The Red Guide to Temp Agencies

Review of Vanguard

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633 3rd Avenue
NY, NY 10017

Total time with agency:
about a month

Wait for first assignment:
Weeks

Average wait between assignments:

Last five jobs:

Job Title	Length	Client	Hourly Wage	Typical of agency?
				Y
				Y
				Y
				Y
				Y

Tests given:
A 3rd grade spelling test...?

Payroll policies:
On-site time sheet pickup:
Direct deposit of payroll checks:
Free check cashing at agency's bank:

Benefits:
Medical insurance:
Dental insurance:
Paid vacation:
Transportation allowance:
Entertainment allowance:
Matching contributions:

Comments:
Whatever you do, don't go to Vanguard Temporary Personnel. I went there at the suggestion of my wife, who temped for them a time or two. Although she said she had sort of a creepy experience, she thought they were pretty prompt about getting her work, so I went.

I should have known right away there would be a problem, because when I called to make an appointment, the counselor (Barry Cohen)asked me what I had done in the past...no sooner did I get the word "I was in the Navy for 8 years,,," out of my mouth did Barry Cohen interrupt me telling me Barry Cohen has a month and a half long LABOR assignment that I would be "perfect for". Now, besides having been in a highly responsible position in the military, having a TOP SECRET clearance, and a plethora of other experience, Barry Cohen assumed I was some dumbass grunt who didn't know my ass from a hole in the ground. Barry Cohen didn't even let me finish with..."I have also held a number of clerical and administrative positions and I am college educated". I was just a commission to this guy- Barry Cohen.

Having ill omens, I went in to test anyway, hoping for an opportunity to make Barry Cohen aware of my other skills and experience. The only test I was given was a perfectly asinine 3rd grade spelling test on which I scored perfectly, of course- I was the state spelling bee champ when I was in the 3rd grade! Still, Barry Cohen only promised me the labor assignment, and being the FLEXIBLE (Barry Cohen told me flexibility was key) guy I am, I accepted. It was to start Sept. 5th, a few weeks away. I called daily after my initial interview, but to no avail; there wasn't anything for me. How did they know what I was qualified for, they didn't even test me?! I got the impression that men only get the brute labor jobs or the non-desk positions.

Finally, out of the blue, Barry Cohen called me for a gig at Ralph Lauren midtown. Although Barry Cohen called me Wednesday evening to report on Thursday morning, and I rescheduled an interview and took the assignment because I needed to make some money. I liked the RL gig, the people were especially nice and down to Earth (surprise!). Barry Cohen called me on the job no less than 3 or 4 times that day. I was getting along well with the RL employees and we were already looking forward to the next day on the job- then Barry Cohen calls again and says he wanted me to go to LONG F**KING ISLAND the next day- at a dollar LESS than I was getting at RL!! I was like..."You want me to leave an already low paying assignment ($11) for an even LOWER paying one ($10) where it'll cost me $10 just to get there?!" The assignment in LI was only for 6 hours, so it simply wasn't cost effective- not to mention that my supervisor at RL even got on the phone and told Barry Cohen they wanted me to come back the next day. Barry Cohen didn't care. Barry Cohen hustled me into the assignment in LI telling me it wasn't all that far.

HOWEVER, I got home and looked the place up and they are WAY out there. I called and left a message Thursday evening for Barry Cohen to call me asap on Friday morning. Barry Cohen then called me Friday morning and treated me like a lowly degenerate for protesting the long trip and Barry Cohen's misrepresentation of the distance of travel. Finally, Barry Cohen snapped "Are you going to the assignment or not?!" I said politely, "I honestly don't appreciate being taken off one low paying job in the city to be sent out of the city for less money. I simply can't afford to go on the assignment all the way out there." At that point Barry Cohen slammed the phone down on me without another word. I don't mean Barry Cohen hung up in a rough way- Barry Cohen SLAMMED that mofo down like he wanted to bash my head in! I was appalled! I immediately called back and was told by the very snotty receptionist that she could put me through to Barry Cohen's voicemail, but she REFUSED flat out to take a simple message. I said, "Isn't that your job?" She replied in a very smarmy tone, "No, I'm a receptionist.". I was like...?! You answer the phones and you call yourself a receptionist but you refuse to take messages for the "counselors"!? THEN- she hung up on me.

I hit redial and was put through to Barry Cohen's voicemail, where I left a very short, tactful, and to the point message regarding Barry Cohen's and the receptionist's unprofessional manners. I was simply blown away by their sudden change in attitude, it was like a complete schizo experience- they just flipped and snapped. They should remember that WE make money for THEM, not just the other way around. It was very clear that the job in LI was going to pay Barry Cohen a great commission by the way Barry Cohen insisted that I go and then go psycho on me after I refused to be screwed.

LADIES BEWARE; my wife said Barry Cohen leered at her like she was a fresh, bloody piece of meat. She is incredibly attractive (like worthy of Victoria's Secret), but she said she felt dirty after leaving- like she had been molested by Barry Cohen's eyes and in Barry Cohen's mind. Needless to say, we don't recommend these slimey pieces of boderline-personality stricken garbage.

STEER CLEAR OR BRING YOUR OWN VASELINE!

SUGGESTION: Go to 'Staffing by SUZANNE DAVIS', she is simply amazing and wonderful and she'll give you great resume and interview advice. We both adore her!

Reporter:
e*

Email:

Date:
Fri Aug 30 11:13:43 EST 2002

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The Red Guide to Temp Agencies is copyright 1994-2004 by Angus B. Grieve-Smith.
It may be reproduced in its entirety, but may not be sold for profit or reproduced in part without written permission of the Editor.

Feel free to email me with questions or comments. Please do NOT email me your resume. I am not an employer, and I cannot get you a job. If you send me your resume anyway, I will report it to your internet provider. My email address is grvsmth@panix.com.