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Report: #476546

Complaint Review: Chicago Top Models - Chicago Illinois

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  • Reported By: Crystal Lake Illinois
  • Author Confirmed What's this?
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  • Chicago Top Models 213 W Institute Chicago, Illinois U.S.A.

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I was also ripped off by Chicago Top Models and DEE. I went through the same thing where they make you pay for the "test shoot" $110 and then their comp cards and portfolio. I ordered my comp cards in May and still have not received them and yes I did pay for them.

They never answer their phone, they never call you for any jobs, and as I said I still don't have my comp cards that I paid for...(I am embarrassed to say the amount of money I dished out for this).

They are a rip off and a scam and my portfolio pictures are not professional quality at all. Thankfully I have gotten the opportunity to work with some real professional photographers doing paid gigs who were nice enough to provide me with the photos from our shoots because they felt sorry for me because I paid for the awful pictures in my portfolio.

I have learned you NEVER pay an "agency" EVER! Most of the time you can find photographers on craigslist that will do TFP and you can build your portfolio that way. NEVER pay anyone, it's a ripoff!

Allison
Crystal Lake, Illinois
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 08/05/2009 06:27 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/chicago-top-models/chicago-illinois/chicago-top-models-i-used-dee-too-model-search-chicago-illinois-476546. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
1Author
2Consumer
0Employee/Owner

#3 Consumer Comment

Good Agency

AUTHOR: Alicija - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, March 21, 2010

I am one of Chicago Top Models clients. They are not a scam agency. I have been with them for about a week, and I can't believe that already I am auditioning for a beauty, fashion/hair show for top hair products like Matrix, Redkin, and Paul Mitchell. I have three jobs booked for the American Beauty Show. I had no clue things would happen this fast. I'm so happy that I came to Chicago Top Model first.

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#2

Chicago Top Models Update - My Terrible Experience

AUTHOR: Allison - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, September 15, 2009

In late March or early April I responded to an Ad placed in the newspaper.  The ad indicated Chicago Top Models were looking for movie extras and models for both print and commercial.  I spoke with Dee and he asked if I had previous experience or a portfolio.  I indicated that I did not.  He said I would have to schedule an appointment with him, which I did. 

 

When I arrived, Dee indicated that I had a great look and he was surprised I had not pursued this before.    He then said he would like me to do a "test shoot," which I agreed to do.  That cost me $110.  At the time, I wanted to believe him and doing commercials or being a movie extra seemed like an awesome job.  I have wanted to model since I was very young and never pursued it. 

 

About 2 weeks later I was scheduled to have another meeting with Dee.  Dee then said to me he thought I would be great and would like to take me on as one of their models.  The catch?  I needed to have composite cards in order for them to submit me for any castings.  The price was $600.  Again, foolishly I agreed.

 

To date, I have not received my comp cards which I paid for in May.  I was told they would take approximately 6 -8 weeks but that I would be informed of any auditions in the meantime.

 

I contacted Chicago Top Models on numerous occasions to inquire about my cards.  I was told repeatedly they had a problem with the printer and that people who had paid for their cards in March still had not received them.  I have an e-mail verifying that.  Yesterday I call again to inquire about my cards and was told they were not in yet.  Today I received a phone call from the Marie who is the president of the company.  She told me my cards had arrived.

 

I live in the NW suburbs about 60 miles from their location and asked if they would mail my cards to me, especially considering the delay and inconvenience.  When she refused I was so upset I asked for the name of her registered agent or attorney.  She hung up on me.  I have looked on the BBB website and Chicago Top Models has an "f" rating.

 

I have only one time received a call from Chicago Top Models about an audition and that was after I complained to them.  They post numerous ads on craigslist stating that they have opportunities available right now.  There are also numerous reports on ripoffreport.com.  I have done everything I can to get them to mail me my cards and they refuse.  Nowhere does their paperwork indicate I must pick my cards up in person and considering the delay in getting my card, you would think they could just mail them.  She has refused to provide a reason why she will not mail them.

 

As a side note, I have been pursuing my modeling career with some luck.  Yesterday I told by a high profile photographer I auditioned with, that my pictures were awful, poor quality and I look far better in real life.  These type of photos should make me look better than I do in real life, not worse.  That was not the first time I heard that about the pictures.

 

I would love a refund but the contract does not provide for that.  At this point I merely want my comp cards so I can move on.  I would also like others to know about my experience.  I am a single mother and a professional.  I lost my job in March and frankly should not have spent the money for my cards but I thought "sometimes you have to spend money to make money."  I realize now that is untrue and I was a sucker.

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#1 Author of original report

Chicago Top Models - I almost forgot to mention

AUTHOR: Allison - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, August 05, 2009

When DEE set me up for my "shoot" with their "photographer" he talked me into getting a make up artist who charged me $90 to do my make-up (that is a lot of money for a make up artist) and she told me that Dee was hanging out at her house when she got home the day before...so I see they are friends. If you could have seen this girl when she walked in...OMG. Her make up look horrible. I'm not sure she was even a professional.

The other thing, check out their website. It's a joke. You can't even post your resume or any additional pictures and plus if you try to look up possible gigs there is nothing listed.

This is the biggest and oldest scam in the book. How do these people look at themselves in the mirror everyday knowing that they are basically stealing money from people?

And it gets better, I found a listing on craigslist for Chicago Top Models and so I responded saying that I am one of your models, if you have opportunities why hasn't anyone ever called me? So some woman calls me a couple days later, Marie. She has a heavy accent and tells me that Dee will contact me about submitting myself for the new Twilight movie. I got a call the next day and some girl told me to email my information to this email address. It was a g-mail account and I almost think they just set up a fake g-mail account to try to get me to think I was actually submitting myself for a gig. I bet that was BS too! Ha

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