My husband received an email last Friday from Robin Upton, EVP of Client Services, TOP.  He met with her today @ 5420 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1250 and brought home a sleek brochure with pictures of sharp dressed professionals, high rise office buildings and announcing there was no limit to the possibilities, when teamed with TOP.  It was almost believable, until I realized there was no contact info and no website, just a badly stapled business card in the corner (phone # on card 972-726-8700).

Along with the brochure there were a couple of questionnaires (two for him, one for me) and an appointment set for the both of us on Sat. 7/12 (they wanted to be flexible and considerate of my work schedule).  Ohhh she also mentioned a payment plan of $200/month.  

I worked for an executive level recruiter for three years and in the recruiting department of a major retailer for three more (I never received $$ from potential employees - only employers).  Thank you all for confirming that I haven't forgotten everything I learned over those six years !!  We will not be keeping that appointment on the 12th !!

Yeah, we don't trust all you fakers - shills - either!

Yeaaaaa, i dont trust these sites either. they're like the tmz of company reviews.

I have used his services before and it worked out just fine for me. You have to look at these kinds of deals as an investment.

Hey, I used their services and it turned out just fine for me. You have to approach these types of services as an investment.

Thank you so much for these comments.  My husband met with Larry Spradling today and for the bargain price of $7800, TOP would place him in a SVP position in the Dallas area within 6 months.  It sounded far too good to be true.  Thank goodness for Google!

The name says it all:  "Not Us!"

I agree with you 100%. These guy's are scam artists and I would venture to guess that all the positive comments that are listed below are from Notus employees who were told to post a positive response. My experience was similar to some of the other horror stories. I spoke to Steve R. out of the Salt Lake City office and he assured me that he could get me more that my previous 110K salary from a fortune 500 company. However, he would need 8K to get the process started. Luckily, I said No way I was going to give him 8K to get a POSSIBLE JOB  at 110K. He said Notus would cut me a break and start off at 5K and once I get the 110K salary, I would pay the remaining 3K. Well, 18 months later, I have not gotten one single interview or even a phone call from a prospective employer. Notus employees are well schooled in giving you busy work in lieu of getting you interviews. After 18 months, I called the Better Business Bureau in Salt Lake City to register a complaint. I heard back from them last week and said they requested a response from Notus on two occasions but did not receive a reply. They said Notus Salt Lake City is not a member of the BBB. Notus preys on people who are desperately looking for a job and hope they don't do any research on the company. I for one got a $5,000 lesson in not doing the research. I spoke to a reputable placement agency and they said most good companies bill the employer. If they do bill the employee, it's after they have taken the job and been employed for 90 days. Any Company like Notus who wants you to pay up front---Just Say NO and RUN.

I was just contacted by Top and have being doing my due diligence. My co-worker has nothing but good things to say about them. After reading the posts listed here it seems like only the negative comments get posted. If someone wants to share their positive experience they are called a shill.This makes me question the credability of the entire site.

Let the FAKE TESTIMONIALS resume! Less credible than ever ... wait, I guess that isn't possible ...

The stench of desperation ... smells like defeat! But do post again, the more time you spend spewing these lies on 800 notes, the less time you spend on the phone tricking suckers out of money!

I have to agree with the freedom post my experince was totally positive.The most valuable aspect of my TOP experience was just meeting with Larry and his enthusiasm. These meetings helped me prepare and think, but most importantly, they kept me centered. There were times I felt very depressed (just as predicted in the TOP materials and seminars), but I always felt better, more prepared and willing to do what was necessary after meeting with Larry and his staff. More than one person commented to me that they had been skeptical of my ?contracting? with TOP. Later though, they felt the emotional help it gave me (confidence in being prepared and talking with someone familiar with the process, what was needed and that understood how I was feeling) made it a worthwhile investment. Anyone that has not met or experciended what they have to offer is not qaulifed to comment. Mine is not from specualtion but what they did for me. End result I got a good position that I'm very pleased with.If you need professional help with your search I would recommned them highly. I tried and I could not do it alone. When i think about what it was costing me to be unemployed the cost was well worth it.

I'm an independent professional recruiter and I am familiar with  both these companies that are being talked about here. It is obvious that most of the individuals commenting don't know what they are talking about. I have used both these firms and they have been very helpful in helping me  find qualified clients. Being from Dallas I have had more contact with TOP. TOP is not a placement agency they are a career managment firm. I know if I call them I can depend on anyone they send me to be screened and ready to interview at the level that I need. If you need help with a career they are who you need to call. If you néed just a placement,  you need to call someone like me. There  is a big difference.

I'm an independent professionalrecruiter and I am familiar with  both these companies that are being talked about here. It is obvious that most of the individuals commenting don't know what they are talking about. I have used both these firms and they have been very helpful in helping me  find qualified clients. Being from Dallas I have had more contact with TOP. TOP is not a placement agency they are a career managment firm. I know if I call them I can depend on anyone they send me to be screened and ready to interview at the level that I need. If you need help with a career they are who you need to call. If you néed just a placement,  you need to call someone like me. There  is a big difference.

Speaking of scams has anyone looked at the ripoff report or googled  800.com scam  on this site --like I have said anyone can say anything they want to on the Internet - looks like most of the critics don't have firsthand knowledge or experience with either of these company's

You are right mr woods people put anything they want on the Internet just to try and hurt someone's business that they know nothing about its sad but true if you don't know why comment

When I was looking at these and it made me think of the State Farm commercial where the girl says that if it is on the internet it has to be true. Then the other guy says where did you hear that? and she says the internet. Most of the people here just made comments and haven't  actually gone down to see what they do. Not everybody needs the same type of help. My experience with them was a good one. You should go down and see what they do before you make a judgment.

Thank you, Mr. D. Woods

looks like some competitors may be trying to sabatoge a company that helped me find a good job

Okay, Dallas Freedom, now that Admin has purged that huge pile of fake testimonials from the other day, you're back to being a lone cry in the shill-derness.

i git the call from 972-759-0077..anyone know anything about this

I'm sure there is a pony at the bottom of that pile of pony poop - somewhere ;^)

Weird.    After reading successful's long-winded yet exceedingly vague and fact-lite comments, I thought I'd check around a little for TOP.  As reported by other posters, the outfit is run by one Larry Spradling  and has an office at  Two Lincoln Centre, 5420 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1250 - Dallas, TX 75240-- aka the  Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre Hotel.  

I ran every variation on the name, website  and phone numbers I could find, but the Dallas BBB apparently has never heard of these guys.    If the gang at TOP can reference their BBB rating, it would be appreciated.   (Bet they'll get right on that.)  

Checking the numbers led to a website for TOP:  dallastx-jobs.com

A Whois search revealed the following:

Registrant:
None Supplied
  ATTN DALLASTX-JOBS.COM
  care of Network Solutions
  PO Box 459
  Drums, PA.  US  18222
 

  Domain Name: DALLASTX-JOBS.COM

    Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
     None Supplied     @networksolutionsprivateregistration.com
     ATTN DALLASTX-JOBS.COM
     care of Network Solutions
     PO Box 459
     Drums, PA 18222
     US
     570-708-8780
     

  Record expires on 20-Jul-2013.
  Record created on 20-Jul-2010.
  Database last updated on 11-Apr-2013 15:19:28 EDT.

  Domain servers in listed order:

  NS77.WORLDNIC.COM            205.178.190.39
  NS78.WORLDNIC.COM            206.188.198.39

"This listing is a Network Solutions Private Registration. Mail
correspondence to this address must be sent via USPS Express Mail(TM) or
USPS Certified Mail(R); all other mail will not be processed. Be sure to
include the registrant's domain name in the address."
http://www.whois.com/whois/dallastx-jobs.com

While their web site claims they are "...one of the oldest and most experienced career search firms in the area," their website has only existed since July of 2010.   Further, they opted to use Network Solutions "private registration" service to  hide the true identity of the registrant.

Another interesting aspect of their website is the phone number they give is 972-386-7171.  A Whitepages check shows this to currently belongs to "Frieda's Cookware,  14500 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas TX. "  
www.whitepages.com/business/reverse_phone?phone_number=1-972-386-7171  
Apparently, somebody screwed up or Larry has a side job.

As to whether or not you want to fork over several thousands of dollars for career assistance to this guy is your call.

I didn't know you needed a shovel to get through a fairy tale!

It is always interesting to look for patterns and implied meanings in posts.  As an example, I've picked this one, totally at random.

"I read some of these comments and had to chime in because my experience has been very different."

Meaning: I was searching the web for dirt on this company because I am so happy with them.

"I am someone who actually used TOP to find a new career unlike the rest of the individuals on this thread who apparently were unhappy because they received a phone call."

Meaning: I am the only legitimate poster here, everyone else should be ignored.

"Not sure why receiving a phone call makes someone unhappy but who am I to judge.  "

Meaning: I am tolerant, and therefore likeable and trustworthy.

"My situation is probably not too uncommon in today?s economy.  I am an operations executive with 25+ years experience (most recently 15 years with a Fortune 500 company).  One day (February 2011), senior management told me (along with 80 other co-workers) the company was downsizing and my services were no longer needed."

Meaning: I'm just like the reader, with all the same problems.

"Now not being in the ?under 40? crowd, I was terrified.  I never had to look for a job in my life.  I always had someone chasing after me for new opportunities.  I am married with children and have family depending on me.  Again, I was terrified.  I began looking for a new job but kept running into the ?you are too qualified? or ?too experienced? line.  I was contacting friends, family, former co-workers, previous vendors, etc to no avail.  I thought I knew how to locate a new position but I obviously was wrong.  Time was running out for me.  "

Meaning: My circumstances were dire.  The end was near.

"One day I received a call from TOP inviting me in for an interview.  Thankfully, I went to the interview and was impressed with what they could do for me.  After agreeing to work with them, I started to get a plan in place."

Meaning: A kind person saw my plight and offered to help.

"After agreeing to work with them, I started to get a plan in place.  Previously, I was looking for close to a year with little or no meaningful results.  Within 30 days of working with TOP, I was interviewing at levels I was accustom and began building momentum again."

Meaning: I put on a blindfold and surrendered to their greater wisdom.

"Within 30 days of working with TOP, I was interviewing at levels I was accustom and began building momentum again.  Within in 45 days, TOP found me a new senior level operations position with a mid-sized consumer product manufacturer.  This opportunity has everything I am looking for.  The senior level management team is local, the company is innovative and aggressively growing and they value their employees.  The best thing about the new career TOP found for me is that I now have the ability to apply 25+ years of experience to a company who needs and values my expertise.  "

Meaning: Then a miracle happened.  I was rewarded for my blind faith, beyond all expectations.  Nirvana is reached!

"Again, my story is probably very similar to many (laid off due to the Great Recession) but different since I was able to find a company like TOP who was able to make sure I found the right opportunity for me and my family.  As for the others who are considering using TOP, I can say without a doubt that may career is going in a much better direction than it has in over a decade and TOP is the reason it happened."

Meaning: I was just like you, lying on the mud.  But then I discovered the secret the rest of you missed.  I embraced these total strangers and gave them all the money I had.  As a result of my blind faith I was lifted up out of the mud, washed by gentle rains, and placed on a golden mountaintop where I dwell in prosperity thanks to these kind and wise people.


Yes, it does sound like a fairy tale, doesn't it?

I also received a call from him...they are helpfull indeed to get a job..thanks a lot

Making fake posts on 800 notes -- really great job there.

You can go back to the boiler room now and hope the next sucker you call hasn't read this page.

I read some of these comments and had to chime in because my experience has been very different.  I am someone who actually used TOP to find a new career unlike the rest of the individuals on this thread who apparently were unhappy because they received a phone call.  Not sure why receiving a phone call makes someone unhappy but who am I to judge.  

My situation is probably not too uncommon in today?s economy.  I am an operations executive with 25+ years experience (most recently 15 years with a Fortune 500 company).  One day (February 2011), senior management told me (along with 80 other co-workers) the company was downsizing and my services were no longer needed.  Now not being in the ?under 40? crowd, I was terrified.  I never had to look for a job in my life.  I always had someone chasing after me for new opportunities.  I am married with children and have family depending on me.  Again, I was terrified.  I began looking for a new job but kept running into the ?you are too qualified? or ?too experienced? line.  I was contacting friends, family, former co-workers, previous vendors, etc to no avail.  I thought I knew how to locate a new position but I obviously was wrong.  Time was running out for me.  

One day I received a call from TOP inviting me in for an interview.  Thankfully, I went to the interview and was impressed with what they could do for me.  After agreeing to work with them, I started to get a plan in place.  Previously, I was looking for close to a year with little or no meaningful results.  Within 30 days of working with TOP, I was interviewing at levels I was accustom and began building momentum again.  Within in 45 days, TOP found me a new senior level operations position with a mid-sized consumer product manufacturer.  This opportunity has everything I am looking for.  The senior level management team is local, the company is innovative and aggressively growing and they value their employees.  The best thing about the new career TOP found for me is that I now have the ability to apply 25+ years of experience to a company who needs and values my expertise.  

Again, my story is probably very similar to many (laid off due to the Great Recession) but different since I was able to find a company like TOP who was able to make sure I found the right opportunity for me and my family.  As for the others who are considering using TOP, I can say without a doubt that may career is going in a much better direction than it has in over a decade and TOP is the reason it happened.

Are  you speaking about Notus  here?

My neighbor used TOP to help him secure his position and he couldn't speak more highly of the services they provided. He explained exactly what they did to help him. I have been recently laid off and have decided to work with them as well. I have read the other posts on this site and have to say that the people who have commented here must not have gone down to see what they actually do. My experience has been just the opposite.

I  have  used  Notus... they  really  helped  me  with  my  Resume  &  Cover  letter... I was  very  pleased with their help.

After  my  move from LA  to Dallas a few years  ago, I  researched career management firms,  I  went  with  Notus, I  signed  up  for their Marketing Package,  I  was  helped  a  great  deal with  my resume &  cover letter etc.  Without their  help I  would probably still  be  job searching.  I  was  very pleased with  with Notus.