We have not let this story go since we broke it weeks ago. There is no question that since we started opTree, this story has elicited more emotion and outcry than any other.
In an effort to try and offer any assistance to those who were burned by the Weekenders debacle, we were going through the Direct Selling Associations site to find out what recourse sales representatives have.
We came across something very interesting which hopefully serve as some help. According to the DSA site in the FAQ section,
Q. I am a sales representative with a DSA member company. What benefits does DSA provide for me?
A. As a representative with a DSA member company, you receive the benefit of your company’s pledge to abide by the DSA Code of Ethics. You are encouraged to share your affiliation with a DSA member company with all of your customers as DSA membership is a symbol of the highest possible business ethics. You can expect your company to:
- Provide you with legal and accurate information on the company’s pay structure, products and sales methods.
- Refrain from any unlawful or unethical recruiting practice and exorbitant entrance or training fees.
- Base all actual and potential sales and earnings claims on documented facts.
- Abstain from encouraging you to purchase more inventory than you can sell in a reasonable amount of time.
- Repurchase 90% of the marketable inventory and sales aids you have purchased within the past 12 months if you decide to leave the business.
- Explain the repurchase option in writing.
Additionally, you may be eligible to participate in DSA’s Gold Identification Card program and/or insurance plans for representatives/distributors of participating DSA member companies. Please contact DSA or your company for information about your company’s participation in either of these programs.
We imagine this would hold true for Weekenders sales reps since Weekenders was part of the DSA when it shut its doors.
Its worth a shot. You can call the DSA at (202) 452-8866
Popularity: 10% [?]
WE dropped out of DSA in JANUARY!!! Seems they planned ahead to do you in!!!
Comment by Dis Gruntled — July 23, 2008 @ 8:24 am
I think Steven is a bit slow here. Elsewhere on this same site, under a different header, someone posted WEEKS ago that W had dropped from DSA. Even a DSA rep telling use that W was no longer a member.
More coffee Steven.
Comment by trunkshow — July 23, 2008 @ 9:43 am
Weekenders quit the DSA and DSWA organization Jan 08. There is NO recourse through them because Weekenders was asked to leave DSA because of questionable behavior. The DSWA has Weekenders NOT renewing membership since JAN 08. Sounds like they knew they were going to be doing this and wanted to close doors of opportunity for the coordinators.
Comment by Wendy — July 23, 2008 @ 12:37 pm
A Very URGENT follow up to the Weekenders Closing.
This was the advice after speaking to my attorney.
I personally called and spoke to an officer of the law in Vernon Hills IL on Jul 21st. I was advised at that time that we as former coordinators MUST go to your local police and do a formal complaint against Weekenders. The officer stated that our local authorities would then forward the complaints to them(Vernon Hills PD) this would cause an investigation to begin. And maybe get us some answers regarding refunds. She also recommended because of the global aspects that the FBI also should made aware and that too would cause a funnel of the complaints to Vernon Hills PD again. This would I think put pressure on the authorities to begin taking this matter sseriously. The last recommendation was that each state where coordinators are affected need to collectively chip in and hire representation when this matter comes before the courts we might get some monies returned. No promises here.
PLEASE TAKE THIS MESSAGE SERIOUSLY AS I WANT TO SEE SOMETHING POSITIVE COME OUT FOR EVERY COORDINATOR AFFECTED BY THIS DEVESTATION WE ARE EXPERIENCING.
Comment by Wendy — July 23, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
Wendy,
As early as 3 weeks ago, Weekenders was STILL listed as a member of the DSA and on their website as one.
In fact, when we spoke with the DSA about this, they NEVER mentioned that Weekenders had dropped out in January of 2008.
So if the DSA had indeed dropped out, as you say, in January of 2008, why were they still a listed member in the DSA directory in May of this year?
Comment by Steven — July 23, 2008 @ 4:10 pm
The info about DSWA and DSW came from a manager down here in FL. In fact she had been at a managers meeting when she was told about it.
Sorry for the disappointing news.
Comment by Wendy — July 23, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
YOU CAN SAVE YOUR INVESTMENT IN WEEKENDERS
Team
It is sad to see a direct sales company go out of business. We are all fans of the industry and we know it is the last chance for the average person to achieve something special. I have/had no association to Weekenders company but I drive by their beautiful building every day on my way to work and I am sad they are gone and their people are hurt. It was specially sad to a point that it almost made me sick to see all the trucks outside on their auction day. At this point the question for all Weekenders distributors is are you looking forward or back word.
I am a senior executive of a very upscale and elegant Canadian direct sales company operating in 24 countries. In 2007 we introduced two designer lines FERI and FERI MOSH that competes with the designer likes of Gucci, Rado and Cartier. We have been in operation for almost 4 years and I am willing to save the investment you made in Weekender if you are looking to move forward. To take a close look at our line up please login to http://www.globalwealthtrade.com. Once there happy browsing and if interested send us a note from our contact us section.
You don’t have to hold on to the pain, just move forward and GWT Corp can make the transition much easier by recouping your lost investment. Please pass the good news to your distributors who are also suffering, they need to know there is a better option.
Good luck to all
SM
Comment by SM — August 8, 2008 @ 9:20 am