Beatrice S.
Massive headache!
1) I didn't just do makeup, i also bought costumes and props, rented a car, drove 5 hours to Virginia, paid my assistants... out of my pocket.. Characters for Hire has not paid nor reimbursed me as they said they would, and its been over a month since the event. After constantly being told ill get paid in 2 days, the next day, in a few days, they eventually stopped responding (or responded days later after promising payment) so I posted an honest review about my experience. They mesaged me, threatening me saying if I dont take my review down within 24 hours they will take legal action. (Saying things like "you are making things worse for yourself" and "just trying to protect you"). They said its going to add me to the "end of the list", delaying payment for another 6 months - which i kinda expected to be battling for payment months later, since its happened multiple times.(despite their promises about faster payment... seems they promise alot but don't live up to their words). And as I get feedback from others who have worked for their events, they still haven't gotten paid either, being told they will get paid by the holidays. Thats months after the event, and I'm sure they will postpone again. Its an excuse I'm familiar with, cause last year I've worked several events with them, they kept promising payment "you'll get paid tomorrow" "you'll get paid by this week" "your check was sent out" "your check wasn't sent out, its sitting in the office".... 7-8 months later I've finally gotten paid after harassing them about it. (Which they missed an invoice here and there, had I not been on top of it). 2) THIS COMPANY REQUIRES YOU TO WRITE A POSITIVE REVIEW IN ORDER TO GET PAID, and threatening people who write negative reviews to take it down claiming them as "fake". They bully people into write reviews. I see their workers writing positive reviews pretending to be customers. (A quick Google search shows a bunch of complaints about how this company doesn't pay). 3) They are a VERY SHADY company - a term used by multiple people who are associated with them. 4) on their last event I worked, They didn't want to hire a covid compliance officer. I recommended one to them, and they didn't hire them, but I honestly don't care who they hire.If their website advertises that they are covid safe, and taking necessary measures, then shouldn't they be on top of that? There were no sanitization stations, people were not social distancing, and when one of the curators came by towards the end of the event, he didn't even have enough masks for the actors. "You're just upset because we didn't hire your friend" they said. No, sir, I dont care who you hire. I'm upset because I CAUGHT COVID in that event, I was perhaps one of three people in that crowded event that wore a mask the entire time. Now I am quarantining and I've lost alot of work. And will continue losing work cause tests can show up positive for 3 months. OUR HEALTH WAS PUT AT RISK SO THEY CAN MAKE MONEY. 5) they communicate through text only, so they can dodge you and delay getting back to you.ive attempted calling them multiple times only to be transferred to voice-mail. I've watched them dodging actors phone calls as they leave them stranded to figure out their own transportation. Just like they dodge actors phones calls, I now see how they dodge mine.. its just so unprofessional. This one time I actually reached a human, I explained my situation and the poor kid didn't even know how to handle it, his response was "I'm sorry.... I just work here, I can't help you, try hanging up and calling back", which I did and they dont pick up, they purposely do not pick up your phone calls. When you are helping their event they are SUPER responsive. When the event is over and its time to get paid, thats when they start responding slower, constantly delaying payment, and before you know it, weeks, months pass by. Excuse after excuse. Lies after lies. They truly know how to make you feel like you're number 5,689th in line, and they gaslight you into thinking you're in the wrong. I've worked for them on several occasions, which turned out to be VERY unorganized... and after the events its an EXHAUSTING BATTLE to get paid every time. Its extremely unprofessional how they handle business. They came back saying they have hired more help, and have a better system and the problems won't happen again..... but its still happening! So many lies after lies. the events are usually very fun because of the people you work with, but a massive headache after the event!
Response from Characters for Hire ℠Nov 25, 2020
Company response (Characters for Hire, LLC) For anyone reading the accusations posted here about Characters for Hire ℠ and about me personally, I feel compelled to respond. I am the owner of Characters for Hire ℠. A number of the comments being circulated online about my company and about me are false and defamatory, have been made with reckless disregard for the truth, and are the subject of an active lawsuit in the Connecticut Superior Court, Judicial District of Fairfield: DOCKET NO. FBT-CV25-5059385-S) Because this is an active litigation, I will address the details and prove the falsity of these accusations in court, not in an online comment thread. Characters for Hire ℠ has been in business for nearly twenty years, has served thousands of clients nationwide, and continues to pay performers and vendors in accordance with its stated terms and policies. Readers should understand that unverified online accusations are not established facts, and that repeating false and defamatory statements can carry legal consequences. If you have genuine questions about a specific event or our business practices, you are welcome to contact us, and we can respond based on actual records and documentation.