Starscapes ripoff Chandler Arizona

Rip-Off Report's Readers-

For over 15 years I have completely dedicated myself and a full staff to the development of the Starscapes® technology as well as the development of all of our thousands of customers. For this reason, it is shocking to me that a post such this one surfaces on the internet. Not only is this post factually inaccurate, but it seems as though the person writing it is from a competing company. Nevertheless, I will give you the facts versus the fiction about it.

“Jason (JA)” alleges the following:

JA; "The effect is rather novel and has some appeal for the wealthy and upscale, as you need to charge plenty for this "custom" paintjob."

In the 25 years I've been doing this, with customers in over 160 countries, I'd venture to say, that there isn't anyone, anywhere around the world, that doesn't like to stargaze. You do NOT have to charge a lot for your work. Low income people love this just as much as anyone else. Some Artists, in fact, donate work for charity. Just as in any business, if you want to make a higher profit, you raise your rate. Many jobs are sold off the brochures with a free and entertaining demonstration.

JA; “You would have to market like crazy to make any money at this, as it's almost impossible to see the effect with brochures and sales pitches alone.”

True, it is hard to put into words how amazing it actually is (even Jason agrees there), but he is ABSOLUTELY WRONG about obtaining customers. Believe it or not, some Artists get clients simply by having signage or lettering on their vehicles. Some get referrals. Whatever method you use, however, it still takes effort on your part. And by the way, successful business people always "market like crazy".

We provide a full demonstration kit so that the Artist can show their customers in their home. We also provide an entire online store dedicated to marketing material, promotional items and supplies. Finally, we provide two online forums where Artists are constantly swapping sales ideas and marketing techniques. Artists are constatly talking about their promotions at town fairs and other venues. At one recent small town event, the artist walked away with several dozen appointments. He'll be posting pictures online and telling the other members all about it.

JA; “They charge over $4000.00 for the secret details of how to easily paint these murals including some mysterious ‘equipment' he will not identify until after you've shelled out the cash”

The Star-Biz package can be had for LESS than $4000 when it's on sale. The Program price includes the educational training, and everything you need (and listed on the website), along with our new, one of a kind, custom made, available nowhere else, professional Galactification Machine, built by us exclusively for our Artist-Illusionists. And as one Artist-Illusionist stated, "That's one FINE piece of equipment". All the rest agree.

While the Program may be a lot of money to others; it's not that much when you're making a business decision. Especially when you can get your money back with just a few, quick jobs. Every item in the world can be overpriced to some people. In a way, price can also help with exclusivity. Thereby limiting the quantity of the product in the marketplace.

Though he is correct in saying that they are easy to paint, anything is easy if you have the right tools and the right knowledge. That is why we provide each Artist-Illusionist with all of the necessary training materials, equipment, tools and applicators.

Of course we don't identify them and offer the training until you have become part of the Artist community. You don't see Coke giving out their recipe, or Pfizer sharing their drug formulas. I once spent a few thousand on a Wall Street stock picking method. Just a textual manual and a few audio tapes. Nothing more. It was well worth the price, and actually more valuable at that. Like a college course, or technical school, you pay for an experts knowledge and experience. But with the StarBiz, you get more.

JA; “His ‘demonstration poster', designed to give potential customers a sample of what the finished mural looks like, is a wrinkled up piece of paper with little circles that you have to paint yourself…”

Anyone can see for themselves how amazing the star illusion really looks, before they get the StarBiz program. Order the Introductory Package, which contains the Amazing 3-D Demonstration Portal Poster, then simply show it around to some friends. If you hear them say, "Wow! When can you do my room?", then you'll be more informed as to knowing whether or not this is for you. Common sense.

Let me make something clear. Nearly all of our Artists order the demo poster and are so blown away by it that they become full-time Artist-Illusionists. Obviously the demonstration is amazing… so amazing that “Jason” must have ordered one and then ordered the StarBiz package… or wait, could we have caught him in a lie? Clearly he has not seen the StarBiz system, technologies, or products, because he never would have ordered them if he didn't like the demo poster. Oh yeah, and the poster is FREE as long as you pay the $15 for shipping and handling. In the USA, we use USPS Priority Mail.

JA; “In addition, he soaks you for a monthly fee to keep your ‘license' active…”

Once again, more proof that “Jason” was never an Artist-Illusionist; and, he doesn't believe in the product. The licensees have exclusive access to our free customer support and promotional materials, unlimited business support (of which I provide a lot MYSELF, along with my home and cell phone numbers), as well as completely redesigned websites, software sales brochures, etc. On top of that some Artist-Illusionists license "territory" as well… Furthermore, this is all an OPTIONAL fee. Of course, JA would have known that if he actually took part in the system.

The Artist-Illusionist's webpages do not contain links to the company website. Never have. Unless, the artist is an active "affiliate" and has requested that his "coded link" be placed on his webpage.

JA; “Yes, he offers a money back policy but he knows most people will never ask for it.”

In 15 years and thousands of customers, we have received over 300 testimonials in writing, audio, and video (all on the website). As long as we have been in business we have only had a small handful of people ask for their money back as will happen with any business. A PROMPT refund was always given. Oh yes… once again no one named Jason has ever asked for a refund.

JA; “All of the paint and supplies to do this venture can be found on the internet with little research.”

Good luck doing this. We formulate our own paint for our purpose, in our own lab.

JA; “When I asked to join his Yahoo user group, as a guest, so I could actually talk to other people doing this and find out first hand the real truth, he denied my request.”

This is how it works. Yahoo shows me when there is a request to join the group. If I don't recognize the name, they're simply not admitted.

It wasn't designed for the busy Artists (it's not their job) to spend their own time answering redundant questions that would be asked from outsiders. Questions like "How much money are you making, how do you do it, and do you think I can do this too?" No. The user group is for Artist-Illusionists only. A place to call home, and make friends and exchange useful ideas.

We have plenty of resources for those who want to find out how people are doing with the StarBiz.

Think about it. Why would I put my name, picture, life, and reputation on the line for over 15 years if it wasn't working? I have a real life, with a real family, in a real place. I have struggled before to "make ends meet" and I know what it is like to have an extra source of income. I also know what it is like to do something that you love and are loved for. If anyone has questions about the StarBiz, the business, or otherwise please feel free to call me at 1-480-615-7646. For complete details, visit www.starscapes.com .

By the way, I was made aware of JA's post shortly after it was posted. Who by? By a new Artist-Illusionist, whom became a customer just eight days after reading the post.

Joe Petrashek, Founder
Starscapes.com

OK let’s start with Jason, he is absolutely 100% right!! NOT JOE’S REBUTTAL, ALL JOE IS DOING IS TRYING TO SELL YOU HIS STARACAPE $4000 RIP OFF PACKAGE. Let me explain, Joe is really good at telling people what they want to hear. I really hate when people lie and JOE is good at that also, and Jason is right he won’t give you any references to ask how much people are ACTUALLY making. Look, no one is going to let you, a complete stranger, into their house and let you close the door bedroom and paint, would you? Without knowing what they’re doing? No I didn’t think so. I know that I’m going to upset some starscape licensees, licensees what a joke, but this has to be said: I’m not telling you not to buy the product, but I am telling you do your research and save your money. You don’t need a license to paint ceilings but you do however need a business license to sell a product.

Now, as for what you’re paying $4000 for well I will tell you and PLEASE DON’T BE FOOLED BY ALL OF JOES FANCY TALK “professional Galactification Machine, built by us exclusively for our Artist-Illusionists.” PLEASE give me a break built by JOE, no this is what you’re getting www.amazon.com/Uncle-Milton-02002-Theater-Planetarium/dp/B001AO8X5Y/ref=pd_sbs_t_12 . Now he might have changed it but if you look on the bottom you will see several “professional Galactification Machines” for under $30. Oh let’s not forget the so called one of a kind “we formulate our own paint for our purpose, in our own lab.” Are you kidding! A lab PLEASE. There’s way better glowing paint and it last longer, here is an example (((Redacted))) (DO NOT BUY FROM A HOBBIE OR CRAFT STORE THAT IS JUNK AND DOSENT GLOW) I know of several others that glow much brighter then there’s. You can even make your own by buying glow powder. Just do your research. 

Now take your $10 black light, OOPS "activation wand" from ANYWHERE, you own glow paint (NOT FROM A HOBBIES OR CRAFT STORE THAT IS JUNK AND DOSENT GLOW) and your home star planetarium OOPS, “Galactification Machine” now turn on your “Galactification Machine” turn out the lights and NOW FOR THE ULTRA SECRET IDEA!! Paint the dots. WOW I just saved you $4000 Dollars. You can get free business cards, fliers, mailers, car magnets and so on, JUST DO YOUR RESEARCH! Look I commend and respect JOE as a Business person. I’m just saving you from a $4000 thousand dollars mistake and yearly license fees, you’re kidding, really license fees? Wow, anyway I’m just someone trying to save you money and heartache. Thanks for reading, Oh and if you do buy JOE’S Starscape package at starscapes.com and find exactly what I described, I WARNED YOU. Patrick California, U.S.A.

 

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

I was the first person to attempt to expose the Starscapes scheme a few years ago. Joe (the wealthy founder) filed a rebuttal, challenging all my concerns about this venture. I didn't bother replying until now. The guy is an idiot, but a highly successful one so who are people going to believe? Today, I noticed someone who defended my claims and I decided to give a reply in the same "style" that Mr. Petrashek did.

JOE: claimed I must be from a competing company.
What a joke. What company? People have been painting star murals and the like for longer than Joe has been peddling his now $6000 box of junk. Go to GLOW FORUM and learn how from countless numbers of people for free. I am NOT from any competitor of any kind. I DID send for your "demo package" and after receiving it, I couldn't believe that anyone would send you a dime for anything. 2 thimbles of cheap paint and a toothpick?? There wasn't enough "paint" to even cover the pre-printed dots! I was so appalled at how cheesy everything looked. I couldn't imagine going into a nice, upper middle class home (like yours) with a wrinkled up piece of butcher paper and calling that a "portal!" After seeing the "demo package", I decided to try and expose this nonsense to other unsuspecting individuals.

JOE: claimed his "Galactification Machine" (no such word) is "one fine piece of equipment"
Oh yeah? let's see it Joe! Are you going to deny that it is nothing more than a star projector, similar to the ones sold in toy and hobby and science stores everywhere? Are you, Joe? Stop HIDING behind made-up names. Let's SEE what the folks get for 6 grand!

JOE: Coke doesn't give out their recipes, why should Starscapes identify the "proprietory equipment"?
BIG DIFFERENCE HERE, JOE! Coke is NOT a business opportunity! YOU are selling people things to start a business with! People have a right and should DEMAND to see every single thing they get for all that money! You are very good at skewing the facts here - comparing Starscapes and Coke. But that is about what I expected from a former magician. You manipulate truth. You had a novel idea many years ago. I give you that. But GREED has gotten the best of you. 

JOE: Claims to have his own "labs" where his paint is made.
WHERE exactly is your "lab" located, Joe? or is that a "trade secret" too. Do you actually OWN and OPERATE this "lab"? I do not believe this and neither do many others on glow paint forums all over the web. Not one person other than your own followers have one positive thing to say about you, your business, or your paint. So, where is YOUR lab, Joe? In your wife's kitchen?

I know you have sold a boatload of your "Star-Biz" schemes. You are an excellent marketer and manipulator of words. And yes, I know you have your "followers" who informed you of my original post. Like Barnum said, there is a sucker born every minute. And YOU sir, are a master at ferreting them out and selling them a dream. A pipe dream. Those who HAVE made money at this are people with artistic talent who could have done this with or without your "help". The average "Joe" is going to quickly find him or herself way over their head. And 6 GRAND in debt. To YOU. If you charged a nominal fee for what you send people, I wouldn't have a problem with you. But you have an enormous advertising budget because your ego demands it. Your EGO is what people are paying for. People in third-world countries yet! So instead of charging a reasonable fee to let people dabble in this, you go for the gold and get every dime you can. You won't let people even open the box without voiding the return policy! What a joke! They can return it if they don't open it?? Nice return policy, Joe. You know once they see what they just paid 6 very large for, their spouse will kill them. You are a money machine, Joe. I give you credit for that. But YOU are the only one who is going to see much money from Starscapes. If I have stopped ONE person from adding 6 Grand to your bank account, this post will have been worth it. Jason/ St. Louis, MO (now live in KC)

A friend of mine was thinking of buying Starscapes and did a little research... in the process, they came across a company that sells a kit that is very similar.

This company is Stars-so-Bright, and their website is www.stars-so-bright.com.

They do NOT sell their kits as business opportunities, however, the kits teach you all the mechanics of how to paint star murals. The kits are sold as educational products, but the extra stuff that comes with the kits - the starchart, software, etc., - can also be used as sales tools.

When my friend called the company, he talked to the owner and asked him - what were the difference between these kits and Starscapes?

There are three main differences:

1) The price. These kits cost $120, while Starscapes costs $4000.
2) The quality of the paint - apparently this company provides a much better paint than the stuff Starscapes sells.
3) No marketing materials.

However, the owner of this company explained to my friend that the Starscapes marketing materials are mostly stuff you can make yourself - for example, t-shirts with a logo on them.

The nice thing about these kits, though - if you are thinking of trying Starscapes, you can get one of these kits for a LOT less and learn the techniques to see if you would like to do this as a business. If, after you get a kit, you decide you like the way it looks and your friends and family love it, then you can make a more informed decision about buying Starscapes if you decide you really want the marketing materials. Alternatively, you could spend a lot less money and spend a few hours in the library reading a couple of books on marketing and get a lot of the same information Starscapes provides.