Considering the US Postal Service...but.
I see these ads in the paper advertising, a very brief advertisement "Jobs with the US Postal Service" and a toll free number you can call.
I called, figuring they'd tell me of the positions, where to send my application and such. WEll, apparently that's the LAST Step of the process.
You see, I have to take a postal exam (you can only take it once a year) and you need a 70 to pass, but the operator says "we're shooting for a 90".
So, she tells me of the positions and such., and then, she said, for 99.50, there is this 300 page study guide that I can order so I can prepare myself for such an exam.
And I think this 'Scam', has been going around a long time, because they lead you to believe that they'll send you a resume or fill out an online application.
So it wasn't about applying for a job with the US Postal service, but a company trying to sell a product (The 'study guide' ) for the US postal service.
Now they did tell me I'd get my money BACK, if I failed the exam, was not hired after being interviewed, or if I was hired...that I would get my money back.
I thought this was rather shady, anyone ever heard this scam? Or is it a scam?
This sounds like a scam to me. I believe that a passing a civil service exam is necessary to apply to a postal service job but you could ask your local library if they have any civil service study guides that can be looked at free of charge.
I would not lay out almost $100 for a "study" guide.
LOL....great now we have to watch out for "SPAM" in good ol' fashioned newspaper ads.
It isn't a "scam" in that they are actually selling a service (their study guide). A "scam" would be if you sent your money and never got anything for it. You do not however, need to have their study guide. You can apply directly with the post office all on your own. You can also get study guides at Barnes & Noble, Amazon or Borders that I'm sure cover the same ground for under $20.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780943641249&itm=5
Tess
http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=6331016
Guess which of those 2 states I live in.
I will find other means, like what TM Smalley said though.
I can definitely understand your frustration!! I myself have recently ordered the study guide for the US postal exam and was halfway through my studies when I decided to schedule an exam date and time. Then I come to find out that there are no openings in my desired position; when I was led to believe that there were.
Applicants Beware!
Check to see if your desired position in the post office is open for hire before you begin the process!
It is frustrating, but I do not believe that it is a scam.
Yeah, they did quote a min. starting salary of 20 bucks an hour (I do believe it) the USPS has pretty good paid, even when starting..heck even stand-by temporary postal workers starta at about 17.00 an hour. (the on-call postal workers).
Also, yes it is a scam, if the ad misleads you into believing its an actual job opening.
The phony Postal Service ad has a companion. It's an ad offering jobs with the IRS. The game is to get you to buy the study guide. These ads are SCAMS because the jobs advertised are not available. They exist as part of the job descriptions at the Postal Service or IRS,but neither agency is actively recruiting.
At the very least, the ads are misleading and deceptive.
Someone forwarded me the IRS ad saying that a friend checked it out and it was legit. I checked it out and it is not!
Why would the Postal Service or IRS hired a third party company to sell study guides? As stated above, you need to take a civil service exam and they're not offered with any great frequency.
While they guarantee a refund if you're not hired, my guess is the "company" is long gone by the time you get your test results.
Over the years there have been the envelope stuffing, jewelry making, work at home jobs scams. Most people recognize them for what they are so the game has changed to look legit by "offering" jobs with the government.
Just more evil people preying on those who need to work and pay their bills.