Platinum Television Group-New Home Journal ripped off by company that produces New Home Journal which airs on HGTV ripped off and scammed Deerfield Florida

The Cost of Spot Production
Response Magazine - April 2007 Issue

The approximate costs of a 60-second spot compared to 2006's numbers. The figures are based on interviews with the spot producers working from budget to high-end shows. (Note: every show is different, and the producers range in scope from low-budget firms to the high-end companies that work primarily with brand marketers)

2006 & 2007 comparisons
Low-End - High-End Low-End - High-End
Script Consulting $2,600 - $5,750 $2,600 - $5,750
Script $1,600 - $8,250 $1,600 - $10,000
Music/Audio $1,250 - $6,250 $1,250 - $10,000
Crew/Equipment $5,200 - $31,250 $5,200 - $40,000
Location/Studio $1,600 - $5,600 $1,600 - $15,600
Art Direction/Stylist $2,100 - $7,300 $2,100 - $10,000
Props $1,250 - $6,800 $1,250 - $6,800
Editing $4,200 - $21,000 $4,200 - $21,000
Catering $850 - $2,850 $850 - $2,850
Director $2,600 - $12,500 $2,600 - $15,000
Animation/Graphics $2,100 - $20,800 $2,100 - $20,800
Make-up (10-35%) $2,660 - $49,516 $2,660 - $49,516
Total $29,260 - $190,991 $29,260 - $210,441

I haven't seen anyone say that they gave money and did not get what was agreed to.... Sounds like a great deal compared to the numbers published by Response Magazine - April 2007 issue.

I have read almost all of these stories and it really makes me kind sick to my stomach. I worked for Doug Scott at one point not to long ago and he is honeslty a scam all the way. Yes they do have some happy customers I'm sure but there are a lot that get screwed but only becuase you made a very bad business choice. I'm not going to say to much for which I don't want anyone over there to know who I am but you all made a very stupid choice in trusting someoen over the phone with 18,000 dollars. You only have once person to blame and that is you. But on the other hand he is in no way right either so that is why I'm supplying you with his Cell phone number and his personal email address.

Doug Scott (954) 263-0669

dscott@platinumtelevision.com

If you need more information just ask I'll be glad to fill you in.

Best Wishes
XMan

Now more than ever, it is critical for people to see and witness the ways in which scam artists operate so that they can recognize if and when they become the targets of such traps. Just recently, I had the opportunity to observe scammers in action. By entering a search in Google Video for New Line Media or Platinum Television Group, you will see exactly what I mean.

This will hopefully make you aware of some of the strategies and tactics that scammers use to lure people into their traps.

Notice how confused the scammer becomes when he is confronted with questions that he is obviously unprepared for.

He keeps repeating the same answers over and over again, as if he was reading them
directly off of a script.

I was contacted by a nice sounding "scout". She said an important TV producer would be calling to discuss a television interview and set a scheduled time. My Patric Holiday (see notes below called at the specific time, sharp.

New Home Journal
954 570 5558 x271
Patrick Holiday

He showed a real interested in our company and products and was very slick. I have been interviewed by the Wall Street Journal and other news media, so it did not surprise me. The converation lasted 30 minutes, I felt comfortable with his business, then he hit me with the $19,000+ licensing fee. Hmmmm, could have got that out in the open in the beginning, don't you think?

I have received cold calls before, but I thought this was ligit because of the call from the scout.

He started the hard sell after I said "no thanks", and that our competitors were standing in line to do a show (ya, right).

Thank you to RIPOFFREPORT.COM and all the good citizens who send in their reports.

You've saved us a lot of headaches, and $28,700.00 to boot.

We were contacted by Platinum Television, telling us that they were creating an investing show for CNBC, and that they were searching for suitable brokerage firms to highlight in the show.

We were contacted via cold-call by someone from Platinum Television supposedly named 'Tom', asking for $28,700.00 for a national spot on CNBC.

My business partner, being the trusting person that he is, almost fell for it. I watch CNBC all the time, and I've never seen any Platinum Television spots, so I did some digging. We'll not be considering Platinum Television for any advertising.

Being very active in the antispam community, I've learned how to track down information online...

==========

There are also 42 other domains on the same server that is houseing PlatinumTelevision.com ...whether PlatinumTelevision.com's owners are associated with those domains, I haven't researched, but I'd think it would turn up some interesting information for anyone who did the WHOIS searches on all of them and cross-correlated telephone numbers and addresses.

http://whois.webhosting.info/69.57.130.47

==========

I also find it interesting that the telephone number listed in PlatinumTelevision.com's WHOIS also points to:

INTERNATIONAL APPRAISAL GROUP
1000 E HILLSBORO BLVD
DEERFIELD BEACH, FL 33441

http://www.yellowpagesofsouthflorida.com/category/real_estate.htm

I also find it interesting that they munge their fax number in their WHOIS.

Administrative Contact:
Platinum Television
dscott [at]_ platinumtelevision.com
1000 E. Hillsboro Blvd, Suite 105
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
US
954-570-5558 fax: 123 123 1234

==========

They've also got no abuse@ email address registered with abuse.net.

whois -h whois.abuse.net platinumtelevision.com ...
postmaster@platinumtelevision.com (default, no info)

So, I'm sure RFC-IGNORANT will be interested in that.

==========

Additional information for your perusal:

Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations:
http://www.sunbiz.org/scripts/cordet.exe?a1=DETFIL&n1=P98000055535&n2=NAMFWD&n3=0000&n4=N&r1=&r2=&r3=&r4=PLATINUMTELEVISION&r5=

Platinum Television has twice undergone administrative dissolution by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations:
http://www.sunbiz.org/scripts/corevt.exe?a1=DETEVE&n1=P98000055535&n2=DOMP

Information on International Appraisal Group from Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations:
http://www.sunbiz.org/scripts/cordet.exe?a1=DETFIL&n1=P02000064786&n2=NAMFWD&n3=0000&n4=N&r1=&r2=&r3=&r4=INTERNATIONALAPPRAISALGROUP&r5=

Onwed by:
ALAN H. ROSENTHAL, C.P.A., P.A.
3300 UNIVERSITY DR, STE 305
CORAL SPRINGS FL 33065

International Appraisal Group has also undergone an administrative dissolution by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations:
http://www.sunbiz.org/scripts/corevt.exe?a1=DETEVE&n1=P02000064786&n2=DOMP

==========

In January of 2005, I was contacted by this company as well. Chuck Reich contacted me initially, and then Senior Producer Walter Burton.

A couple of things made me suspicious. One was their interest in trying to have me sign quickly. Two was the lack of real substance to their contract, which didn't seem to oblige them to do anything.

I did ask them to send me references and I contacted four as I recall.

Since I didn't sign, others who have more experience going down the road with them may have more insight. I defer to them.

If they are a rip-off operation, its sad that people choose to live their life that way.

In January of 2005, I was contacted by this company as well. Chuck Reich contacted me initially, and then Senior Producer Walter Burton.

A couple of things made me suspicious. One was their interest in trying to have me sign quickly. Two was the lack of real substance to their contract, which didn't seem to oblige them to do anything.

I did ask them to send me references and I contacted four as I recall.

Since I didn't sign, others who have more experience going down the road with them may have more insight. I defer to them.

If they are a rip-off operation, its sad that people choose to live their life that way.

In January of 2005, I was contacted by this company as well. Chuck Reich contacted me initially, and then Senior Producer Walter Burton.

A couple of things made me suspicious. One was their interest in trying to have me sign quickly. Two was the lack of real substance to their contract, which didn't seem to oblige them to do anything.

I did ask them to send me references and I contacted four as I recall.

Since I didn't sign, others who have more experience going down the road with them may have more insight. I defer to them.

If they are a rip-off operation, its sad that people choose to live their life that way.

Tom in Los Angeles,

Can you tell us what the name of your show was and what type of return you received?

We are currently airing a segment with Platinum TV, So far we have had some red flags with this company. They promised alot and so far have not delivered. The segment is currently airing.The promise was airings over 50 times on Pax, ABC Family, Style,E and O during 6am to 8pm. The problem is that no National Network airing times are available during the time that Walter Burton promised. The reality is, that they will only air the segment twice on the National Networks and the rest of the airing times on Pax or small local cable news stations. We settled for a 5:30am airing on Oxygen. The time quoted was not in our central time zone so it was actually 4:30 am for our target market. We woke up at 4:30am to see the segment and to my embarrassment it did not air. Something about a "cover up" that O allows Comcast and Direct TV to sell their own paid programing over the Network's. Chicagoland's cable provider is Comcast. We asked Platinum what National Networks from the list they promised can air the segment without coverups at a reasonable time and have gotten no response since 2/7. We called other companies who worked with Platinum. One company said that they really don't know if it ever aired because it was never available in their market.

They have you list the magazines you think would best reach your target market. Before you pay, they drop the names of a couple they can work with. Now as the show has already begun to air they do not have relationships with any of the magazines and so far have run an ad with only my logo in a small city, wine tasting magazine. I have requested the name and a copy of the magazine. No press releases or any other media support have gone out thus far. If we get two of the National airings at a resonable time at least I won't be devastated. I am still waiting for a copy of the final edited segment to be sent in the mail. If I want a DVD it is an additional $700. When we brought up our concern about the first out of two national airings, their response was that the take great offense to the notion that we have concern of being "taken". We are becoming increasingly concerned. ($20,000 is alot of money to us).

We will post our progress on this site.

Thank you,

Tom in Los Angeles,

Can you tell us what the name of your show was and what type of return you received?

We are currently airing a segment with Platinum TV, So far we have had some red flags with this company. They promised alot and so far have not delivered. The segment is currently airing.The promise was airings over 50 times on Pax, ABC Family, Style,E and O during 6am to 8pm. The problem is that no National Network airing times are available during the time that Walter Burton promised. The reality is, that they will only air the segment twice on the National Networks and the rest of the airing times on Pax or small local cable news stations. We settled for a 5:30am airing on Oxygen. The time quoted was not in our central time zone so it was actually 4:30 am for our target market. We woke up at 4:30am to see the segment and to my embarrassment it did not air. Something about a "cover up" that O allows Comcast and Direct TV to sell their own paid programing over the Network's. Chicagoland's cable provider is Comcast. We asked Platinum what National Networks from the list they promised can air the segment without coverups at a reasonable time and have gotten no response since 2/7. We called other companies who worked with Platinum. One company said that they really don't know if it ever aired because it was never available in their market.

They have you list the magazines you think would best reach your target market. Before you pay, they drop the names of a couple they can work with. Now as the show has already begun to air they do not have relationships with any of the magazines and so far have run an ad with only my logo in a small city, wine tasting magazine. I have requested the name and a copy of the magazine. No press releases or any other media support have gone out thus far. If we get two of the National airings at a resonable time at least I won't be devastated. I am still waiting for a copy of the final edited segment to be sent in the mail. If I want a DVD it is an additional $700. When we brought up our concern about the first out of two national airings, their response was that the take great offense to the notion that we have concern of being "taken". We are becoming increasingly concerned. ($20,000 is alot of money to us).

We will post our progress on this site.

Thank you,

Tom in Los Angeles,

Can you tell us what the name of your show was and what type of return you received?

We are currently airing a segment with Platinum TV, So far we have had some red flags with this company. They promised alot and so far have not delivered. The segment is currently airing.The promise was airings over 50 times on Pax, ABC Family, Style,E and O during 6am to 8pm. The problem is that no National Network airing times are available during the time that Walter Burton promised. The reality is, that they will only air the segment twice on the National Networks and the rest of the airing times on Pax or small local cable news stations. We settled for a 5:30am airing on Oxygen. The time quoted was not in our central time zone so it was actually 4:30 am for our target market. We woke up at 4:30am to see the segment and to my embarrassment it did not air. Something about a "cover up" that O allows Comcast and Direct TV to sell their own paid programing over the Network's. Chicagoland's cable provider is Comcast. We asked Platinum what National Networks from the list they promised can air the segment without coverups at a reasonable time and have gotten no response since 2/7. We called other companies who worked with Platinum. One company said that they really don't know if it ever aired because it was never available in their market.

They have you list the magazines you think would best reach your target market. Before you pay, they drop the names of a couple they can work with. Now as the show has already begun to air they do not have relationships with any of the magazines and so far have run an ad with only my logo in a small city, wine tasting magazine. I have requested the name and a copy of the magazine. No press releases or any other media support have gone out thus far. If we get two of the National airings at a resonable time at least I won't be devastated. I am still waiting for a copy of the final edited segment to be sent in the mail. If I want a DVD it is an additional $700. When we brought up our concern about the first out of two national airings, their response was that the take great offense to the notion that we have concern of being "taken". We are becoming increasingly concerned. ($20,000 is alot of money to us).

We will post our progress on this site.

Thank you,

Tom in Los Angeles,

Can you tell us what the name of your show was and what type of return you received?

We are currently airing a segment with Platinum TV, So far we have had some red flags with this company. They promised alot and so far have not delivered. The segment is currently airing.The promise was airings over 50 times on Pax, ABC Family, Style,E and O during 6am to 8pm. The problem is that no National Network airing times are available during the time that Walter Burton promised. The reality is, that they will only air the segment twice on the National Networks and the rest of the airing times on Pax or small local cable news stations. We settled for a 5:30am airing on Oxygen. The time quoted was not in our central time zone so it was actually 4:30 am for our target market. We woke up at 4:30am to see the segment and to my embarrassment it did not air. Something about a "cover up" that O allows Comcast and Direct TV to sell their own paid programing over the Network's. Chicagoland's cable provider is Comcast. We asked Platinum what National Networks from the list they promised can air the segment without coverups at a reasonable time and have gotten no response since 2/7. We called other companies who worked with Platinum. One company said that they really don't know if it ever aired because it was never available in their market.

They have you list the magazines you think would best reach your target market. Before you pay, they drop the names of a couple they can work with. Now as the show has already begun to air they do not have relationships with any of the magazines and so far have run an ad with only my logo in a small city, wine tasting magazine. I have requested the name and a copy of the magazine. No press releases or any other media support have gone out thus far. If we get two of the National airings at a resonable time at least I won't be devastated. I am still waiting for a copy of the final edited segment to be sent in the mail. If I want a DVD it is an additional $700. When we brought up our concern about the first out of two national airings, their response was that the take great offense to the notion that we have concern of being "taken". We are becoming increasingly concerned. ($20,000 is alot of money to us).

We will post our progress on this site.

Thank you,

Not only was our piece outstanding from platinum, but I must tell you that I have been contacted by other production companies that proposed equally sufficient marketing ventures, once I checked them out...........they were totally fraud......especially one called tricom pictures.

Platinum is the bomb!!!!!!!The magazine ad was incredible and they had me review the spot before it even aired!! A special thanks to the production folks for making our show an incredible success!
James Fontain

Less than 24 hours after my post here I received a telephone call from Doug Scott of Platinum Television Group (PTG). Upon accepting the call I anticipated the worst - an endless battle where we demand a refund and they refuse. Instead and much to my surprise, Doug was sincere and very helpful. The matter was resolved easily and in a very professional yet friendly manner. Our money was refunded, with interest, and we were given several spots to run nationally at no charge. We have already received the refund check, and are anxiously awaiting the time when the spots will air.

In all honesty, and in some ways, since this situation has wrestled in my mind for nearly four years, this doesn't seem like much of a win. But with all things considered I feel it to be a good and fair meeting between our company and PTG.

This posting was not required in our agreement, it is solely and voluntarily published by me to show my appreciation to Doug for working to resolve this situation in such an amicable way. As far as Satellite Service Center, Inc. is concerned, this matter is now resolved (save airing the spots), and we formally and hapilly withdraw our complaint against PTG.

Satellite Service Center, Inc.
Dothan, AL 36303

Today I became aware of a post to this site made by Lisa in regard to a dealing our company had with Platinum Television Group of Deerfield Beach, Florida. I want to commend Lisa for taking the initiative and spending her time to create and then post such a detailed and accurate portrayal of our dealings with this company. I would also like to thank those of you who have taken your time and effort to post your own contributions to this cause.
*****************************

Mr. Burton,

The facts of our case are simple and straightforward. First, your company, Platinum Television Group, initiated contact with our company, Satellite Service Center, via telemarketing in May, 2000. We did not contact you. Second, after much hesitation, hesitation on our part as a result of your company not providing us the preliminary script as we had agreed upon, we reluctantly sent payment for your up-front fee in the amount of $18,700. We did so by cashier's check in July of 2000. This was done as a good-faith gesture in our dealings with you. Your company subsequently deposited this check and you received the funds thereby associated. Lastly, to this day we have received nothing in return from Platinum Television Group and our numerous requests for refund have gone unheeded.

Your excuse in your posting to this site dated 12/11/2003 is that you "spend a lot of time and money producing, airing, and promoting our shows..." My question to you, Mr. Burton, is how did Platinum Television Group incur any expense in regard to our "promotion" when nothing was ever done by your company but the depositing of our check? No producers ever came to see us. Not a second of video was ever shot. There was no pre-production. No post-production. No editing. No promoting. Nothing.

Furthermore, the fact that you could imply that we did not meet the deadline is totally preposterous. Your company failed to send us the preliminary script in a timely manner, which resulted in our withholding of payment until the script was received. Nothing more, nothing less. Plain and simple.

I find it strange the way that we were being contacted by Platinum Television Group on a near daily basis up until the time we sent the payment. We finally were told that everything was fine, that you were sending the preliminary script as we had agreed, and that all you needed was our payment in return to proceed. The moment our money was in your hands suddenly no one was calling us anymore, and no one was available to take our calls. This is just one example of numerous other incidents and occurrences which began to set off a chain of red flags in our dealings with your company. Lisa's post outlines the most flagrant.

I also must say that I found it a little amusing the way you attempted to imply that Lisa's post was likely that of a competitor or disgruntled employee, because in her post she did not mention our company by name. Since the following facts were given, I am curious then Mr. Burton, just how many satellite TV companies in Dothan, Alabama did you contact regarding the airing of a New Home Journal segment on HGTV, collect $18,700 from in July of 2000, and not produce a show for? I can't imagine it could be so many that your only logical conclusion to our post must be that it came from a competitor or disgruntled employee.

At least you now know where the post originated. Not from a fictitious competitor. Not from an angry ex-employee. Neither of these. The post came from a real-life small business that paid to you nearly $19,000 and never received a dime's worth of advertising, promotion, production, or anything else in return. Money, which I might add, that we borrowed from our bank, against our banker's advice, who tried to warn us that many of these types of deals are rip-offs. I only wish now that we had listened to him.

I can't imagine that we are alone and that we are the only company that Platinum Television Group has ever ripped-off in this manner. To those of you who have been approached or maybe ripped-off by Platinum Television Group and would like to speak out about it I invite you to contact me directly at the telephone number or the email address listed below.

Upon finishing this post I will be drafting a complaint detailing our experiences with Platinum Television Group and will forward copies of the complaint to the State Attorney's office in Broward County, Florida, home of Platinum Television Group, and to Florida Attorney General, Charlie Crist, asking each to investigate the conduct and marketing practices of this company. Additionally I will be contacting several television news magazine producers and providing them with complete details thus far as to our dealings and the treatment we have received from Platinum Television Group. With any luck perhaps I can prevent the same misfortune we have experienced from being levied upon any other small business owners.

As I see it I cannot, in good conscience, stand by and do nothing while I see the potential still exists for other companies to fall prey to the same misfortune that we did. I would strongly caution any small business (or big business for that matter) considering doing business with Platinum Television Group to really think twice before doing so. I feel that we were suckered, scammed and ultimately ripped-off to the tune of nearly $19,000 by this company and would be greatly dismayed to see the same happen to anyone else. In all my years in business, doing business with Platinum Television Group was the single worst mistake I ever made.

Satellite Service Center, Inc.
3765 Ross Clark Circle
Dothan, AL 36303
(334) 702-3474

It looks like there is something to the complaint against Platinum Television. I was contacted a week ago about being on their new program, "New Home Journal"...or something like this. I was contacted by Steve Lederman, Creative Director. Long and short is they buy airtime on PAX and ABC Family and run a magazine type program that is little more than an infomercial. But...they still want $19,000 in "licensing fees". I found their info on this site, and thought I'd better research them more thoroughly.

First, you can buy a LOT of advertising on your local cable provider for this kind of money.

Second, the web site they suggest you look at is very flashy, but has very little content and most of it doesn't work very well. They suggested I check the "Sneak Peaks" section...doesn't work.

Next, checked out their schedules...to say that their schedule is primarily "off peak" would be an understatement. Schedules consist largely of the dumping ground area...time slots when nobody watches...so prices are very low!

Fourth, a total stranger just asked me for $19,000...so, like any consumer, I wanted references. None are available at this early stage of the conversation! They will be happy to take this to the next level, but it really doesn't make sense to check references until we know, and they know, that the project is a go! Now, I was born at night...but not last night! If you want my interest in pursuing anything that's going to cost $19,000 and take a considerable effort...show me previous results!

I spend around $8K/month in advertising on TV, radio, mailers and newpaper. I never spend a dime on any ad campaign unless I have high confidence that there will be an acceptable response. Everything Platinum Television gave me was speculative and anecdotal...no substance. My advice...don't fall for this scam. The networks they're supposedly using are all cable networks...go directly to your local cable provider for a real deal...and just say No to Platinum Television.

As for this "Mike" in Coral Springs...sounds like you're collecting a paycheck from Platinum Television!

That happenned in January of 1999, more than 5 YEARS AGO when the Company was under the impression that a pending relationship with the National Association of Realtors on their show "This Week in Real Estate" had been finalized. More than 200 real estate professionals DID participate in that show. PTG and NAR did not enter into a partnership of any kind. I was working for the comapny then. It was a brand new show and the NAR wasn't sure of the program. Their repsponse was generic and in no way did it represent that PTG was "bogus". Again, the show was new and they were unaware of the potential response or the content.

Again, please review my last response. I don't have the time to keep doing this so please, use your time more wisely and do some constructive research about the company and how their program may or may not meet your business needs. Otherwise... just walk away.

David, I don't even work for the company anymore. Why don't you just call and ask them to send you an airing schedule or a contact at CNBC to verify that they buy time there? And why do you keep putting my name in quotes?

I agree with your "caution" statement. Doing business with ANY company you are unfamiliar with should be done with caution.

Personally, I don't agree with your allegations of "mis-marketing" and "less-than-honest sales pitches", but then again YOU need to determine what is right for you and you will believe what you believe. I've seen them follow through with campaigns first hand, showing great results for many clients. I've seen it, so I can confidently stand behind it. You haven't seen it or gone through any work with them, so you are understandably skeptical. Call them and get the names of people to call if you have a question. The communication between us on this website isn't going to do anything to satisfy your concern. Go to the source. Just remember, EVERY company has had at least one unhappy customer. If they have worked with 1000 clients and 10 are unhappy, that is a very good ratio and a VERY good indication of the type of business they are.

Bottom line is, I respect your opinion and do understand, but please... stop writing these rebuttals and do some research to satisfy your curiosity. I think you would be very pleasantly surprised if you worked with them.

Just another point of reference:

From http://www.nmrealtor.com/realtor/_rrnarch/1999/rr012299.htm :

BEWARE BOGUS NAR PHONE PITCH NAR members across the nation are being telephoned to join NAR on TV by paying for production of interview segments which may never get on the air. A Florida-based production company operating as Platinum Television claims to be developing a syndicated real estate television program and is using NAR's name as a door opener when asking brokers and associates for licensing fees to feature their company, sales people, and their local market. NAR does not endorse or support this effort.

I have been to their site on several occasions. They sell produce and sell infomercials. Fine. I am not disputing the quality of their work because I have never seen anything they produced on television. But that is not the issue I raised, and curiously, Mike does not address MY specific allegation of mis-marketing and less-than-honest sales pitches, something I am very familiar with by the nature of my work.

However, if and when I see their purported television show on CNBC, or when CNBC actually acknowledges using Platinum Television as producers, as the caller to me claimed, I will gladly acknowledge the legitimacy of the call I received. Until then, I stand by my statement that anyone doing business with this company needs to be cautious. As far as why go through a process of bad-mouthing a company, I did no not feel that is what was done. I raised an issue with their sales call. Surely if it is a legitimate company, they can withstand simple critiques of their sales pitches.

I just called the company about airtimes. Go to www.platinumtelevision.com and click on the Current Shows and Air Times link. Then you can see all of the shows and lists of airtimes. They said that not all airtimes are listed immediately, so you have to check daily for new updates. According to the company, they have agreements with local, regional and national networks to air approximately 1500 shows in 2004.

I have a simle solution to the skeptics... when I worked for the company years ago, we used to just invite people to the offices to meet the company and see the production and marketing facilities. You should do that if you have a question or concern. You can't possibly trust the word of people you've never met to make up your mind one way or the other. Just because someone had a bad experience doesn't mean that you will. The same can be said about restaurants and movies. How many times have you gone to a restaurant and had a good experience and then you find someone that had a bad experience at the same restaurant? There is no perfect company. Make your own decisions. You people own your own businesses for a reason. You took risks to attempt to be successful and many of you did it against the advice of other people. Why are you going through this process on this website to badmouth a company you know NOTHING about when you've never experienced their services yourself? You've got only one person here that has had an actual experience with the company. You should ask the company for a list of referrals. Talk to clients that have worked with them (really worked with them, not like the complaining company above). Talk to people about the airings, the response, the production process. Ask them if it was worth doing it in the first place. Ask if they'd do it again.

The point is, you're firing shots at a company without knowing the company. I own my own business now and I'm very successful at it. I also know that if someone took shots at me without knowing my company and purposely tried to hurt my business with no substantial gripe I would have a big problem with it and that person would deal with my attorney. I think Platinum Television is being very merciful to this person. The client signed a contract and then didn't honor it. Platinum has thousands of clients and Platinum honors their side of the contract. I know from working there, to the best of their ability, contract disputes ALWAYS go in favor of the client. It's a company policy. By enforcing the contract, the company simply did what they had to do as a matter of daily business. Why is that such a problem? Wouldn't you do that to protect YOUR company?

I feel like I've become a martyr for Platinum Television. I just can't sit by and watch people write bad things about a company that they don't know about when I have first-hand knowledge of the great things they do.

When I was contacted by Platinum Television (please read my post above), they certaintly did not make it sound like they were selling infomercials or advertising.

They claimed to be producers for a television show called "Eye on Technology" for CNBC. To this day, I have yet to see their show on CNBC. Perhaps "Mike" can provide further details as to air times and channels?

This is by far the most absurd allegation of misconduct on a company I've ever heard. Every company has customers that have had a bad experience and Platinum Television is no exception. The only difference is, this company IS real, its products and services are real and its commitment to righting any wrongs is VERY real.

The fee is NOT a "catch". It's a reality of the advertising business. Try getting that kind of exposure for $19,000 on your own... it's NOT possible. This comapny made a very good business providing a very good service to small to medium-sized companies that CANNOT afford to spend big dollars on massive ad campaigns.

As a former employee, I'm offended at the notion that there is or ever was a "ripoff" involved. How hard is it to understand that if you didn't pay the production fees when the invoices were due your campaign would be delayed. If you paid your bills and honored YOUR contracts, you wouldn't be complaining.

Lastly, a handful of unhappy clients amidst thousands of satified clients hardly defines a business that is a "ripoff". I burned my mouth on pizza last week. It doesn't mean that all Italian restaurants are ripoffs. After talking to the company before writing this report, I found out that it was your company that was inaccessible. It was your company that didn't pay the bills and you waited and waited and then blew up because things weren't done. You're pointing a finger at Platinum Television, but what you failed to see is that there are 3 fingers pointing back at you.

Mr. Walter Burton,

We don't need your references or your studio tours.

The fastest and easiest way to restore your reputation would be to refund Lisa's company (The 2000 letter writer) the $19,000 dollars that you kept!!!

You think that this may be a scam by your competitor or a disgruntled employee??

I'm sure if you contacted the editor of rip-off-report.com with intentions of clearing up this mess, he would be more than happy to contact Lisa and have her call you.

Did you ever think that doing the right thing would be a step in the right direction????

I was contacted by Platinum Television some time ago. They were looking for security experts to appear on a technology show they claimed they were producing for CNBC. The only catch was that I had to provide a "licensing fee". In my 10-plus years in the security industry, I have never heard of a guest expert having to pay for an appearance. It turned out that CNBC had not heard of this group. I would respectfully suggest that anyone doing business with Platinum Television use caution and good sense.

As an owner of Platinum Television Group I have recently become aware of this site and the letter originally written in 2000 as well as the subsequent letters. I am very proud of the fact that we have worked with well over 1,500 comapanies and organizations over the last 7 years on our national television shows.

I am also proud to say the the vast majority are very happy with their partnership with us and will certainly attest to that fact. We have long lists of featured guests that are kind enough to answer questions about their experience working with us. This list ranges from some of the large Fortune 500 Companies all the way to companies being run out of a family garage. For this list please call us at 954-570-5558. We have studio tours every Wednesday 10:00AM until 2:00PM. Our corporate headquarters are located at 1000 East Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, Florida. 33441. I would invite anyone to come for a visit to get a better understanding about who we are and what we do. Our website is www.platinumtelevision.com

When our reputation is challenged, we have to address the issue head-on. To respond to the original letter written in 2000, it is obvious that the individual and company (which is not mentioned) did not meet the agreed upon deadlines that we set forth. Because of this, the show was delayed. It is that simple. We spend a lot of time and money producing, airing, and promoting our shows and it is essential to have the cooperation of our featured guest throughout the entire project. The subsequent letters are disappointing because the individuals based decisions about us on one unsubstantiated letter.

We can and would provide any number of references that would diametrically oppose what is written here. I am sure an intelligent business owner will spend the time it takes to do their due dilligence and futher understand that most, if not all Fortune 500 companies are presented in an unflattering light. This could be from our competitor, or a disgruntled employee, who knows. I have worked dilligently for the past 7 years to build a successful, legitimate company that is committed to our business partners and this is, to say the least, frustrating. I respect the freedom of the things written in the rip-off-report but would suggest to any reader to take just one more step before making any conclusion about our company.

Our small, unique family business was recently contacted by Platinum Television Group. A woman by the name of Donna called and mentioned they saw our website and were very interested in possibly doing a feature segment for a show they were going to be working on in the near future. She went on to explain that their shows are featured on Travel Channel, Discovery, "E" entertainment to name a few... Since the President of our company was out of the office at the time she called, (8:30am) Donna asked if she could have Hunter Cochrane call us back on 12/3/03 @ noon our time to discuss further details and questions they were needing. I am an employee for the company and thought I would for kicks see what a search brought up on "Platinum Television" My eyes thankfully saw the Rip-off Report link showing that Platinum Television has preyed on others. If they decide to call back on 12/3/03 we will definitely tell them we are not interested. Thank you so much for the heads up! Good Karma :-)

I have a small business in Minnesota, and was contacted by the same company Platinum Television. With the same tactics as I read, they are targeting me. I am so glad you reported your rip off. I too was really considering the same situation.

A web based business looking for national coverage. Who wouldn't. The fee is much higher now at 19,700. Only now you get some banner inpressions at banner mania. All out dated and you still have to pay in full before any thing gets started. I checked out the banner mania site really well too.

It seems too only have a few people involved at this time, and many of the links are broken. all are web based. In my opinion, they are out to find more small businesses to rip off. And if you read their ads they target you specifically.
I did email to as many as I could. Thank you for letting me know.

And thank you ripoffreport.com.