Search found 14 matches

by Gluxnis
Wed Jan 25, 2017 11:34 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

More days, more excuses. The email chain between me and good old Andy Spinks is now at 55. While I still don't have my money (and, let's be honest, probably never will) it's been pretty comical to hear some of his excuses. The contradictions in his logic are amazing. He still maintains that GEL/IEG are legitimate companies and that he personally has "placed thousands of teachers" and yet he can't seem to fine 90 Pounds to refund us. Seems like a financially sound business to me!

Since now is the prime of recruiting season ans I would love nothing more than to help others avoid giving their money to the fraud Spinks, does anyone have any other ideas of places to post / warn people about him?
by Gluxnis
Sat Jan 21, 2017 5:10 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

I have been persistent in my emails once again and Spinks continues to make excuses as to why we haven't been refunded. It's now been 22 days since the money was first taken. He seems to have no understanding of how Paypal works for refunds even though he's perfectly able to take money via Paypal.
by Gluxnis
Tue Jan 17, 2017 4:30 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

No, still no refund as of today. The last email I got from Andrew was a copy+past from a Paypal refund (which I took with a HUGE grain of salt). On that email it said 5-7 business days. Today is the 7th business day and no refund in the account. I'm almost certain it's not coming.

The fraud has been reported to the Police National Fraud and Cyber-crime Reporting Center at actionfraud.police.uk about 10 days ago as well, and we haven't heard anything from them. I will, of course, update if anyone contacts us.

At this point I'm really just ready to give up and hope that karma gives Andrew Spinks what he deserves. I've spent enough of my time and energy going after this low-life excuse of a businessman. My hope now is that others read this forum and don't fall for the trap. Sorry to everyone else who has lost money, hopefully the universe finds a way to give Spinks what's coming to him.
by Gluxnis
Mon Jan 16, 2017 3:39 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

Just an update to the original post: It's been 17 days since we first sent money to Spinks / GEL. Still have not been refunded.
by Gluxnis
Wed Jan 11, 2017 12:34 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

Every single one of my claims can be substantiated and I have a mile of email chains full of half-truths and whole-lies from GEL for just that purpose. Doesn't get much more substantial than that. I came here with the intention of telling my story and warning others about the GEL / IEG trap. I've done exactly that with zero hyperbole or editorializing.

I should state, too, that I do not believe that a single comment on this forum has been inappropriate. In fact, I think everyone here has done a fantastic job of articulating precisely the problems they've had with GEL, IEG and Mr. Spinks, in quite a professional manner.

As for pathetic comments, well that's just in the eye of the beholder, isn't it?

Slow clap for those instant job offers, though. How's the weather up there?
by Gluxnis
Tue Jan 10, 2017 2:58 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

Thanks for your input as well. You're the very first person I've come across anywhere on the internet that has something good to say about GEL or IEG. Could you please elaborate on the "more than five occasions" in which IEG has helped you? Did you attend recruitment fairs with them? Did you gain international school employment as a result? What exactly did they help you do, and why was your experience so radically different from mine and others in this post?

In regards to Mr. Spinks, could you please offer details as to why you would support him as a legitimate businessman? What types of services has he offered you that leave you with an opinion that differs from everyone else on this forum and elsewhere? Please regale us with these facts that you're so easily willing to repeat in a court of law, I'm very eager to hear the other side of this story.

Lexicycle wrote:
> I would like to confirm that IEG is a bona fide business and as a U.K.
> Teacher who has used their services on more than five occasions I have been
> delighted with the sevices and placements I have received.
> I have visited their office in Brentwood and met Andrew Spinks.
> I endorsed Andrew Spinks on the LinkedIn site about four years ago so my
> endorsement can be verified as written previous to this current incorrect
> judgement upon the company and Andrew Spinks.It is too easy to make
> spurious claims on the internet today. I am offering facts which I would be
> prepared to repeat in a Court of Law here in the U.K.
> I suggest that some of the contributors here would not for fear of
> defamation of character and damage claims.
by Gluxnis
Tue Jan 10, 2017 1:57 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

Did you ever get your refund? I'm less than hopeful that mine will ever show up. It certainly doesn't seem that GEL is in the business of satisfying requests.


BritExpat99 wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> I too have had a terrible experience with GEL in 2015 and WOULD DEFINITELY
> CONFIRM THEY ARE A SCAM!
>
> They have been around for a long time as I had initially been in contact
> with them a few years before and kept receiving emails from them.
>
> Just like previous posters – I contacted GEL
> (info@globaleducationlogistics.com) and was corresponding with a Mr Andrew
> Spinks. I signed up and paid 45 GBP to attend a recruitment fair on the
> 11th April 2015 at a hotel in London. I was assured that there would be a
> range of schools i.e. a recruitment fair and that I should bring many
> copies of my CV’s to hand out and I was also ‘pre-booked’ for an interview;
> but would have other interviews on the day.  They even sent me a schedule
> for the day.
>
> I kept emailing regarding questions and was specifically interested in a
> school that was advertised to be there.  Then the communication became
> really poor and Mr Spinks would not answer any of my questions or when he
> did finally respond it was very vague.
>
> I went anyway and basically, there were two guys sat there at a desk and
> there was only ONE school on the day! Let me tell you – it was a school no
> one wanted! I queried where the other schools were and the guy gave a short
> answer stating that that was it and that they never confirmed there was any
> other schools, but I could now attend any other GEL recruitment fairs! I
> was the only person there and I was there for 10 mins.
>
> Please see the email below that I sent to Mr Spinks following my experience
> on that day…
> __________________________________________________________________________
> Dear Andrew,
> Further to our meeting this morning, I write to inform you that I will no
> longer require your services in order to find a teaching position overseas.
>
> I must say that your so-call ‘recruitment fair’ today was extremely
> disappointing.  In addition, my experience so far with yourself and GEL as
> a recruiter has been less than satisfactory. 
>
>  Specifically, the communication and information provided (or lack thereof)
> has been appalling.  You constantly failed to provide sufficient
> information or even respond adequately to my specific email queries. 
> Further, in reference to today’s debacle – one school a recruitment fair
> does not make! I am not sure what your idea or model for recruitment is –
> but having been an educator for some time and my knowledge of true
> recruitment fairs, this was again disappointing.
>
> Having paid £45 for your service – I am now questioning whether you or your
> company are reputable or trustworthy.  So far, I have not had any good
> reviews.  As an educator for quite some time I have never had to pay a
> recruiter.  If this morning and the treatment I have received so far is
> anything to go by – I would probably go as far as to associate you with
> those recruiters (or schools) that dupe and misled teachers only to gain a
> commission.
>
> Again this has been a most disappointing experience and I feel that your
> service does not warrant me paying £45. Therefore, I would like to request
> a full refund.  In addition, I would also like my details and contact
> information removed from your system and do not wish to be contacted by you
> or your company in the future.
by Gluxnis
Tue Jan 10, 2017 1:52 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

Thank you to everyone for your input. I feel there is some consolation in knowing that my wife and I are not the only ones who have fallen for this scam. It's crystal clear now that GEL is anything but a legitimate company, and it certainly would appear that Mr. Spinks has been using the same dubious business practices to defraud people for years. It's my hope that by having this post here we can help others from falling into the same trap. Tell everyone you know in the international school community to avoid GEL and associated companies like the plague.

Thanks again to everyone who has written here!
by Gluxnis
Fri Jan 06, 2017 1:22 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

UPDATE:

I'm going to post this update / summary of my experience with GEL (Global Education Logistics) to help serve as a cautionary tale and hopefully help others from falling into the scam that my wife and I became victims of.

Back in November we first made contact with GEL to inquire about their London recruitment fairs. Their website lists dates for fairs all around the world, from Toronto to London to Dubai. The email communication with GEL was poor from the start -- questions went unanswered (multiple times), details were hazy and the whole operation looked (especially in hindsight) shady. The only point of contact we had was an "info@globaleducationlogistics.com" email, coming from someone named Andrew Spinks. We were told, by Spinks, that more information would be given after we sent in our applications, which were basically Q & A forms and, of course, we had to pay 45 Pounds each for this honor. After the payment of 90 GBP cleared we were given a PDF file with some basics talking about the London recruitment fair to be held on January 7/8 at the Hilton Hotel in Paddington. Then the real problems began.

In the PDF file, we were told the fair would run from 9-6 and that our day would be scheduled for us, by GEL, depending on which schools were interested in meeting with us. We asked for details about this on Friday, December 30 so we could book our train tickets. We heard nothing. Next Monday we emailed again asking for details. We heard nothing. We emailed again on Wednesday. Surprise, surprise, we heard nothing. This is when we started to really get concerned.

We decided to contact the Hilton Hotel Paddington directly to see if there was even a recruitment fair scheduled for that weekend. We were told (hold onto your hats here, you're in for a real shock!) that there was nothing scheduled for that weekend. SCAM ALERT!

I contacted Andrew Spinks again and asked him to explain why he hadn't answered our questions and why the hotel had nothing planned. He stated that he had a family tragedy which forced him to cancel the London fair. Keep in mind, of course, we were told this less than 48 hours before we were due to travel more than 100 miles to London to attend the fair -- and we only found out because we asked. Terrible business practices at the very, very least.

I then found out, thanks to the ISR Forum, that GEL has been at this same business practice for nearly a decade, under various names. Their business model is basically to get money from people like us, say they will organize a recruitment fair and then cancel nearly all the dates. If and when they do actually organize a fair, it's my understanding that the fair is nothing more than a few schools / recruiters sitting around at tables and some unsuspecting candidates like us thinking it's a legitimate recruitment fair. Not at all what their website leads you to believe (or what I'd personally picture a recruitment fair to be).

At this point, I requested that Mr. Spinks refund our money before 5pm that day or that I would be alerting the authorities. 5pm came and went and still no refund. Spinks then informed me (in this order) that he was busy, he was in the hospital and that his fiance had cancer. I told him he could have until 2pm on Friday, Jan. 6 to issue the refund because if any or all of those things were true that's pretty sad.

Then today, Friday, Jan. 6, Spinks continued his stream of hot air telling me he couldn't issue the refund today for various reasons. First there wasn't enough money in his Paypal account, then he was unable to link a card or account to his Paypal, then he was busy again and I would need to wait until Monday.

Finally, about 20 minutes ago as of the time of this writing I got a copy + past email from Spinks that looks like a Paypal refund receipt. I am reluctant to believe that it's real, of course, especially considering that the email we originally used to make the purchase has yet to receive any email from Paypal stating a refund has been made. At any rate, the Paypal T&C's state that it can take 5-7 business days for refunds to process, so we will be keeping a close eye on the bank account used for the payment and will update this post as needed.

So, to summarize, even if we do get our refund (which I think is still fairly doubtful) GEL is not a legitimate player in the International Education recruitment game. I don't want others to give this company their hard-earned money expecting to have legitimate employment prospects only to to duped the way we were. Keep your money in your pocket, don't give it to GEL -- or better yet, use it for legitimate job search and recruitment agencies. My biggest piece of advice to anyone seeking employment in international schools: Stay away from Global Education Logistics, their sister company International Education Group or any company with Andrew Spinks' name attached.
by Gluxnis
Fri Jan 06, 2017 10:14 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

Thanks for the info, but actually I am American but living in England (my wife is English). The thing is certainly a scam. I went back and fourth with the GEL representative, Andrew Spinks, for the past two days and have heard nothing but excuses from him (family tragedy, he was in the hospital, he doesn't have money in his Paypal account, his fiance has cancer) -- seriously, the guy has thrown it all at me.

Needless to say we are still without our refund after giving him two deadlines to meet that have come and gone. We've filed a report of fraud with the police and hopefully the will be investigating. My biggest hope now, however, is that I can help others not fall into this trap.
by Gluxnis
Thu Jan 05, 2017 12:17 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

Wow, this really sheds a lot of light on the whole situation. Thank you so much for filling me in, my wife and I now have a much clearer picture of what just went down.

I haven't gotten our money back yet but I have been told it will happen tomorrow by the GEL rep, Andrew Spinks. He first claimed to me that he had a family "tragedy", then that he was busy, then that he was in the hospital, and finally that his fiance has cancer. I'm really reluctant to call the guy a liar, because if his story is true it is, of course, terrible sad. But, that being said, it certainly feels like he just continues to give us the run-around as he has been for well over a week now. At any rate, I have told him he has until 2pm tomorrow before I start contacting authorities like Trading Standards.

I guess this is a live and learn situation. Funny thing too, my mother in-law also found out her credit card was cloned and used in Germany today. Just one of those days, isn't it?

Thanks again for all of your information, you really helped clear it all up. I'll keep you posted when / if we get our money back.
by Gluxnis
Thu Jan 05, 2017 11:07 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

Any idea if their recruitment fairs are legitimate? Do they ever actually have the fairs or do they simply take money like this? I'm looking into my legal options to go after them for a refund.
by Gluxnis
Thu Jan 05, 2017 6:59 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Re: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

Update to this post:

We paid 90 GBP to GEL last week (12/30) for attendance at their fair in London. We were told the fair would be held at the Hilton Paddington. The communications with GEL, and their supposed director Andrew Spinks, was less than acceptable. Email questions went unanswered, details were fuzzy and the whole thing smelled a little fishy. So, we started doing some investigating online and came back with nearly nothing, we couldn't even find a phone number for GEL through British Telecom or the Yellow Pages. We finally decided to call the Hilton Paddington to confirm that they were indeed hosting a fair this weekend and we were told that they had nothing of the sort scheduled. Major red flag.

So far today I have managed to email GEL and demand a refund (with the ultimatum of alerting the authorities of a scam if we're not refunded) and was told, by Andrew Spinks, that he's had a family emergency and thus canceled the event this weekend. Keep in mind, of course, that we were never told this and the Hilton Paddington didn't say they event was canceled, but rather that they had no even scheduled.

As of now (noon GMT) I haven't received the refund from Spinks but I told him it needs to happen by 5pm today. I will update later today as the story continues.

TL;DR:

Global Education Logistics, Limited (GEL) is almost certainly a scam company. I now have many reason to believe that they are not legitimate and are doing nothing more than defrauding people of their hard earned money. I'm positing this here as a cautionary tale to warn others like me STAY AWAY FROM GEL!!!
by Gluxnis
Thu Jan 05, 2017 2:43 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?
Replies: 48
Views: 131916

Any Experience with GEL (Global Edu. Logistics)?

Hi all, first time poster here and new to the international school community. My wife and I are beginning our job search and we've paid to attend a recruitment fair this coming weekend in London with an agency called GEL - Global Education Logistics.

Long story short, the communication with GEL has been terrible and we're unable to find a lot about them online aside from their website. Does anyone have experience with them? Are they a legitimate recruiting agency or have we fallen into a scam? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!