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Topic: WARNING: The Reference Works
| Author | Message |
| Portia | Posted – 7/3/2007 1:59:23 PM | show profile The Reference Works are a small book packaging company located in NYC. Harold Rabinowitz, the head of the company keeps running out of money (he ows me $1200.00 for nine months), fire his staff, and then rehires innocent new people, only to practice the same outrageous behavior with them. Do not work for him. Portia |
| alahiri_1999 | Posted – 8/30/2007 9:49:27 PM | show profile thanks for posting this. i have an interview with him tomorrow - this is good to know. |
| hir555 | Posted – 10/8/2007 4:23:19 PM | show profile | email poster From Harold The above comment refers to me. I don't know who "Portia" is, but I can tell you that there are all sorts of reasons why people are paid and not paid. Our record is that we pay for material submitted even when the publisher cancels the contract. I don't know any pacakager that does that. If "Portia" would like to contact me and square this, go right ahead--but be prepared to answer questions about why there is any witholding of payment or delay in the payment. And I will be glad to let the public know what develops once this cowardly attack is disposed of. |
| ConfidentDesigner | Posted – 11/9/2007 9:58:53 AM | show profile Hmmmmm....to the poster above the one above this post: when you interview with that dude tomorrow, perhaps you should address the money issue right up front and if you get an offer , GET IT IN WRITING and show it to your lawyer before signing on the dotted line. |
| sue ellen mischke | Posted – 11/12/2007 5:36:19 PM | show profile Do a BBB check... |
| Metro Writer | Posted – 11/16/2007 10:56:45 AM | show profile Interesting reply from hir555. His profile shows that this was his only posting as of this date. The BBB check sounds good. Have you considered contacting the National Writers Union and finding out if they have had other complaints? |
| free_trial56 | Posted – 11/28/2007 7:23:05 PM | show profile bad experience with them I applied for a job. They called me in for an interview. They didn't tell me the job had been filled and that they wanted to discuss a freelance project. They gave me few details and asked for a quote. I asked some basic questions, and at that point their enthusiasm went away. My sense was that they wanted me to commit to a dollar figure and would just keep making me do more and more, beyond what was reasonable, to get it. As such, I'm not surprised to read what I read here. |
| free_trial56 | Posted – 11/28/2007 7:26:52 PM | show profile ... it's interesting that Mr. Rabinowitz did not rebut the statement about shuffling out his staff and replacing them with innocent new people. |
| Portia | Posted – 3/8/2008 2:21:48 PM | show profile | email poster More excuses and still no money! It's been since September of 2006 that Mr. Rabinowitz owes me money. He is full of excuses and blame, when as a matter of fact it was his company cheap practices when it comes to purchase art for a book (The book in question had around 10 images per spread). More so, since then he keeps moving from office to office like a fugitive. Be Warned. |
| megstear | Posted – 4/1/2008 11:02:28 AM | show profile | email poster WARNING: False Rumors from an irresponsible employee I work at The Reference Works, and can affirm that every accusation spread by Portia is not only false, but conceals the fact that she, in fact, did a great disservice to the company. This woman was hired for artwork and paid half of her commission up front. She then flaked on the job before completing it, critically delaying production of the book. For her to demand the rest of the commission and spread such slander about Mr. Rabinowitz is absolutely ludicrous. Sorry, Portia, but you've effectively elicited the downfall of your own professional reputation in this. Mr. Rabinowitz is more than fair in his employment contracts, and always honors them. Furthermore, as for this "firing his staff and rehiring innocent new people," Portia may want to check her facts next time before criticizing someone's business practices. Mr. Rabinowitz offers steady internships, which rotate on a five-month basis. These internships are among the best (most hands-on experience) offered in the business, and in fact his interns often stick around to complete projects even after their intern period has concluded. I hope this puts such libelous speculation to rest. All who are called in for an interview should feel honored and fortunate, not suspicious. Really, this entire thread is beneath the standards of mediabistro.com. |
| Portia | Posted – 5/23/2008 2:46:37 PM | show profile Lies, lies, and more lies For one, I NEVER received a penny up front. All the art was purchased by The Reference Works, but being so cheap they got free art of low resolution, and by the time the book was released to their client (Sterling), the client complained about the resolution of the art. You?d think that someone who?s been in the Publishing business for decades will know all that. My design and layout of hundreds of pages were published as is. The client loved the design and so did Mr. Rabinowitz who praised my work over his company Xmas lunch. This exchange is not below or beyond MediaBistro. This is precisely why the forum exists. |
