Girsh Alarm in Philly, PA lousy treatment of potential employee

In late October I was looking around on Monster.com at which time I
came across Girsh Alarm Company, a local Philadlephia company serving
mostly commercial accounts and offering potential earnings of 75-100k
per year.

I knew Girsh from passing their offices in my travels. At the time I
was employed by another security company which catered to mostly
residential customers. My work experience has been predominantly with
commercial Fortune 500 companies so I jumped at the chance to apply.

I was quickly contacted by their headhunter/recruiter who asked for my
resume, references and information for a background check. Everything
cleared and I was asked to meet face to face in early November. At the
initial meeting with the headhunter I was asked to take several
personality and aptitude tests. I was also informed that the position
carried a draw of $52k along with a $500 car allowance, $100 cell phone
allowance and full health insurance for my family totaling
approximately a $65k compensation package. I was also told the
commission rate would be 40% of the profit for each sale. After the
face to face meeting with the headhunter I was set to meet with Harry
Girsh, the owner of Girsh Alarm.

Harry and I met mid-November and the meeting went fine. I was told I
had very high scores on the personality and aptitude tests. We
reiterated the $65k compensation package and he told me he would get
back to me in a few days and left for vacation in Florida. The
headhunter said that whoever is chosen to work there will start in
early December. The headhunter also said that Harry was going to hire
three people and that there were 6 candidates though he felt I was the
best fit for Girsh. Before I left Harry requested that I fill out
another entire employment application of Girsh's design and submit to
a further background check.

I got a call from the headhunter the first week of December at which
time he told me that I had again passed the background check and that I
was being offered the job. He also said I was the only one offered a
position which made me feel great.

I reconfirmed that I actually had the position and got a start date of
December 14th. I gave notice to my current employer the next day.
December 14th came & went with no further movement toward my employment
at Girsh. I waited patiently.

The headhunter began to get frustrated with Girsh and their lack of
communication. Finally, I was told to meet with Jodie Girsh, Harry's
wife and office manager on Monday December 26th, a national holiday. I
met with Jodie and I felt the meeting went great. We talked for an
hour, laughed a lot and she introduced me to all the employees as their
new salesman.

Then we discussed the contract. It seemed that Jodie's idea of the
compensation package was extremely different then what was discussed
with Harry and the headhunter. She offered a $30k draw, itemized car
miles, cell phone allowance and no health insurance for six months.
This was not even close to what had been discussed prior.

I stood my ground at what I was offered, expressed dismay that I left
my previous employment and was not yet being paid by Girsh although I
was told I had the job. Jodie said me she would have to talk it over
with Harry and that we would talk the following morning.

Tuesday the 27th I called Jodie 11AM at the office and per her
instructions. She did not answer and I left a voicemail. I tried again
at 3PM on her cell phone again leaving a voicemail. The headhunter did
not hear from her or Harry either.

By Wednesday morning I wondered if I had a job at all and called the
headhunter. I was told at that time the Girsh's were no longer
interested as they felt it was too much money to risk on a new
salesman.

The headhunter and I tried to salvage the situation to no avail. Jodie
never did call me back though I did manage to get Harry Girsh on his
cell at 7PM, Wednesday the 28th.

Harry reiterated that my employment there was no longer an option. He
said they were no longer going to invest in a professional salesman and
were considering hiring someone out of college at a much lower rate.

I pointed out that they were going to hire three people and ended up
with only me. How could they have possibly paid three people if they
couldn't even pay me what they promised? In addition, Harry himself
noted the $65k when we met face to face and if it was a problem why did
they call me back to finalize a contract!

I lost my job, I lost weeks of job hunting and I lost weeks of their
promised salary right at the holiday season. My entire family
anticipated this new position and we all sacrificed over the last month
based on knowing the job was starting.

I can't tell you how Girsh Alarm is toward their clients but I can only
imagine how it must be if this is how they treat potential employees...
 
A

Artspirit

Jan 1, 1970
0
Dang! What a horrible experience you had. I don't know this company and was
surprised to hear they worked with headhunters. Headhunters cost as do all
those profile tests you took. Seems really fishy to me. I have a name of a
so far good headhunter that is based in CO. All they handle is the security
industry. Email me if you would like her info. And good luck to you.
 
N

Nick Markowitz

Jan 1, 1970
0
Sorry to here what happened but Unfortunately this happens all to often
with job interviews what one person quotes and what the job actually pays is
different.I would have been suspect right away when such a high figure was
quoted for what sounds like a small market company. This has been going on
for many years back in 79 i was offered a maintenance job $12.35 hr
hospitalization etc at a hospital by the foreman which was good pay back
then . But when it came time to sign the forms etc the human resources
person told me the job only payed minimum wage which was $2.35 back then i
think. I kindly thanked the HR guy for wasting my time
and put the hospital on my screw you list .I turned around went 3 blocks
down the street and found a job paying $7.35 hr
the guidance councelor at the post secondary trade school i was being
placed from was upset i did not take the deal at the hospital after all his
supposed hard work and when i explained to him what happened they never
again reffered graduates to that hospital.Which eventually went out of
buisness.
lesson learned get it in writting and when they back out on the deal sue the
shit out of them.
 
N

Nick Markowitz

Jan 1, 1970
0
Some additional thoughts
Wonder if this whole thing was not a ID theft scam better check your credit
records and make sure some one has not dupped you.
also i would conact the pa attorney genrals office and make them awae of
this and file a complaint as well with
pa labor laws division as well.
 
J

Jackcsg

Jan 1, 1970
0
I feel for you. That was a shitty thing to do, especially around the
holiday's. More than most likely he didn't want to pay the 10 to 20 percent
of your salary commission to the head hunter.

Jack
 
It was definitely wan not an ID scam. Too many people were involved &
the headhunter is looking for something else for me as we speak. I
think this is more of a husband and wife team that are just on
completely different pages regarding hiring new salespeople. Apparently
the husband doesn't have the guts to tell the wife what he agreed with
the headhunter...

It's a shame in many ways as I was truly a good fit for them to
significantly expand their business. Anyway, thanks for all the kind
words everyone. You words, along with my little rant has made me feel a
lot better!
 
A

AlarmGirl

Jan 1, 1970
0
Too bad you didn't get the job at Girsh. They are a great company and
good people. My buddy works for them. He's making a very nice panny.
Let me tell you it was no ID scam nore was it about money. I guess
maybe they didn't like you enough of they would have hired you on the
spot. You say that you work in sales. You didn't sell them enough on
the idea of hiring you. HUH? Get over it!!!! They are a small company.
Good thing they didn't invest time in you. Stop your complaining and
get over it.
 
S

Stanley Barthfarkle

Jan 1, 1970
0
Sounds like he had an offer of employment, gave his former employer notice,
and awaited his promised hire date. They then offered a much lower salary.
This is beyond sleazy, and if I were him, I would be looking for a good
attorney. A verbal contract is enforceable.
 
A

AlarmGirl

Jan 1, 1970
0
Seems to me like he was on a fishing expedition. He probibly thought
that if he got a better offer he could go to his present employer and
have him fight for him. I guess it didn't work. Seems to me like it
didn't work out and he looking for someone else to blame. His present
employer might think of him differently now that they know he is
looking for work elsewhere.
 
A

alarman

Jan 1, 1970
0
AlarmGirl said:
Seems to me like he was on a fishing expedition. He probibly thought
that if he got a better offer he could go to his present employer and
have him fight for him. I guess it didn't work. Seems to me like it
didn't work out and he looking for someone else to blame. His present
employer might think of him differently now that they know he is
looking for work elsewhere.

I must have missed that part. Can you explain what led you to that
conclusion?
js
 
A

Artspirit

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hey! I think I missed that as well.

It is very much the norm to interview and accept a new position before you
give your resignation letter. We all have the right to go to work where we
want and from the sounds of it, a committment was made, salary was lost, and
now this guys got to start over.

Sounds like you have been burnt alarmgirl.

gac
 
My job at the time paid commission only and Girsh was offering
salary/draw etc. Previously, I had been a high powered salesman for
computer related products and software flying all over the US. I
decided to take a pay cut and work locally when my son was born a year
ago. Girsh offered a nice upgrade from the local residential alarm
company I was with and would have put me back in front of Fortune 500
companies - although locally.

Whoever "Alarmgirl" is, probably Jodie Girsh herself, is just blowing
smoke to try and cover her... Quite simply, I looked for a new job, was
made a hard offer, resigned from my current position and was then
shafted by Girsh. The only point Alarmgirl made which is true is that I
cannot go back to the previous employer for they will know I want to be
elsewhere.

As for my selling myself to Girsh, I am certain that I did. Again, I
was made hard offer and then met with Jodie Girsh who took the time to
walk me around and introduce me as their new salesman to the entire
staff! What would be the purpose of that if they were not hiring me -
especially after 3 meetings, 2 aptitude tests, 2 personality tests, 2
background checks, 2+ months of phone calls and a "They want you" call
from theg headhunter?

What happened is that Jodie first learned how much Harry and the
headhunter proposed to pay when I sat down with her. This threw her for
a loop as she was on a completely different page. She then monkey
wrenched my employment there. She probably convinced Harry to hire a
kid out of college for much less money and ruin any chance of a rapid
expansion there.

Either way, I deserved at least a direct phone call back from them to
tell me to my face what their intentions were. They said I was hired
and then left the planet...

Here is a link to the Monster.com ad for the job. Note it originally
said Girsh and now says Confidential under company name. In addition it
went from stating $75k-$100k to $50k-$75k.

http://jobsearch.monster.com/getjob...2005-11-04+11:24:09&Logo=1&q=caramanico&cy=us

Anyway Alarmgirl, Jodie Girsh, or whoever you are - you should know
this story has been posted all over the web on many news groups like
this, with the local chamber of commerce, the BBB, philla.gov,
rip-offreport.com and many others. Over time whenever people look up
Girsh they will find this story though sadly it will never damage you
remotely as you did my family.
 
C

Crash Gordon

Jan 1, 1970
0
too much beer?


|
| | > Seems to me like he was on a fishing expedition. He probibly thought
| > that if he got a better offer he could go to his present employer and
| > have him fight for him. I guess it didn't work. Seems to me like it
| > didn't work out and he looking for someone else to blame. His present
| > employer might think of him differently now that they know he is
| > looking for work elsewhere.
|
| I must have missed that part. Can you explain what led you to that
| conclusion?
| js
|
|
 
G

George D. Siegle

Jan 1, 1970
0
If you had the job, then why does your subject line say: "POTENTIAL
EMPLOYEE"?
 
Do you know how to read? I had not started there yet! They offered me
the job, gave me a start date & then changed the offer!
 
A

AlarmGirl

Jan 1, 1970
0
Oh God! I can't believe that you are still talking about this. Give it
up. Seems to me like you have a little too much free time on your
hands. I talked to my buddy at Girsh Alarm Company and told him about
you and what you were saying here online. Not sure if it would do him
any good at work. I am not Jodie Gursh but maybe I should apply and see
if I could get the job you were appliying for and see how they treat
me. If you feel like you were treated unfairly it is ashame but, when
will you shop bashing a company you didn't even work for. Seems to me
like you are beating a dead horse. There must have been some
comunication problem on both ends. Take some advise from me. It's not
worth letting them know that they got the best of you.
 
F

Frank Olson

Jan 1, 1970
0
AlarmGirl said:
Oh God! I can't believe that you are still talking about this. Give it
up. Seems to me like you have a little too much free time on your
hands. I talked to my buddy at Girsh Alarm Company and told him about
you and what you were saying here online. Not sure if it would do him
any good at work. I am not Jodie Gursh but maybe I should apply and see
if I could get the job you were appliying for and see how they treat
me. If you feel like you were treated unfairly it is ashame but, when
will you shop bashing a company you didn't even work for. Seems to me
like you are beating a dead horse. There must have been some
comunication problem on both ends. Take some advise from me. It's not
worth letting them know that they got the best of you.


Coincidental that you happen to start posting in the Group at about the
same time, from the same city, don'tcha think??
 
F

Frank Olson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Russell Brill wrote:

I was thinking the same thing........ Looks like Girsh is on a "Discrediting
of a critic" campaign... It doesn't surprise me, ADT does the same crap on
some of the Consumer bulletin boards.........

Googled "AlarmGirl" for this Group... Nuthin'. Zip. Nada. However,
someone with her "nick" is posting in a group wanting to lose 30-60
pounds. "AlarmGirl" must be one *big* "AlarmGirl"... :)
 
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