I have seen their ad on the CTV, Monday of the week the "so called" audtion was held. I am talking about the 2nd of May 2009, at the location of John Robert Powes, located at 140 Spadina Ave, suite 201, Toronto, ON, Canada. which represents itself as an "Agency Talent", when in fact it is a modelling/acting school.
So 1st strike is misrepresentation. They get you to an audition looking for genuine talent, than they will bring somebody from the States, who made it "BIG" and we should be impressed with it or by it.
You register with reception than you go into a big room where other eager and hopefull parents and kids are awaiting their turn to act and get into soemthing that maybe will change their future or even lives.
You are handed a brochure outlining the talents and purpose of the school, (as this is no agency or will ever be) and you are listening to a presentation for 20-3o minutes.
After listening to that person selling to the general public false expectations and dreams that will never come true (as they are all a scam, thus playing with the good intentions and emotions of the children, teens and parents out there), you are instructed to go and have an informal interview with one of their staff.
You are asked 3-4 questions of why you would like to become involved with their "so called" agency, pardon me acting school and handed a slip with their phone number and a personal call back time for the next day and you are directed to another room.
There you have to read from a script a couple of lines to see if they can assess you of how good you can perform in front of the camera.
I called Sunday as I was told of course that one of my kids made the cut. Was directed to come that day and meet with one of the staff to discuss the opportunity for my kid advancement and also the payment options.
I have spent more than $130.00 Cad as was told that we have to come dressed upscale and also transporation and food money as the kids were hungry after the audition.
Just in the nick of time before I was getting ready to go and get scammed, my decency and commom sense made me go on google.ca and research these people. I should have done that 6 days before I have invested the time and money to but some efemeric dream that will never come true at least not with Johm Robert Powers.
What I discovered was paramaount, 156 reports of scam and trust abuse entered about this agency and reported by people both in Canada and the States.
I picked up the phone and called JRP again and asked to speak to our rep and inquired about the payment plan. I was told that I have to come up with 1/2 of the money today and the rest in due time.
I am talking about almost $2000.00 CAD for personal development. I asked her why can't my son get a part and than when he gets paid, they can retain thier commission. The lady in charge told me, that this is "illegal" as they are not an agency but a school and can't do it.
At this pont I have told her to cancel my appointment with her and thanked her for her time and that was it. However, as a parent I am concerned as they have the pictures of my children and address, as well as other relevant info-s, school's name etc.
Please do your homework ahead of time and research companies that seem to be too good, in order not to get scammed. Me and my children have avoided that just by 1 hour and that is thanks to my sales background. I have realized that they were selling something which was not real, thus making all the processa waste of time, money and personal emotions for the parents and their children out there. I hope that nobody signs up with them and further more I will contact the CTV and file a complaint with them, so that they can be audited and booted out of their lying and cheating deceving habits.
Disappointed parent and kids
North York, Ontario
Canada
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