So, I had posted about this Haverhill Home Staging course at Everyday Finance regarding the frustrating experience that people are citing and the comments are coming in every few days from irate people that feel that it’s a Haverhill Home Staging Scam. If you haven’t seen the commercials, evidently, they advertise routinely on HGTV touting jobs paying $24-$31/hr after taking its $997 course. But readers are stating that it’s next to impossible to be granted the opportunity to pass the exam and actually make any money. I have to be careful what I say here since according to some bloggers, Haverhill is coming after them for “libelous claims” and I’ve found that battling it out with corporate attorneys over a single blog post isn’t worth the hassle (Shop to Earn MLM anyone?). I just wanted to revisit this one and bring it to your attention since it’s a moderate comment stream for such an old article at my old blog and now they’re riled up enough to be talking class action. Below are some comments left by individuals who feel that they’ve been scammed and came back to comment so others would avoid the same fate. I’d say, do the research yourself and decide whether you think Haverhill home staging is a scam or legit and – (for the lawyers)…the citations below are reproductions of comments from other readers and do not reflect my opinion nor are they portrayed as a statement of fact:
Reader #1
“…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…”
Reader #2
See the original article for full comment stream.“…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…If you are looking for a training program please research all of your options. If you still choose Haverhill consider yourself warned…”
What I haven’t come across yet is an actual success story or favorable review. Does anyone have anything good to say about Haverhill Home Staging?
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Haverhill is a joke. It is NOT in any way, shape, or form an educational opportunity. I was even told by a haverhill employee that “it is not set up to walk you through the course, we want to see what you can do.” Really? then why take my $997?
Through the “course” any questions of mine had to be posted on an FAQ site, where I would have to then check back to see if someone responded. When I did get a response it was vague. Then, when it was time for grading, points were deducted from assignments that were completed based on those vague answers.
To top it all off, I apparently “timed out” of the test even though I completed it in the allotted timeframe. When I posted my complaint about it on the FAQ site, my comment went ignored because I “did not post the proper wording.” You’ve got to be kidding right? I asked if robots were reading the questions since it seemed that any human reading the post would understand this: “The test site said that I timed out of the test, and I did not. Please contact me immediately at XXX-XXXX.”
No, robots are not reading the posts. Apparently just a bunch of scammers who are looking to rob you. I WILL be disputing this with my CC company, as well as posting warnings anywhere I can. A libelous lawsuit? BRING IT ON HAVERHILL
I took the Haverhill course, I was hired shortly after I finished. I am currently staging and Haverhill showcases all my work and the work of other Haverhill stagers on HGTV and DIY.
I was glad to see at least one positive comment about Haverhill. I have taken the course and now have my own business. I feel I have learned a lot. Even though I considered myself very good at paying attention to detail I was amazed at how much I didn’t know even about making a home spotless. It was an eye-opener. I was not hired but got my money back so I feel the experience has stood me in good stead.
There are a lot of satisfied graduates of Haverhill and I am one of them. Not employed full time yet but an independant contracter. In one year my life has changed for the better. The course is very demanding u have to be up to it. I wouldn’t advise a casual attitude everything has to be just so. Make sure you’re really serious about it. I’m a perfectionsist and so should u be. I wish u all well.
Haverhill has helped me to become a home stager in a relatively short time. Even thought they did not hire me I am still finding work and my Haverhill accreditation is getting me customers. It’s important to accentuate the positive I think. I returned all the materials and got a refund so I have no complaints.
Some good information on the Haverhill home staging course. Thanks for informing the readers os The Work at Home Family Carnival.
I would just like to post another scam and warn consumers about ordering products from companies in the UK. I recently searched the web trying to buy a towel warmer and found a company by the name of HudsonReed. They had the best prices so I called placed an order and sent them a check. They recieved my check, cashed it and never processed an order in my name. After calling them for months and speaking with their operations mgr Steven Darwood who promised that he would refund me. One year has passed and I have still not recieved my order or my money. Please do not, I repeat do not order from companies in the Uk after doing some research I’ve found that there are alot of scams coming out of the UK targeted towards consumers in the US. consider yourself warned.
I found this site while researching Haverhill home for staging opportunities. Upon reading the reviews I noticed the post from Laverne.
I would like to tell you about my experience with Hudson Reed. We used this company for certain parts while remodeling our master bath. Their prices were much better than any US company that we could find. Several months after the remodel our shower started to leak. We pulled out the copper fitting which is part of the piping to the sh0wer head and noticed a hairline crack. We called Hudson Reed. They asked us to email them a picture and we did. Right away they sent us a completely new shower head and copper piping. We couldn’t have been happier. This is a legitimate company. Laverne, please call them again. I am sure it must be a huge mistake. Hope this helps
I want to take this course but am now a bit worried. I have some bad and some very good comments…I’d like to hear more before putting forth that kind of money. Could anyone elaborate on the test part of it…Why is it so difficult to pass…What seems to be the problem?
Here was my experience with the test:
You are told you have two hours to take the test, you are not told how many questions there will be. I think it ranges from 50 – 55 questions, but throughout the test, there is not a timer nor any indication of how many questions you have left. Of course you have your own clock to use, but it’s just a little added stress/confusion trying to pace yourself without the black and white information laid out by the test. That’s the annoying part of it.
The really bad part of it is that the test is literally a compilation of word for word sentences taken out of all the materials you are given. The sentences have missing words that you are left to fill in. This means that it is not enough to have the knowledge of the concept, but you must find that particular sentence in the book and fill in the missing word. This may not sound bad, but when you are taking the test and you clearly know the answer but not the exact word used, it’s very frustrating to have to waste time scanning through ALL of the material trying to find where you read that sentence. It really becomes less about what knowledge and skill you have about home staging, and more about playing the game of “Memory.”
In my case, I was very close to the two hour mark however I completed all of the 55 questions that were given to me. Then, after I completed the test, I got a pop-up window telling me that I had timed out of the test. At what point (according to their test module) I don’t know… my clock still had me within the two-hour time frame. So, immediately before the test was even submitted for grading… I failed because of “time-out.” I submitted my message protesting this through the FAQ’s (another ridiculous part of this course). After a week had passed and I had heard nothing, I called the school and the person who took the call basically said that if their test module said I timed out, I timed out and I would have to request to take it again. Mind you, at this point my required completion date had passed and I was told that regardless of my results of the test I would not be eligible for employment.
This experience on top of the rest of my experience with the “school” really just left a very bad taste in my mouth. There were other issues throughout having to do with the school’s lack of communication throughout the course, which caused many problems with the grading of some of my assignments. It just really seems like they try to “get you” with the administrative hoops that they make you jump through, and really aren’t concerned with any talent that you may have.
If you are expecting to take this course and get a job, don’t. If you want to take the course to learn and become more knowledgeable so you can go out and do your own thing… don’t waste your money here, take another course.
I agree with everything Michelle said about the test above. The same thing happened to me and it timed out on the 54th question. I failed by 2 points but ironically still passed the course. I got a pathetic little certificate that is not worth the paper it is written on.
They claim to have fixed the problem…How long ago was your testing done??
I want everyone to know something that I found out. Haverhill is going bankrupt any day now. I received this information from a very reliable source. Employees are getting there last pays and that is the end of it.
They are bust, no money for you to get back. Sorry you all had a bad experience.
I talked to a relative (Attorney) and he said that there is no question based on the questions (I wrote some of them down) and the Internet method of testing that the test is designed for students to fail. If the test was changed, this is further evidence that the prior tests were rigged. He said that they are possibly guilty of (1) Deceptive Trade Practices (triple damages) (2) Outrageous Conduct (3) Breach of Contract. Even if they were to claim Bankruptcy, FRAUD is NOT discharable and can still be pursued in federal court for deceptive trade practices. The fact that the owner already was investigated by the FTC further lends credibility to our claims. We need 50 – 100 people to make a class action suit worthwhile and need to find an Attorney that would possibly work on a contingency basis.
Thought I posted my response to Kathy already, but I see it is not here… I took my test in June of this year. I never heard anything from the school about “fixing the problem” which would have been nice since they consequently failed me on the test!!
Also, Monica, I would be willing to move forward with a lawsuit. Anyone else?
I will repeat this again. They are going bankrupt. Not due to scams, they just are bust. I have heard that they are finished this week, office closed.
It is done.
I have to say that I passed my test with no problems, so I dont understand
why so many failed.
Anyway, just wanted everyone to know so they can tell others not to sign up.
Sorry it didnt work out for you.
Thanks for repeating. However, if you read carefully Monica said that the lawyer stated bankruptcy or not, fraud is not dischargeable.
Also, you passed the test with no problems… were you hired? I “failed” the test but passed the course and received my “certificate.” I was still deemed “ineligible” for employment. Are you seeing a theme here? Pass the test, but not eligible; fail the test, pass the course… however they want to slice or dice it just to be sure they don’t have to hire.
People were scammed here. You really don’t know why they are going bankrupt (if they are). Could have been the plan all along. Does it really matter though? They deceived people and should be called out for it. Don’t assume we are looking for a pay out. Congrats on passing your test.
I have to agree 200% with Michelle. Pamela, I don’t know your personal situation in regards to the course, but Michelle, it appears that we are in the same situation. I too passed the course and received a certificate. Apparently, we both excelled on the “staging” part of the course (which SHOULD be the important part) that despite failing the test (me by 2 points without even finishing the test) I still passed the course. This speaks volumes for our staging abilities – yet, because we failed a test with questions that were so ridiculous, we’re not fit to be hired by the Company? They’re basically saying that although you almost scored damn near 70% on the staging part, you failed the written test so we don’t want you? Puleesseeeee ………… And coupled with the fact that the owner of the Company is or already has been under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission…. even my relative (Attorney) said that it has SCAM written all over it…. a very well planned out one. And I have recently learned some new information since yesterday and I know for an absolute fact that it is a scam. Also, nothing is posted on the website about them claiming bankruptcy – not that they would anyway. I want to investigate this further. I am going to go back to the original blog page and contact the folks that left their e-mail addresses and direct them to this page for an update on what is going on. Michelle, please do whatever you can as well.
Michelle, I just sent an e-mail to the individuals that listed their e-mail addresses on the original blog page to see if there is any interest. I didn’t have your e-mail address. Please send and I will forward the e-mail that I sent to them. Although there were a ton of comments, everyone didn’t leave their e-mail address.
Thanks!
Hi Monica,
My email address is micheledsgn@gmail.com.
thanks!
I’m also a Haverhill graduate. Spoke to someone recently in my area (Chicago) and she was hired and making very good money working for Haverhill. I was just recently hired. I do think the company is going bankrupt. My e-mail is: paulacollins45@comcast.net.
Please include me in your e-mails.
Thanks!
I am interested in a class action suit as well. Totally scammed by Haverhill…same stories as all of the above, plus before I had even started the course, they had posted a message that the materials were to be sent to Canada and not Oregon. All of my course materials said to send to Oregon. I sent 2 day air so I could track and see that they arrived. Sent 2 week early. 3 weeks later get a later that they didn’t get my materials and I was disqualified. I had the tracking info, and was told they were sitting in Oregon. I asked them why they weren’t forwarded, and was told they were waiting to send one large box of courses. So I then said, “I’m not the only one that was unaware then…” and was told I was correct, but would have to pay $100 to be reinstated since they didn’t have them in CANADA by the deadline. I paid it because I had put alot of work into the project, and received extremely high scores…all 10’s and 9’s. Took the test, and like everyone else says, you had to find the EXACT sentence for the EXACT wording, even if you knew the concept and answer. Then of course timed out, and last two essay questions worth 10 apiece. Got the certificate and $15 because it came unframed. I didn’t even bother to take the test a second time. This was such a total joke. I didn’t find the blogs til it was too late!
Glad to see more of us are finding each other. Peyton, didn’t realize I was entitled to $15 because my certificate came unframed as well…. I will have to contact the school about that! LOL! ugh! what a joke!!
At any rate, lets all stay in touch with each other and see what we can do about this. If you don’t mind Peyton, post your email up here so we can keep you in the loop.
I, too, had a horrific experience with Haverhill and have heard from other stagers in the industry that a class action lawsuit is going to be filed against them. I did manage to get my refund but the entire experience with Haverhill was a complete nightmare. I would be more than willing to share my story if it would help with the lawsuit, I feel that I should do what I can to help others not go through what I went through.
Monica, can you post your email address so I can contact you to get on the mailing list? I am apprehensive about posting my email address as I too have had a horrible experience with Haverhill but have since launched my own staging company. I’d be more than happy to help with what you are working on.
My email is HDNap@aol.com…keep me informed!
Hi everyone – my e-mail is designsbynica@aol.com…. also found out some additional news that I will post separately… I have to go to my Facebook page to obtain the information that I was sent earlier today.
Also, if you do NOT have a Facebook account, please open one up just for the purposes of staying in the loop with the unfolding of this nightmare.
Type in Haverhill in the search bar and a variety of items will open up. One discussion board is :The Haverhill Institute of Staging and Design and the other one is: HAVERHILL HOME STAGING STUDENTS
This is the e-mail on Facebook that I received today from a student that DID get hired. This sounds like a precursor to what Pamela Deans states in her posting above:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monica- After the letter I received via email today, you may not have a hard time getting your 50-100 people for the lawsuit. They said that they have no money and have no idea when they’re going to be able to pay what they owe to their stagers. They offered a website and a year of hosting in lieu of the “final” payment if we’re willing to accept that (I already told them I will not and do expect to be paid what I’m owed). They said they would pass a long any staging work that they generate to the stagers and that we can contract directly with homeowner and take the full payment. As far as I’m concerned I no longer work for them and my non-compete is null and void. You shouldn’t have any trouble rallying the troops after today.
I have had a similar experience to many of you. From the very beginning, I realized that the entire Haverhill course was poorly designed. Just to let you know my background… I am a Curriculum Developer with a M.Ed and I write textbooks and assessments for major school publishing companies (although in a completely different subject area). I want to change careers and follow my passion and talents for decorating ,and thought this would be a great course to begin (especially being advertised on HGTV). I too completed this ridiculous course. The course is actually done backwards–one should begin with their mission and find tradespeople to work with, and then learn about decorating styles before being required to show their work in actually home staging. But Haverhill asks you to do it in reverse. That’s the first problem with the course. Then there is the test! The final test does not test a student’s knowledge of staging or staging concepts. On most of the fill in the blank questions, one could insert various terms (or synonyms of that term) that would make the sentence true. You cannot have questions such as “The ____ of the _______….” and expect students to answer correctly. An open book test means that a student can use the book for assistance, it shouldn’t require the student to find the exact sentence in the book to lift words from. This is the most ridiculous test I have ever come across. I know because I write test questions for many standardized tests for various states. If you need an expert witness that knows about curriculum and assessment, please contact me…and I would love to be included in this class action suit. Please keep me in the loop.
I am new student who recieved my course just two weeks ago. After reading all the material I was ready to start projects but had some questions. After several unreturned phone calls Iwas concerned. That’s when I found your web site & fraud info. I was very pissed off when I realized you could not even return the course beyond 7 days and even if you did they kept 1/4 of your money 250.00 I am trying to dispute the charges paid by my VISA. I don’t know if anything will come of it but if not I will be MORE THAN HAPPY to join a class action law suite!!!
EMG…I had the same experience as you so I sent in my request for the cancellation and was told that I am responsible for the remaining cost of the program which is 747.00 how is that possible if there was no signed contract so I lose 275.00. I would also like to join a class action lawsuit.
I started the Haverhill course two weeks ago. I paid $500 for the course. I never intended to work with Haverhill, I plan my own LLC and wanted some form of staging accreditation.
The Haverhill course itself gets high marks from objective sources, and won a coveted award, the 2009 Axiom. It was the most reasonably priced option out there. All good, unbiased reasons to choose Haverhill.
I’m not having any significant problems so far. I have an art& design degree, so that part of the material comes easily to me. Any questions I have about the course itself are being answered by a great group of graduates on the Haverhill Institute of Staging and Design group at facebook. (This is not the group of complainers, it’s the group for students and graduates.) There are some small confusions, but nothing out of the ordinary for a distance learning program.
Some of the students who were hired in the last few months got caught in the upheaval caused by the management failures and ownership change at Haverhill; some of those are still waiting for paychecks for marketing work done in late Sept. The staging company is promising to sort it out, and is re-vamping their whole marketing strategy under the new ownership. The institute, meanwhile – the course – seems to be going along just fine. For what I paid, it’s a steal to get the accreditation.
The new ownership is planning a much more sensible and frugal approach to building the company. I fully expect Haverhill to be my biggest competition down the road. They created an imbalance between the growth of the institute and the growth of the staging company. It happens when companies are rapidly expanding, and points more to poor management than to unethical behavior.
All of the “qualifiers” for the employment offer are contained in the material received. No surprises.
aelovell@hotmail.com
Amy,
#1…I don’t know which course you paid $500 for but, as you will see, most of us paid $997.
#2…The “Axiom Award” is a business book award… whatever that means and how it relates to the student’s experience, I don’t know. But clearly, we have a majority of dissatisfied students, who by the way, are also graduates.
#3… Wow, if you have an art & design degree, just wait until you get to the teleconference portion of the course. The staging work that was displayed by Haverhill during the call (via web-based presentation) was hideous. You’ll want to run fast.
#4…That’s great that your questions are being answered by the FB group of students & graduates, but they are not the ones grading you.
#5…Have you read the letter that Haverhill has sent out to the student/employees? You can also find that on FB. Sure, maybe they are sorting things out… via a hosted website as opposed to a paycheck.
I wouldn’t listen to any “promises” Haverhill is making. They certainly found a way to renege on all of them whether it be deem graduates ineligible for employment for some bogus reason, or to offer employees their web-hosting services in lieu of payment. And certainly, do not believe that a Haverhill accreditation is something to base your career on. If you have any question on whether Haverhill has had poor management or is unethical, google Darren Morgenstern.
Sorry… but yes, I am bitter.
Hi,
I received the Haverhill Home Staging course as a “gift” from my fiance. I guess he got tired of me screaming at the television about “decluttering and focal points,” while watching home staging program on HGTV.
Anyway, when HE ordered the course for me, I was in no position to completely give my attention to this course and when I told them as much, I was told that I had 6 months to complete the course and not to worry too much about deadlines. I just got a call this morning saying that I had to reactivate the course ($100), there was no way I would be hired by them AND I had 30 days to complete the course. When I told them that I was having trouble getting the 3 homes to actually stage so that I can complete the course (I just moved to the Raleigh, NC area), I was essentially told that this was not their problem. They weren’t going to help me complete the course, find any homes to assist me in completing the course and the woman I spoke with’s attitude was “We got your money, now deal with whatever issues come up.” She was very curt with me on the telephone and when I asked whom I should call if I had additional questions, she told me NOT to call her because she couldn’t help me and directed me to FAQs page on their website. I have called several real estate companies in an attempt to get homes to stage and if you’re not buying a home, they just “don’t have time” to talk to you nor do they have time to train a stager, but said I could try to call back once I’m accredited. Just for “kicks” I googled others with problems with Haverhill and found this site. Now, I don’t know if I even want to bother finishing the course, but I definately would like to get some of my fiance’s money back! So, please contact me if a class action suit is filed. I feel that Haverhill is taking advantage of people’s hopes and dreams. With the way the economy is at this time, I feel that it is actually CRIMINAL to take a person’s money knowing that there is no chance that they will actually become stagers. And, the 2, 3 or 4 people that actually do get hired by Haverhill is NOT enough for this not to be a scam. I’m happy for those people, but the ratio of people that are NOT satisfied versus the ratio of people that are screams SCAM to me! Right now, I’m extremely upset and am at a loss at to where to go from here. Again, I’m interested in any court action taken against Haverhill. My email address is: danaybanks2@yahoo.com. Thanks for the insight as well as the forum to “vent” my frustrations with this company. And, although I would like a full refund, if this blog helps one person, then it was worth my time writing this critique. Also, any suggestions on how I can become a REAL home stager are welcome from all.
I am struggling with the focal point section, of the Haverhill staging course, so I came and looks at the forums. OH BOY I wish I had checked before I coughed up $997 for the course. I dont know if I have the heart to finish it. don’t know what to do, I would love to actually get the focal point section completed, I have asked the question on the FAQ page but am not getting anywhere. Can enyone help?
I don’t think the e-mail I listed before is working properly. An alternate e-mail is execnica@aol.com… Please include Haverhill in the subject line so I don’t delete it as it will automatically go to SPAM.
Karen-I don’t know what to tell you honestly. I’m hearing different things about the validity of the certificate. I am one of the ones that did pass the course, but not the test, and didn’t get hired. I’m going to move forward and use the certificate and hope that it helps me. You still have quite a bit of the lessons to complete if you are only on the Focal Point Lesson. I wish I could be of more assistance in advising you what to do… I’m torn – I am one that likes to always finish what I start, but in this case…. I would follow the blogs (Esp. the Facebook one since Stagers that were actually hired participate in those forums) and see where the Company is at… I hear that they are trying to rectify and restructure?? Sorry I couldn’t give more sound advice.
I am another of Haverhill’s victims, with the same sad story of passing the staging part of the course with flying colors, finishing the test, but “failing” the course by 3 points (which I believe were very subjective points at that!)…good enough to get the accreditation, but not for hire! I recently received my “certificate”, also unframed (but no $15). I wish I had googled this company before signing up. Hopefully their students will now have a loud enough voice to bring them to justice. I would definitely like to join all of you in a class action suit.
I too have felt the uncertainy of HAerhill. I did th projects in a month’s time. Waited two weeks for grading. Got enough points and kudos to take the tele-class which was generally a waste of time becuase to ask questions you ahve to wait in line with like 30+ other people in the same class. Passed that and got the code to take the test. Test timed out on me and I failed. Talked to my instructor and was allowed to toake the test again – passed. Got accredited right away and mailed my certificate. Got the go ahead to apply for employment. Did so immediately. Two weeks later was called to schedule a phone interview. Took 20 mu=inutes, she called 1/2 hour early so I wasn’t prepared and the baby wasn’t down for her nap yet. She told me in the mean time to have my fingerprints taken and mail to the FBI for a background check as wella s get a quote for liability insurance. What a pain that was. Most people had no iedea what i was asking for when I said word-for-word what they told me to request. Argh! Got a hire aggreement emailed to me anda ccepted it the same day. Was told to order supplies which I have and are in my posession. Had a training webinar scheduled for 10/9 that should have given lots of insight into how to begin and what to expect. The day before the webinare it was cancelled via email with no explanation or idea of when another would come. After two weeks of getting ahold of no one – my course rep, the FAQS section, Danielle Rodriguez’s direct line I get a call from a stager in a town a couple hours away from me y=who says Haverhill lost their funding in the sell out that happened this summer. They were bought and the lenders dropped their funding. Her check dated th 24th of Sept. BOUNCED! THen we get a letter from Danielle herself saying we are still emplyees and work will come our way as soon as they get the funding issue resolved. – make of it what you will.
I took the course in February 2009, I too thought the questions were ridiculous. I was knocked offline in the middle of the teleconference, only one of my tradespeople said they were contacted, I even went in and offered others, no points..final grade 75% go figure, the points fro trades would have mad me eligible to employment
Thank God for your comments! I have been researching this company since the beginning of this year and always felt someting not quite right. Your comments just finalized my decision to proceed on with Haverhill. Does anyone out there have a success story with a prestigious and fully financed staging company who has high credentials as well as offer a professional staging certification?
Correction: I will NOT be proceeding on with Haverhill!
I just completed the Haver Hill staging course and I’ve met all of their requirements yet they refuse to let me be eligible for employment with them. It’s quite aweful seeing as you pay a large sum of money to them and they make false claims. They’re horrible about answering the questions you post within 24 hours as they claim. They also are impossible to reach unless you leave a message on the board and they manage to call you back on their own time schedule not even considering your schedule. I’d like to know if legal action is being taken against them so I can obtain the money I spent on this program back.