Refund from Agent

Span_2

Hiya people

I signed up to Models Direct for 3 yr contract of £128 on the 15/07/07. But on the 16/07, I decided they were not the agents for me. Especially after reading the negative press reports. I phoned them up and was advised that I must send a letter to the Accounts Dept. detailing my request for a refund, so I did recorded delivery.

Received a letter from them today stating;

'As you will be aware, the contribution you paid is towards the initial registration and consequently absorbed at the outset of the Progreamme of Model Representation.

Please remember you can remain on the books wherever you are in the world and whatever your circumstances, all we need is a contact number for you'.

I do not wish to remain on the books. I did not sign up to any photo shoots etc. All they have sent me is a welcoming letter. Surely I have a right to a refund? What action can I take?

Many thanks in advance

Span.

maninthestreet

What do the terms and conditions of the contract state with regards to this £128 'fee'?

Bamber19

There's been plenty of warnings about these sort of things, no genuine agency would require an upfront fee as they'd only sign up people they felt would be able to go out and earn them a commission. This agency probably signs up anyone who applies(they probably tell you you've come through some selection process, they might even take a month to get back to you to pretend they're considering you)

It's very sad that so many people now want to be models that they're an easy target for scams, most have no chance but believe they do because family and friends either can't see or can't bring themselves to tell the truth. Losing money is the nicer side of it, the darker being when you have seedy photographers taking advantage of young girls in pursuit of a dream.

Talent agencies are the same and it re-iterates the point, look at shows like X-Factor where people who cannot sing at all audition, get told "no chance" then say, "But Everyone says I'm good" they always get asked "who tells you this? Friends and family who don't want to upset you?"

Sooler

You got stung – fotunately it's not the end of the world.

Some lessons have to be learnt the hard way – happens to everyone at sometime in one way or another.

Look on the bright side, hopefully you’re now a bit wiser and won’t fall for this type of scam ever again.

advent1122

Maybe you should have done some research BEFORE signing up.
Looks like you have lost your money as buried in the small print will be the words "non-refundable"

Span_2

Thanks for the replies.

@ Advent - thank you for stating the obvious. Stop living in the past.

@ Sooler - I won't fall for this again.

@ Bamber - I know there's a lot of competition. I didn't go into because my friends and family told me I looked good. I done it because I wanted to do and I've got the summer off as I am a teacher!

I was actually looking for some legal routes to take.

Span.

Sooler

Span wrote: »

I was actually looking for some legal routes to take.

What does the Terms and Conditions say about cancellation and refunds?

Or what does it not say?

The Models Direct T&C
http://www.modelsdirect.com/model_terms.html

references The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2003/20033319.htm#26

which states

Notification of charges and the terms of offers
13. - (1) Subject to paragraph (2), on the first occasion that an agency or employment business offers to provide or arrange the provision of a service to a work-seeker, the agency or employment business shall give notice to the work-seeker stating -

• (a) whether that service is a work-finding service for which the Act prohibits the agency or employment business from charging a fee; and
  
  (b) whether any other services or goods which may be provided by the agency or employment business or any other person are services or goods for which the agency or employment business or other person providing them will or may charge a fee, together with details of any such fee including -
  • (i) the amount or method of calculation of the fee;
    
    (ii) the identity of the person to whom the fee is or will be payable;
    
    (iii) a description of the services or goods to which the fee relates; and
    
    (iv) the circumstances, if any, in which refunds or rebates are payable to the work-seeker, the scale of such refunds or rebates, and if no refunds or rebates are payable, a statement to that effect.

Is this of any relevance?

You could try your Citizens Advice Bureau who might be able to look at the legalities of the T&C's and the The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003


If you are sure you are entitled to a refund you could try www.moneyclaim.gov.uk