Aspiring model duped by “platforms” promising easy route to fashion world

JLORNA

I recently attended what I thought was a legit studio who invited me to Manchester for the day to have a photo shoot to build a professional portfolio with a deposit of a fully refundable £50.00. This company is but advertised online and many different companies.

At the end of the shoot, I was placed into a room with a lady who talked money and different packages for me to get. I took what I thought was the best package for my money for £2,500 which I had to decide there and then on the day or the photos would be gone and I couldn’t do it any longer and was told I cannot cancel this when entering a contract. Since then I have feel the images I received from the studio are nothing more than mediocre to say the least and the products I have received are of a basic measure and do not give me any more of a benefit into the modelling world and isn’t any better of a product I couldn’t of done myself.

They promised me something far better than what I received and I am now left wondering wether I can cancel this contract? Will they regulated by any governing body? Probably not is what I’ve been told. I am very young, trying to establish a secure life for myself and feel like I’ve been scammed massively for the products I have been given. Will this affect my creating rating if they didn’t run any credit checks on me? Could they take ME to court for cancelling this direct debit? Any help on what to do next or any advise would be massively appreciated?

Gaz83

Did you sign any kind of contract?

JLORNA

Yes I signed a contract

Gaz83

There should be a section that details what happens in the event of cancellation, what does it say?

lisyloo

How did you pay?

Candyapple

JLORNA wrote: »

I am very young, trying to establish a secure life for myself and feel like I’ve been scammed massively for the products I have been given.

If you are trying to get into fashion / modelling it is a very tough game and a lot of the times you would be scouted rather than applying for jobs. A reputable agency will point you in the right direction for getting head shots done. You would be far better concentrating on your education and getting some formal qualifications behind you rather than focusing all your eggs in one basket.


Have you tried contacting your local paper? They might run a story on it:
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/family-say-northern-quarter-modelling-9227506

JLORNA

Gaz83 wrote: »

There should be a section that details what happens in the event of cancellation, what does it say?

I was told I can’t cancel at all, what I am asking isn’t what can I do to cancel due to the fact this is a known thing that they’re scamming want to Be models. I’m just hoping someone on here has been through the same thing if not a similar situation and tell me what’s they did if they felt they were being scammed

JLORNA

Candyapple wrote: »

If you are trying to get into fashion / modelling it is a very tough game and a lot of the times you would be scouted rather than applying for jobs. A reputable agency will point you in the right direction for getting head shots done. You would be far better concentrating on your education and getting some formal qualifications behind you rather than focusing all your eggs in one basket.


I know it’s tough I’ve been doing this since I was young but been scammed in this occasion, I know what I need to do to get into the fashion world but they promised me this and it’s not what I thought at all. I work full time I have good money and I have had education as well as having good qualifications behind me thank you. When I say I’m young I am 23, I just need some advise on what to do next really. Wether I can get out of this with help, if they’re so fidgety can I take this to court? This is really the information I’m looking for, not so much to change what I want to do, this is what I want to do

JLORNA

lisyloo wrote: »

How did you pay?

Paid cash and through credit card, I am yet to ring a few lines tomorrow about fraud and credit cards etc so I have that in the pipeline.

Candyapple

They must have given you a copy of your contract you signed - can you upload it here?

T-G-C

If the final product or service rendered does not match that of the one committed in exchange for your contractual agreement and financial payment, then you are entitled to withhold their funds and raise a dispute with them. If they refute your claims and wish to escalate the matter to a civil court or vice versa, then this can be formally resolved through such medium. You must be certain of this though, as a case being found in their favor could have an adverse effect on you.

If this is a case of not liking the final product or service rendered as an opinion, but they have in fact fulfilled what was promised to you, then it must be put down to experience and move on. You are contractually obliged to honor any commitments and failing to do so will give them the right to ignite legal action.

Generally, this sort of company would not report to the credit reference agencies as it is not an account as such, especially not even running a credit check in the first place, indicating that they are not subscribed to any credit bureau. The contract signed is in place to act as a legal safeguard in the event of non-payment.

P.S I am going on the assumption that you have not paid yet, as you are referring to cancelling a Direct Debit, but another post contradicts this. If you have already made a payment, the same concept applies, except since you already paid, they cannot take legal action against you. You would need take legal action against them, in the event that you are refused a refund and feel that you were not rendered a product or service that was advertised and promised in exchange for your money.