PromoModels BrandStaffing Onpoint Marketing Lucas Beddows Hillary Troutman Kelly Brittany Lauren Scammers, Swindlers & Cheaters - FRAUDULENT business scheme - con artisits - dishonest shysters - phony bogus agency San Diego, California

First of all if this is not a scam then why have so many models reported not being paid and give the same exact story as this individual?? I AM ONE OF THESE MODELS AND HAVE STILL NOT BEEN PAID FOR AN EVENT I WORKED IN 2008!!!! EVERY time I try to contact someone for your company, the phones are disconnected or the reps say the "don't work for you anymore". WHAT IS THE FREAKING DEAL HERE?

What IS grounds for a lawsuit has already been told to me by my attorney which is breach of contract on your part!  GET READY FOR A CLASS ACTION BABY!!! My attorney has already been in contact with many many models that have "worked" for you and not been paid.

THIS IS A SCAM COMPANY-DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING THEY TELL YOU!!!!

Every model ripped off...the San Diego I-Team wants to hear from you...so far only 19 have come forward and filed official complaints with the state of California....I have tried getting a group together for a class action but no one seems that interested in doing it...at the very least please file a report with the state of California so this company will be shut down as they are still operating on the internet and I still get emails from them for work even though they never paid...WTF.....

The I-Team's quote see below

It's perfectly logical that we would look for Beddows wherever we thought we could find him, including the Judo School. After all, he closed his office and his P.O. Box; he wasn't at home and the phone numbers we had for him were out of service.

Meantime, we want to hear from other Promo Models who haven't been paid. The California Labor Board wants to hear from unpaid models too. They already have 19 complaints statewide about the company.

I worked for them before and was paid in the allotted contract time. The second time I worked for them.... it's been over 2 months passed the contract time and still no payment. Numerous emails and phone calls have gone unanswered. I also can not find an accurate address to send a legal letter to.

All that work.....I can't believe I got scammed. They owe me over $800.....
I just don't know what to do anymore....
I know for a fact that the company i worked for already paid promomodels in advance double what I was being paid. I saw the invoice.

no matter how polite i was- i get nothing back. i just don't want to give up though. it's just not fair...
------------

Hey girl-
Just asking for simple honestly and courtesy of response. Remember the conversation I had with you before I agreed to the job- I was concerned about payment regarding my friend who worked a promo-model event in April and never got paid. As of now, she still has not been paid. Her contract was only for 90 days to get paid.

I, however, agreed to work the event because you stressed that the client really wanted me due to the fact that I was a psychology major. You also told me that Promomodels had taken out a huge loan and could pay the girls in time. It's been 160 days as stated in the contract and I have not been paid yet.

I need to know if the check is on it's way or if I need to get a lawyer involved. Not only am I a psychology major, but also a criminal justice minor. I interned with a very reputable attorney for an entire semester and he will be more then willing to help me get the money I worked for.

Promo-model already received the money in full before the event even went on. I have been in touch with the clients and they showed me documents saying how they already paid the company for my services. I just want to be paid for my time worked.

Any help or information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Cara Maria

(((Redacted)))


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Event Details
From: "Kelly Miller"
Date: Wed, August 13, 2008 3:23 pm
To:

Hi, Cara!

*Please let me know you've read this email and are able to open all attachments! *

This is in regards to your event Aug. 14th-17th, 2008 > > > > . Please find attached all of the following documents:

Event Details Document

Independent Contractor Agreement

W-9 (attached in 2 formats in consideration for your computer's capabilities. Please just send back one)

*** If you have submitted both the Contract and W9 to Promo Models from a previous event, you do not need to send in the documents again ***

Simply type in your name as the signature on the Independent Contractor Agreement and email it back to me (or print out, sign and fax back).

The attached W-9 needs to be returned to us before you are paid. If it is not returned then you cannot get paid. We will not wait on you to return this to process payroll so it needs to be returned within 5 business days of your scheduled event. It must be fully filled out (legibly), signed and faxed back to us 858.430.3431. This is essential as you are technically an independent contractor and are responsible for all taxes from earnings. Also, you must make sure the address in your profile matches the address on your W-9. It is your responsibility to edit your profile with your correct address.

Things to Remember When Working For Promo Models:

I need you to understand some key points before you work for us:

Please make sure that your profile on Promomodels.com is complete and accurate, particularly your address. This is what we use to pay you, and this is typically done within 180 days of the completion of the promotion. If the check needs to be cancelled due to the fact that you did not provide the correct information then you will be charged $20 out of the compensation you are owed.

IF YOU ARE A MODEL WHO HAS NOT BEEN PAID, please go to this myspace page for MORE INFORMATION. There are several new postings every week providing information on how to get paid.

http://www.myspace.com/promomodelsscam

THANK YOU

BOOO PROMO!!!

I am also a victim of PromoModels (and I stillllll have not been paid for work I did in July/August) and I cant believe you all are defending yourselves and your organization against models that have been ripped-off! YOU ARE NOT A LEGIT company- LEGIT companies PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES!!! I only know a FEW girls that actually got paid (though NEVER with in their contract time), and of those few, their check actually bounced.


And to miss-Employee that thinks these are "libelous statements", you obviously do not even know what you are talking about....ANYTHING said ANYWHERE is 'libelous', but the info. that this victim brought up is not any kind of grounds for a lawsuit. You just blurted that because your company is being cornered. ANYONE not getting paid for what they were hired for is going to be upset and wanting a lawsuit....so why even try defending yourself??!

**ALSO I heard from some vendors that I worked for that PromoModels said that we (models) were actually paid "months in advance!" uh....helllllo?? That to me is pretty 'libelous' and grounds for a lawsuit!***


And to all those Ex-employees being 'haunted'....it is your fault you got that job in the first place!!! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??! Did you even know that you are ALSO held accountable to every model that did not get paid??! You all deserve to be 'haunted' for working for a badly run business that does not even pay their employees on time! (wouldn't YOU be upset if YOU were never paid?!) Now- I am not one of those 'haunters', I figure there are other girls better for that. DO all us a favor and give us some beef or at least explain why this company ran so poorly.


Now here is my side:
I am going to work as hard as I can to bring PromoModels down. I have been posting billboards/flyers on college campuses, attending large promo model events to educate models. I have friends in the modeling agency's spreading the news around and talking to clients that have either previously used Promomodels or is thinking to, to search else where!!
...and this is not even including Craigslist, Facebook, Myspace and all my email trains. SO lets all bring this company down the American way and stop the models from even showing up! BTW- for those affected, sometimes the BBB might not be able to refund you...but your state's Labor Commission can!!

I cant wait to see this company crumble and all of its owners left for scraps under our feet!

I am also a victim of PromoModels (and I stillllll have not been paid for work I did in July/August) and I cant believe you all are defending yourselves and your organization against models that have been ripped-off! YOU ARE NOT A LEGIT company- LEGIT companies PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES!!! I only know a FEW girls that actually got paid (though NEVER with in their contract time), and of those few, their check actually bounced.


And to miss-Employee that thinks these are "libelous statements", you obviously do not even know what you are talking about....ANYTHING said ANYWHERE is 'libelous', but the info. that this victim brought up is not any kind of grounds for a lawsuit. You just blurted that because your company is being cornered. ANYONE not getting paid for what they were hired for is going to be upset and wanting a lawsuit....so why even try defending yourself??!

**ALSO I heard from some vendors that I worked for that PromoModels said that we (models) were actually paid "months in advance!" uh....helllllo?? That to me is pretty 'libelous' and grounds for a lawsuit!***


And to all those Ex-employees being 'haunted'....it is your fault you got that job in the first place!!! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??! Did you even know that you are ALSO held accountable to every model that did not get paid??! You all deserve to be 'haunted' for working for a badly run business that does not even pay their employees on time! (wouldn't YOU be upset if YOU were never paid?!) Now- I am not one of those 'haunters', I figure there are other girls better for that. DO all us a favor and give us some beef or at least explain why this company ran so poorly.


Now here is my side:
I am going to work as hard as I can to bring PromoModels down. I have been posting billboards/flyers on college campuses, attending large promo model events to educate models. I have friends in the modeling agency's spreading the news around and talking to clients that have either previously used Promomodels or is thinking to, to search else where!!
...and this is not even including Craigslist, Facebook, Myspace and all my email trains. SO lets all bring this company down the American way and stop the models from even showing up! BTW- for those affected, sometimes the BBB might not be able to refund you...but your state's Labor Commission can!!

I cant wait to see this company crumble and all of its owners left for scraps under our feet!

I don't know how you get away with slandering the names of ex-employees of this business! Hilary Troutman is a victim who doesn't work there any more and was not paid herself. Get the facts! Go after the owners of the business, not the employees and ex-employees.

Here are my emails! I have not been paid since 2/25/08

Hello, Kim!



Great news!

I emailed your information to the client and they would love to hire you for the Cocktail Party on Monday, Feb. 25th, 2008 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel!

Again, here are the details:

Dates & Times:

Monday, February 25th, 2008

8:15pm-12:30pm

* Models must be available all dates and times to be considered

Pay:

$30/ hour *

*Please note that models are paid actual hours worked


Location:
Gaylord Opryland Resort
2800 Opryland Dr.
Nashville, TN 37214

Please call or email me back right away so we can go over the details of the promotion and make sure it's a good fit for you (please see my phone number in the signature below). The client hopes to confirm all models ASAP, so please don't wait to respond!

Thanks, and I look forward to speaking with you!

Kelly Miller
Account Executive
Promo Models
www.promomodels.com
kelly@promomodels.com
858.490.5605 | office
858.342.1629 | cell
858.430.3431 | fax

2nd email


RE: *CONGRATULATIONS! Event Invitation: Gaylord Opryland, Feb. 25th *?
From: Lauren (lauren@promomodels.com)
Sent: Wed 4/23/08 4:56 PM

Hello, Kim!



Thanks for your follow-up. As stated in our contract, payment will be sent out via check within 90 days of the promotion's close (though we try to process payment as soon as possible).

You will be alerted through email once your check has been cut and sent out. Please note that you MUST have sent in your W-9 before your check can be mailed. Otherwise, Accounting will hold onto it until we receive your W-9.

Hope this helps clarify things.
Thanks again!


Lauren
Business Manager
Promo Models
www.promomodels.com
lauren@promomodels.com
858.490.5602 | office
858.430.3431 | fax

3rd email:


RE: Payroll Inquiry?
From: Lauren (lauren@promomodels.com)
Sent: Mon 6/16/08 8:49 PM

Hi Kim,

I'm so sorry for the delay. We are trying to get caught up ASAP here. We are behind in payments and we are trying to pay out each event in the order it was worked.

I understand this is frustrating but please realize that we are working very hard on our end to settle this issue and you will be paid.

I will send an email when your check is sent out.

Thanks,


Hilary
Business Manager
Promo Models
www.promomodels.com
hilary@promomodels.com
858.490.5602 | office
858.430.3431 | fax

4th email:


Re: FW: *CONGRATULATIONS! Event Invitation: Gaylord Opryland, Feb. 25th *?
From: hilary@promomodels.com
Sent: Thu 7/24/08 8:29 AM

Hi,

Thank you for contacting the Promo Models Accounting Department, your email was received and will be responded to in a timely manner.

Have a great day,

Accounting Department
Promo Models
accounting@promomodels.com
http://www.promomodels.com

5th email:


Re: FW: Payroll Inquiry?
From: hilary@promomodels.com
Sent: Wed 8/06/08 10:09 AM

Hi,

Thank you for contacting the Promo Models Accounting Department, your email was received and will be responded to in a timely manner.

Have a great day,

Accounting Department
Promo Models
http://www.promomodels.com

It's the same message everytime. I can' get through to anyone. I have spoke to the client and know that they pay upfront for the events. Promo models received $60 per hour for us and they don't want to pay us for the time that we have worked.

18th email!

From: payroll@promomodels.com
Sent: Thu 12/04/08 8:52 AM

Hi,

Thank you for contacting the Promo Models Accounting Department, your email was received and will be responded to in a timely manner.

Have a great day,

Accounting Department
Promo Models
http://www.promomodels.com

I am a former employee and unfortunately these reports have followed me from this past job.
Please do not hold this against ex-employees as we are not part of the corporation that is involved in this. Now I am getting calls at my new place of employment.
Those of us that have left do not have anything to do with this company so please don't stalk us.
We left for a reason, please don't haunt us.
Thank you!
Lauren

First, the individual who wrote this report provided false information and damaging accusations in an effort to harm Promo Models reputation. This is called libel and is grounds for a lawsuit.

Second, by naming specific individuals in this report and elsewhere on the Internet, he has also opened himself up for lawsuits to be brought against him by these individuals, specifically since these indviduals who were named are or were only employees or partners of Promo Models.

Third, he has also attempted to damage the other companies reputations he also named in this report by saying they are involved with Promo Models in some sort of scam. This is grounds for yet another lawsuit.

Fourth, once again, Promo Models is not a scam. But by posting false information such as this report, individuals have damaged the company's reputation, causing it financial damages. Consequently, these individuals will be held responsible for these damages.

First, this individual has been paid in full.

Second, this company is not a bogus ageny or scam of any kind.

Third, the company is owned by a corporation and not any individuals, including Lauren, Kelly, Brittany, Hillary, Lucas or any one else. They are simply people that either worked with the company or partnered with it. As such, any issues with the company need to be addresses to the corporation, not individuals.

Fourth, every effort is being made to catch up with any delinquent paperwork as soon as possible.