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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:
Original poster
greenbean789 · 19/04/2016 14:24

Thanks I canteven for a link, gave me some background. Fascicle, and catewood21, great advice, I will try to do something about it.
As I said before, it is so unlike me to be so impulsive and irrational. I've never bought anything expensive on the spur of the moment, i always ring DH up before doing anything involving big(ish) purchases, I always use comparison websites and read reviews, and have been known to spend hours online to compare price per nappy through different retailers, signed up to all loyalty cards, walk extra mile to get cheaper groceries, you name it! I like bargains, I hate taking rush decisions.
I can't explain my own behaviour, it was like I was hypnotised.

OP posts:
Elledouble · 19/04/2016 14:25

Media Requests board is over here...

SavoyCabbage · 19/04/2016 14:26

You could have just put roller stakes on your dd Barbarian. That would have given her a few extra inches to reach the machine.

Comeonnn · 19/04/2016 14:27

I would try to contact the bank and see if the payment can be stopped.

NewLife4Me · 19/04/2016 14:29

This isn't a modelling agent though, it's an introduction and photography company.
Why would you want experiences of modelling agencies? Confused
Why would you pay that sort of money without checking with your dh first, what if he was dead set against his children modelling/ being photographed by an intro agency?
Surely, no parent would take it upon themselves to spend money they clearly haven't got on a whim and not read the contract?
You sound too intelligent for that OP.
I don't think this is a reporter/ journo the English grammar and spelling are too good, they aren't usually very bright.

TheRollingCrone · 19/04/2016 14:33

Hypnotised you say?

"Look into my eyes, not around the eyes.." Grin

Sorry OP couldn,t resist. Hope you get your money back.

Quook · 19/04/2016 14:34

BTW The Reason it's more 'scammy'than shelling out ridiculous amounts for a designer handbag is twofold - one is that you are pressurised to pay instantly. We can do your once officer of you pay now - it's a special price just for you but only if You sign up and pay NOW and secondly that you are sold it under false pretences Yiu can make millions with your stunningly beautiful Child but you have to buy these photos^

It's a scam for all intents and purposes.

I'm surprised people fall for it though. Anyway, perhaps this thread will lead to more publicity Wink one way or another.

Quook · 19/04/2016 14:36

OP why don't you name the company then this thread will come up if someone searches for it. You might save others from making the same mistake.

PrivatePike · 19/04/2016 14:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheDuchessOfArbroathsHat · 19/04/2016 15:00

3 - 2 - 1 and you're back in the room!

Hypnotised huh? Ohhhhhhhhhh-kay. Share stories you say? I moonlight as a hump-backed whale in my spare time on You-Tube. Meh - pays the bills. Want me to send you a link? Grin

MrsOs · 19/04/2016 15:04

This sort of thing was on judge rinder (or whatever it's called) the other week.. they never saw there money again. The lesson I got from that show was that a modelling agency is really interested in your child they wouldn't be asking for money. I don't know where you stand.

JuxtapositionRecords · 19/04/2016 15:08

So not a journo and this is real, why don't you name and shame the so called agency on here to stop other unfortunates being scammed?

TheDuchessOfArbroathsHat · 19/04/2016 15:18

A very good question Juxta. VERY good question. Come on OP - at least warn others out there who might also find themselves in a hypnotic money-sharing state.

manicinsomniac · 19/04/2016 15:33

I don't think this is a reporter/ journo the English grammar and spelling are too good, they aren't usually very bright.

Huh? Don't you need an English degree to be a journalist? I think it's a very competitive field too. Their English grammar and spelling should be at least average!!

OP - have you been feeling any different lately? Problems with impulse control? It probably is just one stupid, costly mistake but it might be worth checking out your mental health - this is the kind of thing I might do when manic, tbh.

JSarah · 19/04/2016 15:48

Woah, I'm shocked you didn't question that price!

My DC have recently joined an agency. It was a one off fee of £150 (until they are 18) and you pay £60 a year for photo updates (which you get to keep) and that starts when they're 3, which mine aren't, so I use photos from home, but I got a photo shoot in that original cost.

That's what a proper agency is like, you pay a little for a website template (which was included in original fee) not £700!

I don't think you'll get your money back.

NewLife4Me · 19/04/2016 15:56

manic

I was being ironic, but have actually heard that many can't spell Grin

Waltermittythesequel · 19/04/2016 15:57

That's what a proper agency is like, you pay a little for a website template (which was included in original fee) not £700!

A legitimate agency would not charge any money. Just like real publishers etc.

curren · 19/04/2016 15:59

I have never been charged by an agency. If an agency really wants you they wouldn't charge.

PaulAnkaTheDog · 19/04/2016 16:04

Surely legitimate agencies want model-like children on their books, so wouldn't charge though Sarah? You may not have spent anywhere near as much as the op but you probably will in the long-term. That's not really legit either.

JuxtapositionRecords · 19/04/2016 16:11

Any agency that charges you up front is having you on. Real agencies take a cut of your earnings.

JSarah · 19/04/2016 16:27

Paul - it's a talent agency, so they charge for website template. It's in many contracts, I've researched it all a lot.

DS has already had one newborn job, which he was paid £300 and I got £60 for being a chaperone.

It's legit Smile

JSarah · 19/04/2016 16:30

I'm not being rude, I'm sure some of you are familiar with model agencies. Model agencies only, take it from your first job. Which is what happened when I was a teen.

I then joined a talent agency and you pay to have a website template, not to be on their books. Since I have been 15, I have had multiple jobs via my agency. It's the same agency my babies are now under, so I do know quite a bit.

LurkingHusband · 19/04/2016 16:38

Don't you need an English degree to be a journalist?

Not from what I read nowadays ...

PaulAnkaTheDog · 19/04/2016 16:39

So it's not a modelling agency? Are they selective or take anyone? Because whilst it works for you, they probably make a large chunk of their cash charging people who's children might not get anything from it.

JSarah · 19/04/2016 16:44

Paul - no, it's a talent agency. They find musical work/film work too. You go along to an assessment and decide then, if you should join. No, not everyone gets in, my niece wasn't accepted last year and had to wait at least a year, to apply again. They tell my how you react under direction at the assessment. It does cover model work too, but it's primarily film and voice overs but still a lot of modelling.

Maybe it doesn't work for everyone. However, they don't accept all. I can only go by experience and so far it has worked out just fine for me and my DS, so far. We have also attended many auditions. I'm just saying, you really have to see if the agency is model or talent, as talent do change for a website template as you can upload showreels