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Original poster

Child modelling - Should I ask for refund?

225 replies

greenbean789 · 19/04/2016 12:27

Yesterday I did something irrational and impulsive, which is not like me at all. I paid £710 to a child modelling agency on the spot, and I never even had any aspirations for my children to be models. I don't know what happened to me.
I saw this ad on Facebook last week about child modelling and sent some pictures of my 2 DSs.
The next day I received emails from the agency saying that they are interested, and I should book an assessment session urgently, and that I have a priority (stupid me, thinking that it was due to my DC being super-cute).
I duly booked, excited, and yesterday had the photo-shoot. After the photo-session I was congratulated, saying my DC have great potential and the agency wants to sign them up. It all sounded like it was a big success for all of us, being chosen out of many people, bla- bla, etc.
All I needed to do was to buy one-off copyright.
I was then given a list of options, and I offered my card on the spot to pay. I had some warning bells ringing, but wilfully silenced them.
My husband is very upset that I had fallen for a scam. It the contract I signed there is a clause saying there is no refund.
I don't know what to do, to fight them and try to get the money back ( will have to read up on trading regulations for that) or wait that some offers will materialise and I can earn the money back. (They gave me a list of 14 other agencies to contact and some pictures). Do you have any experience of working with modelling agencies? Can you share your stories?
I know I was beyond stupid and vain, and maybe deserve it, but I did not even have all the money needed and used some from my overdraft .

OP posts:
EatShitDerek · 19/04/2016 12:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LurkingHusband · 19/04/2016 12:31

I suspect by going there, you lose any distance selling/cooling off period regulations.

Is this better suited to legal matters ?

TeenAndTween · 19/04/2016 12:32

Are you sure there is no 14 day cooling off period?
(even if they say not in the contract)

Credit card or debit card? I suggest you contact your bank or credit card provider for immediate advice.

19909ninty · 19/04/2016 12:32

I don't think you will get a refund if I'm being perfectly honest lots of parents have fell for this scam and don't seem to get anywhere when they attemp to get their money back.

manicinsomniac · 19/04/2016 12:34

Wow - I'm really sorry but I doubt you can get your money back. You agreed to it willingly.

Hard lesson to learn.

Definitely try though!

icanteven · 19/04/2016 12:35

I wonder if this suggests that you might have some recourse?

www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/10002929/crackdown-on-model-agency-fees

icanteven · 19/04/2016 12:36

I would also contact your credit card company - see if you can stop the payment. Say that you have been scammed etc. etc.

ElsaAintAsColdAsMe · 19/04/2016 12:37

A friend of mine fell for similar and couldn't get the money back as she had received the service (photo shoot and contact details) already.

She got no work at all from it, it was just a stupidly expensive photo shoot really.

Expensive lesson to learn unfortunatly.

PageStillNotFound404 · 19/04/2016 12:38

Contact your bank in the first instance. You could contact Trading Standards through CAB but if you don't get a chargeback from your bank, then I'm afraid you may have to kiss the money goodbye and chalk it up as an expensive lesson learned.

icanteven · 19/04/2016 12:38

This mentions the copyright fee: www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/11450178/new-rules-introduced-to-crack-down-on-scam-model-agents

Stillunexpected · 19/04/2016 12:38

What is the name of this "modelling agency"? If they are so sure your children will get work, why are they advising you to farm your details out to 14 other agencies? For future reference, no reputable model agency will every require you to spend vast sums of money on photographs which unfortunately will be out of date in a few months anyway as your children grow and change.

CakeNinja · 19/04/2016 12:43

Fuck me, you went into your overdraft for photos of your children? Shock

I would think that having received the service you have spent money on (photos and addresses) you may not have any grounds to get your money back. The studio time has been used, they have given you the details of where/what to do next.

You saw an advert on Facebook and it has cost you. I'm honestly a bit Shock at your naivety.

RunnerOnTheRun · 19/04/2016 12:47

No modelling agency will willingly let you go to "14 other agencies"! They'd want the little beauties all to their greedy selves!

Did the agency you had photos taken at seem legit?

Tell us more. It's too funny.

Do your DC even like this idea??

tangerino · 19/04/2016 12:48

I would give the Employment Agency Standards helpline a call
0845 955 5105

FatPaul · 19/04/2016 12:49

You won't get a refund.

IceMaiden73 · 19/04/2016 12:54

Oh dear, you wont get a refund as you willingly gave them your details and you went to the photoshoot, etc

I think you might have to chalk it up to experience

seafoodeatit · 19/04/2016 12:57

Have you done a google search of the company? Sadly these types of scams are all too common and you may find there are lots of people out there who have had the same thing done to them, you might even see suggestions of how others got money back (if they were successful).

I agree that calling the credit card company would be a good shout.

YouSay · 19/04/2016 13:00

You won't get a refund if you signed a contract. Did you Google the company for reviews? It looks like you just paid for some very expensive photos.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 19/04/2016 13:01

That was an expensive lesson to learn and I do not think you will be successful in getting any money back.

I would contact your local Trading Standards Office for further advice.

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 19/04/2016 13:03

Is this the first time you've ever done something like this, OP?

It just seems a bit ... mad Confused

Lockheart · 19/04/2016 13:07

I would see if your bank can file a chargeback. They may not be able to, but I would give them a ring anyway and ask.

ilovesooty · 19/04/2016 13:11

I doubt very much that you'll get a refund.

NewLife4Me · 19/04/2016 13:11

How is it a scam if you agreed to it and they told you what would happen? Not a judgement just a question.

I think it's just going to have to be a hard lesson to learn. If your gut feeling is telling you no, it's probably right.

SavoyCabbage · 19/04/2016 13:12

There is quite a long thread somewhere about these modelling agency scams.

I don't think you could get a refund as you've had the photo shoot. They can say they are trying to find modelling work.

AdrenalineFudge · 19/04/2016 13:14

I'd get on the phone with your bank. And do you have a copy of the contract with you?

It seems very dodgy - the idea of them giving you the details of other agencies? It seems as though they want you to make the rounds with each agency charging you additional money.

Genuine agencies don't ask for upfront cash like that. Expensive lesson to learn but equally a ridiculous hole to have fallen into.