Complaint Review: KIDS.COM

I like so many other families that I've read about got in touch with kids.com on my own.

I just wanted alittle informtion about the company before I got involved financially. You see I have been ripped off by one other company that went by the name SCREEN TEST USA about a year or two before, and I definately didn't want that to happen to me again.

The questions that I asked wasn't answered over the phone of course, I had to go in for a visit. I was told to bring in at least 20-30 clear photos of my daughter, when I came in for my interview which I did.

I was amazed at the way the secretaries marveled over my daughter who was about 2 years old at the time. I was sure that they must see pretty children all the time, so I really did not let that go to my head.

When it was time for my interview I was met by john who told me that my daughter was beautiful. He said that there was a big demand for whom looked like my daughter. He showed me a few babies in a couple of magazines like AMERICAN BABY, and WOMANS DAY. He showed me a few children who starred in Movies and some who modeled for stores for CALDORS, AND CHILDRENS PLACE ect...

He said that my daughter would probably get work as early as the very next week, because he just got calls in for a beautiful back toddler and he didn't have any at the moment, because he didn't have many black clients. Well! hot diggity he just got me sold. I thought well I finally made it to the right place at the right time. What more could I ask for the only black baby in town. That means that she would automatic be up for the part. BULL----.

I never thought that I could be ripped off again, not through another Talent Agency, but I was. He told me that the fee to have her picture on the internet and securing her for that spot for her would cost me $595.00.

I even told him how afraid I was about giving up that kind of money. He reassured me that I wasn't being ripped off by their company. He started showing more pictures of children who became famous through his talent agency. So I fell prey to his con game.

He told me that once I pay the money and get pictures taken by his photographers namely VISAGE which is located in BALDWIN, Long Island, NY. That the hard work will be done.

I did everything required of me and my daughter, and still was scammed. I was still kind of leary, so I paid in three installment payments The first in July the second in August and the last in Sept IN 2000.

One day I was going over my contract. I notice that John who sign us up didn't sign his name, on more than one sheet. The only signature that came be refer to is mine. How under handed is that. I called and asked why was it like this . I was told he's so busy that he usually make that mistake.

I wonder do they actually laugh behind our backs when we drive off in our cars, or do they be laughing at us right in front of our face.

The photographers wasn't friendly at all to me or my family. When I complain about them to Kids.com they told me not to worry that they do great work and assured me that the pictures will comme out just fine. Well thye didn't. I was mad, because VISAGE wasn't such a great place to have my children's pictures taken, but there wasn't a thing that I could do about it KID.COM was in charge not me. I had to let them pick the picture to go on to the internet.

I started asking for my money back after the first photo session. I was told that it wasn't possibe. That I sign a contract. That I was bound by it. I said that it's been two years and she was never called for an audition or anything. They told me that it takes time. I just gave up. Then again really didn't sign it, if you really want to know the truth.

Patricia
Far Rockaway, New York
U.S.A.