Complaint Review: Albert & Alexader

Albert & Alexander is a supposed Executive Search Firm, fee paid by client, not the company who is supposed to hire you. I paid them the required $4,000 retainer, which they virtually guaranteed would be paid by the employer as a bonus and the retainer would be paid back.

They are in a shared office space in a high rise building that makes them appear a very successful company. Truth is they only occupy a few (3) offices. The scam began when I was interviewed by an Executive VP. He told me that they select carefully who they pick as clients, however I understood from others later they rarely refuse anyone.

I was interviewed by Mark Cosgrove and then had to come back to see another person, Don Garrett, who is the sales person. He is a heavy weight Exec VP who made me start dreaming about the career that "I deserve." He basically convinced me I could be President of the United States and I deserve that job. Well I am smart enough to know that is a job I wouldn't want even if qualified, however, my biggest obstacle is I am 55 yrs old and don't have a college degree. Now I have work experience that substitutes for a degree, but I can't get companies to talk to me because of my age and degree.

Don had me convinced and then I had to drive further south to another office to speak with someone about putting my qualifications on paper. That exercise was very helpful, but the person who helped me is long gone.

I then met with Warren Cox, Executive VP, who was anxious to video tape me in an interview, so was I, however he didn't teach me anything I didn't know. I was asked to sign my contract, but didn't realize that they do not promise to make any phone calls, help me find a position, they just want me to report what I have done.

6 months have gone by, Warren convinced me to quit my job so I would have more time to look for another, so now I am unemployed and looking, using their suggestions which are not working. I just realized I amk not allowed to cancel the two year agreement, so I stopped calling them, as the contract says if I do, then they can fire me.

I received this note from Warren, that since I haven't called them, I owe them 8% of the anticipated salary $100,000, less my $4,000 retainer. Their contract does not state that, and I am now fighting to keep them off my back. If this goes to collection, I will fight it, however, a company like theirs should not be allowed to stay in business.

Well now they have a web site. They called and recruited me as a potential prospective client from one of those career sites on the internet. They are a scam in my opinion and potential clients should be very wary.

I have all of this documented.

Paul
Reisterstown, Maryland
U.S.A.