Truthful Look from the inside. - Senior Brand Representative Summit Retail Solutions Employee Review

Here is an honest review for those considering a position with Summit Retail Solutions. If you’re curious what exactly you are applying for, I will tell you it is nothing more than a SALES position. Those involved in the interview process are highly skilled sales professionals whose #1 product is Summit. They are masters at over glorifying a job that’s no more prestigious than any-other entry-level position. This product will be sold to you the moment the interview begins with them telling you you’re one of the lucky few. The truth is the revolving door is always spinning. They will use industry buzz words that create impulse like marketing professional or event specialist to deflect when questioned if,it's this a sales job. They will tell you the are promoters and are focused on growing the brand awareness for their clients when in fact, they own or have the rights to many of the products themselves. They will make grand promises of opportunity, career advancement and income, when in reality there is very little to be gained. The reality is these opportunities are available to only a select few that are willing to do whatever it takes and become a slave of the company, an obedient employee willing to sacrifice their entire life for the company. In fact, the Team Managers and Market Managers lose more money than the field reps. As managers, they are skillfully sold that they are “partners” with the company and that they are “investing” in their team. These managers, pay training for new employees they train and any that their team trains. They also are responsible financially for the poor performance of their teams.. Managers are also billed weekly for “under-performers”. This means if a team member has a rough week, the manager pays the negative balance out of their personal commission. This is said to be a way that you are held “accountable” for your team which ultimately results in the rep (you) getting demoted and having your pay docked. You remember I said the managers pay out training pay? Well the field rep doing the training also pays a portion of this out of their commission. They’ll paint a beautiful picture as to why this is great and how this makes you take accountability for your trainee... However the reality of it is they’re just taking money from you that they should be paying out themselves. They will also sell you on the “flexible schedule” but what they mean is you must be flexible for them - randomly working extra days, and working for free on days off and holiday - sending you to pick up inventory from stores, ship displays and excess product through fedex, because “THE SHOW MUST GO ON!” and of course the conference calls (which they will tell you to log - pay you a lower pay rate - and the dock from your commissions before you have even sold anything). Those who refuse are anonymously berated on national Conference calls for not being a team player. The same happens if you’re out sick and miss a show day. You will be told to get sick on your days off. Then of course there are “special retailer” shows that are presented as a tremendous “opportunity”. You are told your sales will triple from other retailers. Which is true, but your commission won’t. The commission rates for this specific “retail partner” are far lower than any other stores. They’ll make it sound like someone selling $3000 a day worth of product is making huge sums of money when in reality they barely break even, or lose money for the week. If you run a food show in the “retail partner” - you better prepare yourself to work 12hrs+ per day with no breaks. Because this “retail partner” will not allow a display to be unstaffed for any period of time. Which is why they are mandatory two rep shows, however due to the enormous turnover, you will end up running shows solo a majority of the time, 5-11 days straight by the way. If in the unlikely event they do send a second Rep, they’re usually someone who’s on their way out for poor performance, or has the IQ of a rock, who more than likely takes a break and decides not to come back. Oh and by the way, their pay fully comes out of your commission, (in case you were wondering how they get paid). This is just a taste of what you’re getting into if you decide to work here. I’m sure Summit will tell you I have a negative attitude. That this isn’t for everyone or maybe that I’m weak. That maybe I didn’t understand how things worked or it was explained incorrectly. But the is the harsh reality of the job.- no one and I mean no one had a clearer picture than me. If your willing to drink the Kool-Aid, and bathe in it every day (which the VP will encourage you to do - not with malicious intent, but rather ignorance to negative connotation of the act),and then get ready to tune your life over and become a market manager losing money hand over fist, because you are exactly what they are looking for. Just make sure you get ready to chase a dangling carrot for years to come. Only problem is more often than not, that carrot turns out to be a Dog Turd painted orange