UK Models?

[princessify]

I just been scammed by UK Models.
Lost £50 and had to argue for 30 mins on the phone to avoid the cancellation fee of £130
Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[Rachel90]

My sister has had experience with them but was incredibly lucky. She wants my nephew to go into modelling and she found them, booked a shoot with them and was really excited. Said they take a £50 deposit but give it straight back if you turn up. If you don't turn up, you lose it and if you cancel, there's a £130 fee. Considering it could have cost her around £50 to get to the shoot and back, we tried to talk her out of doing it as we had all read bad things about them. I told her they wouldn't just hand over £50 if she shows up, it will be £50 off a £2000 portfolio or something ridiculous so either way, she's losing money she can't afford to lose. She read the terms and conditions and found she could cancel up to so many days before so she emailed them to cancel and they transferred the £50 deposit back and cancelled the shoot for her. I was so shocked that they didn't charge her the £130!

 

[Noodle]

This thread was created a couple of years ago, so may provide you with some information.

http://www.salongeek.com/threads/uk-models-are-they-genuine.251705/

 

[Lady Murasaki]

As a pro MUA and hairstylist and someone who has worked for reptable agencies I just want to to clarify how REAL agencies work, so no one else gets conned

• Real model agencies do not ask potential models to pay for portfolios before they join their agency.
• A real agency will ask you to send in your own pictures taken on a 'point and shoot' camera (non pro camera).
• These images would be photoshop free and without you wearing makeup so they can see your complexion and your true body shape etc.
• They may then get you in for test shots again, shouldn't have to pay for these.
• Only when you are signed by them would they invest in a portfolio and then would recoup the cost when you start earning money through jobs they place you in.
• No reptable agency would expect you to fund the portfolio yourself.
• There are many photographers out their offering model portfolios, by all means pay to have one done for a laugh with your mates, but they are worthless if you want to be a model as agencies will have their own 'go to' photographers and hair and makeup styles as they will want images on your portfolio that reflect their clients requirements and their agency.
• Also most reputable agencies now use digital image on tablets (iPads) to show case their models work. I'm not aware on any big name or med reptable agencies that now use the old print book system.
• Again most will provide a tablet once signed as part of your tools to do do your job, cost of could be recouped through jobs, no cost at all or if lost and stolen you may have to replace at your own cost. It's like an office PC in a normal desk job, it helps you do your day to day work. An employer won't expect you buy you own PC to work at,so the same principle applies here too.
• Some smaller local agencies will probably ask the models on their books to use their own tablets (iPads etc) to keep costs down.
• Beware of any company asking you to buy a tablet up front with images or you having to buy your own in one of their 'packages'.
• Always read contract and what % will be taken from jobs and what you will liable to pay back if you don't find work with them within a certain period of time (claw back clauses etc)
• A portfolio in pro circles is also called a look book or book. So when models bang on about ' their book' they are not budding writers, they are just talking about their portfolios.
• Smaller local agencies may ask you to provide images for your portfolio/book, I would recommend joining free modelling sites like purple port, net model or model meyhem where you can work for trade to get some free images to use for agencies work. You can pay people on their if you have specific requiremnts and no one wants to trade, and cost would be a lot less then what you pay through the agencies or a photographic studio.
• Always check references on these sites especially if money is involved (you are paying) and ask to meet before handing money over. Never pay cash upfront.
• This how I got my images for my first agency gig.
• Always bring a chaperone with you to shoots where meet over the Internet.
• Any agency asking for any sort of money up front should be approached with caution, it's probably a scam!

Be very weary of people promising you lots of work and travel, if it sounds to good to be true it probably is!

 

[Lady Murasaki]

I also have heard a lot of people being scammed by agencies that specialise in family's and children.

• Most agencies will ask for you to send in your own photos of your family or child as they want to see unedited shots.
• Do a lot of research and don't set out pictures if your child without really checking the agency out.
• Google is your best friend and use it to research, reseach reseach!
• Beware of agencies asking for money upfront and making promises of lots of work.
• Again, as above you shouldn't have to pay out upfront for a portfolio for your child or family to be registered with the agency.
• See my post above for more info on what to look out for!

 

[princessify]

My sister has had experience with them but was incredibly lucky. She wants my nephew to go into modelling and she found them, booked a shoot with them and was really excited. Said they take a £50 deposit but give it straight back if you turn up. If you don't turn up, you lose it and if you cancel, there's a £130 fee. Considering it could have cost her around £50 to get to the shoot and back, we tried to talk her out of doing it as we had all read bad things about them. I told her they wouldn't just hand over £50 if she shows up, it will be £50 off a £2000 portfolio or something ridiculous so either way, she's losing money she can't afford to lose. She read the terms and conditions and found she could cancel up to so many days before so she emailed them to cancel and they transferred the £50 deposit back and cancelled the shoot for her. I was so shocked that they didn't charge her the £130!

I can not believe they are allowed to get away with this!!! Its such a scam!

 

[Luminate]

I also have heard a lot of people being scammed by agencies that specialise in family's and children.

• Most agencies will ask for you to send in your own photos of your family or child as they want to see unedited shots.
• Do a lot of research and don't set out pictures if your child without really checking the agency out.
• Google is your best friend and use it to research, reseach reseach!
• Beware of agencies asking for money upfront and making promises of lots of work.
• Again, as above you shouldn't have to pay out upfront for a portfolio for your child or family to be registered with the agency.
• See my post above for more info on what to look out for!

This isn't strictly true. Some children's agency's do ask for a fee up front. My daughter has been with several
Agency's since 4 months old. Some charge and some don't. They all gave her paid work and some who did charge are very well known & good agency's, one for example who we had paid, gave her front cover and four page spread in a top magazine. Definitely do your home work, there are always scammers out there but kids ones do sometimes charge upfront. There are specialist forums for this kind of thing so do research on there if wanting to put kids into modelling.

 

[Pheebs.]

So glad I read this!
They have just asked me to book my son in for a photo shoot! Didnt book as didnt have diary with me. So glad i didnt I shant be returning his call & booking. Thought it maybe too good to be true.

 

[Pheebs.]

Glad I saw this. Have just been asked to book an appt/shoot for my son. I won't bother now.

 

[maryam]

My sister has had experience with them but was incredibly lucky. She wants my nephew to go into modelling and she found them, booked a shoot with them and was really excited. Said they take a £50 deposit but give it straight back if you turn up. If you don't turn up, you lose it and if you cancel, there's a £130 fee. Considering it could have cost her around £50 to get to the shoot and back, we tried to talk her out of doing it as we had all read bad things about them. I told her they wouldn't just hand over £50 if she shows up, it will be £50 off a £2000 portfolio or something ridiculous so either way, she's losing money she can't afford to lose. She read the terms and conditions and found she could cancel up to so many days before so she emailed them to cancel and they transferred the £50 deposit back and cancelled the shoot for her. I was so shocked that they didn't charge her the £130!

Hello! Can I also get it back as 8 just booed it few minutes ago and gave them money . Now I got it that it's scam. How did she do it. Please guide

 

[Trinity]

Hello! Can I also get it back as 8 just booed it few minutes ago and gave them money . Now I got it that it's scam. How did she do it. Please guide

This thread is from 8 years ago, and resurrected 7 years ago.

You need to cancel any payment via your bank immediately

 

[ajane]

I’m a bit confused that directly under this thread is an advert for UK Models.