Approximately one year ago I was looking for a career change and reponded to an ad posted in the Star Ledger by the Phoenix Executive Group.
The ad stated "If you earn a salary of at least $50,000, please contact us." So I did. When I called the office, the secretary gave me an appointment with Mr. Joe Kran, President & CEO of the Phoenix Executive Group (location: 100 Wood Avenue South, Suite 121, Iselin, NJ).
During our initial meeting he indicated to me that his company could easily find me a career position that would meet all of my qualification including a salary of at least $65,000 per year plus a $5,000 sign on bonus. He said to me that he could make such a guarantee to me because it was his company and he should know what they are capable of doing for their client. So, regrettable so, I believed him.
In a subsequent meeting with Mr. Kran, he discussed PEG's fee structure stating that my initial retainer would be $4,950 with a balance of $2,500 due upon securing a position with a base salary of $65,000. Based in Mr. Kran's guarantee of employment I paid the retainer.
After going through several sessions and sending out numerous bulk mailings to PEG's "network of contact" I began receiving the letters back unopened or with a response stating that they had never heard of or had a relationship with anyone at Phoenix Executive Group.
I also attended a seminar given by PEG where I was informed that PEG would not ensure or negotiate that $5,000 sign on bonus that Mr. Kran had promised me as part of my package.
I was informed at that time that I would have to secure my own sign on bonus. I then spoke to my executive advisor for employment, Larry Meglin, and demanded that my money be refunded to me on the basis that I was lied to and deceived by Mr. Kran.
I explained to him that I was unemployed and had spent approx. $5,000 of my family's money that I did not have to spend on the promise that Mr. Kran made to get me a job. He was unsympathetic and coldly stated that PEG DOES NOT GIVE REFUNDS.
In an attempt to get some recourse I contacted the Department of Consumer Affairs and discovered that the Phoenix Executive Group had several complaints logded against it in both Essex and Middlesex counties.
Over the last year I have had to find my own position for a much lower salary than what I was making just so that I can support my family. PEG has made no attempt to handle this professional and it is my opinion that they look to prey on vulnerable job seeker by promising them a dream by using alot of smoke screens and mirrors. They are a fraud and should be brought to justice.
Taken Advantage Job Seeke
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