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Barbizon Reviews

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About Barbizon

Barbizon Modeling offers modeling, acting and personal development coaching and classes for teens and preteens. The company also leverages its industry connections to help graduates with representation and placement. Barbizon works to build positive self-confidence in students in all of its programs.

Visit barbizon.com
Pros
  • Designed to build self-confidence
  • Over 80 years of industry experience
  • More than 200 locations
  • Network of industry pros
Cons
  • Does not accept all applicants
  • Does not guarantee jobs

Barbizon Reviews

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    1 featured review
    How do I know I can trust these reviews about Barbizon?
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    Page 7 Reviews 677 - 827
    Verified purchase
    Staff

    Reviewed July 6, 2015

    My daughter was approached by Barbizon in the mall. She has some modeling experiences already. She was trained over one summer and was in a competition and won an internship in New York from Louisiana. Back then she was only 16 and was scared to stay in New York by herself. So we stopped doing the modeling thing and then she started modeling for a local clothing people developing clothing lines, but she was doing it for free. Barbizon's whole thing was "We would never let you do that. We will ensure that you got paid for every bit of work that you did and we will represent you, and it's a safer way to model and you wouldn't be taken advantage of people taking your picture." And so she begged and pleaded to go to the Barbizon. She had one audition, and that was it. The staff were very professional and helpful, as far as information about the classes and events coming up.

    I don't know if they contacted her for a job. She hasn't said anything to me, but she went through the whole training and then nothing after that. Why go through modeling training and events if they're not going to book her? For someone my daughter's age, she thought it was more for smaller children who's never modeled before. She said there were some things that she gained from going to Barbizon. She liked some things, but there was a lot of it that were for someone who've never had been around it at all. But I know about midway to the end, she didn't want to go anymore. She needed the structure of being managed and booked but it never happened, so I'm pretty disappointed. I wouldn't recommend it, just because she didn't get any work from it.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Jason, Upon reviewing your daughter's file, we do see that she has not completed her training with our company. She will need to complete her training program in order to enter our placement service. We would be happy to work to schedule make up classes so she can complete her course work. Once she receives a certificate of completion, she will be eligible for complimentary placement services to alert her of opportunities that suit her best. Please contact 1-800-330-8361 to schedule the reminder of her courses.

    Verified purchase
    Staff

    Reviewed July 4, 2015

    My child had a very good experience signing up with Barbizon. She had a good time and she learned a lot, and the instructors were very good. In fact, my child has hearing loss so she was in the dark for a while. She literally didn't pick up half of what she did because her hearing aids weren't working at the time, but she's since got them fixed and she's going back to her books at school. We talked to the instructors about it and they were actually good about helping her pick up on stuff that she might have missed. She's looking forward to it and she is actually looking forward to getting an agent and working with more people and getting out there.

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    Verified purchase
    Customer Service

    Reviewed June 25, 2015

    I learned a lot from Barbizon and I'm really glad I went with them. It wasn't that difficult to sign up. I read through reviews about it and said I could take a chance to see if they were really great. I signed in and then a month later, they called and told me that I had an interview. I had a great experience and I like it.

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    Staff

    Reviewed June 23, 2015

    My daughter worked hard and everybody says she should be modelling, that's why we went online to check and saw Barbizon. I think she likes it.

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    Customer ServiceSales & MarketingStaff

    Reviewed June 21, 2015

    My daughters were walking in the mall with my husband and there were some advertisements to sign up. Both of my children wanted to do it and they had expressed an interest for a very long time. We had actually checked into this other thing and we decided that that was a scam. And we told them that if we ever found something that we thought was real, we would let them do it. So my husband said "Barbizon has been around forever. Let's look into it." So that's how we came up on it. Now they participate in the class, but haven't done any actual modelling. They just graduated not that long ago. But it's really been a very good experience for my girls. It helped their confidence. When I call the people from Barbizon, they call you back. You have somebody you can call. They didn't just blow us off once we paid our money so I really appreciated that.

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    Staff

    Reviewed June 20, 2015

    My son and I are both in acting school at Barbizon and enjoying every part. Amazing staff and love the vibes and the experience. Definitely recommend Barbizon to everyone.

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    Verified purchase
    Frank increased rating by 2 stars.
    Customer Service
    After a positive interaction with Barbizon, Frank increased their star rating on July 28, 2015.

    Updated review: July 28, 2015

    Barbizon resolved the problem very professionally and courteously. Thanks to the national staff and the NYC staff for figuring this out and making us happy with our experience.

    Original Review: June 18, 2015

    My niece signed up on the street for $500 and we were assured we could cancel if we called within 24 hours. Called as soon as we got home but no one answered all that night or the next day. Called 4 times. Left a message to cancel. Not only did they not cancel the charge, the next year we got a bill for $2,395. Called to try to figure it out, but still no one is answering the phone. The letter says their next step is to pass this on to a "collection agency or our legal counsel." We want our $500 back.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Frank,

    We understand from the Barbizon your niece attended they have been in contact with your niece's mother and this has been resolved. Thank you for alerting us of this issue so we can resolve this for your niece.

    Verified purchase

    Reviewed June 18, 2015

    It has been a very interesting experience with Barbizon. I didn't know what to expect going in there but I can see a lot of benefits and so I get surprised every time I go to workshops and understand these things. They don't tell you all the different opportunities that there are because it was a little more generic and apparent and that's part of the training. But we trust them that they will get the girls to where they need to be. Moreover, I wanted my daughter to have an opportunity to invest herself into something that will be beneficial to her and part of it was building up confidence. I notice that she's getting more confident every time she completes an activity and that is great to see that there is some growth there. She has changed from the initial point of being introduced to the program to where we are today.

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    Staff

    Reviewed June 17, 2015

    My daughter was recruited by Barbizon and I trust her decision to join. Signing up was fairly easy. I also observed that their staff were professional. My daughter completed a five-week course, the recruitment course and got her certificate. Everything is great and we're completely satisfied.

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    Verified purchase
    PriceStaff

    Reviewed June 16, 2015

    They've worked with my daughter and so far they've been nice. However one of my biggest complaints with Barbizon is whenever we went to the initial, the whole seminar they don't tell you until the very end that it’s going to cost quite a bit of money, which we did pay for. We went through it. They say, “Well, you don’t ever have to pay. We help you get the jobs. You don’t ever have to pay an agency.” Then part of the way through, we do get agents and that’s not what we signed up for. So that’s been an issue.

    A month or so ago, we went to “what we thought” was an audition. Basically, it was an audition for an audition in Dallas to go audition for like 50 different agencies. Got all ready for it and there were a bunch of people in the room but my daughter got picked. Then all of a sudden, it’s a $900 entry fee for what she did. They didn't even tell us anything about that until they hand you a flyer when you're walking out the door. I know you have to pay to be trained which she did. I hate to deny her the chance to actually get a job. I thought they were going to be a little more hands on with her. Not just, “Here, we're going to give you to the agencies and things.”

    Once your daughter is accepted, how do you tell her, “No, sorry, I'm not going to let you do that?” Paying for an audition for an audition is the thing that’s frustrating me and they don’t really tell you what it’s for, just that you have to pay to be in it. I wouldn't recommend Barbizon. Going back, I probably wouldn't have done it again, just for the simple fact that the initial seminar portrayed it was going to be so easy. They were just going to get all these jobs. That’s me being naive. I should have known better but it has cost a lot of money to get her through that and she hasn't gotten anything yet. So it’s of frustrating.

    Now, if something comes out of it and we became successful, that’s great. It’s just the beginning of it and not being involved in anything like that ever is a little bit different. One of the things were supposed to go to in Dallas was seminars for the parents to help them understand. Maybe they should have done that at the beginning for the parents instead of just having the kids go to the monthly trainings. They should have probably had something for the parents to give them a little bit more insight. But then I may eat my word and she could be successful and taking care of me the rest of my life. My daughter loves it. She had a blast, met some great people, and she’s learned a lot.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Cheryl, Thank you for taking the time to review your daughter’s Barbizon experience. We are so happy that she enjoyed the program. It is true, as you heard from the Barbizon representatives you were working with, that you shouldn’t ever have to pay for agency services from a legitimate agency. Students who attend Barbizon come for many different reasons as our training program covers everything from modeling and acting to general personal development. Once your daughter graduated, she became eligible for placement opportunities with her local school. Since she returned her placement package, as opportunities arise in your area that your daughter is a match for, she will receive notification and the opportunity to audition. If you haven’t heard anything in the month that has past since her package was received, she may want to reach out to her local school to verify that pictures she submitted meet typical client guidelines and verify that her placement status is active. Otherwise, please know that modeling and acting job opportunities are dependent on the clients in your area that are looking for talent. In addition to placement notifications, her placement package consisted of agents and managers in your area that we have worked with previously or know to be reputable. Submissions can be made to any of these contacts to jump-start her journey to begin to working in the industry. The competition she auditioned for is something completely outside of the general Barbizon program. It is an opportunity to meet with and compete in front of agents and managers that are not only local to you, but from many major markets across the country. The fee for the competition covers the workshops that help contestants prepare as well as the entry fee. Again, this is not a requirement to work in the industry so much as an opportunity to reach more agents and managers outside of what you may be able to reach locally. The modeling and acting industries are very competitive and will always require a mix of proper training, hard work and ambition to build success. Your local school is a wonderful support to system to answer any questions you may have about graduate support opportunities. We would love the opportunity to speak with you in detail if you have any specific recommendations for the program or to see if there is any way we might be able to assist as your daughter follows her dreams if you could reach out to us at barbizon@barbizonmodeling.com. Thank you again and we look forward to hearing from you. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

    Verified purchase
    Staff

    Reviewed June 15, 2015

    It was a good experience for my girls to get a chance to do things at Barbizon. But I was hoping that they would learn more about how to take care of themselves and do their own hair and makeup. They touch on makeup but Barbizon didn't touch much on hair and were focusing more on modeling. I was focusing more on how to dress and be a young lady, what looks appropriate. My girls don't know what their colors are so I don't know if they're lying to me so that I don't mess with them. It’s like a hit or miss. It doesn’t seem like they did but then sometimes, it feels like maybe they did. So it's not a solid learning experience. The other thing that I find very upsetting is when we're told that there is a modeling agent that's out and has appreciated their photos and would like to interview them and then it's just a gimmick to get them to sign up to something else. That is really disturbing.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Gloria, Thank you so much for providing a review of both your daughters’ experiences. Students come to Barbizon for many different reasons and our program balances modeling, acting and personal development throughout the course to give individual attention to the skills that boost self-confidence and provide a foundation working in a professional industry (modeling/acting or otherwise). Your daughters have received training materials including a handbook that may be helpful to look through and see the types of things that were covered during the course of their program. Additionally, if you contact your local school they will be able to assist in answering specific questions and address what was reviewed throughout your daughters’ program. We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your specific feedback and recommendations for how we may enhance their Barbizon experience if you could send us a private message or reach out to us at barbizon@barbizonmodeling.com. Thank you again. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

    Staff

    Reviewed June 15, 2015

    My experience with Barbizon of New York City was absolutely amazing! Everyone from my talent director ** to my instructor Ms. ** and even ** at the front desk have been completely professional and supportive every step of the way. I highly recommend Barbizon of New York City to anyone looking to take their modeling career to the next level.

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    Staff

    Reviewed June 15, 2015

    Barbizon had many well educated teacher such as Ms. ** because she teaches the modeling and acting classes. She would take the effort out of her time to actually spend more than three hours of her teaching time to push me to the limits to improve my performances. She would pay close attention to my class performance by teaching me how to be active and teaching me how to have fun in class by making jokes.

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    Punctuality & Speed

    Reviewed June 14, 2015

    My daughter participates in all the classes (acting, modelling) and she's learned a lot of things -- how to walk, eating, etc. even how one should come on time on any appointment.

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    Reviewed June 14, 2015

    Barbizon has truly been amazing. I have, and still am learning so much than what I entered with. My teachers have welcomed me in the best way and have made me feel no regrets to paying for these classes. Many agencies don't provide classes for learning material that you are lacking. Barbizon is both fun and hardworking. I can't wait for what is in store for me in the future.

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    Staff

    Reviewed June 13, 2015

    We'd been approached by a different company during the year prior but Barbizon seemed to put more emphasis on education and working around their education. They encouraged us to sign up and even offered a scholarship so we couldn't pass it up. The signup process was easy, and the Barbizon staff were very informative. My daughter's confidence has definitely improved since. She walks with her shoulders back now, and even introduces herself to people. Barbizon is legitimate and we had a very good experience.

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    Sales & Marketing

    Reviewed June 12, 2015

    I wasn't very wowed by Barbizon. My daughter probably was not placed in the pool for doing commercials because we did not go on the cruise with them and paid more money. That's how I felt because they kept hounding me and pressuring me to do so. They never mentioned that in the beginning and I saved enough money for my daughter to do the first part of the program and I paid the whole thing upfront. And then they're going to throw us in there to really give them a better chance. I don't think that was right. It was a bait and switch and I felt deceived.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Cheryl, Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. Though your daughter did complete the Barbizon training program it does not appear that she has requested her placement package from her local school yet. During classes, she should have been notified that to receive notifications of placement for modeling and acting opportunities she would need to request a placement package following graduation. This will provide her with a list of reputable agents and managers in your area that may be accepting submissions as well as the chance to fill out and return a placement enrollment form to receive direct notifications of commercial and other modeling and acting opportunities in your area. If she has received her graduation certificate, she is completely eligible and we encourage that she takes advantage of this wonderful free service for graduates. We apologize if the audition for the cruise competition appeared to be anything other than a chance to audition for a new opportunity. Though the cruise is a wonderful way to meet, interact with and compete in front of agents and managers from all over the world, it does not affect our graduates placement eligibility or their chance to work in their local market. Please contact your local school at 1-800-330-8361 and they will be able to send your daughter a placement package to help her start working in the industry. Thank you again and please let us know if have any other questions or comments. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

    StaffProcess

    Reviewed June 12, 2015

    My experience with Barbizon has truly been spectacular. I started these classes not really sure of what to expect or how I would prosper. I feel as though these classes have taught me so many wonderful aspects about not only the modeling world but about life. I have learned how to execute and use the talents I have been given to do model walks, turns, pose with products, behave myself in the industry, and learn how to love myself. I have gained confidence throughout my time of taking these classes and I feel as though I am more ready to take on the world. You have such an inspiring story Ms. **, of learning English and thriving to be such a successful, loving person and model.

    Coming into this program, I was not convinced that I had what it takes to become a successful model and leaving this program I know that if I put in enough work, I can conquer my wildest dreams. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and showing me what it means to show the world my talents and the person I am. You have been a greater teacher than I could ever ask for, and thank you for shaping me into being a better person. Barbizon and you have taught me more than just how to deal with the industry, but how to walk through life and be successful and confident in all that I will do. The decision to pursue a modeling career and start right here at Barbizon is a choice that I will never forget and am so thankful for.

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    Verified purchase
    Staff

    Reviewed June 11, 2015

    My daughter got a call from them. We went and she said it was just something she wanted to do. I thought that it would be good for her because she likes the entertainment industry. Signing up my daughter was a pretty good experience, fairly easy, and they provided all the necessary documents. The staff were pleasant. Since then, it has given her more confidence and insight on associating with other people, and there's no craziness going on. She was in Ms. Teen Washington pageant where she had won Ms. Photogenic.

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    Sales & MarketingStaff

    Reviewed June 10, 2015

    We went to Barbizon to provide a refresher course for our daughter (10) we met with ** who was wonderful, so was **. After speaking with her in her office, she gave us the application and costs for the training our daughter needed and we signed. It was clear that this was not a scam but people who actually care about the students and their betterment. The teachers are top notch and very reinforcing and also critique with a sensitive touch.

    We do not feel this was a mistake and we also spoke with ** from Studio 1939 who was very instrumental in providing help, information, resources, etc. And we spoke to ** before we even went to Barbizon. Each Barbizon is individually owned and operated, if one is not doing a good job it ruins it for all the rest, who like NY BARBIZON are doing an outstanding job, but will be tainted because of the incorrect and improper behavior by another individually owned Barbizon.

    You cannot paint all Barbizon's with the same broad brush. You will have different and varying interactions and experiences with every single agency. NYC BARBIZON is legit and above board. To date we are extremely pleased with our decision to send our daughter to Barbizon for training and are very satisfied with the level of the teacher's training, the respect you get from everyone as well as the fact that Barbizon actually has the NYCDOE involved with their curriculum and they provide a rating for them as well as the BBB, which is an A+.

    I do not know any company today that invites in any outside agency to oversee and help develop their curriculum, not one. They obviously put a lot of money into this business and to the development which is clear from the caliber of teachers that are there. This was a HAPPY SURPRISE for us. We feel this was both enriching and a great experience for our daughter and not a rip off at all. Money well spent! Barbizon and us are expecting great things to come for our daughter! They have given ** greater confidence and abilities to do the very best she can.

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    Staff

    Reviewed June 10, 2015

    I have taken two training workshops. I have been very happy with the school and the support I have received from all the people at Barbizon. It has exceeded my expectations already!

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    PriceStaffProcess

    Reviewed June 10, 2015

    We went with Barbizon because it has a longer standing reputation than the others. They've been around long enough that they built a name for themselves. I didn't expect the cost that it was, I guess that should have been expected. But the staff was very good with my daughter. They talked to her and not just to me.

    I signed up my daughter for the afternoon acting classes because I thought it's a good thing for her to start working on her own inner growth development while she's at the teenage part of her life and also learning how she will be prepared for her future. So far the program has helped my daughter improved the way she dresses and how she carries herself.

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    Staff

    Reviewed June 8, 2015

    As a business person, the introductory event was a really good way of getting girls in. I was very impressed with the gal that did the presentation. She was excellent and very convincing for my daughter. On the other hand as a consumer, I felt that they ended up with a lot more money than I anticipated so I was disappointed with that. Nonetheless Barbizon was an excellent experience for my child. My daughter really wanted to do it so I supported her. She enjoyed it, felt like she learned a lot so I'd highly recommend it. I do have some recommendations for Barbizon to make it a better experience for those that I would have recommended it to and if someone wants to talk to me about that, that would be great.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Cherie, Thank you so much for providing us with your feedback. We appreciate your honesty and are happy that your daughter truly enjoyed the program and learned from it. We will have a representative call you directly to hear you additional feedback and recommendations. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    PriceStaff

    Reviewed June 7, 2015

    Besides Barbizon there are other modeling agencies in Dallas that are known to be really good modeling schools. It was real mainstream, which wasn’t necessarily appealing, but I thought it was a good experience for my daughter to just go in and see what it was like so I signed her up. However my point really wasn’t to get her into modeling. She’s actually a real serious singer and she’s in the studios. I just thought it’s a good opportunity for her to get in front of more audiences. But as it turns out Barbizon also has some opportunities for singing and the like. So for me that's cool because I’ve always been trying to push for the singing and song writing as well, so that people respect you for your whole being -- not just being a pretty person on the outside, but the whole package.

    Needless to say it's improved my daughter's self-esteem. Cost of this whole exercise has been reasonable and Mr ** our particular main person has been great.

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    Punctuality & SpeedStaffProcess

    Reviewed June 5, 2015

    My daughter's 5'10", long legs. Something that everyone keeps telling her she should modelling, and she's just been athletic and has always been involved in sports and hadn't done it. It was kind of like, "Well, let's just try." I like Barbizon once I started learning more and it had been around for so long. I like the history where the original teaching the ladies how to be ladies. And signing up was easy. We heard back quickly. The modeling program definitely helped her on some modeling. She's getting all kind of jobs now, and it's given her confidence with her height.

    They told us it would take like six weeks to get a certificate, and that took FOREVER and a lot of calling and saying I still haven't gotten her certificate. And then, we were under the impression that the placement department was gonna send a packet of information, and then you had to fill out some more, and then you could be part of that. And we waited and waited and waited, never got anything. And so now she's called and really been bird-dogging that. And then, it's been told it's gonna be like six weeks before we get that. The bad thing is she graduated in February and we still can't get part of the placement within Barbizon. But everything's been great and I would recommend them.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed June 4, 2015

    We signed up at a mall and a couple of months later, we got a call from Barbizon. My child was interested in modeling and we wanted to try something new because she used to play sport, but now she can't play sport. She got accepted to the discovery cruise in October so she's been having fun. She took all of her classes and it's been good for her because she has to build her confidence more. This has been helping her a lot. The staff have been interesting and very good.

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    Staff

    Reviewed June 3, 2015

    They're excellent! I have an older child who attended Barbizon years ago, and it was a very good experience so I had my younger child sign up too.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed June 1, 2015

    My daughter loves Barbizon. She and her friend were at the mall and they filled out a card. They dropped it in a box, and then they were called by them. I was pretty easy signing up, and the staff were always courteous and able to answer our questions. We've had a great experience with them, and are satisfied with their services.

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed May 30, 2015

    I wanted to extend my daughter's social and communication skills. I had her undergo six months training with Barbizon which was mostly for modeling only. The only problem I had with it is she went through the entire class and I didn't have a clue what she was doing in the class. I think they need to present something to the parents towards the end to at least show us what they accomplished as a group. But other than that, my daughter has improved her communications skills and her self-confidence.

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    Process

    Reviewed May 28, 2015

    My daughter's experience with Barbizon wasn't the best but they've graduated now and they've gotten their packets. In the long run, it's more of a money-grubbing hassle situation than anything. I don't really think they're upfront and honest with you as much as they should be. Once you get into the program, you start finding out more. They tell you that once you pay upfront, you never have to ever pay or buy anything any more. But every time we turn around, we had to buy something or they would need money.

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    Staff

    Reviewed May 25, 2015

    My daughter had a positive experience with Barbizon. I'm glad that she enjoyed it.

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    Staff

    Reviewed May 20, 2015

    We didn't have any problems when signing up with Barbizon. My daughter learned a lot and she seemed to enjoy it. It was a very positive experience.

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    Customer ServiceSales & Marketing

    Reviewed May 18, 2015

    My niece is signed up with Barbizon in Sacramento. She is close to her graduation and signed up to be in the Hollywood showcase. Barbizon illegally charged my credit card for over five thousand dollars when they were only suppose to have it for a secondary card number. My sister called them and told them that they wasn't suppose to charge my card and the lady that works at Barbizon in SF named ** hung up in my face and then would not answer the phone when she called back. My niece is still attending this Barbizon and awaiting graduation in June. Barbizon is a scam and I'M hiring an attorney because they will not get away with stealing my money illegally off my credit card.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Jacquelin,

    We are sorry for the poor customer service you experienced. After speaking to the Barbizon location you attended, we understand this has been resolved. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to resolve this for you.

    Resolved outside ConsumerAffairs
    Verified purchase
    Staff

    Reviewed May 17, 2015

    Our experience with Barbizon has been really positive so far. We had known Barbizon for about six years and when my daughter turned 16, she decided to do it on her own. Signing her up was fairly easy and she loves all the staff there.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed May 15, 2015

    My daughter was chosen for showcase upon completion of 2 out of 3 classes at Barbizon. She was issued diplomas despite the fact that only 2 of her classes had finished. She still lacked completion of 1/2 of her voice classes. Despite this, we didn't have total funding required to sign up, and were told I could make payments, and do fundraising since I just didn't have the money. I paid around 2000 down, and we attended workshops in preparation of June showcase. I was unable to fund event, and called the lady I had spoken to who chose my daughter for showcase. She assured me it was ok and she could attend Jan. Showcase instead.

    We sat home and waited for a call with info on upcoming event in Jan. but never received word. I tried calling, but nobody responded then either. It has been 2 yrs. now and although they still have 2000 of my money, still nobody has ever bothered to contact us again. This in addition to the remaining voice classes for which we used to receive reminder calls to attend if we so much as missed one class, but after having to bow out of showcase that first June, nobody else calls us about any longer either...I feel that it was always about the money. Even when I couldn't pay all at once, I was ignored after paying the 2000 which to us was a heck of a lot of money, and which I really would like refunded to me since I feel I haven't received anything for this money...why should they be allowed to keep my hard earned cash for nothing in return?

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    We are sorry for the poor customer service you experienced. After speaking to the Barbizon location you attended, we understand this has been resolved. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to resolve this for you.

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    Reviewed May 14, 2015

    Barbizon was just an opportunity that presented itself. We were walking through a mall and heard about it. The sign up was fine and overall, it was a good experience for her.

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    Reviewed May 12, 2015

    They rip me off my money. My daughter didn't not attend class and I still had to pay for the classes. They mess up so now they want pay me my money back.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi John,

    We are sorry to hear your daughter did not complete the program. We are happy to review your file to ensure you are given a refund if due. Unfortunately we were unable to find your information in our system and records. If you could please respond to us privately with your daughters name, we may be able to better locate your payment records to best resolve this for you.

    Factual basis uncertain
    Punctuality & SpeedStaff

    Reviewed May 11, 2015

    I see that many boys and girls have been successful with this modeling agency. It also seems there have been a lot of people that have enjoyed their experience. Mine was the exact opposite. It was years ago during the summer. I want to say I was 15-16 when I attended this school. Found out through the mall like many others. It was exciting at first. I went to the presentation seminar to see if I could get accepted. It was very crowded and disorganized. Once I was accepted and my mom forked over her hard earned money things just got worse and worse.

    It was a long drive every morning. We would meet at a stop early, early in the morning ride - a hour and a half to it was San Marcus or to San Antonio from Austin. The bus was late a lot and the bus was almost always messy. It was a new building and the agency was clearly not ready to take on classes. The staff didn't know what they were doing. The number of girls in each class was way too many. They said they would offer make up kits to everyone as part of the class which we never received and had to bring what we had. I don't believe I learned a thing. It was a man teaching my class and he knew nothing of make up. Clearly not qualified and I don't believe I ever got one on one attention not even once. The lady who took our one photo shoot was pregnant and used a cheap digital camera and gave us no pointers.

    It was a complete money pit in my experience. I could go on complaining but it won't fix anything and neither will a apology. I would just like to warn people. And I sure as hell hope Barbizon has upped their game. As far as proof that I attended I threw away my "degree" because It was a complete waste of time. And the picture I had taken from Barbizon were awful and made me feel ugly. And again this was 4 or 5 years ago. But before I went to the school it sounded perfect but proved otherwise. If you have money to blow go ahead, but if you don't I wouldn't recommend it.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Jessica,

    We are sorry to hear your experience many years ago was not a positive one. We work very hard to consistently improve our program and business practices and we feel confident that we have successfully done so, as you have seen from our recent reviews. We appreciate your feedback and would be happy to resolve any outstanding issues you have with our company. Again, we are sorry for your poor experience. Please let us know what we can do to resolve any outstanding issues.

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    Reviewed April 29, 2015

    My daughter auditioned and then we got her to Barbizon's school. Now I'm going with my daughter on a cruise for that Passport to Discovery. Their staff keeps us up to date and we're actually meeting up with ** soon. He works with the kids and he's real good. He's trying to get them prepared for that Passport to Discovery.

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    Staff

    Reviewed April 23, 2015

    My daughter did modeling and acting training with Barbizon. It was a good experience and she really liked it. I would recommend it.

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    Staff

    Reviewed April 13, 2015

    My son is very different - I have three and he's the smallest one. He's nine. Ever since he was little he's been very into the entertainment business. We used to see a lot of celebrities where I work before so I would sometimes take him in there and they were like, "Yeah, you know, he has it. Put him in there." So we really never thought of doing it until somebody from Barbizon approached us. We tried to give it a try and then he chose not to then he started up again so we did it again because we seem to like the school. Everybody there are really good. Everybody's really nice. I can't complain about not one single person. I love it. I really thank them because now my son is being represented an agent and he has now a manager.

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    StaffProcess

    Reviewed April 12, 2015

    My son had a wonderful experience. The representatives from Barbizon approached him when we were at the mall and asked him if he was interested in acting and modeling, and at that time it was heaven sent because we had been talking about it two years prior to that day and I wanted to give my son some time to make sure that that's what he really wanted to do and pursue. My son said yes immediately and so then we went and he got interviewed and they asked me questions and really focused mainly on my son and wanted to know if he was really interested in doing this or was it just a phase children often go through.

    When my son did the audition there, one staff there looked and told me that my son really had talent and he encouraged me to put him in Barbizon. I told them that I needed some time to think about it because I'm a single mom and going through the finances at that time was not something that I was ready to do. They did encourage me and told me that they would wait for me, that Barbizon was not going anywhere, and they waited for me until I had the opportunity and I enrolled my son into the program. He attended every Saturday and then in the evenings.

    He now graduated from there last July and several agents that was there got immediately interested to him. So now he's being represented by an agent but I'll just contact Barbizon for any questions, advice, and help that he need to pursue his career. A particular staff there is more than willing to take the time to talk to me and help my son with monologues. The overall experience has been nothing but positive attitude. It has been a great experience that my son, at an early age, has taken to heart. Not only my son but all the other students to pursue their career in modeling or acting. It's just been phenomenal.

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    Reviewed April 10, 2015

    When we were at a mall, I got a phone call from somebody saying that they would like to see my daughter on Barbizon so we went up to a seminar of theirs in Oklahoma City. My daughter has done really well. She went for a competition in Dallas where she won a scholarship. Because of that she's going to Passport to Discovery. She also signed with an agency, Career Imaging and Talent of Kansas City, walked in Kansas City Fashion Week and was featured in a magazine as an upcoming star. She also did runway for Dillard's then a professional photo shoot with her manager. Plus she's in ACT Like a Child Magazine. It was a lot of work, but I'm happy with everything.

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    Staff

    Reviewed April 9, 2015

    My daughter has done a number of different things over the years in theater and dance and voice lessons. She aspires to be a model and so we thought the training at Barbizon would be beneficial for her. It was a very positive experience for her. She enjoys the classes and learns a number of different things that she hasn't learned.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed April 8, 2015

    Someone referred my daughter to Barbizon Modelling, and they gave me a call. I decided to look into personality development because my daughter loves modelling and acting. She loves Barbizon and wants to do it. They teach their students how to be themselves, like how to walk, speak and act, even different ways on how to sit, and a little of everything.

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    Customer ServicePriceStaff

    Reviewed April 7, 2015

    We did the acting and modeling classes with Barbizon. My daughter had a blast. She enjoyed it a lot. At the end, they have a graduation and agents were there. She got a call back from a very good one. But she lost her tooth right before she met with the agent. She didn't get it because you have to look exactly like your headshot. Then later we went to the IMTA training with them. It was quite expensive last January. She got them to call back and she's actually now signed to a really good agent. Also, the director especially with IMTA is really supportive with signing with the agent, with giving advice, it's great.

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    StaffProcess

    Reviewed April 6, 2015

    Barbizon had some representatives out in the mall. My daughter wanted it. She's very shy and has some self-esteem issues because she has leukemia and is on chemo so she needed a little bit of help being okay -- anything that will help her at that point and that seemed to be what she wanted to give her a little boost of even walking with her head up.

    All encounters have been fine. The lady during the first day was excellent. My daughter has more confidence and she loves to show us how she can walk now and do things. She did get her evaluation and everything is good except they gave her real poor in her clothes and that hurt her. I told her not to worry about it. But she's proud to tell people that she went through the program. It was positive for her and she wears make up now and takes a little bit more time with her grooming. She never did that before.

    I've had a great experience and that it's something that she wanted to do and to complete. She felt proud to be a part of Barbizon and she's very excited. Although we did not get to go to audition. But despite that, she has been very proud. She walks with her head up. She walks like a model even if though she doesn't have to. She practices what she has been taught. To me it was worth it even if she never models on TV or get famous. Right now she's living one day at a time and this has been a positive experience for her.

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    Staff

    Reviewed April 5, 2015

    Barbizon helped tremendously with my granddaughter's self-esteem, teaching her how to dress and do her make-up and her hair, and it gave her a little boost in her little personality. Everyone was very nice and courteous during signup. The only thing that kind of was taxing was on me especially because I had just had surgery and we had to wait a good while before we got the chance to interview, go up and talk to the person that would get her signed up. But other than that, it was pretty nice.

    My granddaughter is very talkative now. She's a teenager of course, so they're a little closed-mouth anyway. I guess they don't know how to express themselves, the creative part of their feelings or even know how they're feeling. But she's able now to actually talk to me. We can have conversations about what things that are kind of bugging her. Barbizon gave my granddaughter a better experience of who she is, or the person that she is, or what she can accomplish, and that in itself made me happy to be a part of the Barbizon experience.

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    Customer ServiceStaffProcess

    Reviewed April 4, 2015

    I went to an open call of Barbizon at the mall. I didn't know anything about any of these modeling and acting schools but since Barbizon had this thing at the mall, we figured we'd try it. It was for my daughter, not me. She signed up for their modeling class. They explained to us what they do and then they sent the paperwork online. Then we had it filled out and paid with a credit card. It was an easy process for us. The staff at Barbizon were really nice, courteous and able to answer all of our questions. My daughter loved going to the Barbizon modeling class. She learned a lot but I don't really see how it helped her, especially since she graduated. She's not getting any gigs and we don't know what to do from here.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Darrelle, Thank you for reviewing your daughter's experience with the Barbizon Modeling and Acting program. Toward the end of the program, the students should have been given information about Placement, a program where following graduation students can enroll to receive notifications of modeling and acting opportunities in your area as they come up. Additionally, the Placement Package will provide information for reputable agents and mangers near you. Please call your local school directly to request a Placement Package and they will be able to assist. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Staff

    Reviewed April 3, 2015

    My son joined Barbizon where he learned about proper etiquette, proper grooming, and all of the walking - they're good to know. However, I didn't think that they were geared towards boys at all, especially when they do things with make-up. We had to request them to gear it a little bit more towards the guys versus just the girls. But the experience itself was awesome. He went on the Passport to Discovery, and because he wanted to be an actor, he loved it. Loved it, loved it, loved it! In fact I think he wants to go back and be somebody that goes and helps on the cruise. He was very successful on the cruise. We now live in L.A. and he has an agent and a manager, and he's working.

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    Staff

    Reviewed April 2, 2015

    My daughter was interested in modeling and acting. We saw Barbizon at the mall and since it's more well-known, we went with them. Everyone was professional. Experience was good and very enjoyable.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed April 1, 2015

    My daughters were very excited and happy about Barbizon. It was easy to sign up with them. Whatever questions I had with their staff, they did answer. My daughters like them and I would recommend them.

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    Reviewed March 30, 2015

    We were in the mall and some girls from Barbizon walked up to my daughter and asked her if she wanted to fill out a little card. She actually knew what she was filling out and when they called later they said they would be in Lafayette where there would be a talk. So we went and it just took off from there. We've read good reviews about them. Of course you see negative on the computer but you're going to get good and bad. Some people just get a little upset about something and then they put up their report but we went by what Barbizon were telling us.

    My daughter was excited about it too. She was really pumped up about it considering she's the shy type. So when she started saying that she will like to try it, her dad and I decided to let her give it a shot because she never really asked to be in any kind of sports or anything like that. When she took interest we just said let's go for it and we did.

    Everybody from Barbizon seems really friendly. I got a little confused when it came the time when we heard the talk. I just assumed the speaker on that talk will become my daughter’s agent. I mean she said some things that were a lot to take in. Then they explained that they're not an agent, that they're a school and so forth. I understood that but I could have gotten it wrong or everyone else who were there for the matter. We did listen to her but she was just speaking to everybody in the room.

    Another thing is there was many times that on the last minute they wanted them to dress in a certain color and it turned out that they weren't able to because they didn't get a chance to finish up the class. We're spending extra money on the clothing but all the girls came with the idea of what to wear and assumed that the teacher agreed. When they came on time for a black and white video they were supposed to do, it turned out they couldn't even do it because the next class was getting ready to come in. Those were just the few things that I wasn't too happy with. But everything worked out in the end. The experience really woke my daughter up. She speaks more. She's more outgoing. It just took it to a level where she has excitement for something she can look forward to. She just enjoys everything.

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    Reviewed March 29, 2015

    My daughter took the modelling and acting classes with Barbizon and they were all friendly. We enjoyed it and my daughter learned a lot. She's hoping to get a job from it.

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    PriceStaff

    Reviewed March 27, 2015

    My daughter was scouted by Barbizon in the mall. I've never ever heard of them until that moment. If they didn't find us I wouldn't have had my daughter pursue what they offer but they saw something in her and she really tried with them. At first I thought they were pricey too but they offered her a scholarship which helped a lot. In all honesty even if she didn't push through the modelling and acting, I think the entire experience is worth it just for self-esteem issues and for speaking in public. It was really good for my daughter and right now she's a working actress-model. I'm a big fan of Barbizon and I speak very highly of them.

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    Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaff

    Reviewed March 26, 2015

    My daughter had seen someone from Barbizon Modelling at the mall. She'd given them her information and then they contacted her to come to a get-to-know-you thing. I didn't know anything about any of them until they contacted us. When we signed up I thought it was overwhelming. I feel like I'm pushed to make decisions pretty quickly.

    My interactions with them were minimal too. I ask them questions and they usually refer me to the Education Department in Florida or have to call me back. It's a little difficult to talk to them or to find the right person to talk to about whatever the issue is. There was this one time when I have a question about a make-up class. The girls at the class can't assign my daughter to one, so I have to call Education because they will be the one to assign the make-up class and it’s a problem because usually during the day, I don't have time to sit and make phone calls to people to find out what I need to do. But for my daughter, it's been a good experience for her. I also think they did a good job building her confidence and teaching her skills.

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    Reviewed March 19, 2015

    My daughter was scouted by Barbizon and they kept calling and calling and finally I answered. She did the classes with them and we've been to a couple of auditions. My daughter finds the experience exciting, new and fun.

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    Staff

    Reviewed March 18, 2015

    My daughter and I went to the event at one of the old hotels close to the house and they informed the two of us about Barbizon, what we can expect from them, and how they do it. It’s something that my daughter really wants to do so we decided to do it then. Signing up with Barbizon was an easy process and everybody was really nice.

    I want to see my daughter working but I know it's a long process (six month course). She just started but so far I feel very good about it.

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    Reviewed March 17, 2015

    We were very impressed and happy with the schooling itself. But when my daughter was 12, she was invited to a special audition, of which we later found that that she would have to pay $4,000 to go on a crew. It wasn't something we were able to do so we felt like she was set up for failure there and we were unhappy with that and disappointed.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Pamela, Thank you for providing feedback on your Barbizon experience and we are happy to hear that you were pleased with the program. In regard to any additional fees, there are never any fees for the placement services available once a student graduates. If your daughter is interested in modeling and acting opportunities, it would be a benefit to her to return the placement card that was included in her placement package, which she will need to request, to ensure that she will receive notifications of modeling and acting jobs in your area at no cost to you. In regard to additional opportunities, some of the Barbizon locations offer auditions for a chance to participate in modeling and acting competitions in front of hundreds of industry agents and managers from markets all over the world. These competitions do have fees outside of what the Barbizon training program offers, however participation is completely optional depending on the student and their individual goals. We apologize if it was not represented clearly what the special audition was for and will be sure to forward your feedback to the local school. Thank you again for your review and if you have any additional feedback please feel free to reach out to us at barbizon@barbizonmodeling.com. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Reviewed March 16, 2015

    My daughter really liked Barbizon and I really like their method in terms of approaching girls for growth and self-confidence, more so than just what they think they're going to do. Their staff were really nice and very friendly and my daughter really liked dealing with them. She felt very comfortable with them as well. If I knew any other young girls I would probably recommend that they go through it too for self-confidence purposes. It's worthwhile.

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    Reviewed March 16, 2015

    My granddaughter had a very good experience with Barbizon. She participated and learned a lot, and she worked hard on her assignments because she was excited about it all. We'd definitely recommend Barbizon!

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    Reviewed March 15, 2015

    Barbizon had a table set up at the mall. I've heard about them in the past and I know they have a good reputation so I signed my daughter up with them for the six-month course. Signup was somewhat frustrating because there were probably 200-300 people in one room. It was like a mass production and I felt that it wasn't very professional. I also don't like the fact that they never return any of my calls. Then again, the program itself was great for my daughter and we have had no problems with that.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Missy, Thank you for taking the time to provide a review of you and your daughter’s experience with Barbizon. We are happy to hear that the program has had a positive impact on your daughter . We apologize that the audition process to sign up for the program wasn’t what you were expecting. Depending on the location, it can be difficult to tell how many people will attend a specific audition which can make it seem impersonal though our Talent Directors do try to provide every individual interview with the specific one-on-one attention they deserve. Additionally, we make every effort remain accessible to our customers and leave messages whenever possible if we can not reach our students, however it appears there may have been some confusion with your contact point during a class transfer. We do apologize and will be sure to forward your feedback to the local school. We are available if you have any additional specific feedback at barbizon@barbizonmodeling.com. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Reviewed March 14, 2015

    My husband took my daughter to the mall and he signed her up for modeling classes. It was something new for her that she could never had done otherwise. It was a fulfilling experience for my daughter and I'm glad that she had enrolled with them.

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    Reviewed March 13, 2015

    I really liked Barbizon. It has given my daughter a boost in her self-esteem. She's more outgoing now and it has her going online looking for things to do as far as modeling. She found a couple of modeling gigs which she did last month and she really enjoyed it. I love this program and I want her to go through another class which would be great. I would definitely recommend them.

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    Reviewed March 12, 2015

    Barbizon was the first one to show this kind of opportunity to my daughter. My daughter has always been interested in acting and modeling, so she signed up for the training sessions in Dallas. The processing part of it was easy and the hardest part is kind of selling it to signing on to do it, initially in hopes of something better coming later on. Overall, I think it was good throughout the whole process of the training. The only thing that we're at right now is to get through waiting for the call cards. Right now my daughter wants to go on interviews to look into potential opportunities. So we're at that point in the process and a little bit more guidance on that part of it would be helpful.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Jacob, Thank for reviewing your experience with Barbizon. We checked that your daughter’s placement package has been requested and sent. As soon as your local school receives it back she will be eligible to begin receiving notifications of modeling and acting job opportunities in your area. Additionally, she should take the time to send submissions to the list of relevant and reputable agents and managers in your area that may be looking for talent to represent. We hope this will help her get started working in the industry and please feel free to reach out to your local school directly with any specific questions on next steps and opportunities for your daughter. Their phone number can be found listed on our website at barbizonmodeling.com/locations. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Reviewed March 11, 2015

    I wanted to be a model so I signed up with Barbizon. I was told that they would call me and they did a few years later. They told me I need to take some classes before I get some job so I took the classes and it was about six or seven months of classes. It's one week in each month. I just finished my classes so I'm filling out my sheet and my papers that I can send back to the corporate office so I can start working with my agency.

    I loved being with Barbizon. My teacher, the one who taught us how to do everything that we learned was awesome. She answers if you had any questions and always made sure you knew what you needed to have for the make-up class if you missed a class. She made sure you understood everything that she was teaching and she taught clearly.

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    Reviewed March 10, 2015

    We've had a good experience with Barbizon. My daughter enjoys it and she has developed well through the program.

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    Reviewed March 9, 2015

    My daughter is very shy and her posture needed to be corrected and I felt that Barbizon Modeling & Acting Centers could help her on these matters. They have different people teaching there. The young lady that was there most of the time was nice, very energetic and got the girls going but there was also one who was very stern and not as friendly. The process is just a little slow and I don't know if Barbizon can actually navigate her towards modelling for department stores like JC Penney and Sears which is what my daughter wants to do. Nevertheless, my daughter liked Barbizon very much and it helped her personal appearance. She has now improved her posture and is more outgoing with people she knows personally. Overall, it's a wonderful program that I would recommend.

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    Reviewed March 8, 2015

    My daughter signed up with Barbizon because she had some interest in it. She took classes once a month for six months. They have a great staff and it was a wonderful experience for her.

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    Reviewed March 7, 2015

    My daughter and I are enjoying Barbizon. She's learning a lot of new stuff and had a wonderful opportunity that she would not have had unless she went with Barbizon. It’s quite an experience.

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    Reviewed March 6, 2015

    My daughter was not feeling good about herself. Barbizon helped her self-esteem so that’s a big thing for me as a mom. Since the classes, she’s lost a little bit of weight. Not that she was overweight, but she’s more conscious about health and being healthy. As a result of that, she’s exercising and doing it the right way. I credit Barbizon because they didn’t make her feel like she has to meet a certain image or anything like that.

    She has done a few things with them in Hagerstown at the outlets and she’s enjoyed doing that. She got paid for it, and it went very well and smoothly. She has not done a lot of projects, but she just pulled out all the paperwork last night and wants to get started and send the picture in to all these agencies. The only thing is it was a little pricey. We don’t have a lot of financial means, and that was difficult for us. They did work with us and we did get a partial scholarship. But even that, it was very expensive. But looking back now, because I do feel so good about it, I’m very glad we did it.

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    Reviewed March 6, 2015

    I don't think Barbizon was really worth the money that I spent. My daughter wasn't really forwarded with anything after the class. I was hoping that Barbizon was like a stepping stone for her, but that did not happen. I did not have the money to come up for the cruise that they had, so she missed that opportunity. I was just expecting more from the class and she did not really get any offer.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Mafe, We attempted to reach you via email on 4/1 and unfortunately have not heard back. We would love the opportunity to discuss the no cost placement package your daughter was sent and what the next steps are to begin receiving notifications of upcoming modeling and acting opportunities near you. Please reach out to us at barbizon@barbizonmodeling.com so that we can assist. Thank you again. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Reviewed March 5, 2015

    My daughter heard the name and the advertisement that big stars went through Barbizon so she got interested. Enrollment was easy as long as you’re willing to pay $2,000.00, but the staff was pretty good. She enrolled at the six-month class and it was every Saturday and Sunday. My daughter thought it was useful but I was very skeptical. We pushed a little more and then she got to the next stage and they were asking for another $4,000.00 to get to another training. I thought nothing will come out of this but recently, they’re giving her work.

    She’s working at the mall over the weekend occasionally and she signs up other girls. She’s getting good experience. And also this Sunday, one of the other newer modeling company called her for an audition. That’s another positive thing. We don't know what will happen but at least there’s an opportunity. I have a chance to recover that $2,000.00.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Amit, Thank you so much for providing feedback on you and your daughter’s experience with Barbizon. In addition to the promotional spokesmodel opportunities at the mall, has your daughter requested and returned her placement package to her local school yet? This will provide you with additional notifications of modeling and acting opportunities that become available in your area. Additionally, in regard to the next stage opportunity that you mentioned, was this additional fee for a Barbizon Competition? Though workshops are provided as part of the national competitions, they are not truly training experiences. They are an opportunity to meet with agents and managers from all over the world by walking in runway categories, performing monologues, singing and improvisation which result in callbacks and possibly additional industry work, sometimes even scholarships. If you have any additional feedback, we would love to hear from you at barbizon@barbizonmodeling.com. Thank you again. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Reviewed March 4, 2015

    The classes were fine and my daughter enjoyed it but the post-Barbizon experience is troubling. For example, we would receive a call, like on a Thursday perhaps, letting us know that there would be an audition opportunity on Saturday and be there at a certain time. It will be 150 miles away and that wouldn't be a problem, but to let a person know on a Thursday from Saturday you have something to do, only gives you one day in order to try to rearrange and plan life, and sometimes you couldn't. That's one of my biggest problems with the whole situation there.

    The other thing was when the young lady will call us to tell us about the audition opportunity, we would ask her questions such as "Okay, if we audition for this and we make it through this particular phase of the audition, what happens next? Do we go somewhere? Do we pay some money? When is the next opportunity?" She couldn't answer any question and just wasn't prepared for anything other than to call and say, "On this day, this opportunity is available." If you call to tell there's an audition, you should be able to tell me what happens as result of the audition, successful or not successful.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Gwendolyn, Thank you for reviewing your ongoing experience with Barbizon. We do our best to inform placement enrolled graduates of modeling and acting opportunities with as much notice as possible, however we often receive requests from talent agencies and brand clients at the last minute which unfortunately shortens the notice time we have to information to talent. We will forward your feedback to your local school to review the information that is available during the outreach. Details regarding each individual opportunity are generally provided by the agency/client at the audition, however basic information about the overall process should always be available and we will be sure to address. Thank you again and if you have any additional feedback please feel free to reach out to us at barbizon@barbizonmodeling.com. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Staff

    Reviewed March 4, 2015

    My daughter took some modeling classes with Barbizon and she finds it really great but says it could've been a little bit better. Anyway she's glad to have great instructors. Their staff explained what they do. They have options for people.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Bertha, Thank you for your review of your daughter’s experience with the Barbizon modeling, acting and personal development program. We constantly strive to enhance our curriculum to help prepare our students for the modeling and acting industries as well as life-skills techniques that can be valuable no matter what professional industry our graduates decide to pursue. We would love to hear more about your specific experience as well as any suggestions you may have to improve at barbizon@barbioznmodeling.com. Thank you again for taking the time to review your experience. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Reviewed March 3, 2015

    It's been great so far. We signed up for it when she was approached at the mall and we considered it more as a self-confidence deal and just a little bit of an adventure. She loved everybody there. We actually got called for a job for a couple of weekends ago, but it was my fault that my daughter didn’t get the message and she missed out on that.

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    Reviewed March 1, 2015

    Our initial experience with Barbizon wasn’t so good because we had to wait for a very long time in line. When my daughter first got the invitation, it said a specific time, date, and place. I thought it was an appointment but it wasn't. It was a big conference room with a bunch of girls that we had to wait in line for. It was a little hectic. But other than that, once my daughter got interviewed, the process became pretty easy. They called her in and then let her know that she had been accepted. My daughter said she learned a lot from Barbizon such as how to take care of her skin and how to apply make-up. I noticed that it gave her a lot of confidence. She's been making friends easier and she's no longer as shy as she used to be. She's more outspoken since she's been through the course.

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    Price

    Reviewed Feb. 28, 2015

    Our daughters were at the mall and signed up for Barbizon for a free shopping spree. Mandy took a six-month class. It was good but expensive.

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    Staff

    Reviewed Feb. 28, 2015

    My daughter likes acting, so we enrolled her for a six-month course with Barbizon. The sign up was easy, and the staff were professional. However, it's not really what I thought it was going to be. I thought that we might get a little bit more out of it than just the classes, like they would pursue her acting more.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Holly, Thank you for providing feedback on your daughter’s experience with her Barbizon courses. Has your daughter requested a placement package from her local school yet? After graduating, the Placement Division can provide your daughter with a list of agents and managers in your location that are reputable representation opportunities for young actors. Additionally, returning the Placement card back to the local school will ensure that she receives notifications of future acting opportunities in your area. Your local school is a valuable resource and can let you know what other opportunities are available for graduates after they complete the program. Thank you again for your feedback. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Reviewed Feb. 26, 2015

    So far we're pleased with Barbizon. Everything has been good - very clear instructions. But some things weren't stressed at the beginning in terms of what's needed for each classes that my daughter attended. We were told that we wouldn't have any additional expenses and everything will be provided for her classes but there was still some out of pocket expenses. But the classes were really good as far as her growing, personal development, and confidence.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Sholonda, Thank you for providing feedback on your daughter’s positive experience with her Barbizon classes. Depending on the program that you enroll in, there may be additional costs incurred for show props, makeup or charity drives though these are typically optional. We apologize if there was a miscommunication on what is provided for the classes and will provide your feedback to the local school to address. Thank you again. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Reviewed Feb. 25, 2015

    We received information on an event with Barbizon and we thought it was like an audition. When we got there they just want us to sign up for a cruise and pay money. When we paid all this money to them to send my daughter to all these classes, we thought there was going to be something a little more out of it than not having to pay for more out of pocket opportunities. The process was pretty easy and it’s not entirely a bad experience but maybe we should have asked more questions or read up on it a little bit more because they didn’t give all the information upfront.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Carla, We appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback on your Barbizon experience. The notification of the cruise opportunity should have been more specifically explained as an optional competition opportunity to meet international modeling and acting scouts prior to the audition. We will be sure to address the communication you received. We do offer opportunities to our graduates that are available for no cost. Has your daughter requested and submitted a free Placement Package from her local school? This will provide her with a list of reputable agencies in your area and will also include her in notifications of modeling and acting auditions and open calls in your area. Please feel free to reach out to us at barbizon@barbizonmodeling.com if you have any additional questions or would like further information. Thank you again for your feedback. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Reviewed Feb. 24, 2015

    Back when I was in junior high, I've heard about Barbizon but we didn't have anything like that around here in the Midwest. I would have loved to enroll for them years ago but now, it's my daughter who signed up for them and they ended up calling her. They've got a good reputation so it was quite exciting. We have a thing tonight for commercials and it's a two-and-a-half-hour session in a hotel and then my daughter helped out at one of the malls a couple of weeks ago to help recruit. So everything is just starting for her and I think she's going to be an intern starting next month, too.

    Signing her up was very easy though it was confusing at first because there were a lot of things that tried to deter her from doing it, with people saying it's a scam. You got to do your homework and you got to check with the Better Business Bureau. It's free and explains everything when you get there. So that makes you feel a lot more comfortable after you do that. I really didn't sign up before either because I did have my guard up. But my daughter's experience was easy and it was exciting for her because there was something different every time. She met a lot of friends too so it was quite an exciting experience.

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    Staff

    Reviewed Feb. 23, 2015

    My daughter has enjoyed her classes and it’s given her a lot of good advice. Barbizon gave her more confidence and helped boost her self-esteem.

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    Punctuality & SpeedStaff

    Reviewed Feb. 21, 2015

    My daughter enjoys being with Barbizon. She has a good time and has learned a lot.

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    Reviewed Feb. 20, 2015

    My daughter uses the Barbizon website and she learns many things from it.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed Feb. 19, 2015

    When I signed up with Barbizon, it was through the internet and it was easy but those who didn't have internet would have a little more difficult time because most of the things go through email. I joined their six month program where you go on the first weekend of every month. They teach you basically on how to be a lady--how to make a bun hair, runway stuff, acting or the modeling part. I also joined a job program this past weekend to recruit people to come to our classes. The progrtam has helped me become a better person and it was a really great experience. Anyone would be lucky to have the opportunity to experience it too.

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    PriceStaffProcess

    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2015

    The process was a long afternoon sitting around, waiting and going to the interview. Good thing they’re very pleasant. So far it’s good, except Friday night when my daughter had an audition and the information that we received seemed to lead us to think this was about interviewing for possible local things and unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the top twenty pick to go on a cruise, which cost quite a bit of money. So had we known that, we never would have wasted our evening attending. The experience is positive but you have to read and be aware of what they’re promoting.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Nancy, Thank you so much for providing your feedback. The representative who contacted you in regards to your daughter’s selection to participate in the Passport to Discovery cruise should have explained the requirements and purpose of the audition more specifically prior to your audition time. We apologize and will be sure to address the information and pass your feedback on to the local school. Thank you again. -Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Staff

    Reviewed Feb. 16, 2015

    My daughter had six months training with Barbizon and she enjoyed the opportunity of meeting new people like other girls of her age.

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    Reviewed Feb. 14, 2015

    They helped my daughter with her self-esteem and she was able to grow a little bit because of them. Her confidence definitely increased as well as her awareness of modelling as an industry. It was positive experience for her and she really thinks highly of the program.

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    Reviewed Feb. 13, 2015

    I think Barbizon is a great thing for my daughter's confidence and that's the main thing: I wanted her to be able to assert herself a little more. For example, walking up to somebody in a fast food restaurant and order her meal and order it loudly so everybody can hear her. I'm watching my daughter do things by herself now like makeup or runway walk and it's cool that she's gotten into it now. She recited a TV commercial and then a monologue. I watched her practice those. She has her goals now and seeing her blossom, that was my goal. In that respect Barbizon has helped.

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    Reviewed Feb. 11, 2015

    I was impressed with the way I was informed of everything that was going on by emailing me. When I called with questions, I got someone and they gave me the answers that I was looking for. They never put me off or anything. My daughter just got her certificate from them and I was pleased with the company all the while because I never been through anything like this. I felt that they were very informative and let you know what's going on. It was very satisfying.

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    Reviewed Feb. 10, 2015

    My daughter got selected for some program and ended up at Barbizon which she's excited about. So far it's been good. It's giving her a confidence boost. Now, she's getting ready to go to her last meeting on the 18th or the 20th.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Camille, Thank you so much for providing feedback on your daughter’s Barbizon experience. We strive to keep our program at the cutting edge of the modeling and acting industry in addition to the personal development aspects of the program that help our students grow into the best possible version of themselves. We would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your experience with the program and how it has helped your daughter’s confidence. If you would like to provide any additional information or feedback, we would love to hear from you at barbizon@barbizonmodeling.com. Thank you again - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Reviewed Feb. 6, 2015

    We were walking by at a mall where Barbizon was set up and their reps approached us and asked us to fill the paperwork out. They called back, we went through the whole process, and both my daughters decided to go through the program. They enjoyed it. It really helped their self-esteem, especially with my older daughter, and made her more self-aware. They loved everything that they learned from basics of applying makeup to having self confidence and everything that they practiced in the classrooms. It's a great program overall.

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    StaffProcess

    Reviewed Feb. 4, 2015

    I think the organization is a good organization. Since her graduation from Barbizon, my daughter has done one thing -- she was a hair model. That experience was good. But I also feel it's a little bit on the deceptive side. When we spend some money to enroll our girls in the program (we enrolled both of my daughters), they should have been more forthright about my daughters' opportunities or prospects for getting projects in modeling and acting. This should have been explained upfront. And then we would have decided do we want to pursue it or not?

    My daughters aren't that tall, and models are tall, and that was my original concern so it was one of the questions we asked. My girls were not gonna be runway models and we knew that. But what are their opportunities in modeling, unless they want to do acting, which they really weren't that interested in? I feel that should have been explained more thoroughly. I don't think that anybody's trying to take advantage of anybody but I think it was a little bit deceptive in that they should be upfront and say, "Look, if your daughters aren't tall, they need to go into acting and not so much the modeling end of it." But that was not what we heard. What we heard was, "It really doesn't matter." But that's really not true. That's what we experienced when my daughters did several of the talent tryouts...and they made all the tryouts. They're beautiful girls. But because they don't fall within a certain height range, it really limited their opportunities.

    Good thing we did the Discovery Passport Cruise. They really tried super-hard with this cruise. I was very impressed by the level of the talent scouts and the managers, and other things that they had on board the ship.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Lori, Thank you for your detailed feedback regarding your Barbizon experience and we are thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience on the Passport To Discovery cruise. The modeling industry is highly competitive and although we can prepare our students for a professional career as a model, we can not guarantee jobs to anyone. It’s an industry that requires diligence and hard work to break into and also factors in the demand of the clients the industry is serving at the time and their needs. That being said, there are opportunities for models outside of runway and high fashion, which both generally have strict height requirements as you pointed out. Specifically, commercial and promotional modeling both have a demand for models of various heights, weights, and looks. Have your daughters already submitted their information for Placement with their local school? This will provide you with a list of agents and managers in your area, which may be accepting submissions from commercial and promotional models. Additionally, this will ensure that they will receive notifications of modeling opportunities they qualify for in your area. Your local Barbizon placement department can be a valuable resource and happy to help in any way. We would be appreciate any further feedback you may have and are happy to assist via barbizon@barbizonmodeling.com. Thank you again for your review. - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Reviewed Feb. 2, 2015

    My daughter came up with the idea about Barbizon from somewhere. My daughter got excited and she wanted to try. We just said, "Go ahead and try this" and "Whatever you want to do." My daughter went through the whole training. She was happy, but she couldn't follow up with the other things. So after six months of training, she quit.

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    Reviewed Feb. 1, 2015

    My daughter was very shy when she started with the modelling and acting classes. By the end, however, she was starting to come out of that and wanted to make sure that she was very nicely dressed and made up - her hair done before she left the house. All in all, it really brought her out as a person. Everybody was very nice and respected. I like everything about Barbizon.

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    Reviewed Jan. 31, 2015

    My experience with Barbizon was okay, but I don't feel like we got a lot out of it.

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    Response from Barbizon
    Hi Janette, We appreciate your feedback and would like to assist. After graduation, did you request a placement packet from your local school? Barbizon graduates have the opportunity to sign up for placement at no cost. This will provide you with a list of reputable agencies in your area and will also ensure you receive notifications of upcoming modeling and acting opportunities near you. Additionally, we are constantly evaluating and evolving our program so that it is current to the industry and provides lasting value to our students. Please feel free to send any specific feedback you have on your experience to barbizon@barbizonmodeling.com and we would be happy to submit your feedback to the Education Department. Thank you for your feedback and we look forward to hearing from you.

    - Barbizon Modeling and Acting

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    Reviewed Jan. 29, 2015

    My daughter was approached by Barbizon so this is all her idea. She initially thought that she wanted to do it for more self-confidence. Now she says she has more of that. I've really been surprised that she's carried it as far as she has. We are going to go on the cruise this October and I'm just supporting her. We've had a good experience with them all in all. I've been a little bit concerned that we put out so much money and don't have anything to show for it. But she's enjoyed it and she's been very involved and it's been a good experience.

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    Reviewed Jan. 27, 2015

    Barbizon was at the Crossroads Mall in Kalamazoo. My daughter has an interest in the beauty industry and she thought it was okay to sign up so she did. Their staff was good.

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    Reviewed Jan. 24, 2015

    I first heard about Barbizon in the mall. We went to orientation and then we went to sign up. Everything was just good. I didn't have a problem.

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    Staff

    Reviewed Jan. 22, 2015

    Someone from Barbizon came up to my daughter at a movie theater. They were going to be in town so they gave her a card. She has done very good work. She signed with an agency in Atlanta, a mother agency, and then she signed with an agency in New York and in Milan. She's gone to Milan for a couple of months and we just got back. It was a great trip. We did the Passport to Discovery cruise. That's how she met up with her mother agent and that's how she ended up signing with the agency in Atlanta. She's also signed with an agency, with Next Modeling in Miami. We haven't gone down there yet but she's been good. She's only 16 so she's young. She's worked with Barneys doing some catalogue work. She did a couple of days working with Teen Vogue and some editorials too. It's all because of Barbizon.

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    Reviewed Jan. 20, 2015

    My daughter told me about Barbizon. She has been interested in them since she was eight or nine years old. Signing up with them was okay and they helped me figure out the best payment plan. The staff were great and very supportive of my daughter. When they needed things, they would call me when they could not reach my daughter. They let me be aware of her different assignments and how she was doing in class. They also let me know that they had asked her to work. They were very helpful and cooperative. I recommend Barbizon.

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    Reviewed Jan. 19, 2015

    My daughter was placed on a list and attended the cruise where you meet agents. She has got an acting agent in Orlando and she’s done a couple of commercials. The commercials were at the theme park in Orlando, Florida. One was one day and one was three days and she enjoyed it. She has a print agent in New York and done some runway modeling in New York.

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    Reviewed Jan. 15, 2015

    Signing up with Barbizon was pretty simple. My daughter got signed for a modeling agency and was able to appear in some things due to Barbizon. We had this chance of participating in their photo competition as well as a couple of the Passport to Discovery. She also had opportunity to be in the summer 2014 Catalogue for Q-Mart as well as appear in all the Q-Mart stores nationwide on their signage. She has also done some extra work for commercials for Universal. But as far as receiving notifications for upcoming modeling and acting opportunities, we haven't really received a lot from Barbizon but I'm thinking it’s because she already has an agent that she signed with exclusively.

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    Staff

    Reviewed Jan. 14, 2015

    I first heard about Barbizon through a flyer and then I got invited to some auditions. My daughter was interested so we signed her up in a school audition. She auditioned once, but we had a good experience. I would recommend them to a friend.

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    Reviewed Jan. 12, 2015

    The first time we heard about Barbizon was in the mall. We just got a call one day inviting us to come out and talk about it at the Baltimore Convention Center. It was a workshop that we went to. We had a bunch of girls and they did a photo shoot to see how they performed in front of the camera and they did a walk on the runway. My daughter is short so she's not the model type person. She was there more for theater type promo and was picked based off of her photos and the monologue that she did because she's got a very clear speech and very good projection.

    From doing all the classes, they really built her confidence up. She's gotten more from the acting point and how to be in front of the camera. She actually did a photo shoot with Girls' Life Magazine. She had met them on the Passport to Discovery cruise. The ambassador was awesome. They really do follow up, sending things out and making calls.

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    Reviewed Jan. 12, 2015

    I was at the mall and there was this station to sign up for Barbizon. I've always been a singer since I was three years old - I always wanted to be a singer and an actress - so I signed up with them. My mom thought it was a stupid idea but hey, I wanted to go for it. I've had a lot of fun with them. I love the staff - they're so awesome and nice.

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    Reviewed Jan. 11, 2015

    Barbizon contacted my daughter. They called us and said their scout saw her and thought she had a lot of potential. My daughter said Barbizon is more than a modeling and acting school. It opened a world for her she didn’t know was there. She became more confident with each class and had met a bunch of other girls with the same goals she had. Now, she feels sky is the limit and can do anything she put her mind to. There really is no better feeling than being on the runway and knowing you’re being watched. She learned a lot of things that every girl should know and it changed her from the outside in and she can’t thank Barbizon enough for that.

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    Reviewed Jan. 10, 2015

    My daughter and I were at a mall and somebody came up to us and asked if my daughter would be interested in modeling. Her experience with the instructors that did her class was very positive. They provide a lot of positive encouragement. Also, the ambassadors that worked with them for doing the Passport to Discovery are very engaged with the girls and really want them to succeed. The experience has given my daughter exposure to something she had never done before. It also made her realize that something that she thought I would never be interested in is something she really enjoys. In fact, she was selected to be one of the people on this tourism shoot. They spent a day doing shoot on a boat, sailing on the beach, swimming, and things like that.

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    Reviewed Jan. 9, 2015

    Our experience with Barbizon was really good. We like it. My daughter was in a mall and she just signed up. We wanted to further her career so she might sing, act and be in commercials. We liked the staff at Barbizon. She was very good.

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    Reviewed Jan. 8, 2015

    My daughter has been with Barbizon for three years now. Everything has been right. She has done one movie and a commercial. She has done quite a bit and has been signed with three different agents, one in Texas, one in Florida, and one in Louisiana.

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    Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaff

    Reviewed Jan. 7, 2015

    Somebody entered my daughter's name into somewhere in the mall then she got called to Barbizon. I did my research on it first before I even committed to it, and I read up on nice things on the internet. Everybody at Barbizon was very friendly and very informative. They answered all my questions. Great customer service by their representative. Also, the way that they conducted the pageant over in Orlando, Florida was awesome. Everything was so organized and on time too. My daughter has done a lot of talent shows and stuff like that but we were very happy with the outcome. It was wonderful.

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    Reviewed Jan. 6, 2015

    I have two daughters and somebody was calling me and telling me there was an event at the West Palm Beach. I was looking for something for personal development for my daughters and one of my daughters really loves modeling, and my friends were telling me good about Barbizon so I signed them up. I made my research about Barbizon and Barbizon is one of the top that's why I chose them. My daughters liked the experience they have over there.

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    Reviewed Jan. 5, 2015

    I started out with Barbizon in high school. I was really nervous when first signing up because I used to get some calls from various modeling people and they’re kind of sketchy – you never know who to trust. So when I got a call from Barbizon, I didn’t know who they were so I told my mom about it and then she called them and then I went to the casting. It seemed legit and it was, and now I’m really excited after I started up with them because I didn’t wanna do it for a while. It's been a good experience ever since. Then I started taking their classes and then I went to their competitions and I got a manager. I went back to work with them on their recent crew just a couple of months ago. I feel like Barbizon is what you make of it. If you don’t really try and if you don’t put in as much effort, then you know they can’t help you out, but if you really put in all that effort, then it could be really beneficial.

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    Reviewed Jan. 4, 2015

    My mom and my daughter, Brianna, saw Barbizon at the Mall of America when they were shopping and signed up. It was between them. I'm there for support. It was something that would remove my daughter from a box, basically, get her to go out and socialize and all that fun stuff. It opens the girls up. It makes them responsible for their age and time right now. We particularly chose Barbizon because they just seem to stick out really well with us, work with us, all that other stuff. Everybody who I have talked to and everybody who has had to handle anything has been very professional and non-judgmental and has just made everything good.

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    Reviewed Jan. 3, 2015

    My daughter was excited when Barbizon contacted her after she filled out her card. We decided to check it out and see what it was about. The contacts were extremely helpful and reassuring and the information was all clear and calls before and after. Excellent communication. The only thing that I found a little lacking was as the whole program finished up and the next steps, we had been told that we would get a placement packet in the mail which we actually had to request and would have requested sooner had we realized how that all work. There was a long delay after she was finished before we got the placement packet because we waited for quite a while to get her certificate. Overall, it was a very good experience and were glad we did it. It was confidence building and skill building. It brought things out of my daughter that she wouldn’t have known about herself otherwise.

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    Reviewed Jan. 2, 2015

    Barbizon Modeling called my daughter. We never really thought about it until they called her about it and so we decided to put her in it because she really wanted to do it. We had fun doing it and going to the classes. We've really enjoyed it.

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    Reviewed Jan. 1, 2015

    My daughter received some kind of paper in the mail from Barbizon and the experience in signing up was pretty good. It was the first time we did anything like that and it wasn't hard to do and it's convenient.

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    Reviewed Dec. 30, 2014

    It was overwhelming at first, but then once we got to talk to a lot of others, it was very exciting. Pleased with all of it. It really helped my daughter on becoming lady-like. Because she’s got three brothers and so basically she’s a tomboy. So the experience for her helped quite a bit and it still is. It gave her a lot of self-esteem. I would recommend Barbizon highly. The staff at Barbizon that I got to meet was real nice, real polite, answered all questions that I had. We were pleased with all of them.

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    Reviewed Dec. 29, 2014

    I saw Barbizon in Seventeen Magazine so I researched about it and I just learned more about it online. I chose them because I saw that a lot of people became successful with Barbizon so I was like, "Hey, maybe I could, too." It just stood out because I've heard about it before and it's a pretty popular modeling school. I was a little timid at first but then everybody was really nice and I just had a good time. I learned stuff and everyone was welcoming and I had a good experience. The staff were really nice and helpful whenever I wasn't understanding something. They would happily help me out.

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    Reviewed Dec. 23, 2014

    Barbizon contacted my daughter in the spring, and while she had another open offer with another agency and with them it didn't cost anything at all, my daughter decided to spend $2,000 with Barbizon versus the other one. Overall it was a positive experience for my daughter, learning dress and makeup and poise, etc. The only frustrating point would be still trying to make up Class 1 before she can do any work.

    My daughter missed the initial class because they were in town the weekend before class started and wanted everybody to be available the following weekend, but she had her graduation open house on Saturday. And we, as of yet, have been unable to get that class scheduled for her and that bit has been a bit frustrating because she's done the rest of the course work, but can't do anything at all until she takes that first class. I understand the conditions of the contract. It stated she has to attend all classes. I understand all those logistics, but that first class was just to meet the other girls that you're going to spend the next six months with.

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    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Patty, We are sorry no one has been able to reschedule your daughters makeup class. We will have someone from our corporate office reach out to you this week to resolve this. Thanks for alerting us so we can fix this for you. And thank you for the review, we are glad your daughter enjoyed her classes. - Barbizon Customer Service Team

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    Reviewed Dec. 21, 2014

    I had a really good experience with Barbizon. It was really interesting. It was something different. The staff were really polite. Every time I needed something they were always there for me. It was really good. It was a positive experience. I'd recommend them.

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    Reviewed Dec. 19, 2014

    My daughter grew while she was in the program and I was very proud of her. It helped her develop self-esteem. She did a little bit of everything in there and she enjoyed every part of it. She loved it. She never missed a class, she liked the people that she was with and who taught it. The staff were good, no problems. They were courteous and able to answer all of my questions.

    I feel pretty good so far about my daughter’s experience with Barbizon. She just won a scholarship through there, so that’s exciting.

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    Staff

    Reviewed Dec. 17, 2014

    My daughter enjoyed being with Barbizon and she's looking to continuously pursue it. We were at a mall and there was a representative out there and my daughter ended up filling out a card. It took almost a year before we heard anything back. I signed her up because the classes were easy and were once a month. It fit both of our schedules because she's a varsity cheerleader in basketball and football games, so that worked out just perfect. The personnel at Barbizon were very professional, very helpful and easy to work with. I didn't have any problems. The staff were just wonderful. Even at the Barbizon competitions, they were full of energy, excited and everything just flowed together. I was very impressed. It was an excellent experience and I was very happy.

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    Staff

    Reviewed Dec. 15, 2014

    My daughter brought Barbizon to my attention because modeling was her passion. It was what she really wanted, so I wanted to be able to give it to her and they had a local school so it meant no traveling, which is a good benefit. Signing up was awesome. They were very sweet. It was a very positive experience for her - very positive experience for me as a parent, too. They were honest and straightforward. Everything that they said they would do, they did. I've had nothing but a positive experience with them. Our experience has been informative and educational too. It's also great exposure.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed Dec. 13, 2014

    I’ve been with Barbizon for quite a while. My daughter has been involved with them since she was 13 and she is going to be 17 now. She went through the school and that was a great experience for her. We heard about Barbizon at the mall and my daughter filled out a card to win a backpack and it ended up being getting a call whether she’d be interested or not and I said, I don’t know. They talked to me. It was an event to listen to what they had to say. And then, if we don’t like it, it’s ok. If we do, we’ll think about it from there. So we went and listened to what it was all about and talked to some people and other parents and we ended up saying okay. Apparently, this is for her and we went from there and that’s when we went to the school. Then she went on to do some competition. She was able to go a couple. She’s been on three or four cruises where they do the competitions. She has a manager and an agent. She’s been working and she’s had a really great experience with them. I’ve had nothing but good experience with them.

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    Staff

    Reviewed Dec. 11, 2014

    My daughter had an excellent experience with Barbizon. She learned so much stuff and she's enjoying what she's doing with the Barbizon. As a parent I enjoy it too. I like about Barbizon because they're not only doing the modelling and acting, they care about the kids' studies too. What they teach was the confidence level. I'm satisfied completely 100% with Barbizon. It's a really good experience to both the parents and the kids. She is smarter in studies and has built so much confidence after she joined so I'm really happy and I appreciate Barbizon.

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    Staff

    Reviewed Dec. 9, 2014

    My daughter got a call from a placement director in Tampa. They were coming out here to do a model search. I’m not really sure how they got her name because it wasn’t a mall tour or anything. But initially I had taken her to an agency that’s local to Boston, but because she didn’t have any experience at all at that point he didn’t want to work with her but forwarded some head shots. Barbizon got a hold of her, then she went through a modeling school program in Boston.

    I did my research, and Barbizon has been around since I was a kid. There’s a lot of good publicity about them. They stand by their students and their clients. They took my daughter underneath their wing after she graduated from the modeling program, and they did a lot with her. They were really instrumental in her being successful. She competed at Passport to Discovery a few years ago. She did really well with that. We ended up going to LA and New York. Barbizon is wonderful. I love them and would highly recommend them. I already have recommended them and people have taken me up on it.

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    Staff

    Reviewed Dec. 7, 2014

    I chose Barbizon because of their professionalism when I first met everyone there and their knowledge. Signing up my daughter with them was wonderful. There was no pressure. They answered all my questions and I had all the time in the world to think about it. I got what I wanted out of them, found out what I needed, then signed up with them. My daughter did the IMTA and numerous little competitions in Orlando. She did the education with them before she joined the junior miss talent. She started out when she was nine and it helped her out so much. Everyone in the company is very professional. They also take it to a level that you feel like you’re one of them and everybody works together. The confidence that it built in my daughter was phenomenal. It really, really helped her.

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    Customer ServiceContract & TermsStaff

    Reviewed Nov. 22, 2014

    Barbizon called my daughter to come in to meet with two international agents for an audition. When we got there there were no agents but an individual who claim to be an agent representing Barbizon, although he stated he was not employed by Barbizon. He began by giving my daughter discouraging news by telling her that she did not fit the criteria for their needs but encouraged her to continue to pursue her dreams of modeling and indicated that he would help her reach her goals but only through him. He said for any roadblocks or problems that she may run into that she needed to contact him directly and only him (?). It seemed he was recruiting for himself and not for Barbizon, but he was no agent he was a model himself. We were then shown a video and presented with options like to get exposure we would need to go to the ITMA in NYC which costed well over $6,000, we told them upfront we could not afford that. We were then present with another option of going on a cruise which also amounted to an undesirable $3,000+. We continued to tell them that we could not afford these types of competitions. However, we were then presented with a local competition which didn't occur until March 2015 and this was June 2014.

    We were given discounts of fees as well as a payment arrangement. But understood it to be $200 down and remainder spread out the next two months (balance $200). I began to fill out the paperwork and my daughter filled out the application. It was not until I completed the credit card information form that I was told I had to pay for the local competition upfront which was for $900 and as well as a photo shoot ($650) which my daughter had already had. I was so confused and pissed off. They had already ran my credit card for the full amount of $1100.00, which I did not expect to shovel out. I asked why do I need to pay for the competition now and in full and the agent told me that that's the way things are handled. He said that's just the way things are handled and there was nothing he could do about it. But he said "don't worry I'll give your daughter 'discounts'" which he referred to as scholarships. I know my face turned white because my daughter looked at me funny and asked if I was okay. You see, I'm disabled, on disability income, and at that time our home was in foreclosure. We had bills that needed to be paid and believe me we did not leave this information out of our discussions with the "agent".

    We thought we were there for an audition and to meet two international agents. My daughter's hopes were to be offered work not participate in some event. We were there for over four hours which they justified them charging us for their time. When we got home, we talked it over and decided that we just couldn't do it. We called Barbizon two hours after we left and shared our concerns and we were told "oh well, we don't do refunds." I was shocked, we were told after all that back and forth with the different competitions etc., and telling them they were an one hour ride one way and that I couldn't drive my daughter every weekend due to my disability, and we may change plans after speaking to my husband. They said "no problem just give us a call we're here til ? It will all work out." Well it's been months now and they didn't work it out. My daughter has not attended any training classes but Barbizon still drafts my checking account on a monthly basis. So, what are they taking my money for? Nothing! The agreement we had was breached and now the director is taking funds for no services rendered nor were any purchases made. Why is Barbizon STILL taking funds from my checking account?

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Thank you for reaching out to us. We have spoken to the owner of the location in your area and they have informed us they would very much like to resolve this for you. Despite many attempts to discuss this with you, your location has informed us they have had some trouble communicating with you directly. As we understand, they have previously worked with you regarding a refund and have stopped any future payments. The location in your area has requested if this matter is still on going that you please reach out to them directly so they can ensure everything is taken care of to your satisfaction. Please private message us should there be any additional issues regarding this matter that your Barbizon location does not resolve for you by sending us a message at barbizon@barbizonmodeling.com.

    Factual basis uncertain
    Customer ServiceSales & MarketingPriceStaffProcess

    Reviewed Nov. 19, 2014

    I began writing this post the week before my daughter's last class. I have had problem after problem with this good for nothing company. The only reason I didn't pull my daughter out, was because my money was already paid, I KNEW these money-hungry stealing Sharks wouldn't give me a refund, and because my 14 year old daughter actually enjoyed her experience with them (which was our initial goal... though she had no idea of the hell I was experiencing)! We had heard about the scam notices, how we shouldn't expect to get booked, about the lies, etc... But it was all after we were WELL into the program & almost complete. I was furious, but ate the cost because it was my fault for not researching everything 1st. I KNEW BETTER! So I sucked it up & told my daughter to get whatever she could from the "CLASSES," and treat this experience as a learning experience & make the best out of it. And I must say she did just that while having fun. That's the ONLY good thing I have to say about our experience with Barbizon.

    The kicker was how they continuously stole & tried to steal MORE money from me for their unprofessional, unethical, unsupported, crap load of classes (is was I called them), that didn't really teach my daughter much more than she had learned from watching model shows on TV & YouTube! I merely paid all that money for an overpriced weekend for girls to "PLAY MODELING!!!" Yes parents... that's EXACTLY what you are paying over $2,500 for! And I repeat... SINCE my daughter was actually enjoying herself, received numerous certificates, got to add this crap to her Modeling/Acting résumé... I didn't take this scamming pitiful excuse of a school to court & sue them! Parents...please do your research! I failed to do so until after my daughter was almost done with classes & approaching graduation. So I literally paid for it! LOL!

    I wouldn't even recommend this CRAP for self-esteem building, so your child could belong to something, or for scholarship reasons, etc... (which are other lines of crock they try to sell when pulling you in.) Heck, my daughter takes gymnastics classes (which she is STILL in), belongs to the "TOP" facility in our state, and is currently getting looked at by colleges for potential scholarships, AND she's good at it and LOVES it! The way I see it, my tuition payments for THIS is FAR more inexpensive (annually) than "Barbiscam" and it's actually paying off for my daughters education, self-esteem, confidence, and all of the above that "Barbiscam" PROMISES but doesn't PRODUCE! Parents, invest in something worthwhile for your children! Because Barbizon is DEFINITELY NOT IT!

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    Insufficient response received
    Staff

    Reviewed Nov. 16, 2014

    I was shopping at Bellevue Square when a very nice young woman approached my daughter and I and asked if she was interested in modeling or acting. She is 9 and we just starting acting lessons. We said "yes" and were handed a card to attend a Barbizon Audition Class at the Sheraton in Bellevue on November 16, 2014. At this audition/workshop the woman announced only 15 candidates would be selected. They had 4- different times groups of people could show up. We were the first group at 11a.m.

    After carefully observing the room waiting for my daughter's turn to be interviewed I saw them select EVERY participant as long as you were willing to pay immediately. You were not allowed to go home and think about it! WHAT A SCAM and feel sorry for those parents who believed their child had skilled. Many of the families probably couldn't have afforded the tuition but would be willing to do anything for their child! WATCH AMERICA. My daughter and I walked out after 90 minutes of being there.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Sara,

    Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry the audition you and your daughter attended with our company was not what you expected or looking for in a modeling and acting program. While it may have seemed at the audition you attended, everyone was accepted, each audition is different and each group of people we see is different, providing different outcomes. We accept people into our programs for a number of different reasons, not limited to modeling and acting, but also personal development as well - as stated on our corporate website. We do hope in the future, should you experience the Barbizon program in it's entirety, we will have changed your opinion of our company. We wish you all the best and please reach out to us should you ever have questions or concerns regarding Barbizon. - Barbizon Customer Service Team

    Factual basis uncertain
    Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaffProcess

    Reviewed Nov. 8, 2014

    My husband and I drove for 2 hours to attend an "auditioning" for Barbizon! I was based out of the Delaware office but didn't finish because Barbizon gives the wrong impression. I modeled for a national magazine several years ago with celebrities. I had my one time spot of fame! Well, I contacted Barbizon after two years of the magazine releasing and wanted to get back into modeling. I attended the Delaware office, they wanted you to pay, I think close to $1300 for the "acting classes", so I could be chosen. I was in classes with individuals that aren't "considered model" type by society. Well, Barbizon leads this image as accepting "everyone. " Long story short, I attend the school for one day and didn't receive my $350 deposit after choosing not to finish the classes.

    Fast-forward three, two years later and the PA office contacts me. The gentleman was very pleasant. He said "we have 'scouts' coming in from another state looking for models, did you want to audition?" I assumed, "GREAT- someone will find me again and I can continue my modeling career." We arrive early-- we sign in, fill out an application, and wait in the "auditioning" room. I thought "awesome, I'll be able to shine and show my personality to 'get the job.'" This lady named "Mo" comes in and says "you aren't the right height (which I knew because when the gentleman called to supposedly book me-- I asked him did he need my height and measurements-- he didn't but I told him anyway. He said I was fine and good to go) - She then says "come in," with "Susan" the director, "we can really use your face and have you as a model." After sitting in an office for 3 1/2 hours, they had me do a "skit" to see how well I spoke.

    At the end, they wanted me to pay over $6,000 dollars to put me into an audition coming up in NYC! I said "I can't pay that." They said "we will take a deposit for $700 but you need to pay the remaining balance off before we head to NYC." I said I needed the breakdown of what everything consisted of, including airfare, hotel and other things. It was so disappointing. After modeling for a national magazine (that was all inclusively paid for) I couldn't imagine spending that money?! I believe they hook you in and try to provide the right wording to take your "money". They said it'll take 6 months to perfect everything and if I can't pay for it all up once- they'll take monthly payments of $748 dollars until the full amount is paid off!

    The gentleman that called me from the start even provided his own cell phone to me, which now I'm assuming is all through the company. The doors were falling off the rooms, the place wasn't clean considering if they want models?! Also, during the sale skit inside the office-- I asked do they have "side jobs" I can have that'll pay me money- they said "absolutely!"

    They aren't able to provide numbers of how many people succeeded through their program. I believe they are in there to provide acting skills and are leading young child in the wrong direction. They are there having individuals "think" they are the chosen one, but in reality-- they only want your money! That's all, there's no guarantee for jobs or any income if I went to the audition and paid the lump sum. They said there will be over 300 agencies looking at me. But it wasn't guaranteed I was going to be chosen. They said they will "teach" me everything but I have to sell myself. I feel so bad for young children that believe they'll succeed through this company.

    If you are that beautiful, talented, a company will pay to have you! After reading all the reviews, I had to write one. Also, if I ask someone a question-- I don't like when someone asks me a question back. I'm to the books and all about numbers - so if they have a huge success rate... they should show it. Never provided! It was a huge waste of time and I thought I learned the first time. If they guaranteed work at a certain rate, or an agency chooses everyone-- I would've rethought over everything. But unfortunately, they've been open for years and I have no idea how they are still managing!

    If your child has self-esteem issues, I would agree on this place. BUT don't think you'll become famous just by paying all this money! I paid nothing for the magazine I modeled for and I hope you all can learn from my story and several others! *Also, all the locations are independently owned and each one craps on the other.* Also, since I didn't buy the package, they wanted to offer me the other package at $899! I walked out of that place with confidence that they didn't receive my money.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Sam,

    We are sorry to hear you did not have the experience you expected with Barbizon and felt the audition process was unprofessional. Barbizon has many different opportunities which may vary dependent on location. We are sorry the details of the audition were not relayed in advance, the employee you spoke to should have provided more information up front. We would be happy to see if there would be an opportunity for you to better fit your experience level. If you could please send us back a private message with the best time to contact you and the best contact info for you, we would like to speak with you directly to resolve your poor experience. - The Barbizon Customer Service Team

    Customer ServiceContract & TermsSales & MarketingStaff

    Reviewed Oct. 27, 2014

    I googled local modeling agencies in Wisconsin and this one day Barbizon auditions came up. I called the number and got a date and time for an interview for my daughter. Our day and time was 10/25/2014 @ 9:30am. When we got there it was a room full of girls. Some look like they were about to go to a night club and some look like they were just waking up. We sat there for an hour listening to a lady give a presentation about girls being bullied, how to walk on the run way and the different sizes of girls. The whole pitch was to sell the fact that their “Modeling School” will get the girls ready to work. They said that there will be three choices 1 ready for placement, 2 training then placement, 3 not accepted.

    With those three choices I wonder how many were accepted. When it was time for the interview, she bragged about how cute my daughter was and adorable. She said she wanted to work with my daughter on her voice. She said she talked too low, her confidence and how to pose. Little did she know I was listening to majority of all the interviews she was having. She told ALL of them she wanted to work on their confidence. She said she wanted to bring their confidence levels up. So when we were called she said the same thing. I knew something was wrong because my daughter is the most stuck up ever. She does not need anyone to tell her she is pretty because she knows she is. I tell her every day that she is pretty, she is a princess whatever. Needless to say I got a call back lol.

    The thing that had me scratching my head was that no one had a last name. NO ONE!!!! After being accepted by the 'agency' I was sent a contract to sign. Well I sent that contract to my mom to look over. She did not look it over she googled the model agency first. She said do not sign the contract. She said that when she googled to name 'Barbizon" the COMPLAINTS came up before the actual company did. NOT A GOOD THING!!! So this morning after getting a 4 page text from the lady we interviewed with JUDIANN, I decided to look the company up and call to see if I can get some more information about the event I attended.

    When I called the representative would not give any information at all. I told her I attended a Barbizon event over the weekend and I wanted to talk with the company more before I decide to sign a contract for my daughter involvement. She asked who interviewed my daughter. I told JudiAnn. She told me to contact her. I told her I talked with her already, I just want to talk with someone else besides her. She directed me to her supervisor. I asked what was her name. She told me Linda. I advised her that Linda was at the event. I want to speak with someone who is behind a desk and can vouch for the event. She kept “assuring” me that JudiAnn or Linda can help me with whatever questions I have.

    If I cannot speak with someone else other than the people that were at the event that speak louder than the texts, emails and the phone calls that they have placed to me. I will not be suckered into a scam for someone's money problems. I would be very naive to sign a contract and go into collections for something that will drain me of my HARD WORKED COINS. I hope and pray that this will end. I know many girls dream are to become a model, actor or a singer. But YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY TO BE DISCOVERED!!! They will pay YOU to be discovered and go on gigs. I hope parents will wake up and see that there are scams out here and this is one of them!!!

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Ashley, We are sorry you were not provided the information you requested from our company and the communication you deserve. Many of the students that participate in our program come to learn more about modeling and acting as well as how to navigate into the industry, however we also have many students who are mainly focused on the personal development aspects of the program. We are sorry the talent director that met with you misjudged the personality of your daughter and what aspects of the program may benefit her best.

    We would also like to apologize that you were not connected with a supervisor in the corporate office during your follow up of the event. It is by no means our corporate policy to provide unsatisfactory communication and customer service and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention so we may address this internally. The team that manages the event is typically the appropriate contact for prospective students to assist and answer questions, however your concern and desire to speak with someone at the office is understandable and we would appreciate an opportunity to answer any lingering questions you may have and discuss Barbizon’s program offering in more detail with you.

    You are correct that you should never pay upfront for agency services. Barbizon, however, is a training program that has fees as there would be for most extracurricular activities. Graduates have the option to sign up for placement services following the program to receive notifications of upcoming local modeling and acting opportunities and there is never a charge for these services. We do hope that if your daughter is ever able to experience what Barbizon has to offer beyond the audition process, we will have changed your opinion of our company. Please reach out to us should you have any additional questions or concerns about Barbizon. - Barbizon Customer Service Team

    Factual basis uncertain
    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed Sept. 18, 2014

    I was contacted last year from a recruiter with Barbizon modeling agency concerning my then 12 year old daughter. We were instructed to get head shots etc. My daughter then said, "Mom I don't want to go because I don't think they will pick me." So against my better judgment my daughter and I went to the auditions and it was hundreds of people there. We didn't even get to see the recruiter that called. Again I was still hopeful because my mother went to Barbizon in the 80's and had a very successful modeling career for a short time. However this year (2014) on this past Monday (9/15/14) I got another phone call from this same recruiter. Her name is Carmen out of Florida and as soon as I answered the phone she wanted to know was I ** mother? I said yes and we were disconnected. I could not look at the phone because I was driving and the weather was horrible.

    She called back and asked again, "Hello, are you ** mom?" I stated, "YES, HOW CAN I HELP YOU???" And she said, "OH I MUST HAVE THE WRONG NUMBER AND SORRY TO DISTURB YOU." CLICK and the phone goes dead. I called the number back to see who this was because she never stated her position or whom or what she wanted. When I called the number back I was shocked that she was a recruiter with Barbizon. I cannot believe she is representing a company with so many years and respect and as disrespectful as Ms. Carmen (the recruiter) was to a parent I can only imagine how much ** she's selling to get money in her pocket and not the model. I am really upset that she called my phone and then hung up never stating what she wanted she asking to speak with my now 13 year old daughter. Carmen is a disgrace to represent BARBIZON, a place where my own mother jump started her career.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Chasity,

    We are so sorry for the poor communication and customer service represented on behalf of our company by one of our employees. Thank you for alerting us of this so we may address this internally. We do hope you will allow us an opportunity to make this right and offer a better representation of our company, the one your mother was familiar with when she was a student with us. We will reach out to you privately so we may work to resolve this for you. Thank you again for alerting us of this. - Barbizon Customer Service Team

    PriceStaff

    Reviewed Sept. 7, 2014

    I was contacted on behalf of my daughter and was told that she was 1 of 20 girls that Joey ** was flying in from Tampa, FL to see personally. Well, there were at least 100 girls in the same room. $2400 x 100 is $240 thousand dollars! Who would not be accepted at those prices? Of course everyone has "the look". I can guarantee anyone that if you attend the free audition you will be accepted. The "hook" is the "commercial group" where it doesn't matter what your height or looks or body type is ---- everyone will be accepted if you pay the $2400. Do you see how money is involved? And to think that this is being done all over the country is big business for them and it should be scary for us (the consumers).

    My daughter asked me why I had to pay them if they wanted me so bad and were going to have work for her. She said if they were telling the truth, why not deduct the fees from the model's pay as they do jobs? Bottom line, the only people who benefit from this venture is Barbizon.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Mark, We are sorry that the audition you attended was not what you expected of a modeling and acting program. The people who attend Barbizon come for many reasons and personal development, in addition to training for and education of the modeling and acting industries, is a key focus of the entire program. We find the personal development portion of the program is something that our graduates can benefit from for the rest of their lives no matter what professional field they decide to pursue. As a business, there are fees associated with training as there would be for most extracurricular activities. However Barbizon never charges our graduates for placement services or opportunities. We hope that if you are ever able to experience the Barbizon program beyond the audition process, we will have changed your opinion of our company. Please reach out to us should you have any additional questions or concerns about Barbizon. - Barbizon Customer Service Team

    Factual basis uncertain
    Contract & Terms

    Reviewed Sept. 6, 2014

    I'm a single mother of two and they took my entire paycheck in one day! In authorize payments, and I also cancel my contract in June. They just now telling me today it had to be in writing after they took $50 @ 4:56pm, $200 @ 4:59pm, $500 @ 5:03pm.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Jessie,

    We appreciate you bringing your concerns to our attention. Upon reviewing your file, we do see that we tried to reach you and left several messages from March 2014 - July 2014 to work out a payment plan and option that would best suit you. Unfortunately our notes show we did not receive a verbal cancelation from you until August 5th, after the program was scheduled for completion. While we have not received the required written cancelation, per the contract, we did cancel your contract as a courtesy and have not charged any future payments that were due. We do wish to resolve this matter with you and would be happy to work toward a resolution. - Barbizon Customer Service Team

    No response received
    Customer ServicePriceStaff

    Reviewed Aug. 14, 2014

    I went to Barbizon a year ago when I was 21. I went in thinking it was the greatest thing in the world but I was wrong. After being accepted, there were way too many people in the classes so if you had questions, too bad, there was no time for any one-on-one help. My teacher was rude and because of her I didn't learn much at all. After I "graduated" I was accepted to go to the International Modeling and Talent Agency Conference (which cost more money). When we arrived in New York, we didn't get anything for what we paid for. The hotel rooms were small and we all had to share beds - no complimentary breakfast or anything to show for the extra 2000 dollars...

    During all the competing, pretty much every single judge was drinking more than one alcoholic beverage. There were easily over 500 contestants so if you were near the end of the line, most of the judges had already left or lost interest. The teachers who brought us didn't care what time we were in bed. They would stay out all night clubbing and drinking... Needless to say, they were very unprofessional! At the end of the competition, I didn't receive any call backs and when the director found me in tears, she yelled at me and told me I didn't deserve to even be there. Don't get sucked into Barbizon! They are UNPROFESSIONAL AND OVERPRICED for what they offer. They also recruit too many girls (most of whom will never make it) and they tell you they will try and get you jobs which is TOTAL CRAP.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Miranda,

    We are sorry you have not been happy with your Barbizon experience. In an effort to best resolve your stated complaint, we reached out to the Barbizon you attended. They informed us they are more than willing to help you pursue your modeling and acting career, through their placement service. They were under the impression you were no longer interested in the industry per the conversation they had with you regarding the placement service and your decline to join the agency or placement service. We are sincerely sorry for the disconnect. Would you like us to help you in joining the placement department with your local Barbizon? Please private message us and we are more than willing to help. - Barbizon Customer Service Team

    Customer ServiceSales & MarketingStaffProcess

    Reviewed Aug. 8, 2014

    I remember doing this as a younger girl, maybe 13? Maybe around 2004. I saw an ad in a magazine, called for fun and went to an interview at the place. As if I would only maybe be accepted. They make it seem like a big deal, saying that I was chosen out of 40 girls. Of course we believed them and I felt special enough to convince my mom to shell out the $3,000 for the "school". It was every Saturday for maybe 2 months. I can't remember a single thing I learned. They teach you how to be a "model", how to do makeup, how to be interviewed... things like that. It was really traditional and cliche lessons. Nothing of real use. They give you a cheap makeup set with a cheap book that had "instructions" on how to be a proper model or actress. I remember there being like 10 pages of just random fashion related quotes from movies and such. Like.. thanks. Cool. At the end, we had a "fashion show" and invited the parents and some scouts from a major agency for another kind of opportunity/school.

    After the fashion school, I got a call from one of the "agents" saying they really loved me and chose me to be a part of their agency. At which point, I would have to pay an outrageous sum of money to be "taken on by them". Still, I felt like it was a huge opportunity and they had picked me! They liked me. There was a girl in my class that I had actually become friends with and kept in touch with. To be completely honest, she wasn't someone who exactly had potential... not really attractive, didn't want to be there... Easily the last person in the class that would have been picked had there truly been an acceptance process.

    But of course when I spoke to her next, she was excited to tell me that they had loved her and wanted her to come to their agency. I knew right then that it was all just **. To this day, I can't even think about a single thing I learned or have found useful for me in any way. It's definitely not a "scam" but their process is very dishonest and it is absolutely a waste of your money... No doubt.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Justine, We are sorry you had a poor experience with Barbizon when you attended in 2004. We are also sorry no one was able to resolve your stated issues then, did you reach out to your school after you graduated? Recently, we have restructured our business and recommitted ourselves to customer service, providing a much better experience for our customers. We are also consistently restructuring our business based on best industry practice. We do appreciate your feedback so we can continue to improve our practices.

    Customer ServiceSales & MarketingPriceStaff

    Reviewed Aug. 4, 2014

    I have a very important warning for all of you that have daughters and shop at Costco or target or anywhere for that matter. If a lady comes up to you and tells your daughters are sooooo beautiful and they say they are from a "modeling school" and that they can get your child into acting, singing or modeling (and the name is Barbizon) say "147 complaints from consumer affairs" and see what they do. We almost got suckered into this!!! Here's how the story goes.

    Hubby, the girls and I were shopping in Costco, and this very pretty lady came up to us and started complimenting our girls, especially my oldest, Kira, and this lady (gave a first name I can't remember and never gave a last name) and she said that she was a scout for a talent school that can get kids into modeling, acting and singing and she said that they were doing a presentation at the Embassy Suites in Palmdale, so we got her card, and she said that the presentation was only two hours and if they chose Kira, then she would meet with a "Director" who could get Kira in training to become an actor, singer or model. Kira got all excited and Robert took the information card with three different times on it, so we went to the 4pm presentation.

    I had a strange feeling that something wasn't right from the start. I was also mad because Robert mentioned spending yesterday doing stuff for the house, which never happened. Anyway, we get to the Embassy Suites Hotel and there are about 200 other "pretty" girls there all for the same thing. I told Robert I didn't like the feeling of this, and he told me that is was just "all for fun" and a "learning lesson" for Kira about how hard it is in the entertainment industry, so I shut up. So we go into this huge room and there is a gal that says she was a graduate from Barbizon and that she became a SUCCESS through them. Then we saw about a 20-minute video presentation of "success stories" of some child actors that went through Barbizon. Our two hours were almost up, then they called Kira and us up and said that we got "chosen" to speak to a Director. Then this "Director" was gushing to Kira about how pretty she is and asked Kira what she wanted to do and Kira said acting. What was also disturbing is that they had ALL of Kira's information (except her social security number, thank God) her age, height, weight, what school she is going to go to, etc.

    Then after about a 25 minutes later, then the "Director" asked Kira how bad she wanted this and if we supported her 100% which of course we said we did. And Lisette was getting all excited like Kira was and the "Director" said they loved Lisette too, and wanted to give her a free makeover and photo shoot and she got even MORE excited.

    Then the "Director" excused herself for a few minutes, then came back and told Kira that she was accepted into Barbizon. We were all excited until the bomb dropped about the cost. They wanted $2,160.00 for a 6-month training course. Then when Robert mentioned to the"Director" that we couldn't pay it all in one lump, then the gal said that Kira would get a scholarship for about $400.00 and that we could make payment arrangements for the rest. I knew it was a scam because they were asking for the money upfront and when Robert wanted to check his Capital One credit card, that is when I shook my head and mouthed the words "NO" then we went outside of the hall and I asked Robert, "ARE YOU CRAZY??? This is a scam!!!!" And then Robert got mad at me and said that I didn't want this for Kira. I reminded him that he said that this was "learning lesson" for Kira and I told him that we could lose EVERYTHING if we did this. So he said "FINE, FORGET IT!!!!" And went back into the hall and the girls started crying, and who was the bad guy? Me! WTH???

    I called my Sis, Christina ** about it because she did something similar with my niece, Chrissy **, and my sis confirmed that it was a scam as well and that she felt with a similar company and now she is in collections because she got taken advantage of. All Robert said is that he didn't want to hear it! After we got home, and later on in the evening, I decided to look up Barbizon on the internet and that is when I saw there were 147 complaints on the Consumer Affairs website. My gut feeling was right and we were almost suckered! :(

    Then today AUGUSTINA with Barbizon called me and asked me how my daughter was doing and I told her that she is extremely hurt and I told her what I found out on The Consumer Reports website and told them that it was a scam and a fraud and not to call me anymore or that I would call an attorney. Hopefully they won't call me anymore.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed July 20, 2014

    My 17-year-old daughter gets a call saying that she was referred to them and they would like to interview her to get to know her and discuss the possibility of getting some local modeling opportunities and want to set a date for said interview. Since I wasn't with her at the time, she texted me about the call. I told her to specifically ask if this was an open call, if this was to offer the sale of classes or if this was indeed an interview. She did, and they guaranteed her it was an interview and that it would take her about an hour of her day. This was important because she has a part time job that she does in the weekends. So we set an appointment.

    Imagine my surprise when after driving across town for said "interview" we walk into a room with about 200 chairs and a big projector screen and tens of young ladies of different ages. Then comes the introductions. Funny how nobody has a last name-- not even the director of new faces division-- NOBODY provides a last name. This is followed by the video of all the success stories. I have to say they didn't have that many for a 75 year old institution that is the "largest modeling school and agency in the world". I mean, the video kept repeating the same faces mostly from either ANTM, or a few WB, Disney channel or Nick shows.

    About 2 hours after the starting time of the "interview" she gets called for the actual "interview". It lasted about 5 minutes: "great figure", "smart girl", "you have lots of potential", " I love your personality", "I will call you tomorrow", "are your parents ready to support you in this financially?" BYE-BYE. In the meantime and during the presentation I noticed a few things: the last name thing being one of them. Another, how they say they have one of the strongest and busiest locations in our city and yet they don't have a "location" here. Not an office, a school, a physical address, a local phone number, nothing.

    Needless to say my daughter is super excited about the possibilities. I don't want to kill her joy so I promise her we will do our best to help her in this. When I get home I start doing a little research. I start with their own website. I click on the locations tab and select our state and fifteen (15!) locations pop up. NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THEM WITH DIRECTOR's or MANAGER'S NAME, A PHYSICAL ADDRESS OR A LOCAL PH NUMBER WITH IT! They all share the same 800 number and an email address. I decide to check Florida since they're based out of FL, and the same thing, except for one address. Not only that but I found a disclaimer that says something along the lines of "this is not for the purpose of gainful employment but for the enjoyment of the participant". Really? Because your main selling point was how you're going to help them earn money locally that they can use to help pay for their studies and anything else while still being in school!!! So how does this work?

    Keep digging around the net and come across multiple consumer sites (including this one) and have only found ONE positive review after reading literally hundreds of them. The general gist of them confirming what I was afraid of: This is a money-grabbing predatory business that takes advantage of the dreams of young ladies and desire of their parents to support said dreams. The worst part of this was having to tell my daughter about what I had found. Thankfully, her reaction being the smart girl that she is was, "Forget it then mom. I don't want to waste my time and your money on a racket. I'm not stupid." I'm proud of her but the disappointment in her eyes couldn't be hidden. That's heartbreaking. We will look for a legitimate avenue so she can explore her possibilities in this field but it will not be through Barbizon.

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    Sales & MarketingStaff

    Reviewed July 12, 2014

    Same complaints as all the other parents. We spent 2 hours listening to a sales pitch and 3 minutes for them to evaluate the girls. They accepted my daughter on the spot after only asking one question. They are preying on a young girl's dream. Keep your money.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Wayne, We are sorry that the audition was not what you expected and that your daughter was unable to see or experience the benefits of the Barbizon program. Our goal is never to prey on anyone’s dreams, but to help provide our students with the training, tools and opportunities to be successful in the modeling and acting industries. Additionally, with personal development as a key focus of our program, we strive to build our students up to be successful in any career field they choose to pursue. The audition process length of time varies however it is full of information to help potential students and their parents make an educated decision about entering our program and as a result can sometimes take a while. We hope that if your daughter is ever able to experience the Barbizon modeling and acting program beyond the audition process, we will have changed your opinion of our company. We are available should you have any additional questions or concerns about Barbizon. - Barbizon Customer Service Team

    No response received
    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed July 10, 2014

    Yes, it started the usual way-- being scouted in a store by someone from Barbizon. I was happy for my daughter and we do want to help them with their dreams. It was Father's Day when we were to go listen to their verbiage. We were happy to get phone call being pulled in hook, line and almost sinker. I took her to one class but did not like the fact that it felt and looked to be unprofessional, meaning no decor in very small room, four older girls including my daughter were put in the younger class. We were, all four girls, lied to about free parking in Seattle, bring favorite outfits for doing photo shoot (on the first day and that was exciting) and would not answer phone when en route (trying three #s). Well after the first class and researching, I decides to cancel.

    This is when their attitude changed for they just wanted my money, for they took money again after said would not, and was very rude on phone. They said I needed to put it in writing and would not tell me the address to send letter to. I went to my bank to resolve the issue for did not want this school to take more money out to my account. The lady at bank was very helpful and resolved my issue even though Barbizon was rude to her and would not give her an address to send letter to cancel.

    If approached by Barbizon officials, RUN FAR FAR AWAY FOR THEY JUST WANT YOUR MONEY AND ARE VERY RUDE IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE A PART OF THEIR PLAN. Their verbiage is the same and have been on DATELINE for they did an undercover op on them. It's not about being anything, just money. I did not sink, only 300$, and all because I did research. Thank you for taking time to write these reviews.

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    Reviewed June 13, 2014

    Just like any other girl, I had dreams of being a model so when I google searched agencies I saw Barbizon and decided to fill up an online form. About a month later they called me and told me they were holding auditions at Radisson hotel. I was approached by one of the scouts named Marissa, she told me all about Barbizon. She said she saw a lot of potential in me, and that I would make my money back in no time, that they pretty much guaranteed jobs, etc and that I would be able to work internationally. I ended up paying $1500, I seriously thought I would make my money back. It's been 8 months and I haven't made back a penny. I found out legit agencies don't ask for money upfront. Right now I'm trying to get my money back from them.

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    Customer ServiceSales & MarketingStaff

    Reviewed June 6, 2014

    Funny how when I searched Barbizon up, the ad that was right above it was for a lawyer which is convenient seeing as you will need a lawyer after getting out the thieves running Barbizon. Do not go here. Keep your money. Don't waste your time. They are thieves. They tell you that your daughter/Son will be on tv, will get recognized. No, they feed you ** just to steal your money. They stole over $500 from my dad. After we left we realized this was a scam; they are thieves. I call the so call president of this Barbizon of Hollywood, his name is Jason I believe.

    The moment I told him that I wanted to cancel and I need my refund, he starts yelling at me telling me that I wasted a professionals time. Yeah a professional at stealing money. He kept yelling and yelling also cursing. I couldn't believe it. He finished off with "enjoy your refund and don't ever come back" then hanged up on me. Of course no one will ever come back. Stay away. They never refunded my dad his money. I called everyday and they'd tell me the same line every time "the refunding department is on lunch, call back in 2 hours" I called all day. This is a scam. They are thieves. They will not refund a dime. Stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away!

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    Sales & Marketing

    Reviewed May 3, 2014

    Don't go to Barbizon at all!! They are a scam. My mom took me and my cousin to them and they bugged my mom about putting us in there!! They were like, "OMG, they are really pretty. They are gonna be models," and stuff. My mom paid for it and it was 3,000 dollars, well 6,000 because of my cousin. And they said they would call us when the stage was set up for them to try out. Well we left because it took way too long. And it turns out that they didn't even do it!!!! Please don't go to Barbizon!!!!

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Raven, We attempted to search our system for your records and were unable to locate your account. Can you please send us a private message to let us know which location you attended so that we can better assist in resolving this for you? - Barbizon Customer Service Team

    Factual basis uncertain
    Sales & MarketingStaff

    Reviewed May 2, 2014

    When I took my daughter to Barbizon everyone was so sweet and kind and couldn't stop calling. I paid entire fee in one shot. She finally finished and then I find out she had no photo shoot, no graduation and when I spoke to Ms. Aaisha, she had nerve to lower my voice or she won't help and if I would've taken time to speak to my daughter, I would know what was happening. My daughter was never informed and I am up to date with everything. When I asked her not to speak to me that way, she told me, "What, is this gonna be an issue?" I think if I paid 3,000 dollars I should have been treated with respect as saying goes - the customer is always right. Now my daughter isn't getting a graduation and I lost all that money. Please do not get fooled by their kindness at the beginning because it's all a scam.

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    Customer ServiceSales & Marketing

    Reviewed April 23, 2014

    Barbizon is a SCAM!!!!! A joke organization!!!!! It is a complete lie!!!!! I paid ** 2500 dollars and learned nothing! Don't go to the interview when they call you! They are all about making money! You are not going to be ** famous or find any contact via Barbizon! I almost want to sue them at one point, but it's not worth it for 2500 bucks! But it's still my money! The school is a ** scam, and don't trust whatever they say!

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Elizabeth, We attempted to search our system for your records and were unable to locate your account. Can you please send us a private message to let us know which location you attended so that we can better assist in resolving this for you? - Barbizon Customer Service Team

    Factual basis uncertain
    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed April 15, 2014

    A lady from Barbizon just called and asked me if my 16 year old daughter was available this Sunday for an interview. I knew exactly how this modeling school works, and my daughter is already representing a talent agency so I told the lady that we were not interested. Before I finished my sentence, I heard "WOOOOOOOOW, so you are not gonna suppooooooooort her." She even hung up on me while I was still talking. How unprofessional! We even don't know how they got my daughter's name and contact number. My daughter even didn't know who they were, and I've never given them our info. They might be a famous modeling school but, as a parent, I don't want anyone rude like this lady near my child. Why would you want to spend tons of money on this rude modeling school?

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Naomi, We are very sorry for the poor communication provided by one of our employees. We strive to provide exceptional customer service in every interaction with our company and this is not exemplary of that. Thank you for sharing your concern. We will address this issue internally and will reach out to you privately to resolve this for you. - Barbizon Customer Service Team

    No response received

    Reviewed April 7, 2014

    I also joined this modeling center for my kid modeling career. But I was disappointed because I have not got the results that mentioned. I don't know if it's my fault but my reviews according to my thinking.

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    Barbizon
    Response from Barbizon

    Hi Sarah,

    We are sorry we were not able to get back you sooner. Did you enroll in the placement division, it is a no cost program offered to our alumni that will alert you of castings that would suit your skill set. We would be happy to enroll you in the placement division and help to find opportunities for you. Please send us a private message with your updated contact info and we will have some one reach out to you from the placement division. - Barbizon Customer Service Team

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    Barbizon Company Information

    Company Name:
    Barbizon
    Year Founded:
    1939
    Address:
    3707 W. Cherry Street
    City:
    Tampa Bay
    State/Province:
    FL
    Postal Code:
    33607
    Country:
    United States
    Website:
    barbizon.com