TO THE PEOPLE DEFENDING THIS COMPANY AND WHO ARE DISMISSING THE COUNTLESS CLAIMS OF PEOPLE ON HERE: I was a former "employee" for SMI, at the time was Boomerang marketing group (they changed their name for legal reasons). I worked there for over 4 months and was promoted to an account manager. I worked with Greg Mertes and saw the tactics he used first hand. You start out the day in "atmosphere" which is where they play music and you practice your pitch. This is called brainwashing, and is a psychological tactic used to boost your attitude. You sell coupon packages door to door. You are told to be deceitful to customers using REHASH and other tactics. You are encouraged to pitch in non-solicitation buildings and government facilities. No, Greg does not have a solicitation license and the "employees" dont get one either, Nobody contacts any chambers or bureaus to notify them ahead of time about solicitations to businesses...this is downright illegal! And yes you can get fined for it...and yes YOU are held accountable, not the manager of the office. You are assigned a territory for the day, and are told to pitch everyone! And at the end of the day everyone huddles around and either rings a bell or hits a gong to celebrate how sucessful they were that day. Again this is a psychological tactic used to influence the new people and interviwees that day.
They do not do a background check on people. I worked with a guy that had just gotten out of the state prison! Greg uses profound profanity and has slandered his employees numerous times, even insulting someone in front of the entire office...not proper management tactics at all! And the company has no clue about marketing as they are in a cold market and have saturated it too much (just ask how many repeat custiomers they have) and Smart Circle sells these coupon books on their website at the same price, so you dont have to buy from these reps, how stupid!
I encourage all of you entreprenuers on here who are thinking about working for any of these Smart Circle companies to do research, and find enjoyment starting your own company and not a scam one like this!
And for people who were hurt by any one of these companies, write to your local representatives. I do know of local and state legal action in Illinois that is in the process of being taken as we speak!
ALSO: Read this about SMI, Boomerang Marketing and Gregory Mertes from the BBB.
BBB Rating
This business does not meet BBB criteria for a satisfactory or unsatisfactory rating. Any BBB concerns about the business are stated in the report.
Business Contact and Profile
Name: Boomerang Marketing Group, Inc.
Phone: [protected]
Address: 2801 S Fairfield Ave
Suite A
Lombard, IL [protected]
Website: www.boomerangmktginc.com
Principal: Gregory Mertes
Customer Contact: Gregory Mertes - jobs@boomerangmktginc.com
Email Address: jobs@boomerangmktginc.com
File Open Date: October 2007
TOB Classification: Advertising/Marketing Agencies, Door to Door Sales/Solicitations
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.
Additional DBA Names: Altitude Advertising
BMG, Inc.
SMI
The BBB has requested basic information from this company. The BBB has not received a response. Without this information, the BBB may not have current information concerning such things as the company's management or its nature of business.
Products and Services
Per consumer allegations and information received by the Bureau, this company advertises employment offers that are allegedly misleading about their nature and the type of work to be performed. The positions offered are 100% commission-based door to door sales and/or promotions, that have little to no benefits and/or very low pay.
The Bureau has also been advised that this company is displaying a BBB accreditation plaque in their office, however Boomerang Marketing Group, dba Altitude Advertising, is not accredited by the BBB. The Bureau has sent the company a cease and desist letter to stop the company from using the BBB plaque without permission or authorization.
Additional Information
Sports Marketing International, Inc., the business currently occupying the office at 2801 S Fairfield Ave., Suite A, Lombard, IL 60148, has informed the BBB that Boomerang Marketing Group, Inc./Altitude Advertising, Inc. has allegedly gone out of business. For a report BBB Definition:
report - A summary of activity reflected in a company's BBB file. Includes basic business background, BBB Accreditation information, and BBB complaint activity over the previous three years. Also reports may include any known government actions, advertising issues BBB Definition:
advertising issues - Claims alleging print or electronic media advertised claims or practices misrepresent the service or product offer.
or other information that results from activity conducted by BBB.
on Sports Marketing International, Inc., please click here.
All taken directly off the BBB site, scary stuff! and explains why they had to change their name from Boomerang marketing to Sports marketing.
ANOTHER NOTE: The Brookfield, WI office is directly related to Gregory Mertes. The name is currently Dynasty marketing group or DMG and the manager there is Adrian Frey, just to inform anyone from the Milwaukee area. These companies need to be held for their responsibilities and actions, as well as pain and suffering to former reps!
