Haldane Associates
Ripoff clear and simple: sales techniques similar to time shares and car sales

5 days after filling-in the on-line form and pasting my resume there, I have got a call from Toronto office of the Haldanes to come for an interview.

The first thing that has strikened me is that their 2 receptionists on the 9-th floor of 350 Bay St. are positioned behind glass - things you see usually at the consular sections of the embassies. But senior associate -
Laura Tucker, looked and speaked very professional and to the point during most of the interview, and I almost forgot the issue of the recepionists. Questions and routines were pretty same to other employment agencies, though with some more incline to career counselling. Laura has asked me regular stuff, including the trivial question about what I know about the Haldanes and have I looked about the information on them on the Internet (REALLY GOOD ADVICE - FOLLOW IT GUYS!!!) Sincerely, I have not got beyond their website (BAD PREPARATION - I admit this).

Then things started to divert into a different direction. Laura looked through the forms and finished her 'shpiel' saying that I am the SELECTED ONE (supposed that I have to feel proud) for the second interview that will be in a couple of days but need to come with my wife.??? Because it is an important career and family decision. OK, pass. They want to see us together - let them enjoy it! Looked like time-share pitch we have gone through at Horeseshoe Resort last autumn (at least we've got 1 night at the resort free 4 lift tickets for attending that play).

After this came a word fee... Just a slight a-matter-of-a-fact notion. Like a breeze that you almost do not feel. My question about how much, got reply that it depends, blah-blah-blah, i.e., car salesman type of answer. OK I am being taken, I realized, but agreed to come in 2 days for another interview - what a rush really - other innocents would think that they already have a position for me, as normal recruiters would marinade you for weeks before the second one.

Then comes another surprise when I have got Laura's card: She has just scribbled her name and extention on the generic card. So, senior associate does not have her own business card and email address? "Strange", - I said to myself. But things can happen. May the person run out of cards? Yes. So, pass.

Back from the interview/sales pitch I've rushed to follow Laura's advice - research the Internet about the Haldanes. Luckily almost immediately I have got so much on them on your site! So there is no question I even call them back or answer the call. Thank you guys!!!

Now - after reading materials on the Haldanes, all is clear. Here is the explanation to all my surprises:

1. Receptionists behind the glass - really necessary measure to protect these employees from ripped off customers in case they get out of control trying to get their money back;
2. Question about knowing something about Haldanes from the Internet - though regular at this type of meetings with recruiters, in my case meant to investigate from what angle to pitch (same question interestingly enough I have been asked at time-share site. Do they use same sales consultant/trainer?);
3. Wife's attendance - pure time-share sales technique. One of the guys on this site has already described in a perfect way why this is required. In short - to pressure both to drum out consent and money more efficiently and makes it look like a family decision.
4. Fee - it is enormous, that was the reason for blahing and "shyness" to name the figure.

Thank you guys at usaconsumercomplaints.com!

PS.

LAURA, what about the vaucher for one night at Sheraton Toronto?
You have done your pitch, I have done my part spending 1.5 listenning to it. Be at least like others in time-share business!

Alexei
Markham, Ontario
Canada

Company: Haldane Associates
Country: Canada
Province: Ontario
City: Toronto
Address: 350 Bay St., 9-th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5H 2S6
Phone: 4163639241223

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