6474773132
Did you get a call from 647-477-3132? Read the posts below to find out details about this number. Also report unwanted calls to help identify who is using this phone number.
Nick30 Jan 2008The production company for HouseCapades is Magnolia Productions Inc. Magnolia Productions is owned by Darren Morgenstern. Darren Morgenstern's other business is a dating site for married people looking for something on the side (the Ashley Madison agency). He's a sweetheart.
According to http://www.housecapades.com/media.html, the PR for HouseCapades is handled by Melissa Richler of Richler Stratgeic Communications. You can reach her at 416-652-5592.
Or just call Darrel's brother and HouseCapades producer/director Marc Morgenstern directly at 416-738-8255- Haverhill homestaging is a complete scam! I completed homestaging work. Got my A grades back. Then did the in class (which was done over the phone..nice last minute change). There were over 75 people on the conference call. The test is online and there is not enough time to do it. I failed and it brought my overall mark down, so now I do not get hired. Do the math on 75 people times $1000. I bet nobody gets hired.
Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill ScamHaverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam Haverhill Scam- Yes, I got sucked into this course too. They were so inconsistent in their marking, they took weeks to book me into the in-class session (which had ZERO VALUABLE CONTENT, and was just one long day of hearing apologies from the "instructor", Kimberley, about why assignments weren't being marked on time and how overworked she is). They added assignments on a whim, changed the requirements for assignments mid-stream, etc., etc. I would like to also take these crooks to CTV or some other investigative show to have them all exposed. Haverhill is a complete scam, rip off, and fraud. Stay as far away from them as possible. If you want more info, email me at laura@butterflyhomestaging.com
- Run, do not walk away from this company! They do nothing to teach - you basically get a book which you read, and then another little booklet that tells you the basics of finishing their 7 exercise books. You have absolutely NO ACCESS to an instructor in real time (phone or email is out of the question and if you call and reach a live person you're instructed to go to their FAQs). In fact, the only access you have to them is through the FAQ section of their website where you post questions which they are supposed to respond to in 24 hours (usually they take at least that long and then reply with a very bland message with no real information). The FAQs also allow students to view answers to some very generic questions, but again, give little real information. There is no interaction with other students either, even though there were 125 (!) students from all over the US and Canada logged into the one tele-class I took. Do the math - $995 x 125 students - almost $125,000 from one class - WOW!
Additionally, it is true that they do keep changing their criteria. They recently decided students needed to submit photos and credentials electronically - in addition to doing these things manually and sending them via the course assignments - very tedious and expensive to get the photos developed and then attached to each of the pages plus then submit electronically too?
It appears they're trying to make sure more people don't pass - and give no feedback as to why - it's kind of like the Sweepstakes - they give the "prize" to a few people and then the rest "fail." While I was on vacation, on Dec 22, they decided to change the assignment submission location from Portland to Toronto. I didn't get the message from their bulletin board until after I'd already sent my assignments to Portland on Dec 29, and when I returned from vacation. As a result, instead of 14 business days, it took them almost a month to get my grades to me. And as mentioned, there is no feedback to tell me how in the universe I can attain a score of 1 out of 10 on a mission statement or any of the other assignment grades for that matter. (Mind you my field is marketing - I've helped clients construct mission statements!) I think a person would have to be almost without a pulse to get a score like this - a scam?!
During the grading process, Barbara B, who was marking my grades mysteriously "left" the company - she'd passed the course herself and seemed like a decent and reasonable person (as far as I could figure out by FAQs) - maybe she was too honest! There was no communication about when my assignments would be graded, except they kept telling me my scores were "temporary" scores put on the site so I could take the test. I logged on today to see that these were in fact my permanent scores. Bunch of baloney!
There is nothing they provide that you couldn't do yourself from a book you purchase, or for that matter, get from the library or online. I dutifuly completed all of their course assignments, worked like a virtual dog because I staged the homes of friends and family who are not moving, and didn't feel that I had enough experience or the confidence to go out into the community at that point. I also had to retake photos many times as I'm not an experienced photographer, and they give VERY LITTLE GUIDANCE in this area too.
Even my degree in marketing and many years of business experience left me ill-prepared for this situation. I'm not a "just-out- of-college newbie" and am used to self study, but this program is more like a "self-taught" versus their term "home study" course. I took the tele-class and frankly, was completely surprised that it provided less information than one can obtain from a Google search, particularly since Kimberly U has such amazing credentials. I also timed out of the test. My scores don't add up when compared to the feeback I've received from those whose homes I staged - they've told me I changed how they relate to their homes!
Sorry this is so long, but I am quite upset. I'd like to help others not get sucked into this nightmare of a company. Wish I'd looked closer first, but made the wrong assumption that HGTV would be a reliable source for goods and services - it pays to check things out first! This is the REAL Business 101.- Oh dear, I could swear I wrote this article. I'm only half way through the course and pretty much know how this is all going to play out. I suspicioned that there would be low scores to avoid hiring or refunds, but hoped it was only my own warped theory. I wish I had known there was a site to read all this before I shelled out my very hard earned money. I truly feel self-taught, there is very little "meat" in their training curriculum, and the constant changing of procedures is really unprofessional. I can't help wondering what my future (if any) will be with this company. I, too, figured if i saw the HGTV ad and the stagers show, they must be very good. I wish us all good luck!
- Emmy I didn't know there was a place to find this stuff out either. It all seemed to be so straight,I was so caught up in their false promise of "GUARANTEED EMPLOYMENT" I missed the deception completely. I didn't recognize the sceme until I tried to get some help. There was none and when I asked for a refund of my money I was told they of course was looking for the best of the best. Maybe if they really were they wouldn't have taken my enrollment because I'm the same caliber of person I was last year when they took my money.
- A sent HGTV an email explaining what was going on with Haverhill in October and they never responded back. I did not find it proper that HGTV could not defend having Haverhill adds run on or their station scamming so many of us because we trusted HGTV so I ended my subscription with them in November. All this to say I have begun to doubt how innocent HGTV is in all of this.
- Hi everyone, lst time posting. Reason? Was ck'ing into Haverhill's program, but thought to check if there are negative comments/complaints. Bowled over by sooooooo many bad reports. One thing that did bothered me, I couldn't get "Eddie" @ Haverhill to answer by question regarding the portfolio. How can you have one if your just starting out?? He said I would get that answer AFTER I signed up. If a company is reputable they should be able to answer all questions. I live in the Knoxville, Tennessee area of U.S. and I called HGTV since it's "in my back yard" and they had no info on Haverhill although Heather in Viewer Relations remembered an email complaint a few mths. ago. I was close the signing, but too many of you are saying consistant negative things AND from all over your Canadian area which Haverhill in "in your back yard." I check again in a couple of days to see if any of you have a thought or reply on my posting. Also, if anyone reading this is in my area and is interested in starting a staging company or knows of one that is hiring/training (a REPUTABLE company for training) please reply. Thanks, Ada
- I had looked into the home staging thing and what I found was its best to get in touch with some of the real-estate companies and speak with a few agents. I then called a few furniture rental places and spoke with them as to deals on renting for staging. I think if you do the home work your self it would save you time, money and heartache. Just remember "What is your target market" ie family home staging, 55 plus, and that less is more in most cases. good luck
- I'm right there with you! I thought this was going to be a great new career. I got good grades - though I had to get an extension. THen it took forever to get on a teleclass. Finally, I took the written class, not realizing until told during the class that the "open book" test was timed. I finally took the test, didn't finish and scored a 19 - hmmm, I thought. You need a 20 to be eligible for employment - coincidence? I then studied more, requested to retake the test and took it again. This time, I had a spreadsheet handy to write down the point value for every question and mark the ones I either didn't know and/or couldn't find. I didn't finish this test either, but by my calculations, I passed. And I did - a big wopping 20 : - ) At least I'm now eligbile, I thought. Until I read the Employment Agreement! They only guarantee to emply you for 90 days after which time if they let you go or you resign, you cannot work as a stager or in any other form of business which competes with Haverhill in NORTH AMERICA FOR 24 MONTHS - THAT'S TWO YEARS PEOPLE!!!!! If you deline employment, they don't owe you your tuition back b/c hey, they offered it to you. Great deal, huh? Not sure what I'm going to do now, b/c I never intended to have my own business... Seriously disappointed.
- I'm mad, ashamed and broke! (I wish to God I had seen this blog before signing up with Haverhill! I now hate the name Haverhill and wish I'd never heard of them! I've just spent 7 mos. of my life, floating myself financially, jumping through all of their "hoops", working my tail off to show my talents, get everything done on their time frame, passing their timed test (which I've never seen the likes of before) only to find out that they have No full time or part time employment to offer, only independent contracting @ $24 hr. paid only when you're actually in a home and no guaranteed hours. (they've got themselves covered legally to make changes along the way as long as they offer some type of employment) I waited almost 3 wks. for the phone interview after the test only to find this out and then was told that the NEXT thing I had to do was get an FBI background check done on myself and go get all my finger prints done and pay for this which would take another 4 wks. to complete! (my employment would be based on this checking out ok) Why did they wait till then to mention this?? (stall, stall, more hoops) Plus you are also required to set up your own liability insurance, which I found out about at this time as well. I've spent sooooo much money and time chasing after my dream and now I don't trust these people and don't like the way they run their business. It's a small virtual company swamped with dealing with people like me making a killing while they watch us run out of money, time and desire!! I could write a book about this experience of being "conned"!! I too thought they were legit based on their connection with HGTV. Now I am unable to go off on my own in this business thanks to Haverhill sucking me dry! Stay clear of this company!
- WOW!. Your story is MY story. What a bunch of bull this F*****g company is. Everything you described happened to me. Stall, stall, stall is the name of the game. The people at the office are insanely RUDE, and totally NOT helpful. There is so much that is wrong about this course it's crazy. PLEASE, NOBODY WASTE YOUR MONEY OR YOUR TIME. They state in the first page of the booklet that this course will prepare you to be an "employee". Oh really? Well i was informed that Haverhill does not have any employees. They only "contract" you out- another misleading fact. Also, the course does not take "less than 4 weeks" as stated in the HGTV commercial. Actually, after my 10 emails, 30 phone calls and 8 un-returned phone messages, it took me 10 months to get the offer. And frankly they were probably sick of me calling and just sent me the offer, as i later found out none of my personal references were called, but were somehow miraculously "approved", yet they gave me a hell of a time with my work references, one of which i had to call for HER since she didn't know how to use a switch board when calling someone at an office. Duh! After reading the bull they call "income opportunity agreement," I ran for the hills. I'd be embarrassed to work for a company like this.
- You have got to be kidding. What about "SCAM!" you don't get. You have been warned. The same people are running the entire scam. They got me as well. It's too bad that they are giving home staging a black eye. Who can you trust. They call themselves an Institute but they really are a real estate business. They tell you you are guaranteed a job when you complete the program and then sabatoage you so you don't qualify. Go ahead and then join in when you find out too late that they aren't really hiring the 15,000 people in the U.S. alone now going through this bogus course.
- Yes they do!!!!
I'm in SC. If I had known how they operate before I paid my money and got too far into the program, I would NEVER had done it. I paid over $1000. I was able to do the 7 lesson course and got it in the mail. I sent it 2-day priority so it would get there in plenty of time. But something happened and they did not receive it before my due date. So, I was told (by Colleen) that I'm out of luck in getting a job with them. AND, if I wanted to continue the course, I'd have to pay an additional $100. I told her I had tried to track it on my end and the Post Office didn't have the information. They didn't care.
If you want more information on my experience, or if someone will be filing a law suit in the U.S., you can reach me at rseaton@sc.rr.com- Appears we've been duped as well. My wife scored an 82% overall, but has gotten the run around about employment with Haverhill. Someone named Colleen with Haverhill claims the company is closing or has closed. They have 2 employees left only available to finish closing the business. Business was closed in July 2009. (?)
Funny, we phoned Haverhill back after the conversation and talked with Debbie about signing up for the course. All is well. Send your money and start the course! She informed me they are not hiring, but still giving the accretidation. She claims all Haverhill Home Stagers decided to go 'independent'. I asked Debbie for a referral from a satisfied student, but she was unable to oblige. Not one legitimate independent Haverhill home stager could be found on the Internet to date.
I also discussed the possibility of getting a refund since my wife met the criteria and deadlines but was not employed. She said I would need to write a letter to Jason Mirtkowski???? The new owner.
We would be interested in filing a lawsuit. PLease cntact me at your earliest convenience.
Robert Huffer
North Port Florida
By the way- my wife is an excellent home stager!
- Hi Laura.
I agree with everything you have said. I just finished the course, was not able to finish the test in the time allotted, thus was not able to get hired. I found that they did change a lot of things at the last minute and while at first I was able to contact the "instructor" they changed mid way and from that point on I was not able to talk to a human. There were 110 people in on my teleclass and it was completely useless. I felt really isolated and kept questioning them about their advertising claims and guarantees. I don't think its right that they were able to just say "oh this has changed and that has changed with no consequences.
Have you any ideas on what we can do to have them investigated? Are there any others that we can ban together with to at least get refunds? I am very frustrated and feel very used!
Where are you? I am in the Montreal area and I am wanting to start my own home staging business. I would like to pair up with other stagers to do some real business.
Thanks for letting me vent!
Ruth
rutheastman@videotron.ca- Hi Laura
I'm in Calgary,AB and boy, i wish these comments were available back in June when I signed up. My husband said, "it's likely as scam" and it is! I worked extremely hard on all the assignments, which should of been the first red flag because they said it was easy and you can get through them in 4 short weeks. Not so. I found the tele-class useless as well and really sense Kimberly was keeping her distance. The test is impossible to finish - just like they plan as they have no intention of returning anyone's money or hiring them. I'm writing a letter to them asking for a refund but I am sure interested in banning together is some way as a group to stop them from continuing this fraudulent business. Live and learn boy. Sounds too good to be true, is. I can send you my email if you get this response.- Hi Louise and Laura:
I can so relate to what is being said. I too, sent for the course in June. I expected to complete it in 2 months over the summer, which I thought was a reasonable goal. I rushed to submit it by end of August. It took 4 weeks for Kimberly to give me a letter that included some comments. As an educator I know that type of 'report card' was very deficient. To date, I have not received such an incomplete assessment of my work in the 17.5 years of formal education I have undertaken. When I queried, Kimberly continued to evade my questions. She would not tell me how I could improve my marks but simply indicated to do more rooms. I don't know exactly why I only received 70% for my lessons. It took me 92 hours to complete the exercises. I was unable to get references for Lesson 6 as the contractors were not forthcoming. Kimberly simply told me that I needed to get them. The hours I spent on the Lay-out lesson was a total waste as we won't even be doing that if we work for Haverhill as I found out during the tele-class. Additionally, I have been the recipient of one unpleasant surprise after another. I was guranteed 31.45/hr. upon successful completion. Now I find it is less than I make as a substitute teacher! I also found out I shall never receive 31.45 as the average home price in Winnipeg doesn't meet their new standards. Not only that, but we need 80% to pass the course. The in-class component was a tele-class of over 120. I too failed to complete the final exam (my first time ever!). I am going to do a re-write. If I do not pass the test, I'm going to take my concerns to the BBB, the administration of Haverhill and find out if the Ontario Provincial Education Dept. will assist me in getting a refund. Keep me posted on your situation too!- Hi Elisabeth
I just read your email. I get the same lack of support and unanswered questions from Kimberly and staff. I finished the assignments with 8 or 9 on each one but for the amount of time and work I put in I should of been hired period! I also have some interior decorating courses behind me and learned far more from that than from the materials provided from Haverhill. I sure wish now that I would of sent the course materials back which was my first inclination when I received them. However, I was willing to give them a chance and provided my good faith, as did many others like us, only to be scammed. I really hope we can all ban together somehow and make this public. I plan to write to our local TV station in Calgary and maybe they will publish something. They are definitely advertising falsley and shouldn't get away with it. I will let you know if I get anywhere. I can't decide to write the test again oro not. They are so dishonest, why bother.....- If you hear or read of anyone that has been scammed please have them email me as I will be keeping a record and we can see where we can go from there, there is more power in numbers. I will type my store on here within a couple of weeks if my requests are not being dealt with properly from Haverhill.
moira13273d@gmail.com
Thanks I am a Haverhill Student- I wish I would have found this website before taking the class as well. Everything I have read is very accurate with what has happened to me. I asked for a copy of my test and they will not give it to me. They set me up with a conference call (yes...with a real human being) for a month from now. PLEASE!! I am with you on the Class Action Suit! My boyfriends dad is a lawyer and I am thinking about getting him involved. I definitely want to do something about this SCAM they are running so no other unfortunate people get screwed!!
- For everyone who has been scammed by this company and has decided to come on this webpage to voice their opinions...let's do something about it. If you are interested in filing a Class Action Suit against this bogus company, please email me at txlady_di@yahoo.com. They shouldn't be able to take people's dreams and money without any recourse to their actions. I have read several blogs on different websites and I am amazed. Let's stop bitching and take action!!
- I ordered the program and thought I could finish promptly which is nearly impossible if you are working full time and need to stage rooms. After a couple of weeks I was sent a letter stating that if I did not complete the course within a month I would not be eligible for hiring. Additionally, I would have to pay an additional $100 to schedule the class! Incredible. I too wish I would have located this website prior to spending my family's hard earned money. Please keep me posted on your progress.
- Appears we've been duped as well. My wife scored an 82% overall, but has gotten the run around about employment with Haverhill. Someone named Colleen with Haverhill claims the company is closing or has closed. They have 2 employees left only available to finish closing the business. Business was closed in July 2009. (?)
Funny, we phoned Haverhill back after the conversation and talked with Debbie about signing up for the course. All is well. Send your money and start the course! She informed me they are not hiring, but still giving the accretidation. She claims all Haverhill Home Stagers decided to go 'independent'. I asked Debbie for a referral from a satisfied student, but she was unable to oblige. Not one legitimate independent Haverhill home stager could be found on the Internet to date.
I also discussed the possibility of getting a refund since my wife met the criteria and deadlines but was not employed. She said I would need to write a letter to Jason Mirtkowski???? The new owner.
We would be interested in filing a lawsuit. PLease cntact me at your earliest convenience.
Robert Huffer
North Port Florida
By the way- my wife is an excellent home stager!
- listen ppl, i passed he coarse and the test and have been offered emplyment by them as well, u guys need to get a life and stop bitching about all ur problems, if u cant pass the coarse who's fault is that. i did, i am am a "REAL" student, so give me a break.
its a ligit compnay and all these bligs of suing, lol. there is no grounds to sue on. so ppl like i said get over it , if ur to lazy to get the work done, and cant pass the test . too bad.- Where did everyone get the "they hired 4 people" stat? From that one angry blogger that is everywhere? Or did more than one person actually hear it from a Haverhill representative? I ask the question to HH and kinda feel like I get the runaround about the answer. How many have they hired in Canada? The U.S.? I mean, they have to be hiring SOMEONE, and if it isn't students then who?
- you guys are all a complete joke. this is the last time i will be blogging on here cus ur all just not worth the time. first im not kimberly, i am a real person who did get hired by haverhill. so all u lazy fat middle aged house wives on here who have nothing better to do then talk smack get a life , u guys thought u would actually pass the the coarse with ur eyes closed, if u took a coarse at the design institute DT toronto, do u think they would pass u just because u paid for it , or would u have to earn ur marks , com on ppl...wake up , get a life...
- Just to inform you, i am not fat nor lazy. my weight is 108 and i have lots of energy. Matter of fact I earn a six figure income along with my husband. Hard work has never been an issue, perhaps it is all of Haverhills inconsistances and "us lazy middle aged house wives" have much higher expectations. Perhaps if we lowered our standards Haverhill would not be recieving so much static. Really its sounds to me that you have no class, and look for any oppotunity to enable yourself to appear better than you feel.
- If you feel the need to insult, then I feel the need to ask who you REALLY are? When people lash out, it's a good sign there's no legitimacy in their claims. Otherwise, you'd have no need to prove anything, now would you? Good "luck" to you in your "employment" or your fantasy life. Whichever.
By the way, I'm far from lazy and I have talent too...enough said. - ATTN: Everyone who has been scammed: Clearly, in order to pass and be offered a position you have to be an idiot like me2u - You need horrible spelling and grammar. Now that we have pinpointed the problem go and take the test and misspell words and use words like cus!!! Good Luck!
me2u -> Is searching blogs for negative responses your "busy" work until HH finds a house for you to stage? Are you not lazy, fat, and middle aged????Your second life avatar doesn't count.......
- Hello,
I can definitely confirm they've only hired about 5 people in the entire US!!!
I came straight out & asked them. I was looking into this program just this past April of 09. I live in the US & saw the commercial on HGTV. I checked them out extensively with the BBB and everything. They ranked an "F" with the Canadian BBB, had 18 complaints! I'm glad that I decided NOT to get involved with their program! Especially after reading these blogs..they're too expensive anyway!!
- If Haverhill is so wonderful and Jackueline Forde claims she works in the office answering questions and goes out to homes to evalute and stage them,how ever does she find the time for her own business she has started called alluring interiors. Did Haverhill really hire her was she really telling everyone the whole story? Seems a little fishy.
- I completely agree! You are all b***h b***h bitching! I'm sick of it! I have almost finished my lessons & today is August 30 & I started August 2! You guys don't know the meaning of get over yourselves! The company was bought by Sutton Group to help out with issues that need ironing like this. I'm sorry you didn't pass but I've passed all my lessons. Maybe being an interior designer helps I don't know. But even if i decide not to work for them I will start my own company. I already have the cards & website. Get over it! Thank you for the 1 to 2% of you that are optimistic...I guess it's true misery loves company! I've been unemployed due to the economy now for months, I'll be happy making $15 at this point! Grow up & start doing something positive in your lives instead of running others down
- Hi Elisabeth, I am still in the course, wrote the online exam last week. Still waiting for my marks and now I have to show credentials for exercise 1 and she {Kimberley) said she would inrease my mark from 5 to 8. I am unsure on what I am supposed to do next and put a few calls into her, still waiting!!!! Kinberley is supposed to be our support person but yet she never returns my calls. I am totally frustrated. I have have a full time job in the meantime with diminshed hopes of every becoming a professional home stager. I feel I have wasted my hard earned money on this course.
- Hi Elizabeth, I found out before finishing the 7 lessons that they were scamming me and requested my money back. I feel what the heck am I going to send myself through all that for when they are not going to hire me anyway. I'm thinking lawsuit myself. Keep me posted and I'll keep you posted. This scam has got to end!
- Hi Marilyn,
I could be you - that's how similar our Haverhill experiences are. I was furious that I pretty much gave up my summer (I'm a teacher too) working to get the assignments completed only to be told that I failed (my first time ever too and I have an M.Ed.)simply because my tradespeoples and homeowners had not verified and a few other details which do not affect my talent as a stager.
Also, the 'course' was absolutely useless. I knew mmore from common sense and general home staging advice available almost anywhere. SCAM, SCAM, SCAM. I would gladly be part of a group who wanted to expose this company for what it is. My heart goes out to those present and future students who have little money and a big dream.
Michele - Hi
Sorry to hear about your issues with Haverhill. Recently we've interviewed over 25 people that took the course and said the same things as everyone else. We are the largest Home Staging company in Ontario and we are currently offering a program that might be of interest to you. Several Haverhill "graduates" are currently taking this program with ua and like that they are learning about the business and can make money while they get hands-on training. Please see our Co-op Program for new Home Stagers at http://www.homestagerscorp.com and click on the "Stagers Co-op" button. Contact us if you are interested in a career in Home Staging. Our business has grown exponentially and continues to grow through the tough times and we can show you how to establish yourself in the business. FYI:***We make no false promises. We are not offering a full-time "job". This is an opportunity to build your own Home Staging career.*** - Hi Mariln,
Just recently I have been reading some of the comments on teh forums, and lke you, I should have read into this more before I signed up for the course. My Boyfriend kept saying that there has to be a catch and they probably fail most ppl so that they dont have to refund or hire. I have not completed my course yet, i still have to write the exam, which i am now nervous for after reading all tehse horror stories, but your comment on if you do get hired they only keep you on as an employee for 90 day and tehn you cant work for any competitor for 2 years?? where did you get this info, b/c i thought i read all the fine print thoroughly, and didnt see that. as well as you mentioned that in Winnipeg we dont qualitfy for the $31.45/hr... do you knwo what we qualify for? my plan was to hopefully get hired with Haverhill until i could build up my own clientelle, so i could branch off on my own, but at this point i dont feel confident enough to stage homes on my own, as i dont feel that there was adequet training. i just want to know what have you done with the certificate you earned??
- I feel absolutely sick reading all of these horrible comments. I haven't even finished this nightmare course yet and that is what has prompted me to try and get feedback from other women who have enrolled. Back in July is when I enrolled with great enthusiasm, I just did the test last Saturday morning and didn't finish on time, you can't get a live person on the phone, Kimberly U has only given me 40 out of 70 on my course material and believe me I worked my a** off on those exercises. I feel sick now and she left me this message saying she will increase my mark by 3 if I produce credentials in the student profile? What the hell does that mean I tried calling, nobody is getting back to me I have posted my concerns and nobody cares, I haven't got my results back yet from the test but guaranteed I have failed. This is very disappointing to me and I would appreciate someone to respond because I don't know what the hell to do next?
- Hi Ruth,
I'm in Illinois and they are just getting the scam going here. I'm reporting them to the Illinois State's Attorneys Office. Here in the United States we have some protection from fraudulent business practices. If nothing else maybe they will be prohibited from doing business in Illinois. Everybody and business here in Illinois is not crooked!
Michele- Try the Attorney General's office as well because I don't know who's jurisdiction it is in. Ask about class action suits as well.
By the way my daughter called the BBB and they did not have a negative thing to say about them just that they are a new company. I bought the program too and am seriouly disappointed. I have a Ph.D. and 2 Master's degrees.- Hi,
I have a Bachelors and part of my Masters and thought that I could add this to my credentials.... Boy oh Boy ... I spent sooo much time and a lot of money on this program. I did four friend's homes and they were all quite pleased with my work ... I am hurt and upset over the way I have been treated by this company. Did you take the test? If so did you pass the test and receive a certification? Is it even worth getting the cert? Are you able to find work on your own?
- Credentials for Chapter 1,2,3 are the people, where student did staging. To check it out, Haverhill send these people official letters for conformation adresses and describing work what had been done in the house during staging. The house owner must sign this letter and send back to Haverhill
- Hi Louise:
I am a student in Calgary that has just discovered this blog and like others, wishes I had seen it before I committed to this last summer. I have just sent in my booklets today as a matter of fact, and pretty much have concluded I likely won't get very far, notwithstanding the huge amount of effort I have, like others, put into the work. Too bad really, but I am not going to let Haverhill disuade me from my dream - I will get there in spite of them, that I am sure about.
I believe that in the end, if I fail, it could have been much worse. Given the state of the economy these days and the investments that I personally have that have gone south, losing $1,000 and some time is minor to me, and I acknowledge and appreciate the work I have been exposed to.
What I am upset about isn't the loss of money, it is the unethical business practice that appears to be going on, and I would very much like to work with others to bring about a change and some restitution to those that have been impacted.
I was hired when the rate was $31 and promised that I would be grandfathered with that rate as I signed on back when it was offered and that I would earn that regardless of whether I chose to work part-time, full-time or casual. I was told that verbally over the phone by the women I first talked to - not Kim U. her name was Shelly F. Shelly in fact called me back before I signed to pressure me and used the tactic that they were going to be lowering their hourly rate to what she thought was $20, and I had better sign on if I wanted that higher rate of $31.
Anyway, I was reading the FAQ section, and noticed this very weekend, that you have to actually "apply for employment", 6 months after you "receive" your materials, not after you "pass". This was never explained when I signed on, nor is it written anywhere in the course materials. I do have a question posted about both these matters and I am waiting on a response. I do find they respond within the 2 business days they say they will in the FAQ section, and so far I have had my questions answered.
I will be signing on to the "useless" tele-class in the next couple of weeks, and will give it a go at writing the test. I too am someone with a marketing background, and will be curious to see how it all goes, although I am not now going to be holding my breath. I am also an overachiever when it comes to preparing for tests, etc., and with this being open book, I suspect if I haven't memorized all of the contents of the materials, it could be difficult to extract exactly what they are wanting.
I am ready to work with others to effect change. I will check back to see how things unfold with this over the next little while.- With regards to the test Good Luck. It is not a test of knowledge but designed to ensure that you don't get a passing grade which is at least 66% on the test alone, regardless of what you get on your submitted work.
Hint: If you have the time scan the actual book in a program that will recognize text ... on the test they expect you to repeat exactly what is found somewhere in the book ... Here is an example " combining a _______ with its nearest ______________ on a ____________ wheel." That is the majority of the questions and they do not return your marked exam ...so you really don't know how you do. Total BS.- I actually typed the entire book into a Word document after I failed the the test the 1st time around and I passed the second time. The test mostly has fill in the blanks which are word for word from the text book (you just can't memorize/learn all that and under pressure) I finished the test. Practice first toggling before the test. Do a bogus test yourself with fill in the blanks from the text book and then go to your word document to find the info. When you are writing the test, have your Word document open and toggle between the two sites. Regardless, I did receive the 80% mark to get hired and it was still terrible. I applied in April 09, it took them 4 months to offer me the "Income Opportunity" (after countless of calls)...I started in Aug 09.and what I had to do is, in my assigned territory, I had to find 300 houses for sale in my territory in 2 weeks (no exceptions) but in three days, I only found 30 houses and wasted almost 2 full gas tanks of driving around for 5 hours each day (they do not reimburse you for gas). They wanted me to put a door hangar on the persons door for sale and their special email address. I terminated the agreement, it was a big waste of my time! It's in there employment guarantee...read closely, it's actually on their website on what your day entails (prospecting business)...I got suckered in too...and would not recommend this so called Haverhill "Institute" to anyone!
- In April, did you have to provide a criminal background check and liability insurance before they "hired you to do door-to-door solicitations"? It has been 2 months since I applied for employment, passing their idiodic program with an 84%. On the application, there was no full-time offered; independent contractor only was defaulted into their application. Someone needs to take action legal action immediately against these thieves.
- I wish had read some of these comments before I took the course. I studied very hard, got high marks on my projects. I timed out the first time on the written test, I did take it again only to be told that my total score was only 76%, of course not high enough for employemnt. They would not return my test scores as I requested, so you have no way to know what you passed or missed. I am a college graduated never scorong below a 90% on tests. This class is a scam.
- I too took this course, I'm embarrassed to admit. I ended up with just under 80%. The tele-test was a waste of time, there was nothing in it that you wouldn't learn by googling.
The course was entirely self-taught; again, you could google and get more help than through HH. I'm a professional designer and I learned nothing from the course.
The written on-line test was 55 questions long. There is no back button, so if you skip a question, too bad, you can't go back. I completed the 54th question and it timed out, so that answer didn't show up. I called HH and spoke with a marker, and she told me that over 30% of the marks are in the last 3 questions, and very few people get that far. So, the odds are stacked against you.
Recently, I received an email and a letter from 'Eddie' stating that they are urgently looking for stagers, and even if you get less than 80% they will hire you on a trial basis. He didn't realise I had already done the course. I wrote him back and said that's great because I've completed the course, so I'll be looking forward to that job offer (riggghhhttt). Of course I've never heard back!!!
I had a friend email them to say she was selling her house and was interested in hiring one of their stagers, and she got a return phone call asking her to sign up for the staging course.
'Nuff said. Live and learn. I wish I had found this site before I threw that money away. Good luck to you all.
- I took the test three times and got a pretty high mark. However, I went into my profile on their website today and they have lowered my marks assigned to me for Exercises 1-7 so that the overall total is way below the passing mark! If somebody is going to sue them - I will be glad to testify as I have saved my marks (webpage snapshop) before and after. Thi sis simply awful what they do. Any questions - please write to me at svetlana.north@gmail.com.
- Hi...
I was wondering if your girlfriends has taken the exam a second time. I myself have just finished my courses with haverhill. I rec'd high marks on my projects and a 79% on my exam but am ineligble for employment. Their marking is inconsistant and I am waiting for a reply to discuss my marks and how they were marked. My husband suggested to write the test a second time and see what happens. When I was on my tele-class, there were 130 people on line. Think ANY of those people will be hired?
I am feeling pretty deflated right about now.
Have you proceeded with legal action?- Only the suckers will be hired, and then work for about 2 months, only to pull in other suckers.... it's a scam, but they're made sure it's legit on their part. They make everyone feel like they're 'not resourseful' enough or not a hard enough worker. I know a stager that got laid off recently... It's a really bad company to associate with. And forget them advertising to get you jobs if you do get employed. you have to do it yourself.
- I just wanted to share a positve experience with Haverhill. I have nothing to gain or lose by sharing this info. and you can do want you want with it. I too joined the Haverhill school. They have honoured everything they claimed. Yes, I agree it was not easy and I joined before the FAQ section, but with hard work and patience I was able to obtain over 80% average. To say that it is impossible to complete the test in time is incorrect as I completed it in one hour and 25 mins. and I had 2 hours. Yes I had to study hard! Yes they do change your marks until they verify your credentials but how else can they weed out cheaters if they don't check??? anyone can say they did the work and didn't come on we all know people like that! But as soon as they are confirmed they change your marks back. I think if you have passion in what you are studying and patience to complete all aspects of the course and see it through to the end..you will be successful. Yes, it did take a little longer to complete all aspects of the course than I thought it would. I feel that like with all new companies they have obstacles to overcome and changes are to be expected. But, I can happily say that I have been hired by Haverhill, at the pay rate that was assigned at the time of my contact, and I received a full refund for the course also! Not everyone has the same experience or feelings about the same things so I just wanted to share mine! One more thing...even if I had not be hired I would not have lost anything and only gained knowledge that I didn't have before for free! Win=Win
- Hi sorry to hear you are receiving the same scam in test. I wrote the test three times first score was 10!!and I apparently did not finish it, I found that they do not tell you that you cannot go back to add or correct a test without it skipping over questions to get back to continue. When I complained that there is no instructions to atest to this they said they would not count this test. The 2nd & 3rd test I wrote and got exactly the same score 19!???. I then got really mad because I have written the real estate exam and passed it on the 1st writing so what was wrong with my mind on this test. I persistently called Kimberly U who is my instructor that I was supposed to be in contact with for help and info....I spoke to her once when I asked to have my exam answers reviewed....What is with a score of 19 twice!!! She reviewed the 2nd & 3rd and finaly got me upto a score of 20....The assignments were another story....the same thing...she finally reviewed them again and gave me a better score....1 point short....so I sent more info on the trades that would not supply their customers names for references or their contracts to someone who is not going to be a customer...I then sent copies of their guarantees off the internet and that finally gave me to mark needed..I then got into a dispute about them not offering the link to apply for a position then this finally showed up for me after I complained again about the time frames on marking ..I am now working on the application and will let you know how this goes..at this point when speaking with Danielle, she said they were not hiring now as there was no call ins had hired one only! stager that was a real estate agent..I asked when they would be hiring any full time and was advised that they would be hiring part time first then full time if required..When I purchased the course they were advertising $41.00 per hour for full time and now it is down to $31.00/hr.full time and $24.00 per hr partime. WHen pursuing this I was told that I should have received a refund as it took over 4 weeks to mark my exam....to date I have not received the $750.00 refund yet.....I am still going to pursue this job to the end ,as I think it is so sad that such a scam is allowed to go unchecked. I will pursue this position and will also pursue a refund as is stated in their information. to contact me "Sunny" please feel free to email hotlist-homestaging@hotmail.com
- Regarding a refund.....You only get a refund if they decide NOT to hire you. First you must become 'eligible' for employment. That means you must get at least an 80% overall grade PLUS a passing grade on your exam which is a 66% or 20/30. (Does that 66% and 20/30 confuse anyone else besides me?) By the way, when I first spoke with Haverhill prior signing up in March of '09, I was told I needed an overall grade of 80% to become eligible for hire. Nothing was ever said to me about the additional passing grade of the 66% or 20/30 on the test. I got an overall grade of 83% however, I have been told I am not eligible for employment because I did not get a passing grade on the test hummm......OK, so I will go on with what you need to do. Achieve those necessary grades and one becomes 'eligible' for employment. Now keep in mind you must apply for employment before your six month deadline. See page 138 in your, Home Staging Re-Design Guide Book, where it tells you what you need. I will copy it right here for you to read. Quote: "Graduate agrees to work diligently with instructor to assist in their job placement with Haverhill Home Staging Services, Inc., including but not limited to resume / portfolio preparation, self-inquiry, research, letter of introduction, cover letter, resume, reference letters, photo and interviews." Now I do not know as yet, if all that information needs to be submitted prior the six month deadline, but it does state one must become eligible for employment and 'apply' before your six month deadline. Good luck to all of us who are working so hard on this course trying to get in the field we love! At the moment I am communicating with Haverhill regarding their statement about my achieving an overall grade of 83% being enough to qaulify me for employment.
- I too enrolled in this course, but yet to write the test. I feel much the same as "Hired by Haverhill" that if you do the work and do it hard and see it through to the end it's beneficial. I have not been hired so have nothing to gain from writing this, but if you go to college or university, it's much harder and much longer to be acredited.
Please stop all your complaining..... And there is no guarantee of employment period. It is obvious that they will be looking for the best of the best and if you don't cut it, suck it up. Go out now an prove Haverhill as unworthy by going out and starting your own staging business and leave Haverhill in your dust.......
Take want you have learned from this a make it a positive.- Oh my god! I wish I had found this site before my review time of my course materials was up! That way I would have lost only the $295 processing fee (rip off!) I knew Haverhill was too good to be true! I felt this after reading their little book and then seeing what they wanted me to do in the exercises, I have had to purchase 3 other reference materials to education myself on the subject of Home Staging! Then I saw what other companies were offering as far as training material at it was 3 times the information! They dont guarantee employment, but sounds like that is a scam that HaverHill is running promoting "guaranteed employment"! How did they win an award for award winning home study course????? Even though it is only $995 that is lost, the money doesnt matter. Its the trust and faith I had in HGTV to promote a reputable company but I guess they didnt do their part. Thats really sad especially in this day and age. If anyone wants to do a group claim against this company, let me know, I will be happy to try and prevent anyone else from going through the same thing!
Thanks for all the input!- I had the same realization you did after reading the first couple booklets. I was laid off my job and thought it would be a good time to complete the course boy was I wrong. I haven't done the tele-class or written the test but at this point I don't really care to. I only wanted to do homestageing part time while I'm in school earning a degree in interior design. I thought it would be a good way to earn money. I didn't have the money to waste and am looking to join any lawsuit aginst Haverhill. I'm a broke college student who only wants her money back. My $1000 bucks could have gone twards tuition(which I'm paying myself)or my mountin of debt. Everything in this course you could of learned at your local library or book store for real...sincerly disappointed. Please email me if there is a lawsuit because i'm signing up! I'm in mpls minnesota so all of us in the usa need to get together. I think HGTV needs to take some responsibility. Have you noticed the comercials have stopped...
bird_smn@yahoo.com- Yes..... I have noticed the commercials have STOPPED. I wrote HGTV and told them how shameful they should feel advertising with out a disclosure statement (forwarning their viewers about Haverhill). Other station do it all the time.... I check everyday for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening.... Have not seen one commercial... I am also looking for a lawsuit action against Haverhill... my email address is
m.antoinetteliles@gmail.com
- What is your name so that we can look you up on there web site. has anyone looked up Haverhill staging in the BBB they now have 20 complaints against them one being from me as one of the very first students. Graduated with over 80% even received a letter from them wanting to know when I could quite my job to go work for them. Then 8 and 1/2 months later had to fight to get my real marks. Great company NOT
- THANK YOU! I HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ONLY BECAUSE WHEN I TOOK MY TEST I DID NOT FINISH IN TIME AND I ANSWERED 42 QUESTIONS AND RECEIVED A LOW SCORE. NOW THAT I UNDERSTAND HOW THEY TEST I HAVE A BETTER SENSE OF HOW TO STUDY. I AM GLAD TO HEAR IT IS POSSIABLE AS I BELIEVED. I WAS IN DOUBT BECAUSE OF MY SCORE WITH THE NUNBER OF QUESTIONS THINKING( MAYBE IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO FINISH) IF YOU WOULD SO KINDLY SHARE HOW YOU STUDIED I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.
- Thank you for sharing your positive experience. I was planning to order the kit tomorrow, but after reading all these horror stories, I have been scammed before and am now terrified. I had pretty much decided not to do it until I read your comments. If you would care to share more, I would appreciate it, as I was really interested in the opportunity. Thank you.
- Sounds like you were one of their token 20 when they first started out. When these poors folks can not even get their phone calls returned then it sounds like a scam to me. As I professional, alot of red flags pop up when there are these type of irresponsible business practices and no full public diclosure as to the sucess rate. It the success rate is legidimately that low, then that is a reflection of their poor instructional course. NObody is qualified to pass a test. Not worth the money.
- Thank you for your positive remarks I know it's hard. That's what live is when you work hard for something. I pray daily for my success & I truly have a mind for interior design since I am one & have been for 15 years. For those that don't know why I don't practice my trade anymore it's called this crappy economy! But thanks for being positive!
- Hi- I am so happy to have checked this company out. I thought I smelled something funny, when the Haverhill Rep kept contacting me back about the staging course. I thought that her remark that the cost to take the class was not bad. Almost $1000.00. I asked her several in depth questions about how in this depressed economy anyone is going to want to or be able to shell out the $250.00 that would be charged them to stage their home for resale. She indicated that $250 was reasonable and that in fact clients were willing to pay the fee to get their homes ready to sell. What a crock. Better safe than sorry. Thanks
- Hi- I am so happy to have checked this company out. I thought I smelled something funny, when the Haverhill Rep kept contacting me back about the staging course. I thought that her remark that the cost to take the class was not bad. Almost $1000.00. I asked her several in depth questions about how in this depressed economy anyone is going to want to or be able to shell out the $250.00 that would be charged them to stage their home for resale. She indicated that $250 was reasonable and that in fact clients were willing to pay the fee to get their homes ready to sell. What a crock. Better safe than sorry. Thanks
- I have taken the Haverhill Home Staging Course. My friend loaned me the money to pay for it. I have had my course extended until May 10th because of medical reaons. I am afraid that I will not be able to finish the course on time and I have to pay the loan to my friend back. Is there any other course I can take that does include finacial assistance?
Ant answers, please email me at bmh03@yahoo.com- my mom completly passed the course and had an interview it went well and it all sounds good but what hasnt? i think that alot of u r exagerating a little because u couldnt pass but i really would like to know if anyone that has passed the course has been hired or if any of u have my mom is more conserned with the job itself or a home staging career more than the money spent or promised so if u have any answers or recomendations to other much more legit or credable*
- I have been hired as an independent for Haverhill. Today I received a letter stating they will refer work to me but cannot pay liability or offer any compensation. We would be in contact directly with the homeowner. Walk away quickly. I started this in Jan 09 and just hired Oct. Have jumped through every hoop they have thrown at me and end with nothing.
- Just want to add my story to the blog. I started the course with Haverhill last March. Had the same experience as all the rest - no feedback, had to take the test three times, tons of red tape to get to the interview point, then more red tape to get the actual "offer". They DO NOT hire anyone. They state very emphatically in the agreement that it is not an employee/employer relationship. The real scam is that you are not paid by the hour. You are paid per "listing" of homes on the market that you solicit by placing door hangers at the homes and providing Haverhill with all of the listing info. They base the pay of $24 an hour on the fact that you are expected to get 5 listings per hour at a rate of $4.80 per listing. This doesn't sound too awful until you actually try to do it. I spent 5 days, 8 hours a day, 2 tanks of gas (which they do not reimburse you for) and only ended up with 50 listings. They pay you $4.80 per listing so that comes out to $240 or $6 an hour - minus the cost of gas, ink and paper (you have to print prospect sheets and maps to mail back to them). Finding the homes was the easy part. Then you have to go on the internet and find all of the info that Haverhill wants including the listing agents email address. If you don't have all the info, the system won't let you enter it and you don't get credit. Once you find all the info, you have to enter it on the website which can take a considerable amount of time especially since there were problems with the site and it kept pulling up the wrong info and it wouldn't let me change it. I was sooo ready to scream at this point!! I knew it was a scam pretty early on but I was determined to see it through if only to find out what the real deal was. Bottom line, I got paid one check for $96 - took it to my bank and they said it would cost me $75 dollars to process it because it was out of the country (I am in the USA). They still owe me $312 which I will probably never see. Of course I didn't get the 300 listings that are required during the first 2 weeks so I was "demoted" to independent stager -they will no longer pay me for listings, only for actual staging jobs, should I get one. Whooopppeee! What do I need them for? So they can keep 75% of the fee?? I plan to start my own business. I did not sign the new agreement and have no intention of ever having anything to do with them again. Except to join the class action suit!!!
- It appears that Haverhill sends those "hired" people out to hang flyers so that they can trap other unsuspecting people into taking the course as well.... not to stage their homes. I haven't read yet whether homes have actually been staged. I thought that was the goal. I suspect it is the same old, same old story. In these tough time there are predators everywhere!
- Hi Ginny,
I went through exactly what you went through!
Horrible experience and a lesson learned...I'll always do extensive research joining any school, business..etc..
Take care and hopefully Haverhill will go down...I did a complaint with the Better Business Bureau here in Toronto...everybody should do a complaint!!! They have a rating of a C+, they should be at an F right now!- Thanks Vivian,
Update. They still owe me $312 for work I did during my first 2 weeks (sep11-25th). Can't get anyone to return my calls or emails. Did anyone else get a letter from Danielle explaining that they are in financially tough times because they didn't get the funding they had aniticipated after they were purchased by the investors? Yeah, right! What? they are broke? They are offereing websites in lieu of payment. I don't think so!! It just gets better and better...- Just got an email back from Danielle. They aren't paying me due to their financial situation! I knew this was a scam but I am just blown away by the fact that after everything I went through, they are now saying they don't have the money to pay me $312. Needless to say, this is not the end. I just filed a complaint with the Canada BBB and requested a full refund of my tuition plus my pay. I will persue every avenue I can to take them down.
- You can google the Canadian BBB. It doesn't cost anything to file a complaint. It was also suggested that we contact the Ministry of Labour, which I have. The last letter I recieved from Danielle said they would pay me the $312 they owe me if I signed a statement saying I would persue this any further. I forwarded it to my lawyer who says it is blackmail. They owe me this money for services rendered and they can't hold it hostage. They said they didn't have the money but, obviously, they do. They are burying themselves deeper and deeper. If they had just paid me what they owed me, I probably would have just let it go but now I am pissed!
- What class action suit? I need to know how to join this... I have been ripped off as well. My email address is m.antoinetteliles@gmail.com. Please let me know!!!!! I joined in July 2009 and have been getting the run around... I am over it. HELP ME !!! Let me know when this class action will take place
- Hey do you have any info on a class action suit? I'm a college student who only started the course for a part time job while earning my interior design degree. If you have any info or get any please let me know. I'm in mpls minnesota by the way(know allot of canadians on here)
Thanks,
bird_smn@yahoo.com
- Haverhill is a scam, no doubt. My wife just finished her first test. As I suspected all along they failed her. The test was very subjective, difficult to find the correct answers even in an open book test. The way some of the the questions are worded it is almost impossible to figure out what they are asking. Haverhill is in complete control of your grade, all they have to do is make sure you fail, and then you can kiss your $997 goodbye. They also give info in thier books that is the opposite of thier website, and they are constantly changing the info on the website. I believe that is done on purpose to keep people confused and increase the failure rate. We WILL also be joining in a class action lawsuit if we don't get our money back.
- I agree with everything you just wrote and I had the same expiernce.
I worked very hard and got high scores on the exercises. My daughter sat along side of me. My daughter just graduated as an chemical engineer and had the same thoughts difficult to pass the test. In the interview they
make everything as simple as possible to pass and get employment. I just
wrote comments on another web-site about Haverhill. They need to be stopped on HGTV. that is where I saw the ad as to hundreds of others.
We should start a class action suite. I took the test three times and could not get a score to 80% no matter what I did. The customer service and webiste was very difficult to cope with.
My e-mail is rslifer6666@yahoo.com - To "pissed off"
I just had the exact same experience on my test today. My husband is a lawyer and he was here and said the same thing you are saying. If you would to discuss this here is my e-mail address.
vitalforces@mac.com
It makes me feel better that I am not the only one that has gone thru this and feels the same way. - Quite frankly, it wouldn't have mattered if your wife had passed the final. I passed the final in August 2009 and received a combined course grade of 82%. I received a 100% on two of the homes I staged and a 90% on the third home. I also received a 90% on the floor plan layout lesson as well as on the mission statement lesson. Since I have a construction background, I was able to submit all the information on the Trades lesson without any difficulty. I completed the course in 4 months, all of my references checked out and I passed the background check. So by now you must be thinking that I was hired by Haverhill and am happily working for $31.45/hour with guaranteed hours of 37.5/hrs. week as promised. WRONG!! After meeting every single one of their employment criteria, I was informed by Haverhill that there are NO full time or part time positions available. The only thing they are offering in place of employmenbt is a 5-page website!! Haverhill has been one of my worst professional experiences. When you call their office you can never reach a live body, they never return your phone calls, some of my FAQ's took over a week to be answered. There is little to no direction from them during the course. The Teleclass is completely misrepresented. It is NOT interactive. Kimberly U. talks for 1 1/2 hours with NO opportunity to participate. Additonally, you learn nothing in the class that you havn't already read in the text book. They had also promised that upon employment I would be flown to Toronto for 2-3 days all expenses paid to shadow a stager while receiving my guaranteed hourly rate. Also not true!
Their money back guarantee also comes with a hitch (NOT mentioned in their commercials, website or textbook). They charge a $250 processing fee and you have to return the books (at you own expense)in "Perfect" condition! I don't know about any of you, but I used the designated areas on each page of the text book to make notes. I'm
guessing that they will not consider my books in "perfect" condition. If any of you are considering a class action suit please contact me at pnutnjojo@aol.com - Quite frankly, it wouldn't have mattered if your wife had passed the final. I passed the final in August 2009 and received a combined course grade of 82%. I received a 100% on two of the homes I staged and a 90% on the third home. I also received a 90% on the floor plan layout lesson as well as on the mission statement lesson. Since I have a construction background, I was able to submit all the information on the Trades lesson without any difficulty. I completed the course in 4 months, all of my references checked out and I passed the background check. So by now you must be thinking that I was hired by Haverhill and am happily working for $31.45/hour with guaranteed hours of 37.5/hrs. week as promised. WRONG!! After meeting every single one of their employment criteria, I was informed by Haverhill that there are NO full time or part time positions available. The only thing they are offering in place of employmenbt is a 5-page website!! Haverhill has been one of my worst professional experiences. When you call their office you can never reach a live body, they never return your phone calls, some of my FAQ's took over a week to be answered. There is little to no direction from them during the course. The Teleclass is completely misrepresented. It is NOT interactive. Kimberly U. talks for 1 1/2 hours with NO opportunity to participate. Additonally, you learn nothing in the class that you havn't already read in the text book. They had also promised that upon employment I would be flown to Toronto for 2-3 days all expenses paid to shadow a stager while receiving my guaranteed hourly rate. Also not true!
Their money back guarantee also comes with a hitch (NOT mentioned in their commercials, website or textbook). They charge a $250 processing fee and you have to return the books (at you own expense)in "Perfect" condition! I don't know about any of you, but I used the designated areas on each page of the text book to make notes. I'm
guessing that they will not consider my books in "perfect" condition. If any of you are considering a class action suit please contact me at pnutnjojo@aol.com
- Hi
I just did the Haverhill test and I agree. I got an A grade for the seven lessons and then did my tele-class and then I studied very hard for the test. Some of questions were not clear and I didn't have a chance to complete the test just like you. It is very frustrating and very dishonest. We should complain to the better business bureau about them.
I know that I probably got a low grade on the test and because of that they do not have to hire me and return the money back. I agree that this may be a way for them to make money. They make the test impossible to pass so that they do not have to hire you. I do agree this is probably a scam!- The Haverhill is somewhat of a scam. I saw the advertisement on HGTV like so many others and kissed my $997.00 goodbye. I was working full time and I quickly realized that it would be impossible to finish the course on time. Knowing that I wanted to stage homes for a living I quit my job. I invested all of the time that I had in finishing the course. I found it difficult to find people who were willing to let me stage their homes. Doing all that is involved is a lot to ask of people. My brother let me do 2 rooms in his home which was I all I had for lesson 2.I had to buy props to do his home. I got a low mark for that. I don't think that I would let someone do it in my home. I did manage to get it done. When it came time to get info from contractors I found that to be a very difficult task. None of the contractors were willing to give me any information,except for one god bless him. I did manage to complete this task but it took a long time to get 3 contractors.
I felt all along that I was being set up to fail. I took the tele-class and studied the book for a week to prepare for the test. Not really knowing what questions would be asked. When I took the test I was shocked to see how poorly written it was. I managed to get through it but on the 43rd question I decided that I wasn't sure about my answer for #41 so I made the fatal mistake of clicking the back arrow key to review what I wrote. The program kept skipping questions. I managed to maintain control at question #47 but I had lost 4 questions. I wrote the essay at the end of the test in warp speed and somehow managed to complete the test with no time to spare. I passed the test, I passed the course barely and I was not eligible for employment. I did get my accreditation and I am starting my own business. This was not the plan.
I can re-write the test and re-do lesson#2 but why bother??? I'm not a fat middle aged housewife and so what if I was. I have been a Customer Service Professional for 16 years and I was making great money. I just wanted to do something that I really loved to do. I feel scammed because the truth is: YOU DO NOT NEED AN ACCREDITATION CERTIFICATE TO BE A HOME STAGER!!! I found this out after I got accredited. I have found so many books on Home staging how to's and I am looking forward to making this horror story my success story.- Congratulations Poppy Speaches! I think I will be going in the same direction as you. Start my own business. I signed up in June 2009 when I saw the advertisement on HGTV after I was let go from my employeer. Because it was on HGTV I thought they were reputable.I am finding that they are not!
I have not taken the test yet and feel that I too will not get a passing grade. So I must consider this a learning experience. I am angered to know that I too thought this would be a great opportunity to get hired to do what I love doing and I am great at staging. I am currently looking at other training companies such as Decorate-Redecorate.com, they look like they offer a great program with alot to back them up. I also saw that they are will to offer 50% off to Haverhill students. Good luck to you!- Please consider my certified classes. www.DesignByDesAnn.com/certfied_training.htm
My stidents from 7/28-30/2009 are already getting their own work! Please consider a One Day Decorating class.
I had one of the best class-room experiences while attending the One Day Decorating course with DesAnn. It was hands on and I learned a wealth of information. Because of this experience I will be able to further grow my real estate career and bring faster sales to my team. Thank you DesAnn for sharing your knowledge and helping to further inspire me!!
Jennifer L. Burgess
Real Estate Sales
Howard Hanna J.C Meyer Realtors
I want to personally thank you for encouraging me to enroll in this class. It was more than I expected, truly. You put such emotion into the class which made it very real. We weren't lectured to, items were discussed and there's a huge difference. Oh how I could make those comparisons to some of those boring college classes. And there IS no comparison. Once again, I want to thank you for a wonderful experience. Getting to know you better is something I look forward to in the future as well. So, thank you!!
Rick Porterfield
Recipes for Design
I was very impressed with the entire three day agenda, her warm reception, and with the marketing materials placed at each of our locations. These would easily rival the training materials presented at the Fortune 300 Company I was employed at for 23 years! DesAnn is an excellent and effective communicator, but even more importantly, she presented in a very enthusiastic and confident manner. She’s very focused, but still made time for all the questions and comments we had throughout the sessions. DesAnn stayed on track and covered all the details necessary to complete the training!
I felt very confident after spending three days with DesAnn that I had adequate training to begin my own business.
Kathy Nix-Fintz
Staging With Design
My best,
DesAnn Collins
2009 Professional Stager of The Year finalist
Design By DesAnn LLC
One-Day Decorating, ODDAA Certfied Trainer
Regional Vice President ~ Real Estate Staging Association RESA
Charter Certified member of The SDP®
Founder of CSR & CHSA
440-324-1957
www.DesignByDesAnn.com
info@DesignByDesAnn.com
http://TheCertifiedHomeStagingAcademy.blogspot.com
Certified Color expert, Interior Decorating & Home Staging Professional
Changing the world one room at a time...By transforming what you own!
- At this point and time you do not need an an accreditation for home staging. But in the future you may, I have worked in the Interior Design field for many years. When I first started out this industry was very much like the staging industry you did not need to have an education in the field to call yourself a designer or decorator, but in the past 7-10 years that has changed. There is now a distinction between Interior designers and Interior Decorators and to be recognized today you must have a background from a accredited school.
I do have a accreditation and by having that education I am a step up on those that do not. If you are serious about working in a field you love you should want to be at the top. Consumers today want to hire contractors/tradespeople who have an education in their field. Anyone can be book smart, but what most people do not realize most of those books are written by people that work in the industry. They are written to give you a small understanding of what needs to be done. There is a fair bit more to just choosing paint colours and finishes.
By the way most of the Decorating, staging courses are built on the technical side it can be quite difficult to teach the practical side of the industry, because, each and every job is different. It is usually not until the student is actually out working in their field that they see how much they have really learned and how it did help them. It is a lot more then what they could have ever read in a consumer published book.
Most programs will have an extremely high standard for marking, because remember their name is behind you.
This post is by no means meant to insult anyone. I just want to give some understanding to the other side. - ...YOU DON'T NEED HAVERHILL TO HOMESTAGE! You can get a license from your county in US for Business Services and go for it! Get your own door hangers, your own cards, your own insurance, create your own contracts, your own fliers, etc. We all had loss and we can sue but we can move forward too.
- Attn: All victims of Haverhill Home Staging.
How many of you have contacted the netwrks that advertise this scam like HGTV? This effects their reputation as well. I know that Haverhill pays for the air time, but they can refuse their business if it could affect their own reputation as well. I would also write to the other companies that also advertise on these same networks with your concerns.
In fact, you could even possibly boycot all businesses that advertise
on these same networks until the said networks stop airing Haverhill ads. Consumers these days have to be very proactive in order to prevent others from suffering the same losses and having crooked businesses profit at he expense of the innocent consumer.- I have contacted HGTV twice. Email and online chat. I watch HGTV everyday. When the Haverhill commercial comes on it breaks my heart knowing it is drawing in another victim. This makes HGTV a partner in the crime. My opinion of crooks taking advantage of people trying to survive in this economy cannot be typed out loud. The Haverhill scam is no different than all the others you are seeing on the news daily, some of which are now doing prison time. PLEASE HELP STOP THE LYING COMMERCIALS !! This is their money line. Contact those who show them! It is easy, go to HGTV.com Go to the bottom of the page and click on contact them. Tell them what Haverhill is doing. If the commercials stop..the money line will too.
- We paid for this course for our daughter since she was unemployed. She thought she did her homework checking out Haverhill in October 2008 and was an avid HGTV viewer.
I contacted our credit card company to see if we could still protest the charge back in December 2008, but doubt this will work since it has been so long. She passed with an 84% eligible for hire, but no full time employment - only independent contractor, no insurance benefits, US taxes taken, etc. as was promised in the beginning. Very sad situation that so many unfortunate people were duped and more continue to be.
Very interesting how they can continue to get away with this. They are a pretty slimmy group of characters. Please contact me if you hear of any class action being taken. My email is janpahde@gmail.com- What can I say? I am almost done with the course, but after reading the endless negative reports................why did I ever feel that this company was legit? I'm confused and a little embarrassed. It seemed so professional with the commercials. I NEVER THOUGHT IN A MILLION YEARS that some one would come up with the perfect scam and advertise it on one of the most respected and probably most watched T.V shows in the country. I will not be finishing this course. I already have a diploma as a certified interioir decorator. I was taking the course strictly to follow a new career path. If you really want to know the truth, I am pissed. I am very, very pissed. I can't really say what I want too! I guess the jokes on me. I'm sure here real soon, there will be no more Haverhill. Too much legal trouble and the stench of scam is starting stink everywhere around them. Of course, if you wanted to come up with the perfect scam, what would you do? Think about it? It's a severely downed economy, people are looking for jobs, people are looking for good paying jobs. The government promotes education as the way to go. Decorating is a new and exciting field to be in. The real-estate market is in the craper! And HGTV is one of the most popular T.V shows around. So guess what Haverhill has exploited? Each every one of those things. And at a $1000 a pop! All you need is to get about 10,000 people or so to join before it starts to get dicey and then you pack up shop. DO THE MATH....that is over $10,000,000! And until there shut down, they'll continue with what they feel is the perfect plan. But deep down inside, they are making promises to thousands of people that they know the cannot keep. May Jehovah God repay to those who set up deceptions and who lie and who cheat! Revelation 21:8
- I am also very angry. I have not completed the course, and basically feel, whats the point? I have high moral standards, and after reading all the horrible remarks from us students, I don't want to be associated with the name of HaverHell. GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY!!!!!!!!!! I feel like a pure fool.
- I was in the same boat as you daughter. I was laid off and thought it would be a great idea. I to am looking for a class action suit to join. I'm currently going to school for interior design and thought it would be a good part time job. I have a plan for the future so I'm not mad. I can stage at any time in the future but I needed the steadyemployment during school. I want my money back plain and simple! My tuition and books are not free! please forward any info on a class action suit ANYBODY PLEASE!!!
bird_smn@yahoo.com
- I started the course this summer after losing my job of 30yrs. Within days I realized I could not get anyone to talk to me on the phone to answer my questions. Some directions were very vague in the booklets. I went ahead and did what I could until I was stumped when I couldn't get the trades people to give me "REQUIRED INFORMATION". I finally gave up and found this site about Haverhill being a scam. If there is a class action suit, how do I join?
- Haverhill does not want to hire you; all they want is your money!!
I enrolled in the course last year, and my full time job ended-up requiring me to work overtime - evenings and weekends, therefore leaving me with no time and energy to complete my assigmments. When my dedline to complete the course was approaching I asked for an extension, they refused and insisted I pay the reactivation fee of $100... When I asked them to provide me with numbers in terms of graduates getting work from Haverhill in my city (a big city of close to 1 Million people) they refused. After insisting, they finally told me they did not know how many but one for sure!! They promised to get back to me with the exact numbers (of course, they never did). I told them that I did not see the value of me paying $100 to finish the course if there were little to no chance of getting employed after graduating. They told me : "of course there is value, you will get a certificate!" Wow! Like I am going to spend $100 for a piece of paper... I can still get home staging contracts without that $100.- It is very sad that in these harsh economic times Haverhill can get away with all the deceit it has. I too took the course in good faith, passed, jumped through all their hoops and am now told they are only hiring independent stagers. They have never, during the whole course, given me a complete answer to any of my questions and even their hiring information is vague. I can't belive some of the messages that I have been reading about Haverhill. What kind of organization sets up students to fail??????? HAVER HELL. I hope these messages get to anyone who is considering paying Haverhill any money. Once they have your money, you can forget about getting any kind of help from them. In fact, they couldn't even give me a precedent on "evaluation procedures". If there is a class action, please count me in.
- Hello All! Has anyone looked into what it would take for a class action law suite? I am going to start making phone calls to lawyers to see what what type of suite might be put against Haverhill for compensation. Sure could use anybody elses help ;) One idea off the top is to email 'Tom Martino' through his web site. He has a radio broadcast show called The Trouble Shooter. Let's email him with a SHORT senario of what's going on with Haverhill and get his attention. Try going through his web site: www.tommartino.com OR www.thetroubleshooter.com to contact him. He might be able to recommend an attorney at law. I also think the best way to keep in touch with one another since there are so many of us is through Facebook rather than this venue. By the way...if you were to calculate damages done to valuable time taken up for the time it took to complete the course, how much would that be for you? I'll find you on facebook soon! As a Christian, I'll be praying God leads us to a law firm who is willing to help and who will recover damages for all of us. With God's help anything is possible. For those who believe won't you please pass a prayer request on for God's help in this? So long for now and see you on Facebook! dd
- FYI: I just sent a message and want to put a date with it here: The above message I just finished emailing above written by "dd", I'm dd, was sent today, December 9th, 2009. I'm the one who's recommending we make efforts for a class action law suite against Haverhill; to comminicate through Facebook and contact Tom Martino. In the mean time please gather your detailed information that has to do with signing up with Haverhill's home study course, have dates, form of payment, amount paid, etc. Let's get our ducks in a row everyone! Thanks!
- For those that may not be aware, the face book account is under Haverhill Home Staging Students. I haven't seen any new entries in awhile so I thought I'd send a reminder. I will join any class action suit that we can get started. Being in the US, I have had some difficulty gettin info on starting a suit in Canada but will add my voice to the growing throng of students who have been screwed by this company. I was told if I signed a letter saying I would not bring any action against them, they would sent me the $350 they owe me for work I completed. I refused. I have been unemployed since last February and could use the money, but it is not worth letting them get away with this. They are still "hiring" people - how can they do that when they can't pay the ones they already hired???
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