1. You learn to just walk into businesses that have signs up stating no soliciting. Solicit anyways and walk into buildings where you can create huge liabilities for potential customers.
2. Products aren't any different then cheaper options on the market. Competitors sell the same things cheaper. Of course people there don't research this and just drink the Kool aid.
3. Demos you perform are magic tricks. Just meant to wow people. I've compared similar products on the market versus Certified. Again.. Slight of hand. The guy that creates them even says they're designed like magic tricks
4. They're stuck in the 80's early 90's with their pay structure. It's straight commission. Products are overpriced so that corporate gets their pay and you beg for your cut at the end. You can see the cost of goods with samples you order.(for now) You stress out because they say you're salary for a while until you get established. They reduce this pay over time. Unfortunately, when you switch over to fill commission you get deducted money because your salary was actually advance.
5. You're on your own. You think you're receiving good training until you're told to stay away from something...they'll say..." They got it in the works for you."... Then another more established rep will come into your area and take that business.
6. You don't have your own area... Anyone from anywhere across the country can have that account. Phone sales or just a random "specialty rep". Grandfathered reps from chemsearch. They'll tell you to just steal the account after 6 months.
7. Novelties - buy your customer alcohol, food whatever. Out of your own pocket. They only reimburse up to $500. I was told $300 but a past rep got $500 for gas and novelty combined. They won't reimburse for alcohol but they will promote you buying it. They do offer novelties but I still am certain they come out of your pay. They're mostly junk and you burn through the decent ones in no time.
8. No spiffs, incentives, base pay. You're pay is not stable and you're taxed at 35% federally. Unless you live in an income tax free state.
9. Unless you're state allows all of their aerosols... You get suck selling junk. Literal junk.
10. They're not innovators or leading the market in anything. No one knows who this company is.
11. They don't top off for customers... You can if you want to buy expensive equipment. You still have to discard the tote for the customer.
12. You're competing against companies that are half the price and have established reputable brands. Mobil... Shell.. Chevron...
13. They have a sales process that gets lost after the 3rd bag. Mostly because you get into things you have to lie to customers about being better in... Hydraulic oils... Motor oils ect.
14. They have national accounts... That are not required to buy from you.
15. Competitors do more for customers with installing lines ect. Certified does more for customers by you buying them novelties. Other competitors do this as well but not as frequent.
16. You're competition is probably established and local to your area. Selling big brand names for cheap. Certified most likely will not be local unless you're in Dallas or Indiana.
17. They're behind on technology... Like I said 80s/90s style company.
18. Don't communicate with corporate. They'll just tell you to talk to your manager who won't have an answer for you. Some corporate people do repetitive work in sales. They will act pissed at you via email because a customer called them.
19. You lose business all the time. Customers quit, retire or move jobs. Not Certifieds' fault but something to keep in mind when trying to grow your business.
20. You get burned out quick. If you didn't build up a good base of customers then you're dead in the water.
21. If you leave the company they will not pay you for more than 90 days your last check or at all. They will claim that people went into collections and you lost your money. You have no way of seeing this unless you take them to court.
22. Highly do not recommend using your personal phone or number. Get a work number. You're not reimbursed for either. You're also not reimbursed for buying an iPad that is required as well.
23. Not a family culture. You pay to work here.
Using your own vehicle, you're own phone, iPad. Paying money out of your pocket for anything over the $300-$500 in novelty/gas. You also need to keep these receipts and submit them yourself. Not just provided in advance like every other company does now.
