We have recently discovered this company is yet another scam operated by Erik DeSando (who has owned many other model scams in LA, which were all shut down) and Alex Simon, who's behind the internet child model scam www.kidstalent.net or Kids Talent Network based out of a hole in the wall in Nevada.
None of these scams are real licensed talent agencies!
Just do a Google search on Kids Talent Network and on THIS SITE to see how many unhappy customers they have. They will claim it's all phony stuff writen by competitors, yeah, right.
Erik DeSando has been shunned in Hollywood because of all the customers and people in the industry he screwed over. He used to own many companies that all failed. We have done extensive research on this guy, he's a scammer.
They're running these fake auditions at their office trying to convince nieve parents to purchase their discounted classes and workshops.
Sounds like another company called the Hollywood Group, which is also scamming people. Rumor has it DeSando used to work their too. Do a Google search on them too!
So, it looks like DeSando and Simon have teamed up for a new scam.
If you've been given a card in the mall or at a toy store and you were wondering if this is legit... Sorry... It's not... Save your money!
They have these "talent scouts" aka: commissioned sales people walking around malls telling parents their kid could be a star and to come to their screening. That's where they hit you with their sales pitch.
We hear the feds are on to these scum bags-finally.
We spoke with several people at the BBB in Los Angeles that has nothing nice to say about Erik DeSando. Said every company he's been a part of has a negative score with their office for hundreds of complaints and numerous lawsuits. Here's a copy of one complaint from one of DeSando's scams "Kids and Teens Casting": (see the whole report at www.bbbsouthland.org)
BBB Reliability Report for
Kids and Teens, Inc. (COMPANY OUT OF BUSINESS)
(OWED MANY PARENTS REFUNDS)
F
Rating Explanation
If you have a dispute with this company, you may file a complaint. The BBB will try to mediate the dispute through our complaint process.
Company Profile
Kids and Teens, Inc.
2050 South Bundy Drive Suite 202
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 820-4033
Fax: (310) 571-1528
Contact: Stuart Kinzey - Owner
Business Start Date: 9/1/1996
Company ID: 13056302
Nature of Business:
This company's business is an entertainment company which sells a product that shows how to begin children in the entertainment industry. The company sells the package at seminars. This company is not a talent agency.
Complaint Experience
Bureau Summary and Analysis of customer complaints and company responses:
We have received no complaints against this company.
Accreditation
This company is not an accredited business. This fact does not disparage the company in any way.
BBB Comments and Analysis
Bureau's Comments and Analysis of Company's Business:
These companies advertise for talent with ads that imply that by responding you will have started on your road to stardom. If you answer an ad, they will often tell you outright that they will help you obtain acting or modeling employment. The catch is that everyone who responds needs lessons or training to go before a camera or down a runway, they say. This training is really what these companies are selling, and their courses can obligate y... More
Customer Reviews and Rating
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Government Actions
We know of no government action taken against this company.
Licensing
Agency:
License Number:
Status:
California law requires any company that procures or offers to procure employment or auditions, or that provides artist management services, direction or counseling to develop an artist's career, for any of which they collect a fee in advance to post a $10,000 bond. This law also prohibits charging for such services as; registering or listing the artist for employment, providing photographs, videotapes, other promotional materials, costumes, lessons or training, or auditions. As of our last verification, on November 14 this company was licensed as an advance fee talent service by the Department of Industrial Relations. To obtain bonding information, write to the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Department of Industrial Relations, Legal Section, at P.O. Box 420603, San Francisco, CA 94142 or call (415) 703-4846 or by email to DLSE. [email protected]. Gov. The website address is www.dir.ca. Gov.
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Complaint Closing Statistics
The following grid displays the number and responses to complaints over the last 36 months:
No. Of Cmpl Type of Response
0 Making a full refund, as the consumer requested
0 Making a partial refund
0 Agreeing to perform according to their contract
0 Refusing to make an adjustment
0 Refuse to adjust, relying on terms of agreement
0 Unanswered
0 Unassigned
0 Total
Other Considerations
We know of no other matter or practice relating to this company that may assist you in your consideration of this company.
Advertising Review
No questions about the truth of this company's advertising has come to our attention.
Additional Company Information
Additional DBAs Additional Addresses Additional Phone Numbers
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