Comments on: The Landers Group

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:54:19 +0000

So here is my bullshit story. Much like the stories posted above this isn’t too different. I actually have a decent job but am looking for better pay. I applied on careerbuilder to a job at SMI or Sports Marketing Inc. Total BS. So I go to the interview… cute receptionist? Check. Big screen tv playing sportscenter? No, the tv was playing Never Back Down. Awful. Nobody ever says their last name at the business either. So when I went in “Andy’s” office there wasn’t anything personal. he talked fast, fed me some lines about the White Sox being a client of theirs. They also can never give a number. Everything that should involve a number Andy would say, “They have been a client of ours for a few years now.” Or, “Here at SMI, we have been in business now for… a number of years.” What the fuck does that mean you D-bag? I was there for no more than 25 minutes and he said he would call me back around 5:30 after they reviewed my qualifications against the other candidates. Sure enough, at about 5:45 Andy calls me. I didn’t answer, so he left me a voicemail, where he fumbled in pronouncing the name of the company. Awesome. I call the guy back. He says after further review I was one of the top candidates and he would like me to come back tomorrow and spend the day from 9am to 6pm. Kiss my ass. I said I can’t. So he won’t let this go and asks me when I am free. I say I will find out next Thursday. He asked me to call him then. Thinking long about this, I decided not to call him back. Stay away from SMI, Sports Marketing Inc. in the Chicago area. This place was located in Lombard.

By: lauren

lauren — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:29:22 +0000

oh ya…they call their “business” fiat lux enterprises…another to add to the list

By: lauren

lauren — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:28:33 +0000

i just wasted a week and a day buying into this shit….me and two other chics did some research and feel so stupid for wasting our long hours with these fake people delivering empty promises…two of us have degrees and are not stupid by any means…we were skeptical and did our research and now we have lost time we cannot get back. anyone in the tempe, mesa, tuscon, scottsdale, phoenix area beware of anyone calling themselves owners named vince, johnathan or carissa….sux because i thought these were good people… they even call themselves christians …. what a let down, especially to someone who just moved to the area…dangggg

By: samantha

samantha — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:13:17 +0000

Another one of these companies just started in Walnut Creek California. I went through interview #1 and also began researching feeling as though I was not receiving straight-forward answers. I just googled the mission statement of East Bay Concepts and found 5 matching websites.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:47:19 +0000

Add Dynasty Marketing In Burlington, MA to the list. After scheduling an iternview with the so called venue and sports management firm I decided to cancel. When I googled the company I couldn’t find any history or anything about the company. When i searched Dynasty Burlington, MA all I could find were blogs about how the company is a scam. When I applied I received an email response within 2 hours, telling me to give them a call and im the perfect candidate to set up an interview. I thought it’s the other way around they call there potential employees? I then sent them another application using another email and false name with made up stuff that had nothing to do with marketing, such as cashier at a grocery store again im the perfect candidate.

For your advice do not waste you time, money, or breath on these so called professionals

By: dlp

dlp — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:21:50 +0000

I am happy for these postings also. I just got a call from Pacific Advertising Group and for some reason I wasnt really happy about the call. Even though I really really need a job. So I googled it and came here. Im happy Im not the only one that felt that way. Thanks guys.

By: Jeff Baxter

Jeff Baxter — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:03:15 +0000

So, Old Employee, which of the scam companies are you pimping for? Do you enjoy taking money from people to satisfy your selfish immoral ends? Enjoy hell, boy.

By: Entry-Level Job Scams « Fraud Prevention Unit

Entry-Level Job Scams « Fraud Prevention Unit — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:52:19 +0000

[...] The Landers Group [...]

By: Lucy

Lucy — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:37:31 +0000

Archetype Solutions is a scam…you can find them on EVERY job search site…even Myspace…AVOID THEM!

I can’t tell you how many times I have had been threatened to have the cops called on me….embarassing.

By: Miranda

Miranda — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:54:43 +0000

I had my first interview with M.A.X.I.S Consulting Group today. My interview was with a very nice bubbly lady named Carrie. She seemed to have a lot of knowledge of the company but spoke very quickly. She said the first interview was just to get to know me and a second interview would be much more informative. She implied that she needed an assistant manager to start asap. The second interview was to see how i related to all the higher-ups and if they thought I was a good fit. So the first interview was short and sweet and I left feeling good, hopeful of my new position. Needless to say I’m not going to my second interview, I am however going to call to ask a few questions. If the response is the same as the rude and defensive responses that others have received, I will share a few words back.

Thank you everyone for all your stories and comments, additionally I just moved here and am actively seeking employment. Any ideas…shoot me an e-mail.

thanks,

Miranda

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:53:05 +0000

I just had my second interview yesterday with a company just like these, in Raleigh, NC. I had a bad feeling about it from day one but went anyway because I need a job.

My question is do any of these type companies represent big name companies like Sears and Home Depot, or is this the same type of thing.

At the moment I am thinking I should accept my losses and run. Any advice?

By: Ed

Ed — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:55:38 +0000

Great Post,

Was just about to send my resume to the The Acquisition group in Framingham, Ma. Thank God I googled them first.

By: Billy

Billy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:45:59 +0000

Does anyone know anything about SC Marketing in Anaheim? Located at 701 E Ball?

By: Meredith

Meredith — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:45:28 +0000

Does anyone know anything about Sports & Entertainment Advertising in Denver? They said there are employees who are in charge of door-to-door sales but that’s not the position they want me for. Has anyone heard of this line before or does it sound legit?

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:12:08 +0000

#1 in google for the landers group – congrats willy!

By: Deandrea

Deandrea — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:15:52 +0000

I am a former employee of the Landers Group, and your right, they lure you in with all these big name companies that they “represent”. I fell for it and began the entry level position, within a week I was promoted to the next level. The schedule was horrible. I worked all day from 7am-7pm(9-5 in the field) Monday-Saturday. I had no other problems besides the amount of time spent working. I made bell everyday(profit of 100.00) and the weekly paychecks were great for a 19yr old. That is until our weekly pay schedule was thrown off and we were getting paid bi-weekly, then the bi-weekly pay never came and we were waiting on “backed up leads” to be verified before our pay was distributed. There were so many ups and downs of that job but you could never show it. Everyday after a hard day of soliciting we’d come back to the office and if asked how your day was your only response should be “Awesome”. It was as if I was working with a group of robots. I can recall one day working inside of a Sam’s Club and I made $15 the whole day….I finally quit that crappy job and got a real job with a steady paycheck.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:11:04 +0000

T.A.G. Marketing, Los Angeles, is another scam. I applied on Careerbuilder to a post advertising “entry level marketing jobs”. Allegedly, their company serves Fortune 100 companies like AT&T and Staples. I received a call back later that day from their receptionist, Samantha Marroquin. She wanted to set up an interview immediately. So the next day I went in and the reception room was the standard fake job fare: cute receptionist, big screen TV tuned to ESPN, loud pop music playing over the stereo, and about a dozen wide-eyed young applicants waiting for an interview. Jeez, can’t these scam artists put in the effort to be a little creative/unique? I interviewed with Katie Hsieh who mumbled incomprehensibly whenever I asked her specific questions regarding the job. I declined the offer to attend the second day-long interview, so I was spared that excruciating ordeal, but I DID fall for the initial interview. I’ll tell you why: the receptionist was nice and professional, and I didn’t ask for detailed answers regarding job duties. So there you go! Ask “What exactly does your firm do, and what specifically will I be doing in your entry level position? What specific product are you selling?” Any real business will easily answer such questions.

Long story short, T.A.G. Marketing Los Angeles California. SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM.

By: jay

jay — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:09:40 +0000

i responded to an ad on craigslist for Polaris NYC. they called me immediatly. did a quick google search and found out there are shady as hell.

stay away from these slimeballs.

By: Bernadette

Bernadette — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:37:21 +0000

Not sure if it’s already listed but add Sports Marketing Inc. in Sherman Oaks, CA. I was going to go for an interview and I’m so glad I did my research first. I googled the “President” Matt Kelly of Sports Marketing Inc. and got lots of great information. Thanks a lot! Here are some other reviews:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/The-Landers-Group/Multi-Level-Marketin/The-Landers-Group-Matt-Kelly-FEE59.htm

http://www.ripoffreport.com/The-Landers-Group/Employers/The-Landers-Group-Kelly-Adve-787CD.htm

By: Aspiring_guru

Aspiring_guru — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:06:35 +0000

you can add Polaris (Financial District) & NY Partners in NYC – 35W (blocks from the Empire). SCAM – SCAM – SCAM – A-LOT! found these on the craigslist job board/post.

I asked very precise Qs prior to my meeting … “is this a salaried position, or commission-based structure?” Of course … I was given incorrect info from my initial phone screening/invitation for an interview. $43 later … I’m home and upset that the opportunity was NOT genuine. What a little lie can do – thanks Jenny. And for the hiring manager, Dave … to insult and put down a fellow employee for giving false info – stating “that she doesn’t know, and has no idea what’s going on” … yet she only works in HR.

NY Partners – prides themselves in working with an energy provider in TX with whom you can only take a logical guess to who it is … other than that same shpeal that others have written on this forum.

Keep it movin everyone … these are the breaks … and we”ll all get our chance to shine!

By: Rebecca Pane

Rebecca Pane — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:14:20 +0000

My advice? Visit the website before you go for an interview. If they seem as though they’re talking to a potential employer instead of a potential CUSTOMER, then they’re basically just trying to get people to work for them.

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:44:16 +0000

My Fiance fell for this scam unfortunately.

He has worked in a company in LA called ” Sports Marketting International”. These people that work there are VERY shady. He never ever got paid and he worked 16 hour days. When ever he would bring this up to his “Manager”, he would get excuses and get “promoted”.

If you run across this company, or any like it… RUN!

By: B

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:58:17 +0000

Thank you all. My college son was very excited about being called to interview with the company of Force. He then was called back for a second interview that said it would take 8 hours working from 12-8 (p.m.) I decided to look into this before he went for the second interview and found this site as well as others that discussed what a scam this is. Shame on these people for trying to take advantage of people. In these economic times when people are desperate for jobs and money is tight it is ridiculous someone is out there trying to scam an average American. I researched and found a list of names these business operate under but all lead back pretty much to the same set up and scam. Right down to the “slick Indian” guy doing the bate and switch interview tatics to throw off naive unsuspecting people desperate for work. Thank you again to all who take the time to respond to these and put this information out there so others do not have to suffer.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:23:52 +0000

The M.A.X.I.S Consulting Group is was The Landers Group has change their name to in the Portland area. Having been suckered in the “job shadowing” for a similar multi-level marketing company in Seattle that sold office supplies to companies door-to-door and getting stuck for an entire day 55 miles from home with no way to leave I knew right away what they were after I interviewed with them a year and a half ago. Unless you like selling Mariners tix door to door, stay away from the M.A.X.I.S Group in Portland, they are the Landers Group.

By: Molly

Molly — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:13:36 +0000

Here’s one that I almost fell for… bummer, I was getting my hopes up for a good marketing job.

Northeast Consulting, Inc. in Braintree, MA.

Here’s there official website: http://www.northeastconsultinginc.com/

And here’s a couple other articles about this scam:

http://freethebasement.blogspot.com/2009/03/job-searching-marketing-scams-and-you.html
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/457/RipOff0457511.htm

By: Rebecca Pane

Rebecca Pane — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:12:13 +0000

PLEASE add Dynasty Inc. (or just “Dynasty”) and Worldwide Acquisitions to this list. They are both SCAMS and NO ONE deserves to be sucked in!!!!!!!

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:42:53 +0000

Thank you to ALL of YOU! I was going to travel to Tigard for my initial interview with Maxis Consulting. I was very excited and have extensive professional experience. I started my research after my conversation with Human resources named Terry. Very nice and very professional. After reading this website I was concerned, but still was giving them the benefit of the doubt. II figured I’d call and ask a couple basic questions and if they could answer those without a problem I’d attend the interveiw. After all this type of business is not for everyone, but real business IS for me. I called human resources and spoke with Kathy. I just had three questions:

1: What type of duties would I be doing during the job?

2: Is there door to do sales?

3: What is the pay during training?

I was very respectful. I didn’t have an attacking mindset because after all I still believed that this company was not affiliated with Landers or BMF. In fact, I hadnt even heard about Landers or BMF till this website. She told me she couldn’t answer what duties nor pay because they simply work to set interviews and schedule new employees. She told me door to door sales means residential and they strickly do business to business. Which is a friendly and non threatening way of saying door to door with businesses. When I asked her about the job duties she told me she didn’t know and that was the purpose of the interview. I explained to her I just wanted to know before I drove down (6 hours) because they were compared to Landers and BMF. She suddenly became VERY defensive and said it was only because BMF used to be located across the street, but no affiliation. She then told me there were many qualified applicatants and that she didn’t feel like wasting ten minutes of her time to explain to me the duties of my job. All I wanted was a one minute version not an indepth account of my daily activities. That should be at the interview. She continued on attacking me and told me that I was the one choosing to relocate and it was me who was deciding to apply for them. I couldn’t believe how agressive she was being! She also told me a manager would not call me to talk about the position because a real employee would show up for the interview.

The funny part about this is.. I don’t mind selling business to business. It’s a tough job, but gets your feet in the door and the training and expeirence can really set you up for success in the business world. I admit it’s not for everyone, but it you can look past the 72 work weeks for little pay for a short amount of time, business can lead to huge success.

I realized that if 10 minutes of her time was being “wasted” by answering a few quetions then truly they must be the same type of job. If a business wants you they will spend their time selling you THEIR company. A real qualified employee brings sucess. You wouldn’t let them slip away!

She also said they receive hundreds of these type of calls every week which makes sense to her frustration. I just can’t believe I almost drove 6 hours to interview with them. THANK YOU ONE DAY ONE JOB!!!

By: Matt Fulton

Matt Fulton — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:36:41 +0000

Hey. Has anyone experienced anything with the Maxis Consulting Group or should I pursue a job opportunity there? Portland, OR.

By: Old Employee

Old Employee — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:57:49 +0000

I am on the side of the ONE guy I saw write something positive. Does anyone know what direct sales and marketing is!? It is going door to door and that can mean either to businesses or to customers homes. Making one or two hundred dollars a day is pretty darn good for an entry level postion. Some of these companies I’m sure are sketier than others but I know the one I worked for had a respectable manager who worked very hard to shake the stigma of door to door sales being a “scam.” Most are real companies with real people working there and make real paychecks. Not many, but some employees do advance into managemnt roles within the company. I am not sure how this would be the case if it were not a real company.

If you are NOT interested in going door to door here is a tip, do not reply to ads for Direct Sales and Marketing Companies!!!!! I was not brainwashed but I no longer work there. I put the sales experience on my resume and have a great job now but I wouldn’t have gotten my curtrent job without experience. The sales and marketing jobs you are all hoping and expecting to get are not for entry level people like yourselves. Entry level postions are not glamorous and direct sales is no exception. Quit complaining and get over yourselves…. college grads are a dime a dozen. I was one, you are one or you will soon be one! Good luck to you all you complainers and I hope you find a position that is right for you, but you aren’t going to find it on this site!!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:07:24 +0000

Omg ! NY Promotional Events is a HUGE SCAM !

I was set up with a interview with this girl Alexandra Giblin. She tells you to call her “allie” she is so nice and bubbly it makes you feel comfortable ! But she is lying to you, she tells you before your first interview that they have office, marketing, customer service, and public relations positions available, and they train you !

I was like so excited when I got the interview, I bragged about it to my mom and dad and my girls. I was so embarrassed, they stuck me in front of an ugly gas station in a bad neighborhood and I had to bother people to buy some car cleaner. It was so humiliating !

I did this for two weeks, and then when I got my pay, i only made $40.00 !!!! Forty dollars for two weeks work !!!!! I was so angry, I wanted to sue ! I didnt know it was commission only !!!!!!!!! But they insist that they told me it was commission only, and I couldn’t do anything about it cuz legally I agreed to it. ARRR !!!!

Big waste of my time !