marketing companies [TEXT DELETED BY FORUM TEAM]

Blue_in_the_city

Well I'm glad I found this thread. I applied for what I thought was a customer service position on Saturday, which I found online. Got a call about it today, they want me to go for an interview tomorrow. It said Customer Service and Sales, I assumed there were different roles and I was going for the Customer Service ones. The company is Fourways Marketing and they are based in Watford. Went on their website and they clearly say that they are part of the Cobra group. I also found their name on a list of companies to avoid, posted on the Prospects website.

Their website also seems a bit sparse and they give quotes from companies but conveniently don't supply names and all the quotes sound pretty similar.

I definitely am not interested in door to door sales or working 13 hour days. I'm really angry about this actually because I'm unemployed and I can't believe these people would lead people on like this! :mad:

I'm assuming they are part of the same thing, and I don't want to bother wasting my time with them if that's the case.

Would be interesting to hear if anyone else has had any dealings with Fourways Marketing because apart from finding their name on that list, I haven't read anything specifically bad about them. Even still I am just not interested nor would I be very good at doing door to door stuff, which they have made no mention of. Really disappointed about it as well as I felt good at first to be offered the interview!

jenm111

Another one to add to the long list. I received an email this morning from Zara Gizli on behalf of Innovation Marketing Direct Ltd. This was via Fish4jobs and a role I didn't apply for.

The email was a follows:
You have uploaded your CV to fish4jobs CV database, I am pleased to inform you that fish4jobs have successfully matched your CV to the criteria for our current Sales and Marketing opening.

I am pleased to inform you that you have been shortlisted and you are invited to attend a preliminary interview on either Friday 20th, Monday 23rd OR Tuesday 24th August at 10:00am at the address stated below.

If you have any particular requirements in relation to the interview or the prospective role, please let us know immediately so we can discuss any equipment or facilities you may need. We are requesting this information to make the process as equitable as possible for each candidate.

Please bring with you to the interview evidence of your right to work in the UK and the originals of your Academic qualifications.

Please telephone myself on 02073360060 or email me to confirm the date you will attend.

**All applicants must be in business attire for the interview and above the age of 18**

Yours sincerely,


Zara Gizli
Head Of Administration and Recruitment
Directions: Please leave Old Street (Northern Line) tube station at Exit 4. Turn Left at the top of the stairs and you will see COWPER Street on your right hand side. We are on the left side of the road number 32a. The company is clearly sign posted at the entrance Innovation Marketing. Our reception is located on the 2nd floor, please make you way in and report to reception with your name and state that your interview is with Innovation Marketing.

The company's address is 32a - 37 Cowper Street, Old Street London, EC2A 4AW, phone number 020 7336 0060. I was initially tempted, but having done a bit of internet research and checked out their site, alarm bells started ringing and then I found this discussion.

Thought I'd give the heads up!

J

douglaspins

Interesting information shared with useful and helpful ideas and good topic.

mtaylor848

Hi,

I was made redundant from a well paid engineering job in April. I have done casual work since, but had nothing permanent. Yesterday I was approached by OMS Marketing in Leeds and invited to an interview at their City Centre offices.

I can't remember where I applied for this as I probably apply for about ten jobs a day in varying fields.

Later when I received the email, alarm bells started ringing. I had imagined their office to be on the fourteenth floor of a modern office block on Park Row or East Parade or something (optimistic I know). There office is on North Street which is practically in Sheepscar and not really the city centre, oh well. Then I looked at the website. I have no experience in web design, but certainly I can tell one that's been cobbled together in ten seconds (see omsmktg dot com).

That said, when I was in employment I put aside a little time into a freelance utility sales position and made a few quid, so I like to think I have a reasonably open (although usually sceptical) mind.

Another think to watch out for, Brighthouse deliveries. No job puts you open for so much abuse from members of the public. This particular company only seems to sell to absolute reprobates who live on the forteenth floor of a block of flats with a broken lift and have ordered some large white good.

Treacle1983

Been applying for loads of jobs and had thes egys phone up last night - offering me an interview with the managing director this morning.

As i'm disabled i advised about my needs etc.. and she advised wouldn't be sat at my desk mch so wouldn't be a problem

Never once did she say what the job was - other than sales and marketing and how lobely their office and staff were.

I googled the company and found them on scam lists as part of cobra - apparently this exeter office shut down a while ago and has now reopened.

Just glad I didnt go for the interview - would have been nice when i told her about my disability for her to say not suitable - I can't walk far at all - let alone door to door for hours.

For those interested the job was advertised on reed.co.uk and didn't say anything about being door to door, in the field etc., or being 100% commision based

warren218

Just got the same email as the one mentioned above verbatim.

Thought it looked iffy. Not being pessimistic but the only job approaches I;m getting at the moment seem to be scams or some b.s. job like this one would probably be.

Wonder if I should ask them if the 12th of never is free?

Also got another one from a company calling themselves BC Productions or Formidable Media supposedly based out of Shepperton Studios. This was in response to an ad I asnwered from Music Jobs UK website, normally very reliable site. Dodgy spelling and then I checked Shepperton's online directory and there seems to be no trace there (don't know how recent it is). I'll probably call the Facilities Manager there in the morning to check it. Job seems very urgent, i.e. interview tomorrow and immediate start so there's another potential sign. Anyone got any info on that? I'll try to update when I find out.

Does p~~~ me off a bit being that I;m broke and really need a proper job - how do they think they're gonna get money of job-seekers, majority of who may not have the cash to be scammed from??:mad::mad:

Jenbic99

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input on this topic.

I've experienced something similiar but, thanks to your posts, I will not be attending the interview.

I applied for the job with a company called 'eRecruit' in Exeter, I've heard about them before and thought it was just a joke. The company is called 'Extreme Marketing' and even that just sounds weird.

I applied for the job this morning and got a call around 5am, the woman who phoned me sounded really nice and was all chatty with me. I didn't ask what I'd be doing because I didn't get the chance to.

I can't believe a company would do this, in some ways I hope all this goes public like newspapers or something because its quite a serious issue in my opinion.

Advicest

I recieved the below email from Felix Marketing. After the initial excitment of an interview wore off I decided to think certain things were strange. For example, I recieved this email a day after I applied for the job (this is fast). Also the job advert was VERY vague and didn't mention money or what exactly the job involved. They also ask for you to bring a CV with you and for you to complete an application form. Which I also thought was strange as if you applied to them surely they have a copy of your application. I was also confused by the face that the managing director had enough time to spare when his business was "rapidly expanding".

Anyways I started to research them and found their website (search felix marketing group). This is when I seriously started to have doubts. There was nothing on there that said what they did or who their clients were. This is strange for a marketing website (surely they should be bragging/selling). Anyways I researched further and to my horror came across this website. My email was EXACTLY the same as an email from another company with the same address e.g. Monster Marketing and Innovation Marketing (who have been linked to the Cobra group and door to door selling with ONLY commission as pay). However, whilst all my doubts no one had interviewed with Felix so I decided to check it out.

When I came out of Old Street it was the crappest most run down street (not the kind of place where a successful business would base itself). When I went in the building was cheap, run down and messy. I found the office which was THE SAME OFFICE/RECEPTION AS MONSTER MARKETING AND INNOVATION MARKETING. There was about 20 people there all filing out different application forms depending on who they applied to. There was four of us pulled into an interview room where we were "sold" their business with the promise with money and the possibility to be promoted from within AFTER A "SMALL" AMOUNT OF TIME OF SELLING ON THE STREET. Were were asked minimal questions and then told that we would be contacted for the second interview that day. AGAIN very vague, we weren't told what it would involve. We weren't even given a chance to ask questions before being hurried out the room. I confronted exactly how you were paid and was told in a very low voice that it was purely commission but no explanation of how it was broken down or what percentage that they would give you.

DON'T GO TO AN INTERVIEW BY MONSTER MARKETING, FELIX MARKETING OR INNOVATION MARKETING. It is selling things on the street which you will only get commission for. You will be lucky to earn any money at all!
Dear (Name),

Ref: Direct Sales and Marketing Opening

Following the receipt of your application for the above opening, I have
great pleasure in informing you that you have been short - listed and
therefore I would like to invite you for an initial appointment on:

. Thursday, 9th September 2010, at 9.30am, OR
. Friday, 10th September 2010, at 10.00am

The appointment will be held at:

. 32a - 37 Cowper Street. London, EC2A 4AW

I have included directions at the end of this email for your information.
On arrival please register at main reception, stating you are in to meet
with Andrew Molyneaux, and someone will ask you to complete an application
form.

The purpose of the appointment is to assess your suitability for the above
opening, and give yourself, and the Manager, an opportunity to gain further
information before making a successful appointment. During the recruitment
process we may seek further clarification on information provided to us on
your application.

When attending your appointment please can you ensure you bring with you
your original documents confirming your legal rights to work in this country
if you are here on a VISA. Also, please bring a copy of your CV with you,
and ensure you are dressed in business attire.

NB - We regret to inform that we unable to meet with Applicants who are on a
student visa. This is due to the restriction of being permitted to work on
20 hours per week on this visa. Also, due to legal requirements applicants
must also be over the age of 18.

I would be grateful if you could reply to confirm your attendance.

Please find directions to our office:
If arriving at our offices via tube, we are located 2 minute walk from Old
Street Station (Northern Line). Please leave Old Street tube station at Exit
4. Turn Left at the top of the stairs and you will see COWPER STREET on your
right hand side. There is The Central Foundations Boys School on the right
and we are on the left side of the road number 32a - 37. The company is
clearly sign posted at the entrance Felix Marketing. Our reception is
located on the 2nd floor.


I look forward to meeting you.

Yours sincerely,
Catherine Byrnes


Felix Marketing Global Ltd

32a - 37 Cowper Street
London, EC2A 4AW

Ph. +44 (0) 207 336 0060
Fax. +44 (0) 207 251 2050

sweet4melody

i don't think the companies are dogdy i think its the manager at old street who works for PrimusUK (Scottish Power) who seem quiet dodgy... i worked for primusUK in london old street, he'd come up to me and be like "do you know how we pay u?" i was like yeah commission, the more sales u do the more u get paid... but he was like "i need you to do apps"...i was like setting there and thinking "instead of nagging me why don't u start paying others?"....

to be honest these companies are not scams.... but if i had to be honest i was very suspicious of the manager that worked part of Scottish Power under PrimusUK, PerDM, some Brazilian guy.....i just found his behaviour weird and he was a bit rude... but i don't think the company itself are scams,.. i sometimes regret not informing my leader about the managers behaviour.... lol he'd be nice towards you in the atmosphere, he'd like hug u and all, which is sweet, but when in the office with him, (only on a 1-2-1 base) it was sooooo difficult to talk to him, because he seemed uninterested, and tooo rude and one-minded!

the main reason why i left was because i found the manager to be lazy, rude one-minded and his behaviour was weird and suspicious...

another reason why i left was because i felt i was being ignored by of of the leaders who i was put up to work with did nothing but constantly tell me that nothing was important in the business, and because of that i was doing bad sales.... the only way i could get that leader to listen to me was to get my actual leader to observe that leader....the other leaders were different including my leader were good in a better way.

and another reason why i left was because i was doing bad sales

sweet4melody

you guys are making a big mistake, acussing these companies of being scams... just because you never got paid, that don't make the company a scam, you do realise that people would do anything to win over somebody elses business? like corba is owned by Chris, chris hires some people, he gets them promoted, they become managers, they hire other people, but refuse to pay some of them, or they pay them less then what they should have earned, so they can be more bigger and make more money than chris... chris is unaware, still he gets the blame? thats wrong.........
:think:

some people would do anything, to make you lose your job, so they can take your position in the business, even if they work for you, that's why as a manager you have to be very critical, strong, have a good strong instinct, and analytical.

I worked for PrimusUK in old street, I know the actual manager is Richard, who is in Manchester, but in London its some guy called Mike, and lol just because mike didn't pay some of the people there who worked or still work in London for him, or bother to teach the business to his workers properly, or ignore them when they were struggling, and act lazy, I'm not gonna attack the whole company, because I've done some management jobs before, and I know what people can be capable of, because I've seen it... but thanks to my good instincts it was difficult for them to get away with it!