Before Buenos Aires: False Claims of Placement Opportunities
I sent in an application in August after the ladies at the agency told me that theyd definitely have a family situation ready for my October 21st arrival, since it usually takes about a month. So I sent them $250 via Google Checkout and waited. And waited. Over the course of 2 months, I followed up seven times and always got lots of positivity and zero substance (Im confident well have something for you in time!). I never got any information about any family. No interviews.
This was pretty suspicious, but I took my chances because I was pretty paranoid about being on my own in South America. A week before my flight, I followed up once more and this time the agency camekind of clean: You might want to get a hostel for your first few days here. This is code for We dont really have anything for you.
Upon Arrival: Negligence/absence of service as website claims
Well, I touched down in BA, found my way to a hostel and called the agency. Nothing. Emailed the agency. Nothing. What exactly did I pay $250 for? They promised me a SIM card, a transportation guide and help finding alternative accommodations. Nothing. I sent a pissed off follow-up email and got an apology from the agency director/owner Anna Templeton.
She helpfully advised that I sit tight in a hostel indefinitely until they find me a prospective family. Days? Weeks? Months? Should I get an apartment? She didnt really have an answer.instead, I lost hundreds of dollars paying hostels.
Finding a Placement: With a family that expressed it may not be able and willing to host/pay.
Finally, I met Isabel Glover, a co-worker of Anna Templeton, who told me she had a great family for me to meet. Well, thats nice. We went down to the suburbs to meet them: the mom Ileana, and her two daughters.
I told Isabel Id like to work with them. They did the same. I moved in. Things were good but rocky that first week. Ileana was annoyed at some of my habits and I was annoyed at some of hers. But we all really liked each other. The next step would be to sign a placement contract.
We never signed anything because after only a week, something unexpected happened: Ileana pulled me aside and told me she cant afford to pay me. The agency was aware of that. She had told Isabel repeatedly that it was a lot of money for her and wasnt sure about it.
They werent even upfront about their placement fees, so she was actually facing 3 times more than she was expecting to pay. She also was never sure she wanted an au pair, but Isabel and the agency pressured her into a no-strings attached trial period.
The agency knew this was not going to be a successful placement. Thats what I paid $250 for. The
agency left me without a job, and without the kindness and friendship of Ileana, I would have been homeless too.
Battle for a Refund
When I emailed the agency for a full refund, I received accusations and legal threats instead. They refused. They told me Im not entitled to a refund since I was a bad au pair.
Thats not true - Ileana told Isabel repeatedly she liked me but couldnt afford this before she even
met me. She even let me stay with her family until I found a new place. She has since also chosen to NOT work with this agency again, upset over the undue pressure they put on her to host an au pair, and because they were not upfront with their fees.
I eventually agreed to a compromise agreement that would allow me only a partial refund ("gesture of goodwill"). I was willing to accept that until I saw that without informing me, they had included a gag order that prevents me from ever discussing my unbelievable and terrible experience with the agency.Au Pair in Argentina provided me with negligent service that left me homeless and without a job - and they eventually kept my $250 fee because I refused to sign this.
Again, in order to receive a refund for a service I did not receive, I was asked to sign a legal document that would allow them to sue me for ever talking my experience with Au Pair in Argentina. I signed no contract and no reasonable placement was ever offered to me. Unacceptable.
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