Extremeley worries now :(

rickyj1291

After having searched the forums for months, I finally need some help, so i turn deperately to you guys.

Well, what can I say, I have a feeling that I may have fallen victim to a modelling scam...

About 3 weeks ago I went down to london to register with a company called lovin models. (Website: www .lovinmodels.co.uk)as they had contacted me through starnow ( a casting website, which has shown to give me 100% reliable results up until this point)

But now I think you can see where I'm going.

I went down, had a photo shoot so that they could put together a portfolio for me, and while it usually costs them £1500 according to their price list, I got them down to £600.

While with hindsight there should have been red alarm bells ringin, they weren't. The man made it sounds so convincing and up untill the point where I had to purchase my photos, it all seemed to be going well!

Well yeah £600, which my mom charged on her credit card in two payments. One on the day, and the other half (£300) was arranged to be taken today.

For some reason I now have a horrible feeling that they are con artists, and was wondering if there was ANY way I could get the money frozen, or transferred back into my moms account (ie, if i tell her she needs to ring up.)

One thing that may help me I think, is the fact that I was told within 3 weeks I would recieve all of my photos, and there has been nothing. Having charged us £600, I called them up today and asked what the progress was, the receptionist seemed like she could be bothered to answer, and told me it takes up to 8 weeks, and so she'll check the status for me and then ring back.

Please please please let there be a solution, I can't believe how stupid I was looking back

Tesco_points_addict

If it was paid by credit card, not debit card you should be ok. Get your Mum to give the card company a ring and explain the situation.

TPAx

V.Lucky

Get your Mom to ring her credit card company, explain the situation and see if they can refund you and do a chargeback under the Consumer Credit Act.

Worth a try, and best of luck.

Dinah93

If the payment was partially or completely paid on a credit card then they take joint responsibility under the section (gargh, number) consumer credit act, so you should be able to get all the money back through them.

rickyj1291

It was paid all by credit card (she's with capital one) with £300 being taken 3 weeks ago, and the other half being taken today.

So if I tell her to ring up and explain exactly what I said here they should be able to sort us out?

YorkshireBoy

Don't you think you're jumping the gun here?

The 3 week delivery schedule may not be up yet (you said you went down "about" 3 weeks ago).

Also, I don't think the card company will act on your "horrible feeling that they are con artists". I think they'll insist you give them more time...especially if you don't have any written terms to show them.

Sorry if it's not what you wanted to hear.

rickyj1291

No thats cool, I'm happy to take all views

Well in exact days my appointment was 3 weeks and 2 days ago.

This will teach me to do more thorough research next time! I've had a look and with just photographers (not with agencies) a portfolio, of the same standard (And even with a couple extras) will cost about £250, and thats what my cousins friend was charging (but since they were amateur, I thought that the agency would charge me more being professional)...

I guess I'm just really torn in terms of what to do, as I'm reading up on a couple of sites and alot of the things they warn you against did actually come up, but as you say I could be jumping the gun.

Tesco_points_addict

Have you googles the company name? Often brings up information (rather than g directly to their website.

TPAx

td_007

rickyj1291 wrote: »

I guess I'm just really torn in terms of what to do, as I'm reading up on a couple of sites and alot of the things they warn you against did actually come up, but as you say I could be jumping the gun.

Indeed give it some more time but follow up with a call as well as a written request - that way you will have evidence to show that you have tried your best to resolve the matter should it come to dispute later.

never-in-doubt

Dinah93 wrote: »

If the payment was partially or completely paid on a credit card then they take joint responsibility under the section (gargh, number) consumer credit act, so you should be able to get all the money back through them.

That'll be s.75 of the CCA.

Direct link here: http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/after_you_buy/making-complaint/template-letters/consumer_credit/

Or link on here: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/consumer-rights-refunds-exchan

kazwookie

Ask the photo people for a couple of names of people who has had their photos back and see what reaction you get.

Re your mums card do as they say ^^^ up there.