The Models Center Studios ratings, reviews and complaints - Modeling/Talent Workshops - Advance Fee

Complaints and Resolutions

Complaint Experience

N/A

Complaint Resolution Index (CRI)

Complaint Resolution Index (CRI) Explained The Complaint Resolution Index (CRI) is an indicator on how responsive a company is in addressing and resolving customer complaints brought to their attention by BCA. If they are considering doing business with the company, consumers can use this indicator to forecast the likelihood of having their issues addressed if a problem arises. CRI measures the company's customer satisfaction abilities through BCA’s complaint mediation process.

A variety of factors are considered when calculating CRI. This includes how quickly a company responds to complaints, the number of complaints against a company, whether the company addressed complaint allegations, and the outcome of the complaints. CRI is just a subset of the overall rating for the company. Consumers are encouraged to take into consideration the company's CRI, their overall BCA letter rating and other relevant information about the company so they can make a well-informed purchasing decision.

BCA's Summary and Analysis:

One complainant alleges services were cancelled based on incomplete disclosures of the cost involved, and misrepresentation of services. The customer claims that even though no services were provided, the account was forwarded to a collection agency, damaging credit as a direct result. Another client alleges the company denied the request to cancel although the customer was out of town on a family emergency one day after signing the contract. One more complainant alleges the company misrepresented the availability of jobs after paying $300 and having photos taken.

The company responds to two complaints by advising their policies are strictly, "no refund, and no cancellation." Therefore, no adjustments were offered or made. The company responds to another complaint by indicating the consumer never had a complaint until it was time to pay for services rendered and still has a balance due.

Our complaint services are free and our team of expert mediators will assist in resolving complaints with businesses.

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Complaint Closing Statistics

0 complaints against The Models Center Studios closed in last 3 years.

Complaints	Type of response
0	Making a full refund, as the consumer requested
0	Making a partial refund
0	Agreed to make an adjustment
0	Refusing to make an adjustment
0	Refuse to adjust, relying on terms of agreement
0	Unanswered

Other Information

Company Info

This company's business is providing photo portrait studio school/educational services.

Primary Contact:	Cassandra Mielak (President)
Business Started:	1/1/1984
Social:

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Licensing

California law requires any company that procures or offers to procure employment or auditions, or that provides artist management services, direction or counseling to develop an artist's career, for any of which they collect a fee in advance to post a $10,000 bond. This law also prohibits charging for such services as; registering or listing the artist for employment, providing photographs, videotapes, other promotional materials, costumes, lessons or training, or auditions.

To obtain bonding information, write to the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Department of Industrial Relations, Legal Section, at P.O. Box 420603, San Francisco, CA 94142 or call (415) 703-4846 or by email to DLSE.licensing@dir.ca.gov The website address is www.dir.ca.gov

For businesses outside of California, please check with the agency that regulates this industry.

As of our last verification, on May 26, 2004, this company has not complaied with State licensing requirements. Companies that procure employment are required by law to be licensed with the Department of Industrial Relations and cannot collect fees prior to offering services.

Government Actions

BCA has no information regarding government actions at this time.

Comments and Analysis

These companies advertise for talent with ads that imply that by responding you will have started on your road to stardom. If you answer an ad, they will often tell you outright that they will help you obtain acting or modeling employment. The catch is that everyone who responds needs lessons or training to go before a camera or down a runway, they say. This training is really what these companies are selling, and their courses can obligate you for thousands of dollars. In reality, they cannot guarantee you employment, and you will not find such a guarantee in their written contract.

California law contains certain requirements of advance-fee talent services and prohibitions against certain practices. If the company promises you auditions or employment, or if they even ask you for a fee in advance, a talent service is considered to come under the provisions of this law. Under the law, they are not allowed to charge you, for example, to provide photographs, filmstrips, audition tapes or videotapes, lessons or training.

By law, you are entitled to a refund of anything you pay to an advance-fee talent agency if you do not receive the services you were led to believe would be performed. The refund is to be made with 48 hours of your request for it.

Additionally, you have the right to cancel your contract with the agency for any reason within 10 business days of the date of the contract. If you cancel, your payment is to be returned within 10 business days.

If your written contract does not inform you of your right to a refund or to cancel, you may demand your refund or cancel your contract at any time, without regard to these time limits. If your money is not returned within the 48 hours or 10 days, respectively, the company is required to refund double your money. Despite the law’s protections, if you are not dealing with a reputable talent service, you may find it difficult to enforce your rights.

For businesses outside of California, please check with the agency that regulates this industry.

Other Considerations

We know of no other matter or practice relating to this company that may assist you in your consideration of this company.

Industry Resources

Advertising Reviews

Additional Info

DBAs:

Gray Derosa's Institute

Model Center

Models Center

The Model Center

The Models Center

Websites:
There are no additional web sites.

Contacts:

Information

Vincent Gray (President)

Michael De Rosa (Vice President)

Other Categories:

Photographers

Reputation Report

The Models Center Studios

Complaints and Resolutions

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