John Casablancas Modeling School
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to find out what I can do about getting
my money back from the John Casablanca School.
We went in for what they call an "interview," but
in reality it was a sales presentation.
I was led to believe that this package that we were
paying for was to include my daughter's makeup package,
professional stylists, licensed instructors, teaching,
and her portfolio.
After the presentation, I told them that it sounded
good, but I would have to discuss it with my daughter's
father, and we would let them know in a couple of days.
She said that they had to sign up right then to save
her a spot in the class, because it was filling up fast.
So I gave her my credit card and she held the payment
for a day, i.e. until I could talk to her father.
During most of the class time all they did was play,
and most of the instructors, if not all, were not licensed.
The makeup package that was included consisted of a
dresser full of used makeup that everyone shared. That
is very unsanitary.
A lot of the classes on the syllabus were not even taught.
Then I get a phone call towards the end of her schooling,
telling me that my credit card payment was lost, and
now I have to come up with $175 for that.
They were supposed to graduate around the end of August,
and here it is November, and they still have not graduated.
I felt I was very pressured into this and my daughter
was cheated. What can I do?
C.T.
C.,
You said: "I felt I was very pressured into this."
Saying there are almost no places left, or there is
only one place left, and you need to reserve a spot immediately
or risk losing the opportunity entirely is an old sales
trick. It is already on the list of warning
signs.
You also wrote: "We went in for what they call
an "interview," but in reality it was a sales
presentation."
Just about all the firms which want upfront fees are
salesmen and women looking for a quick sale to get fast
money and they apply hard sales pressure to get you to
make a financial commitment.
You said: "I am writing to find out what I can
do about getting my money back."
The chances of getting your money back could be determined
by a few issues, such as whether you received the services
for which you paid, or whether you received the services
but they were poor. It is more difficult to get a refund
if you actually received the services, even if they were
poor. Quality is subjective.
You said: "I was led to believe that this package
that we were paying for was to include my daughter's
makeup package, professional stylists, licensed instructors,
teaching, and her portfolio."
Was there any misrepresentation? The things you paid
for which you did not receive, from the sound of things,
were licensed instructors and teaching on the syllabus.
When they represented to you there would be licensed
instructors, was this in writing? If not, it could be
difficult to make a case against them. But if they have
not fulfilled the requirements of teaching what was on
the curriculum when you paid, you have a case to present
to them when you ask for your money back.
You said they still want $175. Since you want them to
return your money, it's probably not a good idea to give
them any more even if at the risk of not graduating.
After all, what is the graduation worth at the end of
the day if the teaching was poor and the instructors
not licensed and the JC certificate is worth nothing
in the real modeling world?
You may want to consult the BBB in your area to get
your money back if your own efforts working directly
with JC do not achieve the desired result. They can help
consumers up the ante with their formal complaint and
dispute resolution service.
To Whom It May Concern:
I was thinking about taking John Casablanca classes.
The lady at JC said I'm guaranteed a contract after I
graduate from the classes.
Do you think this a good thing, or is it what the agents
basically tell everyone?
I need help before I make a big mistake and go broke.
H.N.
H.,
It sounds as if you figured it out. It is certainly
possible the agents tell everyone there is a guaranteed
contract waiting for them at the end of the school.
It looks tempting when people want to get signed with
an agency, but that contract does not mean anything if
there is no work waiting for you once the schools ends.
There may be a guaranteed contract but there is no guaranteed
work. You can have all the training in the world, but
if the clients do not select you, the training is in
vain.
There is a conflict of interest with upfront fees. JC
really like their upfront fees. But you don't know if
you can believe them, because they are paid to tell you
whatever so you will pay them.
Agencies do not normally charge models for training.
So if there is a conflict of interest and you can get
the training you need free, why pay?
Shop around, and see what else is out there. See if
you can find local agencies which do not have upfront
fees.
To Whom It May Concern:
As a graduate of John Casablanca's, I can attest to
the scam. I was first "scouted" when I was
a senior in high school, after attending Manhattan Model
Search.
I went to an interview at one of their agencies with
my mother shortly thereafter. I was really excited, but
when I heard about all the money I would have to shell
out to take classes, I got skeptical.
My mom said she felt the same way, but if it was something
I really wanted to do, she would help me with payments.
I decided that even though it had been my dream to become
a model, I thought the whole thing was a bad idea.
Several years later, when I was a senior in college,
I kept seeing and hearing ads for John Casablanca's.
Basically forgetting about my previous experience with
them, I decided to contact their local agency for more
information.
Again I went in for an interview.
Realizing that my dream might slip away completely,
I decided to take the plunge and sign up for the classes.
Since I couldn't pay for it all up front, I did a payment
plan in which I ended spending about $2,000.
That was money wasted in my opinion. The classes were
a joke. The teachers didn't seem to have a clue about
what they were teaching.
As for work, I never really got any jobs through the
agency. The job hotline never seemed to have jobs for
which I could even attempt to apply.
Right now I'm working on a virtual resume and head sheet,
as well as cold calling other agencies to get more work,
and getting tips from fellow promotional models with
whom I have worked over the years.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have saved
my money and used it for more appropriate things, like
paying for my college tuition.
I hope my story will let people know how true this scam
is and keep them from making the same mistake I did.
Thanks,
M.D.
To Whom It May Concern:
I am 15 years old and want to be a model, so a couple
months ago, I went to one of those John Casablancas "Open
Calls."
Afterwards I was approved to go to the Model Convention
to meet with "top" agents. Of course this wasn't
free and it cost about $800.
My parents were thinking of paying, but in the end I
decided to wait and see what else is out there.
A couple days ago, I got a phone call from John Casablancas.
I went for an interview and I am supposed to go to Columbus,
OH, for a second interview.
Now I don't know what to do. If I will pass the second
interview, then what is next? Are they going to offer
me classes?
Please tell me about John Casablancas and what should
I do. Should I go? I live in Indianapolis, IN, so
there aren't many possibilities out here.
My parents believe in me, but I don't want to disappoint
them with a scam agency/modeling school.
L.R.
L.,
You wrote: "I got a phone call from John Casablancas."
If you got a phone call from John Casablancas himself,
maybe you should go. If you got a phone call from a John
Casablancas agency/school representative, maybe you should
not go.
You asked: "Are they going to offer me classes?"
It is quite possible. You don't need them, or if you
do, you can get them free. Elite apparently does not
charge for classes. A recent letter about JC showed they
were not selective, and failed to select according to
industry standards.
To answer your question, where you go from here might
depend on your measurements, and whether or not you meet
the industry standards. You are at an age where if you
do meet the industry standard measurements, and you have
a look agencies want, you could get a lot of work.
So why not contact top agencies by phone to determine
if you fit the criteria for the "timeless" measurements
and the current look. If you pass the first test (measurements),
they may ask you to send Polaroids (headshot, bodyshot)
to see if you are the current look.
If they want you to model, even though you don't live
in a major market, during the summer they might find
work for you. If that happens, and you get a lot of work,
you would probably have to move to NY.
Good luck!
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