The Truth About Vector Marketing: Selling CutCo Knives is Not a Walk in the Park

Selling CutCo Knives is Not a Walk in the Park

By Bridget Delaney, published Sep 14, 2007
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It's tempting for every student. Those ads are on the Internet, on the flyers in the hallways, and in the newspapers. It says that the work will earn them $10 per hour (really, it's only $10 per appointment and a commission, if any) and that they can choose their own working hours. There are a lot of things that aren't true in this scenario.

A student calls the number and the secretary will say that the student will be selling housewares and will rattle off a huge list of items. While the secretary says this, there are much fewer items to be sold. The items that will be sold are kitchen knives, hunting knives, garden tools, an ice cream scoop, and a few other kitchen tools.

The first interview is simply filling out an application and giving it to a manager. There is no more to the interview. There is no more to the interview, either. It is not exclusive. There will be a group of people sitting in a small office filling out paper work. Then, if the student is chosen, they will get a phone call.

When the student goes in for an Interview, it really is not a formal interview. Again, a group of people will be there and the manager will talk all about the products that they are to sell. The manager will then pick people on how well they paid attention to the details. For what may be the first time in their lives, the students will be introduced to CutCo products.

CutCo is a company located in Olean, New York. They make high quality cutlery that is on par with both Wusthoff and Henckels. There is not a problem with CutCo's facts. Every thing that is stated by CutCo is perfectly true.

However, the marketing company, Vector, teaches those who are selling the knives to lie.

 
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Takeaways
  • There will be a group of people sitting in a small office filling out paper work
  • Vector teaches those who are selling the knives to lie.
  • Vector tells representatives to call their prospective clients at night and early in the morning.
Did You Know?
Vector Marketing is a deceitful company.
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If you don't want to sell, Don't do this! Use your common sense, nobody is going to pay 10-15 bucks an hour to folks with no experience. As far as an investment, buying a kit is not unusual. Papered Chef, Mary Kay, etc all do the same thing. Even folks I know who work for top insurance companies have to lease proprietary equipment from the company (they are captive agents, not independents, they get w-2s). Just realize there is no such thing as a free lunch and to think before you act. Even if I don't sell any Cutco, I've got some good knives at a good price. There will be those who disagree with me and that's ok.

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Posted on 08/17/2008 at 2:08:16 PM

 
Let's get real...as a matter of disclosure, I am over 40, have a full-time job and a family and have been in sales before (but am not now, I'm an accountant). I just joined Vector and have yet to go to my first appointment. Folks this is SALES. To succeed in sales, you have to work hard, take rejection, cultivate leads (You usually start with folks you know) and persevere. Cutco is a superior product. It is not a cheap discount store knife. You will not sell it to someone who doesn't need t a good knife. Most of their products are made in the USA, vs. overseas which costs more. You have to qualify your leads. Think about who will buy this product. Draw a comparison. Cheap vacuum vs. a Kirby or Electrolux that costs more, but will last much longer, work better and CAN be serviced. These knives ARE an investment, just like a good mechanic doesn't buy many of his tools at Wal-Mart. He buys Craftsman, Snap-On or Mac because they will stay with him. They are quality.

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Posted on 08/15/2008 at 3:08:00 PM

 
Thank You SOOOOO much. I was supposed to start training tomorrow, my friend recommended me for a job there, and even she's going nuts working for them. stressed like hell and tired all of the time. No one should bother with Vector.

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Posted on 08/14/2008 at 3:08:25 AM

 
Believe me I had the same thoughts as all of you when I FIRST started Vector. I was told by everyone... thats a scam, you won't make anything! WELL.... I worked with vector for the past 2 months months and did awsome. Yea the training kinda sucks, but once your done its the most simple job ever! All of you negative people have no idea what your talking about. Quit telling people that their not going to make any money and its a scam, ITS NOT. I made about 2 grand already and I was only working part time. I quit my other job so that I good continue with this. As long as you are self motivated and want to make the money.. you will. Yea you have to work really hard at first so that you can get your commission up. Once your commission is up you can be doing less work then before and still be making more money. Its kinda hard to set the time aside to do it because its your own hours and not like a regular job, but as long as you stick to YOUR hours you will reach your goal =) EAS

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Posted on 08/01/2008 at 11:08:31 AM

 
I'm a new worker at Vector and you can't really judge the entire company by your 'first impression.' Whoever works or is thinking about working there try it for at leat 2 months and ask a lot of questions try not to be intimidated by the management cuz i know they can be at some times. If your still not making as much as you should then do what you want

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Posted on 07/22/2008 at 2:07:23 PM

 
I don't get it. They say you're working for the base pay plus commission. There's a lot of things the manager doesn't tell you when you first get started. For example, you don't get paid for those appointments...just commission when you first start. After people in my class found that out, they quit. Also, they don't take taxes out either. Some people quit after that too. I'm starting to think I should've quit too cuz I try my absolute hardest but it seems like all they care about is if you sold something or not. And it's harder when you don't have a car too. I had a job already b4, but my manager convinced me that I will be making sooo much money that I might as well quit. I should'nt of quit. Maybe this isn't so much as a scam but it is dishonest. After this summer is up, I will be quitting.

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Posted on 07/07/2008 at 11:07:13 PM

 
wow I had an interview tomorrow. you saved me!

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Posted on 07/07/2008 at 5:07:18 PM

 
I knew someone who got sucked into this, it's as bad as the vacuum selling company that puts ads in the paper as "pollution control" department help needed.

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Posted on 06/11/2008 at 2:06:14 PM

 
First, branch office managers LIE. They say, "Oh, this office won't close. We'll be open." Then they close WITHOUT warning. I was going to turn in my papers and found out that the office was closed! The summer wasn't even over! Then, a week or two later, I get an e-mail telling me where the "new" office is located, and that I'd have to drive there - the cost of gas would not be worth it! People who are praising Vector are the clones of those offices who know people who will buy expensive knives and buy the lies that vector teaches them to tell. There are all kinds of administrative costs reps aren't supposed to state about the payment plans and such.

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Posted on 06/10/2008 at 6:06:07 PM

 
thank you, i have an interview tomorrow and this definitely saved some time.

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Posted on 06/04/2008 at 11:06:14 PM

 
I made only 9 appointments for vector selling cutco in NY. I sold close to $3000 worth of knives and earned well over $500 in those 9appointments. All told i spent MAYBE 15hrs between phone time and demos. I now live in florida and plan to get started with them again. IDK about you, but $500 or better in 20hrs or less works for me. Most of the people who knock sales jobs EVEN AFTER HAVING THEM THEMSELVES just couldnt hack it as a salesman. I PAID for my demo kit, so did my fiancee. She decided it wasnt for her and returned her kit for a FULL REFUND. My checks were prompt, and my customers orders were delivered in a timely manner. And SO FAR cutco has stood up to what they say.

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Posted on 05/23/2008 at 1:05:59 PM

 
you're full of crap, prove anything you just said i've known 3 friends who all started off with this company and all ended up losing money stay away

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Posted on 05/12/2008 at 9:05:24 PM

 
(cont. from below) That means per appointment. There is always that guarantee of $15, if you fill out the paper work. No company, including Vector is gonna take your word saying you did 20 or so appointments. And you can make money with the company. I sold for 2 weeks and made 4 grand. I still currently work there, a year later, and I am now a manger. My resume is by far a lot better some other people. I have already had job offers and I'm only 19. Simplest job EVER! You just haven't worked there long enough to know what you're talking about.

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Posted on 04/18/2008 at 11:04:57 AM

 
How long have you worked for Vector?? The reason offices close down after 3 months is because they are Branch offices, meaning they are only open during the summer. The managers state that a bunch of times at team meetings. Also, you forgot to mention that Vector is not the only company that makes you pay for conferences. Included in the price, is Cutco knives, and an overnight hotel stay. If you stay at Vector, you get a chance to go to New York, to the actual factory for less than $200. this price includes airfare, 2 nights in a hotel, transportation, food, and a trip to the factory. When you say reps are made to buy the sample kit, that is not true. They can now rent them and return them at the end. If you were to return the knives the right way, then yes, you do get your money back. Even if the office closes, you can still return the knives to Cutco and they will give you a refund. Not everything comes easy in life. Going along with the advertising, it says $15/per appt.

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Posted on 04/18/2008 at 11:04:02 AM

 
almost got into training...you SAVED ME...

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Posted on 03/12/2008 at 10:03:26 PM

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