Adding my Bernard Haldane rip off experience
I have been an unemployed telecom worker for months now. Recently the local Bernard Haldane office contacted me, saying they had found my resume on the internet. The stories of others I have read on ripoff.com sound very familiar.
On my initial visit I met with a very polished gentleman who made me feel the best I have felt about my situation in quite a while. It simply felt good to hear someone say good things about me. He complimented my experience and abilities quite a lot.
He said he asked me to meet him in person to learn more about me to see if I might meet the Haldane requirements for becoming a client. No money was discussed on the first visit.
He got me quite interested, telling me I could make six figures, that they would help me write my resume, coach me on interviewing, and put me in direct contact with the hiring decision makers at several companies. He further stated that 97% of their clients found jobs, usually in 5 - 15 weeks.
Adam
The fellow then talked me into scheduling a second visit, and told me to bring my wife. This made me somewhat suspicious, but on the day I returned for the second visit my wife was unable to go with me anyway. Neither of us saw a need for her to go regardless. I could see he was upset my wife was not with me on the second trip. I heard much of the same stuff that I heard on the first visit, and finally I asked about money. He told me the fee was $6800. I told him I would discuss it with my wife before making a decision, and he said well now you see why we like for the wife to be here, so we can make a decision and get you in the program quickly. I discussed it with my wife, and we decided it was too much money to risk. Spending that much money and remaining unemployed is the last thing I need.
My next step was to call the Haldane fellow and ask for three names and contact information for past customers. I thought I would get this information because they would get to do all the picking. But, I was told that they could not give me any names for references because this would violate the confidentiality of these past clients; but that this would also be the good treatment I would receive. Well, nothing about this answer gave me the urge to move ahead with Haldane.
I decided not to use the service, although with considerable hesitation. When you are unemployed and sinking deeper each week into worry and despair, it can be really tought to turn away from something like this, it is so enticing.
I called the Haldane fellow to tell him I could not go forward, especially with all my current financial obligations, including helping to pay the bills of other family members who are also down on their employment luck, including one of my grown children. I had to leave a voice mail message for him. He called me at home the same day, and offered to let me pay $2400 down, another $2400 in two months or so, and $2000 when I got a job. I told him I would think it over, and to this point in time I have just been waiting another three weeks and trying to decide if I should use Haldane. But I cannot get a good enough feeling to do it yet.
Today I decided to get on the internet, and see if I could find any customer testimonials for Haldane. Then I see all these complaints about what a ripoff Haldane is, and one statement from a satisfied client. I personally still have no experience with them that tells me that are a scam or ripoff or just totally wonderful. There is no way to know that until you give them your money and actually try them. I think the Haldane response that has been posted to this website is a pretty weak response. Can't they provide a better rebuttal than this? Why not? I want to believe Haldane could help me, but now I hear all this.
Anyhow, God bless all of you who continue to search for a job. It is really a tough job market right now.
Click here to all the others who have been victimized by Bernard Haldane Associates
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Adolph
South Bend,Indiana,
Yada yada...smoke gets in your eyes.......
#3Consumer Comment
Fri, April 05, 2002
The crowning touch to the previous diatribe most probably posted by a BHA staff member:
"I know now how to build and manage a powerful personal network."
With meaningless rhetoric like that you should write ad copy for car dealers.
LMAO!
Louis
Kirkland,Washington,
I am a Haldane Client
#3UPDATE Employee
Fri, April 05, 2002
I understand what unemployed and under-employed workers can face when out of work, or when they are not satisfied with their current circumstances.
I visited my local Haldane office several times before committing to a contract. I even walked away from the opportunity for a year, stayed in my under-employed situation, and tried to get out on my own before going back. I had to borrow money to pay the fee because I simply could not afford to pay up front. I did pay, albeit with borrowed money, and I would like to summarize my Haldane experience for those of you who wonder what you could possibly get for the money.
As a result of my Haldane experience, I will never again lack confidence or direction regarding my professional development. I have occasionally been out of work since completing their program, but I have never been worried. I know now how to build and manage a powerful personal network. I have the skills to assess my situation, plan for my future, move forward with confidence, and do the many small things necessary to insure my own success.
In short, my Haldane experience is one of the best investments I have ever made in myself. I also have the skills to help many other people who are making career changes either by choice or because of cutbacks, contraction, economic downturn, etc.
What I learned at Haldane required a lot of work on my part. They will not do the work for you, but they teach you how to fish successfully instead of throwing you a fish, as many recruiters or head-hunters might do. The lessons I learned from my Haldane experience will be applied to many situations over many years, literally for the rest of my professional life. And that, in my opinion, is priceless.