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Starbiz Entertainment - Wilhemina - Bruce Romberg ripoff, not fair to parents, not willing to listen, just keeps talking!! Scottsdale Phoenix Arizona
Hi,
I went to an open casting call similar to what I am reading here for the "local clothing line" and when we got there they said it was also going to be for Arizona Parenting and then Steinmart too.
Well, my son got the phone call the next day, after his 15 second, literally, interview.
I checked it out on BBB and they were clean and so I paid the $685. The next day I called and spoke with Julie, stating some concerns and she just talked and talked and talked trying to cover up and said my son was set for the photo shoot.
She wasn't willing to discuss refunding the money. I tried to "stop payment" on the check, but it was cashed already.
I've called about 5 different times, and left messages no answer back. I finally called and had to cancel the photo shoot due to my son had chicken pox. The girl was rude and unprofessional.
I called another time and left a sharp message on the phone and Bruce returned my call.
HE OFFERED TO RE-DO MY SON"S PHOTOS AFTER THE YEAR WAS UP. So i'm not sure about that either, that makes me more concerned then anything. I told him I was concerned about the professionalism, the questions, the lack of communication, almost a 3 month delay from the point of our "interview" till when we have photos done next week. Which is at the office, when I was origianlly told it was going to be at a studio. He talked and talked and talked over and over againnon-stop.
My plan for tomorrow is to call him and do my best to hold him to refunding my money. I don't want to be represented by someone with his track history and poor professionalism.
And I appreciate the former employee writing as well, but it does sound like a disgruntled parent writing a letter with everything we want to hear. I would love it if a former employee wrote a letter to BBB that would get attention.
And I have concern about the Wilhemina comment too. They say Wilhemina NY not Wilhemina so that 's concerning too.
Has anyone asked or had the option to speak with a satisfied parent? Maybe one of the kids on the cover? There has to be at LEAST one!!
I'd be willing to talk to discuss these concerns.
Thanks,
Sharon
Phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Wilhelmina
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Emodel
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Trans Continental Talent AKA Options Talent
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on TcTalent
STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Pat
Gilbert,Arizona,
U.S.A.
May picket Starbiz.
#3Consumer Suggestion
Fri, October 22, 2004
To everyone following these reports, I posted on another report that I may exercise my right to picket on the sidewalk in front of Starbiz. My wife thinks it is a bad idea as she would be concerned for my safety. I think that if others are willing to picket with me, she would feel better about it. So what do you say, anyone else up for a picket within the next few weeks? Please rebuttal and let me know. If I get it organized, I will post the dates and times here.
Pat
Gilbert,Arizona,
U.S.A.
DO NOT accept the offer to have more pictures taken. That is just a ploy he uses to keep you from taking further action.
#3Consumer Comment
Sat, September 11, 2004
Sharon,
When did you go to the audition? We went last week of April. We had heard a radio ad about the Steinmart shoot. Bruce says that fell through because the local Steinmart did not have approval from the home office.
Let me know how you made out with asking for your money back. DO NOT accept the offer to have more pictures taken. That is just a ploy he uses to keep you from taking further action.
Funny, two weeks after I loudly complained about how we were misled, he comes up with 2 paying assignments. Want to know how much they pay? $120 each. What a slap in the face! And get this, it is for the same line of ugly, tie-dyed clothes that she posed in for the original pictures that appeared in Arizona Parenting. My question is, if they pay now, why didn't they pay before? His line about the child gaining "experience" is just a load of bull.
And yes, Bruce can talk endlessly. And he says the same thing over, and over again. We spent 1 1/2 hours in his office having a 10 minute conversation.
Stay tuned, more to follow.