I was forwarded these stories on Haverhill Home Staging and thought some of you may find it to be interesting. Honestly, I didn't even know such an industry existed, but apparently there's a market for it. This blogger at the prominent blog WalletPop did some impressive detective work and wrote this negative review of the company and its management, which apparently has frequent spots on HGTV making claims of jobs promising $24-$31/hr after taking its $997 course. Here's a followup post from Tracy at Fraud Files (she frequently covers scams, fraud and writes some pretty good articles on such topics) with her opinion and some excerpts of common complaints posted by anonymous posters, which allegedly, are now under attack by Haverhill for their "libelous claims".
Why do bloggers do articles like this?
Generally, negative posts don't really result in anything positive for the blogger. I usually end up with tons of comments attacking my critique of say, a $3000 mortgage payment system that accomplishes nothing you can't do yourself or a cease and desist notice here and there. But I think there are some people out there that do appreciate the effort and subsequent pain that bloggers endure by sharing warnings, critiques or just points to ponder on companies in the effort of saving a few readers from making a regrettable investment or mistake.
Is Haverhill a Scam?
I don't know, I haven't investigated the company individually and I don't intend to; I'll leave it to the folks already on the case. In this case, I am told that the originator was issued a cease and desist notice. If that is correct (which I have not independently verified), that is unfortunate. I don't get why companies can't just communicate any errors or omissions in and article and demand a correction, or just take the criticism if it's true. Cease and desist letters are in my opinion, a form of bullying and also...a red flag. If someone posts something that is clearly untrue and damaging, then by all means, they should retract it immediately. If someone posts something that is factually correct, yet simply espouses a negative opinion, is that grounds for a cease and desist notice?
My request - Please show your support for bloggers' freedom of speech and continued articles of this nature by visiting their blogs, reviewing the stories, forming your own opinion after performing your own analysis, and of course, sharing the article!Nothing in the aforementioned article is stated as fact, but rather references existing articles from other bloggers and espouses my opinion.
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51 COMMENTS HERE
Haverhill is a scam, my wife just finished the coarse, and test. As I suspected all along, they failed her. The test was ridiculous, impossible to get the correct answers even with the open book test. The questions were very subjective, and some questions were not even covered in the book. Haverhill is in complete control of your grade, all they have to do is make sure you fail, and bam! There goes your $997. We will join a long list of people in a class action law suit if we don't get our money back!
I have taken the Haverhill training coarse. Yes, it is a scam. I am so very disappointed that Haverhill has just taken my money and not given me the material, information, support or resources needed to be successful. Am I the fool to have trusted a company to give me what they promised? I have learned more from books and other training coarse websites than I have from my own school. These other schools give me support and resources and I did not even take their program. I have expressed to Haverhill my disatiafaction and they quite frankly do not care and will not discuss it with me. After waiting longs periods of time for responses to my emails, they reply with vague, empty answers and even blame me for their shortcomings. I wholeheartedly believe they purposefully suppressed my grade in order to not hire me. I have no intention to apply with them and though my score is 83 (80 needed to apply) they say I am inelligable. The exam may as well be in another language, no feedback on the 7 exercises I submitted, and flat out lies about checking my credentials. I am embarrassed to say it is they I am accredited with or to use their logo in my marketing. If you are looking for a training program please research all of your options. If you still choose Haverhill consider yourself warned.
You will be taking their course for the experience of it because they will not follow through with you or help you in anyway. I mean it, they will not.
I have to agree with you both as I have also taken the Haverhill course and it's a joke at best. I have learned more from free information on other staging sites and intend to take their course soon.
My experience is similar to the posts above - little to no feedback on my work, 2 comments told me they didn't even read my work. They will take your money, and even if you pass they will not give you the 80% needed to work for them.
Spend your money elsewhere on an education you can use.
I finished the course also and was quite disappointed with the whole experience. They assign a course instructor to you by name but that person is never the one answering your questions. Why not? I also had to pay shipping to get my home study material back and when I received it there was not one marked note from the instructor in any of the 7 lessons. The comments given on the home study portion in the on-line resource centre were short and offered very little insight. Also, the final test was a joke. Of course, I did not achieve their average to be offered employment. Home Staging and design is an area that I am well versed on from many different sources (before I even applied to Haverhill) and I am not an idiot, although my final mark does not reflect it. I suggest that if you need something to occupy yourself for a short time invest in some magazine subscriptions rather than this course as you will be very disappointed with the process after having invested your hard earned dollars.
We are in the process of requesting our money back, if we do not get it we want to sue. Anyone else interested in a class action suit?
i have paid for the class aswell and yes i would love to do a class action suit on them. I have been reading about the man who is over this program and this would not be the 1st scam that he has done
Hello, I fell for it too and I have been looking all day for people who would be willing to join me in a class action suit. There are tens of thousands of people who have been scammed by this fake company, and we need to all get together and put a stop to it. Please join me also in contacting HGTV (which I no longer watch because of this) to complain because I believe they are still running the commercials. I, for one, refuse to let them get away with my money or to continue doing what they are doing.
class action suit against Haverhill? add me!!!!
skammgoodiez09@gmail.com
I was also interested in taking the Haverhill Home Staging program. I got wind of some other dealings that the owner was in prior to Haverhill and one was an online website for men and women who wanted to commit adultry in their marriage and there was one other but I can't remember what it was. I can't thank you all enough for your information on Haverhill. I will join anyone who wants to get them removed from HGTV because they are a good station and everyone who has had a bad experience, my sympathies go out to you. I'm sorry for your losses and thank you for your candor.
Anyone who has a complaint against them PLEASE submit it to the Better Business Bureau, it is a simple online form. I am looking into pursue the class action as well, but I think this is the first step, at least to get people's attention, and lower their credibility.
I wouldn't want to damage anyone's credibility or reputation myself. I believe this company is damaging their own reputation. I believe that they are purposely manipulating people. Please disregard my prior comment about lowering their credibility, I did not mean to work it that way, and I am not trying to do that. I only want to help other people who are in the same boat as me.
Is there anyone else out there who's credit card got charged an extra charge after they had already paid for the course? I got charged almost $300 twice! They claimed is was a mistake, that they had charged the wrong card, but twice? I'm wondering if this is something they are doing to other people too.
My story is exactly the same as the others here. Looooong delays, vague answers, a test that's impossible to pass, no direction...etc. I would gladly join a class action suit.
I just heard back from Haverhill, my second time taking that stupid test, and I know for a fact I answered all the questions properly as I got them right from the study guide, and I failed, by 1 points! No way! This is a scam, and I will join any class action law suit there is! I'm heading to the BBB N-O-W!
Can everyone who is interested in pursuing this to get their money back join the facebook group "Haverhill Staging Students"? Would that be an easier way to keep in touch?
I also started the course for $997 and they kicked me off the course 2months into it. I filed a complaint with the BBB and I didn't get anywhere there. But I also filed a complaint with my credit card Bank of America and they charge a small amount and I'm waiting for the outcome but they will probably get the $$$ back for me. I wish I would have read stuff like this before signing up, they truely are a RIP OFF, and they said my conduct was unprofessional, but their conduct is they think perfect, but it in real IS NOT. Just get your credit card company to fight the charge for you or you will eat $997 and the course isn't what one needs to become a Stager. Good luck all who have dealt with Haverhill as they are a big FRAUD. You will be taken I can guarantee that.
Submit complaints if you have them to the Oregon Attorney General, since they have an address there. Please. Here is a link to the complaint form:
http://www.doj.state.or.us/finfraud/engexplanation.shtml
Haverhill is not a fraud. It just requires a lot of hard work. I havea a good business now and I'm still glad I took this career path. It was not an ordeal for me but an exciting experience that I was able to profit by.
We saw the ad for Haverhill on T.V. 2 days ago and I have thought about checking in to taking the course. Before even seeing if it is a scam or not I went to the BBB to check them out but found nothing on them. I requested that the BBB look into them.
I think a lot of people have taken the Haverhill Course. I use my accreditation to get in the door everyday and it usually works very well. I'm a go-getter and just love to have my work cut out for me. I think it's important to have a high energy level. It's not a field where u can take it easy. I work work work b/c nothing comes easy. BTW I got a refund when I was not hired so I'm not an unhappy camper.
Same story as all the rest. They charged an extra $100 to reinstate me because I sent the course materials to Oregon per the instruction book, but they had changed procedure before I started my course to only send to Canada. The materials sat in Oregon for weeks--along with many other student's I was told. Since I violated their new procedure, I was disqualified. I would be more than happy to join a class action suit. It is impossible to pass the test--was told it is graded by computer, but can't understand how that is when their are obscure questions not even addressed in the book with no definitive answers. Definitely a SCAM.
What for a scam? I have taken the Haverhill course and now I have my own business. I was refunded no problem. The name Haverhill means a lot to clients and realtors. I'm really enjoying the fruits of my labors. I regret nothing about my Haverhill experience.
There's no scam at Haverhill. Everyone is so nice and helpful. I'm taking the course and feel very confident that I will pass. I'm totally "getting it"
Glad you feel that way. I thought I totally "got" it too--and did. They changed the rules midstream, and even though I passed, was disqualified because a posting on their site a month before I started send not to send materials to Oregon. (All of the course matierials I had said US residents send to Oregon).I sent them 2 day air, they were there 2 weeks early, never heard anything until I got a letter telling me they never received them. Then was told, yes, we see they are in Oregon (mind you 3 weeks had passed now). I asked why Oregon wouldn't forward them to Canada, and was told that they were accumulating a box of courses to send all at once. I then said, so I am not alone here? I didn't realize I had to go back and read 2 month old postings, nor did a number of other students. It was just an automatic disqualification from them having to hire, plus they got an extra $100 out of everyone because they changed the rules midstream.
Well so far there have been no mixups like that for me I'm checking the site everday for changes as that is what they advise us to do. Luckily i'm a Toronto resident so shipping is simple and everyone I talk to on the phone is always very helpful. The assignments aren't "impossible to complete" as one blogger said. I just don't know where she was coming from. I would advise u to stay with the course and see it thru if u read the legal disclaimer then u will know u are eligible for a refund if u are not hired by Haverhill. Soldier on it's going to be worth it.
I didn't have problems completing the Haverhill course. Saying that the assignments were impossible to complete may just be a reflection on your own inability to focus. If u can't focus then u really are throwing your money out the window.
The Idea of the course is for people to be independent. If your not a self starter you will never get hired by them.. why would they hire people who depend on others to get going when they are in Toronto with stagers All OVER North America!
Smart on their part not to hire these ppl!
I finished the course a while ago. I have no problems with the company at all...actually I made the highest test that I have seen anyone post on their facebook page. Anyone that says it is impossible to make a good grade at is just not doing all they can do. They tell you that you can contact an instructor through their faqs, and I did both times, one time for my coursework and one for the test. I did have to take the test twice, but after being about to talk with the instructor, I felt a lot more confident. They let you go over everything and they give you pointers on how to succeed. I am awaiting my contract with them, and should be starting work within the next couple weeks. Haverhill is great, you just have to do exactly what they say and you will do pass the course.
Well I am a self starter and I did fine on all the assignments, except for the trades assigment. They knocked off 5 points because none of my trades people verified that I had called them. Well when I called my trades people back to ensure that they filled out the forms and sent them back they all three said that they never received anything from Haverhill. I sent an email asking if Haverhill could resend the forms and never received a response. So even though I got 8's and 9's on all the rest of the assignments I only got an 80% on the assignments.
And then there was the test. I took it twice the first time I failed it miserably because some of the questions were so obscure you didn't know what they were asking. The second time I felt pretty good about it when I got done but to my dismay when I received my grade it was only 3 points higher than the first time. And the comments read "some were not answered, some were answered incorrectly, you can retake the test but it will cost $50 and your highering with Haverhill is questionable." Talk about obscure. I have tried to get ahold of people there on several occasions via email, phone and through their FAQs line and have never received a single response.
So yes I would be more than happy to join a lawsuit against this company. And for me it is not the $997 that I am upset about. It is the time that I have waisted taking this class, and thinking that I would get a highered. I just assumed that since they were advertised on HGTV they would be a reputable company. Shame on me for assuming. HUH
Wow I am glade I ran across this. I seen Haverhill on HGTV and was thinking about it but I wanted to find more information about them. Looks like I will be looking at another place. Thanks
If you feel you have been scammed by Haverhill (I was) be sure to take the time to comment to HGTV. Just go to HGTV.com and at the bottom of the page click contact us... let them know that the Haverhill advertising is false and it would be in their best interest not to promote it.
I really want to become a home stager, and I thought that Haverhill would be a good choice. But after reading all of these negative comments, with a couple of positive ones as well, i'm most certain that I'd be falling in the negative side..just my luck! :o) can anyone tell me another website or anything else for me to become a home stager? Any advice would be fantastic! Thank you!! Email me at: kristen1892@yahoo.com
Thanks for the heads up folks. I almost made the biggest mistake of my life!!
Wow! Thank you so much for your postings. I just spoke with Haverhill and am suppose to get back with them tommorrow. I am already a Home Stager but thought it would be nice to apply part-time for this company as I have full time job I also enjoy in the medical industry. I wanted to check them out before committing and happen to find this site. I became suspicious with them when I e-mailed them at 6:00 am. They then called me at 9:00 am and wanted me to charge the course right away. I could not understand the rush. I told them I would get back with them tommorrow because I am at work and the girl said "no how about when I take lunch today" I became even more nervous. I then explain, I would need to discuss it with my husband and she finally said ok. THANK GOD I FOUND YOUR POSTINGS. I thought it sounded to good to be true. I can not wait to let her know WHY i will not be applying with a company that has so many integrity issues. Just a side note. Anyone who is interested in home staging needs to know it is very difficult to get customers. Every one I started with when I became a stager is no longer doing it. It is fun don't get me wrong, but don't expect sellers to be jumping at the idea and don't expect realtors will put it in their maketing presentation so easily either. It all makes a lot of sense but you would be surprised how hard it is to sell it.
i am really glad i checked out the blog. i also was ready to hand over the $997 to start the home staging. i am farly new to the interior designing and i didn't know where to start? i did find 32 complaints on the BBB website for haverhill. now i am not going to give the rep a call back to start! thanks for the great info .
I took the course, passed the test and was hired. Everything they promised was changed after hiring me. Run like the wind....don't waste your money. It is a scam.
Will everyone who got caught in this scam go to HGTV.COM and write a complaint against Haverhill. Stop their scam on TV.
I'm 22 and did the coarse thinking that this would be great for me to start a career on so I took the coarse passed the excersises then I came to the test mind you I studyed for a month to make sure I would pass but guess what like everone else I failed. Thinking that mabey I would have a chance I could just find a job on the Internet for home staging then I came upon this site I started to read and my gut instinct was right it's all a scam I'm not even going to try to retake the test with what everyone is saying I'm just going to go get my money back. The test had questions in it that I never ever read and seen before. I knew right then that there was something fishy going on. But I want to thank you everyone for opening my eyes and helping me make a better choice next time I see something on tv. Should I really trust this or not? That's what I will ask my self. If I don't get my money back from them I will be joining the law suit. But thanks again and I hope you all have further luck with your education!
I received numerous emails and Phone calls regarding joining the Haverhill team, which of course provoked suspicion. When an educational insitituiton of any kind becomes so persistent with acquiring your business, it means you no good, especially if they are prompting you to use credit cards. Thank you for the responses and forwarnings, I will definitely take heed. Just to note, those positive comments may have been posted by a Haverhill representative!
The entire course is a joke. From the beginning to the end. I did complete the course, passed the test and was "hired" only to find that the interview was conducted by a temporary employee?? ...AND has since left Haverhill. Since the interview they have been making me jump through hoops as the rules change daily. Interview offer of employment went from $31.45 to $24.00. Once application took place it then stood at $18.00 during a 90 day probation period (NONE of this was discussed in the interview nor the job offer) then supposedly jumps to $24.00. Problem there is at that time they only allow you to be "independent" so the $24.00 never actually takes place! Also had to question why they had posted that my references were "accepted" yet when I talked with each of my refs they all stated that they had never been called. Haverhill states..."there are too many students to ACTUALLY call everyone!" Are you kidding me?? All they are looking for is marketers. Once you are hired, it's temporary and you go to independent status in which you are required to pay for everything. All you actually get paid for is staging @ $31.45 /hr. WHY would anyone do that when the rate is $100.00/hr or more. THEY make all the money! RUN!!! RUN FAST!!!! Lost $1,000 that was difficult for me to come up with in the first place. I'm fired up!!!
I just got my test results back and it looks like the only thing I answered (according to them) right was my name. I am an interior designer by trade and thought this certification would look good on my list. WRONG! The test was full of questions that were not in the books, the tele-class was a joke. Not one thing was addressed that was helpful. The lesson plans were also unhelpful. I am going after them because I do believe they are a scam. I am not sure how to go about starting a class action suit so if you do please contact me. I will do all the work.
Anyone who wants to join me my email is edgedesignconcepts@gmail.com
WOW!!!Thanks everyone for your honestly and willingness to speak out... I was ready to sign up and start as it would be something that I could easily finish before my baby is born but now I am jumping waaayyy back!!! I would still be interested in learning about the field and possible job oppurtunities or training programs... anyone have info?? Kristinmae85@yahoo.com...
thx
Haverhill is a SCAM!
Do not waste your time with this course!
Most of the comments are very true!
I was excited taking this course, to only find out more from other ex students.
I had to continue becuase i passed my legit 7 day refund according to there agreement online.
7 booklets , one requires you to find a lot of information on a trade. No company will give there policy number or certain information.
3 books require you to stage any home. Try finding homes, if not they send you door tags.
One requires you to stage rooms with there online program. I found this program Horrible,slow and i could not save anything if it crashed.
Getting help is pointless. Unless you join facebook group which all the "positive" people will help.
The Test was BS. That is a unfair exam. 2 hrs to complete, as others mentioned some answers not in the book. Can not go back to previous questions. I timed out the first time, and did not finish all questions. Second time, i finished all questions (9 more to be exact) and failed. my marks was 3 points more than the first round. Does this sound right?? and the last two questions was 10 points.
They was nice to grant me extensions.
I studied hard, I have taken courses with community college and you have time to go back to questions.
For those interested in Home staging, you really don't need to take any course. Its not governed and all you need is experience, and knowledge. Just read some books and ask others and go for it!.
I too am going to sue or try to get my money back as now i am finding more crap.
unicorn.lb@gmail.com
Boy am I glad I found this site!!!!!I was ready to jump on board with this Haverhill but not after these comments. Yes there are a few positive responses but I think that is due to the fact they they have to accommodate some people to justiy their business! It appears that they intentionally discredit many, as they cound never employee everyone and make money at it!! Thank you to those who took the time to share their experience with Haverhoror!!!The BBB needs to hear from all of you!!!Something is wrong here!!!
Hi I am also a victim of Haverhill
and believe we should stick together hire an attorney of interest and start class action suite
rose
Hi again just stated about being a
victim and you can contact me at rslifer6666@yahoo.com
LOL... I took the course.. passed the test, which yes it is hard, but come on. Did you people expect that it was going to be a breeze?? Not for the money that they're willing to pay you! True dedication to the program which would have meant cramming... and I mean cramming for that test. I guarantee you wouldn't walk into a college or university exam with just glancing at your notes, and expect to get over 80% so what's the difference here?? I do agree that some things have changed from the original date that I started the course to when I got hired... but when you think of it, with the economy the way it is, would you rather lose a couple of perks or your job completely?? A Little bit of drive and more devotion would have got every single one of you a job... it did for me
I made a 79 in the course. There were absolutely no explanations on some of my exercises why I made a 9instead of a 10. Comments were "Great Job!!" But still just a 9. And yes you are right. I did pass the test, but was only given a 19 out of 30. The last question is for 10 points. I left a long detailed answer in a very professional manner and the only comment was "It was not what I wanted to hear" therefore if you do not please them on this question, you have failed the test even if all the other 49 questions are answered correctly. It is their call. So what good does studying do? One of the questions was a fill in the blank. I took the words STRAIGHT FROM THE BOOK. I asked why this was wrong. I was then told that the same sentence is in color section and lighting section. And I just chose the wrong one. There is no indication with the question which one they were referring to. Then I was accused of accusing Haverhill of changing my answer. It has been said that Haverhill has their own people posting the only postive remarks about Haverhill because they are coming from the same IP address. (anonymous on Sept 23)
When I called them on these issues I was told I would be called in a few weeks to be offered a job. THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD WORK FOR HAVERHILL!!! THANK GOD FOR THE 79! An 80 would have led to more lies. I only wish I had taken a ligitimate professional course from a real Home Staging Institute. I might have acually learned something I did not already know.
And by the way...the reason I am staying anonymous is because I have started my own home staging business and I in no way want to be associated with Haverhill. I am ashamed of my Haverhill certificate. With several law suits being started and all the negative information from Haverhill students this course would be a big negative to any portfolio.
Hello fellow students who feel they have been scammed. This is a very well engineered scheme. I scored nearly perfect on the staging portion: three 10's, three 9's & 8's. Then came the test. After failing the test by 2 points, I decided to do a bit of research. I knew there was an issue after the very first question. The test timed out on me-I was in the middle of the 54th question, worth 10 points. 2 hr test/55 questions... that gives you 2.X minutes per question to find obscure questions, some not even in the book. Note: I DID SO WELL ON STAGING THE HOMES, I STILL PASSED THE COURSE! I'm told I'm not eligible for a refund bcuz I was ineligible for employment for failing the test! Even if I rewrite the test and pass, I am STILL NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND. Does that not sound like a scam?The test was the most absurd excuse for an exam that I have ever witnessed in my life. There are 55 questions that are 99% fill in the blank & writing sentences / paragraphs. You MUST answer the question as you come to them & you cannot go back to a question that you want to skip and answer later. There were maybe a combination of 5 total true/false and multiple choice questions. I probably didn't finish the test because I wrote down some of the ridiculous questions to present to an Attorney. Everything the other bloggers said about the test is absolutely true. Ironically, I guess I would have passed and been eligible for employment had I gotten any credit for the last two 10 point questions... But wait.... even if hired, things are NOT what was promised... the pay rate has changed, they are now saying that you are independent vs. being an employee, etc. I knew there was a problem during the teleconference when it was stated that the stager would be responsible for moving all of the furniture by themeselves UNLESS the homeowner could help them.. What if the homeowner is an elderly person or someone with a bad back? How is the stager supposed to move extremely heavy furniture by themselves that normally would take 2-3 full grown men to move? That was a huge red flag and I expressed my concerns to friends/family members who completely agreed that was absurd. I started wondering then (prior to taking the test) if that was the type of staging company that I wanted to work for. And now, after reading all of these blogs of other people that feel the same way I do, I am realizing that even if I did retake the test and happen to pass, Haverhill's name will be so tarnished by screwing over their students, & the accredication certificate won't be worth the paper it is written on. So, with all this being said, I will be filing a BBB complaint, contacting HGTV, and doing everything possible to let people know that this course is not quite as it appears. Maybe not quite a scam, but definitely set up to where they have little to no accountability to the thousands of people that paid to take the course. Very few hires and very few refunds. They got us good. I plan on suing them either independently or in a class action suit.
Great Dialogue, I think a lot of people have been informed and there's more to be learned yet.
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