Karaoke Scene's Karaoke Forums
http://karaokescene.com/forums/

Possible scam
http://karaokescene.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37584		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  DannyG2006 [ Sat Aug 12, 2017 8:28 am ]
Post subject:  Possible scam
For you karaoke dj's, there is a national talent agency based in Colorado called Fantastic Events. If you are contacted by a representative of them, turn down the job because they are yanking your chain. I was contacted by them and they sounded like they were going to hire me to cover a gig because they didn't have a karaoke dj on their rolls, even though the website claims that they have karaoke available as a choice of entertainment, and the last contact from them was Thursday when they said that they were going to email me a contract. I have been trying to reach them since yesterday and no response.
Author:  Cueball [ Sun Aug 13, 2017 6:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible scam
Do you have any more details?

You said they are Colorado based. You are in Connecticut. On what premise did they come about calling you? Did they say how they came about finding your name to contact? What exactly did they say they needed you for and where? Did they discuss payment terms?
Author:  Brian A [ Sun Aug 13, 2017 10:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible scam
Website looks legit: http://www.fantasticevents.org/arvada-colorado/

But a lot of negative reviews from their services (same company according to one poster): https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/pre ... -co-556299

‘can’t find the other link re: they regularly change their business name to lure unsuspecting customers.
Author:  Brian A [ Sun Aug 13, 2017 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible scam
cueball wrote:
You said they are Colorado based. You are in Connecticut. On what premise did they come about calling you? Did they say how they came about finding your name to contact? What exactly did they say they needed you for and where? Did they discuss payment terms?

According to their site: "finding and hiring event services for customers nationwide."
Author:  Cueball [ Sun Aug 13, 2017 3:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible scam
Brian A wrote:
According to their site: "finding and hiring event services for customers nationwide."

I saw that when I did an Internet Search for them (Fantastic Events Colorado). That's stated in their site. That doesn't answer how they found DannyG to contact.

Also, I find it somewhat strange that they have a link after clicking ABOUT US that says SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
Multiple 5 star customer
reviews online.
yet, when clicking the link, it wants me to enter my personal information. Why aren't they showing me their (alleged) Customer Reviews???!!! Not only that, I can't find anything on them when I search the Internet for "Fantastic Events Colorado Reviews" or "Complaints." I find other references to Premier Events, and the negative reviews of that company.

Another trigger/red flag is their Contact Information. It's a P.O. Box, toll free phone number, and an e-mail address. I would be very suspicious of P.O. boxes for a business address.
Author:  DannyG2006 [ Sun Aug 13, 2017 5:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible scam
cueball wrote:
Do you have any more details?

You said they are Colorado based. You are in Connecticut. On what premise did they come about calling you? Did they say how they came about finding your name to contact? What exactly did they say they needed you for and where? Did they discuss payment terms?

They have offices listed in CT. They apparently was responding to my ad on Craigslist. In their response to the ad they quoted me $250 for 4 hours. They asked me if I had lights and I told them that I don't normally use lights but I have a friend who can loan me some of his. They then said that they were going to email me a contract but never did.
Author:  Toastedmuffin [ Mon Aug 14, 2017 7:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible scam
The only way it could be a scam is if you sent them cash or private information. Waiting on contracts happen to me all the time... If the gig isn't happening immediately, sometimes it takes a few days for them to get the paperwork going. Also, they might have lost the gig, and just don't want to tell you :/

That being said, make sure you get either a deposit or the full amount up front if you feel skeptical about them. If they don't at least send a deposit, you know its fishy.

$250 seems a little low to me especially with lights. Basic lighting for me usually ads an extra hour minimum to my setup and breakdown, so it needs to be included in the bill.

Good luck and I hope it works out
Author:  DannyG2006 [ Mon Aug 14, 2017 9:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible scam
The gig was supposed to be this past Saturday night. It was a last second gig. I am sure that they were getting more but needed to make their money too. I probably could have accepted another gig if not for waiting for them to get off their butt and send me the contract on time. Oh well. Just gonna say sorry not going to be burned again by you if they try to contact me again. Considering adding to my ad something about saving by eliminating the middle man and deal with the actual person who is providing the actual service. Something like, why contact a talent agency and pay double what you really need to pay?
Author:  Cueball [ Mon Aug 14, 2017 10:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible scam
Toastedmuffin wrote:

That being said, make sure you get either a deposit or the full amount up front if you feel skeptical about them. If they don't at least send a deposit, you know its fishy.


And based on some of the negative reviews I read from their past company name/s. Make sure the check they send you is good before depositing it.
Author:  Elementary Penguin [ Thu Aug 24, 2017 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible scam
For years now I've e-mailed PayPal invoices to clients for their deposits, and they've all actually preferred paying electronically over getting a check or cash to me. Everyone is just so used to paying for things on-line these days, I can't even remember the last time I had a client with no e-mail address.

And I make it clear to them while we're negotiating the price, it's not a solid booking until I get the deposit, and I'll give the date away if someone else comes along and pays first.

And I just don't worry about a potential gig until that deposit comes in. No point getting too anxious or sweaty any sooner, because less than 10% of the inquiries I get turn out to be serious in the end, no matter how good they initially sound.
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 8 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
https://www.phpbb.com/