John Robert Powers Modeling and Acting

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[Company didn't ask for anything other than the Doctor's note, if they needed more documentation I would have provided it . Company also knew of these disabilities at the signing of the contract as well as several email's in regards to me not being able to attend most classes as well as boot camp workshops and my reasoning for missing.  I was in this their acting classes, which were an additional price as well,  prior to the convention's audition and missed several of those classes for medical reasons as well. The photo shoot was scheduled and had to be rescheduled due to these illnesses and taken at a later time. The photo shoot was also an additional cost that was not included in the $4100 that I paid. Company did not offer references or ideas to improve my health as they stated, however, on the phone, continuously mocked my situation bringing me to a severely anxious and hysterical state while still on the phone with them. My health, unfortunately isn't as simple solved in a simple manner and I have been dedicated to trying to resolve these issues as soon as possible because it isn't easy and I have no help or support system. I have attempted to resolve this matter with the company prior to any other avenues to obtain a refund. These medical conditions were diagnosed and informed to the company a substantial amount of time prior to the convention and I can provide documentation if necessary. Company claims that they are unbiased to personal circumstances that could value one client's issues over another, however, when I talked to other's attending the event I was informed of them not having to pay for competitions or getting a different price than I was told. I don't want this situation to continue to cause stress for either party and I am hoping to resolve it as soon as I can so I can focus on improving my health. ]
Regards,
[redacted]

To Whom It May Concern,We are sorry to hear the consumer does not feel her complaint has been resolved. Our company has done our best to work with this consumer by issuing a full credit without expiration to attend any IMTA convention in the future. With all due respect, alternatively no refund nor credit could have been issued to the consumer for dropping out of the event just 10 days before the start of the convention.With regards to the most recent message from the consumer, once our company was informed on December 26, 2016 that Ms. [redacted] did not feel well enough to attend the IMTA event on January 5th, studio representatives did ask on multiple occasions for the customer to provide documentation of her condition from a doctor. However, the doctor’s note attached (pg 1) only simply excuses the customer from the event itself, allowing her a full credit to roll over her enrollment to the next event or any other IMTA event thereafter. It was never suggested to the consumer that a doctor’s note meant that the company would issue a refund. Our company and its representatives were never informed upon contract that the customer had a serious condition that could potentially prevent her from attending the IMTA event. No documentation was ever given regarding this condition at any point since August 23, 2015 until the attached doctor’s note received on 12/29/15; however strangely dated for 2/10/2016.  Furthermore, there is nothing in writing nor any agreement between our company and the customer that states a refund will be provided should the customer not be able to attend the event due to said condition. The customer attended a bootcamp workshop on December 19th 2015. On December 20, 2015, she did not attend day two of the same bootcamp workshop the following day. However, when studio representative Jennifer Lewis reached out to the customer on December 20, 2015 to find her whereabouts, the customer made no mention of her condition; her reasoning for absence was due to food poisoning. The customer also indicated in this conversation that she would still practice (her lines) from her bed, indicating to the studio representative that Ms. [redacted] still had all intentions of attending the IMTA event just 15 days away (page 2). We apologize that the suggestions made to the customer were not viable options for her to improve her health, but do not appreciate the customer’s claims that she was mocked by any of our representatives or driven to a hysterical state, because these are absolutely false accusations. Ten days prior to the event is not a substantial amount of time for any customer to request a cancellation of the contract signed four months prior, with expectations of receiving a full refund. Our company stands firm in that no monies will be refunded, however, the customer will still have a full credit to attend any IMTA event in the future. This event takes place twice a year. It has been in existence for 30 years and attracts performers from all over the world. Our hopes are that Ms. [redacted] can attend the next event in January 2017 in Los Angeles.Sincerely, [redacted]

To Whom It May Concern,Our records indicate that the customer in reference, Ms. [redacted] signed a contract with our company on 8/23/15 to attend the International Model and Talent Convention (IMTA) January 5th - January 9th 2016 (see pages 1-3). The total cost of the IMTA convention...

package purchased and signed off on by the customer on 8/23/15 was $4000 (page 1). The customer fulfilled installments to pay off this balance with a lowered interest rate of $100 for being a military service member, making the total amount fulfilled, $4100. As noted in the contract, there is a 3 day cancellation policy in which Ms. [redacted] signed off on. It also notes in this cancellation policy that no refunds will be given after this cancellation window and that all future payments are non-refundable. From August 23, 2016 - December 19, 2016, the customer rendered services, by attending multiple classes, boot-camp workshops, and a photoshoot; additionally conducting both phone and in-person meetings led by [redacted] Talent staff at our Mission Valley location in preparation for the IMTA LA 2016 convention that she was contracted to attend. It was not until December 26, 2015 that we were first notified that the customer felt as though she no longer could attend the convention, only 10 days prior to the start of the event. We are sincerely sensitive the the customer’s claims that she is suffering from an illness due to her service in the Marine Corps and that she feels this prevented her from attending the event. We pray for a speedy recovery and have offered up ideas and references for her utilize to improve her health.From a business standpoint, it wasn’t until over 4 months after the customer signed a contract with our company and utilized our services did we first hear about her condition. Yes, we did ask for any formal documentation that could be provided. A very simple doctor’s note was provided (Page 4), which only excused Miss [redacted] from the actual convention itself.  We immediately told Miss [redacted] that we would honor a roll over credit to attend any future IMTA convention without expiration or additional cost to her in the hopes that Miss [redacted] will feel well enough to come back to our program.Miss [redacted] has not been satisfied with this and has taken other avenues to obtain a refund including writing a complaint here on the Revdex.com and disputing charges to her credit card. Again, we empathize with Miss [redacted] that she has not felt well in recent weeks, but the contract signed is to protect both parties. Our company policy is to be unbiased to personal circumstances, that would potentially value one client’s personal issues over another and negotiating refunds based on this type of grey area. The contracts are in black and white and for that reason, we as a company are also held accountable to provide the services outlined in the contract. We will always keep the door open for Miss [redacted] to come back to our studio and look forward to a positive resolution in the matter. Please review the attached paperwork as noted in this letter.Regards,[redacted]

Review: On August 5th, I signed a contract for both of my daughters to attend John Robert Powers (JRP). As [redacted], the Rep from JRP went over the contract, she failed to state that there would be a $300 fee for canceling the contract, and that there was a 10% fee if you choose to do a payment plan. At the time of signing the contract I had all three of my daughters with me and noticed when she was writing out the monthly payment charges it did not add up to what we originally discussed. I thought to myself that doesn't make sense, but I will look over everything more closely when I get home and am not distracted by all three of my girls. She took down my personal checking information (Which by the way NEVER do, this is basically handing your money over to criminals), and she even had my daughters sign the contract. We left. When I got home, and read all the fine print I discovered the $300 cancelation fee as well as the 10% fee for the payment plan option. I felt lied to, taken for, and upset that she had taken advantage of my honest nature. I cancelled the contract in writing through email on August 9th and attached the contract and receipt of the $675 dollar charge. I also called her ad told her that I would personally give her the letter in writing, however, she proceeded to tell me that that would be a waste of my time, as she does all refunds. I also stated that I no longer authorized them to withdraw money form my account and that I want to be refunded $375, minus the $300 cancellation fee. Their contract states that they have 10 days to refund all monies, thus I should have received by refund by the 23rd. She called back and offered these ridiculously low prices, (thus proving they only want peoples money), and I told her I would discuss with my husband. After deciding to go through with the cancellation, she still persisted to ask about having the girls enroll. FInally, I had my husband contact [redacted]. [redacted] stated that she made the return on August 22. However, here we are almost a week later and my money has yet to be refunded. I can't believe that businesses can take advantage of honest people who want the best for their kids. Its makes me sick in the stomach.Desired Settlement: That [redacted] be honest and return my $375. Otherwise, I will have no other option except to pursue legal action against the agency.

Business

Response:

John Robert Powers

2667 Camino Del Rio S.

Suite210

San Diego, CA 92108

Revdex.com of San Diego

4747 Viewridge Ave

Suite 200

San Diego, CA 92123

To Whom It May Concern,

This letter is in response to complaint JD [redacted] submitted on 8/28/2013 by Customer [redacted]

and [redacted], San Diego, CA 92123.

Our records indicate that Mrs. [redacted] did in fact receive her refund BEFORE her letter of

complaint was written to the Revdex.com.

The timeline of events that are documented on our end is as follows. Please refer to all attached

paperwork to reference corresponding dates and signatures.

On Monday August 5, 2013 customer [redacted] came in to our studio for her second visit

to sign her 2 daughters into our Competitive II program. [redacted] who was the

representative that handled the enrollment of Mrs [redacted]'s daughters was able to secure a

two for one scholarship at that time for Mrs [redacted], meaning her 3 year old daughter was

added to the contract and both girls 6 & 3 years would have the same advantages outlined in our

40 week program. There was an additional fee however of $525, that would cover the hard costs

for the 2nd child's professional photography package which is included in our Competitive II 40

week program. (Please see attached pricing sheet- pg 1)

In addition to the two for one scholarship, this particular customer was actually not charged a

10% interest, or any interest at all for that matter, which is typically charged when a customer

chooses to pay off the program tuition in installments. (Please see attached payment plan option

breakdown- pg 2)

The customer's total was $2275 + $525 " $2800 for both girls- 2 photo packages, 80 weeks of

coaching in total and 2 full years of auditions (100 auditions total- 50 for each girl). When you

take out the $525 (included in the original $2275 price) for the first photo shoot and the

additionally paid $525 for the second photo shoot, that turns out to $17.50 a class/audition for

Mrs. [redacted]'s children. It is a great deal and extremely fair and reasonable if you were to do a

cost comparison to any other extra curricular activity in San Diego County. Mrs. [redacted] put a

$675 payment down towards the program, leaving a total balance of $2125 that would be paid off

in 5 additional monthly payments.

Yes, our contract states a non-refundable $300 cancellation policy It is in black and white. It is

spoken out loud to every customer and there is nothing stopping any customer from taking the

time to read the contract over before signing. Please refer to the attached contract (page 3&4)

signed by Mrs. [redacted] in two places, one right underneath the $300 non-refundable

cancellation fee policy. Our company can not be blamed for Mrs. [redacted] being distracted by

her own children. We have dozens of children at our office at any given time and that's just how

it is when you are a parent with multiple children.

Please also see the attached credit card authorization form and payment schedule (Pg 5) that

was clearly written, agreed upon and signed by Mrs. [redacted]. It is a company policy that when a

customer opts for an installment plan, we place a form of payment on file whether it be post

dated checks, or a credit or debit card that can be processed automatically when the customer's

future payments are due. We run an academy, not a collections agency. With that said all

tuitions are paid in full or in installments. Installments are authorized upon enrollment like any

other academy or institution would do. Mrs. [redacted]'s unwarranted claims that signing a

payment authorization plan with our company is "basically handing your money over to criminals"

is absolutely insulting. Please note, for the record that Mrs. [redacted]'s credit card information in

which she authorized [redacted] to keep on file, has not been and will not be charged further from

anyone at our establishment.

Yes, Mrs. [redacted] did contact [redacted] on August 9th to cancel the contract she signed on the

5th. In hearing that Mrs. [redacted] wanted to cancel, [redacted] of course was shocked after having

spent so much time with her family and was saddened by the news that our company would not

have a chance to work with her children as previously agreed upon. [redacted] inquired with Mrs.

[redacted] if the issue was perhaps a financial one. She asked Mrs. [redacted] if she would be

interested in downgrading her program to one of our smaller packages and that she would look

into seeing if the two for one scholarship could still be honored for one of the other programs

valued either at $1275 or $725. (see page 1)

What Mrs. [redacted] is referring to as "ridiculously low prices," is the fact that [redacted] explained to

Mrs. [redacted] that if for example she only paid an additional $50 mare to her initial down

payment of $675 that had already been processed, she would reach $725, the cost of the 6 .

month program (See pg 1 ). This would still enable her girls to participate in the program in some

respect, of course on a smaller scale, but at least the girls didn't learn to quit something that they

just started, and in addition something that we were all mutually excited about. We are not only

out to get "people's money" as Mrs. [redacted] maliciously states. [redacted] was trying to help Mrs.

[redacted] not lose out on $300 and enable her daughters to still participate in our program simply

for an additional $50.

After this conversation, Mrs. [redacted] said that she would speak with her husband in regards to

the new option that was presented and with that, the official cancellation and refund of the $375

was in a holding pattern until we heard back from Mrs. [redacted] with her final decision.

After a few days, Mrs. [redacted] left a voicemail for [redacted] in which we have on file, that said

"Sorry I haven't been able to call you back in a few days, we would like to move forward with

what we talked about." Being that this was a vague message, [redacted] called back Mrs. [redacted]

to confirm exactly what her decision was. Our company was unsure if Mrs. [redacted] wanted the

option to downgrade or if she did in fact want to go ahead with the refund minus the $300.

Then there was some phone tag between [redacted] and Mrs. [redacted]. During which, Mr. [redacted]

got involved and caught our front desk receptionist off guard. We had been corresponding solely

with Mrs. [redacted] up until this point and it sounded as though he was unaware of the options

that were discussed with her. Since our front desk was not in the know of Mrs. [redacted]'s

situation, she could not give a clear answer to Mr. [redacted] regarding his refund. She told him if

anything that we would follow the policy of 10 business days from when the first call was made

regarding the cancellation.

Regardless of the he said she said back and forth, the refund was processed on August 23rd,

2013, 10 business days after receiving the first cancellation letter. We have record on our end

that the refund was batched out and received on the customer on Monday August 26th (please

see page 6), while the letter to the Revdex.com was written on Wednesday August 28th.

Stooping to degrading slander is something that our company does not take lightly. Mrs.

[redacted]'s money was refunded back to her card before she wrote her complaint to the Revdex.com

and within due time of the contract mutually signed by our company and Mrs. [redacted].

In closing, we ask that Mrs. [redacted] seriously reconsider her complaint to the Revdex.com. We have

done nothing to mislead Mrs. [redacted] and we certainly are not in business to "take advantage of

honest people who want the best for their kids." It is actually the complete opposite. We feel that

WE have been mislead by Mrs. [redacted] who claimed she was excited about having her

daughters start our program and that she understood what she was signing.

After receiving such a hurtful complaint by this customer and in doing some research, we

noticed a coincidence that Mrs. [redacted]'s residence is just one mile from the Revdex.com. Instead of

trusting our company and the contract that she signed, we feel Mrs. [redacted] tried to put

pressure on our company by sending a premature complaint to intimidate and accuse [redacted] of

being a dishonest person despite the fact that her refund was already processed the Friday of

the 23rd and posted and cleared on the Monday the 26th.

We hope that this complaint is resolved and that both parties can move forward in a positive

way.

Sincerely,

Review: We enrolled our daughter [redacted] into this agency with the intent of making her dream come true to become an actress. We signed a contract that would allow her to train for 10 weeks and we paid 2 payments amounting to $2,775. I believe the whole training is close to $6,000.One month after the trainign started, [redacted] experienced episodes of ashma. We even had to call 911 on her due to the severity of this. As a result, the doctor has ordered her to rest and stay away from other activities. I immediately e-mailed [redacted] and informed her of this to see if we can be entitled to a refund due to this unexpected turn of events. I was told no and she stated that I signed the contract. I informed her that nowhere in the contract did it state that I cannot be refunded due to medical reasons and I have repeatedly asked for them to reconsider because it is a lot of money and she still continued to say no and instead offered a photo shoot. We do not want it. [redacted] wanted to be an actress, not a model. Can you please assist us in getting our money due to medical reasons?I appreciate all the help you can provide.Thank you,[redacted]Desired Settlement: Whatever you think is rightfully good to us would be good. I think that had [redacted] not experienced ashtma, she would have continued to do the training.

Business

Response:

John Robert Powers

2667 Camino Del Rio S.

Suite 210

San Diego, CA 92108

Revdex.com of San Diego

4747 Viewridge Ave

Suite 200

San Diego, CA 92123

This letter is in response to complaint ID [redacted] submitted on 4/15/2013 by Customer

[redacted]; [redacted], San Diego, CA 92115.

Here is the timeline of events that I have documented on my end. Please see all attached

paperwork to reference dates and signatures,

January 14, 2012- Customer signs a contract with my company, John Robert Powers to enroll

her daughter into our Competitive Level I program, which includes 20 weeks of coaching and a

year's worth of auditioning time. The cost of this program is $1275. For being a military family,

the interest was waived for this customer, which is normally charged when making payments.

The customer set up 4 installments to pay off the total tuition. This contract includes a 10 day

cancellation policy. The down payment made on this day was $250.

January 14, 2012- Student begins weekly classes.

January 28, 2012- Customer makes second installment of $250 towards program balance.

February 12, 2012- Customer signs a contract and puts down a deposit of $1500 for her

daughter to be a contestant at the [redacted] of [redacted] (iPOP!) Convention

to take place in July of 2012. The customer's total balance due for this event was $5800 minus

$1500, leaving a balance forward of $4300. This contract between the customer and the

[redacted] of [redacted] (not John Robert Powers) has a 3 day cancellation

policy with a deposit that is non-refundable.

February 28, 2012- Customer makes 3rd installment of $387.50 towards initial John Robert

Powers program balance.

March 9, 2012: Customer emails a JRP employee to inform her that the student has hurt her

ankle and is on crutches and in addition has developed a bad case of asthma. The Customer felt

it was best for her daughter to drop down to just one class a week until the student is in better

health to take on a few classes a week. The customer asked for my employee to help break the

news to her daughter that she would not be attending the iPOP! event in July 2012, but that

hopefully she could join us for the January 2013 event.

March 13, 2012: The Customer's husband emailed and asked for all future correspondence to

be conducted through him, for the iPOP! deposit to be refunded, and said that all additional

charges initially signed off on by the customer in the paperwork would be unauthorized.

March 14, 2012: I, [redacted] emailed the customer to extend my condolences that the

student could not join us for the upcoming convention. I let the customer know that a refund of

their !POP! deposit was not possible because not only was it outlined in the contract and signed

off on by the customer, but that John Robert Powers already registered his daughter with the

ipop convention and handled her deposit It had been a month since signing up for the event. We

let the customer know that we could however with iPOP! roll the registration to the next

convention, which would take place January of 2013 and void out payments due on their $4300

balance towards iPOP! until the January 2013 group began preparing come that following

August; saying that hopefully by that time, the student would be in better health. In addition, I also

gave the customer the option of waiving their upcoming final payment towards their initial John Robert Powers contract as well as a complimentary photoshoot for the student to get her actors heads hots (and commercial fashion shots) taken as a courtesy because of the situation.

The student did continue to come to a few more classes after this correspondence, and I did

follow up with the customer on what they planned to do. Although I never received a clear

answer, I did go ahead and waive the customer's final payment owed to John Robert Powers in

the amount of $387.50 and froze all payments owed to I POP! in hopes that the family could

begin making payments in August and attend the convention with the next group.

This student has not been to our studio since April of 2012 and we have not heard from them

again since that time, until now. This customer still has time on her JRP contract both in classes

and auditions. We would love for her daughter to continue taking classes at our studio.

Additionally, this customer is still registered with iPOP! and has a credit of $1500 towards the

convention.

We are sympathetic to this student's medical conditions. However regarding a refund specifically

for a medical reasons, please see page 5 and 6 of the attached paperwork.

With that said, we tried our best to help this customer.

I look forward to a positive resolution in the matter.

Sincerely,

Review: I recently purchased acting classes and a ticket to the event, International Model and Talent Agency, in the amount of at least $4385.00 total, paid in increments, to the company Rising Star Talent, in which I was unable to attend.

Due to my illnesses that I mentioned to the company prior to any arrangements. I informed the company ahead of time as well as each time I missed a training event. Due to my disabilities obtained in the Marine Corps, I was unable to carry out original plan and asked company for a refund 11 days prior to the event and was denied.

The company, which was well aware of the illnesses I suffer from, and that they may affect my day-to-day life in a manner that doesn’t allow me to do much moving or performing. I told the company I could provide a note and they instructed me to follow through with doing so. Once I provided the company with a note from my Doctor verifying these illnesses are effecting me significantly, they proceeded to deny me.

I am still unable to participate and feel like I was taken advantage of.Desired Settlement: A refund

Business

Response:

To Whom It May Concern,Our records indicate that the customer in reference, Ms. [redacted] signed a contract with our company on 8/23/15 to attend the International Model and Talent Convention (IMTA) January 5th - January 9th 2016 (see pages 1-3). The total cost of the IMTA convention package purchased and signed off on by the customer on 8/23/15 was $4000 (page 1). The customer fulfilled installments to pay off this balance with a lowered interest rate of $100 for being a military service member, making the total amount fulfilled, $4100. As noted in the contract, there is a 3 day cancellation policy in which Ms. [redacted] signed off on. It also notes in this cancellation policy that no refunds will be given after this cancellation window and that all future payments are non-refundable. From August 23, 2016 - December 19, 2016, the customer rendered services, by attending multiple classes, boot-camp workshops, and a photoshoot; additionally conducting both phone and in-person meetings led by [redacted] Talent staff at our Mission Valley location in preparation for the IMTA LA 2016 convention that she was contracted to attend. It was not until December 26, 2015 that we were first notified that the customer felt as though she no longer could attend the convention, only 10 days prior to the start of the event. We are sincerely sensitive the the customer’s claims that she is suffering from an illness due to her service in the Marine Corps and that she feels this prevented her from attending the event. We pray for a speedy recovery and have offered up ideas and references for her utilize to improve her health.From a business standpoint, it wasn’t until over 4 months after the customer signed a contract with our company and utilized our services did we first hear about her condition. Yes, we did ask for any formal documentation that could be provided. A very simple doctor’s note was provided (Page 4), which only excused Miss [redacted] from the actual convention itself. We immediately told Miss [redacted] that we would honor a roll over credit to attend any future IMTA convention without expiration or additional cost to her in the hopes that Miss [redacted] will feel well enough to come back to our program.Miss [redacted] has not been satisfied with this and has taken other avenues to obtain a refund including writing a complaint here on the Revdex.com and disputing charges to her credit card. Again, we empathize with Miss [redacted] that she has not felt well in recent weeks, but the contract signed is to protect both parties. Our company policy is to be unbiased to personal circumstances, that would potentially value one client’s personal issues over another and negotiating refunds based on this type of grey area. The contracts are in black and white and for that reason, we as a company are also held accountable to provide the services outlined in the contract. We will always keep the door open for Miss [redacted] to come back to our studio and look forward to a positive resolution in the matter.

Review: My name is [redacted] and I signed an agreement with JRP on September 25, 2013. This agreement contains the information that I have to pay 2,700 dollars (I already paid 300 dollars) for service. Additionally, I have to waive cancellation rights once services have commenced. When I went to the first singing lesson I went to a room with at least 9 people in there. The lesson was only one hour long and at the end everybody sang and received their feedback from the teacher. Afterwards the teacher came up to me and literally said: "There is no time for you to sing right now!"

The contract also includes that you can cancel services within the first ten days. Since I did not receive any services, I sent JRP a cancellation on October 4, 2013.

[redacted] (the lady, who let me sign the contract) called me after I cancelled. I told her that I am not impressed with JRP's singing lessons. She told me that it is not possible to cancel.

It is a fact that I was not able to sing and get my feedback. There is a lack of professionalism in this company and I am not willing to pay money for no service.Desired Settlement: Cancel contract

Review: I brought my grand-daughters to attend a prescreening on 7/27 which was presented as prescreening to select viable candidates. Both girls "advanced/selected" to meet with talent director on 7/29. On 7/29, talent director discussed pricing, classes, etc. which were all 'reasonable'. When I asked question about how the company earns their commission, I was told it varies but that I would receive all that information at the orientation scheduled for 7/31. I had already signed the contract but when I was advised that my question would not be answered until orientation, I decided NOT to provide payment in full until I received further details at orientation. Therefore, the contract I signed did not disclose my credit card info nor did I leave her a check nor other authorization for payment when we ended the discussion and went home. When I phoned on 7/31 prior to our scheduled orientation to advise the talent director I was considering postponing signing up for 6 months due to possible job re-location, I was told that I would have to pay a nonrefundable $300 service fee (for talent director time/service and taking up a spot that could have gone to another candidate). I contested that I had not yet paid any monies (full acceptance of the contract) and that our contract which I signed contained blanks where payment information should have been noted, i.e. no check number, check amount, credit card info, etc. I also asked about my right of ricission but was told the nonrefundable fee did not apply to contract cancellation. The talent director, [redacted] ([redacted]?), stated that I could contest it but their company has won all their lawsuits and that I could be liable for more than $300 if I don't pay the nonrefundable service fee. Soon after the telephone conversation with [redacted] ended, my grand-daughter advised me that [redacted] had phoned her to ask her to come in for an audition in August and that the $300 nonrefundable fee that I was required to pay would go towards the audition. My grand-daughter told [redacted] that we were busy at the time and that she has to confirm with me about any decision. The reason we were busy on 7/31 was due to caregiving needs of my ailing/disabled mother. While I was at my mother's to tend to her needs, my grand-daughter sprained her ankle and had to be rushed to the Emergency Room (I have documented proof). My grand-daughter is very sensitive so I don't appreciate the tactic used by the company to phone a minor child to pressure me to 'act' in such a way as to show I have any interest with the contract. I truly would have returned to this company had they just accepted that I was not yet ready to commence the contract (nor provide the payment information to complete the contract) but I now find them distasteful in light of the manner in which the matter was handled, i.e, threatening, pressuring, and even resorting to phoning a minor. NOTE: I am not a military dependent but my grand-daughters both are (father in Army undergoing PTSD treatment for Iraq; paternal grandfather, retired military, and I (paternal grandmother) adopted the girls.Desired Settlement: I would like the company to acknowledge that the contract (although signed) contains blanks for payment information which indicate final acceptance of contractual obligation was not agreed to at the time of signing. No apology needed; only acknowledge that contract with blanks is invalid. Should also train their talent directors (marketing team) to contact the adult parties--not minors.

Business

Response:

[redacted]

John Robert Powers Modeling and Acting

San Diego, CA 92108

Revdex.com

4747 Viewridge Ave #200

San Diego, CA 92123

ID:[redacted]

To Wtiom It May Concern,

On the evening of Monday 7/29/2013 [redacted] signed a contract with John Robert

Powers to enroll her two granddaughters [redacted] & [redacted] into our 3 year development and

marketing program valued at $6000. The customer informed us that she was going to pay by

credit card and move some funds around the following day and would call us with her credit card

information over the phone. She signed a blank credit card authorization form so that we would

have her signature on file for when she called in her card. Ms. [redacted] was scheduled for a parent

101 class for that following Wednesday night in addition to two classes scheduled for her

granddaughters to start in the following weeks.

On Wednesday evening when [redacted] called Ms. [redacted] on her personal cell phone to

follow up and confirm with Ms. [redacted] that she was coming to the orientation and to ask for her

form of payment for the program. Ms. [redacted] told Ms. [redacted] that she had no intention of actually

moving forward with the program. She then spelled out various excuses of why she was never

really going to go through with the program

[redacted] was surprised and disappointed at the news, considering she had gone out of her

way to procure a scholarship from our corporate office for Ms. [redacted]' granddaughters to both

attend the 3 year program for the same price with only an additional $500 to cover the tuition for

the second child. She reminded Ms. [redacted] that she had signed a contract and would need to

follow the instructions on the contract in order to cancel the contract properly. Please see the

attached paperwork. All spaces are complete and signed The only form that was not completely

filled out was the signed credit card authorization. The contract that Ms. [redacted] signed states

that she can cancel within 10 days of signing the contract and receive a full refund minus a $300

registration fee (included in the tuition). This was explained to Ms. [redacted] at the time of signing

the contract.

After that conversation, [redacted] phoned Ms. [redacted] again quite shortly thereafter on her personal

cell phone because she forgot to inform Ms. [redacted] that the $300 would not just be a wash: it

allow her granddaughters to still at least attend auditions and would also be applied to any

program should she decide to change her mind. Ms. [redacted] was unavailable at the time to get on

the phone. She had her granddaughter answer her cell phone. [redacted] figured she would relay the

message to Ms. [redacted] through her granddaughter since it seemed that Ms. [redacted] was sitting in

close proximity to her granddaughter and had simply passed the phone to her granddaughter.

I can assure you that our company does not use pressure tactics and does not resort to phoning

a minor. Our contracts are very clear and in black and white. They are read out loud and

explained to potential clients. That is why we do our best to not allow any room for grey area so

we can avoid a situation like this. We are not sure why Ms. [redacted] would sign a contract in the

first place if she had no intention of fulfilling the contract, especially when we were reserving

funds on our end so secure in place a scholarship for her. With that said, all of this could have

been avoided.

At this point we have no interest in pursuing Ms. [redacted] for the $300 that she owes for the

registration fee. We hope that in future she will give more consideration before signing a legal

binding document.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that their decision to not pursue the $300 from me suffices. I consider this complaint resolved. Thank you for your support.

But I would like to point out inconsistencies in several areas:

1. I did not provide which method of payment would be used if we decided to proceed; only that we would pay in full rather than monthly installments if we chose to start the class.

2. I had my credit cards on my person and had opportunity to provide the information if I wanted to proceed at the time; there never was a plan for me to phone in my credit card.

3. We were provided the class schedule and was told we could come/go as we wish for the plan/cost we were offered; we were not 'scheduled/required' for any specific listed class.

4. My phone records can confirm that I placed the call to [redacted] on Wednesday evening explaining we were not going to start the program just yet due to possible job re-location on the East Coast. That was when she told me I signed a binding contract and I countered with the fact that she made a copy of an uncompleted contract (financial information for full payment was not provided because I was not fully satisfied with the blurry responses to my questions about commission, out-of-pocket costs, etc.). Yes, [redacted] phoned Wednesday evening but it was after my conversation with her ended and it was not my cell phone she dialed but my grand-daughter's (her cell phone records can confirm this also).

I'm sure this company, as all successful businesses, strive to act ethically and fair -- but it is the actions of each individual company employee who demonstrate/reflect the company's true commitment to that mission, vision, plan.

I thank you for the opportunity to have been acquainted with your service.

Regards,