My recent experience at "ToS."

Colin Campbell

Got an AUTOMATIC deduction from my PayPal account for "ToS." Wasn't expecting it. Called to tell them I wasn't intending to renew. I got attitude! I didn't read the fine print! I was made to feel like it was all my fault and I was an idiot who didn't understand their terms. Very insulting. I am very dissapointed in them. I did finally get a refund and I have to tell you, it didn't do ANYTHING to make me want to pony up for another year "over there." Just a little "consumer report" about that other site.

Keith D. Milby · **Voice Talent** Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 570

I was almost surprised then I realized they were Canadians.

Before anyone says anything, I apologize to all Canadians who took offense.

But still we are talking about Canadians. They are socialist and believe in full redistribution of wealth. Sorry Colin, can't you just understand why they felt insulted when you wanted your money back.

Darn it, again, I apologize.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007, 03:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Well, I don't want to make political judgements but just as a company they were rude. Carol in "customer service" was so uninterested in my issue and tried to put it all off on me that I am such a dumbass for not knowing that I would be automaticallcy charged. Pissed me off. Normally in that situation a company representitive would try to extol the virtues of why I should renew instead of trying to badger me into accepting a debit I feel I did not authorize. After all, after a year of a thousand auditions and only one job, they should be a little more customer oriented. I don't have enough money to just overlook a $99 charge. Smug, self important $%*holes!

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

Keith, Keith, Keith....
We are not socialists. Canadians are not socialists.
We're social. We're sociable.
But we are not socialist.
We have Medicare...cradle-to-grave medical care for everyone; regardless of income, status, creed, or religion. We sit in waiting rooms for 5 to 10 hours to get it, but it's there.
That's it. That is the degree of our nefarious socialist tendencies.
The UK has the same.
You don't call them socialist.
Our soldiers are dying in Afghanistan rather than Iraq.
We talk funny.
But those are the only three big differences between us.

And that other place is not a very friendly place. They have some real nice VO options and bells and whistles. But in 18 months, I've had zero jobs from their audition process. Zero.
I am happily paranoid in my conviction that they support an inner circle of talents who get first crack...
Zero in 18 months is impossible for their 30th-ranked talent.

Voice123 On!

TJ Maxwell · **Voice Talent** Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Posts: 31

This is just one more example of how incredibly Valuable this forum is. Just yesterday I came this close....THIS CLOSE () to pushing the button and joining TOS. After reading your post Colin, all I can say is "Whew, am I glad I resisted the urge"! Thank you Colin for telling us about your experience.

Keith D. Milby · **Voice Talent** Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 570

Robert,

I have to say that you are Canada's saving grace. They should probably build a living memorial to you and for all that you do for Canada. Also, to be honest all I know about Canada comes from South Park and from what I hear the show is rather accurate. Like Canadians have those floppy heads when they speak, that is so funny. I really have to visit Canada one day just to see that.

Any-who, thanks for the stats on TOS Robert and Colin thanks for the word on customer service front. I was considering doing to monthly 29.95 thing but will hold off for the time being.

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

Come on up, Keith....my home is your home.

Or wait until I put the finishing touches on my first million and fly all VoiceOverSavvy'ers to Montreal for, let's say...... V.O.I.C.E 2024.
No, wait.
Todd's countdown indicates I'll be missing that one too.

Back to Plan A.

Voice On!

Joe J Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1521

Colin: That is kinda disturbing. Doesn't sound friendly at all...

I joined ToS last week, so I'm reserving my opinion until I have a bit more experience.

Robert: Number 30, and no work? How's the ranking done? And I thought you said you were a "Comedian" (I'll never look at you the same Laughing

)

I'll be sure to keep y'all posted as I test the waters,
Joe "Oh! Canada" Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

Philip Banks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 404

The business model here and at TOS is to extract money from voice over people or people who claim to be voice overs or wannabee voice overs. Shold people who pay $195 or $100 get a flow of work or more than their money back then they will pay for another year, if they get nothing then they'll probably vote with their cash.

No one has signed on here or there for customer service, tech support or a set of monogrammed pantie liners, they have signed-on to get work, regular work and that work should pay a reasonable amount.

The following are the things over which neither site has any control -
The regularity of work
The supply of work
The fees payable for any work.

Sadly, the very things most expect from sites like this are the very things over which the site owners have no influence.

Kathleen Keesling · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 746

Joe J Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1521

Excellent points Philip.

However, I will say that I've never had any problems with V123 staff. They have always been helpful, and in some cases went the extra mile to ensure that I was satisfied.

So, for me, customer service is a part of the picture. Granted, if I'm making mega $$$, I will put up with bad service. But good service will keep me around if I'm not making mega $$$. The latter seems to be a more realistic scenario for VA's using these types of sites...

my 2 cents,
Joe

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007, 15:50 (GMT) Post subject:

Todd Ellis · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007, 16:01 (GMT) Post subject:

Anthony Williams · **Voice Talent** Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 663

Wow Colin,

I was going to join today actually! hmmmmmmm Confused

. Let me think about it some more

John Bigl · **Voice Talent** Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Posts: 905

watch it, Keith, i'll come over over there and smack you one w/ my toque and cuss you out in french...
other than that,
Be Well
Very Happy

http://cwd.ptbcanadian.com/