In November my kids came home very excited that they were going to be on Tv. John Robert Powers had set up a table at some field trip the kids were on and were asking various kids for their phone numbers. I subsequently got a call from a sales rep from their company stating that our kids had been singled out, We went in heard the pitch and bought into their commitment to help our children become models or possibly actors. I was not delusional however, although I feel both of my kids are very talented and adorable, I did not think that they were going to be instant child stars. I did believe JRP when they kept selling the huge self esteem boost that comes from their school. I figured worst case my kids would come away with some extra confidence and less fear of getting up in front of others.
We were also promised 2 auditions minimum a month and had the first within the 72 hour money back period. That was the only audition that was ever posted.in the 3 months that followed I never saw another on the bulletin board nor was I ever notified of one. My 5 year old daughter was yelled at by one "coach" and my son was made to feel like an idiot in front of everyone by another. Since JRP had not fulfilled their two most base level commitments, (Improved self image and Guaranteed auditions), and the kids did not want to sign up for new classes. I Called our sales rep and conveyed all of this to her via voice mail as she had trouble returning calls, and told her I had paid so far for all of the classes they took, and I felt I was not getting anything near what was promised by their representatives I was through with them.
3 months later she called me back. She stated that I was wrong about evertything I had said and that we owed the balance of the money whether we attended or not. (She did not bother to ask why the kids didnt want to go, furthering my point that money is their #1 priority.) After 15 minutes of explaining to her point by point my problem again, she said she would defer the account and talk to her boss about a voiding the contract. Her boss is the regional director of JRP and local owner. No one ever called or wrote and now 2 years later I am getting notices from a collection agency. Now thats customer service!
This company while they may claim to have kids interests at heart, seems to only care about money. Their total lack of class in dealing with unhappy clients is proof of it. They have several listings in this complaint from several states so I am sure it is a universal approach that must attract the type of people who are comfortable with less than the truth and shady sales tactics.
Robbi who responded to the last Utah report and also works at the same location, has not taken 1 of my calls, so I am skeptical that the new ownership is really any different than the old when it comes to dealing with problems, as she claims. I would gladly retract this if anyone at JRP besides an admin would address this issue or take a call. I am otherwise compelled to warn people of who they are doing business with.
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