If I could give Red Agency no stars, I would…read more
Prior to reading: after my issues started with Mr. Barth I did my research on his agency. There are numerous complaints on Facebook, Google, Yelp, Ripoff Report, and the Better Business Bureau of Mr. Barth NOT PAYING MODELS. It is known per the modeling community that he has been doing this for YEARS! I am one of four models from this show that had this issue.
For anyone considering working with John Barth and Red Agency, do not do it. If you responded to a casting call via their Facebook page, find another agency to work with or go as an independent. Stay as far away from Red Agency as possible, your bank account will thank you for it.
At the end of June 2018, beginning of July, I responded to a Facebook casting call recruiting models for the JPMS - The Gathering hair show at the Aria Resort & Casino. During the initial casting process, Mr. Barth was responsive in communicating with me via email about the casting date and requirements. Once I was booked for the hair show, Mr. Barth was also responsive in sending me his agency contract and additional documentation for completion. As this documentation was very important - this is how we get paid, I completed the documentation almost immediately and returned for processing.
THIS IS WHERE HIS RESPONSIVENESS STOPPED.
Once Mr. Barth received my completed documentation and submitted my to the client for payment, I stopped receiving any communication from him. STOPPED.
After I did not receive my paycheck in the time frame Mr. Barth initially gave me, I started emailing him regarding status. He ignored my first email. When I emailed him again nearly a week later August 29th (Labor Day weekend), he finally responded and said that payment was finally received from the client (August 24th) and that he would have my check sent out immediately so I didn't have to wait until the September 1st payroll run as checks were cut on the 1st and 15th of every month.
Guess what - the "check" that he said was being cut the week of Labor Day weekend never came. I emailed Mr. Barth on September 6th and 7th regarding the check and status, and still DID NOT RECEIVE an email response back.
On September 12th, after much frustration, I called and left two voicemails, one for Mr. Barth and one for his accounting department regarding my "check" which was to have been sent. I also emailed Mr. Barth regarding payment from my primary email account and much to my surprise, the email bounced back as un-deliverable. I then sent Mr. Barth the exact same email from a secondary account I have I demanded that I receive a call or email from him immediately regarding my "check". Mr. Barth finally responded and this time said: HE DID NOT GET PAID BY THE CLIENT until August 31st and that now: PAYROLL WAS NOT GENERATED until the 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month and that NOW, my "check" was cut on September 7th and I should have it shortly.
The only reason I received a response - because I threatened Mr. Barth with legal action and the fact that I would contact his client regarding our pay being delayed. Mr. Barth said to go ahead and contact his client as he had already told them he was tired of being blamed for the fact that his models were being paid late.
I called his bluff and emailed his client. I provided a copy of all email correspondence with Mr. Barth to his client for review. This client (Paul Mitchell), is a multi-million dollar international company. Per an email I received from their show director, Red Agency was paid on August 17th and cashed their check on August 22nd - not August 24th and August 31st as Mr. Barth claimed.
As soon as I received the email from Paul Mitchell, I sent Mr. Barth an email with a CC to their show director regarding their payment to Red Agency. Mr. Barth did not respond to this email.
He finally responded a few days later after I sent him ANOTHER FOLLOW UP email regarding check status threatening legal actions and ETC. My "check" finally arrived on September 15th - a Saturday.
INTERESTING FACT: per Mr. Barth the "check" was cut on the 7th and sent out immediately. Well, he was correct in one aspect - the "check" was cut on the 7th however, it was not mailed out (within Las Vegas) until September 14th - a week after the check was cut and two days after I told him I was threatening legal action / contacted his client.
While I did not seek legal counsel, I have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, Secretary of State, Attorney Generals Office, Clark County business licensing bureau, etc.
Ladies and Gentlemen - save yourself the headache and your bank account the drama, STAY AWAY FROM JOHN BARTH and RED AGENCY.
If you want proof, contact me on Yelp, and I will send you copies of my email correspondence, screenshots, etc.
