Industry Model and Talent Studio ripped off $1500 without letting us know the norefund cancellation policy

Industry Model and Talent Studio charged us $1500 without letting us know the cancellation policy. We called within 2 business hours after signing the contract and they refused to refund our money.

My wife and I along with our 8 month old kid were shopping at the Woodbridge mall on Sunday when a young lady approached us and asked us if we were looking for a modeling career for my son. She gave me a visiting card. A few minutes later she came by and asked if they could contact me and asked for my phone number. I gave her our home number, she asked me if she can get a cell phone number too. I gave her the numbers. I got a call the next day, Monday. I couldn't take the call, they left a message asking us to call them back regarding my son's modeling career. I got 2 such messages by evening , so I called them up late in the evening, they set me up for an appointment at their Edgewater office for Tuesday evening at 7PM (next day). I was asked to bring couple of identifications for my son and some photos.

I didn't want to cancel the appointment so drove with my wife and son to their office. I live in central NJ and it was 75 minute drive for us with the traffic. I was asked to fill some information about my son which we did. Within a few minutes a lady approached us. We made a friendly conversation with us, passed some nice comments about my son, took us to her office, she said she was the Director. She started showing us some photos of their child models and explained about all their models and what they do and other stuff.

She then asked me for two identification proofs for me and my son. I showed my son's passport and I handed over my driving license and the second one was my personal credit card. She took them and kept them before her. So far so good, She then put a paper before me that explains all the different photo shoots they have, I was not sure what to do, my son was becoming cranky as we had a long drive in the traffic. The expensive photo shoot was for $1500. She asked me which one I would prefer. My wife turned to me and said she don't want to do this as it is very expensive. The lady heard that and started convincing us that it is a very good option and we should at least go with one of the options and it will help our son's career and pushed us into signing the agreement. I wanted to get out of there but not sure how. I finally agreed to the $1350 option. She took my credit card in her hand and before she swiped it asked once again if we want to go for $1500 because its just $150 dollars more but will give more exposure with more shoots. I nodded my head not sure what to do. I always thought that we could cancel it if we didn't want to do it.

She swiped the card for $1500. She asked me what will be the right day for us to schedule the shoot. We said we were busy the next couple of weeks, so immediately she suggested why not on the coming Friday evening same time (which was like 3 days from that day). I was not sure what to say, now that we already committed to pay the amount, I nodded. She entered the date and time marked a few checks and told me that since we don't have much time for the shoot, if for some reason we can't make it for the shoot, she will post pone it without any issues. I thought that was reasonable and initialed at 2 places that she pointed me. It was a mistake on my part to not to read the paper and believe her that she was telling me everything that was on the paper. Well, there was this section at the bottom that talks about the cancellation policy which I didn't read. It said that there will not be any refunds.

I wanted to come out of the office as soon as I could as my son is becoming cranky. By the time we came out of the office it was about 8PM. After reaching home we started discussing and decided that we should cancel the shoot as it was very expensive and we didn't want to drive back there. It took us 1 and half hour to come back from Edgewater with the traffic. We decided to drop off this modeling idea. It was too late that night to call them as they close at 8.30PM.

I called them up next morning at 9AM (within 2 business hours) to cancel the photo shoot. We asked for the director that we met the earlier evening. They said she was not in office and asked me if I have any message for her. I told them that this was regarding the photo shoot appointment for my son. After an hour I got a call from a lady who said she is the manager of the person who I talked to the day before. I explained her everything. She asked me to go through the paper work and pointed me to the cancellation policy, that's when I realized that I was in trouble. She said she could postpone the shoot but will not authorize to refund the amount.

I said I don't want to postpone it and wanted a refund. She bluntly said she is not willing to refund it as I already signed the contract. She told me she was going to call me in the evening and will let me know what she can do. She called me in the evening (Tuesday) at 4.30 and said she can only postpone the shoot (which she already told me in the morning) and will not be refunding the amount. I said this is not fair, she said she is being fair to me by postponing the shoot and asked me if there is anything that she can do as if nothing happened so far. I got off the phone. I got a call after 30 minutes from the office saying that the person is from customer relations department. He said that he could get me a refund of $750 dollars. I didn't agree with him.

I called up the credit card company and disputed the charge. They blocked the amount and after 30 days(just today, Sept14, 2007) I got the letter from them along with the copy of the document that I initialed stating that they will not be able to credit the amount. I called them up and explained them again, the representative reopened the dispute again.

I was searching over the internet to find out if I can get some help and came across the article on wcbstv website. This website had a link to your website. Please help me in getting my money back. I hope we can do something so that in future there will not be any more victims like me.

There is an article on wcbstv.com (on the television) on this company.

url: http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_332173619.html

I have gathered reports filed by people online against this company.

A few:

http://ripoffreport.com/reports/0/266/RipOff0266777.htm

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/221/ripoff0221598.htm

http://ripoffreport.com/reports/0/231/ripoff0231162.htm

Ex-Employee of the model company commenting on the company.

http://ripoffreport.com/reports/0/221/RipOff0221598.htm

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I cancelled three weeks ago and have not received the refund. Can we do something to have the state shout down this place?

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It seems that I am the only person responding to this that actually went through with their service!

How can you call anyone a scam and not even give them the chance to do what they say they do??

Granted, I did have to pay what I consider a lot of money (over $2000), but I did my reasearch and found that for head shots or modeling comp cards, you have to pay at least that no matter where you go or what photographer you use.

Well, for me it actually worked and I have been requested several times, got signed by an agent (Xist Model Management) and have booked gigs on Law & Order and Ugly Betty. ALSO my cousin did it for her 3 year old who was printed in a toys r' us ad just a few weeks ago.

So I'm not saying their cancellation policy is great, but you did have to initial it, and yes they were pushy with me too, but not dishonest in any way. All I can say is it's a tough business .

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Today is tuesday, 9/22/09 and I am soo thankful that I did the research before I actually went to this place. Its sad though because I was actually excited. I was approached at the Lowes Theatre, near Willowbrook Mall. They called my cell phone so many times!! I finally scheduled an appointment on thursday. Now, Im not going. Thank you so much and I hope and pray you get a full refund!!

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Thank you so much for posting this account of your experience with Industry Models and Talent Studio online. After reading your blogg I really felt compelled to post one myself. I almost fell for this scam too as they approached me in the mall about my son's future in modeling, and then proceeded to call the very next day to set up an interview with the director. After setting it up over the phone I went on to Google them and found your complaint among numerous others. After reading several complaints I called them back and strongly verbalized that I would not be attending the meeting and why. I let them know that I have no time to waste on their company and its ridiculous scam. This really goes to show how powerful the internet is, if it weren't for these scam alert postings I would possibly have been $1500.00 poorer by Sunday. I must admit though that it is still surprisingly alarming to me that people would lie and cheat others for the almighty dollar to such an implausible extent. I hope that this posting reinforces to other potential victims that doing business with this company is a serious and definite NO NO...

Regards,

Concerned Citizen

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I've been thinking about getting my daughter into modelling for awhile now (but was waiting until she gets a little older), but I was so excited to be approached by this "company". I gave them my contact info and was looking forward to meeting with them. Fortunately, I always check if a modelling agency/studio is legit (I've recieved letters in the mail from "modeling agencies" that were also scams. And the moment I typed in the name of this place on google, I saw nothing but complaints. So I waited for their call to politely tell them that we were no longer interested. They called my home and cell phone several times over a 3 day period, and there was so much noise, talking, and laughter on the other line that I just hung up (sounds more like a prank phone call than a professional business). When I was finally able to speak with someone, I calmly told them that I was "no longer interested, but I thank you." Surprisingly, I recieved the rude reply of "WELL YOU SHOULD'VE NEVER FILLED OUT THE CONTACT INFORMATION!!" And was hung up on. Even if this place was legit, I would never let such rude people around my child. Luckily I found this out before it was too late.

PARENTS: NO AGENCY WILL ASK YOU TO PAY OUTRAGEOUS PRICES TO WORK FOR THEM. THEY SHOULD BE PAYING YOU! INDUSTRY MODEL AND TALENT STUDIO IS AN OBVIOUS SCAM!

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Well im a 14 yr old girl and went two six flags water park two days ago. ive always wanted to be an actress. and right when i was hanging out this dude gets closer and tell me a lil bit a bout it. he was cute so i listened... nd it was about being on "tv shows and comercials and everything"

i was so excited. he told me to talk to my parents and they would call me in 3 days. They've called three times today and talked to my dad only since he went out. when he came back he told me about it but i live in new york so he wouldnt had taken me anyways. im glad i read this though and this is not the only company out there that is doing that. thats why i always research, but the first thing i did when i got home was visit their website, industrystudio.com

and of course read the testimonial to see if it was for real, and of course, all good comments, blah blah blah...

but thanks god i read this. thats why all always research the most i can.

all they did was get me all excited but after thiis, next time they call im just saying im not interested.

ill just keep tryin but with talent development networks that really work.

thnx

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At Six Flags, the manager approached me and my child and asked if I ever thought about have her model. I asked if Industry was selling photo shoots and he told me "no." He said he scouted the child and there would be no cost. I found out that they would offer a photo package during the interview from this complaint board and decided against going on the interview. A phone agent called to confirm the apt. Then the confirmation agent, Jazmine, called. When I got into it with Jazmine about the complaints on the Internet and asked her to send me some positive references, she hung up on me. What does that tell you about this company? Not only are they rude, but it is a numbers game to them. I am so glad I didn't waste my time or the hopes of my children.

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I am so glad I was able to find this entry in google search. I was approached by the same company 2 weeks ago and they called again today. I made an appointment for tomorrow having soome good dreams for my son. I am not going to get my dreams shattered nor am I interested in getting ripped off. Thank you for posting these comments and sharing your experience. I do hope you they refund you the full amount, since the circumstances forced you into signing this agreement. They should have given upfront information about potential charges before making you drive for 75 minutes with a kid.

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I 'am 32 yrs old and I know that you must read anything before you sign, but for the idiot who commented that you must read before you sign.

Tried reading a legal size paper the "AGREEMENT" with the font size of the letters about 8.5", o and the page is both sided so you really have to read both side of the agreement. Your child screeaming, crying, or talking over you and the suppose Director.

The Director is filling your head of dreams. You child is loving all this personal attention. The Director is asking your child to pose, to speak english and spanish, to sing and dance and your child is pulling out her i-pod and dancing and singing for this person who is promising you and assuring you that your child will get a call back in less than 6 mos.

You must be a company employee because you obviously do not have any remorse or bad feeling for what this people are doing.

I have cried and have not slept thinking about the fact that this company stole $ 850.00 and my childs dreaming of actually being a model.

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I was at the NJ Nets game the other day and as everyone else on here stated was approached by a young woman telling me about my daughters "look." Blah, blah, blah. I gave her my cell and of course they called the next day trying to set up an appointment. I told the uneducated talking woman I want to do a little research prior to setting up the appointment. That call was over. So today I got around to researching them. They have quite a number of alias's and 139 complaints to NJ BBB and many to CT as well where they operate the same scam under a different name. I looked up the Principal and it looks like he's just a kid, graduating in the late 90's from HS! In addition, the principle and his wife have Facebook pages. So disheartening principle that you prey on local people's pride and joy's, especially considering you have a new one of your own.

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thanks for this ,same thing happened to me on saturday tis guy approach me and my daughter telling me how beautifull she is and yada yada .... so what they did was calling me right the next day on sunday night they do that so you dont have too much time to do any investigation ,,but fuck !! them i am not going to the appoinment.

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Thanks for posting your experience. It definitely saved us from the trap!

We were approached at the Freehold Raceway Mall.

Beware everyone! These people are everywhere!

I hope you are able to resolve the issue with them.

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todays date is 2/8/09 last sunday while out with my family a women commented on how beautiful my son was and ask if modeling was something we would be interested, wehen we said yes i was told they will not reschedule.

after i googled the agency my husband and i decided we will not going to out appointment, so thank you to everyone who voiced there issues with that company

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People who have been ripped off by this company, please email me. Also file a complaint with BBB and NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.

http://newjersey.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=89&bbb=0221&firm=28000562

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp/ocpform.htm

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I am sorry what happened.

I too was approached by an agent at the Garden State Plaza in Paramus for my son. I went to the office in Edgewater as well as I was curious.

The guy I met was all excited and even got me excited about the opportunity. Then he said it would cost money for the photo shoot.

Warning flags went up in my head. I hesitated and finally asked if I can think about. He was annoyed, but I finally left. I never called back. I am glad I didn't pay anything for it. I felt bad for the people I saw who were getting photo shoots.

Be wary of model/actor agencies that charge you especially if they prowl at malls. Same apply for publishers and job headhunters.

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The basic problem with this company is their cancellation policy. If the company is legitimate, why would they not refund even a penny to people who call within hours to cancel and that too days before the photoshoot is scheduled? Why should the customer have to pay for services they are not going to use. Any legitimate business in the world would have some sensible refund policy to recoup costs for services rendered but refund the rest.

In this case, even if they do everything they promise and the photoshoot charges are genuinely reasonable, why not refund the full amount to people who have only signed the contract but not used their services.

I too am a victim but this is personal now. They made my wife break down on the phone and now I am willing to lose thousands of dollars to get back at them. Will update these pages with the full course of actions I will be taking against them.

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Thank you so much for your comments! We were approached in the mall (Freehold Raceway Mall in Freehold, NJ) by a talent scout and the exact same things happened. I always try to research this stuff beforehand before agreeing to anything. I am so sorry that you were ripped off, but hopefully you will be vindicated! If it wasn't for your comments, I'm not sure what would have happened with us! These people will get theirs someday!

Best of luck!

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This company approached us in the mall - Garden State Plaza - on Saturday. On Sunday evening someone was already calling us pressuring us to make an appointment. Justin was such a fast talker, I immediately became suspicious. My mother modeled professionally for more than 2 decades and I have a friend who's two son's had done Gap ads, etc. I Google the company and immediately read scam after scam. Parents must do their due diligence.

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It's funny to point out that someone signed a contract so there is no reason to complain ... but we should be able to cancel a contract after at least 3 days ... The way Industry push people to signing those contracts no wonder why some people get forced to sign them ... Who wrote that last comment must work for the company and it a heartless money grabber ...

I trully feel bad for the parents that do get suckered into signing those owful contracts ...

I'm still shocked that there is no one out there that would do something about this.

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Thanks for this information. I have an appointment tomorrow morning and I will not be showing up. I really didn't want to do it in the first place but my daughter begged me so I thought I'd go and just check it out. Thanks for saving my time and possibly money!

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I was at Six flags Great Aventure when the girl approached me, with same story

about the modeling future for my kids,

I wasn`t really into it; but I finally fillout their little info card.

Next day someone called telling me that: my kids fit the criteria they looking for.

we Set the appoinment and Same story bring photo and ID.

up to this point I wasn`t awared of their charges for anything,(since nobody mentioned)

all they said that it was going to be a free interview.

when we got there It was really crowded like 100 people or more .

we have a 3:30 appoinment, they finally get to my name about 2 hours later.

Right away, WOW cute kids, how handsome and everything else;

when to her office and talk for about 20 minutes

about how good they are (meaning INDUSTRY MODEL)

and what they can do for my kids modeling/ acting carrier.

to my surprise she pull out of NO where a chart of prices

that when from $550.00 to $5.500.00 for photoshots ( make up and hairstyles included) what a deal!.

ok the price was just for the shots. later I was going to pick the photos to make the composite presentation card

and more money probably out she said $0.45 for each composite card and they were propably print 200.

after listening to her story of fama and fortune,

I could take anymore and told her thank`s and I was leaving.

she said, it was a small price to pay for all the good to come

and that nothing its for free!(all her kindness when away and not even goodbye)

then I knew why others that when before me they zoom out of there just like I did.

well I am sorry for you guys that pay

and now lost the money and time into it!

to me the honest true;

their practice itsn`t right,

they take your money work with your time

and if they ever really get you a job they still take more money out of it.

their office look scammy too.

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INDUSTRY MODEL & TALENT STUDIOS IS A COMPLETE FRAUD!!!!! TWO WORDS... STAY AWAY!!!! My sister was approached in Woodbridge Mall by Industry Models while shopping with her 4 year old son. Long story short she "GAVE" 900.00 dollars for a photo shoot, the contract she signed required a 300.00 dollar deposit and 550.00 dollars due at the photo shoot to be paid in cash or money order ONLY! the day she arrived to pick out the pictures from the photo shoot there was a 45.00 fee for the copyright CD. During the meeting the young female spoke 90 miles per minute while keeping a smile on her face, bottom line she wanted 1800.00 dollars that day for a 3 year contract which would allow agencies unlimited access to the online photos of my sister's son causing strong possibilities for jobs..... My sister did not have 1800.00 dollars that day and asked if she could reschedule and come back with her husband and the female told her basically the 1800.00 dollars was a must for that day it's the companys policy not to reschedule if parties do not have payment or down payment!! She's out 900.00 dollars i just hope this does not happen to anyone else. Please do not fall victim to INDUSTY MODELS... REPORT THEM REPORT THEM REPORT THEM.

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They also took $1500 from me and never called me again for any jobs or castings. The only time I heard from them was when they wanted more money to go to a supposed "open casting call"

When I am in the mall now, I tell people to get away from the booth!! They need to be sued!! If someone out there is interested in a class-action suit, please let me know!!

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I suspected it's a scam when I was approached by a girl in Monmouth mall,today somebody called and I actually made an appointment but thanks to your website I will certainly not go anywhere tomorrow.As far as the money pleas file with the better business bureau and and small claims court and see what you can do,wish you good luck.I just found out about kids.com who scammed me out of $595 6 years ago and I never got anything from them in return.Wish more people stopped all this exploitation and scammers altogether! And as far as the person who commented above me :are you working for the industry model&talent? You will see a problem when the feds start investigating your company!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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If you can get your money back report it to

Division of Consumer Affairs Newark, NJ

Last year they received around 30 complaints.

The samething happen to me!

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What I got from that story is that you paid for a photoshoot and didnt read the agreenment. To me, it seems that you need to read before signing anything. Im not sure what you complain is regarding the company.