Metro Photography / Apple Models review: Scam by modelling agency 100

I've still not had your Facebook msg

Don't give them any more money can't Believe that their still ripping people off your not in any contract with them we give them £2000 am still waiting to here from my bank still no joy

hi ive been to metro photography today and there was something about it that didnt feel right all day and i kept telling them i felt overwhelmed but sara assured me that the photos were amazing and convinced me that many companies were already interested in me i just needed a portfolio. her manner was very persuasive but also pushy as I informed I didnt have the money or even the deposit. she asked me how much I could afford today and out of the £400 she was trying to make me pay I said I could only give £200 and they would keep the £50 deposit I had already paid. They are now waiting for a payment of £150 to cover the rest in the next few days but after reading this I'm not going to pay it. I would have to pay another £1075 over the next 4 months to even get any of my photos. I'm now looking for a way of getting out of this contract. These people are ### and need stopping. I'm behind the facebook page and want to help to bring these people down. I also want my money back if anyone can help

Hi I have also just been scammed by metro photography!...been through a stressful time trying to sort this out can you please Aldo add me to your group / Facebook page please ...this scamming has to stop. Been in touch with my bank and cab and action fraud now just waiting.

Hi I've phoned my bank still wanting going to phone trading standards now let's hope thirs a outcome has soon has I know anything I'll let you know x

That's great Cyroos, can you message me your name and/or email address that's associated with your facebook account and I'll add you. Same for anyone else that wants to join the group. I've created a secret group, which means only group members can see it and any posts in it so if you want to join you will have to message me. I've kept it secret as I know it can be embarrassing to admit to people you've been a victim of a scam like this. I'm hoping that people will want to join to make it easier to communicate.

In response to MBoreham

I am in. I want to get my money back. Whether joining on facebook or going to court as a group i am in.

is any one aware if UK models and the blue rooms photography are fake?

I have contact the consumer line for trading standards and I'm writing a letter to rescind my contract under the 'consumer protection from unfair trading regulations 2008 as amended in 2014' as advised by the lawyer that I spoke to. When I spoke to the consumer line for trading standards I asked if there was anything we could do as a group that would have more impact and the answer was no, they just advised for anyone who has had an issue with Apple and Metro to contact trading standards as it seems they go by how many complaints they have. I have been considering opening a Facebook page for us, as I am in touch with a few people on here but end up writing lots of emails, would anyone be interested in joining? we can make it a private group were people have to be excepted to join, please let me know if your interested.

Has anyone had any news back yet x

Some people have nothing better to and for your information USA1 my daughter has been signed up to the 3 best modelling agencies this is about being ripped off by Apple models

USA#1 Did you mean 'if your child is model worthy?' and did you mean 'are or aren't that impressive?' Why bother writing a comment at all if you have nothing useful to write? Your comment is written in such a way that it is just not helpful and I struggle to see what you have even got out of writing it! I think most of us already feel bad enough that we have put our children through this, we don't need people like you making unhelpful remarks.

Come on people quit trying to make your freaking kids "Models" is your child is model worthy you would not have to pay a dime for anything, they pay you...FACT! If you've ever had to pay for a photo shoot or portfolio you or your kid just are that impressive.

My daughter is in the same position as everyone else. Metro/Apple are complete scamers. DON'T TOUCH THEM.
She was given the same speal as everyone else, the sales people do an excellent job getting you to believe all there empty promises, job offers in 6 to 12 days with well known high Street outlets. Telling you that Apple Models have seen the photo's from your shoot and you've been accepted by them.
They are so good at pressurising you and getting you to sign contracts they should be up for an Oscar.
They've taken money off my daughter which she is trying to get back.
I read somewhere that the owner / boss is making some 6 million a year out of us.
They look and sound professional but that's where it stops. It would be nice to hear how the other lady got her money back.

The same thing happened to us 2 wks ago. Apple models and metro are owned by the same person and this man has changed his name twice. He also owned other companies doing the same thing and shut them down due to the press and watchdog. I've seen my solicitor and we have things in place and hoping to get some of the money back.. My solicitor has advised me if possible to get names of who this has happened to as I'm taking this even further. The sad thing is not many people come forward seeking advice as we fill stupid falling for this scam which I know I do to sign for this package etc.
Can I please ask you all is any of your children under the age of 18yrs that did the photo shoot and signed for the package. Cause we have spotted some think that they have made a mistake on?
Please email me sonyaah13@gmail.com

I have read a comment from a lady last year who managed to get her deposit back and get out of the contract, I am speaking with a lawyer today i will let you know how i get on, they have done this to so many people its unbelievable that they can get away with it!

Hello everyone
I have spoken with Trading Standard this am. They also believe that what actually said to all of us by Apple Models and Metro Photography is a case of "Fraudulent Misrepresentation". They knew that what they are claiming are not true, however, they used misleading information to induce us to sign this non-canceallation Contract.

Trading Standard has also confirmed that we have to wait for a month to find out whether we have received any modelling works as verbally promissed to all of us. After that we have to either email them or write letter to them (Specially Delivery) to confirm that they in breach of their verbal contract and ask for full refund by setting up a date.

If they dont come back to us by then, we contact trading standard to report them again and they will advise us the formal mediation and finally small court procedures.

THEREFORE, please to thos people who are victims of this scam, do contact TRADING STANDARD explain what has happened and receive your case reference number.

Finally, I am prepared to speak and meet to any vicitims to form some kind of alliance against Apple Models and Metro Photography. This way we can definately get our money back rather than each trying to fight this alone.

I hope to hear from you,

Thanks, Dniele for update. I have also emailed Apple Models and Metro Photography. No response as of yet.

Am also wanting for my bank to get back to me I will keep everyone updated tomorrow when I phone xx

Am still waiting I've also sent Apple models a numbers of emails

Hi all, unfortunately, I have had the same experince . I spent £2, 000 for Platinium package based on the information received by the Metro Photography and Apple Model. I have spoken with the Credit Card company and they said that there is no proof to dispute this transaction. I would like to know is there anyone here managed to get refund from these scammers through their Credit Card company or otherways.

Unfortunately, I have had the same experience as many people in here. We contacted Apple Model and they said that they are a prestigious modelling platform having a network with 150 modelling agencies. They also said that if we pass the test in Metro Photography we will receive between 4 and 6 job per months starting from £350 upwards. We went to Metro Photography and after photo shoot, he said to us that we had 52 good photo and they are very impressed. For 20 min he spoke to us about the perspective to become a model and how apple Model vast networking could help us to receive a minimum of three jobs per month starting from £500 per job. After that he mentioned to us that we have to buy portfolio and different packages available. I have asked if we can think about it since there is large sum of money involved. However, he said once we walk out of their studio they will delete the photos from their computer adding more pressure. Finally, I have paid £2000 for platinium package based on the information received from them and enetring into non-canceallation contract.

After couple of weeks of emailing Apple Models, Finally someone replied with few attachments containing contact details of modelling agencies and ask us to apply to them. If I knew that we have to apply to them ourselves we would never consider them. These information are available to general public. Therefore, this is a clear case of misrepresentation and misleading the consumer to acquire their products based on some false information.

I have spoke with the Credit Card company regarding this matter, but they feel there is no ground to dispute. However, I will urge them to investigate this matter under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 based on Fraudulent Misrepresentation. I am also in contact with Trade Standard to report them if Apple Model and Metro Photography decide not to refund my money.

First of all, I would like to know if anyone manage to get their money back from these scammers? If yes, what method has been utilised?
Also, are there any other governmental body or organisation which could help me on this matter?
Finally, if anyone interested we can work together to get our money back. The reason for this is that the Credit Card company ask me if there are anyone who experince the same problem manage to get their money back, otherwise it is hard to proof.

I look forward to hearing from anyone,

That's great I'm so pleased your doing something about it too. I will keep you updated of any progress here too. look forwarded to hearing from you.xxx

Omg hi I receive you're email i would definitely be with you on this we can't let this happen i made a statement of the phone to trading standards am going to phone them up I've got a case ref number I'll let yous all know the outcome tomor has far has my bank am still wanting keep you up dated guys xxxx😊😝😂

I definitely wouldn't be giving any more money to them, I have read so many other comments about them taking money and not delivering I have also just read a comment about how apple and metro are owned by the same person and in the same building. According to the post i just read, apple are just a sales team who send people to metro, metro take the money and the more money metro make the more they pay the sales team at apple. I don't know if this is true or not but it wouldn't surprise me at all. I have read several posts about the people who work there not being qualified too again I don't know if this is true, all I do know is I am really concerned about the money I have just agreed to pay and I really don't think you should pay any more.

please let me know your advice before I pay another £3000 xxx

money gone all gone nothing to show for it they keep offering us more and more though sometimes it seems to good to be true shall I give them another go?

yes me too

I signed my daughter up for apple models and got a call back for her to attend metro photography studio for a trial shoot in London for a well known high street clothing chain. I asked if I would need to buy a portfolio as money was an issue and I was told no but that if we wanted to they could tailor a portfolio to suit our budget. I was told that if she was successful she would have the opportunity to work with other well known clothing companies. My daughter was so excited and over the moon when they told her she had been successful. we were told that we would need a hard copy portfolio within 5-6 days if she wanted to make sure she got the work and given 2 options one was to buy the disc with un-edited photos for £855 and the other was for a web page, hard copy portfolio, disc etc. obviously because he told us we needed the hard copy portfolio within 5-6 days we went for the second option which was £1959. He told us we needed to pay a £600 deposit there and then and if we didn't do this the photo's would have to be deleted when we left the studio for data protection reasons. I explained that we didn't have £600 and he went off to 'speak to his boss' and came back saying they could drop it to £400 deposit, I said we don't have £400 (all the while my daughter is sitting there excited), after repeating this about 3 or 4 times and asking if there was any other way, could we pay later? I asked if I could make a phone call. I called my mum and asked if she would mind lending us the money which she did, I paid the £400 deposit on my mum's card (which I feel terrible about now) and figured with the amount he said she would be earning (between £600 -£1500 per shot) the rest would pay for itself. He was very convincing and questioned our commitment to travelling to London every weekend for photo shoots as we live a couple of hours drive away. He spoke about how they would pay for travel for Amy plus one person to go with her. After making the deposit payment I stated that there was a lot to take in, he assured me it was ok as he would email me everything as soon as we left the studio along with the photos, well its 2 days later and despite calling his mobile number which always goes to an answer phone mailbox that is full and calling the office at metro I have been unable to get in contact with him. I have emailed and also called apple to speak to the original person I spoke as this is what the guy at metro told us to do as soon as possible but they are always in a meeting or busy, I have also emailed them and had no reply. On Sunday eve when we got back from the shot I went on my emails as I wanted to have another look at Amy's photos and he hadn't emailed them, this is when I first became concerned. I eventually looked on the internet for review's and that's when I came across this site, I now know we have been scammed! I have taken the advice of another post I read and joined which legal I have an appointment to speak to a lawyer on Thursday. If anyone would like to offer or ask advice please get in touch with me harper.marie@mail.com I will not be letting this go! Thanks for reading.

Thank you very much guys for exposing these people for what they are. I have an appointment at metro photography next week and haven't yet paid my deposit as i was going to pay it on monday. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for making me aware of this before i went and wasted my time and money. I will not be attending

Wow you guys have provided an illuminating overview of the types of pitfalls faced by aspiring models. I want to say thank you for all the info posted as it will help alot of people in the future.. not just in regards to Apple Modelling but others alike.. also well done Jenna for showing such a positive attitude.. awesome way to approach this topic. DB XD XO

David, I have been through the same experience with my daughter last year . After weeks of stress and almost giving up I did manage to cancel the contract and the instalments and got my deposit back . Don't let these people win. Ring CAB again . If you felt pressurised, or misled into signing this contract, which everyone is, then the law is there to protect you .Which legal will give you good advise of how to proceed . It costs a small amount to join but worth it . Your credit card should help if you because you as you have been scammed .contact them again, if they again will not help contact the financial conduct authority, look them up for help . I would advise you to look up Which legals website for advice on misleading, pressurised, aggressive practices which is what apple models/ metro do. These people are total ### and they have been getting away with it for too long now, under different names such as mint models / form models/neptune photography . It does take time and a lot of emails / letters but you can get your money back . Keep all correspondence and use recorded delivery. [censored] luck and do nt give up

Ples don't be tricked in to buy a portfolio from a Company called Apple models .send you to London for a test poto shoot then con you into buying ples read comments and contacts trade and standards also your bank if you paid on your bank card xxx

My wife was persuaded to attend last Sunday after paying a £50 booking fee with our son and after a "successful" shoot was of course told he would be a great success and would have no problems getting work.
However there was a deposit of £300 to be paid towards the total portfolio cost otherwise the photos would be destroyed.
She phoned me and I refused to pay but after 2 further calls and a persuasive conversation with an agent and fearing my son and wife's disappointment I succumbed to the pressure and paid
Little did I know that she had signed an agreement for total cost of £1400 and I might add nothing will be provided without full payment.
She tried to cancel but like all the other commenters this was declined.
I have contacted CAB who say a contract was entered into so nothing can be done.
Credit Card also say nothing they can do as no fraud or errant transaction committed
If we don't pay they will take us to court and result will be a ccj against us

What can will do about this sully we can't let Apple models get away with ripping people off like this

Dear friends I am a victim of exactly the same trap. I have paid £500 and have opted for the £1946 package. I want to straight away cancel the package but they are not letting me do that. They have my debit card details. What should I do. Someone please help me. I also want my £500 back. :(

SCAM - please beware! I was contacted by Liam, very nice person, clearly the gift of the gab, really makes you feel good about the whole experience and reels you in. I paid the deposit over the phone which was stupid of me, but I'm sure I'm not the first. Following that a series of email come through, all of them look legitimate and reel you in more, then I did my research on them! I spoke to two other people, one person from Apple who told a whole different set of lies to Liam, then another person from Metro photography who told more discrepancies. I think the problem with telling lies is that it's hard to make them all line up and this was a clear case! Even their website gave contradictions to what the sales team were saying! They will tell you that the negative reviews are from their competitors and that they are talking to googles legal team to get them removed - RUBBISH! They say the companies aren't linked and they might be registered separately, but they work hand in hand. As I live in London I decided to waste some of their time as they had wasted mine and went to the photoshoot and asked for my money back. They didn't like that! The assistant director said that the fact the terms and conditions changed AFTER I paid the deposit wasn't their fault but mine and as a result I wouldn't get my money back as I was breaching them. However I had anticipated some BS and I was in a position to comply with their T&C's. One of these was to have 6 outfits, so I had 6 T-shirts! The assistant director quickly returned in a very bad mood and said that they would return my deposit, however I was to call Apple and tell them what a naughty boy I had been and then they would write that on my file and send it to all the agencies so I would never get work in the industry again; naturally I questioned why I would do that?! The answer "Because it's the professional thing to do"! I personally feel that not ripping people off would be a better start! I was lucky that it was only a 5 minute walk for me so I wasted half an hour today and another hour in calls etc, it cost them 4 hours so I feel good about that! If you are in a similar position to me and have some spare time then perhaps you could do the same, just follow their T&C's, arrive on time, with the papers and 6 t-shirts and tell them that you aren't going to cooperate and lets waste their time for a change! I really dislike dishonesty and I feel bad for all the people that have been cheated by this company so I help this review will help some people to avoid this con... If you look at the big names in modelling agencies then you will see that a portfolio isn't required, and paying £50 for A SINGLE PHOTO is definitely not on! Best of luck to all!

Omg i think I've been riped off apple models asked me and my daughter to London for a test shoot all day all we spent and i left their office having spent £2000 omg I feel sick reading what you all have be saying plea can anyone advise me I felt something was not right flo sent us on the photo shoot when I phoned their office today a lady who sounded just like flo said her name was kare or something like that said she's not sure we're flo was and to email Charlie with my details

Hi guys I almost fall to their trick today i went there today hoping all is well at last same story the business is all about tricking you to buy photo, I try to let them know apple never told me I most buy photo before coming if they told me I will definitely ask the price then be sure I can pay all not before coming, at last I told them I need time to think about it they refused at this minutes They we delete all, any I told her I can register again with 50, when I have money to buy photo she said apple we not help me anymore, then I told her I we pay month ending when I got my salary she agree and ask me to pay deposit I refuse. I figure out a clear lie she said apple paid 3000 pounds to them for me to be here I was surprised wow 3000 ? For photo? Unbelievable am now waiting for my 50gp before 5days as they promise becareful my brother s and sisters there are legal scams what can I say pretend to be legal but illegal scams around UK people make living from nerves all their games look like true no bro wate until you pay be wise you need time to think before paying that is what I said and go. Yes amazing but for the money noway lol

Does anyone know know you contact trading standards about this as I have been subject to the same and trying to get my money back and cancel the contract.