Vector marketing-- Big scam

Nick Monaghan in Riverhead, New York said: How Stupid and immature can you children be. Its sales, its a sample kit. When you have a job in construction you have to bring your own tools so its the same thing. Your just mad because you didnt get the job. Its not our fault your not qualified for the position.

Seriously... why would you even talk like that? If it's a valid product, quit getting defensive. Even if it is a valid product, investing money into something that isn't guaranteed isn't smart. Going to school to get your license to sell insurance is an example of something that is real. You pay for it, but you get something out of it in the long run. Vector is losing out simply because of the way they operate the business. I called the office, set up an appointment (imagine that it was in three hours, but they're SOOO busy), and then I called and cancelled. I'd rather sell insurance. Everybody needs insurance, not knives.

Jessee Porter in Prescott, Arizona said: Seriously... why would you even talk like that? If it's a valid product, quit getting defensive. Even if it is a valid product, investing money into something that isn't guaranteed isn't smart. Going to school to get your license to sell insurance is an example of something that is real. You pay for it, but you get something out of it in the long run. Vector is losing out simply because of the way they operate the business. I called the office, set up an appointment (imagine that it was in three hours, but they're SOOO busy), and then I called and cancelled. I'd rather sell insurance. Everybody needs insurance, not knives.

So with your logic..investing in say...the stock market..real estate..any compant IS NOT SMART. Nothing is guaranteed. Insurance isn' the best product to sell either. If you want to talk shady lets talk about insurance companys.lol. Also to your last sentence. I have knives and dont have insurance.

That is a complete and utter lie. Upon setting the appointment I asked MANY questions where the receptionist REFUSED to answer them. I felt like I was speaking to a politician and they were giving me the run around. Say what you mean and mean what you say....vague answers are ridiculous when trying to invest your time into something important,....such as a JOB!

Lyric O in Texas said: That is a complete and utter lie. Upon setting the appointment I asked MANY questions where the receptionist REFUSED to answer them. I felt like I was speaking to a politician and they were giving me the run around. Say what you mean and mean what you say....vague answers are ridiculous when trying to invest your time into something important,....such as a JOB!

If you want to have everything handed to you then go work at a fast food place. I'm tired of hearing everyone complaining about the receptionist not telling people exactly what the job is. Going into the interview you have no obligation to do or buy anything and after its done you know exactly what you'd be doing. After that its your decision whether or not to take the job or not. If you're too lazy to get up and take some time out of your day to go figure some things out for yourself, then it's your problem, stop bashing the company because of our own deficiencies.

It is not a matter of being lazy or incompetent....it is a matter of being honest and up front. Time is money and money is time and YOU of all people should know that. How do I have a deficiency exactly? Is asking relevant questions a deficiency or is not knowing what your company entails a deficiency? Perhaps the company should stop being "misleading" and say what they are really about versus having students at a collegiate level waste "their" time on researching. If I wanted to research I would have gone into a doctorate program versus getting my law degree and research a company that does what? Misleads and wastes time. Nice for having values such as "honesty and integrity".

ok, well i work at vector right now. i just started 3 weeks ago and i dont really know how its going. they say we got paid 14.25 for every appt. but so far i got my first paycheck and it was for $22 which was the commission from what ive sold. ive had over 10 appts and i expected a little more. i like the complany for the most part, but it takes a lot of time for which we dont get paid. all those meetings and stuff. and as for the initial deposit in the company, you can write that off on taxes, resell the knives for more, or keep them. its not that bad. but back to my original problem, can anyone answer why i only got paid $22?

Lyric O in Texas said: It is not a matter of being lazy or incompetent....it is a matter of being honest and up front. Time is money and money is time and YOU of all people should know that. How do I have a deficiency exactly? Is asking relevant questions a deficiency or is not knowing what your company entails a deficiency? Perhaps the company should stop being "misleading" and say what they are really about versus having students at a collegiate level waste "their" time on researching. If I wanted to research I would have gone into a doctorate program versus getting my law degree and research a company that does what? Misleads and wastes time. Nice for having values such as "honesty and integrity".

Researching is never a waste of time regardless of the subject.

I'm really sick of people saying that going to college is a better option that working for Vector too. Of course it is. Vector is a summer/side job for students to make some extra cash because the reps make their own hours. It is by no means a substitute for a college education and Vector DOES NOT persuade students to drop out of college in order to work for their company.

And what is this "YOU of all people should know that"? I no longer work for Vector fyi and I do not come on here and say, "I LOVE MY JOB" and think that Vector is devoid of flaws and can do no wrong. Certainly there are some devious ways that Vector chooses to operate, but I challenge you to find a professional corporation that does not.

matt in indy in Indianapolis, Indiana said: ok, well i work at vector right now. i just started 3 weeks ago and i dont really know how its going. they say we got paid 14.25 for every appt. but so far i got my first paycheck and it was for $22 which was the commission from what ive sold. ive had over 10 appts and i expected a little more. i like the complany for the most part, but it takes a lot of time for which we dont get paid. all those meetings and stuff. and as for the initial deposit in the company, you can write that off on taxes, resell the knives for more, or keep them. its not that bad. but back to my original problem, can anyone answer why i only got paid $22?

If you're commissions are lower than what you would have received in base pay then you should have been payed the base pay total for the number of appointments you did. Your manager, (not the Vector corporate office) is in charge of paying you the base pay so you should talk to him/her.

Jessica Biggs in Chattanooga, Tennessee said: Researching is never a waste of time regardless of the subject.

I'm really sick of people saying that going to college is a better option that working for Vector too. Of course it is. Vector is a summer/side job for students to make some extra cash because the reps make their own hours. It is by no means a substitute for a college education and Vector DOES NOT persuade students to drop out of college in order to work for their company.

And what is this "YOU of all people should know that"? I no longer work for Vector fyi and I do not come on here and say, "I LOVE MY JOB" and think that Vector is devoid of flaws and can do no wrong. Certainly there are some devious ways that Vector chooses to operate, but I challenge you to find a professional corporation that does not.

Why would a company want to hire people for a summer? You obviously don't know much about businesses. Also, if the company is doing so well, why are the branches always relocating after operating in a certain area after a short period of time? The only reason that comes to mind is that you run dry of customers and representatives. If a company is doing so well how are only 200 branches operating in North America when the company has been around for almost 60 years. After all, "How successful can your business really be when it's entire marketing strategy is based upon soliciting people who never asked to be solicited?" How is the branch manager going to hire everyone in the interview? Especially those who would not have a chance at a real job. The real marketing plan for their company is to hire as many reps as possible so they can get the most out a community. Once their sales fall they relocate to another area. If it was possible to make 18+ an hour starting off don't you think people would put a little more effort to get paid that than to break their backs for near minimum wage. I would go on but space is limited...

Jimmy boy in Bayonne, New Jersey said: Why would a company want to hire people for a summer? You obviously don't know much about businesses. Also, if the company is doing so well, why are the branches always relocating after operating in a certain area after a short period of time? The only reason that comes to mind is that you run dry of customers and representatives. If a company is doing so well how are only 200 branches operating in North America when the company has been around for almost 60 years. After all, "How successful can your business really be when it's entire marketing strategy is based upon soliciting people who never asked to be solicited?" How is the branch manager going to hire everyone in the interview? Especially those who would not have a chance at a real job. The real marketing plan for their company is to hire as many reps as possible so they can get the most out a community. Once their sales fall they relocate to another area. If it was possible to make 18+ an hour starting off don't you think people would put a little more effort to get paid that than to break their backs for near minimum wage. I would go on but space is limited...

What's wrong with offering students a summer job? I wish more companies would be willing to do so. All this $18 an hour I don't know where you're getting it from. The base pay rate is set by the office not the corporation, and varies. It is also done per appointment not per hour. I've never heard of any offices "relocating", I've heard of managers being replaced, which is typical of any company. If you want to work for a company that has a building on every street corner, then Starbucks is your best bet, buddy.
As I said before. Its a corporation. Corporations operate in ways that many people find controversial. I tell you again: find one that doesn't. And I'll consider keeping this silly little argument with you up.

man i got a random call from this company yesterday and the set me up for an interview the following today (today). i went to do the interview and then sat through 90mins of her explaining the product and how good it was and everything. it was too good to be true and i really am not sure about going back. im supposed to go back today from 2 to 7 friday 9 to 3 and saturday 9 to 3. my moms, step dad and everybody else is telling me that is a SCAM and i am scared to get tricked out of my money. He told me that yea everybody wants to learn stuff for themselves but take it from a pro, its a scammmmm!!!

obviously you must have not been paying attention when you went in for your interview, because u do not have to invest in anything the 150 dollars for a sample kit is a deposit in which u can get back at anytime if u decide to quit!!! the whole purpose for the deposit is so that sales reps do not get the cutco product and quit the job and never return the product!!! so u might need to pay attention and take better notes next time!!!

fyi dont come at me like that cuz i chose NOT to go. I am a young woman fresh out of my first year of college and when i talked to my mom about it she told me it was a scam. i took it as that and DID NOT go back. on the other hand my friends did...so u should tell THEM to pay attention to it because they didnt care they just saw 14.25 and went..after they told me about it i started to realize it was some bull crap and it didnt hit me until i left. why would i pay 143 for a kit to sell some bull crap when the economy is bad? im gettin a real job i am not about to beg ANYBODY to but nothin from me. im good..

Kiera in Flint, Michigan said: fyi dont come at me like that cuz i chose NOT to go. I am a young woman fresh out of my first year of college and when i talked to my mom about it she told me it was a scam. i took it as that and DID NOT go back. on the other hand my friends did...so u should tell THEM to pay attention to it because they didnt care they just saw 14.25 and went..after they told me about it i started to realize it was some bull crap and it didnt hit me until i left. why would i pay 143 for a kit to sell some bull crap when the economy is bad? im gettin a real job i am not about to beg ANYBODY to but nothin from me. im good..

Mhmm, listen to your mommy, sweetie.

already did "sweetie" i aint goin back to that shyt

I got the call because i was referred by a friend, i went to the first day of training today, and i got the call 2 days ago. ... I find it odd how i receive a call at 2 p.m., they tell me slots are filling up, so i sechculde an interview for 6:30 p.m., and by 8:00 p.m. i have the job. An 18 year old whos only work expierience is Arbys. $15.50 an hour OR the incentive, and the funniest thing is, they expect you to advertise AND sell for them, which is a very naieve idea. Eventually, the customers in a reigon will run dry due to the flood of sales reps selling away with hopes of being promoted to a higher commission. The manager was a little pushy on the money aspect, he was always passing around paycheck stubs, and stuff like that. but the fact you have to pay $150 for a security deposit on a sample to use for demonstrations is a little obsurd. I researched it online after i became skeptical and the internet confirmed my Suspicions. Ive found more articles denouncing Vector marketing than promoting it, and more negative feedback then positive. Also, the majority of the articles i've found are identical to the speeches/tactics/agendas told to me by the branch manager. I maybe a teenager, lol, but i am not an idiot, i have dreams of getting my M.D. some day, im not in Advanced Placement classes in high school for no reason. It was a worthy try, i must confess, but it is harder to fool me. Sorry.

I work for CBS, which is one of the largest corporations in the world! We are not some rinky-dink shack like Vector/Cutco.

And I can safely say this: CUTCO is a scam! They prey on innocent people, force a profit out of them, and then leave em' to dry. I'm so sad that a friend of mine is falling into this trap, but I am so damn glad I googled this company and saw the scam firsthand. I can spot a scam from a mile away, I'm glad I followed my gut to research this company.

I'm not a person who lacks drive, and neither is my friend. She sadly fell upon this job thinking it would be a great way to spend her spare time. Sadly, she'll soon find out its just a great way to loose her money.

I feel even worse for college students who may not have friends who can recognize how the model works; and warn them before they waste their precious money on something so horrible.

But as for you few (very vew) who manage to make money off of it; Great! Good for you! Except for two things: 1. You are lying (Its actually pretty obvious). 2. You are the top of the pyramid (which means you may not have a soul).

Wishing you well,

Avalon

I would like to thank everyone who actually told the truth about Vector. I had my interview yesterday and got hired and was supposed to start training next week. Well i was doing some research and i found these blogs. I thought this whole thing sounded fishy and well i find out it is. Nobody should have to pay just to start a job, sorry the door to door thing isn't my style.

well from what my daughter told me yesterday when she went to the interview that she was hired and that what she will be doing is calling potential clients asking them if they want to buy knives...

Out of 5 or so people I have met that have worked for Vector Marketing, none have succeeded.

Paying an initial deposit for a job isn't unheard of and certainly isn't the immediate sign of a scam. Why do I say this? The United State's Postal Service requires you to pay $100 down (upon last check) before you can take a test to see if you'll be hired.

I will say that unless you're very lucky and run into people that can be duped easily and don't watch television (infomercials are far more entertaining than door-to-door sales people), you won't get too far with this.

It IS fishy that the company aims only for young adults, why? Because it suggests that only naive people would work for them. People in their late-20s through late adulthood can be far better sellers, on average, than a kid who's around 20. Also, many companies, especially retail, tend to hire for summer work, there's always an influx of new jobs available between May and August.

What Vector Marketing does is far from glamorous and certainly has drawn heavy criticism, especially online. If it's for you? Sure, great, have fun and do well. But please, spare us the inspirational speaker mumbo-jumbo and self-important rhetoric. You've succeeded in sales, great, other people succeed in other fields. I've personally seen too many people struggle with this job because the public is already being assaulted by telemarketers, scammers, salespeople, etc. as it is.

Vector Marketing isn't a scam, but it certainly does use blatantly fishy tactics to get what they want.

well this company in philly isnt asking for any money...they just want you to make phone calls and no going door to door..

Well it seems that some stray wrong/sort of right facts are on the loose.

I worked for Vector for about a week.
Here was how it was where I live.

$15 base pay per appt. or if the commission was higher you would get the commission. The secretary in my area was fine.

Here are somethings I noticed:
You have to give a deposit on the sample kit.
You can get the deposit back by giving the kit back, you can also buy the kit, or you can also sell it back to them if you have bought it.
The group I was in had about 20 people in it. There was a smaller group before mine, and a larger group after ours.
[They were always hiring.]
You are not suppose to cold call or go door to door. Interestingly enough, you learn to cold call later afterwards.
It goes like this, you are suppose to call people you know [friends and family] and then they call people they know and get them to say yes to an appt. However, I learned later that the [higher/experienced] reps would just whip out a directory and talk to people over the phone [who had no idea they were gonna get called] and schedule an appt.

The problem is that they want you to sell to all of your friends/family/family friends and then that [should] get you plenty of recommendations. Interestingly I can say that I am absolutely certain the manager said a fact. He said "birds of a feather, flock together." I'm poor, my family's poor, and my family's friends are poor. We know mostly poor people.

Also, the one reason I wasn't successful had nothing to do with my work ethic. Simply everyone I talked too loved the knives, but knives were not at the top of their list especially with gas so high and money so low.

Sorry for the exceptionally long post, but some things needed to be straightened out.

Thank you Mr. Coth X.

Anyone that comes on and screaming that they love their job, and has nothing bad to say about it, yes, are probably getting paid by Vector.

Anyone that comes on here screaming and ranting with twisted facts and bad typing skills are immature and angry little people, who expected everything to be handed to them.

End of story: Vector has both good and bad aspects. Get used to it, Vector isn't going anywhere.

i am a receptionist for vector! it is not a scam here! i love vector and all the people!!! This is one of the BEST jobs Ever. Most of the ppl on here arent outgoing friendly hardworking ppl so of course they are goin to talk bad about VECTOR but i love it and i have nothin but good things to say,

Okay guys, I have a question...

For the North San Diego branch (and only this branch, I don't care about the stuff going on in Vancouver's, Texas', etc. branches!!!), do we have to make our own appointments? Or does the company give us appointments? And if so, HOW MANY APPOINTMENTS WOULD WE RECEIVE IN A GIVEN WEEK? Because if I'm only gonna get one appt. per week, it's so not worth my time, I'm better off sticking with my current job. But if I'm looking at 5+ appts. a week, GUARANTEED... then maybe it's worth my time. AND if they set up the appts, not ME looking for FRIENDS and FAMILY to sell to.

You get my drift?

Wow, I got a letter in the mail and I almost gave them a call... I'm glad I read this... It saved me a lot of time and effort. Thank you all so much.

Yea I would also like to thank everyone who posted and created this forum. It didnt seem to fall into place when i went for the interview, so i took out my phone and typed up vector marketing scam and thanks to you guys i never went back. I also noted to a few very excited people after the guy said you got the job that it might be a scam just look into it. Saved me alot of time and effort from a company that is heading right into the ground. I know how marketing works and to try to get a profit from a product that is clearly worth not even the 140.

Let me tell you about Vector Marketing.

When I was hired I:

never signed any forms
was never asked to see my driver's license
was asked to bring in a laptop to work on (wtf, i'm 17)
was asked to work on Memorial Day.
asked about time sheets and was told that the manager remembers how long you're there for

Also lots of things like the small, dingy office...and the vagueness of the script I was reading as a receptionist. When you talk to people you try to set them up for an interview NO MATTER WHAT. There's a quota receptionists have to meet. Schedule 40% of the people you talk to.

I feel bad for deceiving all those people.

That's just like plain old telemarketing, except a little better because it's a job. So.

They also asked me to work Memorial Day.

... I didn't go in. And I never will again.

I am looking at vector from a non-biased point of view. I understand where people think it's a scam because of the DEPOSIT that is required for the sample kit to sell the knives, but if you look at it from the company's point of view, you have to realize that people will take off with the sample kit if it's given for free. Just incase you don't realize what a deposit is, it's 100% refundable. Do you think you would sell much by showing pictures in a book? I didn't think so. I didn't cut it as a sales rep, and I know it's because I didn't follow the program exactly as I was told. Friends of mine who work for the company do very well and I analized the differences between what they do and what I did to come up with that conclusion. People say it's scam but they have to realize that it IS different than most other jobs out there. Would the Better Business Bureau work in coalition with Vector Marketing if it was a scam? I didn't think so. That is why I believe that the "nay" sayers are just people who are either ignorant or people who are disgruntled because they stunk at the job.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention there were 14 total people at my interview and all 14 got hired. Tough job to get, huh? What an accomplishment... being hired at Vector! <sarcasm>

Is this just an East coast thing or is it just You that's dumb? Since when does $18 per appt mean hour? Is this some Massachusetts thing where hour is abbreviated with appt? Or can you just not read? Further more most people that are qualified is hired yes. However if you cant sell or lack all ability to do so you are dismissed from the company just like any other job. You dont have to drive 2 hours to an appt. If you choose to do so then great maybe its worth the time and gas maybe not. Thats what being an independent contracter is.

You know this must be just in this state because my daughter was hired with this company, and according to the one that interviewed her he told her that there will be no outside work they base it on the amount of calls that are being made within the company....so I dont know who to believe about this company being a scam...

I got a call from Vector today
the girl calling was really polite and nice. My age and from a nearby HS.
She said one of my friends recommended me.
I remember him talking about it and I said yea, sure sign me up for an interview
b/c I knew him and didn't think he'd steer me wrong.

She said that there actually is an appointment available in less than 2 hours...
After getting set up for an appt, I looked the company up (asked her for the website,
workforstudents.com ... even the website was a little weird... it's like one of those catchy, states-the-purpose kind of website e.g. getyourfreeipod.com)

I just called (a diff. girl answered) and asked to cancel my interview appt. she told me that it's not even in the system yet and that she'd tell another girl to not enter it to the computer.

I didn't think it was a scam or anything (scam is a too harsh of a word, too I think).
It's just that i didn't know it'd be sales thing to clients (esp. to people you know) on top of the fact that the job would encompass selling knives...

Anyway, I just feel uneasy b/c I'm afraid the interview appt might not get cancelled or w/e and I'd get a call again and b/c I feel sorry for my friend fearing that he might not have done as much research as I have about this.

Definitely, something people should decide for themselves and not by it's a SCAM or it's NOT a scam, I LOVE this job biased opinions.

I'm very grateful for this forum!

seattle.craigslist.org/tac/ofc/697074036.html

I sent this posting my resume, and within an hour, I got a message on my phone from a young sounding guy from Vector who really wanted me to call him back. I don't know if it's the same Vector, and I really dont' want to work where I go to people's houses. I really thought it was a receptionist job, but now I'm not sure.

Hi! I just came from an interview with them and I start training tomorrow. I thought it was way toooooo easy for me to get the job and you stated that you were going to go ahead and do it. How was it?

Well, to add a random comment, I have gotten two job offers from Vector. (One last year and one just today.) I did my research and Vector doesn't look to hot. The selling is direct and they sell knives.
First off, direct selling wouldn't be safe for me. Going door to door isn't my thing especially if I look pretty. Um, looking at Wikipedia, the information they gave me makes CUTCO look way too old fashion of a job. It's like 1920's selling in the 21st century. To me I feel its actually a way of achieving the American dream back then, spending loads of money to get the materials needed for selling merchandise, selling goods, making money off of your profit and consequences follow, sometimes you won't always sell. People are smarter now and many don't buy from telemarketers and salesmen. (Think about the Music man [a play].)
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Off the topic for a moment, The letter I received contains partial information about the company's history and they tell me that they are "expanding." They tell me my base pay, which is 17.70. They say my training is provided. (They probably won't tell me that I'll have to pay for it until I make an interview and get the job, according to sources from this site.) I notice that they don't tell me what my position is until I go to the interview. No more information is provided and the Manager leaves his signature.
One thing I noticed is that the company is very good at attracting attention. This is the perfect ad to attract unwary potential employees *ahem* Independent Contractors to whatever the scheme they are setting up.
For example from the letter are "eye catchers" and I quote,
"-full and part time openings with flexible schedules
-$17.70 base-appt.
-Training provided-no experience needed
-Valuable resume experience
-May continue during school in the fall
-Conditions apply
-All ages 18+
-Opportunity to advance"

And the clincher,
"I look forward to meeting you and explaining the details of the position"
(criteria continued on next comment)

Using these methods, CUTCO has found an easy way to find younger people to work for them, without background research of the company. The letter gives the illusion of trust between the receiver and the employer. Also, due to partial information, a keen eye can wonder if there is more to what the letter says. Included is that the envelope with the letter received has no return address or other information except for the blue capitalized letters "TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL," furthering the illusion that this letter is important to the receiver.
This is what I have analyzed from the mail I have received from them.
On a further note, the letter I have received form the previous year is exactly the same.

Getting back to my main topic, I found further discouragement from pursuing this company from the Wikipedia page stating lawsuits against the company and further criticism. ( not all are cited unfortunately.) A study found that,
"David Tatar, a supervisor with the Wisconsin Consumer Protection Department, was quoted in a 1996 Washington Post article as saying "that state surveyed 940 Vector recruits in 1992 and found that almost half either earned nothing or lost money working for Vector" and "workers in that state earned less than $3 a day on average selling cutlery for Vector." [2] --67.240.52.57 (talk) 18:27, 28 May 2008 (UTC)" (Wikipedia)

Using these methods, CUTCO has found an easy way to find younger people to work for them, without background research of the company. The letter gives the illusion of trust between the receiver and the employer. Also, due to partial information, a keen eye can wonder if there is more to what the letter says. Included is that the envelope with the letter received has no return address or other information except for the blue capitalized letters "TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL," furthering the illusion that this letter is important to the receiver.
This is what I have analyzed from the mail I have received from them.
On a further note, the letter I have received form the previous year is exactly the same.

Getting back to my main topic, I found further discouragement from pursuing this company from the Wikipedia page stating lawsuits against the company and further criticism. ( not all are cited unfortunately.) A study found that,
"David Tatar, a supervisor with the Wisconsin Consumer Protection Department, was quoted in a 1996 Washington Post article as saying "that state surveyed 940 Vector recruits in 1992 and found that almost half either earned nothing or lost money working for Vector" and "workers in that state earned less than $3 a day on average selling cutlery for Vector." [2] --67.240.52.57 (talk) 18:27, 28 May 2008 (UTC)" (Wikipedia)
(criteria continued on next comment)

How was the company able to grow so fast if it was a scam?? What does scam even mean?? It's backed by the Better Business Bureau and the Direct Selling Association. Who expects someone to buy knives?? The company sold 4.6 million dollar worth of knives LAST WEEK. No one buys them OBVIOUSLY. Do you honestly think it would be a great marketing strategy to put on a letter or advertisement for employment "YOU WILL BE SELLING KNIVES" haha. That would be great. A friend of mines brother came in for an interview and didn't know what it was until he saw me. He goes 'oh, it's selling knives' and I go 'yeah, it is' (he has known what I've been doing for the past year). He didn't want to stay for the interview and so I convinced him to stay just to check it out and now he is all set and pumped up to come in for training. There's a lot more to it than selling knives. Stop making stuff up about what you THINK you heard in the interview as well. No manager has anything to hide and it is all explained in the interview which is SCRIPTED nationwide. If a manager does not use the interview script and makes things up he does not stay around very long. This is not a company that is out there to take advantage of people. By the way, do any of you shop at Wall-Mart?? I'm sure you do. P.S. it is the most sued company in the world. We've had 2 lawsuits in 59 years of existence. Interesting track record for a scam.

Some information was given about the lawsuits.
"The company has been sued twice in the last fifteen years. The first lawsuit was from the Arizona Attorney General in 1990. In 1999 Australian Consumer and Competition Commission filed the second lawsuit. Additionally, in 1994 it was ordered by the state of Wisconsin to not deceive potential workers." (Wikipedia)
To give further information, I would have to look in to the lawsuits given in 1990 and in 1999.
The criticism stated in Wikipedia: ( I see that a few of them are general.)
"Many former employees experience little success in the company because it has been a scam in previous years.
Advertisements are brief due with little to no substantial information given.
Contractors are encouraged to invest in sample kit containing knives for use in their appointments. These knives cost upwards of 200 dollars.
Pay is based upon the number of appointments conducted or on sales made (at the representative's commission rate).
Most if not all conferences cost money to attend.
Employees are considered independent contractors. In tax terms, this eliminates their base wages and tax withholding but allows them tax write-offs." (Wikipedia)
(criteria continued on next comment)

So, based on the information I read and have put down to help curious ones, I feel that this company is not a great place to have a job. Using old fashion methods of business, this company is great as a life long job if whoever has managed to sell a good amount of knives. However as something temporary, the inclination to invest in such a company I feel is not worth the time and effort to gain from the investment spent because being a salesperson is a long term objective given the original definition based old fashion values.
So, I gave info and have no opinion other than I have made a good choice and never got farther than picking up the phone and making an appointment.
If you like the work, then thats fine. No big deal. As for the people who are looking to work for CUTCO,
they have the right to know about the company and what they stand for.
As for me, I want a job, not a career, yet. I'll save that for after the Ph.D in Physics. :)
P.S- I have zero experience from this company. I'm just doing my job and letting people know from analyzing stuff so they know a little more than just the surface. I encourage people to do further research on this company BEFORE deciding to work for them. (Does the cost out weigh the benefit?)
cheers

Avalon Sibari in Hamburg, New York said: I work for CBS, which is one of the largest corporations in the world!
RIGHT, I'M SURE YOU ARE (are you an intern?),

CBS DID A SPECIAL ON OUR COMPANY ABOUT 7 YEARS AGO TALKING ABOUT THE RAPID GROWTH AND HOW AMAZING OUR COMPANY WAS.

We are not some rinky-dink shack like Vector/Cutco.

And I can safely say this: CUTCO is a scam! They prey on innocent people, force a profit out of them, and then leave em' to dry. I'm so sad that a friend of mine is falling into this trap, but I am so damn glad I googled this company and saw the scam firsthand. I can spot a scam from a mile away, I'm glad I followed my gut to research this company.

I'm not a person who lacks drive, and neither is my friend. She sadly fell upon this job thinking it would be a great way to spend her spare time. Sadly, she'll soon find out its just a great way to loose her money.

I feel even worse for college students who may not have friends who can recognize how the model works; and warn them before they waste their precious money on something so horrible.

But as for you few (very vew) who manage to make money off of it; Great! Good for you! Except for two things: 1. You are lying (Its actually pretty obvious). 2. You are the top of the pyramid (which means you may not have a soul).

OO, ANOTHER GREAT PARAGRAPH, DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW THAT THE REPS ARE LYING OR ARE JUST ASSUMING THAT STATEMENT. YOU WORK FOR SUCH A BIG COMPANY THAT I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD DO "REAL" RESEARCH INSTEAD OF JUST ASSUMING. TOP OF A PYRAMID?? I WONDER HOW MUCH THE CEO OF CBS MAKES???? A REP 'MAKING MONEY' DOESN'T MAKE ANY MONEY FROM ANY ONE BELOW THEM UNLESS THEY 'CHOOSE' TO REFER SOMEONE (WHICH IS LIKE JUST ABOUT ANY JOB). MY POINT ONCE AGAIN, THE INTERNET IS SUCH A GREAT SOURCE FOR INFORMATION. :)

Wishing you well,

Avalon

WISHING YOU WELL AVALON,
KG

I didn't anything about CUTCO being a scam. My sole purpose is to give information to people. I'm not here to argue or insult. Insulting is a waste of my time.
Heres another review from Associated Content.com
For years, Vector Marketing has been targeting students in the United States in Canada to sell Cutco kitchen knives with demonstrations in private individual’s homes. Students are encourages to at first sell to their family and friends who generally feel like they have an obligation to at least listen to the sales pitch. After that, students must rely on referrals which are often very difficult to get, since very few people will allow strangers in to their home and give them a sales pitch on a set of knives that costs hundreds of dollars. “It’s hard to explain to people how they’re supposed to spend $1,600 on kitchen knives,” said University of Winnipeg student, Chris Richard to the Manitoban.

Vector has been accused of using deceptive practices to lure students in to the job. An ex-manager at vector, referring to himself only as Trevor stated “one whole day of my training was dedicated to providing some quick and easy ways to find recruits. Such as: vague ads, music, rejection applications, reps posing as new applicants, eye contact, luring college kids due to money and flexible schedule. The single most biggest physiological lesson was this pure and simple: MAKE THE KIDS FEEL SPECIAL. Make them think they are the only qualified people for the job.”

lugiagirl249 in Livermore, California said: I didn't anything about CUTCO being a scam. My sole purpose is to give information to people. I'm not here to argue or insult. Insulting is a waste of my time.
Heres another review from Associated Content.com
For years, Vector Marketing has been targeting students in the United States in Canada to sell Cutco kitchen knives with demonstrations in private individual’s homes. Students are encourages to at first sell to their family and friends who generally feel like they have an obligation to at least listen to the sales pitch. After that, students must rely on referrals which are often very difficult to get, since very few people will allow strangers in to their home and give them a sales pitch on a set of knives that costs hundreds of dollars. “It’s hard to explain to people how they’re supposed to spend $1,600 on kitchen knives,” said University of Winnipeg student, Chris Richard to the Manitoban.

Vector has been accused of using deceptive practices to lure students in to the job. An ex-manager at vector, referring to himself only as Trevor stated “one whole day of my training was dedicated to providing some quick and easy ways to find recruits. Such as: vague ads, music, rejection applications, reps posing as new applicants, eye contact, luring college kids due to money and flexible schedule. The single most biggest physiological lesson was this pure and simple: MAKE THE KIDS FEEL SPECIAL. Make them think they are the only qualified people for the job.”

LOL, ANOTHER ARTICLE BY SOMEONE WHO IS OBVIOUSLY DOING A GREAT AMOUNT OF RESEARCH. ONCE AGAIN WE SOLD OVER 4 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF THESE KNIVES THAT 'CAN'T BE SOLD' LAST WEEK. ALSO, IF THIS ARTICLE WAS FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES I WOULD BE CONVINCED AND PROBABLY QUIT. BUT IT ISN'T. THE MERE FACT THAT THEY HAVE A QUOTE THAT SAYS THE KNIVES COST 1,600 ISN'T TRUE (THE BIGGEST SET COSTS 1600 WHICH IS RARELY SOLD).

CONTINUED - MOST PEOPLE SPEND ANYWHERE FROM $200-500 WITH THE BIGGER SETS SOLD MIXED IN. THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THIS: I'M NOT HERE TO INSULT YOU EITHER BUT YOU ARE GETTING A LOT OF INFO OFF OF BLOGS AND CRAPPY WEBSITE ARTICLES. WOULD YOUR COLLEGE PROF APPROVE OF A RESEARCH PAPER DONE WITH INTERNET SOURCES? MY PROFS WON'T AND I DON'T THINK YOURS WOULD EITHER. I'M NOT DOING THIS FOR MY CAREER EITHER. MOST PEOPLE DON'T, THEY GET THE EXPERIENCE FROM IT, PUT IT ON THEIR RESUME AND GET A KICK *SS JOB AFTER COLLEGE. FOR SOME, IT CAN BE A CAREER PATH BUT FOR MOST, IT IS JUST A STEPPING STONE TO SOMETHING ELSE. IF YOU WANT TO GIVE INFORMATION TO PEOPLE, GIVE THEM BOTH SIDES TO THE STORY. THE JOB OBVIOUSLY ISN'T FOR EVERYONE, BUT IT ISN'T A SCAM OR A BAD JOB OPPORTUNITY. A BAD JOB OPPORTUNITY IS GETTING PAID $8-10 AN HOUR FOR DOING THINGS THAT DO NOT MAKE YOU GROW. BUT OF COURSE THE BLAME NEVER GOES ON OURSELVES, THAT'S WHAT AMERICA IS ABOUT, BLAMING OTHERS FOR YOUR FAILURES. THAT'S WHY AMERICA HAS THE MOST LAWSUITS IN THE WORLD. I DON'T THINK THAT'S A COINCIDENCE.

I have done about a month of research and even attended the interview process because I too was almost pulled in by Vector's attractive "opportunity". Vector marketing can be summed up as this, "as close to a scam as possible". If you look at the recruitment process ,which I attended first hand, the first suspicion is raised. There is a large group of young adults, usually in college, and the process is not very background or qualification oriented. They end up offering jobs to most of the "recruits". Interviews are also overly available at almost any time to get you in there by any means possible. The next step is the famous "sales kit" it cost 135 dollars, you are required to buy this in order to work here. While it is obvious that having a demonstration for customers is useful, the question of why the expense is on the salesmen is raised, why can other companies provide a sample or display item?. Wait, if they hire 1000 new people a year thats 1000 sets of knives sold! That's convenient. If you are still in the process by now you get to start earning your 18.50 base/appointment! already 135 in the hole. Now 18.50 an hour would be great but lets clarify. You earn 18.50 per APPROVED appointment. A friend of mine drawn into this company told me that he would often times spend near an hour at an appointment, not sell anything, and then find out that the appointment was not approved so he just worked for free. Free labor? Wow, how profitable. Also with the rising gas prices and no compensation through the company the transportation, and time it takes for the appointment come into play ,you get 18.50 if the appointment lasts an hour, and you get 18.50 if it lasts 5 hours. Lastly, Vector strongly encourages referrals and family sales, who wouldn't feel guilty if their nephew was trying to sell them knives? I hope this saves someone, probably in college, from taking the small chance at making SOME money (maybe losing),even working for free.

Well, I just got hired to work for them selling their knives. I read all of the things people say on here and it makes me really unsure if I want to work for them cause like, 97 percent of the people are saying it's a huge scam. I don't know if I should try this out, or just say F it and walk away. Any suggestions??

Caseyx33 in Seattle, Washington said: Well, I just got hired to work for them selling their knives. I read all of the things people say on here and it makes me really unsure if I want to work for them cause like, 97 percent of the people are saying it's a huge scam. I don't know if I should try this out, or just say F it and walk away. Any suggestions??

I think you should try it and form your on opinion. If it's the $$ for the kit that worries know that you will get it back when you return the kit if you chose to do so. You should try it first instead of letting people from some forum make a choice for you.

WOW, I JUST WENT IN FOR MY INTERVIEW TODAY...WHAT SHOULD I DO? HELP!!!!