I contacted Northwest Employment on accident- I was responding to an employment ad for a school…read morereceptionist in the Tri-City Herald, but it turned out that this ad was a clever ruse. The phone number brought me to Northwest Employment, a company that, for the low low price of $190, will help you get a job. I was upset that the ad had tricked me into calling, but decided to be open-minded and see what they had to offer before writing them off as a complete scam. I had just been telling my husband the night before that I would pay good money for someone to help me find a job, and here was someone asking for good money!
So I listened to the woman's spiel, despite her brusque, bordering on rude demeanor, and rushed, I-don't-have-time-for-this tone. If it works, I suppose it's not such a bad deal- they say they give you access to hundreds of jobs, and you get to meet with employers same day. However, I do not spend nearly $200 without first discussing it with my husband, or, for that matter, having more than 30 seconds to think it over myself.
I politely told her that I had had two interviews earlier in the week, and didn't think it prudent to spend so much money before hearing back from those employers. She responded, brusquely but appropriately, with something along the lines of "We wish you luck." I opened my mouth to ask for her name and extension, so that if I needed the service next week, I could speak directly to her (in case of commission), but she had already hung up!
Reading the above paragraph, I suppose it doesn't sound that awful, but I was very taken aback and offended. I was seriously considering this service, despite the somewhat dishonest way I came into contact with them. I could not believe the complete lack of customer service and common courtesy- as soon as she realized I wasn't whipping out my credit card, she was done. I didn't use the tone I normally use with solicitors- I wasn't shutting her down, or weaseling out of the situation- I simply was not willing to part with $200 less than a minute after being made aware of the service. I was ready with pen and paper to take down her name in case I didn't get the two jobs I had already interviewed for.
I've never been hung up on by a business before. Ouch.
I suppose it's a good thing, though. The internet seems to be rife with complaints and screams of "scam!". Even if you choose to trust what they sell, beware that their customer service is abysmal, and take your business elsewhere.
