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Do you think this is a scam??

notserp	Date: August 18, 2003 @ 5:44 PM ShowGigs.com in regards to an upcoming fundraising double album that is being released next spring. The album would contain works of several famous artists paired with new, up and coming indie artists. They asked me if I'd be interested in having one of my songs (America), along with my photo and my bio on the album. I would be compensated 15 cents (US) for each album sold. The albums would be heavily marketed in all the large US markets and I would be "guaranteed" that a minimum of 20,000 albums would be sold ($3,000). Additionally I'd be paid $1,000 plus expenses to travel to NYC next spring to perform live at a benefit concert. Here's the catch: I would be required to front $2,250 to "cover" 15 weeks of "radio, marketing & promotional" costs. Have any of you ever been involved in anything like this????? Is it a scam????" id="59076">I've been contacted by ShowGigs.com in regards to an upcoming fundraising double album that is being released next spring. The album would contain works of several famous artists paired with new, up and coming indie artists. They asked me if I'd be interested in having one of my songs (America), along with my photo and my bio on the album. I would be compensated 15 cents (US) for each album sold. The albums would be heavily marketed in all the large US markets and I would be "guaranteed" that a minimum of 20,000 albums would be sold ($3,000). Additionally I'd be paid $1,000 plus expenses to travel to NYC next spring to perform live at a benefit concert. Here's the catch: I would be required to front $2,250 to "cover" 15 weeks of "radio, marketing & promotional" costs. Have any of you ever been involved in anything like this????? Is it a scam????
SinisterX	Date: August 18, 2003 @ 6:11 PM I'd look more into it if I were you. If it sounds too good to be true then 9 times out of 10 it is. Sounds like a lot of $$$$$.
Karmatic	Date: August 18, 2003 @ 6:24 PM The cover price makes me think it sounds like a scam.
djfacemachine	Date: August 18, 2003 @ 6:34 PM cover price eh... hmm, i don't think i would do it
djfacemachine	Date: August 18, 2003 @ 6:34 PM but look into it i guess. if its for real, it would be pretty good.
victorsskull	Date: August 18, 2003 @ 6:38 PM sounds good intill the money part came up
monsquaz	Date: August 18, 2003 @ 7:28 PM Sounds like a genuine ripoff.
ChillinBuzz	Date: August 18, 2003 @ 7:47 PM suspicious
notserp	Date: August 18, 2003 @ 9:35 PM Thanks for your ideas....it seems TOO suspicious to me also.... I plan to do a bit more investigating before I discount it though. In the meantime if anyone has ever encountered a similar situation I'd be interested in hearing about it. Thanks! Dave
pixelmasochist	Date: August 18, 2003 @ 9:49 PM I was offered a demo slot on a cd to be released only in the states. Cyber-Tec records were the people behind it. I paid nothing at all and the lads at c-tec fronted the studio costs. Just my expirience... I'm still not famous but wtf
Karmatic	Date: August 18, 2003 @ 9:55 PM Wouldn't that mean only $750 in profit for you though?
Grimoire	Date: August 18, 2003 @ 11:09 PM I've never heard of haveing to front the costs for promotion or studio time. Deffinitly don't bother liioking into it, it's gotta be a scam. Sounds like people praying on hardworking muscians.
pog	Date: August 19, 2003 @ 1:26 AM It's like this... If you are handing over money, you should only do it under a written contract that you fully understand, and there's a real person accountable for it. It's best to physically talk to these people. Looking at their webpage, it doesn't look like a scam due to the quality of the site, and the fact that phone numbers and e-mail addy's are supplied. I guess I'd tread carefully, but if it is a successful proposition, how much better off will you be, cos if the deals legit, then there's a chance for you to be heard by everyone. You could pay hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in promos to have the same effect. E-mail em or ring em and go visit... see that the company physically exists, and exactly what the consequences are if no albums sell.
princess-angry	Date: August 19, 2003 @ 1:55 AM DONT DO IT!!!
pog	Date: August 19, 2003 @ 3:10 AM just as an example, The Fauves is a band that has been getting a bit of airplay here recently, and the last time I heard, they were $200,000AU in the red (that's $100,000). That was just before they made it. I mean lets get real... do you have any idea how much it would cost to attempt selling lets say 10,000 cd's ??? It seems to me that someones come up with an idea to promote indie musicians, and make it profitable for all involved. If I had the money, after researching it all, I'd prolly go for it.
pog	Date: August 19, 2003 @ 3:15 AM ShowGigs.com 2348 Lucerne Suite 1900 Montreal, Quebec Canada H3R 2J8 ..and it seems there is a legally binding contract that doesn't take the rights to your song. The only catch I can see is that the return wont be massive, but it isn't really the point of it all... it's about getting you played." id="59146">There's a physical address ShowGigs.com 2348 Lucerne Suite 1900 Montreal, Quebec Canada H3R 2J8 ..and it seems there is a legally binding contract that doesn't take the rights to your song. The only catch I can see is that the return wont be massive, but it isn't really the point of it all... it's about getting you played.
notserp	Date: August 19, 2003 @ 6:06 AM Good points pog. The physical address and the quality website are a plus. Scammers would be more likely to use a P.O. Box address that could easily be abandoned. I plan to check with the Better Business Bureau, as well as try to contact some of the artists that ShowGigs promotes before I definately decline the offer. Any other ideas out there??
sinai	Date: August 19, 2003 @ 6:59 AM could be legit i guess, i'd say it comes down to you having that much money to throw around. if its not a big financial cut to you, i'd go for it, just reference with the better business buraeu of canada or something first good luck, hope it aint a scam... now if you excuse me, i gotta go write a check to sally struthers
pog	Date: August 19, 2003 @ 7:18 AM Or you could hire a private investigator to find out if it's legit.. No-one ever seems to promote those guys these days, well not here in oz, anyways
Jennae	Date: August 19, 2003 @ 8:58 AM Dave I think your music kicks A$$ and stands on it's own ....awesome vocals..and lyrics .... whatever you do.. don't stop uploading
notserp	Date: August 19, 2003 @ 5:15 PM ShowGigs.com is indeed a legit business that's been around for a few years. Now I'm trying to determine if other artists have found it to benefit to their careers. " id="59201"> Thank you, Jennae... I'm still looking into this. I've found out that ShowGigs.com is indeed a legit business that's been around for a few years. Now I'm trying to determine if other artists have found it to benefit to their careers.
notserp	Date: August 19, 2003 @ 5:17 PM oh! and thanks for all the input, it REALLY helps
Veracohr	Date: August 20, 2003 @ 4:14 AM If you still plan on looking into it, I suggest getting yourself an entertainment lawyer. S/he can help you protect your interests, and see through any potentially shady dealings. Probably worth the expense if you're concerned about it being a scam, but are interested if it's not.
notserp	Date: August 20, 2003 @ 5:01 PM :confused: " id="59313">I've contacted some of the people represented by ShowGigs and got two replies so far. One artist felt that showgigs hadn't really done anything to promote him. After reading that I decided it was probably best to forget the whole thing. The I received a second email from the manager of an artist who's been trying really hard to get on one of the CD's. She sent me a lengthy email that made it sound like a good business venture. This makes me think, "am I stupid? here's a big break that other people dream about and I'm passing it up..."
DetroitJimmy	Date: August 20, 2003 @ 6:03 PM YAH...
EddieWinslow...	Date: August 20, 2003 @ 8:14 PM scam...any body that knows they have something that is going to sell...going to make them money they would be more than happy to put up the front money...cuz they know they will make it up on the back end...feel me...but what do i know...i listen to hip hop... eddie winslow aka sean connery

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