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I enrolled my daughter in April 2009.I went to sign a contract for the school.When I arrived an agent( won't mention names)was interested in her for Ipop.So he went on to explain what it was and how much it cost.It cost $8000.00 for 5 days at the event which was in Las Vegas.That is crazy.I told him I would talk to my husband I later called them and told them that we weren't interested because it was too much money.Well the following month they charged me for something we aren't even attending.They said they would refund me.They still haven't yet.This has been since May 2009 and is still on going as of Sept.2009.I do understand this is a school and your not guaranteed a job.But when I pay $3000.00 for classes and my daughter is sitting out and they open late and let out early.So many people do there auditions and some get call backs.Then you get a call back nothing else occurs.I just strongly urge others not to use this company and could go on and on about myself and others getting scammed from John Robert Powers Baltimore,Md

Monetary Loss: $1600.

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Guest

John Robert Power is a get place to get education and that is it. Half of what i was learning was common sense for acting.

I would say its kind of like a scam because they target kids in school or school like events without parents. This allows them to get inside the kids head and get them excited.Of course many parents want their child to be happy and successful so they agree to it.

I wish i notice this when i attended this school, but since i was excited about starting my acting career, I did not see it was a scam. I believe if you have a gift, then use it, many celebrities did not go to acting school, so why should you

Guest

JRP franchised owned by Mr. Elbert is a true deception and a way for him and Mr.

Allen to make at the expense of the talent, parents who pay for classes to develope their craft, the staff who are excited to help make their dreams a reality. The main culprit in the whole operation is Mr. Elbert & Mr. Allen.

They could care less about giving you the agent feedback from IPOP who wants to work with you child or teen. They make no effort in being honest with you. The NY and CA agents that come to JRP to see your child audition Re legit. Mr.

Elbert and Mr. Allen sabotages the opportunity by keeping it from going any further. They want money......yours! And will loose your contract in the system to keep from refunding you your money.

He withholds waged for taxes and will not report it to IRS nor the state of MD. And you won't get a W-2 to file your taxes. He as an owner of the Legendary John Robert Powers, has given it an awful reputation here in Baltimore. The bank is Bank of America which is next door but its under a other name: Starz 2 Be Inc.

DBA John Robert Powers. From what I heard he has other schools.

Call the Attorney General people. Not all JRP's are mismanaged.

Guest

jrp is not a scam.. soo.. back off :grin

Guest

I attended John Robert Powers in Chicago. I only went to four classes and had to stop for family resons.

But I do have to say, even if you dont get a call back, or sign with and agent, YOU STILL GET THE EDUCATION!! AND, you have something REALLY good to put on your resume to help you in further jobs. I dont know what JRP in Baltimore is like, but i do know I learned things at JRP Chicago I couldnt have learned anywhere else. And no, I dont have an agent yet (I only auditioned twice) But im still trying!!

I am devoted and will never give up!

A Special thanks to JRP Chicago for the education, and amazing friends!

- Cynthia Ridyard

Guest

To Arvin: if you don't know their bank already, it's Bank of America. I know this because I'm a former employee who had to listen to a long explanation by Micheal Elbert about why they couldn't pay me on time (this happened consistently, by the way).

There was always an excuse or a reason why they couldn't actually pay me what they owed me on pay day.

I do believe JRP Baltimore is a scam. It's true that some kids will get gigs.

However, the scam is not the expectation to be famous, it's that they are more interested in your money than in devleoping your kids. It's true this stuff is expensive, but the structure and the way it's run strongly indicate they are basically after your money.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-253905

I worked there years ago and the manager Kelly and her BF Lorne stole my Bank of America debit card right out of my purse and charged $400 at a CVS!!! I was like 19 yrs old so I was young and way too trusting!!

Guest

My child is a JRP client in Baltimore who is going to school to train for what he dreams of becoming. JRP is first and foremost a "school" that provides professional training so their clients have the required skills and a shot at making their dreams a reality.

Before anyone decides they want to shut down all of JRP (not all of them are bad) please consider the fact that hopeful children who have already paid the money for schooling will have their dreams shattered if all of a sudden their school is shut down. I don't know about the vendors, but I can guarantee that the Baltimore location is not a scam because you are paying for a service which they are obviously providing in a nice, professional, high-rise office building.

Guest

I worked for JRP for a short amount of time, and I assure you that it is a scam. The "Agents" look at the parents occupation as a deciding factor as to whether they will pick your child.

If you don't make a lot of money then you won't be chosen. After 3 weeks I quit because I couldn't watch the dreams of these kids get dashed.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-199032

I worked there also years ago and it was a moral struggle to work at that place!!! I was young and needed the job to pay for college but I couldn't take it anymore either!

Guest

I fell in the same trap with JRP out of their Baltimore city office. I filed a claim in small claim court here in Boise Idaho.

They called and tried to settle with half the money. I asked for more and they backed out. They did not show up in court. The judge ruled in my favor.

Then, I got the judgment recorded in the city of Baltimore.

Now, all I need is the name of the bank they do business with or the address to a real property and either "garnish the bank account" or "put a lien on their property". Anyone out there with either of these two pieces of information?

Thanks a lot

Guest

I'm responding to to a few comments that have came through.First I did file a complaint with BBB with no response from JRP.Finally they did respond and agreed to refund my money.IT NEVER HAPPENED! It's been about a year so I contacted the BBB again they sent a letter and they are not paying me.For those of you who say I'm mad about not getting my child famous it's just a school.

I'm well a where of that.But when I'm paying a business 3,000 plus to get modeling training and she's sat out because she the youngest. Or your 5 year is walking across Charles street with a group of teenagers and a teacher not even waiting or watching.Or they sit in class and learn *** and have her doodle in a book.No it's not right especially when I didn't choose this modeling class a certain person I won't mention at JRP did.For those who say I know people that got signed and did this yeah you get signed how much work are you getting if any.I understand it's a school but atleast be fair to the customer and look around people they take everyone as long as you pay!

By the way my daughter is doing just fine without JRP! Thanks for the information Attorney General

Guest

Anyone scammed by them can file a report with the Attorney General in your state. Once they get enough complaints they will go after them & shut them down.

Don't just complain here - do your part & make it count in a big way. Shut them down. Spend 30 minutes making a phone call that makes a difference.

You can see how easy it is for anyone to make up names & write cute things about JRP on this site. The truth is the whole operation, from corporate to all the franchises, is bogus.

I was stiffed by JRP Baltimore, by Michael Elbert, the most dispicable man alive, & when I called the corporate office multiple times I never got a call back. Franchises are individually owned & if corporate doesn't care that there are some really rotten apples, what does it say about the whole name?

Guest

Well, its a school so dont expect to get offers. Music, Modeling and acting are all very tough industries to break through and maintain. I do believe Ipop is a little pricey however nothing is free and somethings in life require an investment. My son is only 3 and he went to one audition and got signed with wilhelmina, Philly which is a great start. Also another kid was signed with a acting company in L.A. last week.

It's not a booking agency its simply a school your paying for.

You know exactly what your getting. I think its a little harsh to say JRP is a scam.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-155861

I checked out the wilhelmina site and that female Kelli is the one who was the manager at John Robert Powers in Baltimore who stole my debit card out of my purse when I worked there. Her and her BF at the time Lorne racked up a $400 charge on it before I got Bank of America to cancel it!!!!

Then the next day they coincidentally never came back to work!! It was back in like 2003 or 2004 but it was definitely her!!!!!!!

Guest

I KNOW FOR A FACT IT IS A SCAM.. QUNICY ALLEN IS A NOBODY, HE DOESNT KNOW ANYONE HE CLAMINS AND DOESNT TRAVEL BACK AND FOURTH FROM NEW YORK TO BALTIMORE....

THEY NEVER "DISCOVERED" BRENDA SONG, ITS ALL A LIE!!!!! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY YOU ARE BETTER OFF GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE, ITS GHETTO AND A TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY AND TIME

Guest

i am a student at JRP, and i love it!! i got a callback after 2 tries!!

i was chosen for a commercial 3 times!!!

not a scam... it was great!!

Guest

I am a parent of 2 JRP of Baltimore students. It is not a scam the school does not promise to make you famous!

The school is to help prepare you for auditions and to sharpen the talent the children already have.In any profession if you do not continue to educate yourself you will always find that there is someone better. A call back is not a guarantee that you have been selected it just means that they maybe interested in you and they just want a second look before they make a final selection.No company is perfect! We all have areas that we may need work on to be successful. Both of my kids will be attending IPOP in LA it gives them more exposure to more agents at one time.They have also been to NY to see agents.The school does give the students opportunity to be seen by agents its up to the students to do their best and also depends on what the agents are looking for.

With this said I know as a parent I do not have the time or resources to run up and down the highways looking for agents!

JRP brings the agents to the students wish is good for 2 reasons 1) the agents are hand picked by the school and 2) I dont have to worry about being scammed by people just looking to get over and waste my time!!I really like the school and my kids Love it! The people are great there and very helpful!

Guest

All JRP's are different...let's make that clear. Also if you get a callback that doesn't mean that you are in, it just means they want to see you again.

If you do not follow up with the audition and the agent they you will not get any further with it.

I'm sick of people saying they nothing came of a callback. You MUST follow up and possible to go LA or NYC to keep it going.

Guest

just got the word from agency that jamison will be shooting a national best buy commercial tomorrow morning. she auditioned wednesday, and did really well, if i do say so myself.

anyway, thanks. this makes it all worthwhile. i'm so happy with our decision to support jamison in her acting quest, and our decision to do it with jrp.

lindy.

:)

Guest

im there for acting and modeling! ive been in 6 fashion shows since ive been there!

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