08/15/09

Scam!!!!!!!!!!!!Beware!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by mrcsgoodwin

I worked for them for 2 gigs. All went well and clients were very pleased. They had me collect the payment form the client and then pay the other employee out of my own pocket (should have know something was up at this point). I was then to deposit the clients check into my own account and then pay the difference to Host Helpers from my own checking account minus my wages. This is where I go wrong... I instead of a check that I can track I send them a money order. About a month goes by and begin to get messages from some guy with an accent telling me I now owe them money. Basically I worked for these people....send them there laundered money and now they have attached a dept to my credit report saying I owe them 3 hundred and odd dollars. Worst experience with an employer ever. Avoid at all costs for all reasons. And H.H. you know your scam so don't bother writing a follow up. So Wrong!!!!!

• Pros: none
• Cons: riff off/tax fraud

05/18/09

Stress-Free Entertaining

by MalinaS

Host Helpers made my Daughter's 3rd Birthday Party a real blast for everyone - from blowing up the balloons, setting up the buffet, safety patrol in the jumpie, face-painting, constant clean-up, cake-cutting, distributing the gift bags, and then a spic-n-span clean-up of the Enormous Mess - they did it all swiftly, seamlessly, with a smile and within our budget. Hooray for Host Helpers. There's a reason these guys have been around for decades. They've got it down. We use them for our adult- only fancy cocktail parties, too. What a find!

• Pros: Reliable, Efficient, Versatile, Professional
• Cons: Didn't find them sooner

02/17/09

Host Helpers to the Rescue!

by AuntyEm1

These are such tumultuous economic times but one place where my husband and I refuse to budge is calling Host Helpers for our family's holidays and parties. They are so friendly and professional that we get compliments for days after any time they help us out. I like that we can request helpers that already know our home. It is a great service, particularly for the price.

• Pros: Reliable, Established, and Professional

01/09/09

Saved the Holidays!

by DrToddy

My wife and I have entertained many times a year for decades. Usually, we hired either Wolfgang Puck or Pastina to take care of all of the catering and staff. This year, the economy being what it is, we decided to try a more frugal angle and called Host Helpers. We have many friends who have used them for years at a fraction of what we are used to paying so we decided to try them. We did. For Thanksgiving. Then for our annual Christmas/ Hannukah party and THEN for our New Year's Eve party, too. We are sold. They are reliable, friendly, professional, and very reasonable for the superb services they provide. They even helped us source a Valet Parking service, a florist, and all our rentals. Great company!

• Pros: Economical, personable, reliable.
• Cons: We did not know about them 20 years ago!

11/16/08

Top Notch and Down to Earth

by MichelleZam

I just want to say how impressed I am with this little company. We called them kinda last minute for my mother-in-laws 70th birthday and they could not have been more friendly and complete on the phone. When I asked if there was any way we could get a break on the price, what with the economy and all, they did not hesitate to help out on that. I was told about them from a neighbor so after I talked to them, I looked up other services like theirs on the internet and decide to see if I could get a better break. Not only were all the others colder and less specific, but were either more expensive and would not budge but did not have the liability insurance or history. I find it refreshing that there are real people on the other end of the line these days. When we did have the party, we were delighted to find that the helpers were professional, hard working, and pleasant. We are having them again on Thanksgiving.

09/03/08

Very Disappointing

by REAV

We hired a bartender and assistant from Host Helpers for a large cocktail party at our home. They were supposed to arrive at 7pm. At 7:30, neither of them had arrived, and I knew there was a problem. Upon calling the hotline, I was told that they would try and get in touch with the employees. My guests began arriving at 8pm. By 8:30pm I had a house full of people and I was making drinks. They could not locate one employee, the other had apparently "called in sick", and they didn't get the message. The woman I spoke with really did try to be helpful, and finally found a bartender for us. He arrived at 9:30pm, and was great. Meanwhile, he was inundated, so I still had to help him make drinks for 45 people and continually replenish the appetizer table. At 10:30pm an assistant arrived. She too was very kind and helpful, and by 11:30pm I was able to have a drink myself. Once the party was over, we paid the staff, as they were helpful and we appreciated the work that they did, and did not want them to go unpaid. The next business day, I called Host Helpers primarily to express my discontent with their inefficient service, but to also praise the staff they finally did send. I asked them for a partial credit toward the services that were rendered as attempt to offset the angst they caused. They refused, saying that they would give me a 2hour credit toward future transaction! "What future transaction!" I said, "I am never using your service again!" Their idea of a "credit" benefits them--not me. I spoke with 2 different people essentially having the same circular conversation. The last person told me she'd have to speak with the owner and get back to me. Five days later, I received a letter from the owner apologizing for the mishap, and offering me 3 hours credit towards a future transaction. I have to tell you, that is POOR customer service. Had they given me the credit I requested, I may have considered using them in the future. Now--no way!

07/25/08

Veterans of Great Service

by Jeffapo

I do several hundred events a year and whenever I need additional staff, I call Host Helpers. Their waiters, bartenders and kitchen help are by far the most skilled and reliable that I have tried in Los Angeles. And, believe me, I have tried them all over the past 20 years. They are a staple in this industry and I don't book a gig without them on speed dial. Real class and skill. I have even started using them when I entertain at home which has been great. I don't have to serve at my own parties anymore. Or clean up. Great service and reputation.

• Pros: Excellent Service and Reputation

06/24/08

Great Idea, Excellent Service!

by dlgoldberg

My mother has used this company for years for our Passover and Rosh Hashanah events so when we started planning my bridal shower, bachelorette party, and wedding, she suggested we inquire if they worked these kind of events, too. Well, they do, they did, and we are not only sold on Host Helpers, all my picky, suspicious girlfriends have signed up with them, too. Our staff were so seamless at the wedding, I have nothing but good things to say. And the hunky bartender and waiter for the bachelorette party - at my mother's house! - were funny, charming, and just a little bit sassy. I can't wait to have them at my next wedding! (Just kidding, Dear.)

I wish I had thought of Host Helpers before for more than just the Holidays. Great value.

• Pros: Versatile, affordable, and established

06/21/08

Love These Guys!

by unclejoey

My friends get such a kick out of how I never entertain without Host Helpers. At first, I was teased for having help in the kitchen and a bartender but now they are sold, too. I like how we can get really specific with our needs. We asked for a funny, pretty bartender for a poker party and they sent a real firecracker! They've been around forever and not only are they surprisingly reasonable, they are reliable, friendly, and classy. I can't wait to try them for Thanksgiving. No dishes to wash!

• Pros: Reputation, friendliness, experience, price, reliability

06/03/08

The friendliest, most reliable bartenders and staff in L.A.

by martha222

Host Helpers are by the far the most reliable service we have used for our holidays and parties. I seriously can't remember how we did Passover and Thanksgiving without their help. The office ladies are very nice and even helped us plan our ice delivery and menu for a family reunion last Spring. They've been around for years and we have told many happy friends about this life saving service.

• Pros: Personable, reliable, experienced, and customer service.
• Cons: I would like to see more photos on their website.