Job Discussion Forums

joncharles · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Beijing

I got an e-mail today telling me that my documents are on their way back via registered mail. I will let everyone know if they do indeed get deleivered.

ellethecat · Joined: 11 Apr 2004 Posts: 75 Location: edmonton

[quote="Mike L."]

I was thinking a few mails or phone calls to certain Thai authorites and maybe some sort of action might be taken.

I would contact the Canadian Embassy in thialand or a consulate. Surely there is someone offical who can look into this. they can't "keep" your documents hostage.

I second the opinion of someone who wrote taht it may be the same guy or guys using a number of different names. AMybe we should ask them to send THEIR original documents to us.

joncharles · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Beijing

Well it is official. I got my degree back, but minus the original cover I sent along to keep it in good shape. Sad because I was actually promised it would be sent back in its original cover. That was Paul... The person contacting me about the return of my documents was not Paul. I received my diploma in a cheap envelope and it was bent and creased so much that It will look terrible if I frame it.

I sent them a letter asking for the holder and I also sent a letter to the Embassy to complain aboout them. Good luck!

napoleon8 · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 9

Here is a web page detailing my very bad experience with the scam ESL Asia:

http://www.geocities.com/oldhippy8/esl.html

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

Thanks for the heads up. Would a general rule of thumb be to not go for anything over 300,000 yen?

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I think the general rule of thumb is to not send somebody money to get you a job.

Legitimate recruiters are paid by the schools.

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

You know, in the UK it is actually illegal for an agent to charge the prospective employee any money before the work actually starts.

joncharles · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Beijing

There are exceptions.... Haldane Associates asks for a big fee up front as does several other Headhunter companies... The fees are much like a retainer and they act as your agent in securing a position. Part of that fee was to pay for a couse on self-marketing designed for the mid-career professional searching for a new job. There are many positions for which a company pays the agency, provided the company has agreements with the recruiter. Granted these companies are not recruiters for ESL/EFL professionals, but it disproves that all recruiters who ask for money up front are not legit.

I believe one of the factors that blinded me to the obvious is that I had been applying for jobs in Japan for months and had no response from any schools. So when contacted by Mr. Adler, my defenses were down. Plus the job offered was within salary ranges.. 260,000 Yen.. however, they did offer round trip tickets.. and the school just happened to close to an area I wanted to be. So I got suckered.