Pinpoint Demographics? Know anything about it?

Looks squirrelly to me. Especially this part:

We're asking our salespeople to email 50 customers per week (minimumrequirement) which should result in a total sales of $1000/week and $500/week in commissions for each salesperson (on average).

So... assuming the company wants at least 25% of the gross, or $250, that means that whatever they sell has a wholesale cost of 25%. And assuming the company or companies that actually make the products want to sell their products for twice what it costs to make it, that means you'd be selling products that cost $125 to make in order to achieve gross sales of $1000.

That kind of margin is kind of hard to imagine.

Here's a little more info from the attached docs they sent...

Pinpoint Demographics, a division of Barnes Reports, has a number of sales/marketing positions available to sell its newly available 2012 products.

These positions are primarily email sales positions although other responsibilities can include phone contact with interested customers, developing marketing/promotional partnerships, and writing report summaries for newspapers and local magazines.

Each candidate will be assigned an exclusive sales territory (a U.S. state) and supported with management training, email scripts, a company email address (such as bob@pinpointdemographics.com), some organization or company lists and explanation of potential markets. Candidates will be responsible for contacting best customer at each organization or company, answering their questions, email sample documents, following up to complete sale, and up-selling customers to higher priced products. Product prices range from $79 to $3,999. Our products can be reviewed at www.pinpointdemographics.com and www.uszipcodedemographics.com. The main customer markets are libraries, economic development bureaus, Chambers of Commerce, city managers and banks.

Candidates can either be full-time or part-time employees. We are expecting candidates will consider their position a sole proprietorship and invest in their own phone/internet and office expenses.

Each candidate will be given a three-month probationary period to meet minimum sales goals. Commissions during this probationary period are 50%/50% revenue splits. We will offer a contract to specify commission rate, payment schedule, sales territory and contract renewal date. Candidates that are offered permanent positions after the probationary period will receive bonuses and additional sales territories.

Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
Benjamin: Yes, I am.
Mr. McGuire: Plastics.
Benjamin: Exactly how do you mean?
Mr. McGuire: There's a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?
taxfoe: I want to say three words to you. Just three words.
taxfoe: Are you listening?
Bazinga: Yes. I am.
taxfoe: Exponential regression analysis. Think about it. Will you think about it?

Ahhh... so they're selling data. The margins begin to make more sense; they already have the product and there are really no manufacturing costs to consider.

What the hell - if you have the time and the inclination, what's the worst that could happen - assuming they don't expect you to put any money up front (if they do, run like hell). But in that it appears to be part time, if you have the time to spare... I don't know if these guys are on the level but I'm less skeptical than I was.

Selling stuff sucks, by the way - IMO. But some people are good at it and enjoy it.

If one of the scripts starts w/ .....".I am a friend of your cousin who is stranded in Addis Ababa and need money to get home."...Pass on this deal!