Yes, JRP, and any other name that former affiliates of JRP use, is a rip off. They are predatory liars and thieves. I have inside information regarding JRP, but need to be careful due to the risk of retaliation.
JRP not only rips off parents and children, but owners as well. All the greed and vice can be traced back to the Corporate Office of JRP in LA. Even if you are fortunate enough to be in a somewhat legitimate JRP, if that exists, be extremely cautious. And remember, even if you are happy at your JRP, a percentage of your hard-earned money goes straight into the pocket of those detestable individuals who own the license to franchise JRP's worldwide.
Corporate's standard operating procedure is to get people to buy a franchise from them. These individuals, some well meaning I am sure, invest at least $120,000 and a five-year commitment to a building lease and contract with JRP to operate. If you have multiple JRP's in the vicinity (especially Southern California), all the JRP's compete with one another for business and there are no holds barred. The chief crooks are the owners of the JRP license who also own JRP's of their own in Southern CA.
They basically set the owners up to fail in their location, take away the franchise, sell it to someone else and make another $60,000 or more per franchise. The new owners end up competing with the licensors and fold as well, and the licensors sell the same franchise to someone else for another $60,000. And so it continues as long as a new sucker comes along.
Here is what the JRP's do. They cold call people from lead lists, not from referrals from coaches, teachers, etc. They pay companies to get your information. I don't know what they've done with the Do Not Call List in place, but I'm sure they've found a way around that. They talk you into coming in for a seminar and interview. They ask you to bring in a picture, nothing fancy.
In the seminar they tell you all the wonderful things they do (pure spin). Of course they make themselves look great, they're salesmen! While waiting for your interview with the National Director, (interpretation, some poor smuck trying to make a buck) they tape you or your child doing a commercial. Usually, there's no film in the camera. If there is film in there, it's just to make you think they actually do what they say they do.
In the interview, they look at the picture. How cute your child is! (Interpretation, look at that house, that car, that furniture. They must have some money). They ask you some questions. What do mom and dad do? Are you able to take little Johnny to auditions? (Interpretation, how much of your money can I transfer into my pocket?) Oh, you're a stay-at-home mom! How nice. I love stay-at-home moms. (Interpretation, I hate stay-at-home moms! That means there's not enough money to transfer into my pocket!)
At the end of the interview, they tell you they will review the tapes from the commercial and you are supposed to call them back at a certain time the following day to see if you made the Callback List. Believe me, if they can tell from your interview that you make enough money, you already made the callback list. They don't look at the tapes.
The next day, they're out getting manicures, pedicures, hair dos and they stroll in just in time to catch your call. They go through their scripted callback routines and get you to come in later that day ready to commit to furthering your child's acting/modeling career, or just to increase self-esteem. Meanwhile, they are on the phone with dozens of other people to get them in as well.
When you come in, the hard sell begins. Yes, they make you commit right there and then for thousands of dollars, tell you whatever you want to hear, make you any promise they can come up with, just to get you to sign and give them your money. If you decide to go with JRP and don't care that any of your money supports corrupt and detestable people, do not pay full price. Pay half. Believe me, they'll take it. Maybe even a third! Bargain with them.
Maybe they will let you take every course they have in a year's time for $2,000. That's a good deal. Each course is 10 weeks long and you can take several courses at a time. You could probably go through all their classes in that amount of time. And, if you are selected for their Elite or other programs, that just means they think you have enough money to pay for it and they can get it out of you.
Now, for the agents. True, their selling point is agents, agents, agents. They do bring in the agents for auditions. What they don't tell you is that they pay the agents to be there. The agents get paid, get a free lunch, and get a few new pictures to look at. But not much happens after that. There have been success stories, but a very small percentage of total JRP students actually make it. Next audition, you or your child should ask the agent how much they are getting paid to be there and if they've already gotten their free lunch and crappacinno.
I see they are doing IPOP now. It used to be IMTA was the big rip off twice a year. Yes, it is very expensive and at least $1,000 that is paid for each student to go to IPOP goes into the owners' pockets, as well as a healthy sum for the IPOP Director for getting your child to go. I think if any DA's are reading this in NY and LA, they may want to investigate what goes on at the IPOP conventions twice a year. Check out what some of the gay owners are doing with the young male students who are there.
So, to all you parents and students who have been ripped off for thousands of dollars, I'm sorry. But, be glad it wasn't hundreds of thousands of dollars as in my case. And that you didn't have to file bankruptcy and have your credit ruined as you try to take care of your family and pick up the pieces of your life.
If JRP still owes you money, file a Small Claims court case or whatever your state has in place for consumers immediately. Do not wait for them to do the right thing. They've sold their soul to the devil (Corporate) a long time ago and they don't look back.
0 comments