Here is a copy of the complaint I filed with the Better Business Bureau in regards to the con that was played on my wife and myself. Also are several emails that prove that these people are "Cons" and will say or do anything to get your money! My BBB complaint is as follows:
Consumer's Original Complaint :
On May 8, 2008, we signed a contract with Be., LLC for their "Movie Star Package". At the time of signing the contract we made a verbal agreement that once our son has completed requirements, which included several things that we had to pay for (this was in addition to the $3, 495 we paid), our son would be given a paid a role in a Be produced t.v. show. Mu=y son completed all the requirements by Sept.2008. When we attempted to contact the person that made that agreement, we received the following e-mail.Hi! Thank you! Arthur will be on one of our shows by end of year...
Our crew took off to the San Diego area for the BeBopping shows that are
currently being looked up by different networks. We were hoping that they
would be back in production in the Bay Area for our two shows here by September...However Season two of Kids Unlimited and Say What will start
in end of Oct and Nov...So you will be hearing from me then. Sorry, for the delay but Yes! it will happen.
Thanks!
Domingo Ivan
From: Scott and Maribel
Sent: Sat 9/13/2008 8:25 AM
To: Domingo Casanas
Cc:
Subject: Arthur's promise
Hello Domingo,
When we were at Be studio's and prior to us signing-up with Be, you promised a paying role on one of the Be production (once he completed all of his requirements) television shows for our son Arthur. Can you please let us know a.s.a.p. when your promise will be full-filled and Arthur will be in a one of the Be production television shows.
Thank-you,
Scott and Maribel
We never received the services, as stated, a direct violation of the contract. Last week, in another attempt to contact Be, we found out they closed all of their Northern California Offices and their phone was disconnected. After checking their Web site http://gonnabe, there is a note from their president, that they are moving to Tarzana Ca. The 800-974-9178 is automated and no one has returned numerous phone calls.
Consumer's Desired Resolution:
We are requesting a full refund for services not rendered. This is based on the fact that the agreement that was made, was not done. We also had a different contact at Be (or My Artists Place, as our charge slip has on it) and sent her a e-mail. Her e-mail stated she was "no longer with the company, while they were relocating" and to contact the 800 customer service phone number. They closed shop without notifying anyone, and committed fraud by making a agreement (as stated in the e-mail) that they never planed on doing.
Now since they ran away from Emeryville and all Northern Calfiornia locations, (like rats with their tail between their legs)the BBB is going after them down south. I hope anyone that talks to anyone from Be down there, to stay away. They were using 6 Flags name on their web site, until I let 6 flags know, and they had to pull it. The scam is to approach you in a amusement park or in my case a mall. They then sucker you into going to a cattle call. They say "if you did well, with your audition, we will call you back". They then figure out who has some money, call them back, then lie to you, to get you to sign-up! The sad thing is, the RAT that did the CON JOB on us, is now working for Barbizon (or IPACSTAR). The jerk had the nerve to try to recruit us..check this out:
Hope all is well. I was recruited by IPAC in February and decided to jump ship.
Keep Smiling if I may be of service in the future just let me know.
Thank You!
Domingo Ivan
-----Original Message-----
From: Auditions
Sent: Apr 14, 2009 7:48 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: Enter the Entertainment Industry
Begin forwarded message:
From: Scott and Maribel
Date: April 14, 2009 7:38:14 PM PDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Enter the Entertainment Industry
Thanks Domingo..now we know where you are.
From: Domingo Ivan Casanas
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 3:07:00 PM
Subject: Enter the Entertainment Industry
Enter the Entertainment Industry
Hello,
I am contacting you today is to inform you of a great opportunity for your child. If you feel your child is now ready for agent or agency representation, then I would like to invite you to an informative, no obligation photo shoot and presentation in our studio in San Francisco, CA.
This opportunity is for a five day/four night showcase conference where your child will have the chance to present their talents to 40 top licensed agents, managers, casting directors and producers.
Please contact me directly to see if your child qualifies to attend the conference. You may reach me at: (925) 457-1888.
Sincerely;
Domingo Casanas
Talent Director
Remember the old saying "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me"...I am not the only "member" Be that these people have contacted since Be closed shop. Be either sold names or the ex-employees stole them. The way these people use kids and play with their hopes is disgusting! I removed my e-mail address from the copies I am posting, but if has suffered the same experience, please feel free post your e-mail, with a comment on this complaint! Don't take it sitting down! File a complaint with BBB, The Federal Trade Commission, The Calif Atourney General for Consumers Attorney Generals Office and every consumer group you can contact! Keep in mind..when they closed shop here, they TOLD NO ONE. If we did not have a computer and access to the web site, we would not have known. How many people do you think are out there and have no clue the place is closed in Northern California, and that they set-up shop in TARZANA
Barry Flack is Full of it!
Barry Flack the president of Be, called me this week..here is a copy of the e-mail I sent to 7 on your side, and what he sent me. Note..he also can make a promise..but cannot say when!:
Renee,
I received a phone call from Barry Flack this morning. In our phone conversation he debated the issue of not giving me a refund, and made the following promises as stated below. When I explained to him that they had more than ample time to fix this issue, his only excuse was that it was "just put on his desk, this morning". When I told him that I have no trust with anyone at Be any longer, he continued to tell me, that by giving me (what is on his e-mail) he is full-filling what we were promised before signing our contract.
When I told him that I was not interested in what he was offering, and that I will let the people that I have reached out to, help settle the issue (and I mentioned 7 On Your Side), he sarcastically told me "go ahead, they can't help you".."and when your done doing what you want to, on t.v., my offer still stands. When I explained that when I called last week and was told by Liz that she was meeting with Barry and Eric the next day (I sent you that e-mail) and no one called me..he said he was not told. When I said after I had to call back the next day myself, I was told by Liz, that they had a meeting their accountant the next day on our issue and she would call us. When I told Barry no one called us (as a matter of fact my wife was told Barry and Eric were in Japan filming after she called on Friday) that I have NO TRUST with Be whatsoever, and that was no way to handle any customer issue. Again he said that he did not know anything about this, until it was on his desk today. I really appreciate your help on this matter..while talking to him today, I wished I could put my hands through the phone line, or at least wish he was in front of me, man to man. He gave me his phone number, if I wanted to contact him 818-207-7233. Please help show that he was wrong and you can help.
Thanks again,
Scott P
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Barry Falck
To:
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 12:25:11 PM
Subject: FW: Reply from Barry Falck, president of Be.
------ Forwarded Message
From: Barry Falck
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:18:59 -0700
To:, Nick Tabri, Cristina
Mendoza
Cc: Liz Brainard, Nicolas Fordham, Nicolas Fordham
Conversation: Reply from Barry Falck, president of Be.
Subject: Reply from Barry Falck, president of Be.
Scott and Maribel,
Scott, I am glad I spoke to you this morning. I would like to make sure we
bring your family back into the fold.
contact: LIZ ---Please email or call 1-800-974-9178 for Liz in scheduling
for classes, showcases, etc. We will give you a FREE showcase.
contact: CRISTINA -- Please email Cristina to verify your email. Cristina
publishes our weekly newsletters. This will keep you up to date on what is
happening here at Be.
contact: MARTIN -- Please send verification of new northern Cal job
listings to these members. Maybe email the first few direct, if you can.
contact: NICHOLAUS -- Please review this members site on our website and
make sure they have all they need to apply for our job listings. Also, give
them 1 year of web membership into the job site FREE!
contact: NICK -- pkease book this member for an upcoming TV shoot or two.
Barry Falck
President
Be., llc
------ End of Forwarded Message