Complaint Review: Explore Talent

Although my instincts told me not to, I went ahead and gave Explore Talent a try. My daughter had already won national photogenic and talent competitions so I really thought there might be something for her. Shame on me for not doing my research first.

After I paid the fee and created her profile, I heard NOTHING from them. NOTHING. Fortunately, I used a credit card that I knew would expire in December so they couldn't continue to charge us. And just like I expected, they called me for the FIRST time ever just weeks after the card expired.  And just like several other people reported, they said that a "national casting director" was interested in my daughter for a "role with Jaimie Foxx" but they could only submit her profile if I paid $99 for a 3 month membership.

I explained that I had paid previously and Explore Talent did ZERO for us so I didn't want to pay again. The person I spoke with (who had a think accent and sounded like she was located in a call center in India) said that she would talk to her manager and put me on hold.  When she rejoined the call, she said the her manager "said that my daughter was really beautiful and special" and they would "offer me a six month membership for $119."  What? So instead of coming back and asking me for less money, they were asking me for more?! 

I explained the absurdity of what she was asking and she hung up on me. 

The saddest thing about all of this is that this agency preys on the dreams of children and their parents who want to help make their dreams come true.  I'm sure there's a millionaire scam artist laughing about this somewhere.  And maybe there is a small .00000001% of talent they actually get work with them, but the rest of us are nothing but victims of their scam.