- This topic is empty.
Face of Ireland Model contest
-
This is not a malicious or slanderous post, I am going to repeat exactly what happened and make up yer own mind….
Around 9pm last night, get a message on facebook from face of ireland whom I had become friends with on the site through our mutual involvement with a aspiring model I had worked with and whom I aided in entering the competion they ran.
Anyway, the message said that their photograpic license was up for renewal, and because of what had happened with me helping out the above mentioned model, my name had been bandied about as a possible candidate. I was told to ring the owner of the company and discuss the matter further.
Rang the guy up (not gonna name him) and was presented with a very well thought out, efficient and thoroughly honey coated sales pitch about how the competition was progressing year on year, all the sponsers they had on board, the brilliant oppurtunity it was and that there was in the region of 25000 girls applying this year alone, and that a sizeable would need portfolios, and thats were I came in. Or someone like me, because the list of photographers who had applied for the license was in the region of 32 (his number) from all over the country.
He than informed me that the license would be awarded today (31/8/10) and that they were only offering it to me because of the helping hand I had provided to the model I spoke earlier about. In essence, his message was your a nice fella, only starting out and I’d like to give you the gig.
So far, sounds great. 25000 girls needing portfolios?? Bring it on!!
Than the rub. The ‘license’ costs €4000 plus VAT at 21% (so,closer to €5000 really) which would have to be paid on signing of contract, (which I only heard read to me over the phone) and for that ‘sponsership’ as he called it, I get a page on their site, and I become their ‘recommended’ photographer for model portfolios for the coming contract year, beginning in November. Not their official photographer, but their recommended photographer. The models do not have to use my services.
He said if I was interested, I should email him no later than last night for inclusion in the license award process.
I did not mail him.
First phonecall arrived at 8.14am , which I didn’t answer, next came at 9.20am, from an associate of the guy who rang the night before. I informed him I did not have that sort of cash lieing around and I was than offered staged payments. I asked why I could not give them a cut of what I earned, and the answer I got was quite ambigious and fluffy, they did not want the hassle etec etc….
I told him I was not interested and to leave it at that.
Just recieved another call from the first guy, again offering stage payments and giving me another sales pitch, and more fluff and filler.
I have to dash just now, I am not offering an opinion one way or the other, and I have my opions I can assure you. Just said I’d throw this out in the public domain and let ye guys know the story.
Any questions pm me.
Ken
I wonder how many others got similar phone calls???
I don’t believe the 32 figure either, say it was closer to 320. All it takes is for a few gullibles to think they’ll earn loads and hand over the €5000. I’m sure they are charging the models aswell.
CON TEST – agree!!!
Andy
As I said, I ain’t offering any opinions one way or the other, because I have a sneaking suspicion this guy knows what a lawsuit is and how to instigate one against anyone he see’s fit.
I know that the models have to pay a fee when they get to interview, and that there is a requirement that they have to sell 10 tickets for the semi final or final if they get that far (at €60 a pop) and all this info is presented in their terms on their site. After that, I don’t know what happens. But, the main man I spoke to gave a figure of 25000 girls whom applied this year, if every one of them went to interview and paid, well thats a big number with lots of noughts in it right there. Nothing wrong with making a profit though….
I have no doubt whatsoever that what they are doing is totally and utterly legal and above board, as the competition authority over sees their business dealings, (agin, this is what I was told) and they have numerous high profile clients and sponsers who you would imagine would not involve themselves in a scam of any shape or form.
But, and its a big fat but, what they are doing is pretty morally questionable on a few levels. Thats opinion, but feck i, I’m giving it anyway.
They seem to want to squeeze as much as they can out of everyone they come into contact with, anyone naive enough to get drawn into there promise of something, which quite frankly, ain’t great. Have a look at what the prize’s are for the winning model here. I know they wanted to con me, it was pretty obvious really, if you didn’t let him dazzle you with all his bull shit, but the models really do think there gonna win and their wallets are emptied in the process. As I said, it’s probably totally legit, and some would argue some of the girls deserve to be fleeced. Fair enough. Wouldn’t like to make my living that way, thats all I’m saying.From speaking to others who know more then me, if you have got ‘it’ as a model, no money pass’s from you to the agency, they cover everything, and recoup their investment when you become established on their books..
And for the life of me, I have never ever come across a scenairio where I have been asked to pay the client to provide a service to them on the back of a vague promise of making 6 and 7 times my initial investment. Some poor fool may fall for it, but it won’t be me, and I will make sure anyone involved in the photographic profession whom I speak to will know how I feel about this and the people who are behind it.
Its hard enough out there without people like this making it harder, but there’s a sucker born every minute, hence why these guys are still in existence.
Be careful
…Than the rub. The ‘license’ costs €4000
SCAM
After this number I did´t even need to read the rest of your post :)
I know i’m a couple of weeks late, but there is VERY bad feeling with this “organization” (i don’t even want to call them that) with a lot of local suppliers. A local photographer I know has been stung very badly and he didn’t even opt for this “opportunity” so BEWARE!
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
