I was contacted like everyone else by HITT Music Group about our band and how our music had the potential to get into movies, TV, etc, etc. The guy told me how he had one movie in particular which he thought would be appropriate, so "time was of the essence". I had been casually looking for a company to do this for my various bands, and had just returned from a tour in Europe, so I was feeling probably a bit too confident. I fell for the bait, and agreed to pay $400 for a year of service.
Immediately there was inaction on their part. Once the money was in their account there were no real submissions that I could see. I would occasionally get an email from them with a note saying they submitted a song to "an action film" or a "romantic comedy". But there were no specifics (which song was submitted?), no personal contact, etc. The promised band web page and bio they were to "have one of their writers" create for us never materialized.
I figured that I lost $400, and considered it stupid on my part. I let it go...but then...
I got the announcement that they changed their name to Song Placements. I began receiving emails on a near weekly basis. It seemed a bit more realistic or legit that they may be submitting a song here and there to a film every now and again. But I still figured it was a scam, and never expected a return.
It was into a second year (I had only paid for one year) and I still was receiving the submission emails. I figured they would stop submitting my band's materials when they felt they had fairly fulfilled their end of the deal. I ridiculously thought they were giving me a few extra months because they realized how terrible and fraudulent their HITT Music Group service was. I figured they were trying to save face and go legit. But no....
A few months later, I received a charge on my credit card for $200! A $200 that I NEVER authorized. I called & spoke with someone who asked if I had agreed to automatic renewal. I told them, "Absolutely not!" and left a voice mail with one of their "agents". The call was never returned, but I was emailed a long set of ridiculous questions to answer, and a form to sign. Basically they made me jump through hoops, and sign a form which would make it look as though I was authorizing the charge. But it was "required that I sign the form for my refund to be considered" I wrote all over the form that THIS IS NOT AN AUTHORIZATION FOR CHARGING MY CARD. THIS IS NOT A VALIDATION OF THE CHARGES MADE TO MY CARD. THIS CHARGE IS UNAUTHORIZED!!!
Anyhow, just before I sent in the forms, I disputed the charge to my Chase Credit Card and it was removed from my statement. I thought it was a done deal but still sent in the forms, and requested no more emails be sent, that my account be wiped from their servers, and for them to get out of my life.
...well, last night they resubmitted the charge to my card. I am pissed. They are a trash company preying on musicians and bands who are struggling to make it.
Yes, I was ignorant in believing them initially, and probably deserved to lose the $400 for that ignorance. But the $200 charge adds insult to injury, and will not be accepted.
I am willing to go in with any other injured and affected parties on a class action suit should one arise. It is time these thieves were shut down, and there was some payback.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Q
Rocklin,California,
United States of America
Song Placements ripped me off as well
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, December 20, 2012
I encounted the same exact story. I created a document proving that I was taken advantage of and sent it to the Better Business Bureau, after following up, nothing was rectified. Shame on me for the initial $400, the renewal $200 is what really drove me up a wall, even after I emailed the company about how I wish to not renew. Also, my signature was forged onto an initial agreement...but I had never signed anything when I first joined. DO NOT sign up with Hitt Music, Song Placements, or Fast Break Music....Scam all the way.