Uk Models - has anyone had any experience with this company please?

Resurrect

Hi all, 

My wife has made an appointment to take our child to a photoshoot with UK Models and I wondered if anyone here has done this with this company. 

I’m not sure I trust this and have been told by my wife I’m too negative & trying to stop our child having an enjoyable experience. 

If you rather message me than post, please do. 

Thank you. 

sassyblue

Don't know myself - but I do know you NEVER pay model agencies any money so make your wife aware of that if she isn’t already.  

Resurrect

She’s paid £50 so far to ‘hold the studio’ but get this refunded apparently. 4 hour appointment. 

Then portfolio will be at least £500. Not sure what this actually is. 

Some bad reviews online alongside 1000’s of good ones. 

They’ve asked me to attend also - I’m fearing the worst & it’s the same as double glazing sales where they want both partners there so you can’t say you have to check with your other half! 

The money isn’t as important as them being pressured after spending all that time there with our child being told they going to be a famous star etc. 

I’d rather my wife accepts we’ll be spending c£1k on something that isn’t going to go anywhere & use the money on a professional photographer or something similar to have something on our terms. 

missbishi

Is your wife under the impression they are a modelling agency? I'm sure you know by now that they aren't - they describe themselves as a 'support service'. They will NOT be able to get any work. None whatsoever.
You may as well flush a grand down the khazi.

Resurrect

I know. They are slick though & I need some evidence so she can make her mind up. 

I’m being told I’m stopping a wonderful experience for our child. ie getting dressed up, hair styled, told how amazing they are, posing for the photos etc. 

I will have to put my foot down as I don’t want my child in what I assume will be a hard sale environment. 

It’s not about the money in a way. I’d rather not expose my child to what I anticipate is a scam where their emotions might be played upon. 

naedanger

Resurrect said:

She’s paid £50 so far to ‘hold the studio’ but get this refunded apparently. 4 hour appointment. 

Then portfolio will be at least £500. Not sure what this actually is. 

Some bad reviews online alongside 1000’s of good ones. 

They’ve asked me to attend also - I’m fearing the worst & it’s the same as double glazing sales where they want both partners there so you can’t say you have to check with your other half! 

The money isn’t as important as them being pressured after spending all that time there with our child being told they going to be a famous star etc. 

I’d rather my wife accepts we’ll be spending c£1k on something that isn’t going to go anywhere & use the money on a professional photographer or something similar to have something on our terms. 

Firstly the proportion of bad reviews to good reviews seems much higher for very recent reviews than over the longer term. The cynic in me questions whether they are managing their online reputation by getting bad reviews removed.

As said already, a professionally produced portfolio will not help them get modelling work. Talent scouts don't actually want to see photos that aim to show the model in the best light. They want simple, straightforward photos where they can see the model's underlying potential.

If they are just going for the experience and fun of being treated like a model then that might be worth the money to some people. However, like you, I expect that for a significant part of the time you will be treated to high pressure sales tactics, based on emotional blackmail, to get you to upgrade to a more expensive package.

Having said all that, I don't actually have any personal experience of the company. And my comments are based on what I have heard of the way some companies in this field have operated, plus what I have seen online.

Resurrect

That’s my problem! If I could get a customers‘ thoughts that would help me greatly. 

AskAsk

some reviews here.  a lot of good reviews and some very bad ones.  bear in mind that a lot of reviews can be fake, so pay more attention to the negative ones.  if you do use them, do so with an eye on the ball.

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/ukmodels.co.uk

HCIMbtw

sounds like your stopping a fun experience for your partner (not the kid)... you could have the fun experience buy some stuff for your kid to dress up in and take pictures at home

Pollycat

I have a recollection that I've seen this company mentioned (in a negative way) either on the praise, vent & warnings board or consumer rights but the search function on MSE is appalling.

Maybe post something similar on one of those boards and see if anyone can remember.

Resurrect

Thanks all. She has now cancelled the appointment & had her £50 refunded, without me prompting further. 

I’ve said she can spend what would realistically been £1000’s on a very good camera or to work with professional photographers if she wants.

Think I’ll be sleeping in the spare room for a few more night though!!