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Cydcor, Malloy International are pyramid schemes! Liars! Grove Illinois
I worked for Malloy International, under Matt McCarron for about a month. Within that month, I was promised things that never came to be. Everyone said there was great money to be made--but I never saw any of it. The job actually ended up COSTING me money! I went to the office each morning by 7:30 and was required to attend an "atmosphere" meeting, in which everyone just whooped and hollared about the day ahead. Supposedly, the meeting was meant to get us all "pumped up" for our day of cold-call selling. No appointments were ever made. We'd just spend the days walking door-to-door, trying to talk people into buying something they didn't need. (I began on the Hinckley Springs campaign, selling water, and then went to Philadelphia to learn the First Horizon campaign.)
I was given a territory, the furthest one being more than 45 miles from the office. I had to go work that territory, stopping into EACH business to try and sign them up. I was never given compensation for my gas, mileage or tolls. At one point, I drove more than 600 miles in a week's time...paid for out of my own wallet.
After a week on the Hinckley campaign, I was told I was "selected" to go to Philly to learn the new campaign out of Empire Marketing, Liz Harmon, president. I stayed a week and then caught the next flight home. The whole thing was a joke!
We were to go around, telling people that we could lower their rates for Visa/MC processing. We started out with an "atmosphere" meeting in the morning, and another at night. By the time we were done, the days were 12 hours or more...for NO PAY. (Pay was supposedly based on a per-application basis.)
The trip was supposed to be all-expenses paid, yet we drove our OWN cars there from Chicago (more than 1600 miles round trip) and our gas and tolls were NOT paid for as promised. Meals also came out of our own pockets, and when you're in a hotel for 2 weeks, there's not a lot of options other than eating out. In addition, team leaders told us we weren't allowed to go places on the weekends and that we had to stay in the hotel rooms at night to continue learning about the new First Horizon campaign. (I'm sorry, but once I leave the office, I don't have a boss...I'm on my own personal time.)
When I said I wasn't going to stay in to "learn more," I was shunned and humiliated in front of others. I was told that if I didn't have "the drive," I would never succeed... funny, I thought working 12+ hour days meant I had a lot of drive...) In the week I was there, it cost ME $250 to "learn the campaign"... definitely NOT worth it!
When I got back to Chicago, I learned that my leader had quit the week before Philly. When I called him, I learned that Matt was a scam-artist, paying people cash to shut up and not tell the new people about what really went on in the office. I also learned that he lives with the assistant manager, Crystal. Turns out the only reason she's still there is because he can't fire the woman he's living and (probably) sleeping with.
I'm working on filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau and trying hard to alert others to the ridiculousness of Malloy International. They act like they have a legitimate marketing firm. It's nothing more than a scam! If they contact you for an interview, DON'T GO! It's a joke! No 60+ hour per week job is worth it--especially when it COSTS YOU MONEY to work there! Malloy International is just one sect of Cydcor, the parent company. There are offices all over the United States that are scamming young, ambitious college grads who just want to prove themselves in a new job.
PLEASE... avoid Cydcor at all costs. They say it's an opportunity of a lifetime and that you'll make LOTS of money. But it's NOT true. You'll spend your days irritating people, and having doors slammed in your face. And your mornings and nights are full of other people in the office yelling at you because you're "not positive enough" or because "you're just not pushing yourself." But let me tell you, when you spend 8 hours walking around in the POURING rain to try and sell someone a bottle of water, you can't tell me that it's MY fault. The whole pyramid scheme is a joke, and Cydcor execs need to be stopped. The management makes millions--only because it steps on all the people in the entry-level positions.
With no compensation for gas, mileage, tolls, meals or anything else, Malloy International and Cydcor need to be put out of business ASAP. Please help me spread the word and get Cydcor shut down. Thanks for reading... and good luck to all of you who have been screwed over by Cydcor.
Sarah
Chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Cydor
14 Updates & Rebuttals
Mitch
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Not that bad of a Company.....
#15UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, January 30, 2006
Yeah right, I moved to Chicago on a whim and took the first job I was offered. Even though I didn't work for Malloy International I did work in the same office for another equally ridiculous scam which was Quill campaign for Lane Alexander. I swallowed all of my d**n pride when I worked in that hell hole. From day one I was making fun of every person that was getting into all of the stupid a*s stuff they were trying to promote with the morning atmosphere meetings. Although I did meet a couple pretty cool people there who I keep in contact with, the majority were a bunch of tool bags. From the second week I started working there I was looking for another job, but I couldn't qiut because it was my only income, which was not much at the time. Towards the end I couldn't deal with going in and bothering the s**t out of these business owners, I would just go and take a three hour nap in my car. I found out after I decided stopped working there that the owner of Lane Alexander, who I will say was not a bad guy, ended up having to shutdown after being in business for only a couple months, he was one of few guys that got promoted to "Manager" and was able to start his own office after many years of what everyone is complaining about. And I believe that I was in the same office as Sarah for the short time I was working there.
The reason that I decided to look this company up is the other day I was on the train and these three people got on the train and one of the guys had a folder and he dropped it and all of the Quill apps fell on the floor. It took everything in my power to not vomit all over myself just from the sight of those things. But anyway I started to ease drop on all of the s**t this guys was telling them and I felt so bad for this one guy who was totally buying into everything that he was saying. So when it came to my stop I stood up and walked up to all three of them and told them not to take the job because it was a scam and the Qull dude didn't appreciate it too much and I just walked off the train, and I'll tell you what I had one hell of a nights sleep that night just knowing that I at least warned those two people about waht they were going to get themselves into.
Kyo
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
keep it up and here are more info that may or may not help
#15UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, October 24, 2005
I wasn't under the same organization but I know where you are coming from Sarah. I met Matt at a leaders meeting back in April of last year in Windam hotel Chicago and Philly leaders meeting in June of last year.
All I remeber was him doing the FSU chop. He didn't really seem shady but who knows, I didn't work for him. I'm assuming that you were at one of those functions. It just makes me smile everytime I pass that hotel since I work right by there now.
Anyway, I've been away from the whole cydcor thing or "the business" they like to call it for more than a year.
I worked in Milwaukee office for a year and fortunately they fired me because I was "negging" people out because once I thought they were smart and shouldn't be in the business or they looked like they were uncomfortable on the Day of O, I didn't hire them or told them it was for them.
They promised me that they would let me open an office in Japan if I got promoted. Or as they would always say, putting the positive "once you get promoted". I don't think cydcor is doing anything wrong with building a system to make them money. Companies like to build a system so they would be more profitable and this ICL is their system.
Problem I have is when they say that you will own your business. On certain part you do, yet you actually don't. You are responsible for the all the expenses of your company, yet you still somehow have superiors. In another word, you really can't run it like you want to. I am currently in Sales/Closer role at an industry in chicago that most doesn't know the concept of even though everyone uses it. Trust me, it blew my mind when I got into it.
We have reps all over the US and also Mexico. We just had a rep meeting and I was talking to couple of the reps over a dinner. They work full commission, no expenses paid from the company they work for. Yet we are talking about 12% commission on avg order of $50,000. These guys own their business, don't have to listen to anybody (well, may be us because we are their client) and they have no kick backs.
We have a lot of full commission people in the US, yet cydcor's system is completly different. It's as if each McDonald employees own a company and has to pay kick backs to one that hired you. Cydcor is a company that takes all the good stuff and passes out the bad stuff for you to take care of.
I belive that a company has a responsibility to tell their employees what really goes on or what they are getting to so that they can decide for themselves if they want to be involved in that. Let's say an office teaches a wrong way to sign an application/contract.
It is a fraudulant application/contract. Who is going to be responsible for it. Cydcor, the office or you? I think you know the answer. Let's hope that you just get fired with no consequences.
Remember those opportunity meetings, when owners explain what cydcor does for them, they always say the term "legal assistance". May be some of you have read the rainmaker, but that is a non-fiction novel and that's what makes it a great story.
In conclusion, what I want to say to you Sarah, is that when you are pitching a story to a news organization, please explain why and how cydcor is different. Not on deceptive methods alone but how they are different from any other independent contracted work, how they pray on people who doesn't know better, how their ICL system merely hides that they are a muti-level marketing.
These news organization hear these stories everyday, it might be the time you use the 5 steps of conversation for a good cause.
If I can be of any more help, let me know.
Sarah
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
The most I ever made in a week was about $75...for a 60+ hour work week.
#15Author of original report
Thu, October 20, 2005
Thanks for your input...unfortunately, discussions of money were only verbal. Nothing was ever in writing--none of us ever had contracts or papers that were signed, by the company or the employees. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this.)
I did contact all the major news networks recently. I'd love an investigative piece to run on 20/20 or 60 Minutes about Malloy. I think it would do alot of good when it comes to alerting the public about their deceptive ways.
I understand that I can't really fight for mileage or travel expenses when there was no signed contract. But I was also told there would be a base salary with commission on TOP of that. (Actually, the deal was, if the commission was more than salary, you'd get commission. If not, you'd strictly get salary) That never happened. The most I ever made in a week was about $75...for a 60+ hour work week. How is that legal?
Mike
Harrisville,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Things to think about regarding sales jobs
#15Consumer Comment
Thu, October 20, 2005
I have no affiliation whatsoever to Malloy, or anyone who has filed these reports. However, I do work in the world of professional sales. A few things came to my mind that might come into play in this matter.
First, it was never stated in this report whether Malloy said (especially in writing) that they would reimburse people for gasoline and other expenses. In general, these types of "sales" jobs are considered 1099 employees, and thus are independent contracters. Rarely are expenses reimbursed for 1099 employees.
If Malloy did indeed put in writing that you would be reimbursed, then you could possibly have an actionable case against them. The best course would likely be small claims court, depending on the amount of money involved.
I would also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission, and also with both the Attorney General and the Department of Commerce in the State that you lived and/or worked in...and also the State that the company is located in.
In the future, if you choose to take a sales job, please ALWAYS get in writing what expenses, if any, the company will cover, and how they will cover them. Otherwise, you will have very little to use in a lawsuit should it ever become necessary.
Good Luck,
Sarah
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Glad to hear this is helping
#15UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, October 20, 2005
Hi everyone,
Thanks for reading my post from awhile ago! Just like you, I'm SO glad to be out of there. I now work for a reputable company which pays all my business expenses and treats me like a valued employee. It's a very nice change of pace...
I'm not sure if the downtown office ever opened up, though I see there is a semi-recent post of a Malloy International Office on Jackson downtown. I can only assume this is their "new" location.
Once in awhile I drive on 88 or 355 and see the building and I wonder how many people are inside getting screwed over. I never heard anything back from Matt McCarron about all the money I was owed. Concurrently, I also never heard anything from the State's Attorney. I would like to get a group together and do something. But I'm not sure what exactly we can do. I just hate to see other people getting taken advantage of. The turnover rate at Malloy is ridiculous--and I can understand why. You'd be goofy to stay there!
Do any of you have any ideas? Post a reply and share them!
Jonathan
Naples,Florida,
U.S.A.
I wasted my time and money
#15UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, August 08, 2005
....same thing as you guys,,,,,4 months of my life!!
But It has to go to the Attorney General
Bad Business Bureau just sits there and watches while these people make money
take Heather Herman in DC. $0000s a week!!!
It needs to be sent to 60 minutes or something to get rid of these people- it is not about the money, it is the time and shame they put people through
please reply
Justin
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
My Experience, Matt sold me all the B.S. exceptionally well - I actually passed up a legit job offer I had that would have paid me a solid salary
#15UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, March 23, 2005
Thank you so much for your post. Even though it has been almost a year since I left the company it is still fresh in my memory. I thought about it today in preparing my taxes and realized I have not received a w-2 from Malloy / Cydcor (go figure). Ironically I am currently on a business trip with my new employer of course spending none of my own money.
I wish we had met - it sounds like we just missed each other though from your account it sounds like we know many of the same people. Sadly I don't have contact with any of the many legit fellow 'reps' I slaved with during my time - I think we are all too ashamed to talk about it now.
Matt sold me all the B.S. exceptionally well - I actually passed up a legit job offer I had that would have paid me a solid salary for regular hours because I became so enamored with the opportunity. They played my competitive nature and told me I could move ahead of the others due to my skill and hard work.
After working 12 hours a day with an additional 3 hours commuting for a month(hey did that office ever open up in downtown chicago? That was supposed to be completed when I started in april '04 - didn't think so), attending a leadership meeting for 4 hours on a sunday with another 2 hours commute, I was shaken and exhausted but still determined. It took several more weeks for me to realize that my job was to harass and lie to people in order to con them into buying a stupid water cooler.
Many of my processed apps later were cancelled and I received no pay for them. When I didn't come into work one day noone attempted to contact me. It took about 100 phone calls to the office and later Matt's cell phone to get the pay I was owed that he otherwise would have kept.
The one positive experience I can draw from this is that I don't think I will be scammed again.
Kim
Downingotwn,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
A Con artist?
#15Consumer Comment
Thu, March 17, 2005
I am trying to understand this company Malloy International. I met Matt McCarron who told me that he was the owner, but from your message this does not appear to be the case. I am interested in any information that you may have regarding Matt McCarron.
Anne
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Thx a million times over!
#15Consumer Comment
Thu, November 04, 2004
Dear Sarah:
Thank you a million times over! I went on an interview with them, having known nothing about the company itself, but I was referred to the job by my college placement officer. I went on the interview, it lasted 8 minutes, and they called me back within 2 hours and said that they would like me to come in the next day, stay for 8 hours, because they liked my "energy", at which point I became skeptical. My rule of thumb has always been don't take a job if you feel funny about it, and I felt funny about this place from the get-go. So, I decided to look them up on the internet. They have 2 websites, malloyinternational.com and malloyinternation.net, which is a little weird for a company that boasts "Fortune 500 Clients!", so I continued searching, and I found a blog online that said it was a "load of poop", and then I found your comments, and all I have to say is you saved me a headache and gas money, and since I am unemployed right now, and I can't afford asprin or gas, I give you a million thanks!
Sarah
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Hey Ren--Get this...
#15UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, July 28, 2004
Hey Ren--
Thanks for reading my report and responding to it. There are a few things you can do to try and get reimbursed.
I wrote a letter to Matt McCarron in our office with a deadline to look at all my expenses. I included receipts and highlighted all the times that I spent money on behalf of Malloy. I told him he had a week to come up with the check, or I would see him in court.
In addition, the state's attorney's office is always a great resource. Illinois' state's attorney is Lisa Madigan. By sending a letter down there, the company can be further investigated, and perhaps a class-action suit would be filed. You could get on board with that, and hopefully be reimbursed for some of the money that it cost you.
Shame we have to go through all this, but I want my money back too!
Let me know if YOU make any progress.
Sarah
PS--Yes, we did meet in Philly...what are you doing now? [DELETED]...keep me posted - via ripoffreport.com. [Place your comments below and be sure to include your FULL contact information so Rip-off Report can contact you.]
Ren
Huntingdon Valley,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
I agree
#15UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, July 27, 2004
Dear Sarah,
Empire in Philly was not much better. I actually beleive I met you while you were here, but I could be wrong. I filed a report in regard to Liz and her little organization a few months ago.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff97823.htm
I just wish there was something we could do, for I can't seem to find any way to get retribution for my time nor, all the First Horizon contracts I got signed, but not paid for.
Let me know if you make any progress...
Ren
Huntingdon Valley,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
I agree
#15UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, July 27, 2004
Dear Sarah,
Empire in Philly was not much better. I actually beleive I met you while you were here, but I could be wrong. I filed a report in regard to Liz and her little organization a few months ago.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff97823.htm
I just wish there was something we could do, for I can't seem to find any way to get retribution for my time nor, all the First Horizon contracts I got signed, but not paid for.
Let me know if you make any progress...
Ren
Huntingdon Valley,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
I agree
#15UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, July 27, 2004
Dear Sarah,
Empire in Philly was not much better. I actually beleive I met you while you were here, but I could be wrong. I filed a report in regard to Liz and her little organization a few months ago.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff97823.htm
I just wish there was something we could do, for I can't seem to find any way to get retribution for my time nor, all the First Horizon contracts I got signed, but not paid for.
Let me know if you make any progress...
Ren
Huntingdon Valley,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
I agree
#15UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, July 27, 2004
Dear Sarah,
Empire in Philly was not much better. I actually beleive I met you while you were here, but I could be wrong. I filed a report in regard to Liz and her little organization a few months ago.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff97823.htm
I just wish there was something we could do, for I can't seem to find any way to get retribution for my time nor, all the First Horizon contracts I got signed, but not paid for.
Let me know if you make any progress...