I had dealings with a modeling/scouting agency for my 2 children. I was going to take 4 outfits each of my kids. I paid 2000. They told me on the day I was there for the consultation, "oh the outfits they are wearing are cute, lets do one of the outfits now." I did, after all I have 4 outfits to choose from.
After reading up online about the scam they run, I called them and told them I am canceling all transactions with them after what I read. I followed their cancellation policy, sent them the letter to be refunded 2000. They agreed and said they were sorry that we weren't doing business but only after 30 days passed only refunded me 600. I disputed it with my credit card company and they tell me they can't do anything.
I do not have any pictures or "comp cards" that was suppose to "market" my children. They claim to have an 80% success rate but is keeping my hard earned money. Any reputable company would be more customer focus. At least a pro rated refund provided that they had given me something would be better. New Faces owes me 1400.
Annivette of Brooklyn, NY October 6, 2009
While shopping in the Queens Center Mall I was approached by a gentleman solicitor who claimed my granddaughter was extremely beautiful, and asked if I wanted her to become a model or do TV commercials. Naturally my response was yes, but then I asked who he was and who he worked for. He said he worked for NewFaces Model Agencies out of Hicksville NY, and gave me a card.
I called, they scheduled me for 10/4/09. I recieved a confirmation call from a Jennifer. I arrived on time to my appointment along with 100 others, waited three hours to be called then was informed that prior to any modeling jobs they required a complete photo shoot on the spot and needed to give them 1000.00 immediately which would be fully refundable if I was unsatisfied in any way. I went along with the request because I was offered a full refund within three business days if I unhappy. They took a several pictures of my grandaughter right there and told me to prepare several outfits and come back the next day for a full photo shoot for her portfolio.
Afterwards I did a little homework on the company and found out that they are not a modeling agency, but rather photographers and have been in trouble before for swindling people out of money pretending that they would get them modling work. I immediately, prior to the photo shoot went to the office to see Jennifer and requested my refund. They said they would not refund the money.
Less than 24 hours had passed from when they charged my credit cards yet they would not refund my money. I was angry and confused at why they lied and wondered how many others they had been doing this to. I need help in obtaining all the photos they did take of my grandaughter as well whatever money was charged to my account. I tried to stop the credit card charges myself, but will not be certain if they dont go thru until next billing cycle.
I am extremely concerned with where the photos of my granddaughter will wind up. Please help me resolve this issu and guid me on how to help avoid others from making this very same mistake. 1000.00 and pictures of a young child.
Rosie of Brooklyn, NY February 23, 2009
Rosie of Brooklyn NY (02/23/09) My husband and i were in Queens Center Mall. A guy from the New Faces stand came up & said that our daughter was so cute and that we should put her in modeling. After we filled out a slip giving them our phone numbers. He said that we should get a call from them in a few days. A week later we got a call and my husband set up the meeting. We were ok with everything they had told us until the day of the FREE Meeting. They must of called like 5 times in a matter of 10 min. I was so upset. I told my husband and he said that we shouldnt go but i told him that it wouldnt hurt to see what they had to say. I told him that if we didnt like what they had to say, we'll just walk out.
On our way there we called 411 to get information on them before making the full trip over but we couldnt get the right number. From the min we got there we didn't feel good about the place. We waited more then an hour for someone to talk to us. This Lady Director came and took us in her office and strated to tell us how they have been in business for more then 10 years and to look at her books of all the kids they found jobs for. So my husband wanted to get to the point of how much was everything was going to cost us. She got a upset and said to wait that she was going to get to that in a few min. My husband also asked her how many complaints they have had in the past 10 yrs. She had that they have a high % in finding kids jobs and only had 1 complaint. She told us that not ever kid they interview gets in New Faces. So i asked her how long would it take for them to let us know if our baby was accepted, she never answer my question.
After her Speech she showed us a price sheet and said that everything was included (pic and website)and had to pay the price of the picture before we left. It started from 550 and up. Right away my husband said that we didnt have that kind of money and she said that if we couldnt spear 550 and we said NO. After that she said that it woludnt work out with our baby. So we Asked her if and when we had the money can we back just to see what was her answer. She said No and had to wait 1 year to got back for another interview.
When we got home we checked them out on the website and saw all of the unhappy ppl and a lawsuit. Its sad to know that they are in business. Dont understand! Every time I hear the name New Faces coming out of any parent mouth I tell them that it's a lie. They should be removed from all MALLS. Be strong and say NO if you fell unsure.
Nelson of College Point, NY November 10, 2008
Nelson of College Point NY (11/10/08) Got Scammed! Got called into their office and offer me three contracts for my son to be a model for catalogs such as ToyRus, Macys, etc. That turned out to be a lie. They told me nice things verbally and presure me to sign the contract. When I read the contract was a total different story. They do not offer employment. They just take pictures of my son and that is it.
Given the hard economic situatio that we are going thru, it caused me to improve my debt by 1500.00. And the impotence of not being able to get it back because when I called them, they literaly laugh at me, and still had the nerve to tell me that they have being doing business for 11 years!!!
Frank of Astoria, NY August 26, 2008
Frank of Astoria NY (08/26/08) I believe I was scammed. I was approached at Roosevelt Field mall in Garden City NY by a talent scout representing New Faces. they were very interested in my daughter, Daniela (16 months). My wife and I thought it was a good idea as the talent scouts led us to believe that Daniela has the look that may her succeed as a model. The scout told us that it was a free evaluation and we should contact a Director at New Faces to schedule an appointment. on July 26th, 2008, after waiting nearly two hours for the appointment, we met with a male Director. He gave a convincing sales pitch, showing dozens of their clients that made it, including his own daughter. Bottom-line, to take advantage of the Fall catalog opportunities, we were told that the sooner we decide to do this for Daniela, the better for her potential career.
Not wanting to be bad parents, we paid 850 that day and a half session photo shoot. We had a follow-up appointment on Aug 2nd, 2008, where we paid an additional 1,200 and complete the second half of the photo shoot. I have not heard from New Faces since that last meeting. I got concerned.
I started to do an internet search and found on the NYS attorney general website that in 2006, New Faces was sued and found guilty of deceptive business practices and had to paid restitution and penalties. I read the article and I turned white. The article described my very experience as if the whole process was videotaped. In the article, it mentioned that New Faces rarely obtained modeling or acting employment for its clients. The Director stated the photos of Daniela are placed on a website where prospective clients would view them. Are there any prospective clients viewing the websites? I am not sure. But then again, how would anyone know?
I had no prior knowledge of New Faces legal history. I thought this was a legitimate company. Most consumers do not research companies on the NYS attorney general's office to see their legal status. If I knew New Faces was sued for deceptive business practices, I would not have paid 2050 with no chance of receiving a refund. Obviously, no one at New Faces disclosed this information. When I was at their office those two days, there were dozens of families coming into their facility every hour, on the hour. All of them with hope that their children may have a chance at modeling. I feel like a complete fool.
Economic Damage: 2050 Emotional Damage: High
Karen of Smithtown, NY June 18, 2008
Karen of Smithtown NY (06/18/08) I went to New Faces as my daughter wanted to be interviewed in hopes of becoming a model. We spoke to Tim, Director of Operations, who said my daughter was very pretty, she would probably get called for work right away, and he said that he wanted to take her pictures right away because he expected a call for movie extras. He showed us a book of kids and teenagers who had their pictures taken and had been in magazine ads, movie extras, and commercials.
He asked me for my drivers license and credit card and I showed my license and an additinoal photo I.D. He wanted a credit card and I said a credit card is not I.D. and why did he need to see it. He became very angry and I became skeptical and said I thought this was a skam. He then was very upset and my daughter started crying. Because my daughter was so excited about this, I felt I had to apologize to him and then showed him a credit card. He then explained to me that he received no money from companies who called for photos, and if my daughter got work, she would be the client and be paid directly by the company.
He then explained the photos and I felt they were very expensive, but again my daughter wanted to do this. He said they needed to take pictures right away and wanted to schedule a photo shoot for Friday, June 20th. He gave me a contract to sign and left the room, but came back in five minutes and said he wanted to show us where the makeup artists were and where the photos would be taken.
I felt everything was in a rush. I signed the contract, unfortunately, without having time to read it. We then toured the photo area and left. I felt uneasy and went home.
On Tuesday, June 17th when I went back to work, I asked people at work and they told me to check the Consumer Affairs page and NY State attorney general web site. I did and to my dismay New Faces was brought up on charges for misleading people. I read the contract and realized to cancel was impossible as it stated a certified return receipt letter needed to be sent and received within three days of signing which would be physcially impossible to do.
I called Tim on June 18th and requested a refund. He said I had to sent a certified letter in three days and I responded that it was physically impossible to do so and he purposely set up the paperwork that way. He asked me why I wanted a refund and I told him that I check out New Faces on the consumer affairs web site and they were brought up on charges of misleading people. He then said he had yellow signs in his office and he told me to read them when I was present and I told him that I did not see any yellow signs in his office and he did not tell me to read them. I then said I wanted a refund and asked him what is response was. He said I had to read to contract and send a certified letter in three days. I told him I would get a lawyer and hung up.
I am out or have now lost 1,000 as New Faces refuses to give me a refund and would really like some help on this.
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