I am planning to buy a Health Care Staffing & Recruitment Agency Franchise in January 2024. Can you give your opinion? Please.

[Bev]

Thank your stars you did not buy the franchise.

I bought this scam/franchise and I made the biggest mistake EVER!!!

Be ready to be given a 5 star sales pitch and all your questions answered to perfection !!!

So much promises and still on ZERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So many other people who bought the franchise complaining how they were sold this recruitment dream and are now so disapponted!!

 

[Bev]

THIS FRANCHISE IS A SCAM,

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Who is to blame if you buy into a dodgy franchise?

I know the answer but I'm not answering it

 

[Bev]

Health Care Staffing & Recruitment Agency Franchise

Franchise Site:
halcyonfranchise

Company Site: Halcyon health and social care

I will be grateful If you can provide your suggestions.

Investment : £10,000
Immediate: £5000
Balance: £500 per month starting after 6 months
No working capital: Using Factoring

I have done some research on the company, and they have done more than 1 million in turnover in the last three years.

I also spoke with the existing franchisee, who has just started, one person signed two contracts, and all others have great confidence on the management that they will deliver on what they promised. In addition, they received good reviews on Google.

Your opinion would be greatly appreciated, thank you

I BOUGHT THIS FRANCHISE AND I CAN CONFIRM IT'S A SCAM. THEY FATHER AND SON PROMISE ABSOLUTE RUBBISH. THEY TARGET A LOT OF PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT.

 

[Bev]

Who is to blame if you buy into a dodgy franchise?

I know the answer but I'm not answering it

KEITH GARDNER OR JAMES GARDNER IS THAT YOU????

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

KEITH GARDNER OR JAMES GARDNER IS THAT YOU????

Yes that's me

Did you take any professional business advice before undertaking this undertaking ?

 

[Bev]

HALCYON HEALTHCARE FRANCHISE SCAMMED ME!

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

HALCYON HEALTHCARE FRANCHISE SCAMMED ME!

That's not what I asked

 

[Bev]

Thank you so much for taking time to give an eagles eye view of the industry... with respect to the hourly charges etc...the calculations are absolutely spot on... I can see how 1 million can be reached with just 26 ...you are absolutely right...1 million turnover is nothing for a 3 year old company...I just fell for the matrix govt online contracts.. where you can get contracts straight away... you will be paid £2.00- £2.50 per hour... I could use their account in total jobs to recruit.. so I am not paying for that expense.... these were the attractions. Honestly I don't have a clue about the directives, conduct of employment agencies... but I was told as an agency we dont come under CQC regime ( Since my wife is a nurse, I understand the importance of CQC).... THANKS FOR OPENING MY EYES TO THE REALITY... truly appreciate your time, Thanks a lot

THANK YOUR STARS YOU DID NOT BUY IT, I BOUGHT IT AND WAS SCAMMED OF MY MONEY. DID NOT EVEN GET 1 CLIENT AND THOSE WHO BOUGHT IT A YEAR BEFORE ME!

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I give up

 

[fisicx]

HALCYON HEALTHCARE FRANCHISE SCAMMED ME!

No they didn’t. You failed to do your research and got caught out.

 

[Bev]

No they didn’t. You failed to do your research and got caught out.

got caught out? Someone took thousands from innocent people under the guise of buying a money back guarantee franchise and you blame the victim? This is obviously one of the scammers from halcyon office in Gloucestershire. BE CAREFUL OF THESE PEOPLE!!!

 

[Beauty]

Who is to blame if you buy into a dodgy franchise?

I know the answer but I'm not answering it

Hi Keith,

Victim blaming is a common tactic used by scammers, even in cases of less obvious cybercrime.

 

[Beauty]

The business could be legitimate.


But… Why have they all of a sudden deactivated their website and removed their franchise ads from the marketplace, also with the company listed as dormant but yet have been trading since September 2023. I wonder if they are paying tax or VAT ?

I think I know the answer already.

 

[Beauty]

No they didn’t. You failed to do your research and got caught out.

Yeah because scammers advertise they are fraudsters in plain sight for everyone to see. Great response moderator

 

[fisicx]

Yeah because scammers advertise they are fraudsters in plain sight for everyone to see. Great response moderator

What due diligence did you do before handing over the cash? Did you properly research the franchise? Did you talk to other franchisees? Did you investigate the directors? Did you ask to see the accounts?

 

[Beauty]

What due diligence did you do before handing over the cash? Did you properly research the franchise? Did you talk to other franchisees? Did you investigate the directors? Did you ask to see the accounts?

Before I respond to your questions. I just want to point out how insensitive it is to assume it’s the victims fault. Also in this day and age we live in no one is going to hand over money just because they were told a service or product is good! Naturally you would ask questions and make research before making a decision. Let’s be very clear on that.

I didn't hand over cash. And yes I did research the company. And it’s directors. Everything seemed very much above board. I saw other franchises registered on companies house, and their linked profile. There was no contact details for me to reach out to them. However there what seemed to be credible reviews on their website (now deactivated) along with a money back guarantee. But you see the thing about seasoned fraudsters, the idea is to appear as legitimate as possible.

Unfortunately the way they’ve set it up it’s only once you have actually handed over that money and they start failing to deliver on the promises they made you. That’s when slowly but surely you come to the realisation that it is in-fact a scam. Better known as Franchise Fraud.

I wonder what QFA would say to know that Halcyon Franchising Group Ltd are using their association with them to defraud people ?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Before I respond to your questions. I just want to point out how insensitive it is to assume it’s the victims fault. Also in this day and age we live in no one is going to hand over money just because they were told a service or product is good! Naturally you would ask questions and make research before making a decision. Let’s be very clear on that.

I didn't hand over cash. And yes I did research the company. And it’s directors. Everything seemed very much above board. I saw other franchises registered on companies house, and their linked profile. There was no contact details for me to reach out to them. However there what seemed to be credible reviews on their website (now deactivated) along with a money back guarantee. But you see the thing about seasoned fraudsters, the idea is to appear as legitimate as possible.

Unfortunately the way they’ve set it up it’s only once you have actually handed over that money and they start failing to deliver on the promises they made you. That’s when slowly but surely you come to the realisation that it is in-fact a scam. Better known as Franchise Fraud.

I wonder what QFA would say to know that Halcyon Franchising Group Ltd are using their association with them to defraud people ?

Being insensitive and considering the feelings of people is not really part of the script on this one!

Facts are the only currency here and it is advised by all the usual suspects on this forum for those seeking franchise opportunities to get legal advice and have a solicitor look over the agreement Also good advice can be gained from this forum as there is so much experience from traceable people with lifetimes of experience.

One of the aims of this forum is for those seeking business opportunities to get opinions and advice from here and be directed to professional services or even offered those services by the professionals on the site

To come on here and do research then spend the afternoon defending the reckless and short sighted act of investing into a zombie firm is plain stupid .
Those that have lost investment have no one else to blame as they miraculously discover UKBF after the damage was done but did not bother to do a deeper investigation when taking the plunge
if this work was done in the planning stages non of these investors would have lost any money

You were not buying a cheap pair of shoes and checking the reviews. Some of you risked and lost your lifetime savings
This site is here to help before you invest

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Hi Keith,

Victim blaming is a common tactic used by scammers, even in cases of less obvious cybercrime.

You would be far better off if you did not use the quotes that you have read on social media and actually listen and understood what the people on here are saying .It is almost like your trying to teach them

 

[Mark T Jones]

Before I respond to your questions. I just want to point out how insensitive it is to assume it’s the victims fault. Also in this day and age we live in no one is going to hand over money just because they were told a service or product is good! Naturally you would ask questions and make research before making a decision. Let’s be very clear on that.

I didn't hand over cash. And yes I did research the company. And it’s directors. Everything seemed very much above board. I saw other franchises registered on companies house, and their linked profile. There was no contact details for me to reach out to them. However there what seemed to be credible reviews on their website (now deactivated) along with a money back guarantee. But you see the thing about seasoned fraudsters, the idea is to appear as legitimate as possible.

Unfortunately the way they’ve set it up it’s only once you have actually handed over that money and they start failing to deliver on the promises they made you. That’s when slowly but surely you come to the realisation that it is in-fact a scam. Better known as Franchise Fraud.

I wonder what QFA would say to know that Halcyon Franchising Group Ltd are using their association with them to defraud people ?

You will find overall that this forum is reasonably sensitive (in a tough love kind of way) to people who mess up and make mistakes - even those who fail.

Along with most business owners, I've made foolish mistakes and also failed.

there are 2 pre-conditions to being accepted:

1. Take ownership of your mistakes - don't just blame everyone else.

2. Learn the lessons

You can't do the second without the first.

the OP has come here, taken advice and moved on. Others coming on shouting fraud (in block caps) really aren't helping themselves or others.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

money back guarantee franchise

Yeh, like unicorns delivering parcels on time for Evri!

 

[Beauty]

What due diligence did you do before handing over the cash? Did you properly research the franchise? Did you talk to other franchisees? Did you investigate the directors? Did you ask to see the accounts?

It’s deeply inappropriate and insensitive to suggest that a victim is somehow responsible for being scammed. Surely you understand that no one simply hands over their money without asking questions or conducting their own research.

To clarify, I didn't hand over cash without thought. I did research the company thoroughly. However, seasoned fraudsters invest significant effort in making themselves appear legitimate. It's only after you've trusted them with your money and they fail to deliver on their promises that you realise you've been scammed.

Keith George Gardener (Chairman), James Gardener (Former Director/CEO), and Rhys Ruck (James’ friend/colleague), all representatives of Halcyon Franchising Group Ltd and Halcyon Care Gloucestershire Ltd, orchestrated a well-planned scheme designed to defraud people of their hard-earned money.

Instead of blaming the victims, use your platform to raise awareness of their fraudulent activities.

 

[Beauty]

You will find overall that this forum is reasonably sensitive (in a tough love kind of way) to people who mess up and make mistakes - even those who fail.

Along with most business owners, I've made foolish mistakes and also failed.

there are 2 pre-conditions to being accepted:

1. Take ownership of your mistakes - don't just blame everyone else.

2. Learn the lessons

You can't do the second without the first.

the OP has come here, taken advice and moved on. Others coming on shouting fraud (in block caps) really aren't helping themselves or others.

The only mistake I made was trusting them to deliver on their promises.

I refuse to accept any suggestion that the victim holds some sort of blame in this situation.

That said, you're right—there are definitely lessons to be learned here.

I'm speaking out to raise awareness, not to be attacked or blamed. Please take what you can from my experience and keep scrolling if you have nothing helpful to say.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

The only mistake I made was trusting them to deliver on their promises.

I refuse to accept any suggestion that the victim holds some sort of blame in this situation.

That said, you're right—there are definitely lessons to be learned here.

I'm speaking out to raise awareness, not to be attacked or blamed. Please take what you can from my experience and keep scrolling if you have nothing helpful to say.

No
The victim is responsible because despite all the guidance from everybody here you still protest Then you have the nerve to warn us about a dodgy investment. Your warning business people who know more than you about it
You dont act like a person seeking business opportunities you remind me of a 15 year old teenager that is not allowed a new Iphone
Your having a laugh and its disrespectful
Listen to what people are telling you No wonder you got sucked in!

 

[Mark T Jones]

Here's a fact that blew my mind when I first heard it

Professional fraudsters/scammers actively target people who have been caught out before, because they are far more likely to be caught again than first-timers.

Makes no sense at all, surely 'once bitten, twice shy?'

Given the level of denial on here it's kind of starting to make sense

 

[fisicx]

Consider also the whole concept of buying a recruitment agency franchise. It makes little sense unless you already know how recruitment works. And if you did you wouldn’t need a franchise.

 

[Ian J]

Professional fraudsters/scammers actively target people who have been caught out before, because they are far more likely to be caught again than first-timers.

Makes no sense at all, surely 'once bitten, twice shy?'

is it the same with marriage?

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I saw other franchises registered on companies house, and their linked profile. There was no contact details for me to reach out to them. However there what seemed to be credible reviews on their website.

So you didn't reach out to other franchisees before proceeding?

Did you *ask the franchisor for contact details of other franchisees?

* for anybody taking this route always ask for a complete list of franchisees. Don't rely on one or two successful one's the seller send's details for.

 

[Mark T Jones]

is it the same with marriage?

I believe the accepted expression is 'A triumph of hope over experience'. (I'm on number 2, so hopefully hope will win).

 

[Sean Lee-Amies]

I've never understood the appeal of a franchise. You're just paying to have less control - but why did you get into business in the first place if not for the control that allows you to do things your own way?

There are legitimate franchises out there, of course, but so many seem to be designed to extract more value than they add to people who are in a questional or otherwise vulnerable position.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I've never understood the appeal of a franchise. You're just paying to have less control - but why did you get into business in the first place if not for the control that allows you to do things your own way?

There are legitimate franchises out there, of course, but so many seem to be designed to extract more value than they add to people who are in a questional or otherwise vulnerable position.

Franchise is a different mindset & skillset from stetting up your own business, but can be a good way to build a business of you understand the model.

Unfortunately it's both bought and sold as some kind of 'guaranteed success' model - which it definitely isn't!

 

[yasminjahir]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and insights. I really appreciate your time and honesty. It’s clear that doing thorough research is essential before making such investments. Your warnings and advice mean a lot. I’ll take everything into account as I move forward. Thank you again!