- Report: #313356
Complaint Review: Academy Of Cinema And Television ACT - Phoenix Arizona
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Academy Of Cinema And Television ACT
2 Renaissance Square Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.
Phone:
602-261-5800
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Academy Of Cinema And Television ACT Things I wish I would have known. Phoenix Arizona
We went to an audition advertised on the radio. Our daughter was selected by Lilly, who we thought was a talent agent. The main thing she wanted to know is if we could come prepared to pay for classes the next day.
The next day we were given such a pep sales talk that we ended up putting thousands of dollars on our credit card.
We were given almost no information at all, only a click color brochure. The room we sat in had books about how to earn money, on the shelves. It felt fishy. I should have listened to my instincts.
I did alot of research on line and found nothing except for information that ACT put out. One BBB report that only showed that the person was satisfied. This report later changed. I did find out that this company has been in business only since last spring.
They give you 24 hours to cancel. But these auditions are held on weekends. You meet with them the next day (Saturday) and the post office isn't open for you to send them the certified letter.
They don't show you the school. Parents aren't even allowed in the school (because of fire codes).
We tried to get our money back as have others. Know that when you sign up you are pretty much stuck paying that money. They don't have ethical business practices. You don't feel like they are there for the kids at all.
Fortunately the teachers have turned out to be real. The kids seem to enjoy the classes.
It is way too much money to spend. Their relationship with parents. Their integrity. Their openness and honesty. All of these things need a complete overhaul. (Not the teachers, the administration)
I don't dare fight them too much or too openly as we at least want to get as much as we can out of this money and being on their bad side won't help much.
Durant. com is a good place for you to look for auditions on your own without being stuck in this predicament.
Otherwise. At least you will get good classes out of it. And maybe these guys will improve this place with time. I sure hope so.
If there is some group out there to help us get our money back, I'd be all for it.
Kaye
GILBERT, Arizona
U.S.A.
The next day we were given such a pep sales talk that we ended up putting thousands of dollars on our credit card.
We were given almost no information at all, only a click color brochure. The room we sat in had books about how to earn money, on the shelves. It felt fishy. I should have listened to my instincts.
I did alot of research on line and found nothing except for information that ACT put out. One BBB report that only showed that the person was satisfied. This report later changed. I did find out that this company has been in business only since last spring.
They give you 24 hours to cancel. But these auditions are held on weekends. You meet with them the next day (Saturday) and the post office isn't open for you to send them the certified letter.
They don't show you the school. Parents aren't even allowed in the school (because of fire codes).
We tried to get our money back as have others. Know that when you sign up you are pretty much stuck paying that money. They don't have ethical business practices. You don't feel like they are there for the kids at all.
Fortunately the teachers have turned out to be real. The kids seem to enjoy the classes.
It is way too much money to spend. Their relationship with parents. Their integrity. Their openness and honesty. All of these things need a complete overhaul. (Not the teachers, the administration)
I don't dare fight them too much or too openly as we at least want to get as much as we can out of this money and being on their bad side won't help much.
Durant. com is a good place for you to look for auditions on your own without being stuck in this predicament.
Otherwise. At least you will get good classes out of it. And maybe these guys will improve this place with time. I sure hope so.
If there is some group out there to help us get our money back, I'd be all for it.
Kaye
GILBERT, Arizona
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Kaye
GILBERT,Arizona,
U.S.A.
ACT .More comments
#2Author of original report
Fri, February 29, 2008
I would like to see ACT succeed. I wouldn't be so upset if I wouldn't have had to pay a huge amount of money upfront and have no recourse to change my mind. I think it should be portrayed in the way a school would be. I.E A tour of the facilities. An open house. A guidance counselor. I can't even get a copy of a curriculum. There are so many ways that they could improve it if they would be willing to. The money issue is the worst problem. For them to succeed as an honest business and build a good reputation, they should follow more I challenge anyone in administration at ACT to start taking the "high road". And this especially means, not smooth talking people into spending huge sums of money, paying it upfront and not allowing them to cancel or downgrade in a reasonable manner. It hurts people. MESSAGE TO ACT ADMINISTRATION: People want the best for their children. And they want to give them opportunities. We don't need hype. We need honesty, openness and fairness. Show some respect for us and for our children. And you will end up having respect. Which will, in the long run, give you the success and reputation to help you grow as a legitimate school.
Kaye
GILBERT,Arizona,
U.S.A.
ACT .More comments
#3Author of original report
Fri, February 29, 2008
I would like to see ACT succeed. I wouldn't be so upset if I wouldn't have had to pay a huge amount of money upfront and have no recourse to change my mind. I think it should be portrayed in the way a school would be. I.E A tour of the facilities. An open house. A guidance counselor. I can't even get a copy of a curriculum. There are so many ways that they could improve it if they would be willing to. The money issue is the worst problem. For them to succeed as an honest business and build a good reputation, they should follow more I challenge anyone in administration at ACT to start taking the "high road". And this especially means, not smooth talking people into spending huge sums of money, paying it upfront and not allowing them to cancel or downgrade in a reasonable manner. It hurts people. MESSAGE TO ACT ADMINISTRATION: People want the best for their children. And they want to give them opportunities. We don't need hype. We need honesty, openness and fairness. Show some respect for us and for our children. And you will end up having respect. Which will, in the long run, give you the success and reputation to help you grow as a legitimate school.
Kaye
GILBERT,Arizona,
U.S.A.
ACT .More comments
#4Author of original report
Fri, February 29, 2008
I would like to see ACT succeed. I wouldn't be so upset if I wouldn't have had to pay a huge amount of money upfront and have no recourse to change my mind. I think it should be portrayed in the way a school would be. I.E A tour of the facilities. An open house. A guidance counselor. I can't even get a copy of a curriculum. There are so many ways that they could improve it if they would be willing to. The money issue is the worst problem. For them to succeed as an honest business and build a good reputation, they should follow more I challenge anyone in administration at ACT to start taking the "high road". And this especially means, not smooth talking people into spending huge sums of money, paying it upfront and not allowing them to cancel or downgrade in a reasonable manner. It hurts people. MESSAGE TO ACT ADMINISTRATION: People want the best for their children. And they want to give them opportunities. We don't need hype. We need honesty, openness and fairness. Show some respect for us and for our children. And you will end up having respect. Which will, in the long run, give you the success and reputation to help you grow as a legitimate school.
