Over a year ago, my parents gave us money for Bernard Haldane Associates, in place of a wedding gift or honeymoon vacation, because we felt it was more important.
This week, I was flabbergasted reading about these other experiences at BH. It was as though someone had peeked into my life and wrote about it; the experiences were so similar.
So I won't repeat what everyone else has said about false promises and misleading presentations, etc., except to say it's all true. But I will reveal one secret.
Everything you sign, however unimportant you may think it is at the time, is a Legal and Binding Contract! In the 2nd presentation (the one where you bring your spouse), you are promised the world, and, oh, by the way, sign these few pieces of paper. One of them explains the 3 phases, and what each phase entails. Note that these phases DO NOT reflect what the representative has told you (ie, inside job market, etc).
However, on another piece of paper, you have to sign "no" beside the statement "Were any verbal promises made to you that are not part of the written agreement?" Of course, we didn't even think twice about it. But when we complained, a highlighted copy of this was given back to us as "evidence."
After you start, you also get to sign little progress reports during your visits. One thing you sign here states that you are happy with the progress so far. These, too, were given back to us when we complained.
Guess what else we signed? A little thing called "Campaign Preparation Evaluation, " which, at the bottom, says "You have just completed Phase I." Meaning, 75% of the money you paid is unequivocally theirs, and anyone who thinks differently will have this piece of paper shown to them.
I will admit, signing these things was entirely our fault. They are the type of things you sign without thinking about them... Stupid little survey things, we assumed. You sign these things because you think it's just part of the exercise. You don't put down how you really feel because you're giving them more time, or you don't want to rock the boat or hurt your advisor's feelings, or you trust the process. You must remember these are legal and binding contracts, and that Paranoia isn't there for nothing!
This last year has been so stressful for us because of our experience with BH. We can't sue them for anything; the system is completely legal. We have reached a not-very-satisfying agreement with them, where we will get a small portion of our money back, in exchange for us signing another little piece of paper which states, among other things, that we cannot discuss the conditions with anyone.
Personally, I do not appreciate being bribed with a portion of my own money to forego my freedom of speech. But I will sign it, and get whatever back I can. At least I have this chance to talk before I sign away my right to do so, though I won't be able to follow up on this report. They may even retract the offer in retaliation for my speaking, but if I prevent a few other people from falling in the same trap, then it's worth that risk.
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