Help needed with job interview issue please

Vereniki · 6 November 2012 at 8:44PM

Hi. I have been applying for jobs on various websites. One of them is reed.co.uk

I recently applied for a customer service role via their website. In the job listing it states commissions but also advertises an annual wage figure. I was called to go in for an interview in Leeds.

I went in, had a 10 minute interview, was told it was a marketing company working for Lovefilm. I was informed that we would have to take up customer service roles (including sales) for a few weeks but would be promoted to consultants within 6-12 months as that's what they were short on (which sounded like an exaggeration to me to be fair). They also informed me that if I was successfully picked that day, the next day would entail a full 8 hours of training, being shown the ropes by someone already doing the entry level job.

I was called in for that interview as well, went to Leeds then straight off they tell us we are going to Batley for the day and we would be informed about the details on the train.

I was a bit taken aback because it had not been mentioned that we would have to travel somewhere else. What shocked me even more is that they asked us to pay for our own tickets to get there and back to Leeds later for an assessment.

On the way there, they told us we'd be visiting some customer houses. I was confused if that was set up as a training visit. It became clear to me when we arrived in Batley and kept walking for about an hour in the rain to reach a target customer area, that the job was actually for door to door salesmen. They had also clearly lied about the quick advancement in the company within 6-12 months, as the guy who was 'training' us, said he was working there for 6 months (and he was still a door to door salesman).

I refused the job as I personally, can't harass people in their homes to make 15 quid per sale (and be liable for self employment tax on top!). My issue here is that I have been lied to, made to lose two days of my life and am down 20 quid in travelling costs because they didn't want to make it clear to me that the job role was a door to door salesman. While walking, I also consulted two more of the interviewees and they were also as shocked as I was that this was for door to door salesmen.

I want to complain somewhere and get my money back for being cheated and lied to. 20 quid for an unemployed person (not on benefits) are the difference between eating for a week and starving. So could anyone please advise me on who to contact?

Thank you and sorry for waffling on.

mallissaann · 6 November 2012 at 8:50PM

This is a ploy a lot of marketing companies pull, I went for one a long time ago and they tried to get me to go out with someone at the interview, I duly went to the train station and then I conveniently disappeared. All I heard was marketing company and that told me everything I needed to know, unfortunately they con many of those seeking work, all you can do really is complain to the Reed.co.uk administrators about a false vacancy advert. I doubt you'll ever see your £20 again, sorry.

MissSarah1972 · 6 November 2012 at 8:53PM

Vereniki wrote: »

I was informed that we would have to take up customer service roles (including sales) for a few weeks but would be promoted to consultants within 6-12 months as that's what they were short on (which sounded like an exaggeration to me to be fair).

I want to complain somewhere and get my money back for being cheated and lied to. 20 quid for an unemployed person (not on benefits) are the difference between eating for a week and starving. So could anyone please advise me on who to contact?

Thank you and sorry for waffling on.

If it sounded too good then why go to the interviews?

You can put in a complaint to Reed saying you were mislead maybe

Vereniki · 6 November 2012 at 9:45PM

It didn't sound too good to be true when I applied for the job (it was an ad for a simple minimum wage job in customer services) and it was at the first interview I was told about the 6-12 month scheme. I assumed they were just exaggerating the promotion potential to get applicants excited and interested (and more willing to work very hard). It wasn't until the second day and the trip to the train station that I became suspicious so please don't assume I am brain dead and jumped on a huge payout opportunity. It seemed like your run of the mill minimum wage sales and customer services job (as was advertised).

I have contacted Lovefilm (as I am also a customer of theirs) and complained about the marketing company. Will also seek advice from the CAB, contact reed.co.uk to ensure they don't allow this company to scam others too and will chase this up to the best of my ability.

I am aware I might not get my £20 back but I am not one to sit down and accept injustice and fraud and allow others to be hoodwinked as well.

Thanks for your replies.