Automax Training Scam: My Experience

[Carlos S. Monte]

So a few days ago, I had an interview with one of the biggest car dealers in my state, or at least thought I did. until later on. Apparently the dealership I went to is hosting scam interviews for a company called Automax. Automax hosts an event/"training session" for a bunch of people, where they take classes to learn how to sell cars. From the getgo, the guy said he did not work for the dealership I went to, that a small fee would be charged to take these "classes", but he did not say how much this small fee was.

At that point a big red flag went up, but just in case I went along with the rest of the "interview". It seems that, according to ripoff report, they charge $250 to $500 to complete the training session, and the trainees get nothing out of it.

So when I got home, I googled the company, and was 100% sure it was a scam. I called NBC for on your side in hopes of having them do a story of this, but had no luck. All they said was "file a complaint with the BBB".

The sad thing is that a major car dealership (Priority Toyota of Chester VA), that owns many dealerships for many different car brands, is allowing them to use their building to host these scam interviews.

To add to this, the day after the interview, I called the trainer and this is how the conversation went:

Me: I have a quick question. You said there was going to be a fee or something like that for the training? How much was that?

Automax interviewer: $250

Me: Ok......Does taking the training guarentee the job or.....?

Automax interviewer: Taking the training Guarentees you “placement”.

Me: Ok

Automax interviewer: And....just so you know, your are a ….er ….I mean I'm just going to go ahead and say....your......considering you just don't totally say anything moronic, …... And I'll go over all this on wednesday, I think you have, I would say an 80% to 90% Placement at the Toyota store......But if not....yea, yea, we guarentee your placement at a local dealership.

Me: Ok, alright, that was my only question...

Automax interviewer: I just wanted to tell you that the likelyhood of you not being placed at that store is very slim.

Me: Ok

Automax interviewer: Ok, you are kind of the model that they are looking for.

Me: Alright, well I appreciate it.

Automax interviewer: Alright.

Me: Thank you very much.

Automax interviewer: Also, you know, cash or credit card, whatever you want to do, but well talk about that. But you know, the moneys not....that's not even the reason we are talking.

Me: Ok, I-I was just curious.

Automax interviewer: Alright?

Me: Alright, Thank you.

Automax interviewer: no no no, if something else pops up, feel free to call me.

Me: Ok

Automax interviewer: Otherwise I'll see you at 9:15 on wednesday buddy.

Me: Ok

Automax interviewer: Alright man, looking forward to it.

Me: Alright. Thank you.

Automax interviewer: Thank you. Alright, bye.

Me: Bye.

---Call Ends---

Looks like an obvious scam to me.

Nobody charges $250 for "placement". If this cant be called a scam I don't know what to call it.


To add to this, here are some experiences of others. Some of who had actually gone through the training.

Other People and their experience with Automax, from ripoff report:
Evidence 1 - Chester VA, Priority Toyta:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/AutoM...a-Priority-Toyota-Scion-of-Richmond-Au-490065
Evidence 2 - Chester VA, Priority Toyota-Scion:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Prior...-Public-Beware-Unehtical-Sales-Tactics-266476
Evidence 3 - Misc. Automax :
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/AUTOM...HEMSELVES-ON-SCAMCOM-RIP-OFF-BEWARE-UT-263920
Evidence 4 - Misc. Automax:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Autom...ngement-Services-Inc-Terry-Taylor-Auto-384710
Evidence 5 - Augustine Florida, Parker Nissan:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Parke...les-training-scam-St-Augustine-Florida-371313
Evidence 6 - Lewisville Texas, Toyota of Lewisville Texas:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Autom...-Toyota-Of-Lewisville-Lewisville-Texas-321914
Evidence 7 - Harrisburg Pennsylvania, Misc. Automax:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/AutoM...AX-SCAM-RIPOFF-Harrisburg-Pennsylvania-245180
Evidence 8 - Falls Church Virginia, Koons Ford:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/AutoM...aining-is-a-scam-Falls-Church-Virginia-241657
Evidence 9 - Pleasantville New Jersey, Automax "Training":
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/AutoM...-Branson-ripoff-lie-fraud-phony-classe-130463
Evidence 10 - Misc. Automax:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Scamc...ining-ripoff-scamscom-automax-Internet-150803

Reports of this scam and this company go back as far as 1999, and they are still conducting their so called interviews and classes even today, in february of 2014.

In detail blog about Automax and Rick Hendrick Toyota:
http://wordbending.com/2012/05/19/automax-hiring-scam/

I'm posting this in all of the car communities that I am a member of, in hopes of warning others about this scam. I really, really do hope that this goes viral. If anyone wants to spread this message on other forums or social messaging sites that they are a member of, feel free to do so.