Anonymous
map-marker Scottsdale, Arizona

Account Manager (Financial Analyst at other franchises)

Creepiest thing I've experienced in my 22 year life. Loss of nearly $300 for new slacks, shoes, and gas money to get to the two interviews and my first day of work once I was hired. I knew this was a door to door sales job, I was ready to work hard for little pay, but too much wasn’t right with the company. Elaborations below, this sort of stuff isn't for the faint of heart……

RED FLAG 1.

The "CEO" of the "office" seemed like a sort of social shark, I don't know how else to put it... very Woody Harrelson-ish, with expensive 3 piece suits and a *** entry-level Mercedes as if they were putting on a show for applicants. Weird vibes from the guy as if they dressed a *** dealer in nice clothes and gave him a back story to regurgitate.

I use “CEO” and “office” in quotes as they try to deceive you in all lectures, suggesting an image where the company is independent, the man in the 3 piece suit who is interviewing you is its owner, and the company as a lone entity is worth a few million dollars.

RED FLAG 2.

As stated in blog articles about Cydcor, they do indeed have a secretary at the front literally calling applicants for interviews as you're in the CEO's office interviewing (you can hear the pitch they gave you over the phone word for word through the wall). The CEO's office is most likely connected to the front office so you can't see how run down the back of the cheap-rent office is.

NOTABLY as mentioned in the title, the branch I interviewed at had different titles for the sales position, along with other differences: there was no mention of working weekends, and there were 2 in-office interviews instead of 1 in-office interview (which all seem unusual but they have to be constantly changing their practices to fool people). They could reel you into the weekends later; as the “CEO” tried to tell me it was only an 8 AM to 5 PM sort of deal which I called him on immediately in the interview, in front of the other applicant.

RED FLAG 3.

EVERY other applicant I ran into in my interviews was hired- except for a single mother with a family to support; I don't think he had the heart to roll the dice on ruining her life combined with the fact that at 30 years old she was potentially far too smart about how the world worked to be fooled by his sketchy puppet show.

…and that was the second interview. I did the FIRST one with my fly open accidentally and they called me back- which should have been the biggest red flag of them all but how was I to know if they noticed or not?!?!

After the second interview I did NOT get a call back, although they told me that they’d call me before 7 PM that day even if it was a no. Retrospectively, I was far too educated to be in their demographic and as such they knew I’d leave after the first day and post this novel of a review across all social media once I finally put my finger on what was wrong with the company (That’s another thing, they all call it “The Company” like some *** cult because they don’t want to differentiate or delineate between Cydcor and the franchise/fake front with the fake name that they present to new employees).

All these red flags so far, BUT I am tired of living with my parents and applying for jobs; it seemed like a Godsend to an impatient young recent college graduate second guessing his forte in science. I called the next morning, at which time the “CEO” claimed that they tried calling me last night but it wouldn’t go through (a lie) and that they wanted me to come in in a week to start.

RED FLAG 4.

Okay now- I am no sort of impressive person or superior to anyone else; I mean for me to go to two interviews and one day of work before finally convincing myself that I was being thrown for a loop speaks volumes of me in a negative way on a multitude of levels. BUT THESE OTHER KIDS ON THE FIRST DAY OF WORK WERE SOMETHING ELSE. I mean wow. I truly do not think I'd seen such a large group of people of this persuasion since walking past the special education room in high school, and I mean that as no offense to anyone or their family members.

They all seemed to have ADHD, were younger than me (I’d guess 18 years old, most of them were only high school graduates if that), and I was the only one writing anything down or paying attention to the CEO’s lecture (it was my first day, I guess they give the same lecture every day cuz the turnaround is so terrible).

Bottom line is that I’ve had a few jobs in engineering firms and hospitals- and from that I knew instantly that none of these people were working caliber human beings, even though some force of God dressed them all in two piece suits (I wore khakis and a button down with a tie; I cannot afford a suit) …once again going back to my point that they somehow put on a “show” for you to make you think there’s some real money trickling down.

RED FLAG 5.

Going back to the previous reviews, older reviews on glassdoor talk of insurmountable sex scandals between the "CEOs" and their field salesmen and secretaries, along with additional coworker affairs- all fruit chunks in an eerie, cult-like yogurt of an atmosphere.

I walk in for the first interview and make friends with the secretary- it was obvious that she banged the CEO for his job, it was just uncanny… I’m terrible at social things so I cannot describe this chemistry in words. Subtle and *** maybe. No ring on her finger, she was physically attractive, and their chemistry was just… yuck. Apparently they recognized that I was suspicious, so on the second interview she was wearing a ring and talking to me about her husband repeatedly... Once again they put forth quite an effort to perform a show for applicants.

I walk in for my first day and find one girl I interviewed with who had colored hair, another guy who started at the beginning of that week who was heavy with a big beard and really quiet… along with 4 others who were transfers. This was immediately confusing to me, as they said they had not sold these office supplies but cable instead (Cydcor wasn’t mentioned until the first powerpoint).

A social ceremony was performed before the lecture, where you were to stand around talking casually, but in reality the transfers approached us and tired to make us feel comfortable. Like a *** Stepford Wives sort of thing. PEOPLE DON’T GET ALONG AT WORK- IT’S LIFE. But this bunch was acting like the entire summer camp counselor staff when they’re in front of the kids.

RED FLAG 6: GOING DOOR TO DOOR.

Some Cydcors sell cable to businesses. Some sell phone service. Ours sold Quill office supplies.

So say it with me now:

YOU DON’T NEED A SALESMAN TO GET CABLE FOR YOUR BUSINESS, YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF ONLINE.

YOU DON’T NEED A SALESMAN TO GET PHONE SERVICE FOR YOUR BUSINESS, YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF ONLINE.

YOU DON’T NEED A SALESMAN TO GET OFFICE SUPPLIES FOR YOUR BUSINESS, YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF ONLINE.

I have a friend with a real sales job, he sells refurbished plastic oil drums in bulk to companies.

So say it with me now:

YOU _DO_ NEED A SALESMAN TO GET A BUNCH OF REFURBISHED PLASTIC OIL DRUMS FOR YOUR BUSINESS, YOU _CANNOT_ DO IT YOURSELF ONLINE.

I now hope that, before we go on, you understand how this is nothing more than a Vemma Energy Drink sort of fake business plan, where a product that doesn’t really fit into a business is tacked on to a pyramid scheme structure as an afterthought in order to make the business legal as far as the federal government is concerned.

If it wasn’t for all of the above stuff, I’d be totally fine with selling office supplies door-to-door for low pay- I like to think I am humble and try to work hard, I actually used to wash dishes at restaurants in high school. TWO THINGS I learned in the field kept me from going back my second day though.

First- Cydcor’s client (cable, internet, office supplies) or Cydcor themselves take the account away from the employee who established the account after 6 weeks- this means that the salesman only gets their residuals for a period of time- if the residuals stayed so would I; it would be a real sales job with potential for exponential pay which would balance out the meager commission. They do not stay though, in a vain attempt to keep you motivated to climb up their structured ladder with unrealistic promotion goals.

Second- The office supplies from Quill were not less expensive than Staples, and were more expensive than Sams Club or Costco. Despite this, the salesman training me went into 44 businesses that day and tried to lie to each of them. One woman called him out on it as she had just bought her paper the day before- in response, this salesman of Cydcor for 3 years, was baffled as to what to do besides ask her twice to confirm that the cheaper price was not a special sale price. First, I can’t lie to people, second, trying to sell something which has no benefits is a waste of time.

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Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
8 comments
Guest

Wow, did we work at the same place? This sounds exactly like the place I worked except I was there for a few months.

The biggest red flag to me was the fact that the much better salesmen were all struggling to pay there bills. I could only think, "if they can't make any money, how can I?"

Guest

As a current employee of Cydcor, I have never ran into these things. The fortune 500 company I'm currently working a campaign for, is a legit campaign and literally the BOTTOM line employee who does the BARE minimum makes sales enough to support themselves.

Did you make it to an opportunity meeting?

Where they explain the company? The fortune 500 company we represent let's us take almost 50% off the going rate for what we're selling, so I don't know what office, or campaign you were on, but that sounds like a *** ICL (If you stuck around long enough to find out what that means.)

Guest

this is the most amazingly truthful review of the company and the offices attached that I have ever read. good job

Guest

This review is paid by someone

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1131796

No, it's not. But nice try. Now, go fish.

Guest

Are you ***? Just because you weren't able to *** it you post a long boring inaccurate post of garbage on this slandering the company?

I worked for this company in 2008, I almost made it to Assistant manager, and I had a GREAT office downtown Brampton ON. My ICL and owner of the office was Kyle Bardsley. I was coached by GREAT people, I learn A LOT that MAKES me the salesman and person I am today. YES its door to door and NO i didnt know prior but I COULD *** it.

Sales isnt for everyone. Someone who graduated from college for science probably wouldnt have a clue on what sales actually is. Not everyone can hang. But the fact you got on here to TRY and slander and discourage people who may be interested or have an interview is ridiculous.

Everything I know about Sales comes from THIS company. Harry rosen told me they prefer my experience from THIS company rather than Moores and Tip Top Tailors. That should tell you A LOT. You're a ***.

You can do MANY things online but why are people still going IN STORE? You can use a credit card and its cheaper to call uber. Why are people STILL using taxi? One reason ***.

THERE IS A DEMAND. Get a life you loser. If sales isnt for you, dont try to dissuade people from a job and experience. I owe this company A LOT for teaching me how to be a better person.

How to motivate. How to lead. How to encourage and uplift people. How to pay attention.

How to SELL. How to REMAIN positive in NEGATIVE situations. THAT, my dim witted friend IS *** PRICELESS. And you wish this was a fake response or someone paid me to do this.

I havent worked for the company since 2008, when their ONLY campaign was Rogers. I STILL have my leadership pin I won for best Leader in my region for 2008. Save your ***. Door to door Cold sales DEFINES AND SHAPES a salesman.

No one can ever tell me *** different. Eff you and your weak review.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1113622

Dear Anonymous,

1. It's not slander if it's true.

2.

Are we to believe that someone who hasn't worked for the company in eight years has just appeared, out of the blue, to defend it?

You people need some new tricks. Insted of sitting around posting lies about your company, think about treating people with respect. Even if it doesn't work out, they'll leave with a smile and be less likely to warn others about your joke of a job. Also, consider cutting down on stealing from your employees.

You guys are known for that.

On second thought, keep doing what you're doing. Your post will be most helpful to anyone seeking truth because it shows just how intelligent, polite and decent Cydcor is.

It looks like it was written by an ex-***. Where were you the last eight years?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1113622

Hey my dim-witted friend: slander is SPOKEN! Libel is WRITTEN.

TRUTH is an absolute defense against any claims of libel / slander / defamation.

I also want to point out to you that this Kyle person was NOT an owner. He was a branch manager. True business owners do NOT have bosses.

Kyle had/has bosses and they sit in the corporate offices. The third thing I would like to point out is that no one who posts their experiences is trying to deliberately sabotage someone else's lifelong dream to be a door to door nuisance and street beggar. No, these people are simply trying to share their experiences of being taken advantage of. Ultimately, the decision whether to try working a 100% commission only job, pestering people in residential neighbourhoods and businesses is entirely up to the individual.

Personally, I could care less what others do, as long as it does not negatively affect me or mine. Besides, we all know some people are knuckleheads and have to learn the hard way. I also recognize some people are highly uneducated, have criminal backgrounds, etc and for them, a door to door sales gig may be the only thing they can do (I am talking not just your company but Smart Circle, Kirby, Scentura, Filter Queen, Rainbow, etc). I feel sorry for those people.

Are you perhaps one of them? If so, no wonder you so passionately defend your sales slob job; you have some sense of professional dignity (GOOD FOR YOU!) and I can see how it stings to hear someone put down the only employment you were able to find. Which leads me to: this is really not employment, not in the traditional sense. See, you weren't a W2 employee, you were a 1099 contractor.

Did you know that most state laws mandate that an independent contractor sets their own work hours and may not be compelled to attend unpaid meetings? My dim-witted friend, please share with the class how many times you were able to set your own hours and pick and choose which meetings you were going to attend? Also, I would love to hear how much money you had to pay Uncle Sam at the end of the year, since 1099 contractors are responsible for paying ALL their own taxes. How did it feel watching your gainfully employed friends and family members get fat refunds while you owed?!

Finally, I would like to say Eff you and your weak review.

Got it? :-)

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fowards k

Ad Group/Cydcor Reviewed

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Man reading that post brought back some memories. Yes I had that clown Jaime Hepp as my manager.

He tried the same scare tactics with our group and it was just comical. In fact there were 6 of us that all quit on the same day. It was a revolution!! I laugh now because when I look back on it all, it was one of the best training jobs I have ever had.

NO BS. Taught me how to sell. I now run my own company, do well and tell people it was the worst and best job I ever had. Yes, I was duped as a young eager kid but at the end of the day it made me a little tougher, a little better at sales and a little more street smart.

Do I appreciate what I do now bc I don't work for slime like that.

*** Yeah!! Life's all about *** experiences. It makes you appreciate the good ones when you finally get em.

Food for thought. = )

View full review
Cons:
  • Consultant
  • Management
  • Recruiting
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

5 comments
Guest

Jamie Hepp is now a millionaire and a consultant at the national level for an entire business campaign. He clearly did something right.

Guest

HAHAHA you had jamie hepp he looks so douchy in all the magazines lols

Guest

Cydcor would have to be the only company on the planet to have ex-employees who've quit come back and write positive comments. Well, maybe not the only one because Smart Circle, Appco Group and Credico are just as guilty.

I wonder if there is a connection between these companies.

THERE IS NO WORTHWHILE TRAINING WITH CYDCOR. Their 5 & 8 is pure comedy.

The current employee who posted this comment is just trying to offset the bad press on this site. This is a turn and burn operation that only needs you to sell for a few weeks to make a profit before moving on to the next sucker. Telling you that you will gain valuable experience in your short time with this company serves only one pupose...

getting you in the door. By the time you've figured out that all the negative reviews are true, they've already made their money and you get to suffle off down the road with nothing to show for your "experience".

How can we point the finger at Chinese sweat shops when we have an organization like this in the U.S.? They're called Devil Corp for a reason.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1125531

Did you not read my post? Clearly if you thought i was praising them then you are a little confused.

It was the worst company I have ever worked for and they are slime as I said in my post. Yes I thought myself how to sell hitting 80 doors a day. But it was still a valuable tool that I learned.

Keyword I. Please reread again and maybe you will understand what I was saying.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1125567

I understand but i thought you said they taught you how to sell. Maybe you should reread both posts.

How can it be the worst and the best?

At least we can both agree they're slime. Juice.

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Anonymous
map-marker Prior Lake, Minnesota

Century Link Prism Review

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Trahern Trombetti runs an office out of Bloomington Minnesota. The whole company is scam, joke, and the company itself preys on young minds. Stay very very far away from this company.
View full review
Anonymous
map-marker Delta, Ohio

Cydcor - Att B2B Review from Delta, Ohio

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Cult like following and preys on the weak. Andrew bruinneger has a new office in Chicago and changed his name to andrew james. His hr girl shortened her name from regina bourcier to gina. Highly illegal and unethical
View full review
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
2 comments
Guest

May I ask what this company in Chicago is called? Is it Three Point Executive or something else?

I remember a company was going to spin off soon from Red Bay in Oak Brook by that name or a similar one, and it was kind of a big deal because we were sold on the idea that we could ALL have our own office like that someday if we just worked hard and believed in ourselves.

We should be naming these Cydcor affiliate companies in our reviews when we post them. It might help someone else doing a google search on them later on.

At least until they change their company name again, since they do that a lot. But at least in the meantime it might help people out.

Thanks.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1115276

Jonathan Wesley Inc.

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Anonymous
map-marker Spring, Texas

Cydcor Work Experience Review from Spring, Texas

I work at a cydcor office for over a year and actually made it to ownership where I ran an office for a while. There are some offices that are better than others.

But there is no guarantee that you will ever be promoted to ownership I think it's about one in ten thousand of the people that hire that make it. And the problem I ran into once I made it to ownership is that they didn't have enough new campaigns available.

so I was stuck in limbo land. One of those things that waa great for 6 months and I learned a lot but not the long term career choice that they sell it as.

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2 comments
Guest

Also, don’t you have to sign over power of attorney to Cydcor in regards to your corporate account? How are you truly a business owner of you don’t have power of attorney over the account where all profit from the office goes into?

Guest

But you weren't an owner. Real business owners do not have bosses and people over them calling the shots and controlling their money.

All you were was a branch manager.

Think about it logically. You were not in control at any point in time.

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Anonymous
map-marker Charleston, South Carolina

Cydcor Retail Sales Review

I live in charleston South Carolina and there is a "new and upcoming" marketing firm named Echo Solutions. Exact same everything that everyone has mentioned.

Same hiring strategy, door to door selling AT&T U-verse. Went for my second interview today and got in some guys car and started going door to door. (Was nervous because I am a woman) He stopped at a gas station to change out of his suit into shorts while I was trucking around in heels and skirt with a blouse. He did exactly what these other "managers" did.

He even told me they had played charades that morning! Thank heavens I read up on them on glass door before I left for the interview. I didn't even finish the interview.

After 3 hours into it my fiancé called me and I had the guy I was riding with take me back to the office. Don't waste your time if you're not willing to go door to door!

View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
1 comment
Guest

Who really wants to go door to door, making 100 percent commission. Who can pay their bills like that? There isn't even a base pay!

Anonymous
map-marker Saint Louis, Missouri

Cydcor - Review in Staff category from Saint Louis, Missouri

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Greatest opportunity ever if you cant do it it will seem like a scam. Buy if you can u will make money and succeed.

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4 comments
Guest

If someone can successfully sell, why would they bother with a door to door sales job making commission only? That is the lowest of the low!

Good/great salespeople are smarter than that! They know they can get a real sales job making a base salary on top of their commission plus get benefits like medical, dental, paid time off, sick days, holiday pay, 401k and perks like a paid for cellphone, company car, etc.

Guest

No doubt for someone like yourself, i.e. can't spell or properly form a simple sentence, this must truly seem like a great opportunity.

Meanwhile, those of us who finished high school and in most cases went on to college, have real career opportunities where we enjoy healthy salaries, benefits, advancement opportunities and a work/life balance.

You think about that the next time you are standing out in the cold, having the door slammed in your face by someone like me, because you have once again ignored my "No Soliciting" sign. In your case though, I may let it slide based on the fact I doubt you can read.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1236061

Your post is ignorant, and I hope you spend life in the rat race

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1330650

LMAO at the door to door peddler!

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Anonymous
map-marker Algonquin, Illinois

AVOID 3D MARKETING CONCEPTS!!

Avoid 3d Marketing Concepts in Schaumburg, IL. Its door to door sales selling At&T U-Verse. You literally have to work six days a week, ten hours a day!! (10AM to 8PM). You only get paid $800-$1000 a week ONLY if you make ten sales or more that week. Its 100% commission based. No hourly pay. If you don't make your quota then you lose $100 per lost sale basically. So if you do 9 sales you only get $700 for the week. 8 sales = $600. 7 sales = $500. You get the idea. You can get extra bonuses such as paid weekly vacations and $100 gift cards, but that's only if you manage to get 20+ sales a week which is nearly impossible. Don't apply or waste you time with this scam!! You have been warned.
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
3 comments
Guest

Schaumburg sounds familiar, like during the summer we at Red Bay (in Oak Brook) had a conference call with a Cydcor office in Schaumburg, run by some gal who had climbed the ladder and became manager of her own office in less than a year. The call was in order to "inspire" us. It could've been you, but this sham of a business opens and closes so many offices in the area that it could've been anyone.

Guest

The problem I have with these type companies is that they post misleading job ads. A lot aren't truthful in their ads, their websites are always vague and they won't answer questions on the phone or during the interview.

If is not till the "second interview" which last all day, that you find out it's door to door, 100 percent commission only sales. No base pay, no benefits! Come tax time, you will owe Uncle Sam because you are a 1099 contractor and responsible for your own taxes! Oh and you can't file unemployment if you get fired.

All the hours you spend in the office, you aren't paid for. You will be told when to work and required to attend meetings, even when this breaks your State's laws governing independent contractors.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1067963

Not just meetings, but team night as well is pretty much mandatory, and heaven forbid you'd rather just go bowling with your dad or have another conflict on team night, because you're "not a team player" then.

Those that have drank the koolaid and will come on here to defend their dear company will tell you that if it's so horrible, why are they still in business after so long. Well they're in business because they exploit every loophole they can.

P.S.

I also remember being told when we filled out our W9s that we should claim as many exemptions as we can, in order to get more money on our weekly cheques that we would need. But what happens if you do that is you end up having to shell out more in April at tax time...

unless of course you've leased a brand new car to write off as a business expense, then you'll be ok.

So sketchy. Wow.

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Anonymous
map-marker Chicago, Illinois

I worked for Cydcor, never got paid

I worked for a Cydcor office in Illinois for 3 weeks. Although the job didn't work out for me, I did make some sales for them, and learned good skills in sales and in managing myself.

Problem is nearly a month later I've not been paid. I'm sure this is against some labour law somewhere unless they've found a loophole, and I do understand forfeiting my training pay for having been with them such a short time, but not the commissions I made on my own. They do send you out on your own in the field during your "training period", so maybe I've lost any of that too, but that's a bit unfair considering at that point it's all your work in your hands.

Adverts on employment websites promise a great pay level, and even when you start working with them you think you'll be getting some sort of base pay until the first training day comes along and the truth about their commission only salary comes out. These adverts also say you'll be working a management internship, when in reality it's just sales.

And there's a good chance that you'll get stuck in a territory that reps have already been through only a few weeks prior, which makes making a sale really difficult. Where I was, they saw reps from the company I was selling for often, and many businesses either already had an account with them, or were technically too small for me to sell to, or they were businesses where a decision maker is about maybe a few times during the month. But they'll expect you to make big sales anyway, and to stay out all day, working into the evening if you have to (after starting in the office at 8:30) to make it happen, even if you've just started. Unless you're a magician, this isn't a job for you.

They also provide no written records to you of how the pay scale works, what your employee ID number is, or all the documents you signed in order to work for them.

Kind of ironic when we're selling for an office supply company when you think of it, because they should have the extra paper there to give us our own copies of these things, but I guess it makes it easier for them to win a dispute with a former employee.

I don't want to be the guy who complains, or takes legal action, but this little dispute over whether or not I get paid means I may have to do that. The people in my office were good people, and I don't want anyone to get in trouble, but I believe I deserve to be compensated for the work I did, as much or as little as that was.

View full review
Loss:
$1500
Pros:
  • Manager
  • Coworkers
Cons:
  • Corporate structure
  • Management style
Reason of review:
Problems with payment

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

3 comments
Guest

I currently work for a company that is part of cydcor and I am concerned that this will happen to me. I’ve worked a week, and I don’t want to not be paid for work I’ve already put in.

They misled me, presenting themselves as STC Marketing, when they’re really Cydcor.

It is all very strange and the company was like a cult. Long hours, so you were always exhausted.

Guest

I hope you did take them court. Also, you are a 1099 contractor but they treat you like you are an hourly employee.

Show that in court/to the labor board and they will be forced to pay you at least minimum wage and OT for all hours worked. Setting your hours and forcing 1099 contractors to attend meetings and events is treating them like a W2 employee and they will have to pay!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1069983

Same poster from above, and yes I should have taken them to court, but for just 3 weeks pay, plus I started in a new job shortly after which has kept me busy, it didn't seem worth it. This is probably how they're able to stay in business, coasting by on the fact that anyone with sense will leave after a few weeks and be too busy looking for or working in another job to actually take action against them.

I did recently get my W2 from them, so while they never paid me, they did report my wages.

I'll be getting a second opinion my accountant about how to handle this. It wasn't for much money, but it's still money earned not matching up to money received by me, and it's smelling a bit more fraudulent as more gets dug up about them. For starters, the W2 has a different company name on it than the one I worked for, one that the CEO owned years ago but is defunct now according to google/yelp/etc. For second, a little thing I've learned in my new job is that even super tiny companies, if they pay out a check to an employee, and they've done their accounts properly, they would know if that check got deposited or not (and checks go void after 90/180 days depending on what they are).

So they know full well that I've not gotten paid. ***, if I cut a check to someone, and they deposit it, even if I wasn't tracking my account exactly, I'd still get an image of the deposited check through the recipient's bank and my own after it had gone through.

And when you're running a company, and you find an extra $200 in your account, or even an extra $2, you have to figure out why.

There are two reasons why these cydcor affiliates manage to stay afloat, one being the sketchy things they do like change company names every year so it's hard to track them down, and two is sheer luck that most former employees with real grievances are too busy to deal with the legal proceedings that would come from reporting them to proper authorities.

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Ervie Iej
map-marker Orlando, Florida

Marketing Consultants of Orlando is CYDCOR & a SCAM!

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Went for a 1st interview for a marketing consulting job, got a second interview, except the second interview was getting into a filthy car with some guy I didn't know where he stopped at a Wendy's to change into shorts and a t-shirt after I was told I had to dress "business professional". I later was told that it was a door to door selling job, and when I told them I didn't have a car, and asked why the manager hadn't told me this is the kind of job it was, I was dumped on the side of the road

View full review
Cons:
  • Management
  • Consultant
  • Recruiting
Reason of review:
Scammed

Preferred solution: Shut down company

2 comments
Guest

So many of these marketing companies do this ***. I went in for a literal 2 min interview and they made me call out of my current job the next day to do the second interview which went exactly how your story went. Always use glass door for these misleading scammers

Guest

Make sure you post this on every website you can.

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Madysen Uci

Cydcor Work Experience Review

Cydcor offices are great IF you're the kind of person who really thrives on competition and recognition. If you've ever been on a sports team and you were captain or helped your team win a championship and the win was more important than all the *** you had to go through to get there. If you're just looking for a job, it's not for you; unless you could use a good year of sales, sales training, and recruiting for your resume.

Like anywhere else, there are good managers and bad managers. You might have a bad experience interviewing or working with one office, but don't judge another office you might interview with down the line based on that experience. I've worked for cydcor offices for three years, helped open up two new offices as part of their expansion team, and I've done sales, team building, training, and recruiting, you name it. I decided it's not for me, because I'm just not competitive enough to go all the way with it. It's worth the time ONLY if you're super competitive OR you need experience for your resume. Either way, it's only worth it if you can really give 100% effort.

They will say, "look at these managers and consultants. If they can do it, why can't you?" That's true. It's also true that 99% of people who try never get that far, so by trying, you're saying, I'm going to be that 1%. It takes a certain type of person to say that, and an even rarer person to follow through. Do you have what it takes?

Detractors and champions alike will note I am stating facts, unemotionally. I don't have a dog in this fight. I have the experience with the company to know what I'm talking about, and the objectivity of an outsider.

Bottom line, if you think you have the work ethic and the balls to be the next Mark Cuban, go for it!

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Reason of review:
Good quality
3 comments
Guest

You are brain washed and a liar. Pyramid scheme is only the beginning.

These so called executives or owners have to change their names of business and relocate after they burn up local territory of consumers and talent. Andrew james? Gina bourcier?

That wasn't your names in detroit market. Scandalous and sad.

Guest

This is not for me if I am looking for a job?? Well, glad you clarified that, because actually, I am looking for a job!

See, I need something that will actually pay me money, because I don't live with my parents! I have rent, car note, auto insurance and food to pay for. Oh and gas.

You people won't even reimburse for gas when I have to drive all over the place, going door to door for lousy 100 percent commission! No thank you!

Guest

Speaking of work ethic, can you explain to me why Cydcor posts misleading job ads? Can you explain why they falsely promise a salary when in reality, it is 100% commission?

Can you explain why they make their workers 1099 contractors, yet violate LAWS regarding contractors, by setting their hours and making meetings mandatory? Can you explain why they can't even afford to pay people a base wage?

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Nathanal Lef
map-marker Blue Ash, Ohio

Skyline Ohio in Blue Ash OH, is a Cydcor office.

As usual, this office has been open for less than a year. The office only has less than 6 rooms, including the randomly painted "atmosphere" room where you perform the usual bell ringing, pitching, and "hey what/visions/showtime" chants. Instantly you should realize that you will not actually be working in the office. Nice fellow workers; some of the people there are actually really cool and friendly and an overall ok atmosphere; but truthfully of the workers only about 70% had been brainwashed by the pie in the sky success stories and rituals there. The other 30% during my tenure had realized the truth about the parent company of the office, and didn't buy into the cult-like rituals, nor the true nature of the job.

The fact that some of the leaders lived in group housing was suspicious, or the fact that they were still leaders after working there for many months. Also, they will hire anyone of any background. Theatre majors, business majors, or those fresh out of high school. The resume is of the least importance. If you get a 2nd interview, you will be hired regardless. The call always comes.

The true nature of the job is door to door sales in the Cincinnati and Dayton (45ish miles away) area to visit neighborhoods to pitch "Star Energy" to prospective customers. I am not badmouthing nor being brash in this review, but have simply said everything that I had witnessed during my stay there. Nothing is false, and nothing is said in spite. Simply giving advice and a pre-screening to those being contacted by this company or are going to be interviewed.

In order to receive a Training Bonus, you must sign up 10 people within a certain amount of time after obtaining an Agent Code. With the somewhat complicated closing script/process, it can be very difficult to do when you are out on your own. Therefore, many people never see that bonus, even if they stayed longer than two weeks and had signed up 9 people.

Before accepting this job consider all of the following: Have a reliable vehicle, as you will be driving your own car at least 5 days a week unless you are lucky to ride with another person for the 6th workday. That being said, this job is 6 days a week; you must come to the office on Saturday morning but you do not have to work if you have already gotten your numbers. Of which 90% of the people haven't. Have comfortable shoes and make sure you obtain a Star Energy polo or another shirt as you will walk in every type of weather (including heavy rain and hot summer days) to peoples doorsteps. You will not be paid for gas (unless you make $800 of sales, of which 1 sale is $35, only to receive a $25 card). Nor for lunch but that is a given, and this includes the interview coffee/lunch.

Hour long meetings in morning, which involve pictionary and charades along with the cydcor lingo and practice pitching, then going out to the field, and then coming back for another meeting in the evening which involves the bell ringing ceremony. Day is from 12:30-about 9:00 at night once the meeting is finished. You are in the field "random neighborhood/ghetto" around 7 hours of the day.

High turnover once people figure out it is door to door and want an different job. Dosen't matter, those who don't give in to the Cydcor way of life are never mentioned again. New interviewees almost everyday, to continue the cycle of the typical Cydcor office... Skyline Ohio.

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21 comments
Guest

I worked for a company called Marketing Solutions back in 2012. I'm 90% sure that they are owned by Cydcor, as the set up is EXACTLY the same.

I'm glad I got out when I did. At the time that I applied for the job via Careerbuilder, I was a desperate soon-to-be college graduate itching to get out of my minimum wage weekend job at Subway for something more "grown up", so to speak. Well, I found a vague job posting for a "new up and coming marketing firm" where you are promoted from within based on "merit". Literally, only a few hours after applying, I was contacted for an interview.

WTF?!?! Usually it'll be weeks or even months before employers start biting at your resume. So, I blindly accepted the opportunity to interview the next day. During the 1st round of interviews, the office "manager" Jason Ward was super vague as to the exact details of the position, and completely failed to disclose the fact that it was a D2D job on 100% commission (a not-so-tiny detail that I was only told after I accepted the job and signed the 1099.

While I did learn some valuable sales techniques, I must say that I didn't buy into their cult-like, ritualistic meetings, and I straight up couldn't lie to some innocent customer's face trying to *** them into signing up with Direct Energy. I worked from about 8am to 7pm Monday-Friday for about a month and only ended up making $300.

I should've just stayed with Subway and became a manager, which my store's owner didn't offer to me only because he knew I was looking to leave as soon as I graduated. All I have to say is that it's sad that I was making more money working about 25 hours a week for $8.25 an hour at a quick service restaurant than I made working 45 hours a week at Marketing Solutions.

Guest

Don't forget folks, you will not be a W2 employee, you will be a 1099 contractor, which means come tax time, you are responsible for paying ALL your taxes to Uncle Sam. So, while all your friends with real jobs with real pay are getting tax refund checks, you actually OWE the govt.

money! And there are NO benefits! No medical insurance, paid time off, sick days, vacation days, 401k, stock ownership, NOTHING! When you get arrested or fined for soliciting without a license, your local independent office is not going to help you, they will remind you that you are a 1099 contractor, which means you work for yourself.

And while they are reminding you of that, ask yourself why is it then, if you are your own boss, do they set your work hours for you and require you to attend meetings. And when you quit after not getting paid, be sure to file a complaint with the Labor Board in your State about not only NOT getting paid, but also that the local office is violating independent contractor laws.

If you prove you were treated like a W2 employee, they may well be forced to pay you minimum wage for the hours you worked.

Guest

Notice: Skyline Ohio is now called "Blue Chip Acquisitions". Same location, and same Facebook/Website pictures and layouts as they had previously with Skyline Ohio.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-915037

This has been confirmed. Now known as Blue Chip Acquisitions, it seems Skyline Ohio has had to change its name.

Skyline Ohio had 2 managers, and 2 "HR" workers.

It is now 1 manager and 1 HR manager. (HR in Cydcor means calling for interviews and checking the vague job postings online for new recruits).

The door to door practice is now solely controlled by Diego; Eric has left to Chicago, HR Kate is gone, and of course Meghan is the HR to stay at Diego's side.

Same exact business practices, same location, same phone number; and same website layout and Facebook pictures as Skyline Ohio had.

"Blue Chip Acquisitions" aka Skyline Ohio, is a Cydcor office in Blue Ash.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-915191

HR in Cydcor means appointment setters. I laugh every time I see one of those stup*d little girls calling themselves HR Directors or HR Managers. THEY ARE APPOINTMENT SETTERS AND TELEMARKETERS!

Guest

thank you for the insight this will assist with people they are randomly calling like myself, I have never heard of this company either. I am very grateful for your information.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-900387

You are welcome. They randomly called though? What did they say with the call?

Best of luck

Guest

To Anonymous,

You will not see that check. If in the sheer miracle you do, it will not be even remotely close to support your family.

Glad that you got out when you did. What company does not pay for a small meal or even a coffee to an interviewee? What kind of interview is 3 days long? What kind of company has to lie about who they give a job offer to or what the job actually is?

Cydcor thats who. They want to give the impression that the potential hire's have to "prove" themselves. It's such a sham, that only the lowest of the low deserve to continue to prey on innocent college grads or people looking for a summer job.

Not sure if Skyline Ohio is still working for Star Energy or are still in business (as most Cydcor independent offices fail within the first two years).

It's odd that when out in the field, workers literally are acting as if they ARE working for Star Energy.

Isn't it also odd that this 3rd party you randomly have to call giving homeowners personal information is usually someone with a thick accent that continuously asks you to repeat information? Why are the only positive reviews on glassdoor not even mentioning the true nature of the job (door to door).

Beware of Cydcor, Beware of Skyline Ohio in (Blue Ash) Cincinnati, OH.

Guest

The above review couldnt be more word for word what goes on. I worked there for 12 days.

First off, it is great for the fact your out on the field by yourself, and choose how to work that day. Second, the company its self is a big joke. For one, EVERYTHING is scripted. The *** they tell you about being 1-3 people being hired in, is a lie!

Two, theres a script you have to say when going door to door. In the office you have to dress business attire, dirting clothes for only 2 hours in the office. If its raining, you should be out in the field. If its 101 degrees-out in the field.

If its -5 degrees, out in the field. When they tell you they lived together, it may be partly true, but most of it is all a lie. They scam you into believing their ***. Yes, potentially you can make lots of money evey week, the fact that I still have yet to receive my second check from them and having a family is ***.

But if you choose to work here, go ahead and plan on loosing your life values. ...

Guest

Just say no to Cydcor. The gateway drug is one of their many offices, such as this one called Skyline Ohio Inc.

If you are called by a Meghan or Kate regarding an interview with Eric or Diego, run.

www.skylineohioinc.com

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Anonymous
map-marker Schiller Park, Illinois

Cydcor Work Experience Review from Schiller Park, Illinois

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I work there its a great opportunity but its hard too change. My first payday was yesterday but still no checks.
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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
1 comment
Guest

Seriously dude? Did you read what you wrote?

It's a great opportunity BUT you didn't get a paycheck. Are you kidding me? Who in the right mind considers an employer that stiffs you on your paycheck as a "great opportunity"?

Did you ever get paid? Or, did you finally give up and quit?

Anonymous

If a picture is worth a thousand words......how much is a video worth?

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We've all read reports about Cydcor. We've read about the lying, the stealing and the overall underhandedness that this company is known for. Now we can watch the video. Just got to www.youtube.com/watch?v=6by6t2xZx3M and enjoy. It's a Fox6 news report posted on Youtube by the Comlpaintsboard entitled Undercover Charities Scam. In it, you will hear their sales rep lie to the undercover reporter and you will see how they post misleading advertisements in order to get people to come in for an interview. If you liked that, you can go to http://www.wxow.com/story/2054****/2013/01/09/no-requirement-to-sign-electric-aggregation-contracts-city-of-quincy-says and read a news19 report about them 'misleading' their customers. Be sure to go to Ripoff Report where you will find an overabundance of complaints.
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2 comments
Guest

If you go to thedevilcorp.wordpress.com you will find a wealth of information about this company.

Guest

If you go yo Ripoff Report and search for DEVILCORP, you will find in the rebuttals a plethora of links to news reports, government rulings, lawsuits and video footage showing how these people do business. They are corporate ***.

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Erez Zqr
map-marker Indianapolis, Indiana

Cydcor will paint smiles on your souls :)

I worked for a Cydcor affiliate a few years ago on two different campaigns. I helped open a new office and was in production to become assistant manager before I left. Over the course of my year plus there I made one of the better and more consistent paychecks in the office and I was successful at my job, so I didn't quit because I was a bitter failure, I quit because the general atmosphere of the place was inhumane.

When you hear the phrase "getting smiles painted on your souls" and you think of work, that's probably an indication that you're working for a Cydcor affiliate. Saying negative (or even neutral, but not in following with the company line) things about the company, even if they were the plain and honest truth, would get you pulled into the manager's office and threatened with termination. As the manager liked to point out, the walls had ears around there and people were happy to report on someone else if it could get them a few perks. Living in the world of Orwell's 1984 was a constant stressor since you knew that you couldn't trust anyone, even if they were supposed to be your friend.

The way that applicants and new starts were viewed was also disturbing. We were always told that we had to become friends with them if we wanted for them to stick around, since they weren't going to stick around for the money and personal relationships tend to be rather binding. Of course this didn't stop people from pointing out, in a critical tone, that someone was too old, too weird... or worse yet, if they "didn't fit our image." We were encouraged, if necessary, to lie to our new people in order to convince them that they would succeed in the business by showing them how "successful" we were in the business. People would hire in people who they knew would not succeed just to have the number and would then string them along for months in order to earn a promotion themselves. New hires were numbers, not people.

Image was more important than actual skill as well. For men a tie was required and no visible jewelry other than rings or a watch was allowed, and the rings had to be simple. For women a jacket was required and so were heels and makeup and hair could not be worn in a pony tail. Those who had a better professional look were often given the interviews even if another employee had earned the interview by holding a better sales record. Overweight employees or employees who lacked fashion sense tended to suffer, as did older employees or ones who had a less conventional look.

On another note, certain aspects of the company held parallels with cult indoctrination methods, such as the whole call and response thing ("hey guys!") or the entire language of acronyms. Once you were a member of the "family" you heard all kinds of wonderful things about how the company would help you and change your life but god help you if you said something bad about it. Once you quit or were fired you became an un-person... someone to ridicule for being weak and unable to cut it.

There were a lot of things about the company that I felt uncomfortable with, such as paying for my own gas and wear and tear on the car, paying for lunches and extra curricular activities every week, that the last manager wouldn't fire someone who was abjectly failing if they refused to quit because he was afraid that they'd file for unemployment (I ended up taking pity on one team member and giving him a daily allowance because he was too dumb to quit... or brainwashed, and I wasn't allowed to fire him), the lies from everyone and the occasional cover up of background check results to keep someone they wanted (does not apply to minorities).

I finally took an objective look at what I'd been doing for a living and was horrified... I knowingly screwed people over and messed their lives up in the name of profit and promotion and had been fine with it. I didn't like who I'd become and quit. Now I work as a blue collar worker in a job with a time clock and protective gear and I'm fine with that, because now I can meet my own eyes in the mirror.

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2 comments
Guest

The only way I would ever recommend one of this "opportunities" is if you are young, attractive, independently wealthy and don't need a job or a paycheck. Instead, you just want to enjoy a high school atmosphere (although having said that, you are better off at Applebee's where you can at least make some money while you goof off and enjoy the childish environment and you aren't walking around all day).

Guest

Yep, you right people will do anything in that company to get over. I use to work in a cydcor office too.

There is nothing but sexual relationships going on and a cult like environment. I feel good I'm not working there no more.

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