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CB Bad Business Partners Review of Personnel Concepts
Personnel Concepts

Personnel Concepts review: Bait & Switch 14

C
Author of the review
9:03 pm EDT
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I'm not even sure how to classify this one. It started off reasonably with an offer to sell our company an OSHA regulation sign like those you see in break rooms all over. It was only about $10 so it sounded like a good idea, and they stated that without one you were liable for a huge fine. Got that just fine and everything was normal for a couple of months. Then the mailers started...

They stated that the poster was now out of date, and we had to purchase a new one for $30. I ignored it. They continued to come, sometimes once a week. Then the phone calls started, again multiple times a week. The ones I answered the salespeople with broken English tried to get me to buy a new one, sometimes more than $30 and sometimes if I "acted now" they could reduce the price. I told them to stop calling, but the calls only increased for a while until I blocked their numbers. Sometimes they still get through.

I just got the latest mailer today, which I've scanned and sent in. Part of me fears that if I don't buy the latest product (which will be replaced in another 6 months I'm sure and will have to be replaced again) that they'll call someone and we'll get a "surprise inspection" from OSHA or someone. I feel like this is just another protection racket.

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Update by Christopher B
Nov 07, 2011 7:45 pm EST

And here is this week's...

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Update by Christopher B
Nov 29, 2011 6:48 pm EST

You're right, the posters required to be posted are available for free on OSHA's site. The complaint, though, is that these people continue to harass weekly. Here's the latest "Alert" and offer.

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14 comments
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Robert Maeyama
, US
Aug 18, 2018 8:54 am EDT

i created a LLC to help grandkids learn about the business world & investments & rec'd a notice from state of TX that i needed to comply with posting of employee info (no office/business location or ee's). i believe this co's link was on the notice i rec'd from state of TX as a means for compliance. thx to all for their info on this. i will refer this to my bank & get the info off of USDOL website.

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MicheleDosch
, US
Apr 25, 2018 2:11 pm EDT

I have been harassed by this company since 2015. I made the mistake of buying posters from them ($188.00) and ever since then they have called the company and sent emails and letters in the mail. At one point they called and I told them to stop calling our office or I would have my lawyer call them and place a harassment suit against them. The phone calls did stop for a while but every now and then someone will call from there. After that the emails started and I was getting emails almost every day. I blocked them and it stop for a while but some how they found a way to get them through again. So I put them in my junk mail. Today (04/25/18) I received a letter in the mail and it looked like it was from OSHA and it was very intimidating. After researching their company on line and fining out what a BIG SCAM they are I will now send back all letters marked, return to sender.

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TR$$$
, US
Feb 21, 2017 2:49 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Similar complaint as above. I ordered the $9.95 Florida All Inclusive Labor Law Poster online from PERSONNEL CONCEPTS. I received order confirmation via e-mail as I did in previous years. However just this year, this lady from the company called and insisted after I answered her questions I needed all these extra items totaling over $200! This never happened before with them. Total SCAM! I told her to cancel my order and what she was doing was unethical. I placed my order with another company today for $9.95 plus lamination.

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kevkev
, US
Jan 19, 2017 3:21 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I should've read this article sooner.

I fell into their trap and bought a poster for "$25" after paying for the poster they sent me another bill forcing me to pay $250 or they're authorized to sell my business to third party.

I still haven't paid the bill yet, because I've never agreed to pay for additional fees they added in themselves.

Would I get in trouble if I refuse to pay $250?

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flyfly
, US
Apr 07, 2017 12:20 pm EDT
Replying to comment of kevkev

Hi, did you end up not paying? What did you do, and how did you get rid of them?

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Rshook
, US
Jun 24, 2016 1:21 pm EDT

I have had the same problems as above with this company. Their new tactic is to call and ask for a manager (I have told them numerous times I am the only one allowed to make a purchasing decision) they scare the manger with all their threats and my manager places an order for $300-$500 worth of crap! I have sent back the boxes unopened and they have not charged me so that seems to work. This last time I called and threatened to call the BBB and WOW they credited my account and let me keep all the training material as good measure and told me they would take me off their calling and mailing list! So keep calling and complaining and threatening and it might work for you.

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scamALERT411
, US
Apr 06, 2016 9:42 am EDT

Just a tip...when they call, tell them you are interested but need to place them on hold and you will get right back with them. Then just wait til they hang up. Also, if you are wasting their time, they can't call anyone else. Eventually, they will get tired of you wasting their time and quit calling.

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scamALERT411
, US
Apr 06, 2016 9:38 am EDT

I tried to order an All In One Labor Law Poster. The price was $9.95 with free shipping. After placing my order I received a phone call and was told that I need this, this and this to be in complete compliance. Our company consists of 2 owners and 1 part time employee. What I received was a box full of posters that I didn't need. All laminated (my order was for NON laminated poster) and come to find out I was charged shipping. FYI...free shipping was and still is offered on their website. I was told it would cost $140, but was charged $190+. No invoice was EVER sent, by mail or email. Not able to access one on their website either (and was never offered to have one sent). When I called to return product (the day after receiving) the customer service rep called me a liar, saying they don't offer free shipping and that poster was never priced at $9.95. She was hostile and continued to say, but you approved the order. What you sent me is NOT what I approved. Plain and simple these people are bait and switch scam artists. How they have managed to stay in business is beyond me. RUN AWAY FAST!

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Debalina Debalina
, US
Jan 21, 2016 12:33 pm EST

I have also been scammed by this company. I purchased their poster after the sales pitch 2 months ago. I paid the money and have never received the posters. I called them, and they said they'd "redeliver" . Two weeks later I received a phone message from them that UPS was unable to deliver their package and said I needed to call back to arrange another redelivery. When I called back, they said they had no record of me as a customer by my name, company name, company phone number, despite them calling my company and leaving a message on the same day. They were quite rude and not helpful. I paid for the posters but it's impossible to actually get them delivered. I'm not sure what more I can do. This is definitely a scam.

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Kj47
, US
Dec 03, 2015 1:45 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

HORRIBLE company!

HOw do you get out of dealing with them once you've made the mistake of purchasing something?!?! Def not paying $430-something for signs that are not needed and also free...what a racket.

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Kj47
, US
Dec 03, 2015 1:43 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

So bummed that we got trapped in this scam as well. How does a company get out of dealing with them once you've made the mistake of ordering something?! Any tips/tricks/advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm not paying $430 for signs that we don't even need, ridiculous!

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Margen
, US
Nov 11, 2015 9:28 am EST

Horrible Company, once you order they won't stop calling. I told them I am compliant I have all that is required but they insist we order 10 more different posters, . these people are scammers. I told them to stop calling but they call everysingle week. I won't EVER give them any business again.

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D-aro
Chico, US
Jul 02, 2015 4:07 pm EDT

HATE this company! Despite telling them I could download the info they wanted to sell me (for $60!) for free, they kept up the sales pitch--I'd have to go to multiple sites to get all the info (not true), and the "training materials" would not be written in other languages (don't need). On and on. Multiple calls weekly. Multiple emails trying to scare me into "compliance". We had an incident years ago where OSHA actually had to show up. He checked for posters but despite the fact that they were many years old said we were still in compliance. Personnel Concepts uses scare tactics, pointing out the fines if we were "out of compliance" in gruesome detail. I finally had to hang up on the sales person because they just wouldn't stop. Thanks for verifying my experience.
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P. Poole
, US
May 28, 2014 9:52 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Unbelievable! This company is horrible with the ongoing phone calls! I cannot get them to stop.
Don't get anything with them.
P. Poole