Complaint Review: BARBIZON WILKES BARRE DEBORAHA DESIDERIO BARBIZON NE PA D & D TALENT BARBIZONNEPA.COM

This is more of an agreement i totally agree with you that she is a ripoff and a fraud. My daughter went there this past year. She only excpets cash payments why is that because she is doing something illegal . She says she won't do debit becuase there is a fee bull crap. And then she acts like she knows all these people in the business and she knows jack sh*t.

No one i ever know of ever got a job from her fake agency or school. Its all a ripoff and they need to shut her down. She with imta now and she charges a big fee to go to that convention like 6000 and payments of 933  for 6 months like really where is people especially in this area getting that kind of money.

She like oh get a loan or borrow like yeah can i borrow from you . She puts her noise in other peoples business hoping to get good contacts when in reality she makes it harder for both. I am surprised she in business for as long as she been in business why the IRS has not shut her down. And why barbizon still allows her to carry their name she runing their reputation. She a scam and fraud and hopefully one day she will be stopped soon.

This is ridiculous. My daughter has been and is currently working with Ms.Deborah and she is a very professional women. She has worked with me when it came to payments and not once has asked for cash. In reference to payment for gradution, the $47 was for food and drinks which had to be payed to the venue this was stated in the contract which we all should have thoroughly read and signed. Ms. Deborah has never questioned my childs potential or lack there of, she has not only help challenge my daughters talents but helped her gain confidence in herself. The individuals who posted this should be ashamed. Ms. Deborah is a wonderful women and does not deserve this kind of disrespect,

                                             -Janet

                                                  From the poconos

I have been employed by Deboraha Desiderio as a recruiter for about 2 months.  I have seen no illegal, unethical or otherwise unsavory practices by anyone at the Wilkes-Barre facility, especially by Ms. Deboraha Desiderio.  The school is still licensed by the state of PA and the IRS is not investigating the school.  The school is open for business and I have seen Deboraha accept many checks and credit cards for tuition, in fact, I am aware that she recently accepted 3 checks which subsequently bounced!  If Deboraha was going out of business she would most certainly have done so within the time frame of the original complaint!  We are in 2010 and the school is very much in business.  The State License is nicely framed on the wall and visible from the outside of the building.  

I felt compelled to post on this site after I received a call from an associate who knew I had experience with Barbizon, D & D Talent and Ms. Deboraha.  Apparently, they had read the previous report and wanted either denial or confirmation before enrolling their child.  I checked for myself and I will tell you my honest experience and opinion.  The report written about the company "ripping you off" could not be more inappropriate.  I found this company and its owner very forthcoming.  I read all contracts carefully (could it be that truth in pa was looking for guarantees?) and went in with eyes wide open.  I not only enrolled one child - but my two daughters benefited from the guidance and experience of the owner.  She always went above and beyond and never did I doubt her sincerity about wanting success for her students.  The unfortunate reality in this business is that only a few succeed.  The reason I was there - and I presume this is true for most - was to give my daughters an edge.  They certainly got that.  I would have absolutely no complaints about either agency but rather compliments.  I, too, am in the business world and find that anonymous lies can be devastating.  I told the individual who contacted me that we absolutely loved Barbizon & D&D Talent and Ms. Deboraha.  I also suggested that she do more research (and I was interested myself) on the previous post.   It turns out that this has been a very successful operation for 23 years with hundreds of happy graduates.  There were ABSOLUTELY NO INVESTIGATIONS from the Better Business Bureau, the IRS or the Attorney General.  We called the agencies to confirm - you should too.  In my opinion, any negative comments written on this site stem from individuals who had unrealistic expectations (i.e. thought they were the next Jennifer Anniston and "didn't make the cut") or from the newly organized competing business that two ex-employees opened closeby (kind of a "making them look bad makes us look good" tactic).  I tend to believe it more of the latter because envy and jealousy are vengeful.  I just couldn't sit by and not put my truth out there and please don't take my word for it - (or anyone else's for that matter) do your homework, you will find out the real truth - get references - there are plenty out there.  And, by the way, I NEVER PAID CASH, nor was I ever asked for cash.  Bottom line for us....It was an AMAZING experience for my daughters.  

Here's a good tip for y'all.

A reputable agent does not ask you for money - ever. Except for their fee, which is taken from what you make on a job.

A reputable agent does not REQUIRE you to take classes in order for them to "represent you." They may request that you do. They may prefer it, but they can not force you to, particularly not if they're the ones offering the classes.

A reputable agent does not REQUIRE you to pay them for in-house headshots. They may refer you to a list of photographers they like, but beware if they REQUIRE you to go to ONE, as they may be getting a kick-back.

A reputable agent never promises that you'll become a star. The reality of the business is that it is a tough road. Hard work and dedication, being dependable and sticking with it is what works - with some talent, of course.

One of the best-known schools/acting coaches in Los Angeles is Cameron Thor. Check out his website to see what he's charging. If you're living in a small town somewhere and they're charging more, it's a rip-off. Heck, if they're charging the same, or even a bit less, it may be a rip-off.

If ANYONE is charging you thousands of dollars for classes, it's probably a rip-off. I train actors and charge around $40/hour for PRIVATE COACHING, and around $150 for an 8-hour intensive. I taught one class for one of the "questionable" agencies with many franchises around the country. I was shocked to find out what they were charging these poor parents. And, believe me, I believe my coaching is as valuable as it gets.

Ask for the qualifications of the instructors. Their education, experience as a professional in the business. I have a master's degree in acting, have worked professionally as an actor, director, and teacher, and I don't charge nearly what some of these scams are charging for instruction that pales by comparison.

Do not sign an exclusive long-term contract with anyone. Even the best will only require you to sign a one-year contract. Consider a longer contract if it's with someone like William Morris or other agency in LA or NYC who will actually 'represent' you. I have heard of scams that require a 5-year contract - it's bull - don't buy it!

NEVER pay a "registration fee" of any kind to be represented by any agency. If they want to represent you. Reputable agents who want to sign you, do so because they believe you will get lots of work and they will make their money by taking their 10% or so from what you make. Industry standard is 10% for agents and 15% for managers. It varies, depending on whether it's print work or straight acting, etc.

If they're asking you for $4,000 or something like that, consider that you could take 24 credits at a decent university for that much money. Or that you could train with the best in the business for that much and for greater amounts of time in LA or NYC.

Good luck!