Hey guys,
I’ve spent A LOT of time researching more and more about Cutco and Vector Marketing – literally hours, for the past 3 days. I’ve posted on several different forums for different opinions and received some great feedback (some positive, some negative). I’ve read TONS of articles, messages, spent time e-mailing and communicating with many. My decision has been swaying back and fourth, but allow me to provide some of the feedback from my research.
This so called “scam” which is spreading around the internet is true in some aspects. Many people have legit reasons to hate the company while other complaints I’ve heard around the net are just lame. There are also many success stories out there. I guess everyone has their own experiences.
One thing which I’d like to address real quick are the office branches. I’ve concluded that ALL branches are different. Yes, many (the majority) of the branches are deceitful. They’re poorly operated and the managers are unethical and take advantage of their employee’s. They’re contractor status give them the right to do whatever the hell they want. Some have been known to hold employee paychecks, close down their offices, and use immorale marketing strategies. However, I’m also convinced that there ARE (very few) good branches out there. So far, from my research, the one in my area (Vancouver) is one of the good ones out there. I’ve came across a few resumes and people that have worked at the one in my area within the past 5 years (none of them work there anymore), and they’ve all told me the Vancouver office has good people and the manager is a good person. Their advertisements online at different Vancouver/BC job sites are more clear and precise, so they’re not misleading like most I’ve heard around the net. I havn’t heard any complaints about the one in my area.
There are a few aspects of the company which I dislike. One is the brainwashing. Almost everyone, including the success stories, say at their meetings/conferences it seems like they’re brainwashing you. The job isn’t for everyone. It seems many people get caught up with the job and psyched about it and enjoy it for the first 2 weeks, but afterwards it doesn’t work out.
The whole thing about gas, unpaid training, $150 starter kit… those are LAME reasons to hate the job. You’re an independent sales rep. This isn’t minimum wage. You’re paid by appointment and you know about that before you get involved in this. If you don’t like it, don’t work for them. It’s like this in virtually any sales field. If you’re in car sales and spend 2 weeks making deals and none of them go through, you’re screwed. Do you know ANY salesmen on commission that is paid to learn how to sell cars or attend seminars? No. Most of them even have to PAY from their pocket to attend these seminars and learn. As for the starter kit, I’d like to quote what someone else said:
“About the sample kit, let’s clear that up too. Imagine yourself a business owner, now you work with thousands of college students across the country, how comfortable would you feel handing each and every one of those students $465 worth of your product and hope that some how it finds it way back to your office, and if it doesn’t then you just bought that student their Christmas gift to their mom. Not, any person in their right mind would never even entertain the idea. So the company does ask for a deposit to ensure the kits some how finds their way back and guess what they usually do. Also anywhere you work you have to spend money to work there. Can you work at a restaurant wearing whatever you want?.... No you need black shoes and pants that way everyone looks alike, construction do you think they give you the hard hat for free? Again NO!!!! And the funny thing is you can’t go back to Wal-Mart and return your used shoes for a refund let alone a 100% refund.”
The way you sell the product is kind of lame, though. Selling to family/friends? Personally if I DO decide to work there, I will only use my family/friends for practice demo’s and get referrals from them that might be genuienally interested in the product. If I don’t make much money this way, that’s fine… but like Diablo mentioned, I’m not about to sell out my family/friends because they feel obligated to buy from me because I know them.
Now, despite what everyone says or from your experience… it IS possible to make money doing this! Nothing is impossible. If you’re motivated and dedicated, then you can do great. Many people have. From my research, why do most people make money? Because they were willing to call their friends parents, their brother/sisters friends parents, and their parents friends. I understand a lot of people feel weird selling to those people. The other reason is they weren’t afraid to ask them for a list of their 10 closest friends and numbers at the end, whether they buy from you or not. I’m sure a lot say no, but others might supply a nice list of prospects. If you have a problem with this, then it’s not for you.
Why am I interested about the company? Well, I’m not going to apply for the same reasons as 90% of the college students that do, and that is to PRIMARILY make loads of money. I’m more interested in the experience. I am looking for a future in sales, as I mentioned before. Cutco gives me a great opportunity at that. You learn how to cold call, set up appointments, give presentations, sell the product, close the product, get referrals, etc… All aspects of the experience which I find BENEFICIAL. I appreciate the experiences in my life, rather than thinking them as simply a “waste of time”, as many people would. I am probably going to continue finding out more and more research about the Vancouver office branch before I attempt to do anything. I will contact more people with experience from that particular branch, and get their opinions. If I do apply there, at least I know what I’m in for. I’m alert of pretty much anything that can happen. I’m aware that I may or may not make money. I won’t sell to any of my family members/friends. I prefer selling it to people I don’t know because they’re more likely to reject you because they don’t feel obligated to buy based on the fact that they know you. I would sell the product door-to-door if I have to. There’s 99% rejection in that, but I’m looking forward to that experience itself! In conclusion, sales is just a numbers game if you think about it: the more people you contact, the more you will see, the more that will buy, the more money you earn.
Anyways, if anyone actually read all of this I’m very impressed! I don’t mind trying the job out and if I don’t like it or don’t make any money, at least I’ve learned something and can simply quit and find another job. No biggie, just moving on with life.
Thanks.
