Apprentice Mentor Association, Phillip Trout ripoff fraudulent ripoff business Hollywood California
This company is a total ripoff. They claim to find mentors at recording studios to help you get into the business. I was given nothing by this company. For five hundred dollars I got two false leads, one looking for someoone to work full time, and one looking for a video engineer.
Before pulling out of this scam, the company refund policy claimed that the money was refundable as long as a mentor wasn't accepted. When I informed Mr. Trout of my decision, I was ignored until I contacted the better business bureau.
He then gave me the run around, changed the refund policy, and lied to the better business burea, saying the I failed to show up for an interview which was entirely untrue. Before the better business bureau had sent me a letter with his untrue statement, Mr. Trout informed me that he had written something entorley different. This company will appear somewhat shady when you first notice it, but when you really want something, you may let your guard down.
Don't let it happen with this scumbag. He will do nothing more then take your money and give you bullshit leads. This company is worthless. Looking back, I know I could have went to a studio myself and worked out a deal, rather then pay this a*****e to give me two bogus leads and then change the refund policy when I realized it was worthless.
Michael
Las Vegas, Nevada
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Phillip
Hollywood,California,
U.S.A.
Complaint resolved in 2003
#4REBUTTAL Individual responds
Mon, June 14, 2004
Issue Resolved to Mutual Satisfaction
Following are emails showing that we resolved the matter amicably.
The issue in question was our Refund Policy, which provides a refund of the registration fee if the potential mentor does not ACCEPT the apprentice-candidate - in other words, if the candidate is rejected after the interview and we choose not to send him or her on another interview. However, if the candidate does not accept the mentor, we require an additional deposit (which is fully applied to the placement fee along with their initial registration fee) to insure that the candidate is serious and not "shopping" studios through us.
Since this was the ongoing bone of contention, in the interest of bringing the matter to closure, we split the difference with Mr. Petruso and refunded him $250.
__________________________________________
Subject: UPDATE
Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 10:39:46 -0700
From: contactus@
To: PetDxxxxxxxxxxx@aol.com
Dear Mike,
We just found your June 15, 2003 complaint on Rip Off Report.com
Could you update that saying it was resolved or remove the complaint altogether and copy us with what you're submitting/requesting?
I would think that'd be better than a rebuttal from us which could lead to your rebutting
our rebuttal and so on and so forth....?
Let me know please. Hope all is well with you and your recording business.
Sincerely,
Phillip Trout
APPRENTICE-MENTOR ASSOCIATION
_______________________________________________
Subject: Re: UPDATE
Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2003 02:10:54 EDT
From: Pet
To: contactus
Funny, I was just thinking about our ordeal. I'll handle that. I forgot all about that. I know I went on a tear for a couple weeks, so let me know if you find anything else.
Things are going pretty good. My wife is going nuts. My house is turning into a studio. I have two rooms for recording right now. That could be a problem eventually, so if you have any students looking to buy equipment to produce electronic music with, let them know because studio b is for sale. Find me someone to buy it and I'll give you a commision. Save that in case you need to use it for a rebuttal.
I remember what you said about not looking at this as a vocational occupation. When you said it I only agreed with you because it was an
interview. However, now I think I know what you meant. Since I've been getting money to do this stuff, it hasn't mattered. The only reason I
charge anything for it is to help buy that next piece of equipment.
Hey, maybe when I can afford a separate location for the studio, I can be a mentor.
Nancy
Downingtown,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Dealership ripoff, they told me they couldn't help
#4Consumer Suggestion
Fri, June 04, 2004
We took my truck in for service Del Toyota in Thorndale Pa told us it needs a valve job,it cost $2600.The first day we had it back wirings were hanging off,bolts were missing etc.within one week the check engine lite came on and it ran the same as why we took it there in the first place.
We took it back they said we made some adjustments it's fine. It wasn't. We ended up taking it back 4 times and they never fixed it.
We then were told that for that year and make it runs they way the all do.I called the Toyota manufactor, they told me they couldn't help because Del Toyota is independently owned.
We took it back again then were told they would have to start charging us they see nothing wrong and we can take to someone else to diagnose it they fix it if it's something they did.We did and it cost $110.00 for someone else to diagnose it.
It was a bad valve job,they did it. We took it back again they said they fixed it. Now it has a valve tap.
I took it back again once again he Del Toyota tells me it's normal for it to sound this way.
So now my vehicle is about $2000.00 less in value thanks to Del Toyota
Phillip
Hollywood,California,
U.S.A.
Issue was settled to mutual satisfaction
#4REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sun, November 02, 2003
Following are emails showing that we resolved the matter amicably.
The issue in question was our Refund Policy, which provides a refund of the registration fee if the potential mentor does not ACCEPT the apprentice-candidate - in other words, if the candidate is rejected after the interview and we choose not to send him or her on another interview. However, if the candidate does not accept the mentor, we require an additional deposit (which is fully applied to the placement fee along with their initial registration fee) to insure that the candidate is serious and not "shopping" studios through us.
Since this was the ongoing bone of contention, in the interest of bringing the matter to closure, we split the difference with Mr. Petruso and refunded him $250.
__________________________________________
Subject: UPDATE
Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 10:39:46 -0700
From: contactus@
To: PetDRUNKMONKEY@
Dear Mike,
We just found your June 15, 2003 complaint on Rip Off Report.com
Could you update that saying it was resolved or remove the complaint altogether and copy us with what you're submitting/requesting?
I would think that'd be better than a rebuttal from us which could lead to your rebutting
our rebuttal and so on and so forth....?
Let me know please. Hope all is well with you and your recording business.
Sincerely,
Phillip Trout
APPRENTICE-MENTOR ASSOCIATION
________________________________________
Subject: Re: UPDATE
Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2003 02:10:54 EDT
From: PetDRUNKMONKEY@
To: contactus@
Funny, I was just thinking about our ordeal. I'll handle that. I forgot all about that. I know I went on a tear for a couple weeks, so let me know if you find anything else.
Things are going pretty good. My wife is going nuts. My house is turning into a studio. I have two rooms for recording right now. That could be a problem eventually, so if you have any students looking to buy equipment to produce electronic music with, let them know because studio b is for sale. Find me someone to buy it and I'll give you a commision. Save that in case you need to use it for a rebuttal.
I remember what you said about not looking at this as a vocational occupation. When you said it I only agreed with you because it was an
interview. However, now I think I know what you meant. Since I've been getting money to do this stuff, it hasn't mattered. The only reason I
charge anything for it is to help buy that next piece of equipment.
Hey, maybe when I can afford a separate location for the studio, I can be a mentor.