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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:
SouthWestmom · 19/04/2016 16:50

Mine are with a legit agency too (acting) annual fees cover photos. No upfront fees. No pressure. Paid work already so I'm not worried about the annual stuff.

SouthWestmom · 19/04/2016 16:51

Oops. Forgot . The annual fee is nowhere near £710!
We get the photos too.

JSarah · 19/04/2016 17:00

See, it's quite common to pay a yearly fee for a talent agency.

Plus, it's obvious people get work as we both have!

NattyNatural · 19/04/2016 17:08

My son done child modelling and they took no money up front.
They charge a yearly fee of £100 but they deducted it from his pay check for the first job.

They say if you have to pay any money upfront to a model agency then it's generally a scam.

I'm so sorry this has happened to you as you paid in good faith.

Good luck, I hope you can get it back somehow either call your bank and stop payment or report it as a scam

Thanks
JuxtapositionRecords · 19/04/2016 17:31

Hmmm op has disappeared...

Quook · 19/04/2016 17:32

I'm not sure that the journo's that have to trawl Mumsnet are quite at the top of their game Wink

Ps I'm NOT saying the OP is a journo. Blush

Drivingqueen123 · 19/04/2016 17:39

Crikey, no love for journalists eh? Some of us come on here to post like everyone else. No need for the sniping at spelling and grammar. Hmm

Waltermittythesequel · 19/04/2016 18:03

The problem is the journalists who pretend not to be, I think.

RunnerOnTheRun · 19/04/2016 20:03

is this ANYTHING to do with what's on C4 right now?

BeckyMcDonald · 19/04/2016 20:10

I can't believe that anyone could still fall for this type of scam. Have you never read a newspaper or watched any type of consumer affairs programme in your life, ever OP?

or maybe you work for one

BeckyMcDonald · 19/04/2016 20:11

Oh, and I am a journalist. Takes one to know a bad one Grin

Original poster
greenbean789 · 19/04/2016 21:14

Thank you all for the support and straight talk. I can take criticism, and welcome it, even though it hurts.
But I don't understand why I am being accused of being a journo. Well, I am flattered, actually, as I think it is a great job, but I am not using the site for other reasons than getting help for my f*-up.
I disappeared because in the evenings I usually give supper to my kids, bathe them and put them to bed. Now that I am free, I could address few questions.
It seems that some people here have taken an issue with phrasing of my question about sharing your experiences.
The reason I asked that question was that deep in my heart I wanted to believe that it was a good and sound investment. I was kind of hoping that someone would pop up and say that they know the industry, this is how it works, and don't worry OP, you will get your money back as the jobs will come flooding in, it is a normal practice, and the money you paid is industry average. I thought I had a dilemma: either hope for the best and have faith in them and my DS to do well or make sure it wasn't what they wanted me believe and fight back.
Now reading your feedback, I realise that the latter is more likely, so will equip myself with knowledge and do what I can to get my or at least part of my money back.

OP posts:
Original poster
greenbean789 · 19/04/2016 21:16

And as for the naming and shaming, I will do it due course. I want to get my facts right, and do not want to defame someone without proper grounds.

OP posts:
Original poster
greenbean789 · 20/04/2016 10:27

Have just sent an email to ask for refund. Will keep you posted with updates.

OP posts:
Quook · 20/04/2016 11:12

We like updates Smile. Good luck.

HazelBite · 20/04/2016 12:33

OP when DS1 was little I was randomly approached by various people asking if I wanted him/would be willing for him to be a child model (he was, and still, is very photogenic) When it was discussed, I was told that there would be no charge to me, as they could offer him work straightaway and would take a percentage commission from what he earned.
Ds was never keen so we never pursued it, but another lady that I knew was approached about her son and took up the offer and he had plenty of modelling and TV work, she never paid a penny out to anyone.

mouldycheesefan · 20/04/2016 13:52

But what are you asking for a refund on? You were offers photos and ypu chose to buy them. The fact they were extortionately priced doesn't mean that you are entitled to a refund. What did you think you were getting for your money that you didn't receive?

Original poster
greenbean789 · 20/04/2016 16:20

mouldicheesefan, I paid on the spot without questioning the fee. But my DH wasn't happy, then I asked around, including MN and I realised it was a scam, as the modelling agencies fees do not come nowhere as much, and many do not charge at all, but take a cut from future jobs.

OP posts:
fassbendersmistress · 20/04/2016 16:51

OP, how are your kids handling this? Because I assume you asked their permission and they really really wanted to model....and are now super-disappointed it might have been a scam.

I was forced to model as a child and hated hated hated every second of it. I hated it. But I saw how much the adults around me wanted me to do it and so I said nothing.

If this really was all down to vanity as you hinted in an earlier post (ie your kids haven't been begging you for months to let them model), dust yourself and your kids down and consider it a lucky escape for them...

YelloRoses · 20/04/2016 16:53

Sorry OP but lol
This reminds me of an everybody loves raymond episode called "the model"

Cannot believe people still fall for that shit, get in contact with your bank unless you paid with cash.

kippersyllabub · 20/04/2016 16:57

£710? Shock

Now I feel positively frugal for spending £200 on a kitchen bin.

19909ninty · 20/04/2016 17:15

Can I ask what your kitchen bin does for £200?!!

giraffesCantReachTheirToes · 20/04/2016 17:45

Oh no op that is so awful. I hope you get something back

Original poster
greenbean789 · 22/04/2016 02:45

Thanks everyone for your support and sharing experiences! It's almost 3am, and I can't sleep as I am so angry.

OP posts:
Original poster
greenbean789 · 22/04/2016 02:51

It is official and confirmed: it was a scam, for all intents and purposes.
I gave them a chance and time to prove they are not, but sadly, they are common conmen.
I exchanged emails and phone calls. The agency is saying they have nothing to do with it, that studio is the third independent party, the studio is passing the back to the agency that booked.
But both are united in giving me a big f* off sign, and oh how much they must be laughing at me now!

OP posts: