Hi, can I ask if anyone has experience of www.formmodels.co.uk?

A friend's 14 yr old daughter has send some photos to them, and they called her straight away. They now won't stop calling (3 times today) and want £50 up front which she will get back when she goes to London for a test shoot.

I had told her that generally you don't expect to pay agencies if they are legit, but I would like to give benefit of the doubt if they are legit?

One has to ask, why would they want £50, only to give it back?

If you can't think of a good and legitimate reason, then that answers your question, surely

It's high-pressure sales tactics, typical of the rip-off merchants.

I'm not saying that these people are rip-off merchants, merely that they're using the same technique.

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   Rick

Also, check out some of these web sites, from just a handful of high-end agencies. Does any of them lead with "become a model" in the way that Form does?

http://www.models1.com/
http://www.stormmodels.com/
http://www.nevsmodels.co.uk/
http://www.elitemodel.com/

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   Rick

yep, well that's why I am asking the question ... because it's just possible that someone with some specific knowledge of them says 'oh yes they are great guys'. I would not want to squash her dreams out of hand like that.

quoting post from Aat:

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Also, check out some of these web sites, from just a handful of high-end agencies. Does any of them lead with "become a model" in the way that Form does?

http://www.models1.com/
http://www.stormmodels.com/
http://www.nevsmodels.co.uk/
http://www.elitemodel.com/

_____
   Rick

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No Rick they don't, but then that's gut instinct and as I said I posted asking for specific knowledge about formmodels rather than whether their website was professional or whether it's likely they are legit. I know that it's likely they are not!

According to the linked site (first on google search) they aren't an agency they build a portfolio for people.

http://www.modelchatroom.com/forumblog/

If you read past the initial blurb on false agencies there is a list of questions at the bottom and info. Apparently the £50 is a deposit to ensure people turn up in London.

I haven't read it all but it looks like it would be worth you reading it.

And check their business link (though unpublished anywhere on their web site) with Neptune studios.

_____
   Rick

quoting post from Daisey:

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According to the linked site (first on google search) they aren't an agency they build a portfolio for people.

http://www.modelchatroom.com/forumblog/

If you read past the initial blurb on false agencies there is a list of questions at the bottom and info. Apparently the £50 is a deposit to ensure people turn up in London.

I haven't read it all but it looks like it would be worth you reading it.

---

Thanks Daisey, I was just reading that and sent the link to my friend to have a read.

I am a little wary sometimes of posts on the internet that refute claims that something is a scam. Can easily be written by someone connected with that business, and I don't think that is too 'conspiracy theory' really.

I really know very little about agencies, having never had any dealings with one. So I don't really have an preconceptions about how professional a website ought to be etc.

Henry,

They are not an agency. They appear to be a company which offers a portfolio to aspiring models which can then be used to tout agencies.

These are usually quite expensive at the end of the day when it comes to taking something home

The problem is, even knowing the deposit is refundable, how much are they going to charge after the hoot for the portfolio and Z Cards.

The way it appears is not too different to Diesel Models and we have all heard enough stories of their promises and the money they "persuade" young models to part with.

quoting post from HenryWills:

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I don't really have an preconceptions about how professional a website ought to be etc.

---

It's not about how glossy it should be. It's a simple rule of business - make your web site advertise to your paying customers.

If your paying customers are people hiring models for advertising campaigns, then that's who you target, and your web site will reflect that.

If your paying customers are wannabe models, then your web site will target them, flatter them, and appeal in every way to them.

_____
   Rick

quoting post from Daisey:

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Henry,

They are not an agency. They appear to be a company which offers a portfolio to aspiring models which can then be used to tout agencies.

These are usually quite expensive at the end of the day when it comes to taking something home

---

I see, and now I've read a bit more on their site I read that too. I had not even considered that they were not claiming to be an agency ... I have not come across a company like this that claims to help approach agencies. As you say, they will want paying and probably for nothing.

Thanks to all for the replies, been useful.

Unfortunately anther company who will pursue INNOCENT wonna be girls/boys with dreams of stardom...PAY ME .....£££ I'll take the pics and you will become a model.......The company calling 3 times a day should ring alarm bells NO LEGIT agency would do such a thing it's called harassment.......

Maybe offer to take a lesser amount and take the images for her and send them to a legit agency and see what they think....

Hope it all works out





UNDER 18 MODERATOR

also the old myth you don't pay for legit agencies is not correct......Many agaencies charge a fee to upload you to their online services or to pay for the portfolios and folders they do for you......

The difference now is you have a 6 week cooling of period so no UPFRONT as in pay on the same day is now expected........

DANID was with Elisabethsmith and they took the fee out of her 1st model assignment rather than me pay ,as did SandraReynolds........BMA charged her £20 a one of fee and all 3 agencies got her work......

Get this young lady to try REAL agencies and see if they accept her .........so worth it if she really wants to model and she has the look they require at the time

Marianne x



UNDER 18 MODERATOR

The portfolio shoot with Form Models is not a free photo test shoot. You have to pay £50 deposit and have to pay another £140 fee if you are unable to attend or cannot bring your parents to the shoot. Neptune Studios do not publish any prices on their website so will try to get as much money as possible from you. The range of prices seems to vary from £200 to over £600 depending how good you are at haggling with them.





UNDER 18 MODERATOR

Form Models may appear from their website to be a model agency in London but they are run by Neptune Photographic studios. Form Models are breaking the UK Data Protection Act by collecting information on models when they are not registered with the ICO. Getting a refund of your deposit with Form Models / Neptune studios

The Form Models website homepage pretends they are a model agency stating Form Models are not taking on new models. This is a con - FORM MODELS / MINT MODELS are not an agency and NEVER take on models!!





UNDER 18 MODERATOR

It took a bit of time to track this down in the small print but there you have it, the bottom line is they invite you for a portfolio shoot with individual images costing from £50.00. Doesn't even mention if that's a print or a lo-res digital file!

Quote
5.2 Any model who books a test shoot and pays a £50 refundable booking deposit will receive there refund with 14 days of attending a there test shoot or should the model wish the deposit can be used against the cost of a portfolio.

5.3 Images for portfolios start at £50 each and reduce in price the more you purchase

5.4 Models will be required to cancel the test shoot in writing giving at least a minimum of four days notice failing to do so will result in you being charged the studio cancelation fee of £140

5.5 Should a model need to rebook a test shoot you will be required to pay an additional deposit of £50

5.6 Bookings are subject to the distance selling regulations 2000 which allows the consumer to cancel there appointment within 7 days of there booking and receive a full refund, all refunds are issued in the form a cheque and will arrive within 14 days of the booking date by royal mail first class post.

5.7 All booking cancelations must be made either in writing or sent via email.

www.philgwphotography.com

quoting post from  Marianne_Davies:

---

Unfortunately anther company who will pursue INNOCENT wonna be girls/boys with dreams of stardom...PAY ME .....£££ I'll take the pics and you will become a model.......The company calling 3 times a day should ring alarm bells NO LEGIT agency would do such a thing it's called harassment.......

Maybe offer to take a lesser amount and take the images for her and send them to a legit agency and see what they think....

Hope it all works out





UNDER 18 MODERATOR

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Thank's Marianne, and others.

I have offered to do some images for her and it's possible she will be in my area. I have also offered to put her in touch with trustworthy people in her area, as I used to live up that way so know the locals.

I'm going to send her a link to this topic now, I'm hoping she joins here and makes use of the forum and the experitise of the regulars on this board.

quoting post from PhilGW:

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It took a bit of time to track this down in the small print but there you have it, the bottom line is they invite you for a portfolio shoot with individual images costing from £50.00. Doesn't even mention if that's a print or a lo-res digital file!

Quote
5.2 Any model who books a test shoot and pays a £50 refundable booking deposit will receive there refund with 14 days of attending a there test shoot or should the model wish the deposit can be used against the cost of a portfolio.

5.3 Images for portfolios start at £50 each and reduce in price the more you purchase

5.4 Models will be required to cancel the test shoot in writing giving at least a minimum of four days notice failing to do so will result in you being charged the studio cancelation fee of £140

5.5 Should a model need to rebook a test shoot you will be required to pay an additional deposit of £50

5.6 Bookings are subject to the distance selling regulations 2000 which allows the consumer to cancel there appointment within 7 days of there booking and receive a full refund, all refunds are issued in the form a cheque and will arrive within 14 days of the booking date by royal mail first class post.

5.7 All booking cancelations must be made either in writing or sent via email.

www.philgwphotography.com

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Crikey Phil, well found and thank you for the time you spent on that.

Advising her accordingly now.

quoting post from PhilGW:

---

It took a bit of time to track this down in the small print but there you have it, the bottom line is they invite you for a portfolio shoot with individual images costing from £50.00. Doesn't even mention if that's a print or a lo-res digital file!

Quote
5.2 Any model who books a test shoot and pays a £50 refundable booking deposit will receive there refund with 14 days of attending a there test shoot or should the model wish the deposit can be used against the cost of a portfolio.

5.3 Images for portfolios start at £50 each and reduce in price the more you purchase

5.4 Models will be required to cancel the test shoot in writing giving at least a minimum of four days notice failing to do so will result in you being charged the studio cancelation fee of £140

5.5 Should a model need to rebook a test shoot you will be required to pay an additional deposit of £50

5.6 Bookings are subject to the distance selling regulations 2000 which allows the consumer to cancel there appointment within 7 days of there booking and receive a full refund, all refunds are issued in the form a cheque and will arrive within 14 days of the booking date by royal mail first class post.

5.7 All booking cancelations must be made either in writing or sent via email.

www.philgwphotography.com

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Well found Phil

Says enough really. It proves what initial thoughts on Form Models were, but nice to see it in writing.

As with so many of these so called companies, they tie people in at the first instant.

With Phil's comment, I found it and here is the link

http://www.formmodels.co.uk/privacypolicy.php


Link: Link to Phil's Revelation

You see ... that's why I like this place

I know its off topic slightly, but I find it really irksome when sites are set up and attempt to give off an image of being "high class" and then spoil it by being grammatically incorrect, which always rings alarm bells in my head.

Try their, not there and it may make your site appear "more proper like"

With the amount of good and great togs here, why would any aspiring model want to pay a fortune for a crap port when many here would do a much better job for a lot less?

quoting post from HiStakesPhotography:

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With the amount of good and great togs here, why would any aspiring model want to pay a fortune for a crap port when many here would do a much better job for a lot less?

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... because the girl's mother is more suspicious of a community of 'general public' than of a business advertising theirselves on the Interweb. I can understand that, she knows me (kind of) but doesn't know anyone else here.

You can not fault a mother for being protective of her daughter, so no need for everyone to now up in arms about how they are trustworthy etc.

I have pointed the lady at this topic now, so I hope she will see that it's a supportive community that jumps in quickly to help reassure and answer questions (I only posted this last night!).

Can always point her in my direction for help.....
Hopefully being the mum of a young model DANID who started on here at 14 and now 21 and the under 18 moderator she may take some helpful advice from me.

Marianne x



UNDER 18 MODERATOR