c_h_r_i_s wrote:
They need to be reported as what they are doing I belive is illegal.

well i havent yet talked to anyone who has actually signed the contract, so im not sure if it is illegal or not, i saw lots of daughters with their mums, looking pretentious like they are something special sitting outside. maybe one of them would have signed the contract,

O and its £150 BEFORE VAT

c_h_r_i_s wrote:
They need to be reported as what they are doing I belive is illegal.

Highly likely that it is. It amounts to an up-front fee which IS illegal.

They may try to style it as an administration fee; they may try to call it a service fee; but it IS an up-front fee.

Did any of you guys that went get anything in writing about the monthy charge, some kind of info sheet detailing the charges... anything?

Studio36

7. the client declares and confirms that he/she was explained to and is aware that "Go Models"'s undertaking is that of producing digital still photographs of the client in a one time manner and that "go models" does not undertake in writing or verbaly to provide work opportunities depend on the personal efforts on the part of the client only.

They are a photo mill. Straight up. What they are NOT is an agency. At least not by way of that contract. And whoever wrote it should go back and take some revision in English.

PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS

Studio36

BTW  - - -  Whoever wrote this looks like he could be writing for the Nigerian scamsters too.  It's God awful nonsense!!! Fucking gibberish.

http://gomodels.co.uk/page.asp?id=1

David Sheldrick wrote:

well i havent yet talked to anyone who has actually signed the contract, so im not sure if it is illegal or not, i saw lots of daughters with their mums, looking pretentious like they are something special sitting outside. maybe one of them would have signed the contract,

O and its £150 BEFORE VAT

Nothing illegal about trying to get a model to pay an agency.

Nicholas Martin wrote:
What bemuses me is the number of people in their offices willing to get ripped off...

Nick

In the parlance of scams: There is no mark like a willing mark.

The beauty of their pitch, and how they make you a "willing mark", is probably this: They can sit there and tell you to your face how sucessful they are going to make you... hell, you are going to be the best thing to modelling since lettuce; you will get to travel all over the world and earn hundreds of thousands of £££,; blah, blah, blah...

Once you sign that contract, however, THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS is what is in that written contract. And the part I highlighted from paragraph 7) fully controls what they are obligated to do for you in finding you work = exactly nothing. They agree to provide you with photographs, which they will probably do, but not with work. Very expensive photographs. In the ten monthly installments of £150 it will come to £1500 worth of photographs.

Studio36

Clique7 Studios wrote:
Nothing illegal about trying to get a model to pay an agency.

It is certainly illegal in the UK and also in a number of US states. But, you are not paying attention. They are NOT an agency in the first place. I don't care what it says on the website or on the sign over the door or on their letterhead... they are NOT an agency. Not even close.

Studio36

studio36uk wrote:
In the ten monthly installments of £150 it will come to £1500 worth of photographs.

How many photos are they promising? I can offer the OP a great deal for £1499

Just my $0.02

Ciao
Stefano

www.stefanobrunesci.com

Stefano Brunesci Beauty wrote:

studio36uk wrote:
In the ten monthly installments of £150 it will come to £1500 worth of photographs.

How many photos are they promising? I can offer the OP a great deal for £1499

Just my $0.02

Ciao
Stefano

www.stefanobrunesci.com

They don't say in that document but what ever it is you don't even get usage:

2. All design and production rights for the photographs to be designed by "Go Models" and/or its representatives on its behald are reserved for "go models" and no use is to be made of them without written permission by "go models"

Come on, Stefano, that's worse than a joke.

And you know from our other conversation that they can do it too. Hell, I bet they even put a big ol' ugly "go models" watermark on them as well.  ROTFLMAO

EDIT: I thought so... [logo on lower left AND spelled out on the upper right]


Studio36

studio36uk wrote:
Come on, Stefano, that's worse than a joke.

And not a very funny one either.

My post WAS a joke, but it's kind of sad really that people are gullible enough to pay stupid money to outfits like this for what amounts to practically nothing and yet balk at paying a fraction of that to a decent photographer who will give them great images and generous usage rights


Ciao
Stefano

www.stefanobrunesci.com

studio36uk wrote:
Well, there it is in all it's glory:


They are a photo mill. Straight up. What they are NOT is an agency. At least not by way of that contract. And whoever wrote it should go back and take some revision in English.

PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS   PASS

Studio36

BTW  - - -  Whoever wrote this looks like he could be writing for the Nigerian scamsters too.  It's God awful nonsense!!! Fucking gibberish.

http://gomodels.co.uk/page.asp?id=1

I wonder how long it will be before they're advertising on MM, then.  At least one other portfolio mill appears regularly in MM adverts.

David Sheldrick wrote:
i just got back from their interview today, after they randomly called me out of the blue.
they said they 'really liked me' and TRIED to fill my head with promises of making it big, when i refused to pay £150 a month she even talked to her boss and lowered it to £75 a month.
i left, telling them i would 'think' about it.
as i was still unsure as to wether or not it is a scam

i was not planning on even going into an interview with them, but i had to pick up a suit from designer friend, i went into their agency on the way back, she tried to make me fork out the £75 straight away.

if only i read this, this morning ! then i would have not even bothered to drop by.

You were unsure as to whether it was a scam or not? You need to have a thorough read of this

studio36uk wrote:

Highly likely that it is. It amounts to an up-front fee which IS illegal.

They may try to style it as an administration fee; they may try to call it a service fee; but it IS an up-front fee.

Did any of you guys that went get anything in writing about the monthy charge, some kind of info sheet detailing the charges... anything?

Studio36

Asking for an upfront fee is illegal? Thats news to me!

Samantha I wrote:

studio36uk wrote:
Highly likely that it is. It amounts to an up-front fee which IS illegal.

They may try to style it as an administration fee; they may try to call it a service fee; but it IS an up-front fee.

Did any of you guys that went get anything in writing about the monthy charge, some kind of info sheet detailing the charges... anything?

Studio36

Asking for an upfront fee is illegal? Thats news to me!

OK, I'll enlighten you...  NOTE: the following applies in the UK only:

[UK] The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003

Regulation 26 (1) and (2)

Para (1) allows charging of fees to certain classes of work seekers including "photographic models"

HOWEVER IF (1) APPLIES - (2) ALSO APPLIES

(2) Where paragraph (1) applies, subject to paragraph (5), any fee charged by the agency may consist only of a charge or commission payable out of the work seeker's earnings in any such employment which the agency has found for him.

= If they don't find you work, you have no earnings, so they can't charge you fees.

= NO UP FRONT FEES

There are certain limited exceptions if you are to be included in a publication [print or web] for the purpose of finding you work [referred to in Para (5)] but these are set out in detail and are restricted both in the scope and the amounts that can be charged. These, but ONLY these, can be advance fees.

They also can NOT sell you OTHER SERVICES such as photography / portfolios as a condition of representing you.

Studio36

The usual refrain:

"If you want to be in the business;...
you had better learn something about the "business of the business""

David Sheldrick wrote:
here are their terms and conditions to signing their contract.

1. It is agreed that the above order terms are final and cannot be changed other than in writing. on return of a signed copy of this agreement, "go models" will undertake to photograph the applicant with digital still photos as indicated in the order and for that purpose alone. the photographs will be provided to the aforementioned client following advanced coordination between the client and the photography studios.

2. All design and production rights for the photographs to be designed by "Go Models" and/or its representatives on its behald are reserved for "go models" and no use is to be made of them without written permission by "go models"

3. "Go Models" will provide the stills within 45 days of the photographing

4. should the orderer wish to cancel this order after a photographing date has been set, the orderer will be charged for 50% of this order's sum, and this is as an agreed and pre-evaluated compensation without having to prove any damages as a result of having to coordinate with the working staff, the photographers and the make-up artist

5. should the orderer wish to cancel this order on the date of the photographing then the orderer will be charged for the full sum of this order and this as an agreed and pre-evaluated sum without having to prove any damaged whatsoever.

6. should the client wish to cancel this contract within 24 hours of the photo shoot then the entire contract sum will become payable. this charge is now open to challenge by the client.

7. the client declares and confirms that he/she was explained to and is aware that "Go Models"'s undertaking is that of producing digital still photographs of the client in a one time manner and that "go models" does not undertake in writing or verbaly to provide work opportunities depend on the personal efforts on the part of the client only.

8. should the client fail to comply with the terms of the agreement and/or fail to pay in full the contract price, it will be considered cancellation of the contract and "go models" will be entitled to cease the editing of the photographs and other materials.

9.In the case of a work engagement arising out of an introduction by "go models" to a third party, the client will be liable to pay "go models" a sum equal to 20% + VAT of the fees earned by the client out of such engagements. the balance off the fees for such services will be transferred to the clients nominated bank account within 45 days of the date of the recipt of such fees from the third party. The client will need to submit appropiate documents in order to enable "Go Models" to transfer these funds.

10. The client must be aware that the photo shoot audition days and times are set and must be strictly adhered to. but should the client forsee any problems with these meeting times, "go models" will have to be informed within 48 hours prior to the scheduled time.

11. the client undertakes to show a respectful appearance by wearing appropriate attire and maintain appropriate behaviour. The client is expected at all times to apply professional ethics anywhere he/she will be invited to by "go models"

12. the client is aware and confirms that this order is for a specific period of time only as indicated on this agreement and "go models" is not obliged to carry out any additional marketing other than this period. Should "go models" and the client mutually agreed extended period of time.

13. The client declares and confirms his/her understanding that any agreement or stipulation not made in writing will no be valid and will not be binding on "go models"

14. The client also declares that he/she has read the terms of this agreement and understood its contents and its legal implications and agrees with the above. the client declares that he/she has taken reasonable time to study and understand the above contract and, if necessary, has consulted with his/her own legal expert before signing of this agreement 


Number 14 makes me LOL they majorly pressured me into signing this as soon as possible. how the hell is anyone meant to read this whole thing and fully understand the legal implications + consult a legal advisor if needed in the 1-2 minutes between them giving you this thing, (whilst talking to you while your trying to read it) and signing it.

Oh for crying out loud.
This looks like it was constructed in Nigeria.
Plus. They are getting direct access to withdraw from your bank account.
I didn't have to even read it completely to know this is something to stay far far away from.

John

Samantha I wrote:
To the OP:

Im sooo glad you started this thread! I too visited Go Models (I think it was 2 weeks ago) and they offered me the same thing. I was really excited when I first arrived: the interior design is to DIE FOR! But it was only once I was called into the office to speak to one of the head bookers, reality dawned on me.

She was very happy with my images and said I have potential. It was only nearer to the end of our conversation, that she explained their fee. She said they normally offer a minimum contract of 3 years but due to my experience, she would offer me a 10 month contract. It was only after the 30 minute conversation (which she was doing most of the talking), that I realised it was £150 per month! That £1,500!

IMHO, the booker should change her career to sales because thats all she was doing: selling me the idea. All the things that an agency shouldnt say, she said!

"We can guarantee you work"
"You will make lots of money from us"
"You have to pay us in order for us to pay you"
"Your not getting working from your other agencies because you havent paid them"    (I wanted to slap her at this point!)

She then told me a story about a shoot for a TV commercial the weekend before. She submitted 15 girls from her agency who made £200 each. But wait: If they made £200 minus 20% agency fee + their £150 p/m fee to the agency, just how much money are the represented girls making????

NOTHING. In actual fact, the "agency" are making their money from the monthly charge of the models and not from the clients!!!

Pretty much the same thing she told me! "I've never heard anyone read that script so well!" "You will get so many jobs!" blah...blah...blah...

Considering the number of people they were seeing the day I went for an interview, I figured it was worth warning as many people as possible about them. No wonder they had such an impressive office - they're positively raking it in from these poor gullible people!

Nick

Nicholas Martin wrote:
I walked straight out when I heard that, particularly since the number of appiicants emerging happily clutching their newly-signed contracts far exceeded the number of actual models they have on their (poorly designed) website: 3 male models and 5 female models at the last count!

A well orchestrated scam like this might be using shills. In other words, those applicants with contracts in their hands may have been in on it. The idea is that when you see all the other people before you that have signed, it makes you feel confident in the pitch so you'll sign too because, after all, everyone else is getting on the bandwagon, right?

Clique7 Studios wrote:

Nothing illegal about trying to get a model to pay an agency.

Your profile says you are in the colonies, VA specifically. The "agency" at issue is across the pond, in the Sceptored Isle. EXACTLY what makes you qualified to offer "factual" info about British law? Are you a Solicitor? Or even a Barrister? Do you own a dopey-looking white powdered wig?

Shot By Adam wrote:

A well orchestrated scam like this might be using shills. In other words, those applicants with contracts in their hands may have been in on it. The idea is that when you see all the other people before you that have signed, it makes you feel confident in the pitch so you'll sign too because, after all, everyone else is getting on the bandwagon, right?

I for one wouldnt be surprised if that was the case........

John Allan wrote:
This looks like it was constructed in Nigeria.

John

If you think that of the document you should go and read the "about us" page on their website. I described that, above, exactly the same way.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thre … st10049386

Studio36

Samantha I wrote:
Guess what? I just got this private message:

Hi Samantha

i am a model and i am working part time as a model scout for a company that is putting on a modeling competition. The winner gets a years contract with international modeling agency Go Models and also gets a shoot with a magazine which has propelled the uk's top models into the industry.... sooo I was wondering if you would be interested in entering as you have a great look!!!

Let me know
S

What was my response???? A link to this thread!!!

Dammit!

I think I may know where they got my no. from now:

Hi Nicholas,

i am a model and i am working part time as a model scout for a company that is putting on a modeling competition. The winner gets a years contract with flair talent model agency and also gets a shoot with a magazine which has propelled the uk's top models into the industry.... sooo I was wondering if you would be interested in entering as you have a great look!!!

Let me know
S

Exactly the same wording but a different agency? I have to admit I was stupid enough to have paid the entry fee to join this competition...don't think I want to bother with attending  now...

But at least I only lost £8 and not £1,500...

*EDIT* This was not sent to my email, but to my MM inbox. This so-called part-time scout has a profile on here as a model.

Nick

Nicholas Martin wrote:
CAM?

Call a moderator? And how do we do that?

Nick

They don't make it easy to find, but
https://www.modelmayhem.com/contactamod.php

Ray Holyer wrote:
I wonder how long it will be before they're advertising on MM, then.  At least one other portfolio mill appears regularly in MM adverts.

The magnitude of the SMASHBOX photo/rights contest ripoff  (heavily advertised on MM) far exceeds that of the pseudo-agency at issue. The pseudo-agency must bilk people one-by-one, while Smashbox does its ripoff as mass production.