Vector marketing-- Big scam

Atkinson J in Carrollton, Georgia said: Oh and about me calling people Morons and idiots, i tried to edit my post but apparently you can't on these forums. I was just really tired and pissed off...Here's where you get to tell me i told you so lol...From having to sit in a room for 6-8 hours listening to a guy teach me how to lie to people and be deceitful. Nah not the best job, no not even really a great job, but it nets me a little bit of money for over the summer. And about the 1099 my dad has been filling them out for years cause he's a chaplain. So he's going to help me out with that, or else i WOULD be screwed lol.

No worries. We all let loose every now and then and I'll never say I told you so. Just get what you can out of the experience and don't compromise your values.

And I've had way worse jobs than Vector. At least you'll have something to look back on a laugh about someday . . .

MarMan in Warsaw, Indiana said: Bosco,

I never thought I would say this but I completely agree...dude is not all there.

Weird, huh? Did you check out his link? whoa . . . scary.

!!!! why do all managers with vector always say and thats exciting! or what i am trying to say is, did they train all of you to say thats exciting in every sentence? It really bothered me when i was with vector.. i was around a few managers, and all of them were copies of the other.. its sad really..

I just thought that it was exciting that he was doing well. I was never "trained" to say the word exciting...ha.

so you mean to tell me that you dont say exciting alot?
Maybe these managers here are just a little crazy

I think that this discussion is exciting and I'm excited to be a part of an exciting exchange about the word exciting . . .

Bosco, one of the things i was actually waiting for you to say to help your pyramid scam argument was about the "Fast Start" program they do :P

Since you havn't been to one of their training sessions i will humor you to help your argument some :)

They do a program called fast start. MY manager made us scream "FAST START" at least 40 times a day. The first 10 days they want you to go out and sell as much as you can as fast as you can to friends and family. There are approximately 10 levels of the contest. For each level you reach you get free items from Cutco. Each Level is $1000 sold, Untill about level 8 where it becomes like $9000. Just a tid bit of info for you and thats what made me think about the scam part. They want you to sell alot fast so u can win stuff but then run out of people to sell to and give up after the first 10 days :P

Alright, time for another appointment with another friend lol gonna go make my $15 :P

I worked for Vector/Cutco for three years, had the time of my life, made lots of money and gained invaluable experience and skills thst I use every day in the business world. This is a direct sales job. It's not easy and isn't for everybody. It takes motivation, hard work, discipline and people skills. Not everyone can do this job and it seems like the same people who aren't talented or driven enough to do it are the same who decide to blame the system instead of admit they can't swing it. I will admit that during the recruiting process there is some ambiguity about the details at first, but so what. Once you know everything you have the decision to go forward or not. If it's not for you that's okay but don't blame the company. I made lots of money, I have friends who have made lots of money and this is a great job and opportunity to advance your future if you have what it takes.

Atkinson J in Carrollton, Georgia said: Bosco, one of the things i was actually waiting for you to say to help your pyramid scam argument was about the "Fast Start" program they do :P

Since you havn't been to one of their training sessions i will humor you to help your argument some :)

They do a program called fast start. MY manager made us scream "FAST START" at least 40 times a day. The first 10 days they want you to go out and sell as much as you can as fast as you can to friends and family. There are approximately 10 levels of the contest. For each level you reach you get free items from Cutco. Each Level is $1000 sold, Untill about level 8 where it becomes like $9000. Just a tid bit of info for you and thats what made me think about the scam part. They want you to sell alot fast so u can win stuff but then run out of people to sell to and give up after the first 10 days :P

Alright, time for another appointment with another friend lol gonna go make my $15 :P

At least you get that "Limo" ride and all that other stuff that supposedly comes with it.

jermaine stratus in Lake Mary, Florida said: At least you get that "Limo" ride and all that other stuff that supposedly comes with it.

lol, thats ONLY if you get like $12,000 sold the first 10 days, and there are very few people who can do that. It's definitely not a guarantee that you will get that, but even if you only sell $1000 of stuff the first 10 days you are guaranteed your first promotion and some free stuff :P

Atkinson J in Carrollton, Georgia said: lol, thats ONLY if you get like $12,000 sold the first 10 days, and there are very few people who can do that. It's definitely not a guarantee that you will get that, but even if you only sell $1000 of stuff the first 10 days you are guaranteed your first promotion and some free stuff :P

I know. The manager here tried to make it sound like soooo many people did that within their first weekend. Yeaaahh Riiight.

I have had great joy reading the posts about Vector.

is this company a SCAM - NO

What it is though is a typical MLM company. maybe not typical, but it is MLM.

<5% of the people actually make real money
About 50% break out even, or make so little it's not worth the time they put in. and about 45% lose money.

Look at those odds, vs most other jobs you could be doing.

Guy in Ohio in Cleveland, Ohio said: I have had great joy reading the posts about Vector.

is this company a SCAM - NO

What it is though is a typical MLM company. maybe not typical, but it is MLM.

<5% of the people actually make real money
About 50% break out even, or make so little it's not worth the time they put in. and about 45% lose money.

Look at those odds, vs most other jobs you could be doing.

While I agree with your basic premise that Vector is not a good opportunity, I have to disagree with a couple of your points:
MLM's are scams! They are portrayed as money-making ventures or jobs when they are not!

And how can you say that Vector is not a scam and then say "<5% of the people actually make real money" and "about 45% lose money?" Then what do you consider a scam to be? How many people have to be ripped off for you to consider something a scam?

docholliday777 in Las Vegas, Nevada said: I worked for Vector/Cutco for three years, had the time of my life, made lots of money and gained invaluable experience and skills thst I use every day in the business world. This is a direct sales job. It's not easy and isn't for everybody. It takes motivation, hard work, discipline and people skills. Not everyone can do this job and it seems like the same people who aren't talented or driven enough to do it are the same who decide to blame the system instead of admit they can't swing it. I will admit that during the recruiting process there is some ambiguity about the details at first, but so what. Once you know everything you have the decision to go forward or not. If it's not for you that's okay but don't blame the company. I made lots of money, I have friends who have made lots of money and this is a great job and opportunity to advance your future if you have what it takes.

What a load of crap!! So the 98% of people who didn't make lots of money did not have "what it takes?" That's a classic MLM argument.

You're a joke! Why don't you do a little research regarding the reputation of Vector Marketing? This is one of the worst companies around!!

Bosco in Orlando, Florida said: While I agree with your basic premise that Vector is not a good opportunity, I have to disagree with a couple of your points:
MLM's are scams! They are portrayed as money-making ventures or jobs when they are not!

And how can you say that Vector is not a scam and then say "<5% of the people actually make real money" and "about 45% lose money?" Then what do you consider a scam to be? How many people have to be ripped off for you to consider something a scam?

I understand your point, and I think it might be all in the defination.

To me a Scam is when they ask you to be a secret shopper, send you a bogus check and hope you deposit it in your bank for them to steal your money.

A scam is signing someone up or "cheap" long distance when there are huge Fees associated with it.

To me, most people here bought a set of knives and /or wasted time working for free.

Since, if you read between the lines you get exactly what you sign up for, it's not a complete scam. It's not completely ethical, but you do get a product, and have the opportunity to make money.

But not a wise move to go work for them.

kev said: The first time they called me the secretary said their openings were very limited. The secretary was a liar, and she told me she I had to go there that day for the interview.I told her I had school and then 3 weeks later as stupid as she is, she called me back and said we forgot to schedule you for an interview.If the openings were so limited why they post the ad up on job searches everyday?They also post up ads all over campuses.Anyway The way she responded to my questions on the phone proves that she has no customer service experience at all. I would have gotten better responces from outsourcing in Indian. Things started getting fishy, the way they describe things is exactly the way 2by2 and citigroup does. As you know 2by2 and citigroup are pyramid scams. They will entice with individuals that work for the company which made it big and is "rich". In vector like any other scams you have to pay first before you start getting paid yourself. If start telling you how big their businesses then the businesses wouldnt be asking you for money. What I feel bad about is this company is targetting High School students and seriously something must be done about it. I decided to ditch the interview because I probably would have punched the interviewer in the face and than throw the knives I purchased at the secretaries.

yes, the first time i received a letter from them was in the summer of 2008 when i graduated. A lot of the people in my class received a letter and majority of everyone i knew went to the interview. It sounded too phony to me so i didnt bother even though i needed a job and 15 an hr sounded good. Turns out it was a scam, how come you have to buy the product? It shouldn't even be allowed to do high school students like that knowing their excited about getting a job and are volunerable

Well, I'm back to throw in my 2 cents and to tell ya how its been going. up to $1100 in sales, which with 10% commission, actually im up to 15% now, that's about a $115 paycheck. Not too bad, but of course im REAL lazy and didn't set up many appointments :P. I am actually one of the people who will be breaking even if not loosing a bit of money just because of how far away i live.

I have filled my gas tank 6 times in the past week. Not everyone will have to do this (just my retarded mistake for not fully realizing that you needed to know people to excel, which in a college town i don't know any families).

I basically "Quit" yesterday. it was a 140 mile round trip and i had to make it twice a week. So i told them, i will still sell their product on my time, cause it is a good product, but i wont be driving up twice a week for the team meetings. I was actually told that's fine *shrug*

So, it is a good business opportunity, just not for desperate students right out of college looking to earn a quick buck :) I am REAL lazy so it hurt me a bit cause i didn't feel like calling many people to set up appointments. I do have some family and friends that i will be seeing in the upcoming months on vacation that i will be showing the product because, scam or not, it is an AMAZING product.

Atkinson J in Carrollton, Georgia said: Well, I'm back to throw in my 2 cents and to tell ya how its been going. up to $1100 in sales, which with 10% commission, actually im up to 15% now, that's about a $115 paycheck. Not too bad, but of course im REAL lazy and didn't set up many appointments :P. I am actually one of the people who will be breaking even if not loosing a bit of money just because of how far away i live.

I have filled my gas tank 6 times in the past week. Not everyone will have to do this (just my retarded mistake for not fully realizing that you needed to know people to excel, which in a college town i don't know any families).

I basically "Quit" yesterday. it was a 140 mile round trip and i had to make it twice a week. So i told them, i will still sell their product on my time, cause it is a good product, but i wont be driving up twice a week for the team meetings. I was actually told that's fine *shrug*

So, it is a good business opportunity, just not for desperate students right out of college looking to earn a quick buck :) I am REAL lazy so it hurt me a bit cause i didn't feel like calling many people to set up appointments. I do have some family and friends that i will be seeing in the upcoming months on vacation that i will be showing the product because, scam or not, it is an AMAZING product.

I find it shocking, that after spending all this time, and money to "make" $115 you call it a good business opportunity.

This is exactly the trap that vector wants you to fall into. Yes it's a good product, but you know something, I have had another set of knifes for years, that I sharpen on a regular basis, cut anything i need to cut ( I don't cut rope or can's with my knifes) and cost me a fraction of what CUTCO costs.

Figure out how much time you spent "making" that $115, and break it down to hourly. I'm guessing there are a lot of jobs that would have paid you a LOT better.

Atkinson J in Carrollton, Georgia said: Well, I'm back to throw in my 2 cents and to tell ya how its been going. up to $1100 in sales, which with 10% commission, actually im up to 15% now, that's about a $115 paycheck. Not too bad, but of course im REAL lazy and didn't set up many appointments :P. I am actually one of the people who will be breaking even if not loosing a bit of money just because of how far away i live.

I have filled my gas tank 6 times in the past week. Not everyone will have to do this (just my retarded mistake for not fully realizing that you needed to know people to excel, which in a college town i don't know any families).

I basically "Quit" yesterday. it was a 140 mile round trip and i had to make it twice a week. So i told them, i will still sell their product on my time, cause it is a good product, but i wont be driving up twice a week for the team meetings. I was actually told that's fine *shrug*

So, it is a good business opportunity, just not for desperate students right out of college looking to earn a quick buck :) I am REAL lazy so it hurt me a bit cause i didn't feel like calling many people to set up appointments. I do have some family and friends that i will be seeing in the upcoming months on vacation that i will be showing the product because, scam or not, it is an AMAZING product.

I wanted to ad- thanks for yor honestly. In reading old posts you were very gung-ho, and thinking this was the BEST job in the world.

you were wondering how someone could not work here. It would be very easy foryou to have gone away and not said another word.

Kudos to you for posting what really happened to you, what is your view of the interview and training now that you have been out there and not raking in millions of dollars?

I got a paper in the mail today from vector marketing company telling me to call a number to set up an interview because they were hiring college students regardless what their major was and that if you were hired they would start you our at $14 base appoinment. I read over the paper and thought that it would be a good job to get paid that much.. But then i thought wtf i leave in a S*** hole town so y the F*** would a job just coming to my area be paying that much, so I decided I would do a little research before calling. First I went to their site which didnt tell me S***.. It said that I would make money per base appointment. for one I wasnt even quite sure what they considered a base appointment and of course they didnt f***ing tell me on their site either, I take it they dont want ppl to know they are a sh*tty company. So I googled it like any other SMART person would do. Cause im not about to go call a place for an interview that I dont know anything about. And I found this lovely page.. After reading all 29 pages of what every1 said about this company IM SO HAPPY I DIDNT CALL THEM OR GO TO AN INTERVIEW.. this company is the biggest load of s*** I have ever heard about. How dare any1 take joy or pride on taking money from ppl who dont really have the extra money to be giving and the ppl trying to make something of their life. I cant believe the govt hasnt done anything about what this company does. They know 18 year olds would apply for this job in a heartbeat and not think twice about it. This is one of the biggest scams I have ever came across. If this company has so MUCH MONEY, then WHY THE FU** DO THEY MAKE YOU PAY TO GET SOME KNIVES BEFORE YOU ARE HIRED.. ARE YOU F***ING KIDDING ME!!! Is this some kinda sick joke, that you would take $150 or so from a person that has no money and is tryin to get a job. And whats really sad is that the people who are taking the money sleep good at night like they have done something good with their da*n life.

Never would I ever pay to start a job. I would probably laugh in their face and ask them if they were kidding and when they said no I would more than likey punch them in the face a few times.. I cant believe they havent got in trouble yet. And I have read everything so I know I know you people are going to be like you havent even tried the job out, you are just one of those lazy people. Well you can kiss my a** cause I have 2 jobs and im a full time student so dont f***ing call me lazy. I just know the difference between a real job and a da*n scam.. And I dont care how much you say you have made with this company. If you have made over $500 its because you kissed a** to make your way to management so you can take the only money in the kids pocket if they get hired. So I cant believe you ppl that are high up at that company are happy about the money you make because I must say what goes around comes around and KARMA is a B***h and it get you for all the money you have basically stolen out of these peoples pockets.. I dont see how any of you feel good that you have all that money to brag about because it came from people who needed money and probably scrapped up every penny they had to give it to you.

Guy in Ohio in Cleveland, Ohio said: I wanted to ad- thanks for yor honestly. In reading old posts you were very gung-ho, and thinking this was the BEST job in the world.

you were wondering how someone could not work here. It would be very easy foryou to have gone away and not said another word.

Kudos to you for posting what really happened to you, what is your view of the interview and training now that you have been out there and not raking in millions of dollars?

ignoring jescas remarks and onto yours. The training was long and boring lol. you do learn some pretty cool stuff :P but non-the-less its boring. The interview, i asked the manager who all got hired and he told me, everyone who made it to the 2nd interview got hired which was just about everyone, but people read these forums and don't show up for training or don't come anymore when they find out they have to pay for knives.

I am actually, as i said before, very lazy and don't schedule many appointments, but if i were to actually make 30 phone calls a day (which they tried to teach us how to do in an advanced training session today) i could probably easily have a comma for a one weeks paycheck in the next month or so. If you are not lazy and are organized, there is very good opportunity in this job. There were 30 or so people at the advanced training today and about 15 of them started 2 days ago and had already sold over $1000 worth of Cutco.

not the most fun job, not the easiest, and definitely not a normal job :P but theres my 2 cents.

There is a logical reason to pay for the knives since your job is to demonstrate them in person. If anyone here doubts the validity of Vector Marketing, or the validity of people reporting their positive experiences with the company, then go to the Better Business Bureau to investigate.

By the way, according to the BBB, they're not a scam.

xandra16 in Chicago, Illinois said: There is a logical reason to pay for the knives since your job is to demonstrate them in person. If anyone here doubts the validity of Vector Marketing, or the validity of people reporting their positive experiences with the company, then go to the Better Business Bureau to investigate.

By the way, according to the BBB, they're not a scam.

By the way, having a good rating with the BBB means nothing . . .

xandra16 in Chicago, Illinois said: There is a logical reason to pay for the knives since your job is to demonstrate them in person. If anyone here doubts the validity of Vector Marketing, or the validity of people reporting their positive experiences with the company, then go to the Better Business Bureau to investigate.

By the way, according to the BBB, they're not a scam.

The BBB monitors if they delive what they say they do- PRODUCT wise.

You order knives, you get knives.

If I wanted to by super high quality, expensive knives, I would look at CUTCO.

But, this has nothing to do with wether or not I would work there.

anyways, i have an interview for vector tomorrow at 3pm. so lets say this is for me and i do want to do it regardless of the negative comments. cause i want to give it a try, so what happens? I go to the training, i don't get paid. i purchase some knives for whatever price it is and then what? Am I calling up customers that want to hear about the knives and i go to their houses and explain about it?? can someone please just tell me what you really do instead of fighting on here if its a scam or not. cause i do believe we should try. Im not much of a seller myself but im still willing to give it a try.
the only doubt i have is that im not much of a sales person myself. to me it sounds like guys are more successful in the area then women are. not trying to be sexes or whatever. but anyways.....anyone here to comment?

true xiong in Oshkosh, Wisconsin said: anyways, i have an interview for vector tomorrow at 3pm. so lets say this is for me and i do want to do it regardless of the negative comments. cause i want to give it a try, so what happens? I go to the training, i don't get paid. i purchase some knives for whatever price it is and then what? Am I calling up customers that want to hear about the knives and i go to their houses and explain about it?? can someone please just tell me what you really do instead of fighting on here if its a scam or not. cause i do believe we should try. Im not much of a seller myself but im still willing to give it a try.
the only doubt i have is that im not much of a sales person myself. to me it sounds like guys are more successful in the area then women are. not trying to be sexes or whatever. but anyways.....anyone here to comment?

It sounds to me like you already have the attitude of someone who can succeed. Willing to give it a try and hard working. What you would do at the end of the first day is make a list of everyone you know. On the second day of training you are taught to qualify those people that you wrote down. Then you will call the best potential customers from your list and see if they are willing to help you out during your training appointments (which you do get paid for). After your initial appointments you are mostly seeing and talking to people with some type of interest but you get paid for the appointment whether or not you make a sale. When you make sales you get commission for those sales, obviously.

is this kinda like those vaccuum cleaners except that we dont go to peoples house and vaccuum for em and stuff. it sounds okay, but with the economy like this, is people even buying them right now and lets say i sold them to my relatives or something. How much is the knives or the product?

MarMan in Warsaw, Indiana said: It sounds to me like you already have the attitude of someone who can succeed. Willing to give it a try and hard working. What you would do at the end of the first day is make a list of everyone you know. On the second day of training you are taught to qualify those people that you wrote down. Then you will call the best potential customers from your list and see if they are willing to help you out during your training appointments (which you do get paid for). After your initial appointments you are mostly seeing and talking to people with some type of interest but you get paid for the appointment whether or not you make a sale. When you make sales you get commission for those sales, obviously.

Let me rephrase in non manager speak.

You will be asked to call up all your good friends and relatives to bug them to let you practice your new "job" on you. They will really not be interested, but some will take pity on you cause you are a friend, or a family member. If they take a lot of pity, they will even buy some knives. Regardless, you will have to fill out a lot of paper work.

Then you will ask your family and friends for "referrals", now, who here talks to others about their desire to buy knives? NO ONE, so they will make referrals, but in reality, those people have no clue who to reccommend.

Then you call your friends friends, and tell them, well Joe told me you would be interested. They aren't, but are good friends with Joe, so they might let you in.

Then they sit through the presentaton, and call Joe and ask why the hell you had them come over.

Network marketing jobs are a great way to annoy your family and lose lots of friends.

Much of Manman's post is accurate however, you can view the facts from a different angle. I used to think the exact same way, but now its been over 8 years since I tried out Cutco. I can tell you that all the "struggles" and what you view as negative are actually positives.

For many many young college students, Cutco is the first experience into the real world and everything you don't like about Cutco, you'll also not like at every other corporation that wants you to you to sell something.

The fact is that everything in the world is either a product or service and needs to be SOLD. You can either be behind the scenes in the creation of the product or service if you're not very social and don't want be...

OR you can be in the front line; interacting with people who need or want the product or service...which is SALES.

i meant "Guy in Ohio in Cleveland Ohio.......Not Manman in Warsaw Indiana.

Sorry for mixup.... :-)

jamesjblackburn in Chicago, Illinois said: Much of Manman's post is accurate however, you can view the facts from a different angle. I used to think the exact same way, but now its been over 8 years since I tried out Cutco. I can tell you that all the "struggles" and what you view as negative are actually positives.

For many many young college students, Cutco is the first experience into the real world and everything you don't like about Cutco, you'll also not like at every other corporation that wants you to you to sell something.

The fact is that everything in the world is either a product or service and needs to be SOLD. You can either be behind the scenes in the creation of the product or service if you're not very social and don't want be...

OR you can be in the front line; interacting with people who need or want the product or service...which is SALES.

stop schilling your stupid report.

You claim to make $125,000 a year, yet are desperately trying to get people to buy a $7 report.

You are so freaking phony it's comical!

shan in Nolensville, Tennessee said: Yeah right you must be one of the people trying to hire folks to do this so called business. Isn't it funny how you are the only one that says something good about it. Makes people think. Read the other post. I am not the only one that knows about how this company is a HUGE SCAM!!!! Come on folks how real is it that you made 50k in one year. Like I said you are the one that's probably trying to hire people for this business wasting their time. Misleading them in the ads and everything else. Don't be pulled into the lies folks it's just not true and it just isn't going to work like that. I don't care where you live and who you know and what you do, the only ones that profit are the ones in the ownership of the business. Of course unless you invest in this scam and find some old couple that has nothing better to do with their money and falls for the tired sales pitch and pay for some knives that cost an arm and a leg. I don't even think it's too many of those people left. Just be prepared to go door to door knocking, begging and trying to sell. How about that!!!!!!

Every company will have some negative slanders, look up PEPSI scam, or NIKE scam or any big name company you know of and you'll find that those companies are "scamming" as well according to the internet. It's also sad to see that so many people are upset about a company providing opportunities (whether you agree with it or not) when lets face it the unemployment rate is worsening, I don't want to be a janitor but i'm not going to judge those who make their living cleaning up buildings. Even if you have to pay $130 whole dollars to start, the idea is that you are investing in yourself so you can make money. I had to pay close to a $1000 dollars to get my schooling and licensing to sell securities, but you don't hear many people saying working for an investment company is a huge scam because you have to pay for government licensing.

Jesse O13 in Eugene, Oregon said: Every company will have some negative slanders, look up PEPSI scam, or NIKE scam or any big name company you know of and you'll find that those companies are "scamming" as well according to the internet. It's also sad to see that so many people are upset about a company providing opportunities (whether you agree with it or not) when lets face it the unemployment rate is worsening, I don't want to be a janitor but i'm not going to judge those who make their living cleaning up buildings. Even if you have to pay $130 whole dollars to start, the idea is that you are investing in yourself so you can make money. I had to pay close to a $1000 dollars to get my schooling and licensing to sell securities, but you don't hear many people saying working for an investment company is a huge scam because you have to pay for government licensing.

First Off,

I did look up Pepsi Scam and Nike Scam. All that showed up was PEOPLE trying to run scams using their name. Not that the company itself was running a scam. So nice tr "any big company will be a scam according to the internet"

Just isn't true here.

And please, this is nothing like selling securities. They are not selective, give you no company benefits etc.

This is an MLM, nothing more, nothing less. If you want to work in an MLM, go for it, but don't pretend it's some high end job, that should be praised.

An MLM only cares about how much money goes into the bottom line.

Guy in Ohio in Cleveland, Ohio said: First Off,

I did look up Pepsi Scam and Nike Scam. All that showed up was PEOPLE trying to run scams using their name. Not that the company itself was running a scam. So nice tr "any big company will be a scam according to the internet"

Just isn't true here.

And please, this is nothing like selling securities. They are not selective, give you no company benefits etc.

This is an MLM, nothing more, nothing less. If you want to work in an MLM, go for it, but don't pretend it's some high end job, that should be praised.

An MLM only cares about how much money goes into the bottom line.

Point taken, technically it is not an MLM though. My main point however, is that they offer jobs to people even if its not the job for you it may be for other people; I was able to get some great experience and learned a lot about myself through the process.

As far as a putting down a security deposit on some knives being a scam I completely disagree. If they said "pay us money and we'll let you work" while receiving nothing in return, well that would be a different story. With Cutco you get something tangible for what you spend and not to mention the money back when you turn them back in. Some places even just hold a check and never cash it unless you lose it or can't return it for any reason. Argue that its not a great opportunity for you and I'll agree, but saying its a scam is over the top ridiculous.

I had an receptionist call me today, out of no where, saying that someone recommended me for the job at Vector. I have never heard of this place, nor applied here before, so i was kind of wondering how someone i didnt even know had recommeneded me for something i've never heard of and SInce i didnt know the person that recommened me i was also wondering how they got my contact info (which again, i never gave this company at any time.). But it sounded good So i set up an interview, because the receptionist had told me it was based on a first come first serve basis. My interview is for tomorrow at 7pm. Needless to say, im not going after reading all of this. I had NO knowledge of this company, and it never crossed my mind to check it out before i set an interview. I didnt even mean to look up scams and things, it was an accident, lol. But im glad i did because i do not want to pay money to start a new job, when clearly i have no money which is why i need a job. Im not saying this is a "scam" to where they completely rip you off as in you getting NO money, but i really just dont want to get involved witht this company it sounds like.

Jesse O13 in Eugene, Oregon said: Point taken, technically it is not an MLM though. My main point however, is that they offer jobs to people even if its not the job for you it may be for other people; I was able to get some great experience and learned a lot about myself through the process.

As far as a putting down a security deposit on some knives being a scam I completely disagree. If they said "pay us money and we'll let you work" while receiving nothing in return, well that would be a different story. With Cutco you get something tangible for what you spend and not to mention the money back when you turn them back in. Some places even just hold a check and never cash it unless you lose it or can't return it for any reason. Argue that its not a great opportunity for you and I'll agree, but saying its a scam is over the top ridiculous.

1. How is this not an MLM?

2. "Offering Jobs" is a very loose term. Is their any real pay? benefits? hours? etc.

Guy in Ohio in Cleveland, Ohio said: 1. How is this not an MLM?

2. "Offering Jobs" is a very loose term. Is their any real pay? benefits? hours? etc.

I can comment on #2, #1, I have no idea. Anyhow, offering jobs. Sales reps are not the only positions within Vector and Cutco. It's an entire company, there are all the workers in the Cutco factory, janitors, receptionist, computer techs, web engineers for the sites...etc, so yeah they are offering jobs. I don't understand what you mean by real pay. Whenever I get my paycheck, I deposit it for real money. Your paycheck is a reflection of how much you work. Even if you don't sell anything, if you at least do several appts, that's some money right there. You're not supposed to do this, but if you just set up a group demo with let's say 5 people and fill your paperwork out right, then you can get paid for all 5 people in just an hour. The base pay varies from location which is why I didn't include the rate. They offer health benefits if you choose to do it. Bottom line to me is, Vector isn't that bad if you aren't completely naive and allow yourself to be taken advantage of, especially if someone is working out of an office that doesn't practice good work ethic. I also think that the training is useful. It prepares you for sales. I got a promotion at my hourly job for being sales rep of the month for 3 months straight. I just used what Vector taught me. The benefits of the training may not have showed up immediately, but it was cool in the end.

Ladyballa07 in Suisun City, California said: I can comment on #2, #1, I have no idea. Anyhow, offering jobs. Sales reps are not the only positions within Vector and Cutco. It's an entire company, there are all the workers in the Cutco factory, janitors, receptionist, computer techs, web engineers for the sites...etc, so yeah they are offering jobs. I don't understand what you mean by real pay. Whenever I get my paycheck, I deposit it for real money. Your paycheck is a reflection of how much you work. Even if you don't sell anything, if you at least do several appts, that's some money right there. You're not supposed to do this, but if you just set up a group demo with let's say 5 people and fill your paperwork out right, then you can get paid for all 5 people in just an hour. The base pay varies from location which is why I didn't include the rate. They offer health benefits if you choose to do it. Bottom line to me is, Vector isn't that bad if you aren't completely naive and allow yourself to be taken advantage of, especially if someone is working out of an office that doesn't practice good work ethic. I also think that the training is useful. It prepares you for sales. I got a promotion at my hourly job for being sales rep of the month for 3 months straight. I just used what Vector taught me. The benefits of the training may not have showed up immediately, but it was cool in the end.

This is primarily a job about Sales at Vector marketing. Yes, they offer jobs in manufacturing, shipping, legal, etc. I have no clue if this is a good place to work for that or not, but I am guessing yes it's a salaried job, so that's fine.

However, providing someone with unpaid training, the ability to buy knives, and set their own appointments, does not really mean you are "offering" a job.

Also, vector claims it's sales people are independant contractors, and not employees. So offering, and paying for any type of health care would be a direct violation.

--Candace-- in Greenfield, Indiana said: because i do not want to pay money to start a new job, when clearly i have no money which is why i need a job.

BINGO!!

I know a guy in at the Beasley Allen law firm Montgomery AL named Roman Shaul that is investigating Vector Marketing for wage and hour violations. It looks like everyone that worked for Vector were paid wrong because they were paid as an independent cotnractor...roman.shaul@beasleyallen.com or website is www.beasleyallen.com

i also went to the interview and the stupid training by the 2nd day i realized it was bs and a waste of time, i had the cash and wanted the knives so i went back the 3rd day and got the sample kit. since then they have called me at least three times a day bugging me and when i asked them about the scam mentions they hung up on me, to top it all of my friend and neighbor got his firast check and tried to cash it and the bank told him it was a fake and a false account. vector is a bs company and i would strongly advise against dealing with them

Also, vector claims it's sales people are independant contractors, and not employees. So offering, and paying for any type of health care would be a direct violation.

They actually just have deals worked out with insurance companies to get lower rates for the reps. They don't pay any extra or anything like that as a company they just know they will have a certain amount of people using that insurance. Anyone can purchase that insurance. They also have a similar plan worked out with Smith Barney where a certain portion of your check can be withheld and put into a Smith Barney account in which the broker charges a significantly lower percentage than for normal clientele. Yep vector really doesn't take care of it's reps...

MarMan in Warsaw, Indiana said: Also, vector claims it's sales people are independant contractors, and not employees. So offering, and paying for any type of health care would be a direct violation.

They actually just have deals worked out with insurance companies to get lower rates for the reps. They don't pay any extra or anything like that as a company they just know they will have a certain amount of people using that insurance. Anyone can purchase that insurance. They also have a similar plan worked out with Smith Barney where a certain portion of your check can be withheld and put into a Smith Barney account in which the broker charges a significantly lower percentage than for normal clientele. Yep vector really doesn't take care of it's reps...

Since my company Provides me with Group Health Care at a significant discount, as well as a company sponsered 401K plan- i would say NO vector really doesn't offer it's reps much.

And yes, I am in sales and work on commission.

I was given a database of existing customers, and leads, I get periodic call in leads, and my company pays my gas, cell phone, and provides me with all the materials I need.

MarMan in Warsaw, Indiana said: Also, vector claims it's sales people are independant contractors, and not employees. So offering, and paying for any type of health care would be a direct violation.

They actually just have deals worked out with insurance companies to get lower rates for the reps. They don't pay any extra or anything like that as a company they just know they will have a certain amount of people using that insurance. Anyone can purchase that insurance. They also have a similar plan worked out with Smith Barney where a certain portion of your check can be withheld and put into a Smith Barney account in which the broker charges a significantly lower percentage than for normal clientele. Yep vector really doesn't take care of it's reps...

It also sounds like they take care of their Reps with fake checks written from false accounts . . .

Ok, so I've been looking for a full or part-time job now that I've just graduated high school, and yesterday i filled out an app with these guys and about 5 minutes after i filled it out i got a call from their secretary and she set me up for an interview that day. to make a long story short, i was apparently just the type of guy they were looking for, I got the job and i start training wednesday, june 3rd. for me, this job sounds excellent. $14 an hour, set your own hours, and you always make a base pay. This is the forst job i've been offered in many months and with the way the economy is right now i'm not sure if i could even find another one. i've heard from people and read on here that it is a horrible company, but right now i don't know if i really have any other choice. could i get some advice here?

Matt Youngberg in Salt Lake City, Utah said: Ok, so I've been looking for a full or part-time job now that I've just graduated high school, and yesterday i filled out an app with these guys and about 5 minutes after i filled it out i got a call from their secretary and she set me up for an interview that day. to make a long story short, i was apparently just the type of guy they were looking for, I got the job and i start training wednesday, june 3rd. for me, this job sounds excellent. $14 an hour, set your own hours, and you always make a base pay. This is the forst job i've been offered in many months and with the way the economy is right now i'm not sure if i could even find another one. i've heard from people and read on here that it is a horrible company, but right now i don't know if i really have any other choice. could i get some advice here?

First of all, it's not $14/hour. It's $14/appointment and that's if they qualify. You don't get paid for any prep time, training, driving time etc.

If you want some advice then take an hour and read through this entire forum. It should be all you need . . .

Matt Youngberg in Salt Lake City, Utah said: Ok, so I've been looking for a full or part-time job now that I've just graduated high school, and yesterday i filled out an app with these guys and about 5 minutes after i filled it out i got a call from their secretary and she set me up for an interview that day. to make a long story short, i was apparently just the type of guy they were looking for, I got the job and i start training wednesday, june 3rd. for me, this job sounds excellent. $14 an hour, set your own hours, and you always make a base pay. This is the forst job i've been offered in many months and with the way the economy is right now i'm not sure if i could even find another one. i've heard from people and read on here that it is a horrible company, but right now i don't know if i really have any other choice. could i get some advice here?

My First advice would be to read back through all the posts and determine what goes on here.

My second advice would wonder, what type of company moves that quick to hire someone? I mean, you applied, got called back, interviewed, and got hired all in 1 day?

Even when i was in HS and college and worked fast food, or a sit down restaurant it wouldn't go that quick.

Seriously- think bout that, why are that that eager to hire you???? no offense, you might be a great employee, but they took what at best is a 1 week process, and slimmed it down to hours. hmmm...

Guy in Ohio in Cleveland, Ohio said: My First advice would be to read back through all the posts and determine what goes on here.

My second advice would wonder, what type of company moves that quick to hire someone? I mean, you applied, got called back, interviewed, and got hired all in 1 day?

Even when i was in HS and college and worked fast food, or a sit down restaurant it wouldn't go that quick.

Seriously- think bout that, why are that that eager to hire you???? no offense, you might be a great employee, but they took what at best is a 1 week process, and slimmed it down to hours. hmmm...

When I was hired at Pizza Hut in high school I applied, was interviewed, called back, told I had the position, and scheduled for orientation the next day. And I've heard other similar stories. Maybe they are eager to hire those people because a lot of those Branch offices, like mine for the summer, just opened and we NEED representatives and if people are looking for a job I want to give them a chance. Also, the interview itself isn't a short process, the leaders naturally emerge from the group. In fact, they may spend more time actually with the person in our 1 day than some companies do when they spend a week agonizing over the decision. I know it was common practice when I was at Pizza Hut (for three years) to get someone in for an interview quickly and if they did well hire them. Why draw out the inevitable. I wouldn't be upset with the company for being efficient.

MarMan in Warsaw, Indiana said: When I was hired at Pizza Hut in high school I applied, was interviewed, called back, told I had the position, and scheduled for orientation the next day. And I've heard other similar stories. Maybe they are eager to hire those people because a lot of those Branch offices, like mine for the summer, just opened and we NEED representatives and if people are looking for a job I want to give them a chance. Also, the interview itself isn't a short process, the leaders naturally emerge from the group. In fact, they may spend more time actually with the person in our 1 day than some companies do when they spend a week agonizing over the decision. I know it was common practice when I was at Pizza Hut (for three years) to get someone in for an interview quickly and if they did well hire them. Why draw out the inevitable. I wouldn't be upset with the company for being efficient.

We could talk about little details all day long but I think we're getting away from the bottom line here:

Vector is a company with a TERRIBLE reputation. They have been sued numerous times for false advertising, not paying their reps etc. They take advantage of young college kids by signing them up for their MLM scam and forcing them to buy knives (call it what you want but you have to spend YOUR money on the knives and most do not come back for a refund). You're expected to sell knives to your family and their unsuspecting friends and neighbors. Cutco is an expensive, low quality product. See article:(www.cookingforengineers.com/article/129/Chefs-Knives-Rated). Vector does not pay their Reps for any training, meetings, mileage, call or prep time etc. They close their offices on a whim and leave their Reps hanging. They pay their Reps with false checks from phony accounts.

I could go on and on and on . . .

Stay away from Vector!! If you sign up, it will be a decision you will regret!!