- Report: #426877
Complaint Review: National Association Of Professional Women (NAPW) - Garden City New York
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National Association Of Professional Women (NAPW)
1305 Franklin Avenue, Suite 300 Garden City, 11530 New York, United States of America
Phone:
516-877-5500
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National Association Of Professional Women NAPW - Owner Just another in the long line of scams... Garden City New York
Where do we start with Mr.? Well, first of all he's a high school drop out - now there's nothing wrong with that alone, but when its coupled with trying to cheat on a Series 7 exam, and setting up countless faux-professional organizations to scam hardworking people out of their money, that's where I have a problem.
Google it and you'll see, tried to cheat on a Series 7 exam, paying someone smarter than him (probably not too hard to find) to take it in his place. "NASD filed a complaint against in July 1997 alleging that arranged to have an imposter take the Series 7 Qualification Exam on his behalf in March 1995 and that failed to respond to NASD requests for information related to the investigation of that allegation."
next scam (that we know of) came in the form of a Manchester Who's Who business in which he hired "sales professionals" (if you could read a script and didn't mind scamming people out of their money, you were hired!) to solicit to those worthy of notation in this "prestigious" publication (no offense to anyone in the following fields, but I don't see why secretaries, custodial workers, and medical assistants should be included in this - which they were).
When trouble hit there, moved on to his most recent and disgusting scheme, the National Association of Professional Women. Now I am all for an organization that is all about empowering women, but not like this. First of all, NAPW was not born out of a sincere effort to help professional women further their success, but only to further. They buy your information, pressure you into a sale, and then charge you $19.99 for shipping and handling (check the postage, its about $2.00 - the handling is the receptionist complaining about breaking a nail from stuffing too many envelopes.) This man thinks of nothing but dollars and cents...that, and how many of his employees he can hook up with. If you were to take a look around the office, you'd see they only hire good-looking women (some barely out of high school). (Hmm...I wonder why the receptionist makes well over 50 grand a year?!?!?)
Speaking of NAPW employees, here's the scoop on them. Craig Bifulco is old high school buddy and has been riding those dirty coattails for over ten years. Bifulco handles all of the calls to women who were pressured into purchasing this "membership" but come to their senses and decide to cancel it. When he is rude or obnoxious, a regular occurrence, and a member asks to speak to his supervisor, she is patched through to the receptionist and then Mark/Nick/Andy or any other BS name - this is in fact Bifulco putting on a fake voice and repenting for his "employee's" actions. Cindy Burens in marketing and PR has the intelligence of a cardboard box, but shes gorgeous and bubbly and people would rather look at her than, so that deserves a cool 80 grand a year, right?!? Of course. Then there's Julie O'Grady, in human resources. She's got no HR background at all, and simply trolls around monster and carreerbuilder all day for someone, anyone to hire...requirements are minimal (speak english, can read a script, pushy enough to make a sale, no soul etc..) Then when they come in to interview, she makes fun of them when they leave the room, laughs at their clothes, and sometimes simply refuses to meet with them because they "look weird". Oh yes, NAPW is all about helping women!
How I have come to get this information is irrelevant, I just know that it's true.It all boils down to this, if you get a mailing or call from the National Association of Professional Women, throw it out or hang up (or curse them out if you feel so inclined)! You have not been specially selected as a notable woman in your field (those teaching assistants and video store workers who have been contacted can probably vouch four this). They pressure you into a sale on the spot (so you don't have time to research and see them for what they are!) Your information has been bought from some other shady company and you are being SCAMMED!
K. S. Ann Arbor, Michigan
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Anonymous
Long Beach,New York,
U.S.A.
NAPW is an expensive waste of money to make women feel special.
#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, April 24, 2009
I am an ex-employee of NAPW. While I do not wish to bash Matt Proman and dig into his personal life and insult him, I do want to say that for $89, you get the same benefits of the one costing $689. I am still not clear as to what NAPW does provide for women as me being a shopper, I know I can find the same discounts just by doing research on my own. You still have to pay for seminars that are costly, through Padgett-Thompson, a "partnership" in which NAPW has with them. I have looked at the site myself and the "discounts" on the DVD's and books and audios look no more than a pumped up retail price only to be brought down by so called membership discounts. I would like to say that I know all of the women mentioned on one of the rip off reports personally but one, and to come to their defense, they are out there to make a living and feed their familes. As far as I am concerned, if they are ok with what they are doing, so be it. I worked there for 6 months but decided that I could no longer read a script, my own personality and honesty is my own best sales tool. I am a relationship sales person rather than a script reader. My suggestion for women that want to get ahead in their careers and be recognized for their accomplishments is to get out to local networking events and join different chamber of commerce chapters as well as other womens organizations that actually have local meetings. That is the best way to be in the public eye, not on a website thats pretty and really doesnt offer much if anything. If you think about it, who really knows about NAPW?
Anonymous
Orlando,Florida,
U.S.A.
100% True!
#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, February 26, 2009
I am a former employee of the company, and what is written above, is 100% factual information detailing the company and its employees. At NAPW, your membership runs anywhere from like $700-$90, and each membership, is pretty much EXACTLY the same. There's no difference! They accept anyone in membership, there are NO qualifications. Your name is bought, and you're accepted. Theyve gone so far as to accept people who are NOT EVEN EMPLOYED. And you will pay $19.95 shipping for something that costs them $2.00 to ship, but fret not! You're donating money to Erika's manicure fund, shes the receptionist and the one that stuff the member kits. While Mr. Proman's background should not be taken into consideration for this new company, his history with scamming people & being a tyrant should. He's a scammer to his consumers, and an ungrateful, demanding, threatening boss. So not only should you not join the association, you certainly shouldn't apply to work there. Sales people have a quota they need to make otherwise we didn't get paid that week! Craig Bifulco has completely ridden Mr. Promans coattails for how ever long they have been friends. They, combined, have the moral capacity of a potato. Craig lies to everyone that calls him, more often then not, even pretending to be his own boss! He is rude to customers and makes them feel stupid. But, being Matt's best friend, he can get away with anything. Including, inter office relationships. Matt's not new to that either (Any questions? See Erika -hint-) Cindy Burns in Marketing or whatever she does has no college education and is really just someone to front the company so people think it's run by a women. Her skill set is minimal. Julie O'Grady does just that- she makes fun of people that comes in for interviews. She sits on monster and careerbuilder all day recruiting, that's how I got sucked in. Moments after I posted my resume, I got a call from her, she made the company sound prestegious, I should have done my homework. She has no answers to any questions regarding company procedure or health benefits, she has to "get back to you" and then never does. Hunting her down is an understatement. THey have some random male doing all the data entry for the company. Now if Craig, Cindy and Julie havent made it obvious that Mr. Proman does not have standards for his employees, this kid will prove it to you. He is rude, does not speak to anyone, and spends his many cigarette breaks outside complaining about the job and coworkers on his cell phone. Dont even try to say hi to him, he wont respond. The only 2 administrative assistants they have spend more time socializing and fighting for Craigs attention, being that him, Matt and the data kid are the only males, and trust me, they are no lookers. If you did fall for this scam, cancel your credit card because in 12 months you will automatically be charged a fee for next years membership! I am so grateful I left NAPW when I did because this company keeps getting awful feedback and I'd hate to be associated with it any longer then I was during my few month stint. It's not worth it. Move on. Find a reputable organization to be apart of - this isnt it. Good luck.
