National Broadcasters Training Network - Michael Madden Placement Director - Tom Owner ripoff scam conned money took full payment prematurely didn't deliver service refused to refund made false promises EDMONDS Washington
I am a British citizen who went to the States in September 2005 to do a master's degree at Northeastern University in Boston. While I was there I discovered the Broadcasters Training Network on the Internet (broadcastertraining.com, also broadcasterstraining.com), who find you a mentor in radio or TV in N America to do practical hands-on talk show, journalism or DJ training/apprenticeships with. I was particularly interested in doing the talk show option as the British accent seemed to be so popular and revered in N America, and I would stand out of the crowd.
After talking to their Californian contact, Michael Madden, I paid him a $250 administration fee on September 22nd to do some "initial research", which I was told was FULLY REFUNDABLE IF NOTHING TRANSPIRED FOR WHATEVER REASON, my main concern being to obtain an apprenticeship that would lead to me being offered a visa to work in the industry afterwards, particularly as it is so competitive. I told Michael that I was only interested in working in the American broadcasting industry as that was where all the opportunities lay - not in Canada (despite being a Canadian landed resident) and certainly not in the UK, which was overcrowded and where everyone was working for free or for pittances, and where I would be just another Brit trying to break in.
Michael found me what originally sounded like an excellent opportunity at the time with a Boston radio station being trained by Pat Whitley, who apparently worked with Larry King. However, when I went to meet his producer, Adam on October 3rd while Pat was away on vacation, I was not encouraged by the comments he made either about my British accent (he said that locals preferred a local presenter and would be put off by it) or future job opportunities - stiff competition for minimum wage or part-time work. Adam said that it would be extremely unlikely that anyone would go out of their way to get me a visa after the training was over.
When Michael called me later that evening and asked me how the interview went, I told him that I was reluctant to pursue the placement any further for the reasons above, but he talked me into the assignment, saying that he had a lot more experience in the broadcasting industry than Adam and persuaded me to go ahead, EVEN THOUGH I HADN'T ACTUALLY BEEN INTERVIEWED OR ACCEPTED BY MY MENTOR, PAT WHITLEY. I also told Michael that I was thinking of transferring courses to another part of America as my ex-boyfriend and 2 friends I knew in Boston had moved away. Michael said he would waive the usual $1,000 relocation fee to find me another mentor elsewhere if I decided to move. He also persuaded me to pay the whole fee up front, saying that it was cheaper than paying instalments and reluctantly I parted with another $4,200. I realize now that he should have at least advised me to wait until I had met Pat Whitley, but he clearly couldn't wait to take the rest of the money.
By the time I signed the contract I had already decided to leave Boston and so I crossed out the bit that said my mentor would be Pat Whitley and put TBA - To Be Arranged. I also crossed out the $1,000 relocation fee.
After leaving Boston I went to Seattle and then Connecticut, where after a considerable period of time Michael eventually found me another potential mentor, but the interview didn't go well - again I wasn't impressed by the prospects and I wasn't accepted for training and so the apprenticeship never transpired.
I subsequently decided to not to pursue my master's degree in America because I never managed to obtain funding, had a restricted right to work and could not afford the fees. As a result of this, I had to leave America within 14 days of withdrawing from the course as I was in the country on an F-1 student visa - to remain would have been a violation of US regulations. I returned to England, where I am now.
I contacted Michael Madden just before I left the States and requested a refund as the apprenticeship had never materialized and I had never been placed. I reiterated - as I had maintained all along - that I was not interested in working in the broadcasting industry in England. Michael advised me to return the training manuals to BTN's Head Office in Edmonds WA via signed and tracked delivery to try to force his boss Tom's hand as the latter was apparently refusing to give me a refund. I did this, yet was still refused a refund despite the fact that there is nothing in the original contract that allows/entitles BTN to keep my money, which adds up to a total of $4,450. It was certainly not a stipulation/requirement that I pay the full $4,200 up front - Michael encouraged me and it was my choice to do so.
In addition, the contract I signed requires me to be "physically fit to benefit from the training" and my circumstances have changed. I have a slipped disc as a result of a serious car accident and am no longer able to undertake training in the forseeable future, especially as I can't walk very well + it also makes me breathless and is giving me reduced and distorted feeling in my hands, none of which is conducive to producing a talk show as it would be hard to interview guests, talk on air and operate the machinery. I have MRI scan results and can obtain a doctor's letter as evidence of this.
Despite this medical evidence and the fact that I have absolutely nothing to show for the $4,450 that I have paid BTN, they are refusing to refund me a single cent of my money and have instead insisted that I undertake a talk show assignment in the UK. a) I have constantly stated categorically that I don't want to do this and it is not what I paid the money for, so they have no right to try to force me into this and b) they would be most likely be unsuccessful in this respect as the only talk shows over here are produced by the BBC which has its own highly competitive training scheme - commercial radio stations don't do talk shows.
I was told by Michael Madden that I WOULD BE ENTITLED TO A FULL REFUND IF I WAS NOT PLACED FOR ANY REASON and this is the only condition on which i paid the funds. Despite this, BTN have held on to $4,450 of my money for 9 months and I don't have anything to show for it, not even their training manual. I hold Michael Madden personally responsible for deducting the further payment of $4,200 before I had even met or been accepted for training by Pat Whitley. Also, he didn't need his boss Tom's permission to deduct the money from my bank card in the 1st place, so I don't see why he needs his permission to refund money for a placement that never transpired. It is quite clear to me that despite the doubts I voiced, he took advantage of a vulnerable foreigner who was all alone in another country and failed to show professional duty of care. I am now on the other side of the world to BTN and trying to regain $1000s for a service not rendered.
Debbie
LEAMINGTON SPA
United Kingdom
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Debbie
NANAIMO,British Columbia,
Canada
FULL PUBLIC APOLOGY TO MICHAEL MADDEN
#4Author of original report
Thu, February 28, 2008
I would like to make a FULL PUBLIC APOLOGY to Michael Madden and COMPLETELY DISASSOCIATE him with the actions of BTN and Tom Mansfield. As mentioned in the previous update, not only did Michael turn around and offer me a full refund of his share of my training money, but he has also consistently honoured his word with regard to placing me at Island Radio in Nanaimo, BC in Canada.
Just to recoup.... Having been forced to return to England in June 2006 due to visa issues and serious health and mobility problems, Tom Mansfield, the owner of the Broadcasters Training Network refused point blank to give me a refund of the $4450 I had paid, even though I had not received a single day of training. I tried everything, including putting in a complaint to the BBB and had been forced to employ the services of a lawyer to help me try to regain my money, but despite this, Tom Mansfield was only - and reluctantly - prepared to offer me the mentor fee of $1200, which meant I would have incurred a loss of $3250, which I could ill afford, especially bearing in mind my health problems. With a diagnosis of MS, my health was seriously plummeting and deteriorating.
I had been forced to leave the US as I gave up my course and had therefore had to relinquish my student visa that allowed me to stay there. However, as a Canadian landed resident as well as a British citizen, my ultimate aim was to move to Vancouver Island, so when Michael Madden offered me a refund of his commission (which he could ill afford either), I turned down his extremely kind gesture and instead the arrangement was that he would find me a mentor at Island Radio in Nanaimo when my health and mobility permitted me to return.
For 18 months I struggled with my health and mobility problems trying everything under the sun - from chiropractic treatment to acupuncture, from LDN (low dose naltrexone) to detoxification, from vitamins and minerals to dietary changes - all to no avail. However, every time I tried something new, I was extremely hopeful that this would prove to be the key to my recovery and made tentative plans to return to Canada. I stayed in constant touch with Michael Madden and every time he responded instantly, honouring his promise to place me at Island Radio in Nanaimo when I was ready. He consistently told me to e-mail him 2 weeks before my arrival and he would e-mail me back with details of my interview.
Unfortunately, by the time I booked my flight back to Canada in Feb 2008 Michael Madden had left BTN and was unable to place me at Island Radio as he no longer worked for the company. Tom Mansfield refused to do so and honour the agreement I had with Michael/BTN, and I am currently in dispute over this and yet again trying to obtain a refund of the $4450 for the 0% of training I have received. However, Michael Madden's actions cannot be put in the same category as those of Tom Mansfield, who is a rip-off merchant and a thief. Michael Madden has consistently behaved in a professional and honourable manner, and done "what is right" by me and if it ever appeared otherwise, then it is simply because he was following the instructions of his employer.
Debbie
Debbie
NORWOOD,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
...And Now, The Rest of The Story & FACTS that Michael Madden 'Forgot' to Share!
#4Author of original report
Mon, May 28, 2007
This response is full of inaccuracies and incorrect information....
1) Re my credit card co, let me clarify this.... They did NOT rule against me! In fact, they were unable to intervene because they said that the transaction/payment had occurred more than 60 days ago and had therefore gone past the legal limit where they were able to step in and reclaim my money on my behalf.
2) Re the Attorney General of Washington, all this organization did was act as an independent mediator, and help BTN and myself try to reach an agreement re an acceptable refund or outcome. However, they were unable to do this and said that they could do nothing more to resolve the situation.
3) Re my attorney, all I was offered by Tom Mansfield, the owner of BTN, was the $1200 that he would have paid to my mentor. Once I had deducted the fees I owed my attorney, this worked out at under $1000, which was less than a quarter of the $4450 I had paid for the training and was therefore totally unacceptable, especially as I had not attended a single day of it.
I would like to reiterate that as I stated in my original report, after my initial interview with the radio station in Boston I was extremely loathe to pursue my training with BTN because the opportunities afterwards seemed so poor, especially as a non-US resident with visa obstacles to overcome. After all, one of the selling points of the BTN training is to help you get your foot in the door, but what's the point if you're not allowed to stay in the country and take up the job that's offered to you? In this v. popular and competitive industry with so many people desperate for jobs, I was told that it was extremely unlikely that any employer would sponsor me for a visa with all its associated cost and hassle.
I was also v. unsure that I was going to stay in Boston as I was considering moving elsewhere in America. Having paid my initial $250 admin fee, my gut feelings was to ask for this back and call it a day. However, Michael Madden encouraged me to carry on to the next stage by offering to waive his $1000 relocation fee if I moved somewhere else in the States, a fact which he is now using against me. He also encouraged me to pay the full fee up front by saying it was "cheaper" this way, rather than paying it in instalments - something that I realize now was a big mistake because I could always have cancelled the instalment payment plan.
I was actually surprised to read this report from Michael Madden because as he knows, in addition to the effects of the bad car accident I had while I was out in the States, I have MS (multiple sclerosis) and have been v. poorly. I lost my mobility and have been suffering from a range of sensory symptoms, which has meant that I have not been fit enough to undertake training and had to return to the UK because I was unable to walk without assistance or cope alone. I have provided both Michael and Tom with medical evidence of this too, ie doctors' letters. I tried to stay in America and make it work there for as long as I could before my health situation made it impossible for me to do this any longer.
Throughout all my discussions with Michael I made it clear that I was NOT interested in pursuing the BTN training in England as the prospects are so poor here. The broadcasting industry is extremely overcrowded and it is hardly possible to survive on the salaries, especially as the cost of property is so high. Also, there are 100s of people working for free in the industry, hoping to get their foot in door and I would be just another Brit trying to do the same. At least in N America my British accent, which they love over there, would stand out of the crowd.
For the last year after returning to the UK my health continued to deteriorate - I even developed slurred speech twice, which is hardly compatible with undertaking talk show training! However, just in the last month the situation has finally turned around thanks to acupuncture from the most amazing, dedicated and experienced Chinese doctor here in Leamington Spa, along with a range of other treatments offered by him including Chinese medicinal herbs.
In complete contradiction to his comments and remarks in this report, Michael had the humanity to finally turn around (before my health turned around!) and offer me a refund. He offered to return all of his share of the money and "leave Tom to do whatever he felt was right by his conscience".
However, in addition to being a British citizen, luckily I am also a Canadian landed resident and have been trying to regain my health and mobility so that I can move to Vancouver Island, where at least I have the right to work. My dream is still to be a talk show host in N America and prior to offering me a refund, Michael promised to place me with Island Radio in Nanaimo. After he offered me a refund I thanked Michael fully for his kindness and consideration, but turned it down as my health had finally started to improve. I am now hoping to move to Nanaimo in September and start my talk show training with Island Radio then. Provided my health continues to improve and I am able to do this, then as far as I am concerned, this matter has been resolved.
Debbie
Leamington Spa
England
Michael
Agoura Hills,California,
U.S.A.
...And Now, The Rest of The Story & FACTS Debbie Pittel 'Forgot' to Share!
#4UPDATE Employee
Mon, May 28, 2007
Instead of trying this case one more time, it's important that rational people understand a few FACTS that Debbie conveniently 'forgot' to mention in her claim.
FACT #1) Debbie took her allegations to her credit card company. After a thorough investigation of the true facts that represented both sides of the story, her credit card company ruled that BTN and myself did nothing wrong, and ruled in our favor.
For anyone who has a merchant account, you'll understand how unusual this action is for credit card companies. Typically, they'll bend over backwards to not alienate customers, in fear of losing their business to a competitor.
FACT #2) Debbie also filed a complaint with the Attorney General of Washington. Once again, upon completion of their own independent investigation, the Washington AG ruled against Debbie and found that BTN or myself had participated in NO wrongful business practices.
One has to wonder why a consumer protection agency actually ruled AGAINST the consumer, after investigating some very different facts than Debbie presented here.
FACT #3) Debbie hired an attorney, who was offered a cash settlement in an attempt to amicably resolve this dispute. Our offer was refused. Debbie obviously believes that receiving 100% of nothing is a better deal than receiving what was offered her.
BTN and myself have a standing offer to Debbie to place her in England, Canada or the country of her choosing to receive her radio training. Thus far, she has refused my/our offer, for a variety of reasons.
This case simply boils down to this:
Imagine going to ANY school and paying to take a class in Boston. The school does its part by providing an opportunity in Boston, only to have the student change their mind and decide they now want to take the class in Seattle. The school then waives it's customary replacement fee, and facilitates training in Seattle.
Upon arrival in Seattle, the student now decides they don't want to take the class in Seattle, but decides they'd rather take the class in Connecticut.
Once again, the school (in this case, BTN) agrees to waive the customary $1000 replacement fee, and facilitates an interview for schooling in Connecticut...only to have the student rejected, after it was determined her true motive was NOT to learn radio broadcasting, but rather, to earn VISA assistance and be allowed to stay in the USA.
Once again, the student hits the road and ends up in North Carolina, with the relocation fees being waived for a third time. This time, the student discovers that her scheme for VISA assistance had come to an end when she couldn't get admitted to a North Carolina college and is forced to return to England.
All along, the student provides written communication to the school THANKING them for their patience and superior service in dealing with her situation for nearly a year. Suddenly, her opinion changes after being refused a refund, as per the CONTRACT she signed one year earlier.
In the above scenario, should the school be considered unreasonable and in the wrong for denying the student a refund after dedicating all the time and resources
to fulfilling their contractual obligations...only to have the student continually change their mind by going elsewhere?
Debbies credit card company and the Washington AG obviously believed that BTN and Michael Madden did NOTHING unethical, illegal or immoral in their treatment of Debbie Pittel.
Debbie continues to be assured by myself and BTN that when she gives the word, we stand willing to provide her the Broadcast Training she came to us for, and will place her in the radio station of her choice in whatever country she chooses.
Michael Madden