Tony
Toronto,#2Consumer Comment
Mon, February 14, 2005
I met bob and his wife in Nov 98 and they have in the following years I have known him to be so very nice and sincere people. Bob has done so very much for me and my career and has gone out of his way as well. A few years ago, he gave up his management duties to focus on the coaching side of the business. I feel bad for those that have been 'ripped off', but in my heart, I believe that Bob carried the business as far as possible to look after his clients interests. I have not spoken with Bob in over a year and this personal reference was on my own accord. Bob, if you read this, I believe that you are carrying remorse in your heart and I hope that the people who did not receive what is fully entitled to them, will receive fair justice. God Bless.
Nelly
St. Petersburg,#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, November 10, 2004
I worked at Fitzgerald Seminars for a little under two weeks back in May of 2004. I left voluntarily because I was not comfortable with the general lack of organization in the office. The lack of a call list database put us in a situation where we were calling the same realtors 2, 3, up to 6 times within a week or two. However, I met some VERY nice people who had an EXCELLENT aptitude for sales. I wanted to let all of the ex-employees of Fitzgerald Seminars know of fantastic job opportunity with a very large, reputable company that has Retail Sales positions open. The position is part base salary, part commission. For more info, please e-mail me. Best of luck!
Bob
Aurora,#4Consumer Comment
Fri, September 24, 2004
Bob, Did you not know when you folded the company that you didn't have any money? Why did you promise your employees that they would be paid when you knew you had no money? How could you promise your clients any products or services if you knew you had no money? There is no conspiracy theory here, we all know what happened, you lied to your employees and your clients, and you STOLE our money. I like what someone else wrote when they said that we are sure that you and your whole family got PAID. If you really cared about me as a client maybe a phone call would have been in order just to let me know that you were going to work with me to try and take care of us in some way but that there is no money in the company and you would have to shut down. Did any of your clients get that call or like me did they have to find out by getting no phone calls returned, no website and having to research this fact on the internet. When were you planning on calling me about this Mike Ferry Organization? You tried to hide because you didn't want to face the music because you knew what you were doing to all of us. Good luck on hiding from the Attorney General and the lawyers from American Express. No conspiracy here, you lied, cheated and stole from people, and some of these poor people have nothing thanks to you and the hurricanes. That is not a theory but a fact. Here is another fact we won't let you get away with it.
Skip
West Palm Beach,#5Consumer Comment
Sat, September 18, 2004
This company is on the fringes of the real estate seminar business. As a Managing Broker, I have been telemarketed and email spammed many times by this firm. Often the telemarketing calls are every other day for weeks at a time. This organization holds these free "seminars" to sell expensive coaching and products to real estate licensees. There are dozens of these firms in this country and Canada. The owner mentions the Mike Ferry organization. Mike and now his son have been doing a similar program for decades and are highly respected in the industry. The same can not be said about this company. The original post was about unpaid employees. I'm sure Mr. Fitzgerald and his family members received their paychecks before his tearfull fairwell to his employees.
Dennis
Huntington Beach,#6Consumer Comment
Fri, September 17, 2004
We pre-paid for seminars in Southern California and have not been able to contact the company. Since we are in another state I am contacting the Attorney General for interstate fraud.
T
St. Louis,#7Consumer Comment
Fri, September 17, 2004
I attended one of Fitzgerald's "Free" seminars in July. While there, I signed up for a seminar that was to be held 7 days later. The next day, upon realizing that I had another commitment at that same time, I called Fitzgerald, spoke with Lucy and was told the procedure for requesting refund. I did everything they told me to do, and was told that I would get my money back within 30 days. That was two months ago. I feel like I have been the victim of a scam artist. My repeated phone calls, faxes, emails, etc. to Fitzgerald have been ignored, and now I see why. What's really funny is that their sponsor, a mortgage company, actually called me two weeks ago and asked for a referral! I am now out of $600, I have absolutely nothing to show for my money, and trust me, I won't be attending any more "seminars" that aren't sponsored by my company or someone like Covey who has integrity.
Bob
Brandon,#8REBUTTAL Individual responds
Fri, September 10, 2004
From: Bob Fitzgerald The truth is not nearly as exciting as the conspiracy theories going around but for the sake of the 35 former employees that are NOT bad mouthing us and the sake of our many loyal friends and clients, I will set the record straight once and for all. Due to inconsistent cash flow and a general lack of profitability, Fitzgerald Seminars, Inc. founded in 2000, like many other small businesses has indeed closed. The fact that refunds were not issued or that payroll was missed is only evidence of a company struggling with cash flow. We've conducted hundreds of successful programs in the last three years and employeed more than one hundred people in that time frame. Sales training is a very difficult business and our management team did its best. It was with great regreat that we closed. We have two types of clients, event sponsors and real estate agents. Without events, we can not satisfy our sponsors and I'm very sorry about that. As I write, I am speaking with a few national trainers who may be interested in having those sponsors at their events. I'm also thankful for the many sponsors that have called with their support. As for our client base of real estate agents; we have retained the coaches necessary to fulfill our obligation to them and created and alliance with the Mike Ferry Organization, North America's #1 real estate sales training company. Our real estate clients are very excited about the benefits that Mike Ferry has offered them and I couldn't express in words how much support Mike Ferry has given me and my family during this very difficult transition. To rip someone off requires premeditation. I'm guilty only of keeping a company with cash flow problems open too long. It's really that simple. I am sorry and I do care.
Khou
Sacramento,#9Consumer Suggestion
Wed, September 08, 2004
I don't know what it's like in Florida but here in California, for companies who do fold like that the state has a fund that covers at least the payroll portion of it. They do not cover bills owed but they do cover the employees. Maybe someone in the group has already gotten this information. In any case, you can find out about this service at your local fair employment department. You have to provide them with the company information and your information. Any other employees you know of should file with you. You will be paid, it will just be a matter of time. Please feel free to call me if you need anything.
Khou
Sacramento,#10Consumer Suggestion
Wed, September 08, 2004
I don't know what it's like in Florida but here in California, for companies who do fold like that the state has a fund that covers at least the payroll portion of it. They do not cover bills owed but they do cover the employees. Maybe someone in the group has already gotten this information. In any case, you can find out about this service at your local fair employment department. You have to provide them with the company information and your information. Any other employees you know of should file with you. You will be paid, it will just be a matter of time. Please feel free to call me if you need anything.
Khou
Sacramento,#11Consumer Suggestion
Wed, September 08, 2004
I don't know what it's like in Florida but here in California, for companies who do fold like that the state has a fund that covers at least the payroll portion of it. They do not cover bills owed but they do cover the employees. Maybe someone in the group has already gotten this information. In any case, you can find out about this service at your local fair employment department. You have to provide them with the company information and your information. Any other employees you know of should file with you. You will be paid, it will just be a matter of time. Please feel free to call me if you need anything.