If youre looking for a way to make some extra cash, you may have come across
Merchandising JOB postings.
There are several different things that “merchandising” can imply, and more often than not, the
Merchandising jobs posted on sites like Craigslist are nothing short of scams.
REAL Merchandising job involve companies who hire people to handle promotional activities; set up in store displays, organize shelf space, order products and manage stock levels. Have you ever walked into a store and a giant sign caught your eye; “HALF OFF (specific item) TODAY!”, then you see a large display filled with this specific item? This was the work of a Merchandiser.
Merchandisers can also deliver materials to stores that stores can use for promotions; booklets, brochures, coupons, etc.
For the most part, Merchandising is a very part time assignment per employer and Merchandisers are usually subcontracted as opposed to being an actual “employee”.
The truth is that, typically, this is not an incredibly high paying job nor is it a job that requires “extreme schooling”. Basic requirements include:
• Arranging promotional signage on shelves
• Arranging point of purchase displays
• Stocking or switching out product on store shelves
• Arranging promotional displays
• Assembling store fixtures
• Building displays and end caps, which are the displays at the ends of aisles
• Making sure that store merchandise is placed in an attractive orderly manner
• Reading plan-o-grams or display sheets
• Changing prices and creating new product sku's
• Placing new shipment orders
• Inventory management
A
Merchandising supervisor in Detroit, Michigan would generally make between $11 - $15 an hour before taxes and average up to 6 hours of work each week per company.
Now, with that being said; here comes the SCAMS.
Since most people aren’t familiar with the exact tasks a Merchandiser does, scammers step in and take advantage. Most recent postings on sites like craigslist have included situations where the “employer” (scammer) posts that they are seeking a MERCHANDISING SUPERVISOR. When you browse the job description it states that you need to come in for an interview and details will be released at that time. But when you go into your interview, you discover that the job has nothing to do with merchandising; the company wants you to invest in their product then go door-to-door selling it. For example, there is a company that is named RBM Merchandising; they offer you a career in
Merchandising , but you have to send them $15. In return they offer to send you a burglar alarm. For each alarm you sell you earn a commission. THIS IS NOT MERCHANDISING. This is a company looking to make $15 and send you a piece of trash in return.
Another scam that is popularly labeled “
Merchandising ” consists of receiving packages and mailing them to a foreign address on behalf of a client. They may even send you postage-paid mailing labels. This “opportunity” is FAR worse than the previous one. In this case, the package you are being asked to send International contains stolen merchandise. Your “employer” wants you to smuggle it out of the country. This way, if the stolen merchandise is caught at customs, you go to jail, not them. Yes, you will go to jail; this is a felony. And No, saying your employer “made you do it” will not suffice.
SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR1. “Mystery Job” – If the employer cant tell you what your assignments will be UNLESS you have an interview, there’s no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow! Think about it like this, IF you were an employer, would you WANT to interview thousands of unqualified clients in hopes of finding one good one? No, that would be a complete and total WASTE of your time. Instead, you would post EXACTLY what the job requires, accept resumes then only contact the people that may be a good fit.
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2. Send Money – why would you pay $15 to buy a product you might not be able to sell? If you want to work off commission, don’t pick a job that requires you to invest to ever turn profit. Instead, select a company such as a car dealership or home improvement company where you are set up with leads and you are able to earn money without coming out of pocket.
3. Attend A Class – If your supposed future employer wants you to attend a class or seminar WITHOUT actually HIRING you (I.E, FILLING OUT FORMS, AGREEING TO PAY, ETC), they are trying to solicit you. This is just another scam. You’re going to sit through a class and then be pressures to purchase items.
4. Merchandisers, Make $50+ an HOUR – Ask yourself WHY? WHY on EARTH would ANY employer pay $50 an hour (or more) when they can have the same job done for $11 - $15? Unless that employer is getting a “Happy Ending” from that Merchandiser, I don’t think they’re paying nearly 4 times the value of the employee for nothing.
5. Super High Pay & No Experience - Co’mon? Seriously? I think we all can agree, you cant have it both ways.
6. Make Over $1,000 a Week, Guaranteed! - Again, think about this AS AN EMPLOYER. Would you guarantee your employees over $1000 a week…when you don’t even know who they are? Uh, no.
7. MILLIONS A YEAR – And last, if it sounds sooooo good, why the HELL are they LOOKING for employees? Did the last couple workers retire after they make a half million in 6 months?
BOTTOM LINE: Don’t apply for jobs when you don’t know what you’re applying for and when you see a posting that seems way to good to be true, it is. Check out the newest
Merchandising Job Posts Here
