Complaint Review: Arcedia Direct Ltd (Bristol) - Bristol Nationwide

Arcedia Direct Ltd are a national marketing scheme which appear to hold a extremely reputable name in the business.

Sadly, its false advertising, brainwashing and pushy/unlawful techniques of sale and job role contact revokes all promises and good names of the company.

Following a simple based "Multi-Level Marketing Scheme" which is in use by thousands of companies throughout the UK (including Cobra Group companies) - Arcedia use self employement as a scape-goat for minimal wage. Though not always frowned upon in the UK, schemes such as Arcedia run them as pyramid systems despite continually denying this under questions or reports.

Continuing on, as a ex-Arcedia employee - I am here to warn others about a sickening and unlawful company who exploit those who are in desperate need of work, are vunerable or gulliable to such false promises. I do not wish anyone to push there experiences with this company.

The company bases staff and there promotional structure on the following:
Stage 1: Merchandiser
Merchandisers sell products for a basic commision rate and hold no responsility and are not on the management structure. You all start here despite the advert.

Stage 2: Trainee Manager
Trainee Managers are exactly the same as Merchandiers - except they continually support and develop their own team of Merchandiers to allow them to join the management structure. Despite this sounding really promising - it has no financial bonus and it is your duty (as a self-employed induvidual) to support them aswell as yourself. Trainee Managers continue to work anywhere between 2-4 hours more than Merchandiers, and are continually pushed to get a positive attitude at all times.

Stage 3: Crew Manager
Crew managers earn over-rides on there merchandiers or trainee managers sells. Though a small bonus, it generally adds up to nothing. You are now supporting everyone in your crew, including other trainee managers. You are now also now expected to partake in administration work and office skills without any bonus pay.

Stage 4: Assistant Manager
I cannot comment on this -as I have never seen anyone reach such stage. They continually promote the situation and how many people have got there. Assistant Managers once again gain over-rides from everyone else in the office, aswell as earn more per sell. It is also suggested that Assistant Managers do NOT go sell products. I believe this to be incorrect as I have seen Office Managers selling at times.

Stage 5: Manager
The manager gets his own office, finanically supported by Richard Jellard. He earns continual and substantial over-rides on all sells made in his office. This is a legit position and you can easily see the earnings potential. However, getting to this position has rarely been proven.

------------------So what about sales? How?

Arcedia Direct, like almost everyone other MLM - uses Door-to-Door sales as a effective marketing scheme. For sure -it works, but the singular effort for it to benefit yourself as a induvidual is painstaking.

You will sell products/services/charitys for:
Scottish Power - one of the largest energy suppliers in the UK.
Dogs Trust - the biggest dog charity in the UK
CLIC Sargent - the UKs biggest cancer support charity for children.

Sounds great huh? Such good products. Your wrong.
To begin with, there are three major pet hates for the entire UK in door to door sales - and you can most likely guess them.
1- Utilities
2- Charities
3- Windows and Home Improvements

So how hard are these products to sell? You are expected to sell 2-3 products a day - though Bristol Office continually show a more realistic figuire of 1-2 per day. Though this still is a substantial wage - there would be times when even the best salesmen would return on nothing.

For the average first week, new employees (or not really considering) earn 0 for a full weeks work. I have continually seen this despite quality of training. Myself included who I consider to have had the best trainee manager in the office.

The average employee who has worked there from 1 month-1 year plus, makes a average of 1 sale per day. Despite what managers continually tell you, show you and brain wash you. Cancellations included - even these poor figuires can show.
At the average cost per sale at 25 (according to client) - the average earnings for   6 day week = 225. Totalling a poor wage of: 4.60 - less than the average McDonalds wage. Rock on!

------------------------------Retaining there staff

Brainwashing is key to Arcedia and its basis.

Positive attitudes which are clearly fake are rolled around the entire office between trainers and managers - to boost company repouir and retain new guys.

Big figuires, short periods of time in promotions and a friend environment are also brainwashing methods. You are taught to sell over IMPULSE and push for the sell at all times. Despite not particually being illegal - EnergySure and Charity Rep Councils advise to AVOID this method of selling.

------------------------------People who get door to door salesmen.

IF THE PEOPLE ARE FROM THE FOLLOWING:Scottish Power
Dogs Trust (except real charity raisers  -check rear of their ID)
CLIC Sargent (same as above)

Avoid temptation to sign up. Arcedia trains to sell and not to support customers and consumers. This is due to there "Commision Only" wage which forces staff to continually push for the sale in a dishonest manner.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS