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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:
Arfarfanarf · 19/04/2016 13:16

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IWantMyMumSheWouldBeProud · 19/04/2016 13:17

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QueenofallIsee · 19/04/2016 13:17

You have basically fallen for a really common scam. I do know of one person that successfully got refunded - she was able to prove that they had misled her, not sure how. The contract that you signed probably says that they are an introduction agency or something so you have paid for the list of agencies and the photos/'headshots' that they took rather than them guaranteeing modeling work etc... they will deny that they misled you and point out that you had the chance to read the T&Cs. Do try and kick up a fuss but you won't get any work out of it I'm afraid, almost certain of it. They won't put the kids forward, the goal is to get the upfront fee and then move on not to act on your behalf.

Quook · 19/04/2016 13:20

^

Quook · 19/04/2016 13:22

Do you have any experience of working with modelling agencies? Can you share your stories?

Just double checking but you are not a Matthew Wright reporter by any chance Wink

shovetheholly · 19/04/2016 13:24

There was a very good piece on this a while back on You and Yours. I'm afraid it is a scam. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06wcq19

When you hear how these con artists work, and how terribly they prey on people who are caught off-guard, you do feel tremendously sorry for the victims. They are often people who are down and want desperately to feel better about themselves.

mouldycheesefan · 19/04/2016 13:25

You paid for photos. You got photos. So unsure how you would get a refund? You saw the photos before you paid for them.
There are lots of great photographers who would do a family photo shoot for less than that. You have been overcharged.

shovetheholly · 19/04/2016 13:25

Oh shit! quook you're right - OP, you're a journalist, aren't you?

AnotherEffingOrangeRevel · 19/04/2016 13:26

Do you have any experience of working with modelling agencies? Can you share your stories?

What Quook said....

pigsDOfly · 19/04/2016 13:29

That's a bit spiteful RunnerontheRun.

Do you really think someone being scammed to the tune of £710 is 'too funny'?

The OP was naive and vain to say the least but really, are you usually in the habit of kicking someone when they're down?

These agencies are very careful how they do their thing OP, it's how they get away with it.

You won't get a refund, unfortunately.

specialsubject · 19/04/2016 13:29

it's not a scam, you paid way over the odds for a service and product. Everyone who buys designer handbags, expensive cosmetics, shops in Waitrose etc etc does the same. Your choice.

doesn't hurt to make a complaint and you may be in luck - but it is a life lesson not to be a sucker.

you didn't need this and the company played on your greed.

ScoutsMam · 19/04/2016 13:31

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TheRealCornholio · 19/04/2016 13:32

Do you have any experience of working with modelling agencies? Can you share your stories?

19909ninty · 19/04/2016 13:38

Am I the only one that thinks £710 is a really random amount?

RunnerOnTheRun · 19/04/2016 13:39

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catewood21 · 19/04/2016 13:39

You may be able to get your money back, or some of it by going to the small claims court.
First you have to send the agency a 'letter before action' telling them they misrepresented their services and that you intend to take action.Then, after 28 days you can file a claim with 'MoneyClaim Online' usually companies will want to settle of at least go to mediation before it gets to court beause they just don't need the time, expense nd hassle for a relatively small sum.

fascicle · 19/04/2016 13:41

I think you might in theory be able to get at least a partial refund (with a possible deduction for the photo shoot). Somewhere between the Consumer Contracts Regulations (covering distance selling) and the Consumer Rights Act, I would expect your situation to be covered (your intital contact was online, but the photo shoot was in person). There are legal provisions which provide a framework for information that sellers must provide, which has to be true etc etc. I'm thinking it sounds like a possible misrepresentation - essentially you agreed to purchase a service/goods on the basis of information/promises that appear to be highly dubious.

I would ask the company for a refund and also speak to your bank about a refund under section 75 (I think that's for credit card purchases of over £100) or a chargeback if payment was by debit card.

Worst case scenario would be a legal claim via the small claims track.

curren · 19/04/2016 13:44

I was a child model, so was Dd.

However, I feel this reads like a journo looking for a story. So I have reported it.

Totally agree with this

**

IWantMyMumSheWouldBeProud · 19/04/2016 13:46

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CrookedTiara · 19/04/2016 13:48

I signed my children up and made millions.

So did I, but billions. I am sitting here bathing in asses' milk, being fanned by oiled youths, while my offspring (actually I only have one four year old) is out breaking his back grinning in a middle-class way and jumping in the air on demand for Frugi.

Totally.

JessieMcJessie · 19/04/2016 13:51

also agree this is a badly-disguised journo.

dodobookends · 19/04/2016 14:03

Reputable child modelling (and theatrical) agencies don't need to advertise. They are inundated with applications already, and will only take you on if they haven't already got someone on their books with the same 'look'.

Original poster
greenbean789 · 19/04/2016 14:04

Quook and others, I am not doing a research and not a journalist. I wish I was, wish it was not me who forked out all that money. It is just an unfortunate turn of phrase, too much daytime television, embarrassed.

OP posts:
ScoutsMam · 19/04/2016 14:07

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BarbarianMum · 19/04/2016 14:08

Do you have any experience of working with modelling agencies? Can you share your stories?

Dd 1 and 2 make me a comfortable living from modelling. Even more comfortable since dd1 got tall enough to work the ticket machine at the station - I don't even accompany them to auditions any more.

Dd3 wouldn't co-operate so I sold her for medical experiments.