Do you really want to drive up to an hour away from the office to solicit (door-to-door) small business owners to switch to/upgrade AT&T services, buy Quill office supplies, or switch to Direct Energy for commission pay with no benefits?
If you decide to interview with this company, ask many questions before accepting employment:
Will you be paid minimum wage or commission?
Are there company benefits?
Why would you need to learn inventory control if the company's specialty is customer retention and acquisition?
***
Read and judge for yourself
http://www.ripoffreport.com/directory/Rockland-International.aspx
The following three Cydcor affiliates are related by street address or domain name registration.
Miicah Marketing Solutions Inc.
www.miicahmarketingsolutions.com
Same address as Michigan Acquisitions
Michigan Acquisitions Group
www.michiganacquisitions.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michigan-Acquisitions-Group-Inc/155745064471230
Same address as Miicah Marketing
Domain name registered by Andrew Breuninger
Rockland, Inc.
www.rocklandinc.net
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rockland-Incorporated-Troy-MI/109059472472348
Domain name registered by Andrew Breuninger
http://www.linkedin.com/in/andybreuninger
***
http://michiganacquisitions.com/contactus.aspx
34119 W Twelve Mile Rd Suite 200
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
(248) 994-0702
The company website states it was founded in 2003 yet their domain name was created in Dec 2004.
The company states they have 16 locations nationwide yet only 11 locations are counted including the corporate office in Farmington. A Google search for Michigan Acquisitions only brings up the location in Farmington, MI. Legitimate companies would list the street address and telephone numbers of their branch offices.
If you interview with Michigan Acquisition Group, ask them to explain the office count discrepancy. Ask them why you cannot find the other locations via Google search.
http://michiganacquisitions.com/aboutus.aspx
Michigan Acquisitions Group, founded in 2003, continues to expand as a premier marketing company. We have 16 locations nationwide and our goal starting in 2011 is to grow 50% in size every year moving forward.
Below is a list of the various locations throughout our organization:
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Columbus, Ohio
- Farmington Hills, Michigan
- Chicago, Illinois
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Cherry Hill, New Jersey
- Richmond, Virginia
- Buffalo, NY
Domain Name.......... michiganacquisitions.com
Creation Date........ 2010-12-04
Registration Date.... 2010-12-04
Expiry Date.......... 2011-12-04
Organisation Name.... Andrew Breuninger
thanks you so much for posting this information. I have "interview" scheduled for Michigan acquisitions tomorrow. I was skeptical to begin with and I'm glad I found confirmation. I will NOT be going to any interview with such a company.
ReplyDeleteRight out of the same office as Michigan Acquisitions is K. Marketing Group. It is run by a Samuel Striker. Got called for the infamous day-long second interview, but smelled like Cydcor to me so I called off the interview. I point blank asked them if they were affiliated with Cydcor in an e-mail which was ignored by the company. It's business to business selling Quill.com office supplies.
ReplyDeleteI have encountered a similar experience with Turner Enterprises Inc. (Roseville, MI) and Detroit Business Consulting (Troy, MI). All three are tied to Cydcor, which is the ultimate scam/joke.
ReplyDeleteSo, I applied to a "Sales Manager" position with K Marketing Group, Inc. (THE SAME DAY), I was contacted by Charina Hansen (Director of Human Resources = AKA RECEPTIONIST). She scheduled my interview for the next day (today), where I would meet with her manager (Sam Striker = President = AKA - Pretend Businessman).
I show for the interview – Wouldn’t you know that the receptionist was Charina?! Since when do Directors of Human Resources hang out in the lobby behind a receptionist's desk?
So, after filling out an "application" (1 page asking me if I was a felon), Sam exits his office and invites me to in. Now, I recently graduated from college (only a couple of years ago), and here I am sitting across the desk of the "President" of this company, and he is EXACTLY my age, with LESS EXPERIENCE than my own resume. Are you kidding me?
He uses phrases like, "that blows"
He asks a few questions, and then tries to nonchalantly belittle me (a sales tactic to assume a powerful position in our conversation) by asking questions about my major...making negative remarks...(until he realized that I have more sales experience than he does...and a proven track record)
He asks me questions about what I would like to be doing in the next 5 years. I inform him that I would like to eventually leverage all of my sales experience and leadership abilities to begin training/coaching others to succeed. I inform him that I would like to move into a leadership immediately, as I already have a great deal of sales opportunities available to me..and it seems like the right move.
How does he respond? HE TRIES TELLING ME THAT HE WANTS TO GET HIS ACCOUNT MANAGERS INTO TRAINING ROLES WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS/MONTHS ON THE JOB. WOW... SO YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT YOU HIRE ALL OF THESE SALES PEOPLE AND THEY ALL BECOME TRAINERS/MANAGERS IN ONLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS!? Sam Striker - the idiot.
He tells me that they are partnered with "QUILL.com" (Quill is an online affiliate of Staples that sells office supplies via the Internet). Now, that isn't too bad...except for the part he omitted where ANYONE can go onto Quill.com and purchase office supplies at any time. Well, apparently, Quill needs help in improving their sales...so where K Marketing Group, Inc. comes in is here --> They hire a bunch of fools to literally go door to door to various companies (because apparently they are not skilled enough on the phone to get through gate keepers and schedule real appointments like real people)... He claims a door-to-door success ratio of 1 / 10 (doubtful). (This is where I teach him about Manta.com - a tool for finding out the Executives within organizations so that you can actually phone them and try to set up appointments - something he had no idea about). The new-hired "Sales Managers" at K Marketing Group are really his "Account Reps" who travel to business in the area aimlessly asking them to purchase office supplies from Quill.com. So, it is a DOOR TO DOOR SALES JOB. Now, as many fake businesses like this one will do...he promises the world to people when they interview... "You said you wanted to be on the fast track to management...well here is your chance!"
I ask him who Quill's main competitors are...and he replies, "Uhh..Office Max..Office Depot..and uhh Ma&Pa shops" - I know people in Chicago doing office supplies sales and there are companies that do this..other than just this wacko and his high school staff.. Meanwhile, he is talking about expanding to Pittsburgh and Miami...
PLEASE PEOPLE BEWARE....TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS...
He was a KID IN A SUIT...and recruiting people for DOOR TO DOOR SALES...
STAY AWAY FROM K MARKETING GROUP, INC. AND ANY COMPANY LIKE THEM...
I wish I would have read your entry before the first initial interview. I had a similar experience at the Bingham Park location. Ashley Brandcheau was the receptionist but titled HR director. Lindsay Carr was just walking out of the office as I was sitting down. With the pressure that applied to bring me in to interview so quickly both for a first and second, it was one of the red flags that went up in my mind.
DeleteDustin Woods interviewed me in quick and dirty style format. He asked things such as, what are my three best qualities, am I willing to travel, FT/PT, what do I like about sales/marketing, etc. When going over the position, it was brief and surface level. At the end when I started asking a few questions, he stood up to escort me out after two questions. I imagine he realized that I was going to ask several more questions and was going to catch on.
When Tarryn, HR director, called me back later in the day, I asked her directly if there was a door-to-door sales component to the job. Tarryn, was honest and said, "yes," that it lasts a few weeks and then I would move into an HR role of hiring other people and then more into a general manager role of managing the office. It is essentially a pyramid scheme. Hire as many people as you can, let them work for a few weeks, and then start the cycle over again. I suspect that no one actually gets that far in this company because of that lack of disrespect for wasting people's time. I have three degrees and anyone reading my resume should have realized that there was NO WAY that they could EVER get me to do door-to-door sales. I'm surprised that they didn't ask me for money upfront for 'website space' like other scam type companies do, such as Primerica. If you have ever heard of Primerica, it is a similar operation--just an FYI.
Lastly, I alerted contacts I have in the area to start passing the word about this company. I have hope that we can let others know the ridiculousness of what they are trying to do.
Michigan Acquisitions Group is now CONNECTICUT ACQUISITIONS GROUP. When doing a Google search of the Connecticut Acquisitions Group, the description in Google is "HOME, Insert your title here, Welcome to Michigan Acquisitions Group, one of the nation's most innovative and successful marketing and sales firms. We are ..."
ReplyDeleteSo people in CT beware. Didn't go to the interview, but unfortunately had to deal with plenty of jokes my friend sent my way after he saw the "lightning bolt" on the website lol
Thank god I saw these posts!..Just got a voicemail to 'set up an appt for an interview' from CT Acquisitions Group. Thank you for the heads up! I've been looking to start a similar blog or online resource for job seekers similar to this one... it's absurd how many people / companies out there are just waiting to take advantage of both recent grads or unemployed individuals. Its rather disheartening when one comes across businesses such as this while attempting to get a stable future secured for themselves. Its sad that we need them, but thank god for blogs and site like these!
ReplyDeleteThank God read this before I wasted my time driving to CT from NY. I got a call on friday to interview with Connecticut Acquisitions Group, Inc on Monday it sounded to good to be true so I got up this morning and found this site Thank God, I wont be going to that interview!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! I recently got called in for an interview and was a bit skeptical. Now it's confirmed. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo I just got a call today from Connecticut Acquisitions Group. They told me they had reviewed the resume I submitted to them (I didnt submit a resume to them, they probably pulled it off monster). Vaguely told me about their company and asked that I come in tomorrow for an interview. I said okay and did my research on them, their website is a joke, no professional website has a gangster rap music track playing in the background. I go to the career page, "coming soon". They have been in business for 13 years and cant update a career page. I will no show this interview, not wasting my time.
ReplyDeletereading these comments i really thought this would be helpful, but apparently no one went to the interview or have any further info about the company.
ReplyDeleteI will be going to an interview with CT Acquisitions on monday morning. After reading these and other reviews, I am curious to see what their answers to my questions will be.
DeleteI live in Norwalk, CT where CT Acquisitions has an office. I'm very thankful to have found this site--when reading the job description on Craigslist, (http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/bus/3106735624.html) something gave me a hunch that the company sounded a little shady. After a quick google search I found this site which confirms my skepticism. I'm patting myself on the back for having a good bullshit reader. Thanks for the insight folks.
ReplyDeleteBeware of deceptive job ads which offer entry-level training in management, marketing, and sales especially if the ads state "face-to-face" sales and no experience required.
ReplyDelete**We would actually like to thank the author for the compliment that our ads are attractive.
Advertisements for entry level positions at our company are not meant to be deceptive in any way. All of our ads state that the positions we are filling require face to face sales to businesses. In addition, each advertisement states that it is an entry level sales and marketing role with advancement opportunities to move into management. We do not believe that advertising “face to face” is deceptive as the position does entail “face to face” sales. Some of our ads do state “no experience required” as we are willing to train the right candidate.
Do you really want to drive up to an hour away from the office to solicit (door-to-door) small business owners to switch to/upgrade AT&T services, buy Quill office supplies, or switch to Direct Energy for commission pay with no benefits?
**We offer both a weekly base pay plus commission with a met quota and a full commission option with bonuses. Both options are presented to new staff upon hire. The employee may switch at any time with notice in writing.
If you decide to interview with this company, ask many questions before accepting employment:
Will you be paid minimum wage or commission?
**Again, we offer both a weekly base pay plus commission with a met quota and a full commission option with bonuses. Both options are presented to new staff upon hire. The employee may switch at any time with notice in writing.
Are there company benefits?
**At this time, our company does not offer health benefits however we do offer other employee benefits and bonuses to staff.
Why would you need to learn inventory control if the company's specialty is customer retention and acquisition?
**Learning inventory control has never been a requirement nor advertisement of our company.
***
Read and judge for yourself
http://www.ripoffreport.com/directory/Rockland-International.aspx
*** These websites are just blogs. There places for people to complain to anyone who will listen. Here are other several large companies with bad online press. We are sure you are familiar with most of these organizations.
Make a Wish Foundation
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/make-a-wish-foundation-lancaster-pennsylvania-c92201.html
Ford Motor Company
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/ford-motor-company-manufacturing-defect-c615598.html
Google
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/google-account-disabled-with-no-reason-c621020.html#c1247010
Kmart
http://www.ripoffreport.com/kmart/department-outlet-stores/internet-tennessee-1eea9.htm
And many more.
Continued...
ReplyDeleteThe following three Cydcor affiliates are related by street address or domain name registration.
Miicah Marketing Solutions Inc.
www.miicahmarketingsolutions.com
Same address as Michigan Acquisitions
Michigan Acquisitions Group
www.michiganacquisitions.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michigan-Acquisitions-Group-Inc/155745064471230
Same address as Miicah Marketing
Domain name registered by Andrew Breuninger
Rockland, Inc.
www.rocklandinc.net
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rockland-Incorporated-Troy-MI/109059472472348
Domain name registered by Andrew Breuninger
http://www.linkedin.com/in/andybreuninger
***
http://michiganacquisitions.com/contactus.aspx
34119 W Twelve Mile Rd Suite 200
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
(248) 994-0702
The company website states it was founded in 2003 yet their domain name was created in Dec 2004.
***We redesigned our website in 2004.
The company states they have 16 locations nationwide yet only 11 locations are counted including the corporate office in Farmington. A Google search for Michigan Acquisitions only brings up the location in Farmington, MI. Legitimate companies would list the street address and telephone numbers of their branch offices.
**Anyone who is interested in obtaining additional information regarding one of our other locations may contact us directly. We do not find this information necessary to list on our website. In addition, we have multiple locations in certain markets therefore, we only list the various markets we have branches in on our website.
If you interview with Michigan Acquisition Group, ask them to explain the office count discrepancy. Ask them why you cannot find the other locations via Google search.
***Please see the response above.
http://michiganacquisitions.com/aboutus.aspx
Michigan Acquisitions Group, founded in 2003, continues to expand as a premier marketing company. We have 16 locations nationwide and our goal starting in 2011 is to grow 50% in size every year moving forward.
Below is a list of the various locations throughout our organization:
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Columbus, Ohio
• Farmington Hills, Michigan
• Chicago, Illinois
• St. Louis, Missouri
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Cherry Hill, New Jersey
• Richmond, Virginia
• Buffalo, NY
***
Domain Name.......... michiganacquisitions.com
Creation Date........ 2010-12-04
Registration Date.... 2010-12-04
Expiry Date.......... 2011-12-04
Organisation Name.... Andrew Breuninger
**The author of this blog spelled “Organization” incorrect.
If we were such a "scam" why would such large corporations want to use our services year after year? If we are such a horrible company to work for, how would it be possible to maintain an average of 30 employees per office across our now 22 offices? Again, these websites are just blogs. There places for people to complain to anyone who will listen.
It is unfortunate that someone would spend so much time and go to such great lengths to decimate the character of a company.
Hopefully we have answered all of your questions. Please feel free to e-mail or call us anytime regarding questions about our organization.
203-354-4529
hr@ctacquisitions.com
Organisation was not misspelled as it is the British variant of organization. Andrew Breuniger registered michiganacquisitions.com with Melbourne IT (Australia).
DeleteRegistrar: MELBOURNE IT, LTD. D/B/A INTERNET NAMES WORLDWIDE
Whois Server: whois.melbourneit.com
Creation Date: 03-DEC-2010
This blog does not go to great lengths to decimate the characters of companies. This blog reports public information and provides a forum for job-seekers and former employees to report their experiences.
Cydcor negotiates the contracts with AT&T, Quill, Verizon, Direct Energy, and Innovative Merchant Services.
Job-seekers have the prerogative to accept or decline job interview invitations. There are people who are willing to work for 100% commission door-to-door sales and there are people who do not want to do 100% commission door-to-door sales. Door-to-door can mean residential or commercial soliciting.
Twenty-two offices? Really?
Job-seekers: Always research the job and company before you interview. This blog does not prevent job-seekers from interviewing and accepting employment with independently owned outsourced "sales and marketing" companies.
You're really grasping for straws if you're going to site the British use of "organisation" for a reason to not trust this review.
DeleteAnd if you want to go that route, "These websites are just blogs. There places for people to complain..." You used the wrong "there." It should be "they're."
And I interviewed with that Andrew and it was complete and utter bull; and oddly enough, it was at the address that now claims it is Gallant Advertising - a curious bate and switch?
Not only was I going to have to work completely on commission, but he told me that I would have to meet at the Farmington Hills location in the morning, drive to my region to work, then return to Farmington Hills in the afternoon before going home - every day, all WITHOUT mileage reimbursement. The gas alone wouldn't be worth the commission, even if it were something great.
I received a call about an interview in less than 24 hours, and after I left the interview, a mere couple of hours later I received a call that I had been selected for the "Second eight-hour interview." I could smell the desperation to continue this Ponzi scheme.
Any company that claims a move to management within just a few short months (to recruit other unknowing recent grads) is not only totally dishonest, but completely unethical.
Katie, could you describe this Andrew? Tall, blondish-brown hair, with a New York accent?
ReplyDelete