Mckenzie Scott bogus promises, pressured sales, outrageous fees, pitiful product ripoff Philadelphia colorado
My husband sought Mckenzie Scott services after unsuccessfull job search of 1 year in May 2002. I am his physician wife and was invited to his second interviews as a condition of M-S taking our money. Was told 4 months average time for job campaign. Would have access to staff campaign manager who would facilitate process as long as it took to get a job. Emphasized it was unusual for company to do marketing campaign for an individual compared to their usual corporate clients but my husband's experience and resume was exceptional-implying a safe risk for their investment of time and manpower.
After telling us fees ranged from 15K to 100K for their services our salesperson left the room for us to think about writing a check for $5,000 then and there as a down-payment for the total $45,000 fee. This could be recovered as a sign on bonus he emphasized. We took out a home equity loan.
The campaign materials took over a month to prepare. They contained the wrong fax and telephone numbers. They sent out the material prior to approval for any needed corrections. For $45,000 why are they making these kind of horrendous errors anyway! Requests for a refund at this time were met with massive reassurances that all would be well. Materials with corrections would be mailed again. After 4 months there was no sign a single effort from M-S had produced anything, not even an acknowledgement of receipt from a recruiter. Brochures claimed there would be mailings TO 200, 2000 persons . Other M-S literature said UP TO 200 , UP TO 2000. Was it 1 or was it 2000?
Six months later my husband asked them to redo all of the campaign materials again. They claim this is necessary in less than 1% of cases. The amount of editing required then was also shameful for what M-S purports to do so well.
I do believe M-S used the info that I was a physician to jack up the price but 30 years of' skoolin' doesn't provide a gene transplant if you're born a sucker. From what I read and see of their web site they pushed the same buttons on their computer for my husband as for the lower priced campaigns. Oh, by the way, 14 months later, still no job. And yes, my husband has contacted his campaign manager about a full refund as we both believe M-S's services actuallly hampered efforts he could have made otherwise.
I didn't use M-S services but they used me and I paid for them out of our joint property and participated in everything and more of the above. For yourself and your families avoid these people.
Marian philadelphia, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Casey
Ipswich,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
Career Vultures are A'Plenty ..senior executive who just was informed that I would have to search for a new position
#2UPDATE Employee
Thu, February 26, 2004
I am so sorry to hear about Marian and others who were contacted by McKenzie Scott. I too, am a senior executive who just was informed that I would have to search for a new position. I have been working the Monster site and have spoken with a few prospects, but one day I answered an ad for a position (I don't remember which one) and immediately had three calls from a woman at some firm called McKenzie Scott. She was professional and gracious and indicated that a VP was very interested in speaking to me about my career profile I had submitted. I asked her if she could tell me what position this was for (so I could be prepared for the interview), but she could only tell me she set up appointments. I received a call from an individual with a glowing background, lots in common, and we had two great meetings on the phone. He offered plenty of helpful information and we have set next Monday as a date to finalize an agreement -- he is also out of the Philly office.
I had mentioned that I had once contracted with Haldane and Associates and had heard the same kind of things -- lots of coaching, they had contacts I could never have, etc. -- and that my wife and I were very concerned that this could be the same kind of "pay us lots of money, and we'll let you do what you would normally do anyway!" He said that Haldane is a franchise and could not do the things McKenzie Scott can.
I would recommend (after this second experience -- by the way, I am NOT signing the contract), that you work as your own general contractor for your search. You can hire someone to write your resume, you can go to the library and use their computers to access plenty of company sites and check their job postings, find out about their organizational plans, and get all the scoop on their management. Most of us could use help with cover letters, but often the resume person can help get you started with these. The main thing, is to do what you have done for years, put together a marketing plan:
- What is my objective?
- What do I bring to the table to offer a company?
- How can I get information about companies that could use my skills?
- What organizations could help with suggestions and networking?
- Have I prepared the necessary direct mail and e-mail pieces?
Once you have this, then it is time to schedule your "work" day. Plan to get up at 6:00, go for a walk, say your prayers, eat breakfast, and then get on with contacting everyone you can. Use the phrase, "I would appreciate some advice..."
I turns out that at our level (senior executive) most of the positions are developed around us, we don't just slide into an existing position.
I hope this helps others -- You are valuable and deserve to contribute to a fine organization! You don't have to just lie there and wait for the vultures to pick your bones!