Complaint Review: Next Star Production - Playa Vista California

I don't even know where to start. There were two other reports on this same company that I would have to agree with at this point.

Just like the other "businesses" that come through Kansas promising that you or your children will be in the presence of top agencies, this company did the same.

First, they have this sign up that will place you on their list to send information on auditions or try-outs or what ever they call it. You show up and they give you the run down of how things are going to play out during the hours you are there. They show you clips, as the others do and then have about four families come up at one time. There, they have the commercials acted out, ask a few questions, either tell you yes, maybe, or no. Later, if you are on the "call back" list, you are sent an email stating that you need to reply to get your time to come back. Yes, the email includes a brochure that states training costs, but that is if you need it. In my eyes and I am pretty sure I am right at this moment, that no one has gotten by without having to go through their such high rated training, or rehearsals as they call it. Well, needless to say, I paid the upfront $150 and agreed to make two additional payments of $345. My total cost was $840.00, which I was given a deduction or scholarship for the other $840.00 that was claimed I was the only one to get.

Three day rehearsals, 5-8 hours is what they say. But truly each class does not last even four hours. The singing class was 30 minutes and was just someone giving advise that my daughter has been getting since she was 9 years old. Just beccause they claim they are actors,producers,educaters for so long, which is what the guy said-he was in that for 14 years, we are supposed to come out of pocket all this money.

I had emailed Denise after the class asking if I could make a $200.00 payment early and then pay on the arranged dates. I received no response. I emailed again stating that I was not able to make the $200 but to take $150.00, still no response. I then sent a third email stating that I could not make the early payment and for them to disregard my question due to emergencies that had came up. Still no response! I happened to check my account to see if I had anything left over from the bills that came up and found that Next Star had taken the $200.00. There was no confirmation that an early payment could be done, nor was there a confirmation sent to me that they had taken the money. BUT when I emailed her stating that I noticed the money had been taken and that I had asked them not to take it , she replies to me stating that she had followed instructions and that the other emails had come after. I became furious, for this had caused an overdraft, which caused my bank to reject payments causing return check fees ontop of more overdraft fees.

I began researching this place, which I should have done prior to all of this. I came across the two reports on this site and grew even more upset to see that I am not the only one feeling the way I do and that she is getting away with the kid of business she is pulling on people.

I sent her an email with the two reports and advised her that if I found that this was in fact a SCAM that I was going to sue the company. She replied with a thank you for the reports, that she has gone to her legal team to handle this and that she will be refunding me all my money and that my daughter will be pulled, not a direct quote, but I have all the emails to back up what I am saying. I replied to her that I was not satisfied and that this was not the last she has heard from me. I told her that they should be refunding me all my money plus the overdrafts they caused. Now she will not give me my money back AND she is telling me I need to go to my bank and legal team to get it!!!!

There was no sympathy there for what they have done to me, now my bank account is overdrawn $600 total and there is no way that I can cover that on top of still having to pay the bills that had rejected payments!! I can go on and on right now but that will not be good. I want action at this point AND MY MONEY!!!!