a very nice guy, and I was so close to going in today for my first day but after doing some more looking around and to my discovery, previous complaints match the exact same story I went through in the past few days and decided that it's not worth getting screwed over.
OVERALL SUMMARY: Too good to be true? It probably is.
Don't fall for it guys. Do your research and look for yourselves. |
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| I'm really not sure what to think. Im supposed to be going for a second round interview tomorrow. Is the whole thing a complete scam or is there some money to be made. My main concern is whether they are actually employed by these charities or they have no idea they are using their names to rip people off. I think I'll go tomorrow and listen to what they say and see if it sounds dodgy. |
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Omg is this all true? I really cant quite believe this!
I applied for a job with them yesterday ( Tues) and got a reply via email the same day which I was well chuffed about, as Ive been seeking employment for a few months now. I intended to give them a call first thing this morning (Weds) to discuss the next step. If this is truly a scam, I wont bother wasting my time...Im very disapointed all the same. |
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I applied for their job GOOD WITH PEOPLE? GREAT COMMUNICATION SKILLS? IMMEDIATE START! a couple days ago
wow, what an ordeal.
I like many of you was immediately rung up by the fast talking Aussie girl Courtney.
I was desperate for a job and had never been job hunting before so had no experience as to whether the 'too good to be true' saying applied to jobs..
She started banging on about what they were looking for, excellent interpersonal skills and targets being met etc etc and working in fast paced cinema environments I know what its like to be fast paced and have up-selling skills and targets, i was paid hourly though.
I was suspicious as to the fact that the interview would be tomorrow and no mention in the advert as too door to door sales.
I made the interview appointment at 4pm the next day and rung them up regretting it after calling my dad about it having researched the company, as soon as you type it 'source mark...' it comes up with Source Marketing Direct scam...
I felt so shot up inside, I've been desperately searching for a job for a while now and have good experience etc.
I rang Courtney up on the same day and said I've googled Source Marketing Direct and its come up with threads and threads of negativity and she replied with its to do with the fact that we go door to door and the negativity is mixed with the positivity...
Eek... what positivity? 100% commision slavery? Lies and deceit?
They also have an advert at caterer.com called WAITERS/WAITRESSES - IMMEDIATE START.
My goal at 20 is to get a job in hospitality and seemed great!
I clicked on it and the add sounded like one of those cheesy late night adverts for exercise machinery.
"tired of those flabby arms, sick of doing sit ups hurting your back etc...'
The add said "sick of your job? want to make a change? sick of lousy tips? Don't know what to do with your life?"
It really is taking advantage of the young and confused! why would a fast paced job be needing the confused, potentially depressed members of the unemployed society?
My answer is that in order to get people into the interview position where they kiss your bum bum and paint the town red for you they need many people to enter the interview stage at once in order to get as many people working for them as possible, seeing as its a self employed gig, it doesn't cost jack and if you can't handle the pressure, your dispensable...:(
See you employees of this company...wouldn't want to be you...Nope.. |
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| WHAT A WHOLE LOAD OF RUBBISH THIS COMPANY IS I FEEL SORRY FOR THE PEOPLE THAT IS STILL WORKING THERE THINKING THEY ARE GONNA MAKE IT. HECTOR THE MANAGER IS ALWAYS SWEARING DURING MEETING DAYS. WHAT DO YOU CALLED THAT PROFESSIONAL PERSON IN BUSINESS. WHY DO THEY GET AWAY FROM MAKING PEOPLE SIGN UP TO FACE TO FACE SALES IF IT IS A SCAM COMPANY. THEY WALK AROUND WITH LICENCE BAGDES WITH THE NAME CARE TO GIVE MAKING OUT THEY ARE REALLY REAL CHARITY TO WITH SCOPE OR BRITISH RED CROSS. I WONDER WHY THEY ARE GOING TO TESCOS, ASDA ETC.. THIS TAKING PEOPLE BANK DETAILS AND MAKING THEM SIGN SOMETHING THAT ANT EVEN TRUE CHARITY AND THEY MUST BE GOING INTO PEOPLE BANK ACCOUNTS GETTING THERE MONEY AND THATS HOW THEY GET RICH AND TO USE REED WEB SITE TO ADVERTISE THEIR JOB AS NO EXPERIENCE BECAUSE MOST OF THE PEOPLE WORKING WITH THEM HAS NO IDEA ABOUT THIS BUSINESS IS A SCAM. WHY WOULD THEY CALL YOU FOR AN INTERVIEW AND GET EVERYONE TO BE SUCCESSFUL TO ACCEPT THEM IN THE JOB AS SALE AND MARKETING. WHY WOULD THEY INTERVIEW YOU ON A LONDON UNDER GROUND WITH SHOWING YOUR CV ON THE TUBE IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND THEY DONT EVEN TELL WHAT OR WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO AND WHEN YOU GET THERE THEY MAKE YOU STAND AROUND ON A SHOP FLOOR OBVISVING THEM ON FACE TO FACE SALES IN A SCAM TO PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR CHARITY FOR 20P OR 30P DAY. FOR PEOPLE THEY DONT NO WHERE THERE MONEY IS GOING REALLY. SOMETHING NEED TO BE STOPPED AS SOON AS PROSSIBLE. POLICE AND CRIMEWATCH NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT THESEE PEOPLE ARE DOING COZ ITS NOT EVEN A JOKE TO BE DOING THIS OR EVEN ATTENDING THIS INTERVIEW AND ALSO WHEN I SIGN A FORM THINKING I WAS GETTING THE JOB AS SILLY AS I THROUGH I WAS GONNA GET BASIC WAGES I GAVE MY BANK DETAILS ON A FORM THAT THEY CLAIM THEY WILL PAY ME WAGES WEEKLY. WILL I AM STARTING TO GET MY DOUBTS THEY MAY TRY SCAM MY BANK. SO PLEASE PEOPLE IF YOU ARE OUT THEIR GOING TO A INTERVIEW PLEASE REASEARCH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS JOB AND INFORM YOUR JOBCENTRE. SCAM HECTOR IS MANGER IS MAKING MONEY OUT OF INNOCENT PEOPLE. I HOPE WATCH DOG CAN READ THESE TOO. DON NOT ATTEND INTERVIEW READ UP COMMENTs!!! |
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I attended this interview and after reading these comments I am so disappointed, but now that I thin about it something did seem a bit fishy when I was at the interview, the personal experiences that everyone has stated on here are quite true i experienced more or less the same thing. The interview went too smoothly, there was nothing even on the desk apart from a mere computer. The other girls working at the reception (there was 3) seemed too nice and they would just keep staring and smiling at you, it was a bit weird really. On the job description it does say that the pay is unspecified and Tom didn't mention anything about the pay or what I will get out of the job or even what I would be doing. At no point was I told it would be door to door sales just after reading this I have come to know. I will not be attending the so called "training day" which is over 8 hours!! Also tom said how he wants you to start immediately so it seems as though your sorted and you will get paid straight away, bit i see that this is not the case. I can see why people would be fooled there were other people there today for the interview, even from other businesses, Tom's character is quite cheerful and friendly he is quite good at talking you into it and making you forget about some of the important stuff you should be asking.
The place that the office was at was weird also, at the basement of a random building in the corner of a random street.."Shand street".
Overall: I am certainly not going again, for other people reading this the choice is yours but you'll probably be wasting your time when you can be out there looking for a job that actually exists... |
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| Well I've read every single comment on this page as I'm due an interview with them on monday. Got to admit the receptionist was far too friendly but hey she might just be a nice girl. I think its good that everyones commenting and have different views as it gives people like me, who hasnt had an interview yet, time to think about what to say to them. Im going to post something else up on monday after my interview (5pm) and tell others if it was similar to me. Sounds like this Tom is reading a script. |
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| I dont see what everyone is complaining about. True, the add isnt specific but commission and direct sales can be daunting and off putting. I have an interview tomorrow - despite all the negative comments I think I will go. I had started my own business selling home-made jewellery. I had to set up stalls, get the word about - I had a few friends who worked for me, but as a new business owner could only pay them when they made sales, otherwise i would rn at a deficit. They really stepped up their game - I remember at a craft fair there was another 3 stalls seling similar jewellery. They started modelling the jewellery and drawing attention to the stall and we did a lot better than the other stalls that day, even those selling completely different products. I don't see how this is much different. Sales is not hard, which is why they are asking for no experience - im guessing the people who are good at sales but have no potential for management might make that company some money for a while but you dont need a fancy education, age or experience to be good at management, they are opening their doors to people who may have potential no matter what their back ground - thats a good thing. As far as commision goes, there are hundreds of jobs out there that work on the same principle, my own for instance (i am not making enough to support myself from my jewellery alone). As for it being a scam, I know one of the charities that these guys work for and I know one of the top directors of the charity and he has told me they use these guys because it is the cheapest way to find new donators, so i know that is not a scam. I would be careful what people write, you cannot prove it is a scam. Obviously the job isnt for everyone, you will need to be extremely hard working and open minded. But just think, your slanderous comments may be discouraging someone who has the potential to do very well in this position by making it out that you know for certain that it is a scam - there is enough of these companies that if it were a huge scam dont you think the police would be all over it - oh actually iv heard that they are liscensed by the police! I think I may go for the interview and see for myself, chances are I might not enjoy it but ill be man enough to admit that the job isnt for me instead of moaning on here making myself look like a pussy for shying away from hard work. |
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To the one above, I'm afraid you have missed the point. It is not the same working for yourself and offering some money to your friends to help you start a business. What these people to is to start, as you said, lie to young guys on their ads to avoid mentioning it is door to door sales, commision and without any kind of insurance. That is called a SECT, as they are lying to be able to recruit people.
Second, it is perfectly acceptable to work on commission, a lot of self-employed do, but they need to have insurance, the company they work with pays for travelling and food when they work long hours, etc.. and I know this because I have worked with companies who hire self-employed people. However, what these "marketing" companies do is to exploit people, as they work 70h a week, without guarantee of making money. Paying for travel expenses when they are sent sometimes even to zone 6 with a main office in central london. This is called ABUSE.
Also, they have had several problems as potential donors at their homes have complained as guys are taught to be pushy and get into people's houses. Feeling desperate as very often they are not making even enough money to pay rent and expenses, they take advantage of vulnerable people such as the elderly or people who don't speak English properly. Again, this is called ABUSE.
And for your information and everyone reading this, in the USA, where these companies originally come from, there has been a lot of controversy due to this kind of thoughts based on "everything is your own fault" so if I'm not making sales, I am a pussy as they say to me, If I do is because I'm working hard. That is LIE. If people don't have jobs nowadays os because Capitalim, the system we all live in is falling apart, under this system there will always be unemployed people because it is unfair, and this kind of business is the best proof, as the manager doing little at the office is making profit from having 200 young guys working 70h a week making very little money for themselves with hopes of becoming millionaires one day when less that 1% will get to assistant manager, not even owner itself.
It is great to work hard and make an effort, but it is miserable to justify a way of doing business that consists in exploiting people, washing their brains and making them believe that everything depends on themselves. That is the fake American dream. |
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