Recently, I started working for a company that outsources people to give samples of products at events, in grocery stores like Kroger and Wal-Mart. Advantage Solutions.
But what you're about to read just scratches the surface of how awful this company is. At least for reps in Colorado.
For a little background, I am autistic and this was the first job I got hired at, and was one I was sure I can do. But the company absolutely sucks at communicating with their employees and the stores they're sent to.
The store owners had no ideas when I was supposed to be there. All they knew, as that they received my Event Kits.
I asked for a trainer to help with my first day for my first job. But they never showed up, so I had to awkwardly ask two employees for their manager, so I could get access to what I needed for my job in the Store Room. They kept misgendering me (I'm trans ftm, and had my masculine, preferred name on my badge), and they didn't even know about the company I worked for.
I ended up getting help from the store manager and some dude from the deli.
First we found out that the sausage I was supposed to demonstrate wasn't in stock. But whatever, no big deal. We'll just advertise another variety of the same brand and boost sales!
Then, the cart that we were supposed to work with, which were shown to be compact, and given lessons on how to assemble and disassemble it, was NOTHING like what we were shown in training! A huge clunky rusty piece of junk with a metal countertop! And as an autistic person, if my instructions don't perfectly match the task I'm given, I freak out.
Then, despite me trying to persevere with no trainer, I discovered my equipment wasn't what I needed. The electric skillet for cooking the sausage had no cord, my event kit had no surge protector or extension cord (despite there being a sheet saying it should be there), and they were missing the food thermometer!
So obviously, I couldn't do my job. I was absolutely humiliated and on the verge of tears most of the time, and was trying not to break down while waiting for my ride home.
I tried my best and ended up failing for reasons that weren't my fault. I was considering leaving as soon as I saw my trainer wasn't there.
TLDR; Advantage Solutions is a disorganized nightmare to work for, and my first day working for them was borderline traumatizing.