I received a call out of the blue sky. Thought call was based on a resume sent or viewed online but later told my number (only) retrieved from Dallas Morning News. Kent tells me he usually does outplacment for corporations who pay $5000 but willing to help me for free to develop referrals.
At interview, he scans my resume and tells me all the strengths, skills and positive things that will land a job in six to eight weeks. Employers may even "create a position" for me. Kent explains how his team will get my resume to the head guy, the hiring agent da da da...
Now here's the package $2875 and you don't ahve to pay for six months. I thought how sweet a deal to get a job, make double what i expect and not pay for 180 days. Then he mentioned GE. OooH! You see AA creates a loan sells it to GE they get their money and I'm obligated to third party GE. AA is now out the circle. Pretty clever. But whata happened to the free goodwill service for future referrals (contradiction #1)?
He said they place people everyday. But when I asked for referral he couldn't give me one (contra 2). I asked Kent "why should I trust you? I'm pretty vulnerable right now and you may be taking advantage of me." He replied "I'm insulted!" (with a unemotional poker face) and put me on defensive.
When I got home I called a friend who does outplacement coaching and she said clients had told her AA calls unemployed professionals and basically sell them resume writing service and to check consumer complaints (contra 3). When I read these reports, I was so embarrassed that I had gotten sucked into this but truely thankful for Ripp-off Report confirming my suspensions and saving me from financial loss and distress.
I called Kent and cancelled but not without a rebutal. He tried to extend the payout to one year, becasue I'm special. I countered with a contingency fee but he said he had to pay nine people for their work and wasn't willing to risk it me (guess Im not special after all). God bless.
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