Complaint Review: Premier Advertising - Houston Texas

In response to the last post ("I'm Not Good at Sales?? That's Not What You Told Me!!"), I, the author, I thought that would make a few more points clear... I don't regret taking this job for one second. I DO feel that I wasted a small piece of my life wanting to believe that all people/employers are as honest as I am, but I gained an invaluable amount of sales training and work ethic from my employment with Premier Advertising/Emerald Concepts. I don't take back my classification of this business as a multi-level marketing scam (it is!), but BOTH of the owners in the Chimney Rock office in Houston, TX are pretty awesome people just trying to make some money to support themselves and their families like the rest of us are... the difference is that the only option they have to be successful as an owner is to play favorites with high-sellers and to subject themselves to the whims of company high-rollers like Paul Gudrow (Sp?... eh, whatever-- the phonetics are correct... beware of Paul and his impact meetings!). To a certain extent, I don't want to bash this company too much, because it's a great jumping-off point for people who have the rare personality for sales, love to be motivated, love a positive work environment, love friendly sales competition, and are willing to do anything to get ahead in life. I posted the last rebuttal because I am convinced that VERY few people in this business actually make ownership (and of those who do, most are making less than $50,000 a year working 80 hours a week), but I personally can't believe that it took me so long (I'm 25) to get into sales. I LOVE sales, I was born for this, and I hold tight to the theory that "if you can sell sh**, you'll always have a job". I'm grateful for the knowledge I've gained from being employed by Premier Advertising, but I'll say this-- this IS a multi-level marketing scheme, and while both of the owners at the Chimney Rock location are pretty awesome, just consider what will happen if you sign on with these people... You'll go in to a 10 minute (at best) first interview in which you will be highly complimented, as long as you have a firm handshake and enthsiastic attitude... if liked, you will go on a "day of observation" in which you won't be paid to spend a minimum of 3 hours watching the carnage (i.e., "opportunity") of the business... then, if hired, refer to the last post-- new hires have no discretion in where they're placed in the triad of the sales arena. However, if you need sales training, experience or just a kick in the a*s, this is for you!! Prepare to work like you've never worked before in your life!! Choose wisely ;-)

All of the complaints that have been filed about this company are DEAD-ON accurate. In regard to the last rebuttal about people "choosing" to go door-to-door, that is, in a small sense, true. A few people choose to go door-to-door (many times because they are guaranteed a specific amount of money for each certificate sold, as opposed to just crossing their fingers and hoping their paycheck doesn't make them cry at the end of the week), but many people who go door-to-door (or business-to-business) are simply instructed that they will be doing so that day-- they don't get to "choose" a thing. And as far as the last comment about "few people" being suited for sales, I can definitely say that, in my case, "being suited for the business" wasn't the issue-- I worked in the business-to-business, retail AND corporate sales arenas while employed by this company, and I rarely came back to the office without meeting (and usually exceeding) my sales goal for the day. I was praised regularly for my sales performance, and it wasn't until I made it (very politely!) clear that I was leaving the business that one of the owners got very unprofessionally nasty with me and basically renegged on every compliment he/she (not saying who) had ever given me. I am GREAT at sales, and I was ABSOLUTELY born to do it-- that wasn't what bothered me about this particular company, and it wasn't why I left. I was bothered because I was always given shady, roundabout answers about compensation from the beginning (one of the receptionists actually laughed about the fact that I inquired about pay during my second interview!) I was bothered because I was pressured into working 14-hour days, 6 days a week, as though rest, recuperation and my personal life didn't have any value. I was REALLY bothered by the fact that a lot of the employees (myself not included) had families that they were just trying to feed. Along with many of them most likely barely even SEEING their families due to the long, ridiculous hours, most of us were getting paychecks so meager that even I, without others to support, was barely getting by. And I was bothered by the fact that I had very unhappy people approach me at SEVERAL events to tell me that they felt completely ripped-off over something they had purchased from someone in the company in the past-- I refuse to lie to people about something they're buying, and if I'm not completely sure whether a certificate will be valid or not, I do NOT want to sell it to anyone. I didn't leave Premier Advertising because I wasn't "suited" for sales-- that's a complete crock. I left because the expectations are ridiculous, the amount of compensation I received for busting my a** everyday (even while exceeding sales goals) was borderline criminal, and because I AM great at sales and have more than enough talent to get a job where I'm paid fairly, receive benefits, and am happy and sound-of-mind about what I am doing, rather than laying my head down every night knowing that I'm part of nothing more than a ridiculous scam.

I worked for Premier Advertising for a full two weeks before I wised up to the ridiculousness of the whole situation. Showing up at 7:30am to stand around for 2 hours working on your "pitch" while you're not being paid. Then driving out to some "juicy territory" 30 miles away to walk door-to-door, right past explicitly displayed "NO SOLITICING" signs, only to annoy people while they're working. Then, driving back to the office on a half-empty tank of gas that is NOT going to be repaid and waiting around to get paid out. The whole day is around 11 hours at least. So lets say I sold 15 certificates, which would be considered a really good day. That's $150 depending on what certificates you're selling. Pus I get the awesome experience of RINGING THE GONG! Oh it just sends a tingle down my spine thinking about it! That is around $12 an hour. However, you have to subtract gas money, food money, etc. After all that it turns out to be less than what the owners would like you to believe. I understand that Premier Advertising is doing corporate events, but for those who are stuck doing B2B, I just ask "Do you really think you are going to be an owner one day?" Think of it this way. In order to become an owner, a leader must first develop a strong and reliable team of other salespeople who will be willing to follow that person when he or she opens up a new office. BUT, if everyone quits after about two weeks or less, then how in the world is a leader ever supposed to build a team and become an owner? I'm sure it happens sometimes but I think that they will keep stringing you along, telling you ownership is right around the corner, but I would wise up, do your research, and find a legitimate business. This is nothing but a large pyramid scheme where people like Paul makes tons of money while poor saps hoofing it in the hot Texas sun make peanuts, dreaming one day that they too will be a bigshot, fast-talking owner of a so-called successful "marketing" company.

I truly think that Ripoffreport.com gives a lot of valuable information to consumers seeking employment... If the people seeking employment care to take information from people who have not succeeded within the company or have been fired or have left for reasons that boil down simply to the position not being a good "fit" for them... My rebuttal is as follows... Our business does NOT only go Door to Door. -Do we have a group of representatives that CHOOSE to go door to door-yes. They make money doing it- They are licensed Sears representatives. They have all passed a drug test and criminal background check like all Sears employees....While some people have an unpleasant experience doing door to door- They have the CHOICE to promote for our other campaigns that work with high profile clients. Once again-NOT going door to door...Working with clients such as Spas, Golf Courses, Sports Teams, Movie theaters, etc... Secondly- The economy is torn. EVERYONE is looking for jobs. We interview several people a day and have to turn down so so many job seekers. Myself- I have a family to support- This company has given me the means to do so. We work hard and hard work reaps benefits... Simply- Not everyone is suited for sales. Actually FEW are suited for it. We do the best to train and devleop those who want to learn how to succeed in an economic crisis... For the people who choose to be bitter and complain- Good luck on your job search.